hop's lady, when all the time she was a severe prisoner here.--Well,
that's all over now, Goodman Andrews, said my master: but the times are
altered; for now the sweet girl has taken me prisoner; and in a few days
I shall put on the most agreeable fetters that ever man wore.

O, sir! said, he, you are too pleasant for my griefs. My heart's almost
broke. But may I not see my poor child? You shall presently, said he;
for she is coming down to us; and since you won't believe me, I hope you
will her.

I will ask you, good sir, said he, but one question till then, that
I may know how to look upon her when I see her. Is she honest? Is she
virtuous?--As the new-born babe, Mr. Andrews, said my good master; and
in twelve days time, I hope, will be my wife.

O flatter me not, good your honour, said he: It cannot be! it cannot
be!--I fear you have deluded her with strange hopes; and would make
me believe impossibilities!--Mrs. Jewkes, said he, do you tell my dear
Pamela's good father, when I go out, all you know concerning me, and
your mistress that is to be. Meantime, make much of him, and set out
what you have; and make him drink a glass of what he likes best. If this
be wine, added he, fill me a bumper.

She did so; and he took my father by the hand, and said, Believe me,
good man, and be easy; for I can't bear to see you tortured in this
cruel suspense: Your dear daughter is the beloved of my soul. I am glad
you are come: for you'll see us all in the same story. And here's your
dame's health; and God bless you both, for being the happy means of
procuring for me so great a blessing! And so he drank a bumper to this
most obliging health.

What do I hear? It cannot surely be! said my father. And your honour is
too good, I hope, to mock a poor old man--This ugly story, sir, of the
bishop, runs in my head--But you say I shall see my dear child--And I
shall see her honest.--If not, poor as I am, I would not own her.

My master bid Mrs. Jewkes not to let me know yet, that my father
was come; and went to the company, and said, I have been agreeably
surprised: Here is honest old Goodman Andrews come full of grief to see
his daughter; for he fears she is seduced; and tells me, good honest
man, that, poor as he is, he will not own her, if she be not virtuous.
O, said they all, with one voice almost, Dear sir! shall we not see the
good old man you have so praised for his plain good sense, and honest
heart? If, said he, I thought Pam