, that my first Motive was intirely 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 wish'd 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, as your Function might allow you, upon
it; but immediately determin'd to counterplot me, and to turn as much an
Intriguer for a Parson, as I was for a Laick, and attempt to secure to yourself
a Prize, you would have robb'd me of, and that from my own House. But the Matter
is at an End, and I retain not any Malice upon it, tho' you did not know, but I
should, 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 Mrs. 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 Encouragement to his Address as to Matrimony.
    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, as I had, discover'd the Parson, it 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 therefore, I had no Prospect
before me but Dishonour; and was so hardly us'd into the Bargain, I should have
seem'
