child, I
need not, I am sure, prompt your obedience in whatever will most oblige
so good a gentleman. What says my Pamela? said my master: She does not
use to be at a loss for expressions. Sir, said I, were I too sudden, it
would look as if I doubted whether you would hold in your mind, and was
not willing to give you time for reflection: but otherwise, to be sure I
ought to resign myself implicitly to your will. Said he, I want not time
for reflection: for I have often told you, and that long ago, I could
not live without you: and my pride of condition made me both tempt
and terrify you to other terms; but your virtue was proof against all
temptations, and was not to be awed by terrors: Wherefore, as I could
not conquer my passion for you, I corrected myself, and resolved, since
you would not be mine upon my terms, you should upon your own: and now I
desire you not on any other, I assure you: and I think the sooner it is
done, the better. What say you, Mr. Andrews? Sir, said he, there is so
much goodness on your side, and, blessed be God! so much prudence on my
daughter's, that I must be quite silent. But when it is done, I and my
poor wife shall have nothing to do, but to pray for you both, and to
look back, with wonder and joy, on the ways of Providence.

This, said my master, is Friday night; and suppose, my girl, it be next
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning?--Say, my Pamela.

Will you, sir, said I, excuse me till to-morrow for an answer? I will,
said he; and touched the bell, and called for Mrs. Jewkes. Where, said
he, does Mr. Andrews lie tonight? You'll take care of him. He's a very
good man; and will bring a blessing upon every house he sets his foot
in.

My dear father wept for joy; and I could not refrain keeping him
company. And my master, saluting me, bid us good night, and retired. And
I waited upon my dear father, and was so full of prattle, of my master's
goodness, and my future prospects, that I believed afterwards I was
turned all into tongue: but he indulged me, and was transported with
joy; and went to bed, and dreamed of nothing but Jacob's ladder, and
angels ascending and descending, to bless him and his daughter.

Saturday.

I arose early in the morning; but found my father was up before me, and
was gone to walk in the garden. I went to him: and with what delight,
with what thankfulness, did we go over every scene of it, that had
before been so dreadful to me! The fish-pond, th