This little contrivance, which saved her alike from shewing favour or giving offence, could not but be applauded by both parties: and while they obeyed her orders, she took a third gla.s.s herself from the servant.
While this was pa.s.sing, Mr Briggs, again perceiving her, stumpt hastily towards her, calling out "Ah ha! my duck! what"s that? got something nice? Come here, my lad, taste it myself."
He then took a gla.s.s, but having only put it to his mouth, made a wry face, and returned it, saying "Bad! bad! poor punch indeed!--not a drop of rum in it!
"So much the better, Sir," cried Morrice, who diverted himself by following him, "for then you see the master of the house spares in something, and you said he spared in nothing."
"Don"t spare in fools!" returned Mr Briggs, "keeps them in plenty."
"No, Sir, nor in any out of the way characters," answered Morrice.
"So much the worse," cried Briggs, "so much the worse! Eat him out of house and home; won"t leave him a rag to his back nor a penny in his pocket. Never mind "em, my little duck; mind none of your guardians but me: t"other two a"n"t worth a rush."
Cecilia, somewhat ashamed of this speech, looked towards young Delvile, in whom it occasioned the first smile she had seen that evening.
"Been looking about for you!" continued Briggs, nodding sagaciously; "believe I"ve found one will do. Guess what I mean;--100,0000--hay?--what say to that? any thing better at the west end of the town?"
"100,000!" cried Morrice, "and pray, Sir, who may this be?"
"Not you, Mr jackanapes! sure of that. A"n"t quite positive he"ll have you, neither. Think he will, though."
"Pray; Sir, what age is he?" cried the never daunted Morrice.
"Why about--let"s see--don"t know, never heard,--what signifies?"
"But, Sir, he"s an old man, I suppose, by being so rich?"
"Old? no, no such thing; about my own standing."
"What, Sir, and do you propose him for an husband to Miss Beverley?"
"Why not? know ever a one warmer? think Master Harrel will get her a better? or t"other old Don, in the grand square?"
"If you please, Sir," cried Cecilia hastily, "we will talk of this matter another time."
"No, pray," cried young Delvile, who could not forbear laughing, "let it be discussed now."
"Hate "em," continued Mr Briggs, "hate "em both! one spending more than he"s worth, cheated and over-reached by fools, running into gaol to please a parcel of knaves; t"other counting nothing but uncles and grandfathers, dealing out fine names instead of cash, casting up more cousins than guineas--"
Again Cecilia endeavoured to silence him, but, only chucking her under the chin, he went on, "Ay, ay, my little duck, never mind "em; one of "em i"n"t worth a penny, and t"other has nothing in his pockets but lists of the defunct. What good will come of that? would not give twopence a dozen for "em! A poor set of grandees, with nothing but a tie-wig for their portions!"
Cecilia, unable to bear this harangue in the presence of young Delvile, who, however, laughed it off with a very good grace, arose with an intention to retreat, which being perceived by Sir Robert Floyer, who had attended to this dialogue with haughty contempt, he came forward, and said, "now then, madam, may I have the honour of your hand?"
"No, Sir," answered Cecilia, "I am engaged."
"Engaged again?" cried he, with the air of a man who thought himself much injured.
"Glad of it, glad of it!" said Mr Briggs; "served very right! have nothing to say to him, my chick!"
"Why not, Sir?" cried Sir Robert, with an imperious look.
"Sha"n"t have her, sha"n"t have her! can tell you that; won"t consent; know you of old."
"And what do you know of me, pray Sir?"
"No good, no good; nothing to say to you; found fault with my nose!
ha"n"t forgot it."
At this moment Mr Marriot came to claim his partner, who, very willing to quit this scene of wrangling and vulgarity, immediately attended him. Miss Larolles, again flying up to her, said "O my dear, we are all expiring to know who that creature is! I never saw such a horrid fright in my life!"
Cecilia was beginning to satisfy her, but some more young ladies coming up to join in the request, she endeavoured to pa.s.s on; "O but," cried Miss Larolles, detaining her, "do pray stop, for I"ve something to tell you that"s so monstrous you"ve no idea. Do you know Mr Meadows has not danced at all! and he"s been standing with Mr Sawyer, and looking on all the time, and whispering and laughing so you"ve no notion. However, I a.s.sure you, I"m excessive glad he did not ask me, for all I have been sitting still all this time, for I had a great deal rather sit still, I a.s.sure you: only I"m sorry I put on this dress, for any thing would have done just to look on in that stupid manner."
Here Mr Meadows sauntered towards them; and all the young ladies began playing with their fans, and turning their heads another way, to disguise the expectations his approach awakened; and Miss Larolles, in a hasty whisper to Cecilia, cried, "Pray don"t take any notice of what I said, for if he should happen to ask me, I can"t well refuse him, you know, for if I do, he"ll be so excessive affronted you can"t think."
Mr Meadows then, mixing in the little group, began, with sundry grimaces, to exclaim "how intolerably hot it is! there"s no such thing as breathing. How can anybody think of dancing! I am amazed Mr Harrel has not a ventilator in this room. Don"t you think it would be a great improvement?"
This speech, though particularly addressed to no one, received immediately an a.s.senting answer from all the young ladies.
Then, turning to Miss Larolles, "Don"t you dance?" he said.
"Me?" cried she, embarra.s.sed, "yes, I believe so,--really I don"t know,--I a"n"t quite determined."
"O, do dance!" cried he, stretching himself and yawning, "it always gives me spirits to see you."
Then, turning suddenly to Cecilia, without any previous ceremony of renewing his acquaintance, either by speaking or bowing, he abruptly said "Do you love dancing, ma"am?"
"Yes, Sir, extremely well."
"I"m very glad to hear it. You have one thing, then, to soften existence."
"Do you dislike it yourself?"
"What dancing? Oh dreadful! how it was ever adopted in a civilized country I cannot find out; "tis certainly a Barbarian exercise, and of savage origin. Don"t you think so, Miss Larolles?"
"Lord no," cried Miss Larolles, "I a.s.sure you I like it better than any thing; I know nothing so delightful, I declare I dare say I could not live without it; I should be so stupid you can"t conceive."
"Why I remember," said Mr Marriot, "when Mr Meadows was always dancing himself. Have you forgot, Sir, when you used to wish the night would last for ever, that you might dance without ceasing?"
Mr Meadows, who was now intently surveying a painting that was over the chimney-piece, seemed of to hear this question, but presently called out "I am amazed Mr Harrel can suffer such a picture as this to be in his house. I hate a portrait, "tis so wearisome looking at a thing that is doing nothing!"
"Do you like historical pictures, Sir, any better?"
"O no, I detest them! views of battles, murders, and death! Shocking!
shocking!--I shrink from them with horror!"
"Perhaps you are fond of landscapes?"
"By no means! Green trees and fat cows! what do they tell one? I hate every thing that is insipid."