Pamela

by Samuel Richardson

  ‘Mrs Jewkes, madam,’ said she, ‘was on the spot, at the happy time.’ ‘Yes,’ said my master; ‘but Pamela would have rejoiced to have had you there instead of her.’ ‘That I should, sir,’ replied I, ‘or instead of any body, except my own mother.’

  She gratefully accepted them, and thanked us both: but I don’t know what she should thank me for. I was not worth a fourth part of them myself.

  ‘I would have you, my dear,’ said he, ‘in some handsome manner, as you know how, oblige Longman to accept of the like present.’

  Mr Longman returned from his office, and brought me the fifty guineas, saying, ‘I have entered this new article with great pleasure: To my lady – Fifty guineas: to be paid the same sum quarterly. ’ ‘O sir,’ said I, ‘what will become of me to be so poor in myself, and so rich in your bounty? It is a shame to take all that your profuse goodness thus heaps upon me: but indeed it shall not be without account.’ ‘Make no words, my dear,’ answered he: ‘are you not my wife? And have I not endowed you with my worldly goods? Hitherto you have had a very inconsiderable part of them.’

  ‘Mr Longman,’ said I, ‘and Mrs Jervis, you both see how I am even oppressed with obligations.’ ‘God bless the donor, and the receiver too!’ said Mr Longman: ‘I am sure they will bring back good interest; for, madam, you had ever a bountiful heart; and I have seen the pleasure you used to take to dispense my late lady’s alms and donations.’

  ‘You would have me, Mr Longman,’ said I, ‘who am otherwise honoured beyond my desert, make no scruple of accepting large sums: pray, do not you make any, to accept of a pair of gloves on account of my happy nuptials.’

  He hesitated, and seemed at a loss; and Mr B. said, ‘If Mr Longman refuse you, my dear, he will refuse your first favour.’ I then put twenty guineas in his hand. He begged that he might return fifteen. ‘Don’t give me reason to imagine,’ said I, ‘that I have affronted you.’ ‘Well, if I must,’ returned he, ‘I know what I know.’ ‘What is that, Mr Longman?’ said I. ‘Why, madam,’ replied he, ‘I will not lay it out till my young master’s birth-day, which I hope will be within this twelvemonth.’

  Not expecting any thing like this from the good old man, I looked this way and that, and blushed, and held down my head. ‘Charmingly said, Mr Longman!’ said my master, and clasped his arms about me: ‘O my dear life! God send it may be so! You have quite delighted me, Mr Longman!’ ‘Madam,’ said the old gentleman, ‘I beg your pardon; I hope no offence. But I would speak it ten times in a breath to have it so, take it how you please, as long as my master takes it so well.’ ‘Mrs Jervis,’ said Mr B., ‘I hope you join in Mr Longman’s good wishes.’ She did, she said, with her whole heart.

  Mr Longman withdrawing soon after, my master said, ‘Why blushes and looks down my dearest love? Surely the old man said nothing that ought to shock you.’ ‘I did not expect it, sir, from him,’ said I: ‘I was not aware but of some innocent pleasantry.’ ‘What he said,’ replied he, ‘was both innocent and pleasant: and I will not forgive you, if you do not say as he says. Come, speak before Mrs Jervis.’ ‘May everything happen, sir,’ said I, ‘that will give you joy!’ He called me dearest love, and saluted me with great tenderness.

  When the servants had dined, I desired to see the maidens, and all four came up together. ‘You are welcome home, madam,’ said Rachel; ‘we rejoice all to see you here, and more to see you our lady.’ ‘My good old acquaintances,’ said I, ‘I joy to see you! How do you, Rachel? How do you, Jane? How do you, Hannah? How do you, Cicely?’ And I took each of them by the hand, and could have kissed them. For, said I to myself, I kissed you all, last time I saw you, in sorrow; why should I not kiss you all with joy? But I forbore, because of their dear master’s presence.

  They seemed quite transported with me; and my master was pleased with the scene. ‘see here, my lasses,’ said he, ‘your mistress! I need not bid you respect her; for you always loved her; and she will have it as much in her power, as inclination, to be kind to the deserving.’ ‘Indeed,’ said I, ‘I shall always be a kind friend to you; and your dear good master has ordered me to give each of you this, that you may rejoice with me on my happiness.’ I then gave them five guineas each; and said, ’ God bless you every one. I am overjoyed to see you.’ They withdrew with the greatest gratitude and pleasure, praying for us both.

