charlotte temple-第10章
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dear Charlotte's affectionate mother; L。 TEMPLE。〃 〃Gracious heaven!〃 cried Charlotte; forgetting where she was; and raising her streaming eyes as in earnest supplication。 Madame Du Pont was surprised。 〃Why these tears; my love?〃 said she。 〃Why this seeming agitation? I thought the letter would have rejoiced; instead of distressing you。〃 〃It does rejoice me;〃 replied Charlotte; endeavouring at composure; 〃but I was praying for merit to deserve the unremitted attentions of the best of parents。〃 〃You do right;〃 said Madame Du Pont; 〃to ask the assistance of heaven that you may continue to deserve their love。 Continue; my dear Charlotte; in the course you have ever pursued; and you will insure at once their happiness and your own。 〃 〃Oh!〃 cried Charlotte; as her governess left her; 〃I have forfeited both for ever! Yet let me reflect:the irrevocable step is not yet taken: it is not too late to recede from the brink of a precipice; from which I can only behold the dark abyss of ruin; shame; and remorse!〃 She arose from her seat; and flew to the apartment of La Rue。 〃Oh Mademoiselle!〃 said she; 〃I am snatched by a miracle from destruction! This letter has saved me: it has opened my eyes to the folly I was so near committing。 I will not go; Mademoiselle; I will not wound the hearts of those dear parents who make my happiness the whole study of their lives。〃 〃Well;〃 said Mademoiselle; 〃do as you please; Miss; but pray understand that my resolution is taken; and it is not in your power to alter it。 I shall meet the gentlemen at the appointed hour; and shall not be surprized at any outrage which Montraville may commit; when he finds himself disappointed。 Indeed I should not be astonished; was he to come immediately here; and reproach you for your instability in the hearing of the whole school: and what will be the consequence? you will bear the odium of having formed the resolution of eloping; and every girl of spirit will laugh at your want of fortitude to put it in execution; while prudes and fools will load you with reproach and contempt。 You will have lost the confidence of your parents; incurred their anger; and the scoffs of the world; and what fruit do you expect to reap from this piece of heroism; (for such no doubt you think it is?) you will have the pleasure to reflect; that you have deceived the man who adores you; and whom in your heart you prefer to all other men; and that you are separated from him for ever。 〃 This eloquent harangue was given with such volubility; that Charlotte could not find an opportunity to interrupt her; or to offer a single word till the whole was finished; and then found her ideas so confused; that she knew not what to say。 At length she determined that she would go with Mademoiselle to the place of assignation; convince Montraville of the necessity of adhering to the resolution of remaining behind; assure him of her affection; and bid him adieu。 Charlotte formed this plan in her mind; and exulted in the certainty of its success。 〃How shall I rejoice;〃 said she; 〃in this triumph of reason over inclination; and; when in the arms of my affectionate parents; lift up my soul in gratitude to heaven as I look back on the dangers I have escaped!〃 The hour of assignation arrived: Mademoiselle put what money and valuables she possessed in her pocket; and advised Charlotte to do the same; but she refused; 〃my resolution is fixed 〃 said she; 〃I will sacrifice love to duty。〃 Mademoiselle smiled internally; and they proceeded softly down the back stairs and out of the garden gate。 Montraville and Belcour were ready to receive them。 〃Now;〃 said Montraville; taking Charlotte in his arms; 〃you are mine for ever。〃 〃No;〃 said she; withdrawing from his embrace; 〃I am come to take an everlasting farewel。 〃 It would be useless to repeat the conversation that here ensued; suffice it to say; that Montraville used every argument that had formerly been successful; Charlotte's resolution began to waver; and he drew her almost imperceptibly towards the chaise。 〃I cannot go;〃 said she: 〃cease; dear Montraville; to persuade。 I must not: religion; duty; forbid。〃 〃Cruel Charlotte;〃 said he; 〃if you disappoint my ardent hopes; by all that is sacred; this hand shall put a period to my existence。 I cannotwill not live without you。〃 〃Alas! my torn heart!〃 said Charlotte; 〃how shall I act?〃 〃Let me direct you;〃 said Montraville; lifting her into the chaise。 〃Oh! my dear forsaken parents!〃 cried Charlotte。 The chaise drove off。 She shrieked; and fainted into the arms of her betrayer。 CHAPTER XIII。 CRUEL DISAPPOINTMENT。 〃WHAT pleasure;〃 cried Mr。 Eldridge; as he stepped into the chaise to go for his grand…daughter; 〃what pleasure expands the heart of an old man when he beholds the progeny of a beloved child growing up in every virtue that adorned the minds of her parents。 I foolishly thought; some few years since; that every sense of joy was buried in the graves of my dear partner and my son; but my Lucy; by her filial affection; soothed my soul to peace; and this dear Charlotte has twined herself round my heart; and opened such new scenes of delight to my view; that I almost forget I have ever been unhappy。〃 When the chaise stopped; he alighted with the alacrity of youth; so much do the emotions of the soul influence the body。 It was half past eight o'clock; the ladies were assembled in the school room; and Madame Du Pont was preparing to offer the morning sacrifice of prayer and praise; when it was discovered; that Mademoiselle and Charlotte were missing。 〃She is busy; no doubt;〃 said the governess; 〃in preparing Charlotte for her little excursion; but pleasure should never make us forget our duty to our Creator。 Go; one of you; and bid them both attend prayers。 〃 The lady who went to summon them; soon returned; and informed the governess; that the room was locked; and that she had knocked repeatedly; but obtained no answer。 〃Good heaven!〃 cried Madame Du Pont; 〃this is very strange:〃 and turning pale with terror; she went hastily to the door; and ordered it to be forced open。 The apartment instantly discovered; that no person had been in it the preceding night; the beds appearing as though just made。 The house was instantly a scene of confusion: the garden; the pleasure grounds were searched to no purpose; every apartment rang with the names of Miss Temple and Mademoiselle; but they were too distant to hear; and every face wore the marks of disappointment。 Mr。 Eldridge was sitting in the parlour; eagerly expecting his grand…daughter to descend; ready equipped for her journey: he heard the confusion that reigned in the house; he heard the name of Charlotte frequently repeated。 〃What can be the matter?〃 said he; rising and opening the door: 〃I fear some accident has befallen my dear girl。〃 The governess entered。 The visible agitation of her countenance discovered that something extraordinary had happened。 〃Where is Charlotte?〃 said he; 〃Why does not my child come to welcome her doating parent?〃 〃Be composed; my dear Sir;〃 said Madame Du Pont; 〃do not frighten yourself unnecessarily。 She is not in the house at present; but as Mademoiselle is undoubtedly with her; she will speedily return in safety; and I hope they will both be able to account for this unseasonable absence in such a manner as shall remove our present uneasiness。〃 〃Madam;〃 cried the old man; with an angry look; 〃has my child been accustomed to go out without leave; with no other company or protector than that French woman。 Pardon me; Madam; I mean no reflections on your country; but I never did like Mademoiselle La Rue; I think she was a very improper person to be entrusted with the care of such a girl as Charlotte Temple; or to be suffered to take her from under your immediate protection。〃 〃You wrong me; Mr。 Eldridge;〃 replied she; 〃if you suppose I have ever permitted your grand…daughter to go out unless with the other ladies。 I would to heaven I could form any probable conjecture concerning her absence this morning; but it is a mystery which her return can alone unravel。〃 Servants were now dispatched to every place where there was the least hope of he