a Duchess, or Countess Dowager, descends to mingle with a Person of
obscure Birth, does she not then degrade herself? and is she not effectually
degraded? And will any Duchess or Countess rank with her?
    Now, Lady Davers, do you not see a Difference between my marrying my dear
Mother's beloved and deserving Waiting-maid, with a Million of Excellencies
about her, and such Graces of Mind and Person, as would adorn any Distinction;
and your marrying a sordid Groom, whose constant Train of Education,
Conversation, and Opportunities, could possibly give him no other Merit, than
that which must proceed from the vilest lowest Taste, in his sordid Dignifier?
    O the Wretch! said she, how he finds Excuses to palliate his Meanness!
    Again, said he, let me observe to you, Lady Davers, when a Duke marries a
private Person, is he not still her Head, by virtue of being her Husband? But,
when a Lady descends to marry a Groom, is not that Groom her Head, as her
Husband? And does not that Difference strike you? For what Lady of Quality ought
to respect another, who has made so sordid a Choice, and set a Groom above her?
For, would not that be to put that Groom upon a Par with themselves? - Call this
Palliation, or what you will; but if you see not the Difference, you are blind,
and a very unfit Judge for yourself, much more unfit to be a Censurer of me.
    I'd have you, said she, publish your fine Reasons to the World, and they
will be sweet Encouragements to all the young Gentlemen that read them, to cast
themselves away on the Servant-wenches in their Families.
    Not at all, Lady Davers, reply'd he: For, if any young Gentleman stays till
he finds such a Person as my Pamela; so inrich'd with the Beauties of Person and
Mind, so well accomplish'd, and so fitted to adorn the Degree she is raised to,
he will stand as easily acquitted, as I shall be to all the World that sees her,
except there be many more Lady Davers's than I apprehend can possibly be met
with.
    And so, return'd she, you say, You are actually and really marry'd,
honestly, or rather foolishly, marry'd to this Slut?
    I am indeed, said he, if you presume to call her so! And why should I not,
if I please? Who is there ought to contradict me