This was a stroke of fortune beyond the Lady Booby’s
hopes or expectation; she answered him eagerly, “Nephew,
you know how easily I am prevailed on to do anything
which Joseph Andrews desires—Phoo, I mean
which you desire me; and, as he is now your relation,
I cannot refuse to entertain him as such.”
The squire told her he knew his obligation to her
for her compliance; and going three steps, returned
and told her—he had one more favour, which
he believed she would easily grant, as she had accorded
him the former. “There is a young woman—“—“Nephew,”
says she, “don’t let my good-nature make
you desire, as is too commonly the case, to impose
on me. Nor think, because I have with so much
condescension agreed to suffer your brother-in-law
to come to my table, that I will submit to the company
of all my own servants, and all the dirty trollops
in the country.” “Madam,” answered
the squire, “I believe you never saw this young
creature. I never beheld such sweetness and innocence
joined with such beauty, and withal so genteel.”
“Upon my soul I won’t admit her,”
replied the lady in a passion; “the whole world
shan’t prevail on me; I resent even the desire
as an affront, and—” The squire,
who knew her inflexibility, interrupted her, by asking
pardon, and promising not to mention it more.
He then returned to Joseph, and she to Pamela.
He took Joseph aside, and told him he would carry him
to his sister, but could not prevail as yet for Fanny.
Joseph begged that he might see his sister alone,
and then be with his Fanny; but the squire, knowing
the pleasure his wife would have in her brother’s
company, would not admit it, telling Joseph there would
be nothing in so short an absence from Fanny, whilst
he was assured of her safety; adding, he hoped he
could not so easily quit a sister whom he had not
seen so long, and who so tenderly loved him. Joseph
immediately complied; for indeed no brother could
love a sister more; and, recommending Fanny, who rejoiced
that she was not to go before Lady Booby, to the care
of Mr Adams, he attended the squire upstairs, whilst
Fanny repaired with the parson to his house, where
she thought herself secure of a kind reception.
CHAPTER VI.
Of which you are desired to read no more than you
like.
The meeting between Joseph and Pamela was not without
tears of joy on both sides; and their embraces were
full of tenderness and affection. They were,
however, regarded with much more pleasure by the nephew
than by the aunt, to whose flame they were fuel only;
and this was increased by the addition of dress, which
was indeed not wanted to set off the lively colours
in which Nature had drawn health, strength, comeliness,
and youth. In the afternoon Joseph, at their request,
entertained them with an account of his adventures:
nor could Lady Booby conceal her dissatisfaction at
those parts in which Fanny was concerned, especially
when Mr Booby launched forth into such rapturous praises
