Book Nine Chapter 9 A Suspense

"I have deserved, madam," said she, with spirit, "to be pained, for I have behaved with the folly of a baby. I am very angry with myself indeed! I was old enough to have known better,--and I ought to have been wise enough."

"You must then be angry with yourself, next," said Cecilia, anxious to re-encourage her, "for all the love that I bear you; since to your openness and frankness it was entirely owing."

"But there are some things that people should not be frank in; however, I am only come now to beg you will tell me, madam, when it is to be;--and don't think I ask out of nothing but curiosity, for I have a very great reason for it indeed."

"What be, my dear Henrietta?--you are very rapid in your ideas!"

"I will tell you, madam, what my reason is; I shall go away to my own home,--and so I would if it were ten times a worse home than it is!-- just exactly the day before. Because afterwards I shall never like to look that gentleman in the face,--never, never!--for married ladies I know are not to be trusted!"

"Be not apprehensive; you have no occasion. Whatever may be my fate, I will never be so treacherous as to betray my beloved Henrietta to any body."

"May I ask you, madam, one question?"

"Certainly."

"Why did all this never happen before?"