r of means were used, to induce him
to marry her: That, finding nothing would do, they at last resolved
to complain to his father and mother; but that he made his sister
acquainted with the matter, who then happened to be at home; and, by her
management and spirit, their intentions of that sort were frustrated;
and, seeing no hopes, they agreed to Lady Davers's proposals, and sent
poor miss down to Marlborough, where, at her expense, which he answered
to her again, she was provided for, and privately lay-in: That Lady
Davers took upon herself the care of the little one, till it came to be
fit to be put to the boarding-school, where it now is: And that he had
settled upon the dear little miss such a sum of money, as the interest
of it would handsomely provide for her: and the principal would be
a tolerable fortune, fit for a gentlewoman, when she came to be
marriageable. And this, my dear, said he, is the story in brief. And
I do assure you, Pamela, added he, I am far from making a boast of, or
taking a pride in, this affair: But since it has happened, I can't say
but I wish the poor child to live, and be happy; and I must endeavour to
make her so.

Sir, said I, to be sure you should; and I shall take a very great pride
to contribute to the dear little soul's felicity, if you will permit me
to have her home.--But, added I, does miss know any thing who are her
father and mother? I wanted him to say if the poor lady was living or
dead.--No, answered he. Her governess has been told, by my sister, that
she is the daughter of a gentleman and his lady, who are related, at
a distance, to Lord Davers, and now live in Jamaica; and she calls me
uncle, only because I am the brother to Lady Davers, whom she calls
aunt, and who is very fond of her: as is also my lord, who knows the
whole matter; and they have her, at all her little school recesses, at
their house, and are very kind to her.

I believe, added he, the truth of the matter is very little known
or suspected; for, as her mother is of no mean family, her friends
endeavour to keep it secret, as much as I: and Lady Davers, till her
wrath boiled over, t'other day, has managed the matter very dexterously
and kindly.

The words, mother is of no mean family, gave me not to doubt the poor
lady was living. And I said, But how, sir, can the dear miss's poor
mother be content to deny herself the enjoyment of so sweet a child?
Ah, Pamela, replied he, now you come in; I see you want