Thegoodnessofherheartisdepictedinheringenuouscountenance。\"
\"Charlottecaughtthewordpity。\"AndamIalreadyfallensolow?\"
saidshe。Asighescapedher,andatearwasreadytostart,butMontravilleappeared,andshecheckedtherisingemotion。
MademoisellewentwiththeColonelandhisdaughtertoanotherapartment。CharlotteremainedwithMontravilleandBelcour。
ThenextmorningtheColonelperformedhispromise,andLaRuebecameindueformMrs。Crayton,exultedinherowngoodfortune,anddaredtolookwithaneyeofcontemptontheunfortunatebutfarlessguiltyCharlotte。
ENDOFTHEFIRSTVOLUME。
CHARLOTTETEMPLE,VOLUMEII
CHAPTERXVIII。
REFLECTIONS。
\"ANDamIindeedfallensolow,\"saidCharlotte,\"astobeonlypitied?
Willthevoiceofapprobationnomoremeetmyear?andshallIneveragainpossessafriend,whosefacewillwearasmileofjoywheneverIapproach?
Alas!howthoughtless,howdreadfullyimprudenthaveIbeen!
Iknownotwhichismostpainfultoendure,thesneerofcontempt,ortheglanceofcompassion,whichisdepictedinthevariouscountenancesofmyownsex:theyarebothequallyhumiliating。
Ah!mydearparents,couldyounowseethechildofyouraffections,thedaughterwhomyousodearlyloved,apoorsolitarybeing,withoutsociety,herewearingoutherheavyhoursindeepregretandanguishofheart,nokindfriendofherownsextowhomshecanunbosomhergriefs,nobelovedmother,nowomanofcharacterwillappearinmycompany,andlowasyourCharlotteisfallen,shecannotassociatewithinfamy。\"
ThesewerethepainfulreflectionswhichoccupiedthemindofCharlotte。
MontravillehadplacedherinasmallhouseafewmilesfromNew-York:hegaveheronefemaleattendant,andsuppliedherwithwhatmoneyshewanted;butbusinessandpleasuresoentirelyoccupiedhistime,thathehadlittletodevotetothewoman,whomhehadbroughtfromallherconnections,androbbedofinnocence。
Sometimes,indeed,hewouldstealoutatthecloseofevening,andpassafewhourswithher;andthensomuchwassheattachedtohim,thatallhersorrowswereforgottenwhileblestwithhissociety:
shewouldenjoyawalkbymoonlight,orsitbyhiminalittlearbouratthebottomofthegarden,andplayontheharp,accompanyingitwithherplaintive,harmoniousvoice。Butoften,veryoften,didhepromisetorenewhisvisits,and,forgetfulofhispromise,leavehertomournherdisappointment。Whatpainfulhoursofexpectationwouldshepass!Shewouldsitatawindowwhichlookedtowardafieldheusedtocross,countingtheminutes,andstraininghereyestocatchthefirstglimpseofhisperson,tillblindedwithtearsofdisappointment,shewouldleanherheadonherhands,andgivefreeventtohersorrows:thencatchingatsomenewhope,shewouldagainrenewherwatchfulposition,tilltheshadesofeveningenvelopedeveryobjectinaduskycloud:
shewouldthenrenewhercomplaints,and,withaheartburstingwithdisappointedloveandwoundedsensibility,retiretoabedwhichremorsehadstrewedwiththorns,andcourtinvainthatcomforterofwearynature(whoseldomvisitstheunhappy)
tocomeandsteephersensesinoblivion。
WhocanformanadequateideaofthesorrowthatpreyeduponthemindofCharlotte?Thewife,whosebreastglowswithaffectiontoherhusband,andwhoinreturnmeetsonlyindifference,canbutfaintlyconceiveheranguish。Dreadfullypainfulisthesituationofsuchawoman,butshehasmanycomfortsofwhichourpoorCharlottewasdeprived。
Theduteous,faithfulwife,thoughtreatedwithindifference,hasonesolidpleasurewithinherownbosom,shecanreflectthatshehasnotdeservedneglect——thatshehaseverfulfilledthedutiesofherstationwiththestrictestexactness;
shemayhope,byconstantassiduityandunremittedattention,torecallherwanderer,andbedoublyhappyinhisreturningaffection;
sheknowshecannotleavehertounitehimselftoanother:
hecannotcastherouttopovertyandcontempt;shelooksaroundher,andseesthesmileoffriendlywelcome,orthetearofaffectionateconsolation,onthefaceofeverypersonwhomshefavourswithheresteem;andfromallthesecircumstancesshegatherscomfort:
butthepoorgirlbythoughtlesspassionledastray,who,inpartingwithherhonour,hasforfeitedtheesteemoftheverymantowhomshehassacri-icedeverythingdearandvaluableinlife,feelshisindifferenceinthefruitofherownfolly,andlamentsherwantofpowertorecallhislostaffection;sheknowsthereisnotiebuthonour,andthat,inamanwhohasbeenguiltyofseduction,isbutveryfeeble:
hemayleaveherinamomenttoshameandwant;hemaymarryandforsakeherforever;andshouldhe,shehasnoredress,nofriendly,soothingcompaniontopourintoherwoundedmindthebalmofconsolation,nobenevolenthandtoleadherbacktothepathofrectitude;
shehasdisgracedherfriends,forfeitedthegoodopinionoftheworld,andundoneherself;shefeelsherselfapoorsolitarybeinginthemidstofsurroundingmultitudes;shamebowshertotheearth,remorsetearsherdistractedmind,andguilt,poverty,anddiseaseclosethedreadfulscene:shesinksunnoticedtooblivion。
Thefingerofcontemptmaypointouttosomepassingdaughterofyouthfulmirth,thehumblebedwhereliesthisfrailsisterofmortality;
andwillshe,intheunboundedgaietyofherheart,exultinherownunblemishedfame,andtriumphoverthesilentashesofthedead?
