按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
power。 La Rue easily saw his character； her sole aim was to awaken a
passion in his bosom that might turn out to her advantage； and in this aim
she was but too successful； for before the voyage was finished； the
infatuated Colonel gave her from under his hand a promise of marriage on
their arrival at New…York； under forfeiture of five thousand pounds。
And how did our poor Charlotte pass her time during a tedious and
tempestuous passage？ naturally delicate； the fatigue and sickness which
she endured rendered her so weak as to be almost entirely confined to her
bed： yet the kindness and attention of Montraville in some measure
contributed to alleviate her sufferings； and the hope of hearing from her
friends soon after her arrival； kept up her spirits； and cheered many a
gloomy hour。
But during the voyage a great revolution took place not only in the
fortune of La Rue but in the bosom of Belcour： whilst in pursuit of his
amour with Mademoiselle； he had attended little to the interesting；
inobtrusive charms of Charlotte； but when； cloyed by possession； and
disgusted with the art and dissimulation of one； he beheld the simplicity
and gentleness of the other； the contrast became too striking not to fill him
at once with surprise and admiration。 He frequently conversed with
Charlotte； he found her sensible； well informed； but diffident and
unassuming。 The languor which the fatigue of her body and perturbation
of her mind spread over her delicate features； served only in his opinion to
render her more lovely： he knew that Montraville did not design to marry
her； and he formed a resolution to endeavour to gain her himself whenever
Montraville should leave her。
Let not the reader imagine Belcour's designs were honourable。 Alas！
when once a woman has forgot the respect due to herself； by yielding to
the solicitations of illicit love； they lose all their consequence； even in the
eyes of the man whose art has betrayed them； and for whose sake they
have sacrificed every valuable consideration。
47
… Page 48…
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
The heedless Fair； who stoops to guilty joys；
A man may pitybut he must despise。 Nay； every libertine will think
he has a right to insult her with his licentious passion； and should the
unhappy creature shrink from the insolent overture； he will sneeringly
taunt her with pretence of modesty。
CHAPTER XVII。
A WEDDING。
ON the day before their arrival at New…York； after dinner； Crayton
arose from his seat； and placing himself by Mademoiselle； thus addressed
the company
〃As we are now nearly arrived at our destined port； I think it but my
duty to inform you； my friends； that this lady；〃 （taking her hand；） 〃has
placed herself under my protection。 I have seen and severely felt the
anguish of her heart； and through every shade which cruelty or malice may
throw over her； can discover the most amiable qualities。 I thought it but
necessary to mention my esteem for her before our disembarkation； as it is
my fixed resolution； the morning after we land； to give her an undoubted
title to my favour and protection by honourably uniting my fate to hers。 I
would wish every gentleman here therefore to remember that her honour
henceforth is mine； and；〃 continued he； looking at Belcour； 〃should any
man presume to speak in the least disrespectfully of her； I shall not
hesitate to pronounce him a scoundrel。〃
Belcour cast at him a smile of contempt； and bowing profoundly low；
wished Mademoiselle much joy in the proposed union； and assuring the
Colonel that he need not be in the least apprehensive of any one throwing
the least odium on the character of his lady； shook him by the hand with
ridiculous gravity； and left the cabin。
The truth was； he was glad to be rid of La Rue； and so he was but freed
from her； he cared not who fell a victim to her infamous arts。
The inexperienced Charlotte was astonished at what she heard。 She
thought La Rue had； like herself； only been urged by the force of her
attachment to Belcour； to quit her friends； and follow him to the feat of
war： how wonderful then； that she should resolve to marry another man。 It
48
… Page 49…
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
was certainly extremely wrong。 It was indelicate。 She mentioned her
thoughts to Montraville。 He laughed at her simplicity； called her a little
ideot； and patting her on the cheek； said she knew nothing of the world。 〃If
the world sanctifies such things； 'tis a very bad world I think；〃 said
Charlotte。 〃Why I always understood they were to have been married
when they arrived at New…York。 I am sure Mademoiselle told me Belcour
promised to marry her。〃
〃Well； and suppose he did？〃
〃Why； he should be obliged to keep his word I think。〃
〃Well； but I suppose he has changed his mind；〃 said Montraville； 〃and
then you know the case is altered。〃
Charlotte looked at him attentively for a moment。 A full sense of her
own situation rushed upon her mind。 She burst into tears； and remained
silent。 Montraville too well understood the cause of her tears。 He kissed
her cheek； and bidding her not make herself uneasy； unable to bear the
silent but keen remonstrance； hastily left her。
The next morning by sun…rise they found themselves at anchor before
the city of New…York。 A boat was ordered to convey the ladies on shore。
Crayton accompanied them； and they were shewn to a house of public
entertainment。 Scarcely were they seated when the door opened； and the
Colonel found himself in the arms of his daughter； who had landed a few
minutes before him。 The first transport of meeting subsided； Crayton
introduced his daughter to Mademoiselle La Rue； as an old friend of her
mother's； （for the artful French woman had really made it appear to the
credulous Colonel that she was in the same convent with his first wife； and；
though much younger； had received many tokens of her esteem and
regard。）
〃If； Mademoiselle；〃 said Mrs。 Beauchamp； 〃you were the friend of my
mother； you must be worthy the esteem of all good hearts。 〃
〃Mademoiselle will soon honour our family；〃 said Crayton； 〃by supplying
the place that valuable woman filled： and as you are married； my dear； I
think you will not blame〃
〃Hush； my dear Sir；〃 replied Mrs。 Beauchamp： 〃I know my duty too
well to scrutinize your conduct。 Be assured； my dear father； your
49
… Page 50…
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
happiness is mine。 I shall rejoice in it； and sincerely love the person who
contributes to it。 But tell me；〃 continued she； turning to Charlotte； 〃who is
this lovely girl？ Is she your sister； Mademoiselle？〃
A blush； deep as the glow of the carnation； suffused the cheeks of
Charlotte。
〃It is a young lady；〃 replied the Colonel； 〃who came in the same vessel
with us from England。' He then drew his daughter aside； and told her in a
whisper； Charlotte was the mistress of Montraville。
〃What a pity！〃 said Mrs。 Beauchamp softly； （casting a most
compassionate glance at her。） 〃But surely her mind is not depraved。 The
goodness of her heart is depicted in her ingenuous countenance。 〃
〃Charlotte caught the word pity。 〃And am I already fallen so low？〃
said she。 A sigh escaped her； and a tear was ready to start； but Montraville
appeared； and she checked the rising emotion。 Mademoiselle went with
the Colonel and his daughter to another apartment。 Charlotte remained
with Montraville and Belcour。 The next morning the Colonel performed
his promise； and La Rue became in due form Mrs。 Crayton； exulted in her
own go