Williams, as well as I
could, as my dear master did with a much better grace, the words of
betrothment; and the ceremony of the ring passing next, I received the
dear favour at his worthy hands with a most grateful heart; and he was
pleased to say afterwards in the chariot, that when he had done saying,
With this ring I thee wed, etc. I made a courtesy, and said, Thank you,
sir. May be I did; for I am sure it was a most grateful part of the
service, and my heart was overwhelmed with his goodness, and the tender
grace wherewith he performed it. I was very glad, that the next part was
the prayer, and kneeling; for I trembled so, I could hardly stand,
betwixt fear and joy.
The joining of our hands afterwards, the declaration of our being married
to the few witnesses present; for, reckoning Nan, whose curiosity would
not let her stay at the door, there were but Mr. Peters, Mrs. Jewkes, and
she; the blessing, the psalm, and the subsequent prayers, and the
concluding exhortation; were so many beautiful, welcome, and lovely parts
of this divine office, that my heart began to be delighted with them; and
my spirits to be a little freer.
And thus, my dearest, dear parents, is your happy, happy, thrice happy
Pamela, at last married; and to whom?--Why, to her beloved, gracious
master! the lord of her wishes! And thus the dear, once naughty assailer
of her innocence, by a blessed turn of Providence, is become the kind,
the generous protector and rewarder of it.
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