I have no words, said I, to throw away upon you, Mrs.
Jewkes; but, making her a very low courtesy, I most heartily thank you
for all your virtuous civilities to me. And so adieu; for I'll have no
portmanteau, I'll assure you, nor any thing but these few things that I
brought with me in my handkerchief, besides what I have on. For I had
all this time worn my own bought clothes, though my master would have had
it otherwise often: but I had put up paper, ink, and pens, however.
So down I went, and as I passed by the parlour, she stepped in, and said,
Sir, you have nothing to say to the girl before she goes? I heard him
reply, though I did not see him, Who bid you say, the girl, Mrs. Jewkes,
in that manner? She has offended only me.
I beg your honour's pardon, said the wretch; but if I was your honour,
she should not, for all the trouble she has cost you, go away scot-free.
No more of this, as I told you before, said he: What! when I have such
proof, that her virtue is all her pride, shall I rob her of that?--No,
added he, let her go, perverse and foolish as she is; but she deserves to
go honest, and she shall go so!
I was so transported with this unexpected goodness, that I opened the
door before I knew what I did; and said, falling on my knees at the door,
with my hands folded, and lifted up, O thank you, thank your honour, a
million of times!--May God bless you for this instance of your goodness
to me! I will pray for you as long as I live, and so shall my dear
father and mother.
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