LETTER XIV

DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

Mrs. Jervis and I have lived very comfortably together for this

fortnight past; for my master was all that time at his Lincolnshire

estate, and at his sister's, the Lady Davers. But he came home

yesterday. He had some talk with Mrs. Jervis soon after, and mostly

about me. He said to her, it seems, Well, Mrs. Jervis, I know Pamela has

your good word; but do you think her of any use in the family? She told

me she was surprised at the question, but said, That I was one of the

most virtuous and industrious young creatures that ever she knew. Why

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that word virtuous, said he, I pray you? Was there any reason to suppose

her otherwise? Or has any body taken it into his head to try her?--I

wonder, sir, says she, you ask such a question! Who dare offer any thing

to her in such an orderly and well-governed house as yours, and under a

master of so good a character for virtue and honour? Your servant, Mrs.

Jervis, says he, for your good opinion: but pray, if any body did, do

you think Pamela would let you know it? Why, sir, said she, she is a

poor innocent young creature, and I believe has so much confidence in

me, that she would take my advice as soon as she would her mother's.

Innocent! again, and virtuous, I warrant! Well, Mrs. Jervis, you abound

with your epithets; but I take her to be an artful young baggage; and

had I a young handsome butler or steward, she'd soon make her market of

one of them, if she thought it worth while to snap at him for a husband.

Alack-a-day, sir, said she, it is early days with Pamela; and she does

not yet think of a husband, I dare say: and your steward and butler are

both men in years, and think nothing of the matter. No, said he, if they

were younger, they'd have more wit than to think of such a girl; I'll

tell you my mind of her, Mrs. Jervis: I don't think this same favourite

of yours so very artless a girl as you imagine. I am not to dispute with

your honour, said Mrs. Jervis; but I dare say, if the men will let her

alone, she'll never trouble herself about them. Why, Mrs. Jervis, said

he, are there any men that will not let her alone, that you know of?

No, indeed, sir, said she; she keeps herself so much to herself, and yet

behaves so prudently, that they all esteem her, and shew her as great a

respect as if she was a gentlewoman born.




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