The next Thing is how to introduce her to the Squire, and in that Mrs.
_Jervis_ is as decently drawn in for a Procuress as can be; he sees her
talking with Mrs. _Jervis_, and thinking her to be a _fresh Lady_, sends
for Mrs. _Jervis_ to him, who notwithstanding she would do all she can
to preserve the Maiden's Virtue, yet insists upon her going to him in
her new Garb, tho' she must certainly know it could only tend to
_inflame_ his Desire the more, and urge him to still greater Liberties:
_p._ 65, 66: "She stept to me, and told me, I must go in with her to my
Master; but, said she, for Goodness sake, let him not find you out; for
he don't know you. O fie, Mrs. _Jervis_, said I, how could you serve me
so? Besides, it looks too free both _in me_, and _to him_. I tell you,
said she, you _shall_ come in; and pray don't reveal yourself till he
finds you out. So I went in, foolish as I was; tho' I must have been
seen by him another Time, if I had not then. And she would make me take
my Straw-hat in my Hand. I dropt a low Curt'sy, but said never a Word. I
dare say, he knew me as soon as he saw my Face; but was as cunning as
_Lucifer_. He came up to me, and took me by the Hand, and said, whose
pretty Maiden are you?--I dare say you are _Pamela_'s Sister, you are so
like her. So neat, so clean, so pretty! Why, Child, you far surpass your
Sister _Pamela_! I was all Confusion, and would have spoken, but he took
me about the Neck; Why, said he, you are very pretty, Child; I would not
be so free with your Sister, you may believe; but I must kiss you. O
Sir, said I, I am _Pamela_, indeed I am _Pamela_, _her ownself_! He
kissed me for all I could do; and said, Impossible! You are a lovelier
Girl by half than _Pamela_; and sure I may be innocently free with you,
tho' I would not do her so much Favour. This was a sad Bite upon me
indeed, and what I could not expect; and Mrs. _Jervis_ look'd like a
Fool as much as I, for her Officiousness. At last I got away, and ran
out of the Parlour, _most sadly vex'd, as you may well think_."
This occasioned an Emotion in him, which is admirably described, but in
a Piece designed only to encourage Virtue, no ways necessary to be
introduced: _p._ 67. "He then took me in his Arms, and presently push'd
me from him. Mrs. _Jervis_, said he, take the little Witch from me; I
can neither bear, nor forbear her! (Strange Words these!)--But stay, you
shan't go! Yet begone!--No, come back again. I thout he was mad, for my
Share; for he _knew not what he would have_. But I was going however,
and he stept after me, and took hold of my Arm, and brought me in again:
I am sure he made my Arm black and blue; for the Marks are upon it
still. Sir, Sir, said I, pray have Mercy; I will, I will come in! He sat
down, and _look'd at me_, and, as I thought afterwards, as sillily as
such a poor Girl as I."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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