'REVEREND SIR, 'I am greatly confused at the contents of your last. You are much too
generous, and I can't bear you should risk all your future prospects
for so unworthy a creature. I cannot think of your offer without equal
concern and gratitude: for nothing, but to avoid my utter ruin, can make
me think of a change of condition; and so, sir, you ought not to accept
of such an involuntary compliance, as mine would be, were I, upon the
last necessity, to yield to your very generous proposal. I will rely
wholly upon your goodness to me, in assisting my escape; but shall not,
on your account principally, think of the honour you propose for me at
present; and never, but at the pleasure of my parents; who, poor as they
are, in such a weighty point, are as much entitled to my obedience and
duty, as if they were ever so rich. I beg you, therefore, sir, not
to think of any thing from me, but everlasting gratitude, which shall
always bind me to be 'Your most obliged servant.'
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, the 14th, 15th, and 16th, of my bondage.
Mrs. Jewkes has received a letter, and is much civiller to me, and Mr.
Williams too, than she used to be. I wonder I have not one in answer to
mine to my master. I suppose I put the matter too home to him: and he
is angry. I am not the more pleased with her civility; for she is horrid
cunning, and is not a whit less watchful. I laid a trap to get at her
instructions, which she carries in the bosom of her stays; but it has
not succeeded. My last letter is come safe to Mr. Williams by the old conveyance, so
that he is not suspected. He has intimated, that though I have not come
so readily as he hoped into his scheme, yet his diligence shall not be
slackened, and he will leave it to Providence and himself to dispose
of him as he shall be found to deserve. He has signified to me, that he
shall soon send a special messenger with the packet to you, and I have
added to it what has occurred since.
Sunday. I am just now quite astonished!--I hope all is right!--but I have a
strange turn to acquaint you with. Mr. Williams and Mrs. Jewkes came to
me both together; he in ecstacies, she with a strange fluttering sort of
air. Well, said she, Mrs. Pamela, I give you joy! I give you joy!--Let
nobody speak but me! Then she sat down, as out of breath, puffing and
blowing. Why, every thing turns as I said it would! said she: Why, there
is to be a match between you and Mr. Williams! Well, I always thought
it. Never was so good a master!--Go to, go to, naughty, mistrustful Mrs.
Pamela; nay, Mrs. Williams, said the forward creature, I may as good
call you: you ought on your knees to beg his pardon a thousand times for
mistrusting him. She was going on; but I said, Don't torture me thus, I beseech you,
Mrs. Jewkes. Let me know all!--Ah! Mr. Williams, said I, take care, take
care!--Mistrustful again! said she: Why, Mr. Williams, shew her your
letter, and I will shew her mine: they were brought by the same hand. I trembled at the thoughts of what this might mean; and said, You have
so surprised me, that I cannot stand, nor hear, nor read! Why did you
come up in such a manner to attack such weak spirits? said he, to Mrs.
Jewkes, Shall we leave our letters with Mrs. Pamela, and let her recover
from her surprise? Ay, said she, with all my heart; here is nothing but
flaming honour and good will! And so saying, they left me their letters
and withdrew. My heart was quite sick with the surprise, so that I could not
presently read them, notwithstanding my impatience; but, after a while,
recovering, I found the contents thus strange and unexpected: