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She is
very safe, I do assure you, Goodman Andrews; and you may take my honour
for it, I would not injure her for the world. Do you think I would, Mrs.
Jervis? No, I hope not, sir, said she.--Hope not! said the poor man; so
do I; but pray, sir, give me my child, that is all I desire; and I'll
take care no clergyman shall come near her.
Why, London is a great way off, said the 'squire, and I can't send for
her back presently. What, then, said he, have you sent my poor Pamela to
London? I would not have said it so, replied the 'squire; but I assure
you, upon my honour, she is quite safe and satisfied, and will quickly
inform you of it by letter. She is in a reputable family, no less than a
bishop's, and is to wait on his lady, till I get the matter over that I
mentioned to you.
O how shall I know this? replied he.--What, said the 'squire, pretending
anger, am I to be doubted?--Do you believe I can have any view upon your
daughter? And if I had, do you think I would take such methods as these
to effect it? Why, surely, man, thou forgettest whom thou talkest to.
O, sir, said he, I beg your pardon! but consider my dear child is in the
case; let me but know what bishop, and where; and I will travel to London
on foot, to see my daughter, and then be satisfied.
Why, Goodman Andrews, I think thou hast read romances as well as thy
daughter, and thy head's turned with them. May I have not my word taken?
Do you think, once more, I would offer any thing dishonourable to your
daughter? Is there any thing looks like it?--Pr'ythee, man, recollect a
little who I am; and if I am not to be believed, what signifies talking?
Why, sir, said he, pray forgive me; but there is no harm to say, What
bishop's, or whereabouts? What, and so you'd go troubling his lordship
with your impertinent fears and stories! Will you be satisfied, if you
have a letter from her within a week, it may be less, if she be not
negligent, to assure you all is well with her! Why that, said the poor
man, will be some comfort. Well then, said the gentleman, I can't answer
for her negligence, if she don't write: And if she should send a letter
to you, Mrs. Jervis, (for I desire not to see it; I have had trouble
enough about her already,) be sure you send it by a man and horse the
moment you receive it. To be sure I will, answered she. Thank your
honour, said the good man: And then I must wait with as much patience as
I can for a week, which will be a year to me.
I tell you, said the gentleman, it must be her own fault if she don't
write; for 'tis what I insisted upon, for my own reputation; and I shan't
stir from this house, I assure you, till she is heard from, and that to
your satisfaction. God bless your honour, said the poor man, as you say
and mean truth! Amen, Amen, Goodman Andrews, said he: you see I am not
afraid to say Amen. So, Mrs. Jervis, make the good man as welcome as you
can; and let me have no uproar about the matter.
He then, whispering her, bid her give him a couple of guineas to bear his
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