Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

'My DEAREST PAMELA, 'I send purposely to you on an affair that concerns you very much,

and me somewhat, but chiefly for your sake. I am conscious that I have

proceeded by you in such a manner as may justly alarm your fears, and

give concern to your honest friends: and all my pleasure is, that I

can and will make you amends for the disturbance I have given you. As

I promised, I sent to your father the day after your departure, that he

might not be too much concerned for you, and assured him of my honour to

you; and made an excuse, such an one as ought to have satisfied him, for

your not coming to him. But this was not sufficient, it seems; for he,

poor man! came to me next morning, and set my family almost in an uproar

about you. 'O my dear girl! what trouble has not your obstinacy given me, and

yourself too! I had no way to pacify him, but to promise that he should

see a letter written from you to Mrs. Jervis, to satisfy him you are

well. 'Now all my care in this case is for your aged parents, lest they should

be touched with too fatal a grief; and for you, whose duty and affection

for them I know to be so strong and laudable; for this reason I beg you

will write a few lines to them, and let me prescribe the form; which I

have done, putting myself as near as I can in your place, and expressing

your sense, with a warmth that I doubt will have too much possessed you. 'After what is done, and which cannot now be helped, but which, I assure

you, shall turn out honourably for you, I expect not to be refused;

because I cannot possibly have any view in it, but to satisfy your

parents; which is more your concern than mine; and so I must beg you

will not alter one tittle of the underneath. If you do, it will be

impossible for me to send it, or that it should answer the good end I

propose by it. 'I have promised, that I will not approach you without your leave. If I

find you easy, and not attempting to dispute or avoid your present lot,

I will keep to my word, although it is a difficulty upon me. Nor shall

your restraint last long: for I will assure you, that I am resolved very

soon to convince you of my good intentions, and with what ardour I am 'Yours, etc.' The letter he prescribed for me was as this: