Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

I afterwards told Mrs. Jewkes, at the window, that since I was hindered

from going to you, I believed it was best to let Robert go with the

chariot, and say, Lady Davers was come, and I could not leave her

ladyship. But this did not please; and I thought it would too; for she

said, No, no, he'll think I make the creature my companion, and know not

how to part with her. Exactly, said he, my sister again.

And she said, I knew nothing what belonged to people of condition; how

should I?--What shall I say, madam? said I. Nothing at all, answered

she; let him expect his dearest love, alluding to your kind epithet in

your letter, and be disappointed; it is but adding a few more hours

to this heavy absence, and every one will become a day in his amorous

account. So, to be short, I saw nothing was to be done; and I feared, sir, you

would wonder at my stay, and be angry; and I watched my opportunity,

till my lady, who was walking about the room, was at the further end;

and the parlour being a ground-floor, in a manner, I jumped out at the

window, and ran for it.

Her ladyship called after me; so did her woman; and I heard her say, I

flew like a bird; and she called two of her servants in sight to stop

me; but I said, Touch me at your peril, fellows! And Mr. Colbrand,

having been planted at hand by Mrs. Jewkes, (who was very good in the

whole affair, and incurred her ladyship's displeasure, once or twice, by

taking my part,) seeing how I was used, put on a fierce look, cocked

his hat with one hand, and put t'other on his sword, and said, he would

chine the man who offered to touch his lady. And so he ran alongside

of me, and could hardly keep pace with me:--And here, my dear sir,

concluded I, I am, at yours and the good company's service.

They seemed highly pleased with my relation; and my master said, he was

glad Mrs. Jewkes behaved so well, as also Mr. Colbrand. Yes, sir, said

I: when Mrs. Jewkes interposed once, her ladyship said, It was hard,

she, who was born in that house, could not have some privilege in

it, without being talked to by the saucy servants. And she called her

another time fat-face, and womaned her most violently.

Well, said my master, I am glad, my dear, you have had such an escape.

My sister was always passionate, as Mrs. Peters knows: And my poor

mother had enough to do with us both. For we neither of us wanted

spirit: and when I was a boy, I never came home from school or college

for a few days, but though we longed to see one another before, yet ere

the first day was over, we had a quarrel; for she, being seven years

older than I, was always for domineering over me, and I could not bear

it. And I used, on her frequently quarrelling with the maids, and being

always at a word and a blow, to call her Captain Bab; for her name is

Barbara. And when my Lord Davers courted her, my poor mother has made up

quarrels between them three times in a day; and I used to tell her, she

would certainly beat her husband, marry whom she would, if he did not

beat her first, and break her spirit.