not obeyed, will afterwards have no ill opinion of a person for
withstanding them in their unlawful commands.

Mrs. Jewkes seemed a little concerned at this; and I said, I spoke
chiefly from my own experience: For that I might say, as they both knew
my story, that I had not wanted both for menaces and temptations; and
had I complied with the one, or been intimidated by the other, I should
not have been what I was.

Ah, madam! replied Mrs. Jewkes, I never knew any body like you; and I
think your temper sweeter, since the happy day, than before; and that,
if possible, you take less upon you.

Why, a good reason, said I, may be assigned for that: I thought myself
in danger: I looked upon every one as my enemy; and it was impossible
that I should not be fretful, uneasy, jealous. But when my dearest
friend had taken from me the ground of my uneasiness, and made me quite
happy, I should have been very blamable, if I had not shewn a satisfied
and easy mind, and a temper that should engage every one's respect and
love at the same time, if possible: And so much the more, as it was
but justifying, in some sort, the honour I had received: For the fewer
enemies I made myself, the more I engaged every one to think, that my
good benefactor had been less to blame in descending as he has done.

This way of talking pleased them both very much; and they made me many
compliments upon it, and wished me always to be happy, as, they said, I
so well deserved.

We were thus engaged, when my master, and his sister and her nephew,
came in: and they made me quite alive, in the happy humour in which they
all returned. The two women would have withdrawn: but my master said,
Don't go, Mrs. Worden: Mrs. Jewkes, pray stay; I shall speak to you
presently. So he came to me, and, saluting me, said, Well, my dear love,
I hope I have not trespassed upon your patience, by an absence longer
than we designed. But it has not been to your disadvantage; for though
we had not your company, we have talked of nobody else but you.

My lady came up to me, and said, Ay, child, you have been all our
subject. I don't know how it is: but you have made two or three good
families, in this neighbourhood, as much your admirers, as your friend
here.

My sister, said he, has been hearing your praises, Pamela, from half
a score mouths, with more pleasure than her heart will easily let her
express.

My good Lady Davers's favour, said I, and the continuance of yours,
s