for
mistrusting him.

She was going on; but I said, Don't torture me thus, I beseech you,
Mrs. Jewkes. Let me know all!--Ah! Mr. Williams, said I, take care, take
care!--Mistrustful again! said she: Why, Mr. Williams, shew her your
letter, and I will shew her mine: they were brought by the same hand.

I trembled at the thoughts of what this might mean; and said, You have
so surprised me, that I cannot stand, nor hear, nor read! Why did you
come up in such a manner to attack such weak spirits? said he, to Mrs.
Jewkes, Shall we leave our letters with Mrs. Pamela, and let her recover
from her surprise? Ay, said she, with all my heart; here is nothing but
flaming honour and good will! And so saying, they left me their letters
and withdrew.

My heart was quite sick with the surprise, so that I could not
presently read them, notwithstanding my impatience; but, after a while,
recovering, I found the contents thus strange and unexpected:

'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 dil