After supper, we fell into a conversation, of which I must give you some account, being on a topic that Mr. B. has been blamed for in his marrying me, and which has stuck by some of his friends, even after they have, in kindness to me, acquitted him in every other respect; and that is, the example he has set to young gentlemen of family and fortune to marry beneath them.—­It was begun by Sir Jacob, who said, “I am in love with my new niece, that I am:  but still one thing sticks with me in this affair, which is, what will become of degree or distinction, if this practice of gentlemen marrying their mothers’ waiting-maids—­excuse me, Madam—­should come into vogue?  Already, young ladies and young gentlemen are too apt to be drawn away thus, and disgrace their families.  We have too many instances of this.  You’ll forgive me, both of you.”

“That,” said Lady Davers, “is the only thing!—­Sir Jacob has hit upon the point that would make one wish this example had not been set by a gentleman of such an ancient family, till one becomes acquainted with this dear creature; and then every body thinks it should not be otherwise than it is.”

“Ay, Pamela,” said Mr. B., “what can you say to this?  Cannot you defend me from this charge?  This is a point that has been often objected to me; try for one of your pretty arguments in my behalf.”

“Indeed, Sir,” replied I, looking down, “it becomes not me to say any thing to this.”—­“But indeed it does, if you can:  and I beg you’ll help me to some excuse, if you have any at hand.”—­“Won’t you.  Sir, dispense with me on this occasion?  I know, not what to say.  Indeed I should not, if I may judge for myself, speak one word to this subject.—­For it is my absolute opinion, that degrees in general should be kept up; although I must always deem the present case an happy exception to the rule.”  Mr. B. looked as if he still expected I should say something.—­“Won’t you, Sir, dispense with me?” repeated I.  “Indeed I should not speak to this point, if I may be my own judge.”

“I always intend, my dear, you shall judge for yourself; and, you know, I seldom urge you farther, when you use those words.  But if you have any thing upon your mind to say, let’s have it; for your arguments are always new and unborrowed.”

“I would then, if I must, Sir, ask, if there be not a nation, or if there has not been a law in some nation, which, whenever a young gentleman, be his degree what it would, has seduced a poor creature, be her degree what it would, obliges him to marry that unhappy person?”—­“I think there is such a law in some country, I can’t tell where,” said Sir Jacob.

“And do you think, Sir, whether it be so or not, that it is equitable it should be so?”

“Yes, by my troth.  Though I must needs own, if it were so in England, many men, that I know, would not have the wives they now have.”—­“You speak to your knowledge, I doubt not, Sir Jacob?” said Mr. B.