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man, and his ways, when at the Hall in your neighbourhood.

The child is named William; that I should have told you, but I write without any manner of connexion, just as things come uppermost. But don't, my dear papa, construe this, too, as an instance of disrespect. I wish you were not so angry with me; it makes me almost afraid to see you!-As I said, I shall set out next Wednesday in Mr B- -'s coach; and as we shall keep the main road all the way, I shall see, by my being met, how I am to be received, and whether pardoned or not. Mr B says, he will take me back again, if my dear papa frown at me ever so little; and he will not deliver me up into any other hands but his neither.

We have been at several plays, and at the opera divers times; for we make the best of our time, since it is so short. And we feared how it would be; though I hoped I should not have anger neither. Mrs B- is taken up between whiles with writing remarks upon the plays, &c. she sees, in a little book, for Lady Davers. She sent that lady her remarks upon one or two, with which she is so well pleased, that she will not let even her nursery excuse her from proceeding upon those subjects; and this will so engross the dear lady's pen, that I shall not be favoured so much as I used to be; but Lady Davers promises to lend me the book, when she has read it; so that will be some satisfaction.

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I see but one thing that can possibly happen to disturb the felicity of this charming couple; and that I will mention, in confidence. Mr B and Mrs B- and myself, were at the masquerade, before she lay in. There was a lady greatly taken with Mr B- She was in a nun's habit, and followed him wherever he went. And Mr Turner, a gentleman of one of the inns of court, who visits Mr B sometimes, and is an old acquaintance of his, tells me, by the by, that the lady took an opportunity to unmask to Mr B- -. Mr Turner has since found she is the young Countess Dowager of -; a fine lady, but not the most reserved in her conduct of late, since her widowhood. And he has since discovered, as he says, that a letter or two, if not more, have passed between Mr B and that lady.

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Now Mrs B- with all her perfections, has, as she owns, a little spice of jealousy; and should she be once alarmed, I tremble for the consequences to both their happiness.

It is my opinion, that if ever any thing makes a misunderstanding between them, it will be from some such quarter as this, But 'tis a thousand pities it should. And I hope, as to the actual correspondence begun, Mr Turner is mistaken.

But, be it as it will, I would not for the world

that the first hints of this matter saould come from me. Mr B- is a very enterprizing and gallant man, is a fine figure of a man, and I don't wonder a lady may like him. But he seems so pleased, so satisfied with his wife, and carries it to her with so much tenderness and affection, that I hope her merit, and this his affection for her, will secure his conjugal fidelity.

If it prove otherwise, and she discovers it, I know no one that would be more miserable than Mrs B, as well from motives of piety and virtue, as from the excessive love she bears him. But I hope for better things, for both their sakes. My humble thanks for all your indulgences to me; with hopes, that you will not, my dear papa and mamma, hold your displeasure against me, when I throw myself at your feet, as I now soon hope to do, conclude me Your dutiful daughter, P. DARNFORD.

LETTER LXIII.

MRS B TO LADY DAVERS.

MY DEAR LADY,

WE are just returned from accompanying the worthy Miss Darnford as far as Bedford, in her way home, where her papa and mamma met her in their coach. Sir Simon put on his pleasant airs, and schooled Mr B for persuading his daughter to stay so long from him; me for putting her upon asking to stay longer; and her for being persuaded by us.

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I think he is worse than ever, in his way talk, and for my rebukes to him; for he ran on a deal of stuff about me, and my late lying-in; and would have it, that I am so much improved, that I ought to make a courtesy to Mr B once an hour. He said, when I was angry at him, and his lady blamed him, that it was all pure revenge for my letter,* and for keeping his daughter so long from him.

We tarried two days together at Bedford; for we knew not how to part; and then we took a most affectionate leave of each other.

We struck out of the road a little, to make a visit to the dear house, where we tarried one night; and next morning, before any body could come to congratulate us, (designing to be incog) we proceeded on our journey to London, and found my dearest, dear boy, in charming health.

What a new pleasure has God Almighty's goodness bestowed upon me; which, after every little absence, rises upon me in a true maternal tenderness, every step I move toward the dear little blessing!-Yet, sometimes I think your dear brother is not so fond of him as I wish him to be. He says, 'tis time enough for him to mind

See p. 265.

him, when he can return his notice, and be grateful!-A negligent word, i'n't it, madam,— considering

My dear father came to town, to accompany my good mother down to Kent; and they set out three or four days after your ladyship left us. It is impossible to describe the joy with which his worthy heart overflowed when he congratulated us on the happy event. And as he had been apprehensive for his daughter's safety, judge, my lady, what his transports must be, to see us all safe and well, and happy, and a son given to Mr Bby his greatly honoured daughter.

I was in the nursery when he came; so was my mother-and Miss Darnford was also there. And Mr B, who was in his closet at his arrival, after having received his most respectful congratulations himself, brought him up, (though he has not been there since; indeed he han't!) Pamela, said the dear gentleman, see who's here!

I

Isprang to him, and kneeled for his blessing. O, my father! said I, see (pointing to the dear baby at the nurse's breast) how God Almighty has answered all our prayers!

He dropped down on his knees by me, clasp ing me in his indulgent arms: O my daughter! my blessed daughter! And do I once more see you! And see you safe and well!-I do! I do! -Blessed be thy name, O gracious God! for these thy mercies.

While we were thus joined, happy father, and happy daughter, in one thanksgiving, the sweet baby having fallen asleep, the nurse had put it into the cradle; and when my father rose from me, he went to my mother: God bless my dear Betty! said he: I longed to see you, after this separation. Here's joy! Here's pleasure!-0 how happy are we! And taking her hand, he kneeled down on one side the cradle, and my mother on the other, both looking at the dear baby, with eyes running over; and, hand in hand, he prayed, in the most fervent manner, for a blessing upon the dear infant; and that God Almighty would make him an honour to his father's family, and to his mother's virtue; (that was his word;) and that, in the words of scripture, he might grow on, and be in favour both with the Lord and with men.

They both arose, and Mr B—— taking my hand, and Miss Darnford's, (your ladyship may guess how we were moved, for she is a sweetnatured lady, you know, madam:) My dear Pamela, how these kind, these grateful hearts affect me!-Do you often, my dear Miss Darnford, see scenes wrought up by the poets to this moving height ?-Here we behold and admire that noble simplicity in which nature always triumphs over her handmaid, art! And which makes a scene of joy as affecting to a noble mind as that of the deepest distress! Else, how could it display its force thus sweetly on your lovely cheek?

Mr B has just put into my hands Mr Locke's Treatise on Education, and he commands me to give him my thoughts upon it in writing. He has a very high regard for this author, and tells me, that my tenderness for Billy will make me think some of the first advice given in it, a little harsh, perhaps; but although he has not read it through, only having dipped into it here and there, he believes, from the name of the author, I cannot have a better directory; and my opinion of it, after I have well considered it, will inform him, he says, of my own capacity and prudence, and how far he may rely upon both in the point of a first education.

I asked, If I might not be excused writing, only making my observations here and there, to himself, as I found occasion?-But he said, You will yourself, my dear, better consider the subject, and be more a mistress of it; and I shall the better attend to your reasonings, when they are put into writing. And surely, Pamela, added he, you may, in such an important point as this, as well oblige me with a little of your penmanship, as your other dear friends.

After this, your ladyship will judge I had not another word to say. He cuts one to the heart when he speaks so seriously.

I have looked a little into it. It is a book quite accommodated to my case, being written to a gentleman, the author's friend, for the regulation of his conduct towards his children. But how shall I do, madam, if in such a famed and renowned author, I see already some few things, which I think want clearing up? Won't it look like intolerable vanity, in such a one as me, to find fault with such a genius as Mr Locke?

But I will consider of the matter thoroughly, before I set pen to paper; for, although he writes in a very familiar and intelligible style, perhaps I may not understand him at once reading.

I must, on this occasion, give your ladyship the particulars of a short conversation between your brother and me; which, however, perhaps, will not be to my advantage, because it will shew you what a teazing body I can be, if I am indulged. But Mr B- will not spoil me neither in that way. No fear of that, I dare say. Your ladyship will see this in the very dialogue I shall give you.

Thus it was. I had been reading in Mr Locke's book, and Mr B- asked me, how I liked it. Exceedingly well, sir. But I have a proposal to make, which, if you will be pleased to comply with, will give me a charming opportunity of understanding Mr Locke.

What is your proposal, my dear? I see it is some very particular one, by that sweet earnestness in your look.

Why so it is, sir; and I must know, whether you are in high good humour, before Í make it.

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I think you look grave upon me; and my proposal will not then do, I'm sure.

You have all the amusing ways of your sex, my dear Pamela. But tell me what you would say. You know I don't love suspense.

Maybe you're busy, sir. Perhaps I break in upon you. I believe you were going into your closet.

True woman!-How you love to put one upon the tenters! Yet, my life for yours, by your parade, what I just now thought important, is some pretty trifle.-Speak it at once, or I'll be angry with you; and tapped my cheek.

Well, I wish I had not come just now. I see you are not in a quite good humour enough for my proposal. So, pray, sir, excuse me till to

morrow.

He took my hand, and led me to his closet, calling me his pretty impertinent; and then urging me, I said, You know, sir, I have not been used to the company of children. Your dear Billy will not make me fit, for a long time, to judge of any part of education. I can learn of the charming boy nothing but the baby conduct; but now, if you would permit me to take into the house some little master of three or four years old, or miss of five or six, I should watch over all their little ways; and now reading a chapter in the child, and now a chapter in the book, I shall be enabled to look forward, and with advantage, into the subject; and to go through all the parts of education tolerably, for one of my capacity; for, sir, I can, by my own defects, and what I have wished to mend, know how to judge of, and supply that part of life, which carries a child up to eleven or twelve years of age, which was mine, when my lady took me. A pretty thought, Pamela! but tell me, Who will part with their child, think you? Would you do it, if it were your own case, although you were ever so well assured of the advantages your little one would reap by it?-For don't you consider, my dear, that the child ought to be wholly subjected to your authority? That its father or mother ought seldom to see it; because it should think itself absolutely dependent upon you?-And where, my dear, will you meet with parents so resigned?-Besides, one would have the child descended of genteel parents, and not such as could do nothing for it; otherwise the turn of mind and education you would give it, might do it more harm than good. All this is true, sir: very true. But have you no other objection, if one could find a genteelly descended young master? And would you join to persuade his papa to give me up his power, only from three months to three months, as I liked, and the child liked, and as the papa approved of my proceedings?

This is so reasonable, with these last conditions, Pamela, that I should be pleased with your notion, if it could be put in practice, because the child would be benefited by your instruction,

and you would be improved in an art, which I could wish to see you an adept in.

But perhaps, sir, you had rather it were a girl than a boy?"

I had, my dear, if a girl could be found, whose parents would give her up to you; but Í suppose you have some boy in your head, by your putting it upon that sex at first.

Let me see, sir; you say you are in a good humour. Let me see if you be !-looking boldly in his face.

What now, with some little impatience, would the pretty fool be at?

Only, sir, that you have nothing to do, but to speak the word, and there is a child, whose papa, and mamma too, I am sure, would consent to give up to me, for my own instruction, as well as for her sake; and if, to speak in the scripture phrase, I have found grace in your sight, kind sir, speak this word to the dear child's papa.

And have you thus come over with me, Pamela ?-Go, I am half angry with you, for leading me on in this manner, against myself. This looks so artful, that I won't love you!-Dear sir!-And dear madam, too! Begone! I say. You have surprised me by art, when your talent is nature, and you should keep to that.

