Letter VIII

Summary

I thank you, my dearest Parents, for your kind Letter; it was given to Mr. B. and he brought it to me himself, and was angry at me: Indeed he was; as you shall hear:

’Tis from the good Couple, my Dear, I see. I hope they are of my Opinion. But whether they be or not—But I will leave you; and do you, Pamela, step down to my Closet when you have perus’d it.

He was pleased to withdraw; and I read it, and sat down, and consider’d it well; but, as you know I made it always my Maxim to do that I could not avoid to do, with as good a Grace as possible, I waited on the dear Gentleman.

Well, Pamela, said he, a little seriously, what say the worthy Pair?

Oh Sir! they declare for you! They say, it is best for me to yield up this Point.

They are certainly in the right.—But were you not a dear little perverse Slut to give me all this Trouble about your saucy Scruples?

Nay, Sir, don't call them so, said I; little thinking he was displeased with me.—I still am somewhat wavering; tho’ they advise me to acquiesce: And, as it is your Will, and you have determined how it shall be, it is my Duty to yield up the Point.

But do you yield it up chearfully, my Dear?—

I do, Sir; and will never more dispute it, let what will happen!—And I beg Pardon for having so often enter’d into this Subject with you.—But you know, Sir, if a Body's Weakness of Mind gives one Scruples, one should not yield implicitly, till they are satisfy’d; for that would look as if one gave you not the Obedience of a free Mind.——

You are very obliging, just now, my Dear: But I can tell you, you had made me half serious; yet I would not shew it, in Compliment to your present Circumstance; for I did not expect, that you would have thought any Appeal necessary, tho’ to your Father and Mother, in a Point that I was determin’d upon, as you must see, every Time we talk’d of it.