These were his words; but Cecilia, in repeating them to herself, forgot to lay that emphasis on the word men, which would have placed it in contradistinction to the word women.  She willingly believed that the observation extended equally to both sexes, and flattered herself that she should exceed her brother in merit, if she owned a fault which she thought that it would be so much more difficult to confess.  “Yes, but,” said she, stopping herself, “how can I confess it?  This very evening, in a few hours, the prize will be decided; Leonora or I shall win it.  I have now as good a chance as Leonora, perhaps a better; and must I give up all my hopes? all that I have been labouring for this month past!  O, I never can;—­if it were to-morrow, or yesterday, or any day but this, I would not hesitate, but now I am almost certain of the prize, and if I win it—­well, why then I will—­I think, I will tell all—­yes, I will; I am determined,” said Cecilia.

Here a bell summoned them to dinner.  Leonora sat opposite to her, and she was not a little surprised to see Cecilia look so gay and unrestrained.  “Surely,” said she to herself, “if Cecilia had done this, that I suspect, she would not, she could not look as she does.”  But Leonora little knew the cause of her gayety; Cecilia was never in higher spirits, or better pleased with herself, than when she had resolved upon a sacrifice or a confession.

“Must not this evening be given to the most amiable?  Whose, then, will it be?” All eyes glanced first at Cecilia and then at Leonora.  Cecilia smiled; Leonora blushed.  “I see that it is not yet decided,” said Mrs. Villars; and immediately they ran up stairs, amidst confused whisperings.

Cecilia’s voice could be distinguished far above the rest.  “How can she be so happy?” said Leonora to herself.  “O, Cecilia, there was a time when you could not have neglected me so!—­when we were always together, the best of friends and companions, our wishes, tastes, and pleasures the same.  Surely she did once love me,” said Leonora; “but now she is quite changed.  She has even sold my keepsake, and would rather win a bracelet of hair from girls whom she did not always think so much superior to Leonora, than have my esteem, my confidence, and my friendship, for her whole life; yes, for her whole life, for I am sure she will be an amiable woman.  Oh that this bracelet had never been thought of, or that I was certain of her winning it; for I am certain that I do not wish to win it from her.  I would rather, a thousand times rather, that we were as we used to be, than have all the glory in the world.  And how pleasing Cecilia can be when she wishes to please! how candid she is! how much she can improve herself!—­let me be just, though she has offended me—­she is wonderfully improved within this last month; for one fault, and that against myself, should I forget all her merits?”