Why that word virtuous, said he, I
pray you? Was there any reason to suppose her otherwise? Or has any
body taken it into his head to try her?--I wonder, sir, says she, you ask
such a question! Who dare offer any thing to her in such an orderly and
well-governed house as yours, and under a master of so good a character
for virtue and honour? Your servant, Mrs. Jervis, says he, for your good
opinion: but pray, if any body did, do you think Pamela would let you
know it? Why, sir, said she, she is a poor innocent young creature, and
I believe has so much confidence in me, that she would take my advice as
soon as she would her mother's. Innocent! again, and virtuous, I
warrant! Well, Mrs. Jervis, you abound with your epithets; but I take
her to be an artful young baggage; and had I a young handsome butler or
steward, she'd soon make her market of one of them, if she thought it
worth while to snap at him for a husband. Alack-a-day, sir, said she, it
is early days with Pamela; and she does not yet think of a husband, I
dare say: and your steward and butler are both men in years, and think
nothing of the matter. No, said he, if they were younger, they'd have
more wit than to think of such a girl; I'll tell you my mind of her, Mrs.
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