I was sadly balked, and had neither power to go nor stay. At last, seeing I had put him into a kind of flutter, as now he had put me, I moved my unwilling feet towards the door. He took a turn about the closet meantime. Yet stay, said he, there is something so generous in your art, that, on recollection, I cannot part with you.

He took notice of the starting tear-I am to blame!-You had surprised me so, that my hasty temper got the better of my consideration. Let me kiss away this pearly fugitive. Forgive me, my dearest love! What an inconsiderate brute am I, when compared to such an angel as my Pamela! I see at once, now, all the force, and all the merit, of your amiable generosity; and to make you amends for this my hastiness, I will coolly consider of the matter, and will either satisfy you by my compliance, or by the reasons which I will give for the contrary.

But say, my Pamela; can you forgive my harshness? Can I! Yes, indeed, sir, pressing his hands to my lips; and bid me go, and begone, twenty times a-day, if I am to be thus kindly called back to you, thus nobly and condescendingly treated, in the same breath!—I see, dear sir, continued I, that I must be in fault, if ever you are lastingly displeased with me. For as soon as you turn yourself about, your anger vanishes, and you make me rich amends for a few harsh words. Only one thing, dear sir, let me add: If I have dealt artfully with you, impute it to my fear of offending you, through the nature of my petition, and not to design; and that I took the example of the prophet, to King David, in the parable of the ewelamb.

I remember it, my dear; and you have well pointed your parable, and had nothing to do, but to say, Thou art the man!

I am called upon by my dear benefactor for a little airing, and he suffers me only to conclude this long letter, knowing to whom I have the honour to write, this being post-day. And so I am obliged, with greater abruptness than I had designed, to mention thankfully your ladyship's goodness to me; particularly in that kind, kind letter,* in behalf of my dear parents, had a certain event taken place. Mr B- shewed it to me this morning, and not before I believe, for fear I should have been so much oppressed by the sense of your ladyship's unmerited goodness to me, had he let me know of it before your departure from us, that I should not have been able to look up at you; heaping favours and blessings upon me, as you hourly were doing besides. What a happy creature am I!-But my gratitude runs me into length; and sorry I am that I cannot have time just now to indulge it.

But yet I am apt sometimes to doubt, whether I ought to think myself so very happy; and whether it is not an argument of a mean spirit; because I am under obligations, unreturnable obligations, to every living soul, as well as to your ladyship; and yet can rejoice in them, as if it was such a glorious thing to be obliged, when it is not in one's power to oblige again.

Is there nothing, my dear Lord and Lady Davers; is there nothing, my dear Lady Countess, and my good Lord C, that I can do, to shew, at least, that I have a will, and am not an ungrateful and a sordid creature?

And yet, if you give me power to do any thing that will have the appearance of a return, even that power will be laying a fresh obligation upon me; which, however, I should be very proud of, because I should thereby convince you, by something more than words, how much I am, (most particularly, my dearest Lady Davers, my sister, my friend, my patroness,

Your most obliged and faithful servant,

P. BYour dear brother joins in respectful thankfulness to his four noble gossips. And I made my Billy, by his lips, subscribe his. I hope so to direct his earliest notions, as to make him sensible of his dutiful obligation.

LETTER LXIV.

LADY DAVERS TO MRS BD,

MY DEAREST PAMELA,

TALK not to us of unreturnable obligations,

and all that, as in your last letter. You do more for us, in the entertainment you give us all by your letters, than we have done, or ever can do, for you. And as to me, I know no greater pleasure in the world, than that which my brother's felicity and yours gives me. God continue this felicity to you both. I am sure it will be his fault, and not yours, if it be at all diminished.

We have heard some idle rumours here, as if you were a little uneasy of late; and having not had a letter from you for this fortnight past, it makes me write, to ask, how you all do? and whether you expected an answer from me to your last?

I hope you won't be punctilious with me, my Pamela; for we have nothing to write to you about, except it be, how much we all love and honour you; and that you believe already, or else you don't do us justice.

