“Mr. Williams, for motives most excellently worthy of his function, inclines to surrender up to Mr. B. his living of three hundred pounds per annum, and to accept of the earl’s living of two hundred and twenty.  Dear Sir, I am going to be very bold; but under your condition nevertheless:—­let the gentleman, to whom you shall present the living of E. allow eighty pounds per annum out of it to Mr. Williams, till the earl’s favour shall make up the difference to him, and no longer.  And—­but I dare not name the gentleman:—­for how, dear Sir, were I to be so bold, shall I part with my chaplain?”—­“Admirable! most admirable!” said Lord and Lady Davers, in the same words.  The countess praised the decision too; and Mr. H. with his “Let me be hang’d,” and his “Fore Gad’s,” and such exclamations natural to him, made his plaudits.  Mr. Williams said, he could wish with all his heart it might be so; and Mr. Adams was so abashed and surprised, that he could not hold up his head;—­but joy danced in his silent countenance, for all that.

Mr. B. having hesitated a few minutes.  Lady Davers called out for his objection, or consent, according to condition, and he said, “I cannot so soon determine as that prompt slut did.  I’ll withdraw one minute.”

He did so, as I found afterwards to advise, like the considerate and genteel spirit he possesses, with Mr. Williams, whom he beckoned out, and to examine whether he was in earnest willing to give it up, or very desirous for any one to succeed him; saying, that if he had, he thought himself obliged, in return for his worthy behaviour to him, to pay a particular regard to his recommendation.  And so being answered as he desired, in they came together again.

But I should say, that his withdrawing with a very serious aspect, made me afraid I had gone too far:  and I said, “What shall I do, if I have incurred Mr. B.’s anger by my over-forwardness!  Did he not look displeased?  Dear ladies, if he be so, plead for me, and I’ll withdraw when he comes in; for I cannot stand his anger:  I have not been used to it.”

“Never fear, Pamela,” said my lady; “he can’t be angry at any thing you say or do.  But I wish, for the sake of what I have witnessed of Mr. Adams’s behaviour and modesty, that such a thing could be done for him.”  Mr. Adams bowed, and said, “O my good ladies! ’tis too considerable a thing:  I cannot expect it—­I do not—­it would be presumption if I did.”

Just then re-entered Mr. B. and Mr. Williams:  the first with a stately air, the other with a more peace-portending smile on his countenance.

But Mr. B. sitting down, “Well, Pamela,” said he, very gravely, “I see that power is a dangerous thing in any hand.”—­“Sir, Sir!” said I—­“My dear lady,” whispering to Lady Davers, “I will withdraw, as I said I would.”  And I was getting away as fast as I could:  but he arose and took my hand, “Why is my charmer so soon frightened?” said he, most kindly; and still more kindly, with