I have only, therefore, to assure you, my dear, that in this
instance, as I will do in any other I can think of, I have studied to
make you quite easy, free, and independent. And because I shall avoid
all occasions, for the future, which may discompose you, I have but one
request to make; which is, that if it please God, for my sins, to
separate me from my dearest Pamela, you will only resolve not to marry
one person; for I would not be such a Herod, as to restrain you from a
change of condition with any other, however reluctantly I may think of
any other person's succeeding me in your esteem.
I could not answer, and thought my heart would have burst: And he
continued, To conclude at once a subject that is so grievous to you, I
will tell you, my Pamela, that this person is Mr. Williams. And now I
will acquaint you with my motive for this request; which is wholly owing
to my niceness, and to no dislike I have for him, or apprehension of any
likelihood that it will be so: but, methinks it would reflect a little
upon my Pamela, if she was to give way to such a conduct, as if she had
married a man for his estate, when she had rather have had another, had
it not been for that; and that now, the world will say, she is at liberty
to pursue her inclination, the parson is the man!--And I cannot bear even
the most distant apprehension, that I had not the preference with you, of
any man living, let me have been what I would, as I have shewn my dear
life, that I have preferred her to all her sex, of whatever degree.
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