faintish: and they brought me two candles, and lighted a brushwood fire;
and said, if I called, I should be waited on instantly; and so left me
to ruminate on my sad condition, and to read my letter, which I was not
able to do presently. After I had a little come to myself, I found it to
contain these words:

'DEAR PAMELA,

'The passion I have for you, and your obstinacy, have constrained me to
act by you in a manner that I know will occasion you great trouble and
fatigue, both of mind and body. Yet, forgive me, my dear girl; for,
although I have taken this step, I will, by all that's good and
holy! use you honourably. Suffer not your fears to transport you to
a behaviour that will be disreputable to us both: for the place where
you'll receive this, is a farm that belongs to me; and the people civil,
honest, and obliging.

'You will, by this time, be far on your way to the place I have allotted
for your abode for a few weeks, till I have managed some affairs, that
will make me shew myself to you in a much different light, than you may
possibly apprehend from this rash action: And to convince you, that I
mean no harm, I do assure you, that the house you are going to, shall be
so much at your command, that even I myself will not approach it without
leave from you. So make yourself easy; be discreet and prudent; and a
happier turn shall reward these your troubles, than you may at present
apprehend.

'Meantime I pity the fatigue you will have, if this come to your hand in
the place I have directed: and will write to your father to satisfy him,
that nothing but what is honourable shall be offered to you, by

Your passionate admirer, (so I must style myself,)

'---------------'

Don't think hardly of poor Robin: You have so possessed all my servants
in your favour, that I find they had rather serve you than me; and 'tis
reluctantly the poor fellow undertook this task; and I was forced to
submit to assure him of my honourable intentions to you, which I
am fully resolved to make good, if you compel me not to a contrary
conduct.'

I but too well apprehended that the letter was only to pacify me for the
present; but as my danger was not so immediate as I had reason to dread,
and he had promised to forbear coming to me, and to write to you, my
dear parents, to quiet your concern, I was a little more easy than
before and I made shift to eat a little