Ohno!hassheaheartofsensibility,shewillstop,andthusaddresstheunhappyvictimoffolly——
\"Thouhad’stthyfaults,butsurethysufferingshaveexpiatedthem:
thyerrorsbroughttheetoanearlygrave;butthouwertafellow-creature——
thouhastbeenunhappy——thenbethoseerrorsforgotten。\"
Then,asshestoopstopluckthenoxiousweedfromoffthesod,atearwillfall,andconsecratethespottoCharity。
Foreverhonouredbethesacreddropofhumanity;theangelofmercyshallrecorditssource,andthesoulfromwhenceitsprangshallbeimmortal。
MydearMadam,contractnotyourbrowintoafrownofdisapprobation。
Imeannottoextenuatethefaultsofthoseunhappywomenwhofallvictimstoguiltandfolly;butsurely,whenwereflecthowmanyerrorsweareourselvessubjectto,howmanysecretfaultsliehidintherecessesofourhearts,whichweshouldblushtohavebroughtintoopenday(andyetthosefaultsrequirethelenityandpityofabenevolentjudge,orawfulwouldbeourprospectoffuturity)
Isay,mydearMadam,whenweconsiderthis,wesurelymaypitythefaultsofothers。
Believeme,manyanunfortunatefemale,whohasoncestrayedintothethornypathsofvice,wouldgladlyreturntovirtue,wasanygenerousfriendtoendeavourtoraiseandre-assureher;
butalas!itcannotbe,yousay;theworldwouldderideandscoff。
Thenletmetellyou,Madam,’tisaveryunfeelingworld,anddoesnotdeservehalftheblessingswhichabountifulProvidenceshowersuponit。
Oh,thoubenevolentgiverofallgood!howshallweerringmortalsdaretolookuptothymercyinthegreatdayofretribution,ifwenowuncharitablyrefusetooverlooktheerrors,oralleviatethemiseries,ofourfellow-creatures。
CHAPTERXIX。
AMISTAKEDISCOVERED。
JULIAFranklinwastheonlychildofamanoflargeproperty,who,attheageofeighteen,leftherindependentmistressofanunincumberedincomeofsevenhundredayear;shewasagirlofalivelydisposition,andhumane,susceptibleheart:
sheresidedinNew-Yorkwithanuncle,wholovedhertoowell,andhadtoohighanopinionofherprudence,toscrutinizeheractionssomuchaswouldhavebeennecessarywithmanyyoungladies,whowerenotblestwithherdiscretion:shewas,atthetimeMontravillearrivedatNew-York,thelifeofsociety,andtheuniversaltoast。
Montravillewasintroducedtoherbythefollowingaccident。
Onenightwhenhewasuponguard,adreadfulfirebrokeoutnearMr。Franklin’shouse,which,inafewhours,reducedthatandseveralotherstoashes;fortunatelynoliveswerelost,and,bytheassiduityofthesoldiers,muchvaluablepropertywassavedfromtheflames。
InthemidstoftheconfusionanoldgentlemancameuptoMontraville,and,puttingasmallboxintohishands,cried——\"Keepit,mygoodSir,tillIcometoyouagain;\"andthenrushingagainintothethickestofthecroud,Montravillesawhimnomore。
Hewaitedtillthefirewasquiteextinguishedandthemobdispersed;
butinvain:theoldgentlemandidnotappeartoclaimhisproperty;
andMontraville,fearingtomakeanyenquiry,lestheshouldmeetwithimpostorswhomightlayclaim,withoutanylegalright,tothebox,carriedittohislodgings,andlockeditup:
henaturallyimagined,thatthepersonwhocommittedittohiscareknewhim,andwould,inadayortwo,reclaimit;butseveralweekspassedon,andnoenquirybeingmade,hebegantobeuneasy,andresolvedtoexaminethecontentsofthebox,andiftheywere,ashesupposed,valuable,tosparenopainstodiscover,andrestorethemtotheowner。Uponopeningit,hefounditcontainedjewelstoalargeamount,abouttwohundredpoundsinmoney,andaminiaturepicturesetforabracelet。Onexaminingthepicture,hethoughthehadsomewhereseenfeaturesverylikeit,butcouldnotrecollectwhere。Afewdaysafter,beingatapublicassembly,hesawMissFranklin,andthelikenesswastooevidenttobemistaken:
heenquiredamonghisbrotherofficersifanyofthemknewher,andfoundonewhowasupontermsofintimacyinthefamily:
\"thenintroducemetoherimmediately,\"saidhe,\"forIamcertainI
caninformherofsomethingwhichwillgiveherpeculiarpleasure。\"
Hewasimmediatelyintroduced,foundshewastheownerofthejewels,andwasinvitedtobreakfastthenextmorninginordertotheirrestoration。
ThiswholeeveningMontravillewashonouredwithJulia’shand;
thelivelysalliesofherwit,theeleganceofhermanner,powerfullycharmedhim:heforgotCharlotte,andindulgedhimselfinsayingeverythingthatwaspoliteandtendertoJulia。
Butonretiring,recollectionreturned。\"WhatamIabout?\"saidhe:
\"thoughIcannotmarryCharlotte,Icannotbevillainenoughtoforsakeher,normustIdaretotriflewiththeheartofJuliaFranklin。
Iwillreturnthisbox,\"saidhe,\"whichhasbeenthesourceofsomuchuneasinessalready,andintheeveningpayavisittomypoormelancholyCharlotte,andendeavourtoforgetthisfascinatingJulia。\"
Hearose,dressedhimself,andtakingthepictureout,\"Iwillreservethisfromtherest,\"saidhe,\"andbypresentingittoherwhenshethinksitislost,enhancethevalueoftheobligation。\"HerepairedtoMr。Franklin’s,andfoundJuliainthebreakfastparlouralone。
\"HowhappyamI,Madam,\"saidhe,\"thatbeingthefortunateinstrumentofsavingthesejewelshasbeenthemeansofprocuringmetheacquaintanceofsoamiablealady。Therearethejewelsandmoneyallsafe。\"
\"Butwhereisthepicture,Sir?\"saidJulia。
\"Here,Madam。Iwouldnotwillinglypartwithit。\"
\"Itistheportraitofmymother,\"saidshe,takingitfromhim:
\"’tisallthatremains。\"Shepressedittoherlips,andateartrembledinhereyes。Montravilleglancedhiseyeonhergreynightgownandblackribbon,andhisownfeelingspreventedareply。
JuliaFranklinwastheveryreverseofCharlotteTemple:
shewastall,elegantlyshaped,andpossessedmuchoftheairandmannerofawomanoffashion;hercomplexionwasaclearbrown,enlivenedwiththeglowofhealth,hereyes,full,black,andsparkling,dartedtheirintelligentglancesthroughlongsilkenlashes;
herhairwasshiningbrown,andherfeaturesregularandstriking;
therewasanairofinnocentgaietythatplayedabouthercountenance,wheregoodhumoursattriumphant。
\"Ihavebeenmistaken,\"saidMontraville。\"IimaginedIlovedCharlotte:
butalas!Iamnowtoolateconvincedmyattachmenttoherwasmerelytheimpulseofthemoment。IfearIhavenotonlyentailedlastingmiseryonthatpoorgirl,butalsothrownabarrierinthewayofmyownhappiness,whichitwillbeimpossibletosurmount。
IfeelIloveJuliaFranklinwithardourandsincerity;
yet,wheninherpresence,Iamsensibleofmyowninabilitytoofferaheartworthyheracceptance,andremainsilent。\"
