n judgment, than of mine.

Now, my Pamela, this is but a faint sketch of the conduct I must have
expected from my wife, let her quality have been what it would; or have
lived with her on bad terms. Judge then, if to me a lady of the modish
taste could have been tolerable.

The perverseness and contradiction I have too often seen, in some of my
visits, even among people of sense, as well as condition, had prejudiced
me to the married state; and, as I knew I could not bear it, surely I
was in the right to decline it: And you see, my dear, that I have not
gone among this class of people for a wife; nor know I, indeed, where,
in any class, I could have sought one, or had one suitable to my mind,
if not you: For here is my misfortune; I could not have been contented
to have been but moderately happy in a wife.

Judge you, from all this, if I could very well bear that you should
think yourself so well secured of my affection, that you could take the
faults of others upon yourself; and, by a supposed supererogatory merit,
think your interposition sufficient to atone for the faults of others.

Yet am I not perfect myself: No, I am greatly imperfect. Yet will I not
allow, that my imperfections shall excuse those of my wife, or make her
think I ought to bear faults in her, that she can rectify, because she
bears greater from me.

Upon the whole, I may expect, that you will bear with me, and study my
temper, till, and only till, you see I am capable of returning insult
for obligation; and till you think, that I shall be of a gentler
deportment, if I am roughly used, than otherwise. One thing more I will
add, That I should scorn myself, if there was one privilege of your
sex, that a princess might expect, as my wife, to be indulged in, that
I would not allow to my Pamela; for you are the wife of my affections: I
never wished for one before you, nor ever do I hope to have another.

I hope, sir, said I, my future conduct--Pardon me, said he, my dear, for
interrupting you; but it is to assure you, that I am so well convinced
of your affectionate regard for me, that I know I might have spared the
greatest part of what I have said: And, indeed, it must be very bad
for both of us, if I should have reason to think it necessary to say
so much. But one thing has brought on another; and I have rather spoken
what my niceness has made me observe in other families, than what I fear
in my own. And, therefore, let me assure you, I am thoroug