“I see, I see you are an angel!” cried he, rapturously, “and as such I worship and adore you! O you have restored me to life, and rescued me from perdition!” “Give me, then, that fatal instrument!” “That instrument,” returned he, “is nothing, since so many others are in my power; but you have now taken from me all desire of using them. Go, then, and stop those wretches from coming to me,--send immediately for the Jew!--he will advance what money you please,--my man knows where to find him; consult with Mr Arnott,--speak a word of comfort to Priscilla,--but do nothing, nothing at all, till you have cleared my house of those cursed scoundrels!” Cecilia, whose heart sunk within her at the solemn promise she had given, the mention of the Jew, and the arduous task she had undertaken, quitted him without reply, and was going to her own room, to compose her hurried spirits, and consider what steps she had to take, when hearing the noise in the hall grow louder, she stopt to listen, and catching some words that greatly alarmed her, went half way down stairs, when she was met by Davison, Mr Harrel's man, of whom she enquired into the occasion of the disturbance. He answered that he must go immediately to his master, for the bailiffs were coming into the house. “Let him not know it if you value his life!” cried she, with new terror. “Where is Mr Arnott? call him to me,--beg him to come this moment;--I will wait for him here.” The man flew to obey her; and Cecilia, finding she had time neither for deliberation nor regret, and dreading lest Mr Harrel, by hearing of the arrival of the bailiffs, should relapse into despair, determined to call to her aid all the courage, prudence, and judgment she possessed, and, since to act she was compelled, endeavour with her best ability, to save his credit, and retrieve his affairs. The moment Mr Arnott came, she ordered Davison to hasten to his master, and watch his motions. Then, addressing Mr Arnott, “Will you. Sir,” she said, “go and tell those people that if they will instantly quit the house, every thing shall be settled, and Mr Harrel will satisfy their demands?” “Ah madam!” cried Mr Arnott, mournfully, “and how? he has no means to pay them, and I have none--without ruin to myself,--to help him!” “Send them but away,” said Cecilia, “and I will myself be your security that your promise shall not be disgraced.” “Alas, madam,” cried he, “what are you doing? well as I wish to Mr Harrel, miserable as I am for my unfortunate sister, I yet cannot bear that such goodness, such beneficence should be injured!” Cecilia, however, persisted, and with evident reluctance he obeyed her. While she waited his return, Davison came from Mr Harrel, who had ordered him to run instantly for the Jew. Good Heaven, thought Cecilia, that a man so wretchedly selfish and worldly, should dare, with all his guilt upon his head, To rush unlicenced on eternity! [Footnote: Mason's Elfrida]