So Mrs. Jervis, says one of the ladies, how do you do? We are all come
to inquire after your health. I am much obliged to your ladyships,
said Mrs. Jervis: Will your ladyships please to sit down? But, said
the countess, we are not only come to ask after Mrs. Jervis's health
neither; but we are come to see a rarity besides. Ah, says Lady Arthur,
I have not seen your Pamela these two years, and they tell me she is
grown wondrous pretty in that time.
Then I wished I had not been in the closet; for when I came out, they
must needs know I heard them; but I have often found, that bashful
bodies owe themselves a spite, and frequently confound themselves more,
by endeavouring to avoid confusion.
Why, yes, says Mrs. Jervis, Pamela is very pretty indeed; she's but in
the closet there:--Pamela, pray step hither. I came out all covered with
blushes, and they smiled at one another.
The countess took me by the hand: Why, indeed, she was pleased to say,
report has not been too lavish, I'll assure you. Don't be ashamed,
child; (and stared full in my face;) I wish I had just such a face to be
ashamed of. O how like a fool I looked! Lady Arthur said,
Ay, my good Pamela, I say as her ladyship says: Don't
be so confused; though, indeed, it becomes you too. I think your good
lady departed made a sweet choice of such a pretty attendant. She would
have been mighty proud of you, as she always was praising you, had she
lived till now. Ah! madam, said Lady Brooks, do you think that so dutiful a son as our
neighbour, who always admired what his mother loved, does not pride
himself, for all what he said at table, in such a pretty maiden?
She looked with such a malicious sneering countenance, I can't abide
her. Lady Towers said with a free air, (for it seems she is called a wit,)
Well, Mrs. Pamela, I can't say I like you so well as these ladies do;
for I should never care, if you were my servant, to have you and your
master in the same house together. Then they all set up a great laugh. I know what I could have said, if I durst. But they are ladies--and
ladies may say any thing. Says Lady Towers, Can the pretty image speak, Mrs. Jervis? I vow she has
speaking eyes! O you little rogue, said she, and tapped me on the cheek,
you seem born to undo, or to be undone! God forbid, and please your ladyship, said I, it should be either!--I
beg, said I, to withdraw; for the sense I have of my unworthiness
renders me unfit for such a presence. I then went away, with one of my best courtesies; and Lady Towers said,
as I went out, Prettily said, I vow!--And Lady Brooks said, See that
shape! I never saw such a face and shape in my life; why, she must be
better descended than you have told me! And so they run on for half an hour more in my praises, as I was told;
and glad was I, when I got out of the hearing of them. But, it seems, they went down with such a story to my master, and so
full of me, that he had much ado to stand it; but as it was very little
to my reputation, I am sure I could take no pride in it; and I feared
it would make no better for me. This gives me another cause for wishing
myself out of this house. This is Thursday morning, and next Thursday I hope to set out; for I
have finished my task, and my master is horrid cross! And I am vexed
his crossness affects me so. If ever he had any kindness towards me, I
believe he now hates me heartily. Is it not strange, that love borders so much upon hate? But this wicked
love is not like the true virtuous love, to be sure: that and hatred
must be as far off, as light and darkness. And how must this hate have
been increased, if he had met with such a base compliance, after his
wicked will had been gratified. Well, one may see by a little, what a great deal means. For if innocence
cannot attract common civility, what must guilt expect, when novelty
has ceased to have its charms, and changeableness had taken place of it?
Thus we read in Holy Writ, that wicked Amnon, when he had ruined poor
Tamar, hated her more than he ever loved her, and would have turned her
out of door. How happy am I, to be turned out of door, with that sweet companion my
innocence!--O may that be always my companion! And while I presume not
upon my own strength, and am willing to avoid the tempter, I hope the
divine grace will assist me. Forgive me, that I repeat in my letter part of my hourly prayer. I owe
every thing, next to God's goodness, to your piety and good examples, my
dear parents, my dear poor parents! I say that word with pleasure; for
your poverty is my pride, as your integrity shall be my imitation. As soon as I have dined, I will put on my new clothes. I long to have
them on. I know I shall surprise Mrs. Jervis with them; for she shan't
see me till I am full dressed.--John is come back, and I'll soon send
you some of what I have written.--I find he is going early in the
morning; and so I'll close here, that I am