Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

I had a good deal of employment in choosing patterns for my new clothes.

He thought nothing too good; but I thought every thing I saw was; and he

was so kind to pick out six of the richest for me to choose three suits

out of, saying, We would furnish ourselves with more in town, when we

went thither. One was white, flowered with silver most richly; and he

was pleased to say, that, as I was a bride, I should make my appearance

in that the following Sunday. And so we shall have in two or three days,

from several places, nothing but mantua-makers and tailors at work.

Bless me! what a chargeable and what a worthless hussy I am to the dear

gentleman!--But his fortune and station require a great deal of it;

and his value for me will not let him do less, than if he had married a

fortune equal to his own: and then, as he says, it would be a reflection

upon him, if he did.--And so I doubt it will be, as it is: For either

way the world will have something to say. He made me also choose some

very fine laces, and linen; and has sent a message on purpose, with his

orders, to hasten all down, what can be done in town, as the millinery

matters, etc. to be completed there, and sent by particular messengers,

as done. All to be here, and finished by Saturday afternoon, without

fail.

I sent away John this morning, with some more of my papers to you, and

with the few he will give you separate. My desire is, that you will send

me all the papers you have done with, that I may keep my word with Lady

Davers; to beg the continuance of your prayers and blessings; to hope

you will give me your answer about my dear benefactor's proposal of

the Kentish farm; to beg you to buy, two suits of clothes each; of the

finest cloth for you, my dear father; and of a creditable silk for my

dear mother; and good linen, and every thing answerable; and that you

will, as my best friend bid me say, let us see you here as soon as

possible; and he will have his chariot come for you, when you tell John

the day. Oh! how I long to see you both, my dear good parents, and to

share with you my felicities!

You will have, I'm sure, the goodness to go to all your creditors, which

are chiefly those of my poor unhappy brothers, and get an account of all

you are bound for; and every one shall be paid to the utmost farthing,

and interest besides, though some of them have been very cruel

and unrelenting.--But they are entitled to their own, and shall be

thankfully paid. Now I think of it, John shall take my papers down to this place; that

you may have something to amuse you, of your dear child's, instead of

those you part with; and I will continue writing till I am settled, and

you are determined; and then I shall apply myself to the duties of the

family, in order to become as useful to my dear benefactor, as my small

abilities will let me. If you think a couple of guineas will be of use to Mrs. Mumford, who,

I doubt, has not much aforehand, pray give them to her, from me, (and

I will return them to you,) as for a pair of gloves on my nuptials: And

look through your poor acquaintances and neighbours, and let me have a

list of such honest industrious poor, as may be true objects of charity,

and have no other assistance; particularly such as are blind, lame,

or sickly, with their several cases; and also such poor families and

housekeepers as are reduced by misfortunes, as ours was, and where

a great number of children may keep them from rising to a state of

tolerable comfort: And I will choose as well as I can; for I long to

be making a beginning, with the kind quarterly benevolence my dear good

benefactor has bestowed upon me for such good purposes.