Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

But how, sir, said I, did you part? I would have sailed with her,

answered he, and been landed at the first port in England or Ireland,

I cared not which, they should put in at; but she was too full of

apprehensions to admit it; And the rough fellow of a master, captain

they called him, (but, in my mind, I could have thrown him overboard,)

would not stay a moment, the wind and tide being quite fair; and was

very urgent with me to go a-shore, or to go the voyage; and being

impetuous in my temper, (spoiled, you know, my dear, by my mother,) and

not used to control, I thought it very strange that wind or tide, or any

thing else, should be preferred to me and my money: But so it was; I was

forced to go; and so took leave of the ladies, and the other passengers;

wished them a good voyage; gave five guineas among the ship's crew, to

be good to the ladies, and took such a leave as you may better imagine

than I express. She recommended once more to me, the dear guest, as

she called her, the ladies being present; and thanked me for all these

instances of my regard, which, she said, would leave a strong impression

on her mind; and, at parting, she threw her arms about my neck, and

we took such a leave, as affected every one present, men, as well as

ladies. So, with a truly heavy heart, I went down the ship's side to my boat;

and stood up in it, looking at her, as long as I could see her, and she

at me, with her handkerchief at her eyes; and then I gazed at the ship,

till, and after I had landed, as long as I could discern the least

appearance of it; for she was under sail, in a manner, when I left her;

and so I returned highly disturbed to my inn.

I went to bed, but rested not; returned to London the next morning; and

set out that afternoon again for the country. And so much, my dear, for

poor Sally Godfrey.--She sends, I understand, by all opportunities,

with the knowledge of her husband, to learn how her child, by her first

husband, does; and has the satisfaction to know she is happily provided

for. And, about half a year ago, her spouse sent a little negro boy, of

about ten years old, as a present, to wait upon her. But he was taken

ill of the small-pox, and died in a month after he was landed.