Fullofthesepainfulthoughts,MontravillewalkedouttoseeCharlotte:
shesawhimapproach,andranouttomeethim:shebanishedfromhercountenancetheairofdiscontentwhicheverappearedwhenhewasabsent,andmethimwithasmileofjoy。
\"Ithoughtyouhadforgotme,Montraville,\"saidshe,\"andwasveryunhappy。\"
\"Ishallneverforgetyou,Charlotte,\"hereplied,pressingherhand。
Theuncommongravityofhiscountenance,andthebrevityofhisreply,alarmedher。
\"Youarenotwell,\"saidshe;\"yourhandishot;youreyesareheavy;
youareveryill。\"
\"Iamavillain,\"saidhementally,asheturnedfromhertohidehisemotions。
\"Butcome,\"continuedshetenderly,\"youshallgotobed,andIwillsitby,andwatchyou;youwillbebetterwhenyouhaveslept。\"
Montravillewasgladtoretire,andbypretendingsleep,hidetheagitationofhismindfromherpenetratingeye。
Charlottewatchedbyhimtillalatehour,andthen,lyingsoftlydownbyhisside,sunkintoaprofoundsleep,fromwhencesheawokenottilllatethenextmorning。
CHAPTERXX。
Virtueneverappearssoamiableaswhenreachingforthherhandtoraiseafallensister。
CHAPTEROFACCIDENTS。
WHENCharlotteawoke,shemissedMontraville;butthinkinghemighthavearisenearlytoenjoythebeautiesofthemorning,shewaspreparingtofollowhim,whencastinghereyeonthetable,shesawanote,andopeningithastily,foundthesewords——
\"MydearCharlottemustnotbesurprised,ifshedoesnotseemeagainforsometime:unavoidablebusinesswillpreventmethatpleasure:
beassuredIamquitewellthismorning;andwhatyourfondimaginationmagnifiedintoillness,wasnothingmorethanfatigue,whichafewhoursresthasentirelyremoved。Makeyourselfhappy,andbecertainoftheunalterablefriendshipof\"MONTRAVILLE。\"
\"FRIENDSHIP!\"saidCharlotteemphatically,asshefinishedthenote,\"isitcometothisatlast?Alas!poor,forsakenCharlotte,thydoomisnowbuttooapparent。Montravilleisnolongerinterestedinthyhappiness;andshame,remorse,anddisappointedlovewillhenceforthbethyonlyattendants。\"
ThoughtheseweretheideasthatinvoluntarilyrusheduponthemindofCharlotteassheperusedthefatalnote,yetafterafewhourshadelapsed,thesyrenHopeagaintookpossessionofherbosom,andsheflatteredherselfshecould,onasecondperusal,discoveranairoftendernessinthefewlineshehadleft,whichatfirsthadescapedhernotice。
\"Hecertainlycannotbesobaseastoleaveme,\"saidshe,\"andinstilinghimselfmyfrienddoeshenotpromisetoprotectme。
Iwillnottormentmyselfwiththesecauselessfears;Iwillplaceaconfidenceinhishonour;andsurehewillnotbesounjustastoabuseit。\"
Justasshehadbythismannerofreasoningbroughthermindtosometolerabledegreeofcomposure,shewassurprisedbyavisitfromBelcour。
ThedejectionvisibleinCharlotte’scountenance,herswolneyesandneglectedattire,atoncetoldhimshewasunhappy:hemadenodoubtbutMontravillehad,byhiscoldness,alarmedhersuspicions,andwasresolved,ifpossible,torousehertojealousy,urgehertoreproachhim,andbythatmeansoccasionabreachbetweenthem。
\"IfIcanonceconvinceherthatshehasarival,\"saidhe,\"shewilllistentomypassionifitisonlytorevengehisslights。\"
Belcourknewbutlittleofthefemaleheart;andwhathedidknowwasonlyofthoseoflooseanddissolutelives。
Hehadnoideathatawomanmightfallavictimtoimprudence,andyetretainsostrongasenseofhonour,astorejectwithhorrorandcontempteverysolicitationtoasecondfault。
Heneverimaginedthatagentle,generousfemaleheart,oncetenderlyattached,whentreatedwithunkindnessmightbreak,butwouldneverharbourathoughtofrevenge。
Hisvisitwasnotlong,butbeforehewenthefixedascorpionintheheartofCharlotte,whosevenomembitteredeveryfuturehourofherlife。
WewillnowreturnforamomenttoColonelCrayton。Hehadbeenthreemonthsmarried,andinthatlittletimehaddiscoveredthattheconductofhisladywasnotsoprudentasitoughttohavebeen:
butremonstrancewasvain;hertemperwasviolent;andtotheColonel’sgreatmisfortunehehadconceivedasincereaffectionforher:
shesawherownpower,and,withtheartofaCirce,madeeveryactionappeartohiminwhatlightshepleased:hisacquaintancelaughedathisblindness,hisfriendspitiedhisinfatuation,hisamiabledaughter,Mrs。Beauchamp,insecretdeploredthelossofherfather’saffection,andgrievedthatheshouldbesoentirelyswayedbyanartful,and,shemuchfeared,infamouswoman。
Mrs。Beauchampwasmildandengaging;shelovednotthehurryandbustleofacity,andhadprevailedonherhusbandtotakeahouseafewmilesfromNew-York。ChanceledherintothesameneighbourhoodwithCharlotte;theirhousesstoodwithinashortspaceofeachother,andtheirgardensjoined:shehadnotbeenlonginhernewhabitationbeforethefigureofCharlottestruckher;
sherecollectedherinterestingfeatures;shesawthemelancholysoconspicuousinhercountenance,andherheartbledatthereflection,thatperhapsdeprivedofhonour,friends,allthatwasvaluableinlife,shewasdoomedtolingeroutawretchedexistenceinastrangeland,andsinkbroken-heartedintoanuntimelygrave。
\"WouldtoheavenIcouldsnatchherfromsohardafate,\"saidshe;
\"butthemercilessworldhasbarredthedoorsofcompassionagainstapoorweakgirl,who,perhaps,hadsheonekindfriendtoraiseandreassureher,wouldgladlyreturntopeaceandvirtue;
nay,eventhewomanwhodarestopity,andendeavourtorecallawanderingsister,incursthesneerofcontemptandridicule,foranactioninwhichevenangelsaresaidtorejoice。\"
ThelongerMrs。BeauchampwasawitnesstothesolitarylifeCharlotteled,themoreshewishedtospeaktoher,andoftenasshesawhercheekswetwiththetearsofanguish,shewouldsay——\"Dearsufferer,howgladlywouldIpourintoyourheartthebalmofconsolation,wereitnotforthefearofderision。\"
Butanaccidentsoonhappenedwhichmadeherresolvetobraveeventhescoffsoftheworld,ratherthannotenjoytheheavenlysatisfactionofcomfortingadespondingfellow-creature。
Mrs。Beauchampwasanearlyriser。Shewasonemorningwalkinginthegarden,leaningonherhusband’sarm,whenthesoundofaharpattractedtheirnotice:theylistenedattentively,andheardasoftmelodiousvoicedistinctlysingthefollowingstanzas:
Thougloriousorb,supremelybright,Justrisingfromthesea,Tochearallnaturewiththylight,Whatarethybeamstome?
Invainthygloriesbidmerise,Tohailthenew-bornday,Alas!mymorningsacrificeIsstilltoweepandpray。
Forwhatarenature’scharmscombin’d,Toone,whosewearybreastCanneitherpeacenorcomfortfind,Norfriendwhereontorest?
