This conversation over, Cecilia sent for her Steward, and desired him, with the utmost expedition, to call in all her bills, and instantly to go round to her tenants within twenty miles, and gather in, from those who were able to pay, the arrears now due to her; charging him, however, upon no account, to be urgent with such as seemed distressed. The bills she had to pay were collected without difficulty; she never owed much, and creditors are seldom hard of access; but the money she hoped to receive fell very short of her expectations, for the indulgence she had shewn to her tenants had ill prepared them for so sudden a demand. CHAPTER v. A DECISION. This business effectually occupied the present and following day; the third, Cecilia expected her answer from Delvile Castle, and the visit she so much dreaded from the attorney. The answer arrived first. _To Miss Beverley_. MADAM,--As my son has never apprized me of the extraordinary step which your letter intimates, I am too unwilling to believe him capable of so far forgetting what he owes his family, to ratify any such intimation by interfering with my counsel or opinion.--I am, Madam, &c., COMPTON DELVILE. DELVILE CASTLE, _May 1st, 1780_. Cecilia had little right to be surprised by this letter, and she had not a moment to comment upon it, before the attorney arrived. “Well, madam,” said the man, as he entered the parlour, “Mr Eggleston has stayed your own time very patiently: he commissions me now to enquire if it is convenient to you to quit the premises.” “No, Sir, it is by no means convenient to me; and if Mr Eggleston will wait some time longer, I shall be greatly obliged to him.” “No doubt, madam, but he will, upon proper considerations.” “What, Sir, do you call proper?” “Upon your advancing to him, as I hinted before, an immediate particular sum from what must, by and bye, be legally restituted.” “If this is the condition of his courtesy, I will quit the house without giving him further trouble.” “Just as it suits you, madam. He will be glad to take possession to-morrow or next day.” “You did well, Sir, to commend his patience! I shall, however, merely discharge my servants, and settle my accounts, and be ready to make way for him.” “You will not take it amiss, madam, if I remind you that the account with Mr Eggleston must be the first that is settled.” “If you mean the arrears of this last fortnight or three weeks, I believe I must desire him to wait Mr Delvile's return, as I may otherwise myself be distressed for ready money.” “That, madam, is not likely, as it is well known you have a fortune that was independent of your late uncle; and as to distress for ready money, it is a plea Mr Eggleston can urge much more strongly.” “This is being strangely hasty, Sir!--so short a time as it is since Mr Eggleston could expect _any_ of this estate!”