Letter X

Summary

From the same.

And so, Pamela, you are very solicitous to know if the Gentlemen have seen every Part of your Papers. I can't say but they have. Nor, except in regard to the Reputation of your saucy Man, do I see why the Parts you hint at, might not be read by those to whom the rest might be shewn.

I can tell you, Lady Betty, who is a very nice and delicate Lady, had no Objections to any Part, tho’ read before Men: Only now and then, crying out—O the vile Man!—See, Lord Davers, what Wretches you Men are!—And, commiserating you, Ah! the poor Pamela!—And expressing her Impatience to hear on, how you escap’d at this time, and at that, and rejoicing in your Escape.—And now-and-then, O Lady Davers! what a vile Brother you have!—I hate him perfectly.—The poor Girl cannot be made Amends for all this, tho’ he has marry’d her. Who, that knows these Things of him, would wish him to be hers, with all his Advantages of Person, Mind and Fortune?—And such-like Expressions in your Praise, and condemning him and his wicked Attempts.

But I can tell you this, that except one had heard every Tittle of your Danger; how near you were to Ruin, and how little he stood upon taking any Measures to effect his vile Purposes, even daring to attempt you in the Presence of a good Woman, which was a Wickedness that every wicked Man could not be guilty of;—I say, except one had known these things, one should not have been able to judge of the Merit of your Resistance, and how shocking those Attempts were to your Virtue, insomuch that Life itself was indanger’d by them: Nor, let me tell you, could I in particular, have so well justify’d him for marrying you (I mean with respect to his own proud and haughty Temper of Mind) if there had been Room to think he could have had you upon easier Terms.

It was necessary, Child, on twenty Accounts, that we, your and his Wellwishers and Relations, should know that he had try’d every Stratagem, and made use of every Contrivance, to subdue you to his Purpose, before he marry’d you: