am never long a dressing, when I set about it; and my master
has now given me a hint, that will, for half an hour more, at least,
keep my spirits in a brisk circulation. Yet it concerns me a little too,
lest he should have any the least shadow of a doubt, that I am not, mind
and person, entirely his.

And so being now ready, and not called to breakfast, I sat down and
wrote thus far.

I might have mentioned, that I dressed myself in a rich white satin
night-gown, that had been my good lady's, and my best head-clothes, etc.
I have got such a knack of writing, that when I am by myself, I cannot
sit without a pen in my hand.--But I am now called to breakfast. I
suppose the gentlemen are come.--Now, courage, Pamela! Remember thou
art upon thy good behaviour!--Fie upon it! my heart begins to flutter
again!--Foolish heart! be still! Never, sure, was any maiden's perverse
heart under so little command as mine!--It gave itself away, at first,
without my leave; it has been, for weeks, pressing me with its wishes;
and yet now, when it should be happy itself, and make me so, it is
throb, throb, throb, like a little fool! and filling me with such
unseasonable misgivings, as abate the rising comforts of all my better
prospects.

Thursday, near three o'clock.

I thought I should have found no time nor heart to write again this day.
But here are three gentlemen come, unexpectedly, to dine with my master;
and so I shall not appear. He has done all he could, civilly, to send
them away; but they will stay, though I believe he had rather they would
not. And so I have nothing to do but to write till I go to dinner myself
with Mrs. Jewkes: for my master was not prepared for this company; and
it will be a little latish to-day. So I will begin with my happy story
where I left off.

When I came down to breakfast, Mr. Peters and Mr. Williams were both
there. And as soon as my master heard me coming down, he met me at the
door, and led me in with great tenderness. He had kindly spoken to them,
as he told me afterwards, to mention no more of the matter to me, than
needs must. I paid my respects to them, I believe a little awkwardly,
and was almost out of breath: but said, I had come down a little too
fast.

When Abraham came in to wait, my master said, (that the servants should
not mistrust,) 'Tis well, gentlemen, you came as you did; for my good
girl and I were going to take an airing till dinner-time. I hope you'll
stay and dine with