Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

'REVEREND SIR, 'The want of an opportunity to speak my mind to you, I am sure will

excuse this boldness in a poor creature that is betrayed hither, I have

reason to think, for the worst of purposes. You know something, to be

sure, of my story, my native poverty, which I am not ashamed of, my late

lady's goodness, and my master's designs upon me. It is true he promises

honour, and all that; but the honour of the wicked is disgrace and shame

to the virtuous: And he may think he keeps his promises, according to

the notions he may allow himself to hold; and yet, according to nine and

every good body's, basely ruin me. 'I am so wretched, and ill-treated by this Mrs. Jewkes, and she is so

ill-principled a woman, that, as I may soon want the opportunity which

the happy hint of this day affords to my hopes, I throw myself at once

upon your goodness, without the least reserve; for I cannot be worse

than I am, should that fail me; which, I dare say, to your power, it

will not: For I see it, sir, in your looks, I hope it from your cloth,

and I doubt it not from your inclination, in a case circumstanced as my

unhappy one is. For, sir, in helping me out of my present distress,

you perform all the acts of religion in one; and the highest mercy and

charity, both to the body and soul of a poor wretch, that, believe

me, sir, has, at present, not so much as in thought swerved from her

innocence. 'Is there not some way to be found out for my escape, without danger to

yourself? Is there no gentleman or lady of virtue in this neighbourhood,

to whom I may fly, only till l can find a way to get to my poor father

and mother? Cannot Lady Davers be made acquainted with my sad story, by

your conveying a letter to her? My poor parents are so low in the world,

they can do nothing but break their hearts for me; and that, I fear,

will be the end of it. 'My master promises, if I will be easy, as he calls it, in my present

lot, he will not come down without my consent. Alas! sir, this is

nothing: For what's the promise of a person who thinks himself at

liberty to act as he has done by me? If he comes, it must be to ruin me;

and come to be sure he will, when he thinks he has silenced the clamours

of my friends, and lulled me, as no doubt he hopes, into a fatal

security. 'Now, therefore, sir, is all the time I have to work and struggle for

the preservation of my honesty. If I stay till he comes, I am undone.

You have a key to the back garden door; I have great hopes from that.

Study, good sir, and contrive for me. I will faithfully keep your

secret.--Yet I should be loath to have you suffer for me! I say no more,

but commit this to the happy tiles, in the bosom of that earth, where, I

hope, my deliverance will take root, and bring forth such fruit, as may

turn to my inexpressible joy, and your eternal reward, both here and

hereafter: As shall ever pray, 'Your oppressed humble servant.'