so
low had he brought me! he treated her in such a manner as made my heart
ache for her: But part was art, I know, to make me think the better of
her.

Indeed, sister, said he, there was very little of that; for, at that
time, I cared not what you thought, nor had complaisance enough to have
given a shilling for your good or bad opinion of her or me. And, I
own, I was displeased to be broken in upon, after your provocations,
by either of you and she must learn that lesson, never to come near me,
when I am in those humours; which shall be as little as possible: For,
after a while, if let alone, I always come to myself, and am sorry for
the violence of a temper, so like my dear sister's here: And, for
this reason think it is no matter how few witnesses I have of its
intemperance, while it lasts; especially since every witness, whether
they merit it or not, as you see in my Pamela's case, must be a sufferer
by it, if, unsent for, they come in my way.

He repeated the same lesson to me again, and enforced it and owned, that
he was angry with me in earnest, just then; though more with himself,
afterwards, for being so: But when, Pamela, said he, you wanted to
transfer all my displeasure upon yourself, it was so much braving me
with your merit, as if I must soon end my anger, if placed there; or
it was making it so light to you, that I was truly displeased: for,
continued he, I cannot bear that you should wish, on any occasion
whatever, to have me angry with you, or not to value my displeasure as
the heaviest misfortune that could befall you.

But, sir, said I, you know, that what I did was to try to reconcile my
lady; and, as she herself observed, it was paying her a high regard. It
was so, replied he; but never think of making a compliment to her, or
any body living, at my expense. Besides, she had behaved herself so
intolerably, that I began to think you had stooped too much, and more
than I ought to permit my wife to do; and acts of meanness are what I
can't endure in any body, but especially where I love: and as she had
been guilty of a very signal one, I had much rather have renounced her
at that time, than have been reconciled to her.

Sir, said I, I hope I shall always comport myself so, as not wilfully
to disoblige you for the future; and the rather do I hope this, as I
am sure I shall want only to know your pleasure to obey it. But this
instance shews me, that I may much offend, without designing it in the
leas