I did so, with a
courtesy, and he led me up the steps of the alcove, and, in a most
gentleman-like manner, presented me to the ladies, and they all saluted
me, and said, They hoped to be better acquainted with me: and Lady
Darnford was pleased to say, I should be the flower of their
neighbourhood. Sir Simon said, Good neighbour, by your leave; and
saluting me, added, Now will I say, that I have kissed the loveliest
maiden in England. But, for all this, methought I owed him a grudge for
a tell-tale, though all had turned out so happily. Mr. Peters very
gravely followed his example, and said, like a bishop, God bless you,
fair excellence! said Lady Jones, Pray, dear madam, sit down by me: and
they all sat down: But I said, I would stand, if they pleased. No,
Pamela, said my master: pray sit down with these good ladies, my
neighbours:--They will indulge it to you, for my sake, till they know you
better; and for your own, when they are acquainted with you. Sir, said
I, I shall be proud to deserve their indulgence.
They all so gazed at me, that I could not look up; for I think it is one
of the distinctions of persons of condition, and well-bred people, to put
bashful bodies out of countenance. Well, Sir Simon, said my master, what
say you now to my pretty rustic?--He swore a great oath, that he should
better know what to say to me if he was as young as himself.
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