tter. But I will
go down as brisk as I can, that nothing may be imputed to me. Yet I
wish this Mr. Williams had not been there now, when they are all there;
because of their fleers at him and me. Otherwise I should be glad to
see the poor gentleman; for, indeed, I think him a good man, and he has
suffered for my sake.

So, I am sent for down to cards. I'll go; but wish I may continue their
good opinions of me: for I shall be very awkward. My master, by his
serious question, and bidding me guard my heart against surprises,
though I should see, when I came down, a man he can allow me to love
dearly, though hardly better than himself, has quite alarmed me, and
made me sad!--I hope he loves me!--But whether he does or not, I am in
for it now, over head and ears, I doubt, and can't help loving him; 'tis
a folly to deny it. But to be sure I can't love any man preferably to
him. I shall soon know what he means.

Now, my dear mother, must I write to you. Well might my good master say
so mysteriously as he did, about guarding my heart against surprises. I
never was so surprised in my life; and never could see a man I loved
so dearly!--O my dear mother, it was my dear, dear father, and not Mr.
Williams, that was below ready to receive and to bless your daughter!
and both my master and he enjoined me to write how the whole matter was,
and what my thoughts were on this joyful occasion.

I will take the matter from the beginning, that Providence directed his
feet to this house, to this time, as I have had it from Mrs. Jewkes,
from my master, my father, the ladies, and my own heart and conduct, as
far as I know of both; because they command it, and you will be pleased
with my relation and so, as you know how I came by the connexion, will
make one uniform relation of it.

It seems, then, my dear father and you were so uneasy to know the truth
of the story which Thomas had told you, that fearing I was betrayed, and
quite undone, he got leave of absence, and set out the day after Thomas
was there; and so, on Friday morning, he got to the neighbouring town;
and there he heard, that the gentry in the neighbourhood were at
my master's, at a great entertainment. He put on a clean shirt and
neckcloth (which he brought in his pocket) at an alehouse there, and got
shaved; and so, after he had eaten some bread and cheese, and drank
a can of ale, he set out for my master's house, with a heavy heart,
dreading for me, and in much fear of b