
Cecilia, a young heiress of considerable means, finds herself torn between lingering doubts and a yearning for certainty. When Mr. Delvile, the earnest suitor who has long courted her, finally secures a moment to learn the true source of her hesitation, she must confront the uneasy mix of pride, fear, and self‑doubt that has held her captive. Their exchange reveals a fragile intimacy, as both wrestle with the weight of expectation and the hope of a shared future.
The story follows Cecilia’s struggle to summon the courage needed for a decisive step toward marriage, set against the backdrop of secretive plans and looming social scrutiny. As she grapples with her own insecurities, the narrative captures the delicate balance between duty and desire, offering a poignant glimpse into the emotional landscape of a woman on the brink of a life‑changing choice. Listeners will be drawn into her inner turmoil and the tender, if tense, dynamics of a budding romance.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (638K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Text file produced by Delphine Lettau, Charles Franks and the people at DP HTML file produced by David Widger
Release date
2004-12-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1752–1840
Best known for sharp, lively novels such as Evelina and Cecilia, this English writer helped shape the novel of manners with wit, social insight, and an eye for awkward human comedy. Her journals and letters also left behind one of the richest firsthand records of literary and court life in late 18th-century Britain.
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