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Book, page 351 / 462 or you will have to come in when we have all sat down to supper, and then you will be so stared at! So don't stay, now." Cecilia followed Louisa with her eyes till she was out of sight. "And is Louisa," said she, to herself, "the only one who would stop to pity me? Mrs. Villars told me that this day should be mine. She little thought how it would end!" Saying these words, Cecilia threw herself down upon the ground; her arm leaned upon a heap of turf which she had raised in the morning, and which, in the pride and gaiety of her heart, she had called her throne. At this instant, Mrs. Villars came out to enjoy the serenity of the evening, and, passing by the arbour where Cecilia lay, she started. Cecilia rose hastily. "Who is there?" said Mrs. Villars. "It is I, madam." "And who is _I_?" "Cecilia." "Why, what keeps you here, my dear? Where are your companions? This is, perhaps, one of the happiest days of your life." "Oh, no, madam," said Cecilia, hardly able to repress her tears. "Why, my dear, what is the matter?" Cecilia hesitated. "Speak, my dear. You know that when I ask you to tell me anything as your friend, I never punish you as your governess; therefore you need not be afraid to tell me what is the matter." "No, madam, I am not afraid, but ashamed. You asked me why I was not with my companions. Why, madam, because they have all left me, and--" "And what, my dear?" "And I see that they all dislike me; and yet I don't know why they
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