my Temper; for there was no Fault in your
Intention, that I acknowledge) I'll observe only, that you met, when you came to
me, while I was so out of Humour, a Reception you did not expect, and a harsh
Word or two, that you did not deserve. Now, had you not broken in upon me, while
my Anger lasted, but stay'd till I had come to you, or sent to desire your
Company, you'd have seen none of this; but that affectionate Behaviour, that, I
doubt not, you'll always merit, and I shall always take Pleasure in expressing;
and in this Temper shall you always find a proper Influence over me: But you
must not suppose, whenever I am out of Humour, that, in opposing yourself to my
Passion, you oppose a proper Butt to it; but when you are so good, like the
slender Reed, to bend to the Hurricane, rather than, like the sturdy Oak, to
resist it, you will always stand firm in my kind Opinion, while a contrary
Conduct would uproot you, with all your Excellencies, from my Soul.
    Sir, said I, I will endeavour to conform myself, in all things, to your
Will. I make no Doubt, but you will: And I'll endeavour to make my Will as
conformable to Reason as I can. And, let me tell you, that this Belief of you,
is one of the Inducements I have had to marry at all. For nobody was more averse
to this State than myself; and now we're upon this Subject, I'll tell you why I
was so averse.
    We People of Fortune, or such as are born to large Expectations, of both
Sexes, are generally educated wrong. You have occasionally touch'd upon this,
Pamela, several times in your Journal, so justly, that I need say the less to
you. We are usually so headstrong, so violent in our Wills, that we very little
bear Controul.
    Humour'd by our Nurses, thro' the Faults of our Parents, we practise first
upon them; and shew the Gratitude of our Dispositions, in an Insolence that
ought rather to be check'd and restrain'd, than encouraged.
    Next, we are to be indulged in every thing at School; and our Masters and
Mistresses are rewarded with further grateful instances of our boisterous
Behaviour.
    But, in our wise Parents Eyes, all looks well, all is forgiven and excus'd;