y Petticoat
floating in the Pond. Then they got a Drag-Net, imagining I was
drowned, and intending to drag me out; but at last _Moll_ Cook coming
for some Coals, discovered me lying all along in no very good Pickle.
Bless me! Mrs. _Pamela_, says she, what can be the Meaning of this? I
don't know, says I, help me up, and I will go in to Breakfast, for
indeed I am very hungry. Mrs. _Jewkes_ came in immediately, and was
so rejoyced to find me alive, that she asked with great Good-Humour,
where I had been? and how my Petticoat came into the Pond. I
answered, I believed the Devil had put it into my Head to drown my
self; but it was a Fib; for I never saw the Devil in my Life, nor I
don't believe he hath any thing to do with me.

So much for this Matter. As soon as I had breakfasted, a Coach and
Six came to the Door, and who should be in it but my Master.

I immediately run up into my Room, and stript, and washed, and drest
my self as well as I could, and put on my prettiest round-ear'd Cap,
and pulled down my Stays, to shew as much as I could of my Bosom,
(for Parson _Williams_ says that is the most beautiful part of a
Woman) and then I practised over all my Airs before the Glass, and
then I sat down and read a Chapter in the Whole Duty of Man.

Then Mrs. _Jewkes_ came to me and told me, my Master wanted me below,
and says she, Don't behave like a Fool; No, thinks I to my self, I
believe I shall find Wit enough for my Master and you too.

So down goes me I into the Parlour to him. _Pamela_, says he, the
Moment I came in, you see I cannot stay long from you, which I think
is a sufficient Proof of the Violence of my Passion. Yes, Sir, says
I, I see your Honour intends to ruin me, that nothing but the
Destruction of my Vartue will content you.

_O what a charming Word that is, rest his Soul who first invented
it._

How can you say I would ruin you, answered the Squire, when you shall
not ask any thing which I will not grant you. If that be true, says
I, good your Honour let me go home to my poor but honest Parents;
that is all I have to ask, and do not ruin a poor Maiden, who is
resolved to carry her Vartue to the Grave with her.

Hussy, says he, don't provoke me, don't provoke me, I say. You are
absolutely in my power, and if you won't let me lie with you by fair
Means, I will by Force. O la, Sir, says I, I don't understand your
paw Words.----Very pretty Treatment indeed, says he, to say I use paw
Words; Hussy, Gipsie