come into the property, and
I heard somebody say that he would in all probability succeed in gaining
the handsomest girl in London with a large fortune--that it was said to
be a match. Now, if such be the case, and you broke in upon a quiet
reunion between two young people about to be united, almost without
announcement, and so unexpectedly, after a lapse of so long a time,
surely you cannot be surprised at there being a degree of confusion and
restraint--more especially after what had passed between Harcourt and
you. Depend upon it, that was the cause of it. Had Lady de Clare and
her daughter been alone, your reception would have been very different;
indeed, Cecilia's following you down stairs proves that it was not from
coolness towards you; and Harcourt calling upon you, and the
conversation which took place, is another proof that you have been
mistaken."

"I never viewed it in that light, certainly, sir," observed I. "I
merely perceived that I was considered intrusive, and finding in the
company one who had treated me ill, and had been my antagonist in the
field, I naturally supposed that he had prejudiced them against me. I
hope I may be wrong; but I have seen so much of the world, young as I
am, that I have become very suspicious."

"Then discard suspicion as fast as you can; it will only make you
unhappy, and not prevent your being deceived. If you are suspicious,
you will have the constant fear of deception hanging over you, which
poisons existence."

After these remarks I remained silent for some time; I was analysing my
own feelings, and I felt that I had acted in a very absurd manner. The
fact was, that one of my castle buildings had been, that I was to marry
Fleta as soon as I had found my own father, and this it was which had
actuated me, almost without my knowing it. I felt jealous of Harcourt,
and that, without being in love with Miss de Clare, but actually
passionately fond of another person; I felt as if I could have married
her without loving her, and that I could give up Susannah Temple, whom I
did love, rather than that a being, whom I considered as almost of my
own creation, should herself presume to fall in love, or that another
should dare to love her, until I had made up my mind whether I should
take her myself; and this after so long an absence, and their having
given up all hopes of ever seeing me again. The reader may smile at the
absurdity, still more at the selfishness of this f