He then took me in his arms, and presently pushed me from him. Mrs.
Jervis, said he, take the little witch from me; I can neither bear, nor
forbear her--(Strange words these!)--But stay; you shan't go!--Yet
begone!--No, come back again.
I thought he was mad, for my share; for he knew not what he would have.
I was going, however; but he stept after me, and took hold of my arm, and
brought me in again: I am sure he made my arm black and blue; for the
marks are upon it still. Sir, sir, said I, pray have mercy; I will, I
will come in!
He sat down, and looked at me, and, as I thought afterwards, as sillily
as such a poor girl as I. At last he said, Well, Mrs. Jervis, as I was
telling you, you may permit her to stay a little longer, till I see if my
sister Davers will have her; if, mean time, she humble herself, and ask
this as a favour, and is sorry for her pertness, and the liberty she has
taken with my character out of the house, and in the house. Your honour
indeed told me so, said Mrs. Jervis: but I never found her inclinable to
think herself in a fault. Pride and perverseness, said he, with a
vengeance! Yet this is your doating-piece!--Well, for once, I'll submit
myself to tell you, hussy, said he to me, you may stay a fortnight
longer, till I see my sister Davers: Do you hear what I say to you,
statue? Can you neither speak nor be thankful?--Your honour frights me
so, said I, that I can hardly speak: But I will venture to say, that I
have only to beg, as a favour, that I may go to my father and mother.
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