Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

A thought came into my head; I meant no harm; but it was a little bold.

For, seeing my master dressing to go to church; and his chariot getting

ready, I went to my closet, and I writ, The prayers of this congregation are earnestly desired for a

gentleman of great worth and honour, who labours under a temptation

to exert his great power to ruin a poor, distressed, worthless

maiden: And also, The prayers of this congregation are earnestly desired by a poor

distressed creature, for the preservation of her virtue and

innocence. Mrs. Jewkes came up: Always writing! said she; and would see it: And

strait, all that ever I could say, carried it down to my master.--He

looked upon it, and said, Tell her, she shall soon see how her prayers

are answered; she is very bold: but as she has rejected all my favours,

her reckoning for all is not far off. I looked after him out of the

window; and he was charmingly dressed: To be sure he is a handsome fine

gentleman!--What pity his heart is not as good as his appearance! Why

can't I hate him?--But don't be uneasy, if you should see this; for it

is impossible I should love him; for his vices all ugly him over, as I

may say. My master sends word, that he shall not come home to dinner: I suppose

he dines with this Sir Simon Darnford. I am much concerned for poor Mr.

Williams. Mrs. Jewkes says, he is confined still, and takes on much. All

his trouble is brought upon him for my sake: This grieves me much. My

master, it seems, will have his money from him. This is very hard; for

it is three fifty pounds, he gave him, as he thought, as a salary

for three years that he has been with him: but there was no agreement

between them; and he absolutely depended on my master's favour. To be

sure, it was the more generous of him to run these risks for the sake

of oppressed innocence: and I hope he will meet with his reward in

due time. Alas for me! I dare not plead for him; that would raise my

oppressor's jealousy more. And I have not interest to save myself! Sunday evening. Mrs. Jewkes has received a line from my master: I wonder what it is, for

his chariot is come home without him. But she will tell me nothing; so

it is in vain to ask her. I am so fearful of plots and tricks, I know

not what to do!--Every thing I suspect; for, now my disgrace is avowed,

what can I think!--To be sure, the worst will be attempted! I can only

pour out my soul in prayer to God, for his blessed protection. But, if

I must suffer, let me not be long a mournful survivor!--Only let me not

shorten my own time sinfully!---This woman left upon the table, in the chamber, this letter of my

master's to her; and I bolted myself in, till I had transcribed it.

You'll see how tremblingly, by the lines. I wish poor Mr. Williams's

release at any rate; but this letter makes my heart ache. Yet I have

another day's reprieve, thank God!