My heart began then to misgive me a little, and I was very
much fatigued; for I had no sleep for several nights before, to signify;
and at last I said, Pray Mr. Robert, there is a town before us, what do
you call it?--If we are so much out of the way, we had better put up
there, for the night comes on apace: And, Lord protect me! thought I, I
shall have new dangers, mayhap, to encounter with the man, who have
escaped the master--little thinking of the base contrivance of the
latter.--Says he, I am just there: 'Tis but a mile on one side of the
town before us.--Nay, said I, I may be mistaken; for it is a good while
since I was this way; but I am sure the face of the country here is
nothing like what I remember it.
He pretended to be much out of humour with himself for mistaking the way,
and at last stopped at a farmhouse, about two miles beyond the village I
had seen; and it was then almost dark, and he alighted, and said, We must
make shift here; for I am quite out.
Lord, thought I, be good to the poor Pamela! More trials still!--What
will befall me next?
The farmer's wife, and maid, and daughter, came out; and the wife said,
What brings you this way at this time of night, Mr. Robert? And with a
lady too?--Then I began to be frightened out of my wits; and laying
middle and both ends together, I fell a crying, and said, God give me
patience! I am undone for certain!--Pray, mistress, said I, do you know
'Squire B----, of Bedfordshire?
The wicked coachman would have prevented the answering me; but the simple
daughter said, Know his worship! yes, surely! why he is my father's
landlord.
Pages:
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167