The coachman, still unmoved, began to grow very abusive; but the
stranger, touched by compassion, gave up his attempted gallantry, and
Mr Simkins, much astonished, entreated her not to be frightened: she
was, however, in no condition to listen to him; with a strength
hitherto unknown to her, she forcibly disengaged herself from her
persecutors; yet her senses were wholly disordered; she forgot her
situation, her intention, and herself; the single idea of Delvile's
danger took sole possession of her brain, though all connection with
its occasion was lost, and the moment she was released, she fervently
clasped her hands, exclaiming, "I will yet heal his wound, even at the
hazard of my life!" and springing forward, was almost instantly out of
sight.

Mr Simkins now, much alarmed, and earnestly calling after her, entered
into a compromise with the coachman, that he might attend her; but the
length of his negociation defeated its purpose, and before he was at
liberty to follow her, all trace was lost by which he might have
overtaken her. He stopt every passenger he met to make enquiries, but
though they led him on some way, they led him on in vain; and, after a
useless and ill-managed pursuit, he went quietly to his own home,
determining to acquaint Mrs Belfield with what had happened the next
morning.

Mean while the frantic Cecilia escaped both pursuit and insult by the
velocity of her own motion. She called aloud upon Delvile as she flew
to the end of the street. No Delvile was there!--she turned the corner;
yet saw nothing of him; she still went on, though unknowing whither,
the distraction of her mind every instant growing greater, from the
inflammation of fatigue, heat, and disappointment. She was spoken to