All that
I can do, poor as it is, I will do, to convince you, that your
offers shall have no part in my choice; and if I cannot escape
the violence of man, I hope, by God's grace, I shall have nothing
to reproach myself, for not doing all in my power to avoid my
disgrace; and then I can safely appeal to the great God, my only
refuge and protector, with this consolation, That my will bore no
part in my violation.
'VII. You shall be mistress of my person and fortune, as much as if the
foolish ceremony had passed. All my servants shall be yours; and you
shall choose any two persons to attend yourself, either male or female,
without any control of mine: and if your conduct be such, that I have
reason to be satisfied with it, I know not (but will not engage for this)
that I may, after a twelvemonth's cohabitation, marry you; for, if my
love increases for you, as it has done for many months past, it will be
impossible for me to deny you any thing.
'And now, Pamela, consider well, it is in your power to oblige me on such
terms, as will make yourself, and all your friends, happy: but this will
be over this very day, irrevocably over; and you shall find all you would
be thought to fear, without the least benefit arising from it to
yourself.
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