chide my
dear girl this day, however. The two parsons will be here to breakfast
with us at nine; and yet you are not a bit dressed! Why this absence of
mind, and sweet irresolution?

Why, indeed, sir, said I, I will set about a reformation this instant.
He saw the common-prayer book lying in the window. I hope, said he, my
lovely maiden has been conning the lesson she is by-and-by to repeat.
Have you not, Pamela? and clasped his arms about me, and kissed me.
Indeed, sir, said I, I have been reading over the solemn service.--And
what thinks my fairest (for so he called me) of it?--O sir, 'tis very
awful, and makes one shudder, to reflect upon it!--No wonder, said
he, it should affect my sweet Pamela: I have been looking into it this
morning, and I can't say but I think it a solemn, but very suitable
service. But this I tell my dear love, continued he, and again clasped
me to him, there is not a tittle in it that I cannot joyfully subscribe
to: And that, my dear Pamela, should make you easy, and join cheerfully
in it with me. I kissed his dear hand: O my generous, kind protector,
said I, how gracious is it to confirm thus the doubting mind of your
poor servant! which apprehends nothing so much as her own unworthiness
of the honour and blessing that await her!--He was pleased to say, I
know well, my dearest creature, that, according to the liberties we
people of fortune generally give ourselves, I have promised a great
deal, when I say so. But I would not have said it, if, deliberately,
I could not with all my heart. So banish from your mind all doubt and
uneasiness; let a generous confidence in me take place; and let me see
it does, by your cheerfulness in this day's solemn business; and then I
will love you for ever!

May God Almighty, sir, said I, reward all your goodness to me!--That is
all I can say. But, oh! how kind it is in you, to supply the want of the
presence and comfortings of a dear mother, of a loving sister, or of the
kind companions of my own sex, which most maidens have, to soothe their
anxieties on the so near approach of so awful a solemnity!--You, sir,
are all these tender relations in one to me! Your condescensions and
kindness shall, if possible, embolden me to look up to you without
that sweet terror, that must confound poor bashful maidens, on such an
occasion, when they are surrendered up to a more doubtful happiness, and
to half-strange men, whose good faith, and good usage of them, must be
les