I
can contentedly live at the meanest rate, and think not myself
above the lowest condition, that I am also above making an exchange
of my honesty for all the riches of the Indies. When I come to be
proud and vain of gaudy apparel, and outside finery, then (which I
hope will never be) may I rest my principal good in such vain
trinkets, and despise for them the more solid ornaments of a good
fame, and a chastity inviolate!

Give me leave to say, sir, in answer to what you hint, That you may in
a twelvemonth's time marry me, on the continuance of my good behaviour;
that this weighs less with me, if possible, than any thing else you have
said: for, in the first place, there is an end of all merit, and all
good behaviour, on my side, if I have now any, the moment I consent to
your proposals: And I should be so far from expecting such an honour,
that I will pronounce, that I should be most unworthy of it. What, sir,
would the world say, were you to marry your harlot? That a gentleman of
your rank in life should stoop, not only to the base-born Pamela, but to
a base-born prostitute?--Little, sir, as I know of the world, I am not
to be caught by a bait so poorly covered as this!

Yet, after all, dreadful is the thought, that I, a poor, weak,
friendless, unhappy creature, am too full in your power! But permit me,
sir, to pray, as I now write on my bended knees, That before you resolve
upon my ruin, you will weigh well the matter. Hitherto, sir, though you
have taken large strides to this crying sin, yet are you on this side
the commission of it.--When once it is done, nothing can recall it! And
where will be your triumph?--What glory will the spoils of such a weak
enemy yield you? Let me but enjoy my poverty with honesty, is all my
prayer, and I will bless you, and pray for you, every moment of my life!
Think, O think! before it is yet too late! what stings, what remorse
will attend your dying hour, when you come to reflect, that you have
ruined, perhaps soul and body, a wretched creature, whose only pride
was her virtue! And how pleased you will be, on the contrary, if in
that tremendous moment you shall be able to acquit yourself of this foul
crime, and to plead in your own behalf, that you suffered the earnest
supplications of an unhappy wretch to prevail with you to be innocent
yourself, and let her remain so!--May God Almighty, whose mercy so
lately saved you from the peril of perishing in d