Oh!never!never!whilstIliveCanmyheart’sanguishcease:
Come,friendlydeath,thymandategive,Andletmebeatpeace。
\"’TispoorCharlotte!\"saidMrs。Beauchamp,thepelluciddropofhumanitystealingdownhercheek。
CaptainBeauchampwasalarmedatheremotion。\"WhatCharlotte?\"
saidhe;\"doyouknowher?\"
IntheaccentofapityingangeldidshedisclosetoherhusbandCharlotte’sunhappysituation,andthefrequentwishshehadformedofbeingserviceabletoher。\"Ifear,\"continuedshe,\"thepoorgirlhasbeenbaselybetrayed;andifIthoughtyouwouldnotblameme,Iwouldpayheravisit,offerhermyfriendship,andendeavourtorestoretoherheartthatpeacesheseemstohavelost,andsopatheticallylaments。Whoknows,mydear,\"layingherhandaffectionatelyonhisarm,\"whoknowsbutshehasleftsomekind,affectionateparentstolamenthererrors,andwouldshereturn,theymightwithrapturereceivethepoorpenitent,andwashawayherfaultsintearsofjoy。Oh!whatagloriousreflexionwoulditbeformecouldIbethehappyinstrumentofrestoringher。
Herheartmaynotbedepraved,Beauchamp。\"
\"Exaltedwoman!\"criedBeauchamp,embracingher,\"howdostthouriseeverymomentinmyesteem。Followtheimpulseofthygenerousheart,myEmily。Letprudesandfoolscensureiftheydare,andblameasensibilitytheyneverfelt;Iwillexultinglytellthemthattheheartthatistrulyvirtuousiseverinclinedtopityandforgivetheerrorsofitsfellow-creatures。\"
AbeamofexultingjoyplayedroundtheanimatedcountenanceofMrs。Beauchamp,attheseencomiumsbestowedonherbyabelovedhusband,themostdelightfulsensationspervadedherheart,and,havingbreakfasted,shepreparedtovisitCharlotte。
CHAPTERXXI。
Teachmetofeelanother’swoe,TohidethefaultIsee,ThatmercyItoothersshow,Thatmercyshowtome。POPE。
WHENMrs。Beauchampwasdressed,shebegantofeelembarrassedatthethoughtofbeginninganacquaintancewithCharlotte,andwasdistressedhowtomakethefirstvisit。\"Icannotgowithoutsomeintroduction,\"
saidshe,\"itwilllooksolikeimpertinentcuriosity。\"
Atlengthrecollectingherself,shesteppedintothegarden,andgatheringafewfinecucumbers,tooktheminherhandbywayofapologyforhervisit。
AglowofconsciousshamevermillionedCharlotte’sfaceasMrs。Beauchampentered。
\"Youwillpardonme,Madam,\"saidshe,\"fornothavingbeforepaidmyrespectstosoamiableaneighbour;butweEnglishpeoplealwayskeepupthatreservewhichisthecharacteristicofournationwhereverwego。
Ihavetakenthelibertytobringyouafewcucumbers,forIobservedyouhadnoneinyourgarden。\"
Charlotte,thoughnaturallypoliteandwell-bred,wassoconfusedshecouldhardlyspeak。Herkindvisitorendeavouredtorelieveherbynotnoticingherembarrassment。\"Iamcome,Madam,\"
continuedshe,\"torequestyouwillspendthedaywithme。
Ishallbealone;and,aswearebothstrangersinthiscountry,wemayhereafterbeextremelyhappyineachother’sfriendship。\"
\"Yourfriendship,Madam,\"saidCharlotteblushing,\"isanhonourtoallwhoarefavouredwithit。LittleasIhaveseenofthispartoftheworld,IamnostrangertoMrs。Beauchamp’sgoodnessofheartandknownhumanity:butmyfriendship——\"Shepaused,glancedhereyeuponherownvisiblesituation,and,spiteofherendeavourstosuppressthem,burstintotears。
Mrs。Beauchampguessedthesourcefromwhencethosetearsflowed。
\"Youseemunhappy,Madam,\"saidshe:\"shallIbethoughtworthyyourconfidence?willyouentrustmewiththecauseofyoursorrow,andrestonmyassurancestoexertmyutmostpowertoserveyou。\"
Charlottereturnedalookofgratitude,butcouldnotspeak,andMrs。Beauchampcontinued——\"MyheartwasinterestedinyourbehalfthefirstmomentIsawyou,andIonlylamentIhadnotmadeearlieroverturestowardsanacquaintance;butIflattermyselfyouwillhenceforthconsidermeasyourfriend。\"
\"OhMadam!\"criedCharlotte,\"Ihaveforfeitedthegoodopinionofallmyfriends;Ihaveforsakenthem,andundonemyself。\"
\"Come,come,mydear,\"saidMrs。Beauchamp,\"youmustnotindulgethesegloomythoughts:youarenotIhopesomiserableasyouimagineyourself:
endeavourtobecomposed,andletmebefavouredwithyourcompanyatdinner,when,ifyoucanbringyourselftothinkmeyourfriend,andreposeaconfidenceinme,Iamreadytoconvinceyouitshallnotbeabused。\"Shethenarose,andbadehergoodmorning。
AtthedininghourCharlotterepairedtoMrs。Beauchamp’s,andduringdinnerassumedascomposedanaspectaspossible;
butwhentheclothwasremoved,shesummonedallherresolutionanddeterminedtomakeMrs。Beauchampacquaintedwitheverycircumstanceprecedingherunfortunateelopement,andtheearnestdesireshehadtoquitawayoflifesorepugnanttoherfeelings。
WiththebenignantaspectofanangelofmercydidMrs。Beauchamplistentotheartlesstale:shewasshockedtothesoultofindhowlargeashareLaRuehadintheseductionofthisamiablegirl,andatearfell,whenshereflectedsovileawomanwasnowthewifeofherfather。
WhenCharlottehadfinished,shegaveheralittletimetocollectherscatteredspirits,andthenaskedherifshehadneverwrittentoherfriends。
\"Ohyes,Madam,\"saidshe,\"frequently:butIhavebroketheirhearts:
theyareeitherdeadorhavecastmeoffforever,forIhaveneverreceivedasinglelinefromthem。\"
\"Irathersuspect,\"saidMrs。Beauchamp,\"theyhaveneverhadyourletters:butsupposeyouweretohearfromthem,andtheywerewillingtoreceiveyou,wouldyouthenleavethiscruelMontraville,andreturntothem?\"
\"WouldI!\"saidCharlotte,claspingherhands;\"wouldnotthepoorsailor,tostonatempestuousocean,threatenedeverymomentwithdeath,gladlyreturntotheshorehehadlefttotrusttoitsdeceitfulcalmness?Oh,mydearMadam,Iwouldreturn,thoughtodoitIwereobligedtowalkbarefootoveraburningdesart,andbegascantypittanceofeachtravellertosupportmyexistence。
Iwouldendureitallchearfully,couldIbutoncemoreseemydear,blessedmother,hearherpronouncemypardon,andblessmebeforeIdied;
butalas!Ishallneverseehermore;shehasblottedtheungratefulCharlottefromherremembrance,andIshallsinktothegraveloadedwithher’sandmyfather’scurse。\"
Mrs。Beauchampendeavouredtosoothher。\"Youshallwritetothemagain,\"
saidshe,\"andIwillseethattheletterissentbythefirstpacketthatsailsforEngland;inthemeantimekeepupyourspirits,andhopeeverything,bydaringtodeserveit。\"
Shethenturnedtheconversation,andCharlottehavingtakenacupoftea,wishedherbenevolentfriendagoodevening。
CHAPTERXXII。
SORROWSOFTHEHEART。
WHENCharlottegothomesheendeavouredtocollectherthoughts,andtookupapeninordertoaddressthosedearparents,whom,spiteofhererrors,shestilllovedwiththeutmosttenderness,butvainwaseveryefforttowritewiththeleastcoherence;
hertearsfellsofasttheyalmostblindedher;andassheproceededtodescribeherunhappysituation,shebecamesoagitatedthatshewasobligedtogiveovertheattemptandretiretobed,where,overcomewiththefatiguehermindhadundergone,shefellintoaslumberwhichgreatlyrefreshedher,andshearoseinthemorningwithspiritsmoreadequatetothepainfultaskshehadtoperform,and,afterseveralattempts,atlengthconcludedthefollowinglettertohermother——
TOMRS。TEMPLE。
NEW-YORK。
\"Willmyoncekind,myeverbelovedmother,deigntoreceivealetterfromherguilty,butrepentantchild?orhasshe,justlyincensedatmyingratitude,driventheunhappyCharlottefromherremembrance?
Alas!thoumuchinjuredmother!shouldstthouevendisownme,Idarenotcomplain,becauseIknowIhavedeservedit:butyet,believeme,guiltyasIam,andcruellyasIhavedisappointedthehopesofthefondestparents,thatevergirlhad,eveninthemomentwhen,forgetfulofmyduty,Ifledfromyouandhappiness,eventhenIlovedyoumost,andmyheartbledatthethoughtofwhatyouwouldsuffer。
Oh!never,never!whilstIhaveexistence,willtheagonyofthatmomentbeerasedfrommymemory。Itseemedliketheseparationofsoulandbody。
WhatcanIpleadinexcuseformyconduct?alas!nothing!