  I turned to my dear Mr B. ‘It is to you, sir,’ said I, ‘next to God, who put it into your generous heart, that all my happiness is owing. My heart overflows with joy and gratitude!’ And I would have kissed his hand; but he clasped me in his arms, and said, ‘You deserve it, my dear! You deserve it all!’ Mrs Jervis came in. ‘I have seen,’ said she, ‘a very affecting sight: you have made your maidens quite happy, madam, with your kindness and condescension. I saw them all four, as I came by the hall-door, just rising from their knees, praying for you both!’ ‘Good creatures!’ said I; ‘and did Jane pray too? May the effect of their prayers be returned upon themselves!’

  My master sent for Jonathan, and I held up all the fingers of my two hands; and he giving a nod of approbation as the honest man came in, I said, ‘Well, Mr Jonathan, I could not be satisfied without seeing you by yourself, and thanking you for all your past goodwill to me. You will accept of that for a pair of gloves, on this happy occasion.’ And I gave him ten guineas, and took his honest hand between both mine: ‘God bless you,’ said I, ‘with your silver hairs, so like my dear father! I shall always value such a good old servant of the best of masters!’ ‘such goodness! Such kind words!’ said he. ‘They are balm to my heart! Blessed be God, I have lived to this day!’ He withdrew, his eyes swimming in tears.

  Then in came Harry, and Isaac, and Benjamin, and the two grooms of this house, and Arthur the gardener; for my dear master had ordered them by Mrs Jervis thus to be introduced. ‘Where is John?’ said he. Poor John was ashamed, and did not come in till he heard himself called for. I asked each by his name, how he did; and gave each five guineas to rejoice, as I said, in my happiness. Harry, in the names of them all, blessed us, and congratulated themselves on the honour their master had done them in giving them a mistress, whom they always loved; and hardly could now more respect as their lady, than they did before for her virtue and sweetness of temper.

  When I came to John, I said, ‘I saw you before, John; but I again tell you, I am glad to see you.’ He said, he was quite ashamed and confounded. ‘You must look forward, John,’ said I, ‘and forget all that is passed. Your good master will, and so will I. For God has wonderfully brought about all these things, by the very means I thought most grievous.’

  ‘Arthur,’ said my master, ‘I have brought you a mistress that is a great gardener. She will shew you a new way to plant beans: and never any body had such a hand at improving a sun-flower, as she!’ I believe I looked a little silly. I felt my cheeks glow: but the best answer (the servants present) was silence.347

  To the postilion and two helpers,348 at my master’s motion, I gave three guineas; calling each by his Christian name (for my master has here, as well as in Lincolnshire, fine hunting-horses. Hunting is the chief sport he takes delight in). Nor was the poor scullion-boy,349 Tommy, forgot. I called for him, and gave him two guineas; and, by way of taking more notice of him, some good advice, not to spend it idly; but to give it to his mother, to lay it out for him. Mr Colbrand, Abraham, and Thomas, had been remembered at the other house.

  When they were all gone but Mrs Jervis, I said, ‘And now, dearest sir, permit me, on my knees, thus, to bless you, and pray for you. May God crown you with length of days, and give you increase of honour; and may your happy, happy Pamela, by her grateful heart, appear always worthy in your eyes, though she cannot be so in her own, nor in those of any others!’

  ‘Mrs Jervis,’ said my master, tenderly raising me, ‘you see the excellency of this sweet creature! And when I tell you, that the charms of her person, lovely as she is, bind me not so strongly to her as the graces of her mind, I know you will think that my
happiness is built on a stable basis, and congratulate me upon it. ‘Indeed I do, most sincerely, sir,’ said she: ‘this is a happy day to me!’

  I stepped into the library, while he was thus pouring out his kindness for me to Mrs Jervis; and blessed God there, for the difference between my present situation, and what I had once known in it. Mrs Jervis, it seems, had whispered to him the thankful heart I had expressed above; and he stept to the library door; and, unobserved by me, saw me upon my knees, with my back towards him: but he softly put to the door again, as he had opened it a little way. And I said, on my joining him, not knowing he had seen me, ‘You have some charming pictures in your library, sir.’ ‘I have, my dear life,’ said he; ‘but none equal to that which your piety affords me! May the God you delight to serve, bless more and more my angel!’ ‘You are all goodness, sir,’ said I. ‘I hope, replied he, ‘after your example, I shall be more and more worthy of my present happiness!’

