Suddenly (just started this morning), I am reading a message in Mail and it contains a link to the web that I want to check out. I click on the link and Mail freezes. I have to go out of Mail, go back in and read messages. How can I fix this?

How can I fix my Mail problem? I am reading an email message that contains a link to a webpage (don't they all 😝). When I click on the link, Mail freezes. I have to quit the app and try again - same result. Rebooted, checked for updates (just did one last night which may be the problem - I am using OS 9.3). I have quit all the apps. I have re-started. What the heck? Any advice would be appreciated as I among officially annoyed. Thanks!😕