ThatIlovedmyseducerisbuttootrue!yetpowerfulasthatpassioniswhenoperatinginayoungheartglowingwithsensibility,itneverwouldhaveconqueredmyaffectiontoyou,mybelovedparents,hadInotbeenencouraged,nay,urgedtotakethefatallyimprudentstep,byoneofmyownsex,who,underthemaskoffriendship,drewmeontoruin。YetthinknotyourCharlottewassolostastovoluntarilyrushintoalifeofinfamy;no,mydearmother,deceivedbythespeciousappearanceofmybetrayer,andeverysuspicionlulledasleepbythemostsolemnpromisesofmarriage,Ithoughtnotthosepromiseswouldsoeasilybeforgotten。
Ineveroncereflectedthatthemanwhocouldstooptoseduction,wouldnothesitatetoforsakethewretchedobjectofhispassion,wheneverhiscapriciousheartgrewwearyofhertenderness。
Whenwearrivedatthisplace,Ivainlyexpectedhimtofulfilhisengagements,butwasatlastfatallyconvincedhehadneverintendedtomakemehiswife,orifhehadoncethoughtofit,hismindwasnowaltered。IscornedtoclaimfromhishumanitywhatI
couldnotobtainfromhislove:Iwasconsciousofhavingforfeitedtheonlygemthatcouldrendermerespectableintheeyeoftheworld。
Ilockedmysorrowsinmyownbosom,andboremyinjuriesinsilence。
ButhowshallIproceed?Thisman,thiscruelMontraville,forwhomIsacrificedhonour,happiness,andtheloveofmyfriends,nolongerlooksonmewithaffection,butscornsthecredulousgirlwhomhisarthasmademiserable。Couldyouseeme,mydearparents,withoutsociety,withoutfriends,stungwithremorse,and(IfeeltheburningblushofshamediemycheekswhileIwriteit)
torturedwiththepangsofdisappointedlove;cuttothesoulbytheindifferenceofhim,who,havingdeprivedmeofeveryothercomfort,nolongerthinksitworthhiswhiletosooththeheartwherehehasplantedthethornofnever-ceasingregret。
Mydailyemploymentistothinkofyouandweep,toprayforyourhappinessanddeploremyownfolly:mynightsarescarcemorehappy,forifbychanceIclosemywearyeyes,andhopesomesmallforgetfulnessofsorrow,somelittletimetopassinsweetoblivion,fancy,stillwaking,waftsmehometoyou:Iseeyourbelovedforms,Ikneelandheartheblessedwordsofpeaceandpardon。
Extaticjoypervadesmysoul;Ireachmyarmstocatchyourdearembraces;
themotionchasestheillusivedream;Iwaketorealmisery。
AtothertimesIseemyfatherangryandfrowning,pointtohorridcaves,where,onthecolddampground,intheagoniesofdeath,Iseemydearmotherandmyreveredgrand-father。Istrivetoraiseyou;
youpushmefromyou,andshriekingcry——\"Charlotte,thouhastmurderedme!\"Horroranddespairteareverytorturednerve;
Istart,andleavemyrestlessbed,wearyandunrefreshed。
\"Shockingasthesereflexionsare,Ihaveyetonemoredreadfulthantherest。Mother,mydearmother!donotletmequitebreakyourheartwhenItellyou,inafewmonthsI
shallbringintotheworldaninnocentwitnessofmyguilt。
Ohmybleedingheart,Ishallbringapoorlittlehelplesscreature,heirtoinfamyandshame。
\"Thisalonehasurgedmeoncemoretoaddressyou,tointerestyouinbehalfofthispoorunborn,andbegyoutoextendyourprotectiontothechildofyourlostCharlotte;formyownpartI
havewrotesooften,sofrequentlyhavepleadedforforgiveness,andentreatedtobereceivedoncemorebeneaththepaternalroof,thathavingreceivednoanswer,notevenoneline,Imuchfearyouhavecastmefromyouforever。
\"Butsureyoucannotrefusetoprotectmyinnocentinfant:
itpartakesnotofitsmother’sguilt。Ohmyfather,ohbelovedmother,nowdoIfeeltheanguishIinflictedonyourheartsrecoilingwithdoubleforceuponmyown。
\"Ifmychildshouldbeagirl(whichheavenforbid)tellhertheunhappyfateofhermother,andteachhertoavoidmyerrors;
ifaboy,teachhimtolamentmymiseries,buttellhimnotwhoinflictedthem,lestinwishingtorevengehismother’sinjuries,heshouldwoundthepeaceofhisfather。
\"Andnow,dearfriendsofmysoul,kindguardiansofmyinfancy,farewell。
IfeelInevermoremusthopetoseeyou;theanguishofmyheartstrikesatthestringsoflife,andinashorttimeIshallbeatrest。
OhcouldIbutreceiveyourblessingandforgivenessbeforeIdied,itwouldsmoothmypassagetothepeacefulgrave,andbeablessedforetasteofahappyeternity。Ibeseechyou,cursemenot,myadoredparents,butletatearofpityandpardonfalltothememoryofyourlostCHARLOTTE。
CHAPTERXXIII。
AMANMAYSMILE,ANDSMILE,ANDBEAVILLAIN。
WHILECharlottewasenjoyingsomesmalldegreeofcomfortintheconsolingfriendshipofMrs。Beauchamp,MontravillewasadvancingrapidlyinhisaffectiontowardsMissFranklin。
Juliawasanamiablegirl;shesawonlythefairsideofhischaracter;
shepossessedanindependentfortune,andresolvedtobehappywiththemanofherheart,thoughhisrankandfortunewerebynomeanssoexaltedasshehadarighttoexpect;shesawthepassionwhichMontravillestruggledtoconceal;shewonderedathistimidity,butimaginedthedistancefortunehadplacedbetweenthemoccasionedhisbackwardness,andmadeeveryadvancewhichstrictprudenceandabecomingmodestywouldpermit。Montravillesawwithpleasurehewasnotindifferenttoher,butasparkofhonourwhichanimatedhisbosomwouldnotsufferhimtotakeadvantageofherpartiality。
HewaswellacquaintedwithCharlotte’ssituation,andhethoughttherewouldbeadoublecrueltyinforsakingheratsuchatime;
andtomarryMissFranklin,whilehonour,humanity,everysacredlaw,obligedhimstilltoprotectandsupportCharlotte,wasabasenesswhichhissoulshudderedat。
HecommunicatedhisuneasinesstoBelcour:itwastheverythingthispretendedfriendhadwished。\"Anddoyoureally,\"
saidhe,laughing,\"hesitateatmarryingthelovelyJulia,andbecomingmasterofherfortune,becausealittlefoolish,fondgirlchosetoleaveherfriends,andrunawaywithyoutoAmerica。
DearMontraville,actmorelikeamanofsense;thiswhining,piningCharlotte,whooccasionsyousomuchuneasiness,wouldhaveelopedwithsomebodyelseifshehadnotwithyou。\"
\"Wouldtoheaven,\"saidMontraville,\"Ihadneverseenher;
myregardforherwasbutthemomentarypassionofdesire,butI
feelIshallloveandrevereJuliaFranklinaslongasIlive;
yettoleavepoorCharlotteinherpresentsituationwouldbecruelbeyonddescription。\"
\"Ohmygoodsentimentalfriend,\"saidBelcour,\"doyouimaginenobodyhasarighttoprovideforthebratbutyourself。\"
Montravillestarted。\"Sure,\"saidhe,\"youcannotmeantoinsinuatethatCharlotteisfalse。\"
\"Idon’tinsinuateit,\"saidBelcour,\"Iknowit。\"
Montravilleturnedpaleasashes。\"Thenthereisnofaithinwoman,\"saidhe。
