to what appearance I made, and nothing about my
neck; and he soothing me, with an aspect of pity and concern, I put my
hand to his mouth, and said, O tell me, yet tell me not, what have I
suffered in this distress? And I talked quite wild, and knew not what:
for, to be sure, I was on the point of distraction.

He most solemnly, and with a bitter imprecation, vowed, that he had
not offered the least indecency; that he was frightened at the terrible
manner I was taken with the fit: that he should desist from his attempt;
and begged but to see me easy and quiet, and he would leave me directly,
and go to his own bed. O then, said I, take with you this most wicked
woman, this vile Mrs. Jewkes, as an earnest, that I may believe you!

And will you, sir, said the wicked wretch, for a fit or two, give up
such an opportunity as this?--I thought you had known the sex better.
She is now, you see, quite well again!

This I heard; more she might say; but I fainted away once more, at these
words, and at his clasping his arms about me again. And, when I came
a little to myself, I saw him sit there, and the maid Nan, holding a
smelling-bottle to my nose, and no Mrs. Jewkes.

He said, taking my hand, Now will I vow to you, my dear Pamela, that
I will leave you the moment I see you better, and pacified. Here's Nan
knows, and will tell you, my concern for you. I vow to God, I have
not offered any indecency to you: and, since I found Mrs. Jewkes so
offensive to you, I have sent her to the maid's bed, and the maid
shall be with you to-night. And but promise me, that you will compose
yourself, and I will leave you. But, said I, will not Nan also hold my
hand? And will not she let you come in again to me?--He said, By heaven!
I will not come in again to-night. Nan, undress yourself, go to bed, and
do all you can to comfort the dear creature: And now, Pamela, said he,
give me but your hand, and say you forgive me, and I will leave you to
your repose. I held out my trembling hand, which he vouchsafed to kiss;
and I said, God forgive you, sir, as you have been just in my distress;
and as you will be just to what you promise! And he withdrew, with a
countenance of remorse, as I hoped; and she shut the doors, and, at my
request, brought the keys to bed.

This, O my dear parents! was a most dreadful trial. I tremble still to
think of it; and dare not recall all the horrid circumstances of it. I
hope, as he assures me, he was not guilty of indec