'MR. WILLIAMS, 'The death of Mr. Fownes has now given me the opportunity I have long
wanted, to make you happy, and that in a double respect: For I shall
soon put you in possession of his living; and, if you have the art of
making yourself well received, of one of the loveliest wives in England.
She has not been used (as she has reason to think) according to her
merit; but when she finds herself under the protection of a man of
virtue and probity, and a happy competency to support life in the manner
to which she has been of late years accustomed, I am persuaded she will
forgive those seeming hardships which have paved the way to so happy a
lot, as I hope it will be to you both. I have only to account for and
excuse the odd conduct I have been guilty of, which I shall do when I
see you: but as I shall soon set out for London, I believe it will not
be yet this month. Mean time, if you can prevail with Pamela, you need
not suspend for that your mutual happiness; only let me have notice of
it first, and that she approves of it; which ought to be, in so material
a point, entirely at her option; as I assure you, on the other hand,
I would have it at yours, that nothing may be wanting to complete your
happiness. 'I am your humble servant.' Was ever the like heard?--Lie still, my throbbing heart, divided as
thou art, between thy hopes and thy fears!--But this is the letter Mrs.
Jewkes left with me:
'MRS. JEWKES, 'You have been very careful and diligent in the task, which, for reasons
I shall hereafter explain, I had imposed upon you. Your trouble is now
almost at an end; for I have written my intentions to Mr. Williams
so particularly, that I need say the less here, because he will not
scruple, I believe, to let you know the contents of my letter. I have
only one thing to mention, that if you find what I have hinted to him
in the least measure disagreeable to either, you assure them both, that
they are at entire liberty to pursue their own inclinations. I hope you
continue your civilities to the mistrustful, uneasy Pamela, who now will
begin to think better of hers and 'Your friend, etc.' I had hardly time to transcribe these letters, though, writing so much,
I write pretty fast, before they both came up again in high spirits; and
Mr. Williams said, I am glad at my heart, madam, that I was beforehand
in my declarations to you: this generous letter has made me the happiest
man on earth; and, Mrs. Jewkes, you may be sure, that if I can procure
this fair one's consent, I shall think myself--I interrupted the good
man, and said, Ah! Mr. Williams, take care, take care; don't let--There
I stopt; and Mrs. Jewkes said, Still mistrustful!--I never saw the like
in my life!--But I see, said she, I was not wrong, while my old orders
lasted, to be wary of you both--I should have had a hard task to prevent
you, I find; for, as the saying is, Nought can restrain consent of
twain. I doubted not her taking hold of his joyful indiscretion.--I took her
letter, and said, Here, Mrs. Jewkes, is yours; I thank you for it; but
I have been so long in a maze, that I can say nothing of this for the
present. Time will bring all to light.--Sir, said I, here is yours:
May every thing turn to your happiness! I give you joy of my master's
goodness in the living.--It will be dying, said he, not a living,
without you.--Forbear, sir, said I; while I have a father and mother, I
am not my own mistress, poor as they are; and I'll see myself quite at
liberty, before I shall think myself fit to make a choice.