and inwardly enjoyed the thought of the pleasure a man of his temper must have in finding it in his power to be so. David insisted that what fortune was amongst them might be shared in common; and they all joined in intreating the good old gentleman to spend the rest of his days with them, assuring him his will should be a law to them all. And now I believe it is impossible for the most lively imagination to form an idea of greater happiness than was enjoyed by this whole company. That very evening the clergyman before mentioned came to see them; and although he really liked Cynthia, yet had he so little selfishness in him, he heartily congratulated them all on their happiness; and the next morning was appointed, by the consent of all parties, for the performing the ceremony.
CHAPTER IX
containing two weddings, and consequently the conclusion of the book
The next morning, as soon as Camilla rose, she went into Cynthia's chamber, where they mutually congratulated each other on the happiness they had now so near a prospect of enjoying for the rest of their lives (after all the scenes of misery they had gone through) in being for ever joined to the only men they could really like or esteem. Camilla with a smile related to her friend what pain she had suffered from an apprehension of David's former kindness for Cynthia; who, according to her usual obliging manner, replied that David, indeed, did her the honour of his esteem; and she believed the condition in which he first found her raised compassion enough in a heart like his to make him imagine he
