Well, my dearest, said my master, pray proceed with your story until, we
have done supper, since the ladies seem pleased with it. Why, sir, said
I, her ladyship went on in the same manner; but said, one time, (and
held me by the hand,) she would give me an hundred guineas for one
provoking word; or, if I would but say I believed myself married, that
she might fell me at her foot: But, sir, you must not be angry with her
ladyship. She called me painted dirt, baby-face, waiting-maid, beggar's
brat, and beggar-born; but I said, As long as I knew my innocence, I was
easy in every thing, but to have my dear parents abused. They were never
beggars, nor beholden to any body; nor to any thing but God's grace and
their own labour; that they once lived in credit; that misfortunes might
befall any body; and that I could not bear they should be treated so
undeservedly. Then her ladyship said, Ay, she supposed my master's folly would make
us set up for a family, and that the heralds' office would shortly be
searched to make it out. Exactly my sister again! said he.
So you could not please her any way? No, indeed, sir.
When she commanded me to fill her a glass of wine,
and would not let her woman do it, she asked, If I was above it? I then
said, If to attend your ladyship at table, or even kneel at your feet,
was required of me, I would most gladly do it, were I only the person
you think me. But if it be to triumph over one, who has received honours
which she thinks require from her another part, that she may not
be utterly unworthy of them, I must say, I cannot do it. This quite
astonished her ladyship; and a little before, her kinsman brought me
the bottle and glass, and required me to fill it for my lady, at her
command, and called himself my deputy: And I said, 'Tis in a good hand;
help my lady yourself. So, sir, added I, you see I could be a little
saucy upon occasion. You please me well, my Pamela, said he. This was quite right. But
proceed. Her ladyship said, She was astonished! adding, She supposed I would have
her look upon me as her brother's wife: And asked me, What, in the name
of impudence, possessed me, to dare to look upon myself as her sister?
And I said, That was a question better became her most worthy brother to
answer, than me. And then I thought I should have had her ladyship upon
me; but her woman interposed.