ess has made them quite
happy! But I can't help being concerned about Lady Davers.

He said, I am vexed I did not hear the footman out; because it runs in
my head he talked somewhat about her coming hither. She will meet with
but an indifferent reception from me, unless she comes resolved to
behave better than she writes.

Pray, sir, said I, be pleased to bear with my good lady, for two
reasons. What are they? said he. Why, first, sir, answered I, because
she is your sister; and, to be sure, may very well think, what all the
world will, that you have much undervalued yourself in making me happy.
And next, because, if her ladyship finds you out of temper with her, it
will still aggravate her more against me; and every time that any warm
words you may have between you, come into her mind, she will disdain me
more.

Don't concern yourself about it, said he; for we have more proud ladies
than she in our other neighbourhood, who, perhaps, have still less
reason to be punctilious about their descent, and yet will form
themselves upon her example, and say, Why, his own sister will not
forgive him, nor visit him! And so, if I can subdue her spirit, which is
more than her husband ever could, or indeed any body else, it is a great
point gained: And, if she gives me reason, I'll try for it, I assure
you.

Well, but, my dear girl, continued he, since the subject is so
important, may I not say one word about to-morrow?--Sir, said I, I hope
I shall be less a fool: I have talked as harshly to my heart, as Lady
Davers can do; and the naughty thing suggests to me a better, and more
grateful behaviour.

He smiled, and, kissing me, said, I took notice, Pamela, of what you
observed, that you have none of your own sex with you; I think it is a
little hard upon you; and I should have liked you should have had Miss
Darnford; but then her sister must have been asked; and I might as well
make a public wedding: which, you know, would have required clothes and
other preparations. Besides, added he, a foolish proposal was once made
me of that second sister, who has two or three thousand pounds more than
the other, left her by a godmother, and she can't help being a little
piqued; though, said he, it was a proposal they could not expect should
succeed; for there is nothing in her person nor mind; and her fortune,
as that must have been the only inducement, would not do by any means;
and so I discouraged it at once.

I am thinking, sir, said