together, in the most kind manner. Among
other things, he asked me, if I chose to order any new clothes against
my marriage. (O how my heart flutters when he mentions this subject so
freely!) I said, I left every thing to his good pleasure, only repeated
my request, for the reasons aforegiven, that I might not be too fine.

He said, I think, my dear, it shall be very private: I hope you are not
afraid of a sham-marriage; and pray get the service by heart, that you
may see nothing is omitted. I glowed between shame and delight. O how I
felt my cheeks burn!

I said, I feared nothing, I apprehended nothing, but my own
unworthiness. Said he, I think it shall be done within these fourteen
days, from this day, at this house. O how I trembled! but not with
grief, you may believe--What says my girl? Have you to object against
any day of the next fourteen: because my affairs require me to go to my
other house, and I think not to stir from this till I am happy with you?

I have no will but yours, said I (all glowing like the fire, as I could
feel:) But, sir, did you say in the house? Ay, said he; for I care not
how privately it be done; and it must be very public if we go to church.
It is a holy rite, sir, said I; and would be better, methinks, in a holy
place.

I see (said he, most kindly) my lovely maid's confusion; and your
trembling tenderness shews I ought to oblige you all I may. Therefore
I will order my own little chapel, which has not been used for two
generations, for any thing but a lumber-room, because our family seldom
resided here long together, to be cleared and cleaned, and got ready for
the ceremony, if you dislike your own chamber or mine.

Sir, said I, that will be better than the chamber, and I hope it will
never be lumbered again, but kept to the use for which, as I presume, it
has been consecrated. O yes, said he, it has been consecrated, and that
several ages ago, in my great great grandfather's time, who built that
and the good old house together.

But now, my good girl, if I do not too much add to your sweet confusion,
shall it be in the first seven days, or the second of this fortnight? I
looked down, quite out of countenance. Tell me, said he.

In the second, if you please, sir, said I.--As you please, said he most
kindly; but I should thank you, Pamela, if you would choose the first.
I'd rather, sir, if you please, said I, have the second. Well, said he,
be it so; but don't defer it till the las