Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

Then I'll tell you, replied he; the difference is, a man ennobles the

woman he takes, be she who she will; and adopts her into his own rank,

be it what it will: but a woman, though ever so nobly born, debases

herself by a mean marriage, and descends from her own rank to his she

stoops to. When the royal family of Stuart allied itself into the low family of

Hyde, (comparatively low, I mean,) did any body scruple to call the

lady, Royal Highness, and Duchess of York? And did any body think her

daughters, the late Queen Mary and Queen Anne, less royal for that?

When the broken-fortuned peer goes into the city to marry a rich

tradesman's daughter, be he duke or earl, does not his consort

immediately become ennobled by his choice? and who scruples to call her

lady, duchess, or countess? But when a duchess or countess dowager descends to mingle with a person

of obscure birth, does she not then degrade herself? and is she not

effectually degraded? And will any duchess or countess rank with her?

Now, Lady Davers, do you not see a difference between my marrying my

dear mother's beloved and deserving waiting-maid, with a million of

excellencies about her, and such graces of mind and person as would

adorn any distinction; and your marrying a sordid groom, whose constant

train of education, conversation, and opportunities, could possibly give

him no other merit, than that which must proceed from the vilest, lowest

taste, in his sordid dignifier? O the wretch! said she, how he finds excuses to palliate his meanness! Again, said he, let me observe to you, Lady Davers, When a duke marries

a private person, is he not still her head, by virtue of being her

husband? But, when a lady descends to marry a groom, is not the groom

her head, being her husband? And does not the difference strike you? For

what lady of quality ought to respect another, who has made so sordid

a choice, and set a groom above her? For, would not that be to put that

groom upon a par with themselves?--Call this palliation, or what you

will; but if you see not the difference, you are blind; and a very unfit

judge for yourself, much more unfit to be a censurer of me.

I'd have you, said she, publish your fine reasons to the world, and they

will be sweet encouragements to all the young gentlemen who read them to

cast themselves away on the servant-wenches in their families. Not at all, Lady Davers, replied he: For, if any young gentleman stays

till he finds such a person as my Pamela, so enriched with the beauties

of person and mind, so well accomplished, and so fitted to adorn the

degree she is raised to, he will stand as easily acquitted, as I shall

be to all the world that sees her, except there be many more Lady Davers

than I apprehend can possibly be met with.