es to the common paths,
though the safest and most eligible, after all. And you may believe I
could not very well like to be supplanted in a view that lay next my
heart; and that by an old acquaintance, whose good, before this affair,
I was studious to promote.

I would only say, sir, said he, that my first motive was entirely such
as became my function: And, very politely, said my master, he added, And
I am very sure, that however inexcusable I might seem in the progress
of the matter, yourself, sir, would have been sorry to have it said, you
had cast your thoughts on a person, that nobody could have wished for
but yourself.

Well, Mr. Williams, said I, I see you are a man of gallantry, as well as
religion: But what I took most amiss was, that, if you thought me doing
a wrong thing, you did not expostulate with me upon it, as your function
might have allowed you to do; but immediately determined to counterplot
me, and attempt to secure to yourself a prize you would have robbed
me of, and that from my own house. But the matter is at an end, and I
retain not any malice upon it; though you did not know but I might, at
last, do honourably by her, as I actually intend.

I am sorry for myself, sir, said he, that I should so unhappily
incur your displeasure; but I rejoice for her sake in your honourable
intentions: give me leave only to say, that if you make Miss Andrews
your lady, she will do credit to your choice with every body that
sees her, or comes to know her; and, for person and mind both, you may
challenge the county.

In this manner, said my master, did the parson and I confabulate; and
I set him down at his lodgings in the village. But he kept your secret,
Pamela; and would not own, that you gave any encouragement to his
addresses.

Indeed, sir, said I, he could not say that I did; and I hope you believe
me. I do, I do, said he: but 'tis still my opinion, that if, when I saw
plots set up against my plots, I had not discovered the parson as I did,
the correspondence between you might have gone to a length that would
have put our present situation out of both our powers.

Sir, said I, when you consider, that my utmost presumption could not
make me hope for the honour you now seem to design me; that I was so
hardly used, and had no prospect before me but dishonour, you will allow
that I should have seemed very little in earnest in my professions of
honesty, if I had not endeavoured to get away: but yet I resolv