“This intrepidity in a young woman,” said he, ironically, “is certainly very commendable; and doubtless, as you are your own mistress, your having run out great part of your fortune, is nothing beyond what you have a right to do.” “Me!” cried Cecilia, astonished, “run out great part of my fortune!” “Perhaps that is another _mistake_! I have not often been so unfortunate; and you are not, then, in debt?” “In debt, Sir?” “Nay, I have no intention to inquire into your affairs. Good morning to you, ma'am.” “I beg, I entreat, Sir, that you will stop!--make me, at least, understand what you mean, whether you deign to hear my justification or not.” “O, I am mistaken, it seems! misinformed, deceived; and you have neither spent more than you have received, nor taken up money of Jews? your minority has been clear of debts? and your fortune, now you are of age, will be free from incumbrances?” Cecilia, who now began to understand him, eagerly answered, “do you mean, Sir, the money which I took up last spring?” “O no; by no means, I conceive the whole to be a _mistake_!” And he went to the door. “Hear me but a moment, Sir!” cried she hastily, following him; “since you know of that transaction, do not refuse to listen to its occasion; I took up the money for Mr Harrel; it was all, and solely for him.” “For Mr Harrel, was it?” said he, with an air of supercilious incredulity; “that was rather an unlucky step. Your servant, ma'am.” And he opened the door. “You will not hear me, then? you will not credit me?” cried she in the cruellest agitation. “Some other time, ma'am; at present my avocations are too numerous to permit me.” And again, stiffly bowing, he called to his servants, who were waiting in the hall, and put himself into his chair. CHAPTER v. A SUSPICION. Cecilia was now left in a state of perturbation that was hardly to be endured. The contempt with which she had been treated during the whole visit was nothing short of insult, but the accusations with which it was concluded did not more irritate than astonish her. That some strange prejudice had been taken against her, even more than belonged to her connection with young Delvile, the message brought her by Dr Lyster had given her reason to suppose: what that prejudice was she now knew, though how excited she was still ignorant; but she found Mr Delvile had been informed she had taken up money of a Jew, without having heard it was for Mr Harrel, and that he had been acquainted with her visits in Portland-street, without seeming to know Mr Belfield had a sister. Two charges such as these, so serious in their nature, and so destructive of her character, filled her with horror and consternation, and even somewhat served to palliate his illiberal and injurious behaviour.