I luckily said nothing of the note from Mr. Jonathan; for I began to
suspect all the world almost: but I said, to try Mrs. Jervis, Well then,
what would you have me do? You see he is for having me wait on Lady
Davers now.
Why, I'll tell you freely, my dear Pamela, said she, and I trust to your
discretion to conceal what I say: my master has been often desiring me to
put you upon asking him to let you stay----
Yes, said I, Mrs. Jervis, let me interrupt you: I will tell you why I
could not think of that: It was not the pride of my heart, but the pride
of my honesty: For what must have been the case? Here my master has been
very rude to me, once and twice; and you say he cannot help it, though he
pretends to be sorry for it: Well, he has given me warning to leave my
place, and uses me very harshly; perhaps to frighten me to his purposes,
as he supposes I would be fond of staying (as indeed I should, if I could
be safe; for I love you and all the house, and value him, if he would act
as my master). Well then, as I know his designs, and that he owns he
cannot help it; must I have asked to stay, knowing he would attempt me
again? for all you could assure me of, was, he would do nothing by force;
so I, a poor weak girl, was to be left to my own strength! And was not
this to allow him to tempt me, as one may say? and to encourage him to go
on in his wicked devices?--How then, Mrs.
Pages:
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97