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He said to her,
it seems, Well, Mrs. Jervis, I know Pamela has your good word; but do you
think her of any use in the family? She told me she was surprised at the
question, but said, That I was one of the most virtuous and industrious
young creatures that ever she knew. Why that word virtuous, said he, I
pray you? Was there any reason to suppose her otherwise? Or has any
body taken it into his head to try her?--I wonder, sir, says she, you ask
such a question! Who dare offer any thing to her in such an orderly and
well-governed house as yours, and under a master of so good a character
for virtue and honour? Your servant, Mrs. Jervis, says he, for your good
opinion: but pray, if any body did, do you think Pamela would let you
know it? Why, sir, said she, she is a poor innocent young creature, and
I believe has so much confidence in me, that she would take my advice as
soon as she would her mother's. Innocent! again, and virtuous, I
warrant! Well, Mrs. Jervis, you abound with your epithets; but I take
her to be an artful young baggage; and had I a young handsome butler or
steward, she'd soon make her market of one of them, if she thought it
worth while to snap at him for a husband. Alack-a-day, sir, said she, it
is early days with Pamela; and she does not yet think of a husband, I
dare say: and your steward and butler are both men in years, and think
nothing of the matter. No, said he, if they were younger, they'd have
more wit than to think of such a girl; I'll tell you my mind of her, Mrs.
Jervis: I don't think this same favourite of yours so very artless a girl
as you imagine. I am not to dispute with your honour, said Mrs. Jervis;
but I dare say, if the men will let her alone, she'll never trouble
herself about them. Why, Mrs. Jervis, said he, are there any men that
will not let her alone, that you know of? No, indeed, sir, said she; she
keeps herself so much to herself, and yet behaves so prudently, that they
all esteem her, and shew her as great a respect as if she was a
gentlewoman born.
Ay, says he, that's her art, that I was speaking of: but, let me tell
you, the girl has vanity and conceit, and pride too, or I am mistaken;
and, perhaps, I could give you an instance of it. Sir, said she, you can
see farther than such a poor silly woman as I am; but I never saw any
thing but innocence in her--And virtue too, I'll warrant ye! said he.
But suppose I could give you an instance, where she has talked a little
too freely of the kindnesses that have been shewn her from a certain
quarter; and has had the vanity to impute a few kind words, uttered in
mere compassion to her youth and circumstances, into a design upon her,
and even dared to make free with names that she ought never to mention
but with reverence and gratitude; what would you say to that?--Say, sir!
said she, I cannot tell what to say. But I hope Pamela incapable of such
ingratitude.
Well, no more of this silly girl, says he; you may only advise her, as
you are her friend, not to give herself too much licence upon the favours
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