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Mr. Jonathan stood. What do you here? said he.--The butler was as much
confounded as I; for, never having been taxed so roughly, I could not
help crying sadly; and got out of both their ways to Mrs. Jervis, and
told my complaint. This love, said she, is the d----! In how many
strange shapes does it make people shew themselves! And in some the
farthest from their hearts.
So one, and then another, has been since whispering, Pray, Mrs. Jervis,
are we to lose Mrs. Pamela? as they always call me--What has she done?
And she tells them, as above, about going home to you.
She said afterwards to me, Well, Pamela, you have made our master, from
the sweetest tempered gentleman in the world, one of the most peevish.
But you have it in your power to make him as sweet-tempered as ever;
though I hope you'll never do it on his terms.
This was very good in Mrs. Jervis; but it intimated, that she thought as
ill of his designs as I; and as she knew his mind more than I, it
convinced me that I ought to get away as fast as I could.
My master came in, just now, to speak to Mrs. Jervis about household
matters, having some company to dine with him to-morrow; and I stood up,
and having been crying at his roughness in the entry, I turned away my
face.
You may well, said he, turn away your cursed face; I wish I had never
seen it!--Mrs. Jervis, how long is she to be about this waistcoat?
Sir, said I, if your honour had pleased, I would have taken it with me;
and though it would be now finished in a few hours, I will do so still;
and remove this hated poor Pamela out of your house and sight for ever.
Mrs. Jervis, said he, not speaking to me, I believe this little slut has
the power of witchcraft, if ever there was a witch; for she enchants all
that come near her. She makes even you, who should know better what the
world is, think her an angel of light.
I offered to go away; for I believe he wanted me to ask to stay in my
place, for all this his great wrath: and he said, Stay here! Stay here,
when I bid you! and snatched my hand. I trembled, and said, I will! I
will! for he hurt my fingers, he grasped me so hard.
He seemed to have a mind to say something to me; but broke off abruptly,
and said, Begone! And away I tripped as fast as I could: and he and Mrs.
Jervis had a deal of talk, as she told me; and among the rest, he
expressed himself vexed to have spoken in Mr. Jonathan's hearing.
Now you must know, that Mr. Jonathan, our butler, is a very grave good
sort of old man, with his hair as white as silver! and an honest worthy
man he is. I was hurrying out with a flea in my ear, as the saying is,
and going down stairs into the parlour, met him. He took hold of my hand
(in a gentler manner, though, than my master) with both his; and he said,
Ah! sweet, sweet Mrs. Pamela! what is it I heard but just now!--I am
sorry at my heart; but I am sure I will sooner believe any body in fault
than you. Thank you, Mr. Jonathan, said I; but as you value your place,
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