Well, Pamela, said he, now can you allow me to love this little
innocent? Allow you, sir, replied I; you would be very barbarous, if you
did not; and I should be more so, if I did not further it all I could,
and love the little lamb myself, for your sake and for her own sake; and
in compassion to her poor mother, though unknown to me: And tears stood
in my eyes. Said he, Why, my love, are your words so kind, and your countenance so
sad?--I drew to the window from the child; and said, Sad it is not, sir;
but I have a strange grief and pleasure mingled at once in my breast, on
this occasion. It is indeed a twofold grief, and a twofold pleasure.--As
how, my dear? said he. Why, sir, replied I, I cannot help being grieved
for the poor mother of this sweet babe, to think, if she be living, that
she must call her chiefest delight her shame: If she be no more, that
she must have had such remorse on her poor mind, when she came to leave
the world, and her little babe: And, in the second place, I grieve, that
it must be thought a kindness to the dear little soul, not to let
her know how near the dearest relation she has in the world is to
her.--Forgive me, dear sir, I say not this to reproach you, in the
least. Indeed I don't. And I have a twofold cause of joy; first, That
I have had the grace to escape the like unhappiness with this poor
gentlewoman: and next, That this discovery has given me an opportunity
to shew the sincerity of my grateful affection for you, sir, in the love
I will always express to this dear child.
And then I stept to her again, and kissed her; and said, Join with me,
my pretty love, to beg your dear uncle to let you come and live with
your new aunt: Indeed, my little precious, I'll love you dearly.
Will you, sir? said the little charmer; will you let me go and live with
my aunt? You are very good, my Pamela, said he. And I have not once been deceived
in the hopes my fond heart has entertained of your prudence.--But will
you, sir? said I; will you grant me this favour? I shall most sincerely
love the little charmer; and all I am capable of doing for her, both
by example and affection, shall most cordially be done. My dearest sir,
added I, oblige me in this thing! I think already my heart is set upon
it! What a sweet employment and companionship shall I have!