"I cannot be patient, I cannot remain passive, when my virtue is in danger." Fifteen-year-old Pamela Andrews, unprotected and single, is relentlessly pursued by the son of her deceased mistress. Although attracted to the young Mr. B., she resists his demands and threats of kidnapping and rape, determined to defend her virginity and adhere to her own moral standards. With a sharp psychological perspective on issues of sexuality, freedom, and power, Richardson's first novel caused a sensation upon its initial publication with its depiction of a servant who dares to assert herself. Richly comic and filled with vivid scenes and descriptions, "Pamela" features a diverse cast of characters, including the vulgar and malicious Mrs. Jewkes and the aggressive but clumsy landlord who serves as both villain and hero in this unusual love story. This edition includes all the revisions Richardson made during his lifetime. Margaret A. Doody's introduction discusses the genre of epistolary novels, examining characterization, the role of women, and class distinctions in Pamela.