And it was by
the side of this pond, and not far from the place where I had that
dreaded conflict, that my present hopes, if I am not to be deceived
again, began to dawn: which I presume to flatter myself with being a
happy omen for me, as if God Almighty would shew your poor sinful
daughter, how well I did to put my affiance in his goodness, and not to
throw away myself, because my ruin seemed inevitable, to my short-sighted
apprehension.
So he was pleased to say, Well, Pamela, I am glad you are come of your
own accord, as I may say: give me your hand. I did so; and he looked at
me very steadily, and pressing my hand all the time, at last said, I will
now talk to you in a serious manner.
You have a good deal of wit, a great deal of penetration, much beyond
your years, and, as I thought, your opportunities. You are possessed of
an open, frank, and generous mind; and a person so lovely, that you excel
all your sex, in my eyes. All these accomplishments have engaged my
affection so deeply, that, as I have often said, I cannot live without
you; and I would divide, with all my soul, my estate with you, to make
you mine upon my own terms. These you have absolutely rejected; and
that, though in saucy terms enough, yet in such a manner as makes me
admire you the more.
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