When I come to be
proud and vain of gaudy apparel, and outside finery, then (which I
hope will never be) may I rest my principal good in such vain
trinkets, and despise for them the more solid ornaments of a good
fame, and a chastity inviolate!
Give me leave to say, sir, in answer to what you hint, That you may in a
twelvemonth's time marry me, on the continuance of my good behaviour;
that this weighs less with me, if possible, than any thing else you have
said: for, in the first place, there is an end of all merit, and all good
behaviour, on my side, if I have now any, the moment I consent to your
proposals: And I should be so far from expecting such an honour, that I
will pronounce, that I should be most unworthy of it. What, sir, would
the world say, were you to marry your harlot? That a gentleman of your
rank in life should stoop, not only to the base-born Pamela, but to a
base-born prostitute?--Little, sir, as I know of the world, I am not to
be caught by a bait so poorly covered as this!
Yet, after all, dreadful is the thought, that I, a poor, weak,
friendless, unhappy creature, am too full in your power! But permit me,
sir, to pray, as I now write on my bended knees, That before you resolve
upon my ruin, you will weigh well the matter.
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