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.
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