Pamela Read online

  V. To her Parents. Mrs Jervis’s the housekeeper’s worthy conduct in the family, and friendship to her. She is quite fearless of danger; and why.

  VI. To the same. Farther instances of her master’s goodness to her. Her joyful gratitude upon it. He praises her person to Mrs Jervis.

  VII. To her Father. Reciting other particulars of her master’s bounty to her. A little apprehensive; but hopes without reason.

  VIII. From her Father. Inforcing his former cautions and instructions. Is easier, since he knows she has Mrs Jervis to advise with.

  IX. To her Parents. Her master refuses to let her go to Lady Davers. His pretended reason for it. Lady Davers seemingly apprehensive for her. Still hopes the best, and will give them notice of all that happens.

  X. To her Mother. Acquaints her, that now her master’s designs against her are apparent. That she had written down the particulars of all; but that somebody had stolen her letter. Will write at the first opportunity another, revealing all: but is watched and blamed by her master, for spending so much time in writing.

  XI. To her Mother. Cannot find her letter; so recites her master’s free behaviour to her in the summer–house. Her virtuous resentment. Refuses his offers of money. He injoins her to secrecy, pretending he only designed to try her.

  XII. To her Mother. Desires Mrs Jervis to permit her to lie with her: and tells her all that had passed. Mrs Jervis’s good advice. Her master’s angry behaviour to her. She wishes she had never been taken from her low condition.

  XII. From her Parents. Their concern and apprehensions for her. They think it best for her to return to them; but are the easier, as she lies with Mrs Jervis.

  XIV. To her Father. Relating a conversation between her master and Mrs Jervis about her. He will have it, that she is an artful and designing girl. Orders Mrs Jervis to caution her how she writes out of the house the affairs of his family.

  XV. To her Mother. Her master upbraids her with revealing to Mrs Jervis what he had ordered her to keep secret: and tries to intimidate her. Her moving Expostulation. He offers freedoms to her. She escapes from him into another room, and falls into a fit. Mrs Jervis interpose in her behalf. He appoints the next day for her and Mrs Jervis to attend him.

  XVI. To her Parents. His imperious manner intimidates Mrs Jervis. Pamela’s courage. He threatens that she shall return to her former low condition. Her affecting behaviour on this occasion.

  XVII. From her Parents. They tell her, how welcome her return will be to them, as she will come innocent and honest.

  XVIII. To her Parents. Mrs Jervis gives her opinion, that he will never attempt her again; and that she may stay, if she will ask it as a favour.

  XIX. To the same. Mrs Jervis again advises her to ask to stay. Her reasons to the contrary. How the love of her fellow servants affects her. Mr Longman the steward’s kindness to her.

  XX. To the same. Provides a neat, home-spun suit of cloaths, that when she returns to her parents, she may not appear above her condition.

  XXI. To the same. Mrs Jervis tells her. of how much consequence she is to her master, and his expressions in her favour. Is uneasy at Mrs Jervis’s wishing her to stay.

  XXII. To the same. A rough expression of her master to her, overheard by the butler. The servants concerned, that she is to go away. Mr Jonathan the butler’s kindness, and concern at what he had heard her master say to her. Instance of Mr Longman’s favour to her.

  XXIII. To the same. Description and characters of several neighbouring ladies, who rally her master on her account. She hopes to set out in a few days.

  XXIV. To the same. Puts on her home–spun dress. What passes on that occasion between Mrs Jervis, her master, and herself. A Note from Mr Jonathan, warning her of her danger.

  XXV. To the same. Her master hides himself in their closet, and overhears a discourse against himself between Mrs Jervis and her, as she is undressing for bed. Finding himself discovered, he rushes out. Her terror. She falls into fits.

  XXVI. To the same. Mrs Jervis gives her master warning. He agrees that they shall go away both together.

  XXVII. To the same. She is to stay a week longer for Mrs Jervis’s going with her. Her master asks her opinion of a new birth-day suit of cloaths. He owns to Mrs Jervis, that he had an eye upon Pamela in his mother’s life–time. Her surprize at his wickedness, and at that of several gentlemen in the neighbour–hood.

  XXVIII. To the same. Mrs Jervis is permitted to stay. Mr Longman intercedes for Pamela, and desires her to humble herself. Her affecting behaviour here upon.