  Do you think, my dear parents, there ever was so happy a creature as your Pamela? To be sure it would be very ungrateful to think with uneasiness, or any thing but compassion, of poor Miss Sally Godfrey.

  He ordered Jonathan to let the evening be passed merrily, but wisely, as he said, with what every one liked, whether wine or October.350

  He was pleased afterwards to lead me up-stairs, and gave me possession of my lady’s dressing-room and cabinet, and her fine repeating-watch351 and equipage; and, in short, of a complete set of jewels, that were hers; as also of the two pair of diamond earrings, the two diamond rings, and necklace, he mentioned in his naughty articles, which her ladyship had intended for presents to Miss Tomlins, a rich heiress, who was proposed for his wife, soon after he returned from his travels, had the treaty been concluded; and which was set aside, after all was agreed upon by the friends on both sides, by reason of his objections to the masculine airs of the lady; though she liked him very well. He presented me also with books, pictures, linen, laces, and every thing that was in my late lady’s apartment; and bid me call that apartment mine. Give me, give me, good God, an increase of humility and gratitude!

  SUNDAY Night

  This day, as things could not be ready for our appearance at a better place, we staid at home; and my dear master employed himself a good deal in his library. And I have been taken up pretty much, as I ought to be, in my newly-presented closet.

  Several of the neighbouring gentry sent their compliments to him this day on his return, but not a word about his marriage; particularly Mr Arthur, Miss Towers, Mr Brooks, and Mr Martin of the Grove.

  MONDAY

  I have had a good deal of employment in chusing patterns for my new clothes. Mr B. thought nothing too good; and was so kind as to pick out six of the richest, for me to chuse three suits out of, saying, We would furnish ourselves with more in town, when we went thither. One was white, flowered richly with silver. He was pleased to say, that, as I was a bride, I should make my appearance in that, the following Sunday. And so we shall have, in two or three days, from several places, nothing but mantua-makers and taylors at work. Bless met what a chargeable creature am I to this most generous of men! But his fortune and station require a great deal of it; and his value for me will not let him do less, than if he had married a fortune equal to his own: and then, as he says, it would be a reflection upon him, if he did. And so I doubt it will be as it is: for, either way, the world will have something to say. He made me also chuse some very fine laces and linen: and has sent a message on purpose, to hasten all down. What can be done in town, as the millenery matters, and such like, are to be completed there, and sent by particular messengers, as done. All to be finished and brought hither by Saturday afternoon.

  I send away John this morning, with some more of my papers, to you, and with the few he will give you, separate. You will be so good as to send me all those you have done with, that I may keep my word with Lady Davers. I am sure of the continuance of your prayers and blessings. Be pleased also to give me your answer about my dear Mr B.’s proposal of the Kentish farm. I beg you will buy two suits of clothes each, of the finest cloth for you, my dear father, and a creditable silk for my dear mother; and good linen, and every thing answerable: and that you will, as my best friend bid me say, let us see you here as soon as possible. He will have his chariot come for you, when you tell John the day. How I long to see you both, my dear good parents, and to share with you in person my felicities!

  You will have, I am sure, the goodness to go to all your creditors, which are chiefly those of my poor unhappy brothers, and get an account of all you are bound for; and every one shall be paid to the utmost farthing, and interest besides; though some of them have been very cruel and unrelenting. But they are all entitled to justice, and shall be thankfully paid.

  Now I think of it, John shall take what I have written down to this place; that you may have something to amuse you of your child’s, instead of those you part with. I will continue writing till I am settled, and you are determined; and then I shall apply myself to the duties of the family, in order to become as useful to my dear master, as my small abilities will let me.

  If you think a couple of guineas will be of use to Mrs Mumford, who I doubt has not much aforehand, pray give them to her, from me, (and I will return them to you) as for a pair of gloves on my marriage; and look among your acquaintance, and neighbours, and let me have a list of such honest, industrious poor, as may be true objects of charity, and have no other assistance; particularly such as are blind, lame, or sickly, with their several cases; and also such families and housekeepers as are reduced by misfortunes, as ours was, and where a great number of children may keep them from rising to a state of tolerable comfort: and I will chuse as well as I can; for I long to be making a beginning, with the kind quarterly benevolence my dear Mr B. has bestowed upon me for such good purposes.

