, without saying a word, and seemed vexed; and at last
walked in, bidding me attend him in the garden, after dinner. So having
a little time, I went up, and wrote thus far.

Wednesday night.

If, my dear parents, I am not destined more surely than ever for ruin,
I have now more comfort before me than ever I yet knew: and am either
nearer my happiness, or my misery, than ever I was. God protect me from
the latter, if it be his blessed will! I have now such a scene to open
to you, that, I know, will alarm both your hopes and your fears, as it
does mine. And this it is:

After my master had dined, he took a turn into the stables, to look at
his stud of horses; and, when he came in, he opened the parlour-door,
where Mrs. Jewkes and I sat at dinner; and, at his entrance, we both
rose up; but he said, Sit still, sit still, and let me see how you eat
your victuals, Pamela. O, said Mrs. Jewkes, very poorly, indeed, sir!
No, said I, pretty well, sir, considering. None of your considerings,
said he, pretty face; and tapped me on the cheek. I blushed, but was
glad he was so good-humoured; but I could not tell how to sit before
him, nor to behave myself. So he said, I know, Pamela, you are a nice
carver: my mother used to say so. My lady, sir, said I, was very good to
me in every thing, and would always make me do the honours of her table
for her, when she was with her few select friends that she loved. Cut
up, said he, that chicken. I did so. Now, said he, and took a knife and
fork, and put a wing upon my plate, let me see you eat that. O sir, said
I, I have eaten a whole breast of a chicken already, and cannot eat so
much. But he said, I must eat it for his sake, and he would teach me to
eat heartily: So I did eat it; but was much confused at his so kind and
unusual freedom and condescension. And, good lack! you can't imagine how
Mrs. Jewkes looked and stared, and how respectful she seemed to me, and
called me good madam, I'll assure you, urging me to take a little bit of
tart.

My master took two or three turns about the room, musing and thoughtful,
as I had never before seen him; and at last he went out, saying, I
am going into the garden: You know, Pamela, what I said to you before
dinner. I rose, and courtesied, saying, I would attend his honour; and
he said, Do, good girl!

Well, said Mrs. Jewkes, I see how things will go. O, madam, as she
called me again, I am sure you are to be our mistress! And then I know
what wi