o much! But if not, I am doubly undone!--Undone indeed!

Said he, I hope my present temper will hold; for I tell you frankly,
that I have known, in this agreeable hour, more sincere pleasure than
I have experienced in all the guilty tumults that my desiring soul
compelled me into, in the hopes of possessing you on my own terms. And,
Pamela, you must pray for the continuance of this temper; and I hope
your prayers will get the better of my temptations.

This sweet goodness overpowered all my reserves. I threw myself at his
feet, and embraced his knees: What pleasure, sir, you give me at these
gracious words, is not lent your poor servant to express!--I shall be
too much rewarded for all my sufferings, if this goodness hold! God
grant it may, for your own soul's sake as well as mine. And oh! how
happy should I be, if----

He stopt me, and said, But, my dear girl, what must we do about the
world, and the world's censure? Indeed, I cannot marry!

Now was I again struck all of a heap. However, soon recollecting myself,
Sir, said I, I have not the presumption to hope such an honour. If I may
be permitted to return in peace and safety to my poor parents, to pray
for you there, it is all I at present request! This, sir, after all my
apprehensions and dangers, will be a great pleasure to me. And, if I
know my own poor heart, I shall wish you happy in a lady of suitable
degree; and rejoice most sincerely in every circumstance that shall make
for the happiness of my late good lady's most beloved son.

Well, said he, this conversation, Pamela, is gone farther than I
intended it. You need not be afraid, at this rate, of trusting yourself
with me: but it is I that ought to be doubtful of myself, when I am with
you.--But before I say any thing farther on this subject, I will take
my proud heart to task; and, till then, let every thing be as if this
conversation had never passed. Only, let me tell you, that the more
confidence you place in me, the more you'll oblige me: but your doubts
will only beget cause of doubts. And with this ambiguous saying, he
saluted me with a more formal manner, if I may so say, than before, and
lent me his hand; and so we walked toward the house, side by side, he
seeming very thoughtful and pensive, as if he had already repented him
of his goodness.

What shall I do, what steps take, if all this be designing--O the
perplexities of these cruel doubtings!--To be sure, if he be false, as
I may call it, I