The ceremony was now begun; and Cecilia, finding herself past all power of retracting, soon called her thoughts from wishing it, and turned her whole attention to the awful service; to which though she listened with reverence, her full satisfaction in the object of her vows, made her listen without terror. But when the priest came to that solemn adjuration, _If any man can shew any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together_, a conscious tear stole into her eye, and a sigh escaped from Delvile that went to her heart: but, when the priest concluded the exhortation with _let him now speak, or else hereafter for-ever hold his peace_, a female voice at some distance, called out in shrill accents, “I do!” The ceremony was instantly stopt. The astonished priest immediately shut up the book to regard the intended bride and bridegroom; Delvile started with amazement to see whence the sound proceeded; and Cecilia, aghast, and struck with horror, faintly shriekt, and caught hold of Mrs Charlton. The consternation was general, and general was the silence, though all of one accord turned round towards the place whence the voice issued: a female form at the same moment was seen rushing from a pew, who glided out of the church with the quickness of lightning. Not a word was yet uttered, every one seeming rooted to the spot on which he stood, and regarding in mute wonder the place this form had crossed. Delvile at length exclaimed, “What can this mean?” “Did you not know the woman, Sir?” said the clergyman. “No, Sir, I did not even see her.” “Nor you, madam?” said he, addressing Cecilia. “No, Sir,” she answered, in a voice that scarce articulated the two syllables, and changing colour so frequently, that Delvile, apprehensive she would faint, flew to her, calling out, “Let _me_ support you!” She turned from him hastily, and still, holding by Mrs Charlton, moved away from the altar. “Whither,” cried Delvile, fearfully following her, “whither are you going?” She made not any answer; but still, though tottering as much from emotion as Mrs Charlton from infirmity, she walked on. “Why did you stop the ceremony, Sir?” cried Delvile, impatiently speaking to the clergyman. “No ceremony, Sir,” he returned, “could proceed with such an interruption.” “It has been wholly accidental,” cried he, “for we neither of us know the woman, who could not have any right or authority for the prohibition.” Then yet more anxiously pursuing Cecilia, “why,” he continued, “do you thus move off?--Why leave the ceremony unfinished?--Mrs Charlton, what is it you are about?--Cecilia, I beseech you return, and let the service go on!” Cecilia, making a motion with her hand to forbid his following her, still silently proceeded, though drawing along with equal difficulty Mrs Charlton and herself.