\"WhileIthoughtyouattachedtoher,\"saidBelcourwithanairofindifference,\"Ineverwishedtomakeyouuneasybymentioningherperfidy,butasIknowyouloveandarebelovedbyMissFranklin,Iwasdeterminednottoletthesefoolishscruplesofhonourstepbetweenyouandhappiness,oryourtendernessforthepeaceofaperfidiousgirlpreventyourunitingyourselftoawomanofhonour。\"
\"Goodheavens!\"saidMontraville,\"whatpoignantreflectionsdoesamanendurewhoseesalovelywomanplungedininfamy,andisconscioushewasherfirstseducer;butareyoucertainofwhatyousay,Belcour?\"
\"Sofar,\"repliedhe,\"thatImyselfhavereceivedadvancesfromherwhichIwouldnottakeadvantageofoutofregardtoyou:
buthangit,thinknomoreabouther。IdinedatFranklin’sto-day,andJuliabidmeseekandbringyoutotea:socomealong,mylad,makegooduseofopportunity,andseizethegiftsoffortunewhiletheyarewithinyourreach。\"MontravillewastoomuchagitatedtopassahappyeveningeveninthecompanyofJuliaFranklin:
hedeterminedtovisitCharlotteearlythenextmorning,taxherwithherfalsehood,andtakeaneverlastingleaveofher;
butwhenthemorningcame,hewascommandedonduty,andforsixweekswaspreventedfromputtinghisdesigninexecution。Atlengthhefoundanhourtospare,andwalkedouttospenditwithCharlotte:
itwasnearfouro’clockintheafternoonwhenhearrivedathercottage;
shewasnotintheparlour,andwithoutcallingtheservanthewalkedupstairs,thinkingtofindherinherbedroom。
Heopenedthedoor,andthefirstobjectthatmethiseyeswasCharlotteasleeponthebed,andBelcourbyherside。
\"Deathanddistraction,\"saidhe,stamping,\"thisistoomuch。
Rise,villain,anddefendyourself。\"Belcoursprangfromthebed。
ThenoiseawokeCharlotte;terrifiedatthefuriousappearanceofMontraville,andseeingBelcourwithhiminthechamber,shecaughtholdofhisarmashestoodbythebed-side,andeagerlyaskedwhatwasthematter。
\"Treacherous,infamousgirl,\"saidhe,\"canyouask?Howcamehehere?\"
pointingtoBelcour。
\"Asheavenismywitness,\"repliedsheweeping,’Idonotknow。
Ihavenotseenhimforthesethreeweeks。\"
\"Thenyouconfesshesometimesvisitsyou?\"
\"Hecamesometimesbyyourdesire。\"
\"’Tisfalse;Ineverdesiredhimtocome,andyouknowIdidnot:
butmarkme,Charlotte,fromthisinstantourconnexionisatanend。
LetBelcour,oranyotherofyourfavouredlovers,takeyouandprovideforyou;Ihavedonewithyouforever。\"
Hewasthengoingtoleaveher;butstartingwildlyfromthebed,shethrewherselfonherkneesbeforehim,protestingherinnocenceandentreatinghimnottoleaveher。\"OhMontraville,\"saidshe,\"killme,forpity’ssakekillme,butdonotdoubtmyfidelity。
Donotleavemeinthishorridsituation;forthesakeofyourunbornchild,oh!spurnnotthewretchedmotherfromyou。\"
\"Charlotte,\"saidhe,withafirmvoice,\"Ishalltakecarethatneitheryounoryourchildwantanythingintheapproachingpainfulhour;
butwemeetnomore。\"Hethenendeavouredtoraiseherfromtheground;
butinvain;sheclungabouthisknees,entreatinghimtobelieveherinnocent,andconjuringBelcourtoclearupthedreadfulmystery。
BelcourcastonMontravilleasmileofcontempt:itirritatedhimalmosttomadness;hebrokefromthefeeblearmsofthedistressedgirl;
sheshriekedandfellprostrateonthefloor。
Montravilleinstantlyleftthehouseandreturnedhastilytothecity。
CHAPTERXXIV。
MYSTERYDEVELOPED。
UNFORTUNATELYforCharlotte,aboutthreeweeksbeforethisunhappyrencontre,CaptainBeauchamp,beingorderedtoRhode-Island,hisladyhadaccompaniedhim,sothatCharlottewasdeprivedofherfriendlyadviceandconsolingsociety。TheafternoononwhichMontravillehadvisitedhershehadfoundherselflanguidandfatigued,andaftermakingaveryslightdinnerhadlaindowntoendeavourtorecruitherexhaustedspirits,and,contrarytoherexpectations,hadfallenasleep。Shehadnotlongbeenlaindown,whenBelcourarrived,forhetookeveryopportunityofvisitingher,andstrivingtoawakenherresentmentagainstMontraville。
Heenquiredoftheservantwherehermistresswas,andbeingtoldshewasasleep,tookupabooktoamusehimself:
havingsatafewminutes,hebychancecasthiseyestowardstheroad,andsawMontravilleapproaching;heinstantlyconceivedthediabolicalschemeofruiningtheunhappyCharlotteinhisopinionforever;
hethereforestolesoftlyupstairs,andlayinghimselfbyhersidewiththegreatestprecaution,forfearsheshouldawake,wasinthatsituationdiscoveredbyhiscredulousfriend。
WhenMontravillespurnedtheweepingCharlottefromhim,andleftheralmostdistractedwithterroranddespair,Belcourraisedherfromthefloor,andleadingherdownstairs,assumedthepartofatender,consolingfriend;shelistenedtotheargumentsheadvancedwithapparentcomposure;butthiswasonlythecalmofamoment:
theremembranceofMontraville’srecentcrueltyagainrusheduponhermind:shepushedhimfromherwithsomeviolence,andcrying——\"Leaveme,Sir,Ibeseechyouleaveme,formuchIfearyouhavebeenthecauseofmyfidelitybeingsuspected;go,leavemetotheaccumulatedmiseriesmyownimprudencehasbroughtuponme。\"
Shethenlefthimwithprecipitation,andretiringtoherownapartment,threwherselfonthebed,andgaveventtoanagonyofgriefwhichitisimpossibletodescribe。
ItnowoccurredtoBelcourthatshemightpossiblywritetoMontraville,andendeavourtoconvincehimofherinnocence:hewaswellawareofherpatheticremonstrances,and,sensibleofthetendernessofMontraville’sheart,resolvedtopreventanyletterseverreachinghim:
hethereforecalledtheservant,and,bythepowerfulpersuasionofabribe,prevailedwithhertopromisewhateverlettershermistressmightwriteshouldbesenttohim。Hethenleftapolite,tendernoteforCharlotte,andreturnedtoNew-York。HisfirstbusinesswastoseekMontraville,andendeavourtoconvincehimthatwhathadhappenedwouldultimatelytendtohishappiness:
hefoundhiminhisapartment,solitary,pensive,andwrappedindisagreeablereflexions。
\"Whyhownow,whining,pininglover?\"saidhe,clappinghimontheshoulder。Montravillestarted;amomentaryflushofresentmentcrossedhischeek,butinstantlygaveplacetoadeath-likepaleness,occasionedbypainfulremembranceremembranceawakenedbythatmonitor,whom,thoughwemayinvainendeavour,wecanneverentirelysilence。
\"Belcour,\"saidhe,\"youhaveinjuredmeinatenderpoint。\"
\"Prithee,Jack,\"repliedBelcour,\"donotmakeaseriousmatterofit:
howcouldIrefusethegirl’sadvances?andthankheavensheisnotyourwife。\"
\"True,\"saidMontraville;\"butshewasinnocentwhenIfirstknewher。
