been for Mr Simkins, I should not so much as have known he ever went to
the * * coffee-house; however, I hope he a'n't come away, because if he
is, poor Miss Beverley will have had all that trouble for nothing; for
she's gone after him in a prodigious hurry; and upon my only saying
that, he seemed quite beside himself, and said, if I don't meet with
your son at the * * coffee-house myself, pray, when he comes in, tell
him I shall be highly obliged to him to call there; and then he went
away, in as great a pet as ever you saw."

Cecilia listened to this account with the utmost terror and misery; the
suspicions of Delvile would now be aggravated, and the message he had
left for Belfield, would by him be regarded as a defiance. Again,
however, to the * * coffee-house she instantly ordered the coach, an
immediate explanation from herself seeming the only possible chance for
preventing the most horrible conclusion to this unfortunate and
eventful evening.

She was still accompanied by Mr Simkins, and, but that she attended to
nothing he said, would not inconsiderably have been tormented by his
conversation. She sent him immediately into the coffee-room, to enquire
if either of the gentlemen were then in the house.

He returned to her with a waiter, who said, "One of them, madam, called
again just now, but he only stopt to write a note, which he left to be
given to the gentleman who came with him at first. He is but this
moment gone, and I don't think he can be at the bottom of the street."

"Oh drive then, gallop after him!"--cried Cecilia; "coachman! go this
moment!"