  I am resolved to keep account of all these matters: and Mr Longman has already furnished me with a vellum book of white paper; some sides of which I hope soon to fill, with the names of proper objects. And though my beloved master has given me all this without account, yet shall he see, (but nobody else) how I lay it out from quarter to quarter; and I will, if any be left, carry it on, like an accomptant, to the next quarter, and strike a balance four times a year, and a general balance at every year’s end. And I have written in it, Humble RETURNS for DIVINE MERCIES. And locked it up in my newly-presented cabinet.

  I intend to let Lady Davers see no further of my papers, than to her own angry letter to her brother; for I would not have her see my reflections upon it; and she will know, down to that place, all that is necessary for her curiosity, as to the stratagems used against me, and the honest part I have been enabled to act: and I hope, when she has read them all, she will be quite reconciled; for she will see it is all God Almighty’s doings, as I may say; and that a man of Mr B.’s parts and knowledge was not to be drawn in by such a poor young unexperienced creature as I am.

  I will detain John no longer. He will tell you to read the last part of the writing I send you first, and while he stays. And so, with my humble duty to you both, and my dear Mr B.’s kind remembrance, I rest,

  Your ever dutiful,

  and gratefully happy Daughter.

  WEDNESDAY Evening

  I will now, my honoured parents, proceed with my journal.

  On Tuesday morning, my dear Mr B. riding out, returned, in company of Mr Martin of the Grove, Mr Arthur, and Mr Brooks, and a Mr Chambers; and, stepping up to me, said, He had rid out too far to return to breakfast; but had brought with him some of his old acquaintance, to dine with me. ‘Are you sorry for it, Pamela?’ I remembered his lessons, and answered, ‘No, sure, sir; I can‘t be sorry for any thing you are pleased to do.’ ‘You know Mr Martin’s character,’ said he, ‘and have severely censured him, as one of my brother rakes, and for his three lyings-in. I met them all,’ continued he, ‘at Mr Arthur’s. His lady asked me, if I were really married? I said, “Yes, really.” “And to whom?” said Mr M
artin. “Why,” replied I, without ceremony, “to my mother’s waiting-maid.” They could not tell what to say to me on this answer; and looked one upon another: and I saw I had spoiled a jest, from each. Mrs Arthur said, “You have, indeed, sir, a charming creature as ever I saw, and she has mighty good luck.” “True,” returned I, “and so have I. But I shall say the less of that, because a man never did any thing of this nature, but he was willing to make the best of it.” “Nay,” said Mr Arthur, “if you have sinned, it is with your eyes open! For you know the world as well as any man of your years in it.”

  ‘“Why, really, gentlemen,” said I, “I should be glad to please all my friends; but, be that as it will, I do assure you, I am exceedingly pleased myself.”

  ‘“I have heard my wife,” said Mr Brooks, “praise your spouse that is, so much for her beauty, that I greatly wanted to see her.” “If,” replied I, “you will all go and take a dinner with me, you shall see her in her proper place, gracing my table. Mrs Arthur, will you bear us company?” “No, indeed, sir,” answered she. “What, I suppose, my wife will not be able to reconcile you to my mother’s waiting-maid; is not that it? Tell truth, Mrs Arthur.” “Nay,” said she, “I sha’n’t be backward to pay your wife a visit, in company of the neighbouring ladies; but my declining this sudden invitation, need not hinder you, gentlemen.”

  ‘“It should not,” they said; and, each sending home, they, and Mr Chambers, a gentleman lately settled in the neighbourhood, came with me: and so, my dear,’ concluded he, ‘when you make your appearance, next Sunday, you are sure of a party in your favour; for all that see you must admire you.’

  He went down to them; and when dinner was ready, he was pleased to take my hand, at my entrance into the dining-parlour. ‘My dear love,’ said he, ‘I have brought some of my neighbours to dine with you.’ ‘You are very good, sir,’ said I. He then presented to me each gentleman, Mr Chambers first; and each saluted me, and wished us both joy.