I could no longer refrain tears, but said, Pray your ladyship, let me ask
what I have done, to be thus severely treated? I never did your ladyship
any harm. And if you think I am deceived, as you was pleased to hint, I
should be more entitled to your pity, than your anger.
She rose, and took me by the hand, and led me to her chair; and then sat
down; and still holding my hand, said, Why Pamela, I did indeed pity you
while I thought you innocent; and when my brother seized you, and brought
you down hither, without your consent, I was concerned for you; and I was
still more concerned for you, and loved you, when I heard of your virtue
and resistance, and your laudable efforts to get away from him. But
when, as I fear, you have suffered yourself to be prevailed upon, and
have lost your innocence, and added another to the number of the fools he
has ruined, (This shocked me a little,) I cannot help shewing my
displeasure to you.
Madam, replied I, I must beg no hasty judgment; I have not lost my
innocence.--Take care, take care, Pamela! said she: don't lose your
veracity, as well as your honour!--Why are you here, when you are at full
liberty to go whither you please?--I will make one proposal to you, and
if you are innocent, I am sure you'll accept it.
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