  XXIX. To the same. Mrs Jervis’s kind offer of money to her; which she declines accepting of; and why. Yet laments that, as things have fallen out, she had been brought up wrong by her lady: but hopes to make her mind bend to her condition. She divides her cloaths into three bundles, and desires Mrs Jervis to inspect them. Her moving conduct and reasonings on this occasion. She discovers, to her great surprize, that her master had heard all she had said: upbraids Mrs Jervis upon it, and repeats her wishes to be safe with her parents.

  XXX. To the same. Her master treats her kindly. Bespeaks her confidence in him. Avows his love to her. Intimates, that he will make all her family happy. Protests he has no view to her dishonour: and tells her, that if she will stay but a fortnight longer, she shall find her account in it. The different agitations of her mind on this occasion.

  XXXI. To the same. She declares to him her determination to go. He offers her a sum of money for her father, and intimates, that he will find her a husband, who shall make her a gentlewoman. She, by writing, signifies to him her resolution to go to her parents. Finding her determined, he gives leave for his travelling chariot and Lincolnshire coachman to carry her, and sends her five guineas. Her verses on her departure.

  Here the Editor gives an account of Pamela’s being carried to her master’s seat in Lincolnshire, instead of to her father’s. Of John’s treacherous baseness, in relation to her letters. The copy of a letter from Mr B. to her father, containing his pretended reasons for not permitting her to go to them. Of her parents’ grief. Of her father’s visit to Mr B.; and of what passed between Mrs Jervis, Mr B., and the old man, on that occasion. Copy of a letter from Pamela to Mrs Jervis, written by a prescribed form.

  XXXII. From Pamela to her Parents. She bewails her wretched condition, and exclaims against the vile trick put upon her. Gives an account of her being carried to a farmer’s house, on the way to Lincolnshire; and of her conversation with the farmer, his wife, and daughter. A letter from her master to her. Copy of another to the farmer. She endeavours to engage the farmer in her favour; but to no purpose. Resolves, if possible, to make a party on the road, or at the inn where the coachman next puts up; but there is met by Mrs Jewkes. She reproaches the coachman. Tampers, but to no purpose, with Mrs Jewkes.

  Her JOURNAL

  Begun for her amusement, and in hopes to find some opportunity to send it to them. Has hopes of moving Mr Williams, her master’s chaplain, to assist her escape.

  SUNDAY. Mrs Jewkes’s insolence to Mr Williams; and still greater to her. Describes the person of the bad woman. John arrives with a letter from her master to her, requiring her to copy a prescribed form of a letter to her parents, to make them easy. She complies for their sakes; and writes a moving one to her master.

  MONDAY. John’s excessive concern on reflecting upon his own baseness, makes Mrs Jewkes suspect he loves Pamela, and narrowly watch him: however, he privately drops a letter, which Pamela takes up, in which he confesses his treachery to her. Her surprize upon it.

  TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY. Her contrivance to correspond with Mr Williams. Contents of her first letter to him, reciting her dangers, and begging him to assist her to escape.

  THURSDAY. Further instances of Mrs Jewkes’s insolence to her. Mr Williams’s answer to her letter, declaring his readiness to assist her, and proposing the means. Her reply; desires that a key may be made by his to the garden backdoor. She is permitted to angle; and hooks a carp, whi
ch, moved by a reflection upon her own case, she throws in again.

  FRIDAY, SATURDAY. Mrs Jewkes tricks her out of her little stock of money. She receives a letter from her master, offering if she will invite him down, to put Mrs Jewkes into her power, and to permit Mrs Jervis to attend her. Mr Williams acquaints her, that he has been repulsed by every one to whom he has applied in her favour; but shall soon procure the key she desires, and means to escape. She writes to tell him that she fears her master’s coming may be sudden; and that therefore no time is to be lost. Her moving letter to her master, in answer to his; in which she absolutely denies her consent to his coming down.

  SUNDAY. Is concerned she has not the key. Turns the cxxxviith psalm to her own case.

  MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY. IS pleased, that Mr Williams has got a large parcel of her papers, to send away to her parents. Mrs Jewkes suspects, by his looks, that he is in love with Pamela, and pretends to wish it to be a match between them. His third letter, intimating, that she has but one way honourably to avoid the danger she is in; and that is, by marrying. Modestly tenders himself. Her answer.

  THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY. Mr Williams promises to assist her to his power, though she has not so readily come into his proposal as he wished.

  SUNDAY. She tells her parents that Mr Williams has received a letter from her master, and Mrs Jewkes another, confirming the contents of it, letting him know that he has now a living fallen that will make him happy, and intimating that he designs him Pamela for his wife. Commanding Mrs Jewkes, in that to her only, to let him know that they approve of each other. Pamela suspects the intent of these letters. Cautions Mr Williams upon his honest joy; but yet hopes to be soon permitted to go to her father and mother. Mrs Jewkes presses her to encourage Mr Williams’s address. Mr Williams intends to write a letter on his own account to her parents. She begs they will not encourage his address.

  MONDAY Morning. Mr Williams is attacked by supposed robbers, on his return to the village. His letter to Mrs Jewkes, giving an account of the disaster. Pamela’s mistrusts increase. Refuses to accompany Mrs Jewkes to make him a visit. In her absence, has great temptations to make her escape: but is unable to resolve upon it.

  MONDAY Afternoon. Mrs Jewkes returns from visiting Mr Williams. Rallies Pamela, and makes a jest of his fright. Declares she had got out of him all that was plotting between him and her. Advises her to send a letter of thanks to her master, for his favour to her, in relation to Mr Williams: On her refusal, declares her to be quite unfathomable. Pamela still more and more apprehensive.

  TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY. Mrs Jewkes’s change of temper to Mr Williams. He is surprized at it. Pamela writes to him, blaming his openness. Desires to know what he had said to Mrs Jewkes; and proposes to resume the project of escaping.

  THURSDAY. His answer. Thinks Mr B. neither can nor dare deceive him in so black a manner. Contents of the advices he has received in relation to Mr B.’s motions. Tells her what he had, and what he had not, owned to Mrs Jewkes. Her reply; in which she expresses great uneasiness and doubts; and impatiently wishes for the horse he had undertaken to procure for her.

  FRIDAY. Mr Williams thinks her too apprehensive. Doubts not, that things must be better than she apprehends. He sends her a letter from her father, in which he approves of Mr Williams’s address.

  SATURDAY, SUNDAY. Mrs Jewkes quarrels with Mr Williams. Pamela is more and more convinced there is mischief brewing.

  MONDAY, TUESDAY. All now out! Two letters brought from Mr B.; one to herself, filled with upbraidings and menaces; the other to Mrs Jewkes; wrongly, as by mistake, delivered to each. In that to Mrs Jewkes he declares his utmost resentment against Pamela, for her supposed encouragement of Mr Williams’s address. Resolves to have Mr Williams arrested. Her affliction and despair. Her apprehensions of Colbrand the Swiss.

  WEDNESDAY. Mr Williams actually arrested. She forms a new stratagem for her escape. Overhears Mrs Jewkes, in her cups, acknowledge to Colbrand, that the robbery of Mr Williams was a contrivance of hers, to come at his letters.

  THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY. All her contrivances ruined. Is tempted to drown herself. Her soliloqúy by the pond side. Refuges herself, half-dead with her bruises and distress, behind a pile of fire-wood. Mrs Jewkes’s fright on missing her: and cruelty on finding her in the wood–house, though unable to stand up, or help herself.

  SUNDAY Afternoon. She dreads the coming of her master. Her generous concern for him on hearing of a danger which he had escaped. She wonders at herself, for this concern of hers. She hears that John Arnold is turned away; and that Mr Longman, Mr Jonathan, and Mrs Jervis, are in danger of losing their places, for offering to intercede in her favour.

  MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY. Mrs Jewkes more and more insolent to her.

  THURSDAY. Apprehends from some particular dispositions, that her master will soon come. Her contemplations on his pretended love to her.

  FRIDAY. Mrs Jewkes apprehending that she designs another escape, locks her up, and takes away her shoes; but of a sudden returns them, and orders her to dress herself handsomely, in order to receive a visit from Lady Darnford’s two daughters. She refuses to obey her, and will not be made a shew of.

  Five o’Clock. She thinks she hears the young ladies’ coach. Resolves not to go down to them. Steps to the window; and, to her utmost surprize and terror, beholds her master just arrived.

  Seven o’Clock is come, and she has not yet seen him. Doubts not that something is resolving against her. Is full of confusion and grief.

