In this manner, said my master, did the parson and I confabulate; and I
set him down at his lodgings in the village. But he kept your secret,
Pamela; and would not own, that you gave any encouragement to his
addresses.
Indeed, sir, said I, he could not say that I did; and I hope you believe
me. I do, I do, said he: but 'tis still my opinion, that if, when I saw
plots set up against my plots, I had not discovered the parson as I did,
the correspondence between you might have gone to a length that would
have put our present situation out of both our powers.
Sir, said I, when you consider, that my utmost presumption could not make
me hope for the honour you now seem to design me; that I was so hardly
used, and had no prospect before me but dishonour, you will allow that I
should have seemed very little in earnest in my professions of honesty,
if I had not endeavoured to get away: but yet I resolved not to think of
marriage; for I never saw the man I could love, till your goodness
emboldened me to look up to you.
I should, my dear Pamela, said he, make a very ill compliment to my
vanity, if I did not believe you; though, at the same time, justice calls
upon me to say, that it is, some things considered, beyond my merit.
There was a sweet, noble expression for your poor daughter, my dear
father and mother!--And from my master too!
I was glad to hear this account of the interview between Mr.
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