First published in 1782, this novel interweaves comedy, humanity and social analysis. In its satirical picture of the heroine's dismaying encounter with the gilded fashionable world, while also enjoying the attractions of an unusual love story, it caused controversy in its time. Cecilia is an "heiress" who can keep her estate if her husband will consent to take her surname. In playing upon the issue of the name, Burney makes us see the high cost of the patrilinear and the patriarchal. This edition presents the novel as it first appeared in 1782, while indicating changes Burney made to later editions. An introduction, bibliography and notes are provided, as well as several appendices.