  SATURDAY Morning. Her master’s harsh treatment of her. Mrs Jewkes’s vile instigations. Pamela’s appeal to him against her. He sides with the wicked woman; and orders her to withdraw, and he will send her a few lines, her answer to which shall decide her doom.

  SATURDAY Noon. Sends Proposals to her in writing, to live with him as his mistress. Her noble and resolute answer. Mrs Jewkes’s vile instigations.

  SATURDAY Night. He sends Mrs Jewkes for her. She refuses attending him in his chamber.

  SUNDAY. Her master, in a letter to Mrs Jewkes, pretends that he shall not be at home till the next evening; and orders her not to trust Pamela without another’s lying with her as well as herself. She sees this letter, through Mrs Jewkes’s pretended carelessness, and rejoices at this further reprieve.

  TUESDAY Night. She gives the particulars of the worst attempt he had yet made, and of Mrs Jewkes’s wicked assistance. Her narrow escape. She falls into fits; which so affect her master, that he desists from his wicked purpose; and when she is recovered, comforts her.

  WEDNESDAY Morning. He sends for her to walk with him in the garden. She likes not him, nor his ways. He resents an expression which his free usage provoked from her. She expostulates with him on his proceedings.

  WEDNESDAY Night. Her master’s great kindness and favour to her before Mrs Jewkes. Mrs Jewkes’s respectful behaviour to her upon it. He admires her prudence. She has hopes that he will act honourably by her. But, on a sudden, he damps all again, and leaves her in a state of uncertainty.

  THURSDAY Morning. Mr B. being to go to Stamford, tells her, that he will take it kindly, if she will confine herself pretty much to her chamber till he returns. His reasons for it. She promises not to stir any where without Mrs Jewkes.

  FRIDAY Night. A gipsey finds means to drop a letter for her, intimating a sham marriage designed. Her passionate reflections on this occasion.

  SATURDAY Noon. Her master returns. Mrs Jewkes seizes a parcel of her papers, and carries them to him.

  SATURDAY, Six o’clock. She intreats him to return her papers unread. He refuses. Her sharp expressions hereupon make him angry with her. She endeavours to pacify him. Having read the papers, he sends for her. and insnaringly discovers that she has papers of a later date than these, and insists upon seeing them. She refuses; but he frightens her into a compliance.

  SUNDAY Morning. On reading her last papers, which contain her temptations at the pond, he is greatly moved. His kind behaviour to
her; yet, apprehending that this kindness is but consistent with the sham marriage she dreads, she still insists upon going to her parents. He falls into a rage hereupon, and bids her begone from his presence.

  SUNDAY Three o’Clock. Her reflections upon the haughtiness of people in a high condition. Is surprized by a message from Mrs Jewkes, that she must instantly leave the house. Prepares to go, but cannot help being grieved. The travelling chariot is drawn out. Colbrand is getting on horseback. Wonders where all this will end.

  The JOURNAL continued [Volume II]

  SUNDAY Night, near Nine o’Clock. Mrs Jewkes insults her on her departure. Her wicked hints to her master in her hearing. He rebukes the vile woman for them. Pamela blesses him on her knees for it. Wonders she could be so loth to leave the house. The chariot drives away with her. She can hardly think but she is in a dream all the time.

  Ten o’Clock. A copy of her master’s letter to her, delivered at a certain distance, declaring his honourable intentions, had she not unseasonably preferred going to her parents. She laments that she gave credit to the gipsey–story. Accuses her heart of treachery to her.

  MONDAY Morning, Eleven. Thomas the groom overtakes her with a second letter from her master, declaring, that he finds he cannot live without her. That if she will return, it will lay him under the highest obligation. Her reasonings with herself, whether to go back, or to proceed. At last, resolves to oblige him.

  TUESDAY Morning. Her master’s gratitude on her return. Description of Mrs Jewkes’s constrained complaisance and officiousness to her. Her master orders that she be left entirely at her own liberty to go and come as she pleases, and the chariot to be at her service. Acquaints her, that he had set Mr Williams at liberty, and taken his bond. He gives her a letter to peruse from Lady Davers, who threatens, that if he should marry Pamela she will renounce all relation to him; but proposes that he will give her a sum of money, and marry her to some fellow of her own degree. Pamela’s serious reflections upon the pride of people of birth and condition.