Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

Well, Pamela, said he, now can you allow me to love this little

innocent? Allow you, sir, replied I; you would be very barbarous, if you

did not; and I should be more so, if I did not further it all I could,

and love the little lamb myself, for your sake and for her own sake; and

in compassion to her poor mother, though unknown to me: And tears stood

in my eyes. Said he, Why, my love, are your words so kind, and your countenance so

sad?--I drew to the window from the child; and said, Sad it is not, sir;

but I have a strange grief and pleasure mingled at once in my breast, on

this occasion. It is indeed a twofold grief, and a twofold pleasure.--As

how, my dear? said he. Why, sir, replied I, I cannot help being grieved

for the poor mother of this sweet babe, to think, if she be living, that

she must call her chiefest delight her shame: If she be no more, that

she must have had such remorse on her poor mind, when she came to leave

the world, and her little babe: And, in the second place, I grieve, that

it must be thought a kindness to the dear little soul, not to let

her know how near the dearest relation she has in the world is to

her.--Forgive me, dear sir, I say not this to reproach you, in the

least. Indeed I don't. And I have a twofold cause of joy; first, That

I have had the grace to escape the like unhappiness with this poor

gentlewoman: and next, That this discovery has given me an opportunity

to shew the sincerity of my grateful affection for you, sir, in the love

I will always express to this dear child.

And then I stept to her again, and kissed her; and said, Join with me,

my pretty love, to beg your dear uncle to let you come and live with

your new aunt: Indeed, my little precious, I'll love you dearly.

Will you, sir? said the little charmer; will you let me go and live with

my aunt? You are very good, my Pamela, said he. And I have not once been deceived

in the hopes my fond heart has entertained of your prudence.--But will

you, sir? said I; will you grant me this favour? I shall most sincerely

love the little charmer; and all I am capable of doing for her, both

by example and affection, shall most cordially be done. My dearest sir,

added I, oblige me in this thing! I think already my heart is set upon

it! What a sweet employment and companionship shall I have!