abject Pamela, I would, I could tell you. But I can say no more--

O my dear father and mother! now I know you will indeed be concerned for
me;--for now I am for myself.--And now I begin to be afraid I know too
well the reason why all his hard trials of me, and my black
apprehensions, would not let me hate him.

But be assured still, by God's grace, that I shall do nothing unworthy of
your Pamela; and if I find that he is still capable of deceiving me, and
that this conduct is only put on to delude me more, I shall think nothing
in this world so vile, and so odious; and nothing, if he be not the worst
of his kind, (as he says, and, I hope, he is not,) so desperately
guileful, as the heart of man.

He generously said, I will spare your confusion, Pamela. But I hope I
may promise myself, that you can love me preferably to any other man; and
that no one in the world has had any share in your affections; for I am
very jealous of what I love; and if I thought you had a secret whispering
in your soul, that had not yet come up to a wish, for any other man
breathing, I should not forgive myself to persist in my affection for
you; nor you, if you did not frankly acquaint me with it.

As I still continued on my knees, on the grass border by the pond-side,
he sat himself down on the grass by me, and took me in his arms: Why
hesitates my Pamela? said he.--Can you not answer me with truth, as I
wish? If you cannot, speak, and I will forgive you.

O good sir, said I, it is not that; indeed it is not: but a frightful
word or two that you said to Mrs. Jewkes, when you thought I was not in
hearing, comes cross my mind; and makes me dread that I am in more danger