I was apt to do, to unseasonable insult for my
tenderness to you, on one hand; to perverse nicety, on the other; or to
(what I was most alarmed by, and concerned for) prepossession for some
other person: And this would have saved us both much fatigue, I of mind,
you of body.

And, indeed, sir, said I, of mind too; and I could not better manifest
this, than by the cheerfulness with which I obeyed your recalling me to
your presence.

Ay, that, my dear Pamela, said he, and clasped me in his arms, was the
kind, the inexpressibly kind action, that has rivetted my affections
to you, and obliges me, in this free and unreserved manner, to pour my
whole soul into your bosom.

I said, I had the less merit in this my return, because I was driven, by
an irresistible impulse to it; and could not help it, if I would.

This, said he, (and honoured me by kissing my hand,) is engaging,
indeed; if I may hope, that my Pamela's gentle inclination for her
persecutor was the strongest motive to her return; and I so much value a
voluntary love in the person I would wish for my wife, that I would have
even prudence and interest hardly named in comparison with it: And can
you return me sincerely the honest compliment I now make you?--In
the choice I have made, it is impossible I should have any view to my
interest. Love, true love, is the only motive by which I am induced. And
were I not what I am, could you give me the preference to any other you
know in the world, notwithstanding what has passed between us? Why,
said I, should your so much obliged Pamela refuse to answer this kind
question? Cruel as I have thought you, and dangerous as your views to
my honesty have been; you, sir, are the only person living that ever was
more than indifferent to me: and before I knew this to be what I blush
now to call it, I could not hate you, or wish you ill, though, from my
soul, the attempts you made were shocking, and most distasteful to me.

I am satisfied, my Pamela, said he; nor shall I want to see those papers
that you have kindly written for to your father; though I still wish to
see them too, for the sake of the sweet manner in which you relate what
has passed, and to have before me the whole series of your sufferings,
that I may learn what degree of kindness may be sufficient to recompense
you for them.

In this manner, my dear father and mother, did your happy daughter find
herself blessed by her generous master! An ample recompense for al