The workmen have made a good progress, and wish for Mr. Longman to come down; as we also do.

You need not be afraid we should think you proud, or lifted up with your condition.  You have weathered the first dangers, and but for your fine clothes and jewels, we should not see any difference between our dear Pamela and the much respected Mrs. B. But God has given you too much sense to be proud or lifted up.  I remember, in your former writings, a saying of your ’squire’s, speaking of you, that it was for persons not used to praise, and who did not deserve it, to be proud of it.

Every day brings us instances of the good name his honour and you, my dear child, have left behind you in this country.  Here comes one, and then another, and a third, and a fourth;

“Goodman Andrews,” cries one, and, “Goody Andrews,” cries another—­(and some call us Mr. and Mrs., but we like the other full as well) “when heard you from his honour?  How does his lady do?—­What a charming couple are they!—­How lovingly do they live!—­What an example do they give to all about them!” Then one cries, “God bless them both,” and another cries, “Amen;” and so says a third and a fourth; and all say, “But when do you expect them down again?—­Such-a-one longs to see ’em—­and will ride a day’s journey, to have but a sight of ’em at church.”  And then they say, “How this gentleman praises them, and that lady admires them.”—­O what a happiness is this!  How do your poor mother and I stand fixed to the earth to hear both your praises, our tears trickling down our cheeks, and our hearts heaving as if they would burst with joy, till we are forced to take leave in half words, and hand-in-hand go in together to bless God, and bless you both.  O my daughter, what a happy couple have God and you made us!

Your poor mother is very anxious about her dear child.  I will not touch upon a matter so very irksome to you to hear of.  But, though the time may be some months off, she every hour prays for your safety and happiness, and all the increase of felicity that his honour’s generous heart can wish for.—­That is all we will say at present; only, that we are, with continued prayers and blessings, my dearest child, your loving father and mother,

J. and E. ANDREWS.

LETTER VI

From Lady Davers to Mrs. B.

MY DEAR PAMELA,

I intended to have been with you before this:  but my lord has been a little indisposed with the gout, and Jackey has had an intermitting fever:  but they are pretty well recovered, and it shall not be long before I see you, now I understand you are returned from your Kentish expedition.

We have been exceedingly diverted with your papers.  You have given us, by their means, many a delightful hour, that otherwise would have hung heavy upon us; and we are all charmed with you.  Lady Betty, and her noble mamma, has been of our party, whenever we have read your accounts.  She is a dear generous lady, and has shed with us many a tear over them; and my lord has not been unmoved, nor Jackey neither, at some of your distresses and reflections.  Indeed, Pamela, you are a charming creature, and an ornament to your sex.  We wanted to have had you among us a hundred times, as we read, that we might have loved, and kissed, and thanked you.