Take with you, then, my blessing, for you are become one to me! long
daughter of my affection, now wife of my darling son! love her,
Mortimer, as she merits, and cherish her with tenderest gratitude!--
banish, sweetest Cecilia, every apprehension that oppresses you, and
receive in Mortimer Delvile a husband that will revere your virtues,
and dignify your choice!"

She then embraced her again, and seeing that her heart was too full for
speech, suffered her to go without making any answer. Delvile attended
her to her chair, scarce less moved than herself, and found only
opportunity to entreat her punctuality the next morning.

She had, indeed, no inclination to fail in her appointment, or risk the
repetition of scenes so affecting, or situations so alarming. Mrs
Delvile's full approbation somewhat restored to her her own, but
nothing could remove the fearful anxiety, which still privately
tormented her with expectations of another disappointment.

The next morning she arose with the light, and calling all her courage
to her aid, determined to consider this day as decisive of her destiny
with regard to Delvile, and, rejoicing that at least all suspense would
be over, to support herself with fortitude, be that destiny what it
might.

At the appointed time she sent her maid to visit Mrs Hill, and gave
some errands to her man that carried him to a distant part of the town:
but she charged them both to return to the lodgings by nine o'clock, at
which hour she ordered a chaise for returning into the country.

Delvile, who was impatiently watching for their quitting the house,