charlotte temple-第13章
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er mother； without the weakness of the father： she was married to Major Beauchamp； and was at this time in the same fleet with her father； attending her husband to New…York。 Crayton was melted by the affected contrition and distress of La Rue： he would converse with her for hours； read to her； play cards with her； listen to all her complaints； and promise to protect her to the utmost of his 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。 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 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 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 good fortune； and dared to look with an eye of contempt on the unfortunate but far less guilty Charlotte。 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME。 CHARLOTTE TEMPLE； VOLUME II CHAPTER XVIII。 REFLECTIONS。 〃AND am I indeed fallen so low；〃 said Charlotte； 〃as to be only pitied？ Will the voice of approbation no more meet my ear？ and shall I never again possess a friend； whose face will wear a smile of joy whenever I approach？ Alas！ how thoughtless； how dreadfull
