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for a husband for you, that shall make you a gentlewoman as long as you
live?--I want no husband, sir, said I: for now I began to see him in all
his black colours!--Yet being so much in his power, I thought I would a
little dissemble. But, said he, you are so pretty, that go where you
will, you can never be free from the designs of some or other of our sex;
and I shall think I don't answer the care of my dying mother for you, who
committed you to me, if I don't provide you a husband to protect your
virtue, and your innocence; and a worthy one I have thought of for you.
O black, perfidious creature! thought I, what an implement art thou in
the hands of Lucifer, to ruin the innocent heart!--Yet still I
dissembled: for I feared much both him and the place I was in. But,
whom, pray sir, have you thought of?--Why, said he, young Mr. Williams,
my chaplain, in Lincolnshire, who will make you happy. Does he know,
sir, said I, any thing of your honour's intentions?--No, my girl, said
he, and kissed me, (much against my will; for his very breath was now
poison to me,) but his dependance upon my favour, and your beauty and
merit, will make him rejoice at my kindness to him. Well, sir, said I,
then it is time enough to consider of this matter; and it cannot hinder
me from going to my father's: for what will staying a fortnight longer
signify to this? Your honour's care and goodness may extend to me there,
as well as here; and Mr. Williams, and all the world, shall know that I
am not ashamed of my father's poverty.
He would kiss me again, and I said, If I am to think of Mr. Williams, or
any body, I beg you'll not be so free with me: that is not pretty, I'm
sure. Well, said he, but you stay this next fortnight, and in that time
I'll have both Williams and your father here; for I will have the match
concluded in my house; and when I have brought it on, you shall settle it
as you please together. Meantime take and send only these fifty pieces
to your father, as an earnest of my favour, and I'll make you all happy.
--Sir, said I, I beg at least two hours to consider of this. I shall,
said he, be gone out in one hour; and I would have you write to your
father what I propose; and John shall carry it on purpose: and he shall
take the purse with him for the good old man, if you approve it. Sir,
said I, I will then let you know in one hour my resolution. Do so, said
he; and gave me another kiss, and let nee go.
O how I rejoiced I had got out of his clutches!--So I write you this,
that you may see how matters stand; for I am resolved to come away, if
possible. Base, wicked, treacherous gentleman as he is!
So here was a trap laid for your poor Pamela! I tremble to think of it!
O what a scene of wickedness was here laid down for all my wretched life!
Black-hearted wretch! how I hate him!--For, at first, as you'll see by
what I have written, he would have made me believe other things; and this
of Mr. Williams, I suppose, came into his head after he walked out from
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