Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded
Page 97One may see love is a new thing to him. Here is a very tedious
time gone since he saw his deary; no less than, according to his amorous
calculation, a dozen days and nights, at least! and yet, TEDIOUS as
it is, it is but a LITTLE ABSENCE. Well said, my good, accurate, and
consistent brother!--But wise men in love are always the greatest
simpletons!--But now cones the reason why this LITTLE ABSENCE, which, at
the same time, is SO GREAT an ABSENCE, is so tedious:'--FOR I am--'Ay,
now for it!'--with the UTMOST sincerity, my dearest love--'Out upon
DEAREST love! I shall never love the word again! Pray bid your uncle
thou liest!--Thou knowest thou dost.--And so, my good Lady Andrews, or
what shall I call you? Your dearest love will be for ever yours! And
hast thou the vanity to believe this?--But stay, here is a postscript.
The poor man knew not when to have done to his dearest love.--He's sadly
in for't, truly! Why, his dearest love, you are mighty happy in such a
lover!'--If you could go to dine with them--'Cry you mercy, my dearest
love, now comes the pre-engagement!'--it will be a freedom that will be
very pleasing to them, and the more, as they don't expect it.
admiring company with this little expected, and, but in complaisance
to his folly, I dare say, little desired freedom. And I cannot forbear
admiring you so much myself, my dearest love, that I will not spare
you at all, this whole evening: For 'tis a little hard, if thy master's
sister may not be blest a little bit with thy charming company.
So I found I had shewn her my letter to very little purpose, and
repented it several times, as she read on.--Well, then, said I, I
hope your ladyship will give me leave to send my excuses to your good
you will not let me leave you.--Pretty creature, said she; and wantest
thou thy good master to come, and quarrel with his sister on thy
account?--But thou shalt not stir from my presence; and I would now ask
thee, What it is thou meanest by shewing me this letter?--Why, madam,
said I, to shew your ladyship how I was engaged for this day and
evening.--And for nothing else? said she. Why, I can't tell, madam, said
I: But if you can collect from it any other circumstances, I might hope
I should not be the worse treated.