could.

I'll judge you, never fear, said he, as favourably as you deserve; for
you have too powerful a pleader within me. And so went down stairs.

About nine o'clock he sent for me down into the parlour. I went a little
fearfully; and he held the paper in his hand, and said, Now, Pamela, you
come upon your trial. Said I, I hope I have a just judge to hear my
cause. Ay, said he, and you may hope for a merciful one too, or else I
know not what will become of you.

I expect, continued he, that you will answer me directly, and plainly, to
every question I shall ask you.--In the first place, here are several
love-letters between you and Williams. Love-letters! sir, said I.--Well,
call them what you will, said he, I don't entirely like them, I'll assure
you, with all the allowances you desired me to make for you. Do you
find, sir, said I, that I encouraged his proposal, or do you not? Why,
said he, you discourage his address in appearance; but no otherwise than
all your cunning sex do to ours, to make us more eager in pursuing you.

Well, sir, said I, that is your comment; but it does not appear so in the
text. Smartly said! says he: Where a d---l gottest thou, at these years,
all this knowledge? And then thou hast a memory, as I see by your
papers, that nothing escapes. Alas! sir, said I, what poor abilities I
have, serve only to make me more miserable!--I have no pleasure in my
memory, which impresses things upon me, that I could be glad never were,
or everlastingly to forget.

Well, said he, so much for that--But where are the accounts (since you
have kept so exact a journal of all that has befallen you) previous to