--But now, my dearest Pamela, that you have seen a
purity on my side, as nearly imitating your own, as our sex can shew to
yours; and since I have, all the day long, suppressed even the least
intimation of the coming days, that I might not alarm your tender mind;
why all this concern, why all this affecting, yet sweet confusion? You
have a generous friend, my dear girl, in me; a protector now, not a
violator of your innocence: Why then, once more I ask, this strange
perplexity, this sweet confusion?
O sir, said I, and hid my face on his arm; expect not reason from a
foolish creature: You should have still indulged me in my closet: I am
ready to beat myself for this ungrateful return to your goodness. But I
know not what!--I am, to be sure, a silly creature! O had you but
suffered me to stay by myself above, I should have made myself ashamed of
so culpable a behaviour!--But goodness added to goodness every moment,
and the sense of my own unworthiness, quite overcome my spirits.
Now, said the generous man, will I, though reluctantly, make a proposal
to my sweet girl.--If I have been too pressing for the day: If another
day will still be more obliging: If you have fears you will not then
have; you shall say but the word, and I'll submit.
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