But
now I have found you out, you specious hypocrite! and I see, that though
you could not repose the least confidence in one you had known for years,
and who, under my good mother's misplaced favour for you, had grown up in
a manner with you; when my passion, in spite of my pride, and the
difference of our condition, made me stoop to a meanness that now I
despise myself for; yet you could enter into an intrigue with a man you
never knew till within these few days past, and resolve to run away with
a stranger, whom your fair face, and insinuating arts, had bewitched to
break through all the ties of honour and gratitude to me, even at a time
when the happiness of his future life depended upon my favour.
'Henceforth, for Pamela's sake, whenever I see a lovely face, will I
mistrust a deceitful heart; and whenever I hear of the greatest pretences
to innocence, will I suspect some deep-laid mischief. You were
determined to place no confidence in me, though I have solemnly, over and
over, engaged my honour to you. What, though I had alarmed your fears in
sending you one way, when you hoped to go another; yet, had I not, to
convince you of my resolution to do justly by you, (although with great
reluctance, such then was my love for you,) engaged not to come near you
without your own consent? Was not this a voluntary demonstration of the
generosity of my intention to you? Yet how have you requited me? The
very first fellow that your charming face, and insinuating address, could
influence, you have practised upon, corrupted too, I may say, (and even
ruined, as the ungrateful wretch shall find,) and thrown your forward
self upon him.
Pages:
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273