ela would not be too much affected with
the surprise, I would make you all witness to their first interview; for
never did daughter love a father, or a father a daughter, as they two do
one another. Miss Darnford, and all the ladies, and the gentlemen too,
begged it might be so. But was not this very cruel, my dear mother? For
well might they think I should not support myself in such an agreeable
surprise.
He said, kindly, I have but one fear, that the dear girl may be too much
affected. O, said Lady Darnford, we'll all help to keep up her spirits.
Says he, I'll go up, and prepare her; but won't tell her of it. So he
came up to me, as I have said, and amused me about Mr. Williams, to half
prepare me for some surprise; though that could not have been any thing
to this: and he left me, as I said, in that suspense, at his mystical
words, saying, He would send to me, when they were going to cards.
My master went from me to my father, and asked if he had eaten any
thing. No, said Mrs. Jewkes; the good man's heart is so full, he cannot
eat, nor do any thing, till he has seen his dear daughter. That shall
soon be, said my master. I will have you come in with me; for she is
going to sit down with my guests, to a game at quadrille; and I will
send for her down. O, sir, said my father, don't, don't let me; I am not
fit to appear before your guests; let me see my daughter by myself,
I beseech you. Said he, They all know your honest character, Goodman
Andrews, and long to see you, for Pamela's sake.
So he took my father by the hand, and led him in, against his will, to
the company. They were all very good. My master kindly said, Ladies and
gentlemen, I present to you one of the honestest men in England, my good
Pamela's father. Mr. Peters went to him, and took him by the hand, and
said, We are all glad to see you, sir; you are the happiest man in the
world in a daughter; whom we never saw before to-day, but cannot enough
admire.
Said my master, This gentleman, Goodman Andrews, is the minister of the
parish; but is not young enough for Mr. Williams. This airy expression,
my poor father said, made him fear, for a moment, that all was a
jest.--Sir Simon also took him by the hand, and said, Ay, you have a
sweet daughter, Honesty; we are all in love with her. And the ladies
came, and said very fine things: Lady Darnford particularly, That he
might think himself the happiest man in England, in such a daughter. If,
and please you,
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