Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

Well, good Mrs. Jervis, said I, let me ask you now:--You and he have had

some talk, and you mayn't be suffered to tell me all. But, do you think,

if I was to ask to stay, that he is sorry for what he has done? Ay, and

ashamed of it too? For I am sure he ought, considering his high degree,

and my low degree, and how I have nothing in the world to trust to but

my honesty: Do you think in your own conscience now, (pray answer me

truly,) that he would never offer any thing to me again, and that I

could be safe? Alas! my dear child, said she, don't put thy home questions to me, with

that pretty becoming earnestness in thy look. I know this, that he is

vexed at what he has done; he was vexed the first time, more vexed the

second time. Yes, said I, and so he will be vexed, I suppose, the third, and the

fourth time too, till he has quite ruined your poor maiden; and who will

have cause to be vexed then?

Nay, Pamela, said she, don't imagine that I would be accessory to your

ruin for the world. I only can say, that he has, yet, done you no hurt;

and it is no wonder he should love you, you are so pretty; though so

much beneath him but, I dare swear for him, he never will offer you any

force. You say, said I, that he was sorry for his first offer in the

summer-house. Well, and how long did his sorrow last?--Only till he

found me by myself; and then he was worse than before: and so became

sorry again. And if he has deigned to love me, and you say can't help

it, why, he can't help it neither, if he should have an opportunity,

a third time to distress me. And I have read that many a man has been

ashamed of his wicked attempts, when he has been repulsed, that would

never have been ashamed of them, had he succeeded. Besides, Mrs. Jervis,

if he really intends to offer no force, What does that mean?--While you

say he can't help liking me, for love it cannot be--Does it not imply

that he hopes to ruin me by my own consent? I think, said I, (and hope

I should have grace to do so,) that I should not give way to his

temptations on any account; but it would be very presumptuous in me to

rely upon my own strength against a gentleman of his qualifications and

estate, and who is my waster; and thinks himself entitled to call me

bold-face, and what not? only for standing on my necessary defence: and

that, too, where the good of my soul and body, and my duty to God, and

my parents, are all concerned. How then, Mrs. Jervis, said I, can I ask

or wish to stay?