said he, I return with you to the other house, I will make you a
suitable present, to buy you such ornaments as are fit for my beloved
wife to appear in. For now, my Pamela, continued he, you are not to
mind, as you once proposed, what other ladies will say; but to appear as
my wife ought to do. Else it would look as if what you thought of, as
a means to avoid the envy of others of your sex, was a wilful slight
in me, which, I hope, I never shall be guilty of; and I will shew the
world, that I value you as I ought, and as if I had married the first
fortune in the kingdom: And why should it not be so, when I know none of
the first quality that matches you in excellence?

He saw I was at a loss for words, and said, I see, my dearest bride! my
spouse! my wife! my Pamela! your grateful confusion. And kissing me, as
I was going to speak, I will stop your dear mouth, said he: You shall
not so much as thank me; for when I have done ten times more than this,
I shall but poorly express my love for so much beauty of mind, and
loveliness of person; which thus, said he, and clasped me to his
generous bosom, I can proudly now call my own!--O how, my dear parents,
can I think of any thing, but redoubled love, joy, and gratitude!

And thus generously did he banish from my mind those painful
reflections, and bashful apprehensions, that made me dread to see
him for the first time this day, when I was called to attend him at
breakfast; and made me all ease, composure, and tranquillity.

He then, thinking I seemed somewhat thoughtful, proposed a little turn
in the chariot till dinner-time: And this was another sweet relief
to me; and he diverted me with twenty agreeable relations, of what
observations he had made in his travels; and gave me the characters of
the ladies and gentlemen in his other neighbourhood; telling me whose
acquaintance he would have me most cultivate. And when I mentioned Lady
Davers with apprehension, he said, To be sure I love my sister dearly,
notwithstanding her violent spirit; and I know she loves me; and I can
allow a little for her pride, because I know what my own so lately was;
and because she knows not my Pamela, and her excellencies, as I do.
But you must not, my dear, forget what belongs to your character, as
my wife, nor meanly stoop to her; though I know you will choose, by
softness, to try to move her to a proper behaviour. But it shall be my
part to see, that you do not yield too much.

However, con