Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

Thou art a confident wench, said she, I see!--Pray, madam, said I, let

me beg you to permit me to go. I am waited for in the town, to dinner.

No, replied she, I can't spare you; and whomsoever you are to go to,

will excuse you, when they are told 'tis I that command you not to

go;--and you may excuse it too, young Lady Would-be, if you consider,

that it is the unexpected coming of your late lady's daughter, and your

master's sister, that commands your stay.

But a pre-engagement, your ladyship will consider, is something.--Ay,

so it is; but I know not what reason waiting-maids have to assume these

airs of pre-engagements! Oh, Pamela, Pamela, I am sorry for thy thus

aping thy betters, and giving thyself such airs: I see thou'rt quite

spoiled! Of a modest, innocent girl, that thou wast, and humble too,

thou art now fit for nothing in the world, but what I fear thou art.

Why, please your ladyship, said her kinsman, what signifies all you say?

The matter's over with her, no doubt; and she likes it; and she is in a

fairy-dream, and 'tis pity to awaken her before her dream's out.--Bad

as you take me to be, madam, said I, I am not used to such language or

reflections as this gentleman bestows upon me; and I won't bear it.

Well, Jackey, said she, be silent; and, shaking her head, Poor

girl!--said she--what a sweet innocence is here destroyed!--A thousand

pities!--I could cry over her, if that would do her good! But she is

quite lost, quite undone; and then has assumed a carriage upon it, that

all those creatures are distinguished by!

I cried sadly for vexation; and said, Say what you please, madam; if I

can help it, I will not answer another word.

Mrs. Jewkes came in, and asked if her ladyship was ready for dinner? She

said, Yes. I would have gone out with her but my lady said, taking my

hand, she could not spare me. And, miss, said she, you may pull off your

gloves, and lay your fan by, for you shan't go; and, if you behave well,

you shall wait upon me at dinner, and then I shall have a little further

talk with you. Mrs. Jewkes said to me, Madam, may I speak one word with you?--I can't

tell, Mrs. Jewkes, said I; for my lady holds my hand, and you see I am a

kind of prisoner. What you have to say, Mrs. Jewkes, said she, you may speak before me.

But she went out, and seemed vexed for me; and she says, I looked like

the very scarlet. The cloth was laid in another parlour, and for three persons, and she

led me in: Come, my little dear, said she, with a sneer, I'll hand you

in; and I would have you think it as well as if it was my brother.