, as the
world goes. And so if I was wicked enough, he would keep me till I was
undone, and till his mind changed; for even wicked men, I have read,
soon grow weary of wickedness with the same person, and love variety.
Well, then, poor Pamela must be turned off, and looked upon as a vile
abandoned creature, and every body would despise her; ay, and justly
too, Mrs. Jervis; for she that can't keep her virtue, ought to live in
disgrace.

But, Mrs. Jervis, I continued, let me tell you, that I hope, if I was
sure he would always be kind to me, and never turn me off at all, that I
shall have so much grace, as to hate and withstand his temptations, were
he not only my master, but my king: and that for the sin's sake. This
my poor dear parents have always taught me; and I should be a sad wicked
creature indeed, if, for the sake of riches or favour, I should forfeit
my good name; yea, and worse than any other young body of my sex;
because I can so contentedly return to my poverty again, and think it
a less disgrace to be obliged to wear rags, and live upon rye-bread and
water, as I used to do, than to be a harlot to the greatest man in the
world.

Mrs. Jervis lifted up her hands, and had her eyes full of tears.
God bless you, my dear love! said she; you are my admiration and
delight.--How shall I do to part with you!

Well, good Mrs. Jervis, said I, let me ask you now:--You and he have had
some talk, and you mayn't be suffered to tell me all. But, do you think,
if I was to ask to stay, that he is sorry for what he has done? Ay, and
ashamed of it too? For I am sure he ought, considering his high degree,
and my low degree, and how I have nothing in the world to trust to but
my honesty: Do you think in your own conscience now, (pray answer me
truly,) that he would never offer any thing to me again, and that I
could be safe?

Alas! my dear child, said she, don't put thy home questions to me, with
that pretty becoming earnestness in thy look. I know this, that he is
vexed at what he has done; he was vexed the first time, more vexed the
second time.

Yes, said I, and so he will be vexed, I suppose, the third, and the
fourth time too, till he has quite ruined your poor maiden; and who will
have cause to be vexed then?

Nay, Pamela, said she, don't imagine that I would be accessory to your
ruin for the world. I only can say, that he has, yet, done you no hurt;
and it is no wonder he should love you, you are so pretty; though so