Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

We left the company with great difficulty at about eleven, my dear

master having been up all night before, and we being at the greatest

distance from home; though they seemed inclinable not to break up so

soon, as they were neighbours; and the ladies said, They longed to hear

what would be the end of Lady Davers's interview with her brother.

My master said, He feared we must not now think of going next day to

Bedfordshire, as we had intended; and perhaps might see them again. And

so we took leave, and set out for home; where we arrived not till twelve

o'clock; and found Lady Davers had gone to bed about eleven, wanting

sadly that we should come home first; but so did not I.

Mrs. Jewkes told us, That my lady was sadly fretted that I had got away

so; and seemed a little apprehensive of what I would say of the usage

I had received from her. She asked Mrs. Jewkes, if she thought I

was really married? And Mrs. Jewkes telling her yes, she fell into a

passion, and said, Begone, bold woman, I cannot bear thee! See not my

face till I send for thee! Thou hast been very impudent to me once or

twice to-day already, and art now worse than ever. She said, She would

not have told her ladyship, if she had not asked her; and was sorry she

had offended. She sent for her at supper time: Said she, I have another question to

ask thee, woman, and tell me yes, if thou darest. Was ever any thing so

odd?--Why then, said Mrs. Jewkes, I will say No, before your ladyship

speaks.--My master laughed: Poor woman! said he.--She called her

insolent, and assurance; and said, Begone, bold woman as thou art!--but

come hither. Dost thou know if that young harlot is to be with my

brother to-night?

She said she knew not what to answer, because she had threatened her if

she said yes. But at last my lady said, I will know the bottom of this

iniquity. I suppose they won't have so much impudence to be together

while I'm in the house; but I dare say they have been bed-fellows.

Said she, I will lie to-night in the room I was born in; so get that

bed ready. That room being our bedchamber, Mrs. Jewkes, after some

hesitation, replied, Madam, my master lies there, and has the key. I

believe, woman, said she, thou tellest me a story. Indeed, madam, said

she, he does; and has some papers there he will let nobody see; for Mrs.

Jewkes said, she feared she would beat her if she went up, and found by

my clothes, and some of my master's, how it was.