“Nothing more right, ma'am!” returned he; “a young lady in a house by herself must be subject to a thousand dangers. What sort of place, ma'am, has Mr Delvile got in the country? I hear he has a good deal of ground there, and a large house.”

“It is an old castle, Sir, and situated in a park.”

“That must be terribly forlorn; I dare say, ma'am, you were very happy to return into Suffolk.”

“I did not find it forlorn; I was very well satisfied with it.”

“Why, indeed, upon second thoughts, I don't much wonder; an old castle in a large park must make a very romantic appearance; something noble in it, I dare say.”

“Aye,” cried Lady Margaret, “they said you were to become mistress of it, and marry Mr Delvile's son and I cannot, for my own part, see any objection to it.”

“I am told of so many strange reports,” said Cecilia, “and all, to myself so unaccountable, that I begin now to hear of them without much wonder.”

“That's a charming young man, I believe,” said Morrice; “I had the pleasure once or twice of meeting him at poor Harrel's, and he seemed mighty agreeable. Is not he so, ma'am?”

“Yes,—I believe so.”

“Nay, I don't mean to speak of him as any thing very extraordinary,” cried Morrice, imagining her hesitation proceeded from dislike, “I merely meant as the world goes,—in a common sort of a way.”