ItwasIseducedher,Belcour。Haditnotbeenforme,shehadstillbeenvirtuousandhappyintheaffectionandprotectionofherfamily。\"
\"Pshaw,\"repliedBelcour,laughing,\"ifyouhadnottakenadvantageofhereasynature,someotherwould,andwhereisthedifference,pray?\"
\"IwishIhadneverseenher,\"criedhepassionately,andstartingfromhisseat。\"OhthatcursedFrenchwoman,\"addedhewithvehemence,\"haditnotbeenforher,Imighthavebeenhappy——\"Hepaused。
\"WithJuliaFranklin,\"saidBelcour。Thename,likeasuddensparkofelectricfire,seemedforamomenttosuspendhisfaculties——
foramomenthewastransfixed;butrecovering,hecaughtBelcour’shand,andcried——’Stop!stop!Ibeseechyou,namenotthelovelyJuliaandthewretchedMontravilleinthesamebreath。
Iamaseducer,amean,ungenerousseducerofunsuspectinginnocence。
Idarenothopethatpuritylikeher’swouldstooptouniteitselfwithblack,premeditatedguilt:yetbyheavensIswear,Belcour,IthoughtIlovedthelost,abandonedCharlottetillIsawJulia——
IthoughtInevercouldforsakeher;buttheheartisdeceitful,andI
nowcanplainlydiscriminatebetweentheimpulseofayouthfulpassion,andthepureflameofdisinterestedaffection。\"
AtthatinstantJuliaFranklinpassedthewindow,leaningonheruncle’sarm。Shecurtseyedasshepassed,and,withthebewitchingsmileofmodestchearfulness,cried——\"Doyouburyyourselvesinthehousethisfineevening,gents?\"Therewassomethinginthevoice!themanner!thelook!thatwasaltogetherirresistible。
\"Perhapsshewishesmycompany,\"saidMontravillementally,ashesnatcheduphishat:\"ifIthoughtshelovedme,Iwouldconfessmyerrors,andtrusttohergenerositytopityandpardonme。\"
Hesoonovertookher,andofferingherhisarm,theysaunteredtopleasantbutunfrequentedwalks。BelcourdrewMr。Franklinononesideandenteredintoapoliticaldiscourse:theywalkedfasterthantheyoungpeople,andBelcourbysomemeanscontrivedentirelytolosesightofthem。
Itwasafineeveninginthebeginningofautumn;thelastremainsofday-lightfaintlystreakedthewesternsky,whilethemoon,withpaleandvirginlustreintheroomofgorgeousgoldandpurple,ornamentedthecanopyofheavenwithsilver,fleecyclouds,whichnowandthenhalfhidherlovelyface,and,bypartlyconcealing,heightenedeverybeauty;thezephyrswhisperedsoftlythroughthetrees,whichnowbegantoshedtheirleafyhonours;asolemnsilencereigned:
andtoahappymindaneveningsuchasthiswouldgiveserenity,andcalm,unruffledpleasure;buttoMontraville,whileitsoothedtheturbulenceofhispassions,itbroughtincreaseofmelancholyreflections。
Juliawasleaningonhisarm:hetookherhandinhis,andpressingittenderly,sigheddeeply,butcontinuedsilent。
Juliawasembarrassed;shewishedtobreakasilencesounaccountable,butwasunable;shelovedMontraville,shesawhewasunhappy,andwishedtoknowthecauseofhisuneasiness,butthatinnatemodesty,whichnaturehasimplantedinthefemalebreast,preventedherenquiring。
\"Iambadcompany,MissFranklin,\"saidhe,atlastrecollectinghimself;
\"butIhavemetwithsomethingto-daythathasgreatlydistressedme,andIcannotshakeoffthedisagreeableimpressionithasmadeonmymind。\"
\"Iamsorry,\"shereplied,\"thatyouhaveanycauseofinquietude。
Iamsureifyouwereashappyasyoudeserve,andasallyourfriendswishyou——\"Shehesitated。\"Andmightl,\"repliedhewithsomeanimation,\"presumetoranktheamiableJuliainthatnumber?\"
\"Certainly,\"saidshe,\"theserviceyouhaverenderedme,theknowledgeofyourworth,allcombinetomakemeesteemyou。\"
\"Esteem,mylovelyJulia,\"saidhepassionately,\"isbutapoorcoldword。
IwouldifIdared,ifIthoughtImeritedyourattention——butno,Imustnot——honourforbids。Iambeneathyournotice,Julia,Iammiserableandcannothopetobeotherwise。\"\"Alas!\"saidJulia,\"Ipityyou。\"
\"Ohthoucondescendingcharmer,\"saidhe,’howthatsweetwordchearsmysadheart。Indeedifyouknewall,youwouldpity;
butatthesametimeIfearyouwoulddespiseme。\"
JustthentheywereagainjoinedbyMr。FranklinandBelcour。
Ithadinterruptedaninterestingdiscourse。Theyfounditimpossibletoconverseonindifferentsubjects,andproceededhomeinsilence。
AtMr。Franklin’sdoorMontravilleagainpressedJulia’shand,andfaintlyarticulating’goodnight,\"retiredtohislodgingsdispiritedandwretched,fromaconsciousnessthathedeservednottheaffection,withwhichheplainlysawhewashonoured。
CHAPTERXXV。
RECEPTIONOFALETTER。
\"ANDwherenowisourpoorCharlotte?\"saidMr。Templeoneevening,asthecoldblastsofautumnwhistledrudelyovertheheath,andtheyellowappearanceofthedistantwood,spokethenearapproachofwinter。Invainthechearfulfireblazedonthehearth,invainwashesurroundedbyallthecomfortsoflife;theparentwasstillaliveinhisheart,andwhenhethoughtthatperhapshisoncedarlingchildwaserethisexposedtoallthemiseriesofwantinadistantland,withoutafriendtosoothandcomforther,withoutthebenignantlookofcompassiontochear,ortheangelicvoiceofpitytopourthebalmofconsolationonherwoundedheart;
whenhethoughtofthis,hiswholesouldissolvedintenderness;
andwhilehewipedthetearofanguishfromtheeyeofhispatient,uncomplainingLucy,hestruggledtosuppressthesympathizingdropthatstartedinhisown。
\"Oh,mypoorgirl,\"saidMrs。Temple,\"howmustshebealtered,elsesurelyshewouldhaverelievedouragonizingmindsbyonelinetosayshelived——tosayshehadnotquiteforgottheparentswhoalmostidolizedher。\"
\"Graciousheaven,\"saidMr。Temple,startingfromhisseat,l,whowouldwishtobeafather,toexperiencetheagonizingpangsinflictedonaparent’sheartbytheingratitudeofachild?\"
Mrs。Templewept:herfathertookherhand;hewouldhavesaid,\"becomfortedmychild,\"butthewordsdiedonhistongue。
Thesadsilencethatensuedwasinterruptedbyaloudrapatthedoor。
Inamomentaservantenteredwithaletterinhishand。
Mrs。Templetookitfromhim:shecasthereyesuponthesuperscription;
sheknewthewriting。\"’TisCharlotte,\"saidshe,eagerlybreakingtheseal,\"shehasnotquiteforgotus。\"Butbeforeshehadhalfgonethroughthecontents,asuddensicknessseizedher;
shegrewcoldandgiddy,andpuffingitintoherhusband’shand,shecried——\"Readit:Icannot。\"Mr。Templeattemptedtoreaditaloud,butfrequentlypausedtogiveventtohistears。
\"Mypoordeludedchild,\"saidhe,whenhehadfinished。
\"Oh,shallwenotforgivethedearpenitent?\"saidMrs。Temple。
\"Wemust,wewill,mylove;sheiswillingtoreturn,and’tisourdutytoreceiveher。\"
