and whatever Faults she had observed in me,
have never blamed me before Company; at least, with such an Air of Superiority
as should have shewn she had a better Opinion of her own Judgment, than mine.
    Now, my Pamela, this is but a faint Sketch of the Conduct I must have
expected from my Wife, let her Quality have been what it would, or have lived
with her on bad Terms. Judge then, if, to me, a Lady of the modish Taste could
have been tolerable.
    The Perverseness and Contradiction I have too often seen, in some of my
Visits, even among People of Sense, as well as Condition, had prejudiced me to
the marry'd State; and, as I knew I could not bear it, surely I was in the right
to decline it; and you see, my Dear, that I have not gone among this Class of
People for a Wife; nor know I indeed, where, in any Class, I could have sought
one, or had one, suitable to my Mind, if not you. For here is my Misfortune; I
could not have been contented to have been but moderately happy in a Wife.
    Judge you, from all this, if I could very well bear, that you should think
yourself so well secur'd of my Affection, that you could take the Faults of
others upon yourself; and, by a supposed supererogatory Merit, think your
Interposition sufficient to atone for the Faults of others.
    Yet am I not perfect myself: No, I am greatly imperfect. Yet will I not
allow, that my Imperfections shall excuse those of my Wife, or make her think I
ought to bear Faults in her, that she can rectify, because she bears greater
from me.
    Upon the Whole, I may expect, that you will bear with me, and study my
Temper, till, and only till, you see I am capable of returning Insult for
Obligation; and till you think that I shall be of a gentler Deportment, if I am
roughly used, than otherwise. One thing more I will add, That I should scorn
myself, if there was one Privilege of your Sex, that a Princess might expect, as
my Wife, to be indulg'd in, that I would not allow to my Pamela. For you are the
Wife of my Affections: I never wish'd for one before you, nor ever do I hope to
have another!
    I hope, Sir, said I, my future Conduct -- Pardon me, said he, my