Where she had it, I can't tell; but I never met with the fellow
of her in any life, at any age. She said, he had ordered her not to tell
me all: but she believed he would never offer any thing to me again; and
I might stay, she fancied, if I would beg it as a favour; though she was
not sure neither.
I stay! dear Mrs. Jervis; said I; why it is the best news that could have
come to me, that he will let me go. I do nothing but long to go back
again to my poverty and distress, as he threatened I should; for though I
am sure of the poverty, I shall not have half the distress I have had for
some months past, I'll assure you.
Mrs. Jervis, dear good soul! wept over me, and said, Well, well, Pamela,
I did not think I had shewn so little love to you, as that you should
express so much joy upon leaving me. I am sure I never had a child half
so dear to me as you are.
I went to hear her so good to me, as indeed she has always been, and
said, What would you have me to do, dear Mrs. Jervis? I love you next to
my own father and mother, and to leave you is the chief concern I have at
quitting this place; but I am sure it is certain ruin if I stay. After
such offers, and such threatenings, and his comparing himself to a wicked
ravisher in the very time of his last offer; and turning it into a jest,
that we should make a pretty story in a romance; can I stay and be safe?
Has he not demeaned himself twice? And it behoves me to beware of the
third time, for fear he should lay his snares surer; for perhaps he did
not expect a poor servant would resist her master so much.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60