no sooner saw the mark than, abandoning himself to
the most extravagant rapture of passion, he embraced
Joseph with inexpressible ecstasy, and cried out in
tears of joy, “I have discovered my son, I have
him again in my arms!” Joseph was not sufficiently
apprized yet to taste the same delight with his father
(for so in reality he was); however, he returned some
warmth to his embraces: but he no sooner perceived,
from his father’s account, the agreement of
every circumstance, of person, time, and place, than
he threw himself at his feet, and, embracing his knees,
with tears begged his blessing, which was given with
much affection, and received with such respect, mixed
with such tenderness on both sides, that it affected
all present; but none so much as Lady Booby, who left
the room in an agony, which was but too much perceived,
and not very charitably accounted for by some of the
company.
Being the last in which this true history is brought
to a happy conclusion.
Fanny was very little behind her Joseph in the duty
she exprest towards her parents, and the joy she evidenced
in discovering them. Gammar Andrews kissed her,
and said, She was heartily glad to see her; but for
her part, she could never love any one better than
Joseph. Gaffar Andrews testified no remarkable
emotion: he blessed and kissed her, but complained
bitterly that he wanted his pipe, not having had a
whiff that morning.
Mr Booby, who knew nothing of his aunt’s fondness,
imputed her abrupt departure to her pride, and disdain
of the family into which he was married; he was therefore
desirous to be gone with the utmost celerity; and
now, having congratulated Mr Wilson and Joseph on the
discovery, he saluted Fanny, called her sister, and
introduced her as such to Pamela, who behaved with
great decency on the occasion.
He now sent a message to his aunt, who returned that
she wished him a good journey, but was too disordered
to see any company: he therefore prepared to
set out, having invited Mr Wilson to his house; and
Pamela and Joseph both so insisted on his complying,
that he at last consented, having first obtained a
messenger from Mr Booby to acquaint his wife with
the news; which, as he knew it would render her completely
happy, he could not prevail on himself to delay a moment
in acquainting her with.
The company were ranged in this manner: the two
old people, with their two daughters, rode in the
coach; the squire, Mr Wilson, Joseph, parson Adams,
and the pedlar, proceeded on horseback.
In their way, Joseph informed his father of his intended
match with Fanny; to which, though he expressed some
reluctance at first, on the eagerness of his son’s
instances he consented; saying, if she was so good
a creature as she appeared, and he described her, he
thought the disadvantages of birth and fortune might
be compensated. He however insisted on the match
being deferred till he had seen his mother; in which,
Joseph perceiving him positive, with great duty obeyed
him, to the great delight of parson Adams, who by
these means saw an opportunity of fulfilling the Church
forms, and marrying his parishioners without a licence.