\"Fatherofmercy,\"saidMr。Eldridge,raisinghisclaspedhands,\"letmebutliveoncemoretoseethedearwandererrestoredtoherafflictedparents,andtakemefromthisworldofsorrowwheneveritseemethbesttothywisdom。\"
\"Yes,wewillreceiveher,\"saidMr。Temple;\"wewillendeavourtohealherwoundedspirit,andspeakpeaceandcomforttoheragitatedsoul。
Iwillwritetohertoreturnimmediately。’
\"Oh!\"saidMrs。Temple,\"Iwouldifpossibleflytoher,supportandchearthedearsuffererintheapproachinghourofdistress,andtellherhownearlypenitenceisalliedtovirtue。
Cannotwegoandconductherhome,mylove?\"continuedshe,layingherhandonhisarm。\"Myfatherwillsurelyforgiveourabsenceifwegotobringhomehisdarling。\"
\"Youcannotgo,myLucy,\"saidMr。Temple:\"thedelicacyofyourframewouldbutpoorlysustainthefatigueofalongvoyage;
butIwillgoandbringthegentlepenitenttoyourarms:
wemaystillseemanyyearsofhappiness。\"
ThestruggleinthebosomofMrs。Templebetweenmaternalandconjugaltendernesswaslongandpainful。Atlengththeformertriumphed,andsheconsentedthatherhusbandshouldsetforwardtoNew-Yorkbythefirstopportunity:shewrotetoherCharlotteinthetenderest,mostconsolingmanner,andlookedforwardtothehappyhour,whensheshouldagainembraceher,withthemostanimatedhope。
CHAPTERXXVI。
WHATMIGHTBEEXPECTED。
INthemeantimethepassionMontravillehadconceivedforJuliaFranklindailyencreased,andhesawevidentlyhowmuchhewasbelovedbythatamiablegirl:hewaslikewisestronglyprepossessedwithanideaofCharlotte’sperfidy。Whatwonderthenifhegavehimselfuptothedelightfulsensationwhichpervadedhisbosom;
andfindingnoobstaclearisetoopposehishappiness,hesolicitedandobtainedthehandofJulia。AfewdaysbeforehismarriagehethusaddressedBelcour:
\"ThoughCharlotte,byherabandonedconduct,hasthrownherselffrommyprotection,Istillholdmyselfboundtosupporthertillrelievedfromherpresentcondition,andalsotoprovideforthechild。
Idonotintendtoseeheragain,butIwillplaceasumofmoneyinyourhands,whichwillamplysupplyherwitheveryconvenience;
butshouldsherequiremore,letherhaveit,andIwillseeitrepaid。
IwishIcouldprevailonthepoordeludedgirltoreturntoherfriends:
shewasanonlychild,andImakenodoubtbutthattheywouldjoyfullyreceiveher;itwouldshockmegreatlytoseeherhenceforthleadingalifeofinfamy,asIshouldalwaysaccusemyselfofbeingtheprimarycauseofallhererrors。Ifsheshouldchusetoremainunderyourprotection,bekindtoher,Belcour,Iconjureyou。
Letnotsatietypromptyoutotreatherinsuchamanner,asmaydrivehertoactionswhichnecessitymighturgeherto,whileherbetterreasondisapprovedthem:sheshallneverwantafriendwhileIlive,butInevermoredesiretobeholdher;
herpresencewouldbealwayspainfultome,andaglancefromhereyewouldcalltheblushofconsciousguiltintomycheek。
\"Iwillwritealettertoher,whichyoumaydeliverwhenIamgone,asIshallgotoSt。EustatiathedayaftermyunionwithJulia,whowillaccompanyme。\"
Belcourpromisedtofulfiltherequestofhisfriend,thoughnothingwasfartherfromhisintentions,thantheleastdesignofdeliveringtheletter,ormakingCharlotteacquaintedwiththeprovisionMontravillehadmadeforher;hewasbentonthecompleteruinoftheunhappygirl,andsupposed,byreducinghertoanentiredependanceonhim,tobringherbydegreestoconsenttogratifyhisungenerouspassion。
TheeveningbeforethedayappointedforthenuptialsofMontravilleandJulia,theformerrefiredearlytohisapartment;
andruminatingonthepastscenesofhislife,sufferedthekeenestremorseintheremembranceofCharlotte’sseduction。
\"Poorgirl,\"saidhe,\"Iwillatleastwriteandbidheradieu;
Iwilltooendeavourtoawakenthatloveofvirtueinherbosomwhichherunfortunateattachmenttomehasextinguished。\"
Hetookupthepenandbegantowrite,butwordsweredeniedhim。
Howcouldheaddressthewomanwhomhehadseduced,andwhom,thoughhethoughtunworthyhistenderness,hewasabouttobidadieuforever?
Howshouldhetellherthathewasgoingtoabjureher,toenterintothemostindissolubletieswithanother,andthathecouldnotevenowntheinfantwhichsheboreashischild?Severalletterswerebegunanddestroyed:atlengthhecompletedthefollowing:
TOCHARLOTTE。
\"ThoughIhavetakenupmypentoaddressyou,mypoorinjuredgirl,IfeelIaminadequatetothetask;yet,howeverpainfultheendeavour,Icouldnotresolveuponleavingyouforeverwithoutonekindlinetobidyouadieu,totellyouhowmyheartbleedsattheremembranceofwhatyouwas,beforeyousawthehatedMontraville。
Evennowimaginationpaintsthescene,when,tornbycontendingpassions,when,strugglingbetweenloveandduty,youfaintedinmyarms,andIliftedyouintothechaise:Iseetheagonyofyourmind,when,recovering,youfoundyourselfontheroadtoPortsmouth:
buthow,mygentlegirl,howcouldyou,whensojustlyimpressedwiththevalueofvirtue,howcouldyou,whenlovingasIthoughtyoulovedme,yieldtothesolicitationsofBelcour?
\"OhCharlotte,consciencetellsmeitwasI,villainthatIam,whofirsttaughtyoutheallurementsofguiltypleasure;itwasIwhodraggedyoufromthecalmreposewhichinnocenceandvirtueeverenjoy;
andcanI,dareItellyou,itwasnotlovepromptedtothehorriddeed?
No,thoudear,fallenangel,believeyourrepentantMontraville,whenhetellsyouthemanwhotrulyloveswillneverbetraytheobjectofhisaffection。Adieu,Charlotte:couldyoustillfindcharmsinalifeofunoffend-inginnocence,returntoyourparents;
youshallneverwantthemeansofsupportbothforyourselfandchild。
Oh!graciousheaven!maythatchildbeentirelyfreefromthevicesofitsfatherandtheweaknessofitsmother。
\"To-morrow——butno,Icannottellyouwhatto-morrowwillproduce;
Belcourwillinformyou:healsohascashforyou,whichIbegyouwillaskforwheneveryoumaywantit。Oncemoreadieu:
believemecouldIhearyouwasreturnedtoyourfriends,andenjoyingthattranquillityofwhichIhaverobbedyou,Ishouldbeascompletelyhappyasevenyou,inyourfondesthours,couldwishme,buttillthenagloomwillobscurethebrightestprospectsofMONTRAVILLE。\"
Afterhehadsealedthisletterhethrewhimselfonthebed,andenjoyedafewhoursrepose。EarlyinthemorningBelcourtappedathisdoor:
hearosehastily,andpreparedtomeethisJuliaatthealtar。
\"ThisisthelettertoCharlotte,\"saidhe,givingittoBelcour:
\"takeittoherwhenwearegonetoEustatia;andIconjureyou,mydearfriend,nottouseanysophisticalargumentstopreventherreturntovirtue;butshouldsheinclinethatway,encourageherinthethought,andassisthertoputherdesigninexecution。