d obeyed my orders, are painted
out by you as black as devils! nay, so am I too, for that matter.

Sir, said I, I hope you won't be angry, but, saving yourself, do you
think they are painted worse than they deserve? or worse than the parts
they acted require?

You say, saving myself, Pamela; but is not that saying a mere
compliment to me, because I am present, and you are in my hands? Tell me
truly.--Good sir, excuse me; but I fancy I might ask you, Why you should
think so, if there was not a little bit of conscience that told you,
there was but too much reason for it?

He kissed me, and said, I must either do thus, or be angry with you; for
you are very saucy, Pamela.--But, with your bewitching chit-chat, and
pretty impertinence, I will not lose my question. Where did you hide
your paper, pens, and ink?

Some, sir, in one place, some in another; that I might have some left,
if others should be found.--That's a good girl! said he; I love you
for your sweet veracity. Now tell me where it is you hide your written
papers, your saucy journal?--I must beg your excuse for that, sir, said
I. But indeed, answered he, you will not have it: for I will know, and
I will see them.--This is very hard, sir, said I; but I must say, you
shall not, if I can help it.

We were standing most of this time; but he then sat down, and took me
by both my hands, and said, Well said, my pretty Pamela, if you can help
it! But I will not let you help it. Tell me, are they in your pocket?
No, sir, said I; my heart up at my mouth. Said he, I know you won't tell
a downright fib for the world: but for equivocation! no jesuit ever went
beyond you. Answer me then, Are they in neither of your pockets? No,
sir, said I. Are they not, said he, about your stays? No, sir, replied
I: But pray no more questions: for ask me ever so much, I will not tell
you.

O, said he, I have a way for that. I can do as they do abroad, when the
criminals won't confess; torture them till they do.--But pray, sir, said
I, is this fair, just, or honest? I am no criminal; and I won't confess.

O, my girl! said he, many an innocent person has been put to the
torture. But let me know where they are, and you shall escape the
question, as they call it abroad.

Sir, said I, the torture is not used in England, and I hope you won't
bring it up. Admirably said! said the naughty gentleman.--But I can tell
you of as good a punishment. If a criminal won't plead with us, here
in Englan