Said my lady, Don't be surprised, nephew; the wench could not talk thus,
if she had not been her master's bed-fellow.--Pamela, Pamela, said she,
and tapped me upon the shoulder two or three times, in anger, thou hast
lost thy innocence, girl; and thou hast got some of thy bold master's
assurance, and art fit to go any where.--Then, and please your ladyship,
said I, I am unworthy of your presence, and desire I may quit it.
No, replied she, I will know first what reason you can give for not
accepting my proposal, if you are innocent? I can give, said I, a very
good one: but I beg to be excused. I will hear it, said she. Why, then,
answered I, I should perhaps have less reason to like this gentleman,
than where I am. Well then, said she, I'll put you to another trial. I'll set out this
moment with you to your father and mother, and give you up safe to them.
What do you say to that?--Ay, Mrs. Pamela, said her nephew, now what
does your innocence say to that?--'Fore gad, madam, you have puzzled her
now. Be pleased, madam, said I, to call off this fine gentleman. Your
kindness in these proposals makes me think you would not have me baited.
I'll be d----d, said he, if she does not make me a bull-dog! Why she'll
toss us all by and by! Sir, said I, you indeed behave as if you were in
a bear-garden. Jackey, be quiet, said my lady. You only give her a pretence to evade
my questions.
Come, answer me, Pamela. I will, madam, said I, and it
is thus: I have no occasion to be beholden to your ladyship for
this honour; for I am to set out to-morrow morning on the way to my
parents.--Now again thou liest, wench!--I am not of quality, said I, to
answer such language.--Once again, said she, provoke me not, by these
reflections, and this pertness; if thou dost, I shall do something by
thee unworthy of myself. That, thought I, you have done already; but
I ventured not to say so. But who is to carry you, said she, to your
father and mother? Who my master pleases, madam, said I. Ay, said she, I
doubt not thou wilt do every thing he pleases, if thou hast not already.
Why now tell me, Pamela, from thy heart, hast thou not been in bed with
thy master? Ha, wench!--I was quite shocked at this, and said, I wonder
how your ladyship can use me thus!--I am sure you can expect no answer;
and my sex, and my tender years, might exempt me from such treatment,
from a person of your ladyship's birth and quality, and who, be the
distance ever so great, is of the same sex with me.