I suppose you'll be going out of town soon, now the parliament is rising. My lord is resolved to put his proxy into another hand, and intends, I believe, to take my brother's advice in it. Both the Earl and his Lordship are highly pleased with my brother's moderate and independent principles. He has got great_credit among all unprejudiced men, by the part he acted throughout the last sessions, in which he has shewn, that he would no more join to distress and clog the wheels of government, by an unreasonable opposition, than he would do the dirty work of any administration. As he has so noble a fortune, and wants nothing of any body, he would be doubly to blame, to take any other part than that of his country, in which he has so great a stake.

May he act out of the house, and in the house, with equal honour, and he will be his country's pride, and your pride, and mine too! Which is the wish of

Your affectionate sister,

B. DAVERS.

If you want a pretence to kiss my dear boy, give him now and then one for me. I hope he improves, under the eye of so careful a mamma; the little rogue will else be unworthier than I wish him to be. I hope you proceed with my book. I must see your observations on Locke too. 'Twas a charming pretty thought of yours, that of Miss Goodwin. A hasty wretch! How could he be angry?-'Twas well he so soon considered of the matter, and asked pardon.

See p. 398.

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MY DEAREST LADY,

I HAVE been a little in disorder, that I have. Some few rubs have happened. I hope they will be happily removed. But I am unwilling to believe all that is said. This is a wicked town, though. I wish we were out of it. But I see not when that will be. I wish Mr Bwould permit me and my Billy to go into Kent; but I don't care to leave him behind me, neither; and he is not inclined to go. Excuse my brevity, my dearest lady. But I must break off, with only assuring your ladyship, that I am, and ever will be,

Your obliged and grateful
P. B-

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A THOUSAND thanks for your goodness to me; but I hope all will be well. I hope God will enable me to act so prudent a part, as will touch his generous breast. Be pleased to tell me what your ladyship has heard; but it becomes not me, I think, till I cannot help it, to make any appeals; for I know those will not be excused; and I do all I can to suppress my uneasiness before him. But I pay for it, when I am alone. My nursery, and my reliance on God, (I should have said the latter first,) are all my consolation. -God preserve and bless you, my good lady, and my noble lord! (but I am apt to think your ladyship's presence will not avail,) prays

Your affectionate and obliged

P. B

LETTER LXVIII

LADY DAVERS TO MRS B

WHY does not my sweet girl subscribe sister, as usual? I have done nothing amiss to you. I I love you dearly, and ever will. I can't help my brother's faults. But I hope he treats you with politeness and decency. He shall be none of my brother if he don't. I rest a great deal upon your prudence; and it will be very meritorious, if you can overcome yourself, so as to act unexceptionably, though it may not be deserved, on this occasion; for, in doing so, you'll have a triumph over nature itself; for, my dear girl, as you have formerly owned, you have a little touch of jealousy in your composition.*

What I have heard, is no secret to any body. The injured party is generally the last who hears in these cases, and you shall not first be told any thing by me that must afflict you, but cannot you, more than it does me. God give you pa tience and comfort! The wicked lady has a deal to answer for, to disturb such an uncommon happiness. But no more, than that I am Your ever affectionate sister,

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WHY don't I subscribe sister? asks my dearest Lady Davers.-I have not had the courage to do it of late. For my title to that honour arises from the dear, thrice dear Mr B-! And how long I may be permitted to call him mine, I cannot say. But since you command it, I will call your ladyship by that beloved name, let the rest happen as God shall see fit.

Mr B- cannot be unpolite, in the main; but he is cold, and a little cross, and short in his speeches to me. I try to hide my grief from every body, and most from him; for, my dear lady, neither my father, mother, nor Miss Darnford, know any thing from me. Mrs Jervis, from whom I seldom hide any thing, as she is on the spot with me, hears not my complainings, nor my uneasiness; for I would not lessen the dear man; he may yet see the error of the way he is in. God grant it, for his own sake, as well as mine!—I am even sorry your ladyship is afflicted with the knowledge of the matter.

The poor unhappy lady, God forgive her! is

See p. 381.

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