twelve o'clock
Cecilia , finding her resistance only gave birth to fresh suspicion , now yielded , satisfied that a very little time must unavoidably clear up the truth . But her visit was not therefore shortened ; the sudden partiality with which the figure and countenance of Mrs Delvile had impressed her , was quickly ripened into esteem by the charms of her conversation : she found her sensible , well bred , and high spirited , gifted by nature with superior talents , and polished by education and study with all the elegant embellishments of cultivation . She saw in her , indeed , some portion of the pride she had been taught to expect , but it was so much softened by elegance , and so well tempered with kindness , that it elevated her character , without rendering her manners offensive . With such a woman , subjects of discourse could never be wanting , nor fertility of powers to make them entertaining : and so much was Cecilia delighted with her visit , that though her carriage was announced at twelve o'clock , she reluctantly concluded it at two ; and in taking her leave , gladly accepted an invitation to dine with her new friend three days after ; who , equally pleased with her young guest , promised before that time to return her visit . Cecilia found Mrs Harrel eagerly waiting to hear some account how she had passed the morning , and fully persuaded that she would leave the Delviles with a determination never more , but by necessity , to see them : she was , therefore , not only surprised but disappointed , when instead of fulfilling her expectations , she assured her that she had been delighted with Mrs Delvile , whose engaging qualities amply recompensed her for the arrogance of her husband ; that her visit had no fault but that of being too short , and that she had already appointed an early day for repeating it . Mrs Harrel was evidently hurt by this praise , and Cecilia , who perceived among all her guardians a powerful disposition to hatred and jealousy , soon dropt the subject : though so much had she been charmed with Mrs Delvile , that a scheme of removal once more occurred to her , notwithstanding her dislike of her stately guardian . At dinner , as usual , they were joined by Sir Robert Floyer , who grew more and more assiduous in his attendance , but who , this day , contrary to his general custom of remaining with the gentlemen , made his exit before the ladies left the table ; and as soon as he was gone , Mr Harrel desired a private conference with Cecilia .