charlotte temple-第16章
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！
er； Mrs。 Beauchamp； in secret deplored the loss of her father's affection； and grieved that he should be so entirely swayed by an artful； and； she much feared； infamous woman。 Mrs。 Beauchamp was mild and engaging； she loved not the hurry and bustle of a city； and had prevailed on her husband to take a house a few miles from New…York。 Chance led her into the same neighbourhood with Charlotte； their houses stood within a short space of each other； and their gardens joined： she had not been long in her new habitation before the figure of Charlotte struck her； she recollected her interesting features； she saw the melancholy so conspicuous in her countenance； and her heart bled at the reflection； that perhaps deprived of honour； friends； all that was valuable in life； she was doomed to linger out a wretched existence in a strange land； and sink broken…hearted into an untimely grave。 〃Would to heaven I could snatch her from so hard a fate；〃 said she； 〃but the merciless world has barred the doors of compassion against a poor weak girl； who； perhaps； had she one kind friend to raise and reassure her； would gladly return to peace and virtue； nay； even the woman who dares to pity； and endeavour to recall a wandering sister； incurs the sneer of contempt and ridicule； for an action in which even angels are said to rejoice。〃 The longer Mrs。 Beauchamp was a witness to the solitary life Charlotte led； the more she wished to speak to her； and often as she saw her cheeks wet with the tears of anguish； she would say〃Dear sufferer； how gladly would I pour into your heart the balm of consolation； were it not for the fear of derision。〃 But an accident soon happened which made her resolve to brave even the scoffs of the world； rather than not enjoy the heavenly satisfaction of comforting a desponding fellow…creature。 Mrs。 Beauchamp was an early riser。 She was one morning walking in the garden； leaning on her husband's arm； when the sound of a harp attracted their notice： they listened attentively； and heard a soft melodious voice distinctly sing the following stanzas： Thou glorious orb； supremely bright； Just rising from the sea； To chear all nature with thy light； What are thy beams to me？ In vain thy glories bid me rise； To hail the new…born day； Alas！ my morning sacrifice Is still to weep and pray。 For what are nature's charms combin'd； To one； whose weary breast Can neither peace nor comfort find； Nor friend whereon to rest？ Oh！ never！ never！ whilst I live Can my heart's anguish cease： Come； friendly death； thy mandate give； And let me be at peace。 〃'Tis poor Charlotte！〃 said Mrs。 Beauchamp； the pellucid drop of humanity stealing down her cheek。 Captain Beauchamp was alarmed at her emotion。 〃What Charlotte？〃 said he； 〃do you know her？〃 In the accent of a pitying angel did she disclose to her husband Charlotte's unhappy situation； and the frequent wish she had formed of being serviceable to her。 〃I fear；〃 continued she； 〃the poor girl has been basely betrayed； and if I thought you would not blame me； I would pay her a visit； offer her my friendship； and endeavour to restore to her heart that peace she seems to have lost； and so pathetically laments。 Who knows； my dear；〃 laying her hand affectionately on his arm； 〃who knows but she has left some kind； affectionate parents to lament her errors； and would she return； they might with rapture receive the poor penitent； and wash away her faults in tears of joy。 Oh！ what a glorious reflexion would it be for me could I be the happy instrument of restoring her。 Her heart may not be depraved； Beauchamp。〃 〃Exalted woman！〃 cried Beauchamp； embracing her； 〃how dost thou rise every moment in my esteem。 Follow the impulse of thy generous heart； my Emily。 Let prudes and fools censure if they dare； and blame a sensibility they never felt； I will exultingly tell them that the heart that is truly virtuous is ever inclined to pity and forgive the errors of its fellow…creatures。〃 A beam of exulting joy played round the animated countenance of Mrs。 Beauchamp； at these encomiums bestowed on her by a beloved husband； the most delightful sensations pervaded her heart； and； having breakfasted； she prepared to visit Charlotte。 CHAPTER XXI。 Teach me to feel another's woe； To hide the fault I see； That mercy I to others show； That mercy show to me。 POPE。 WHEN Mrs。 Beauchamp was dressed； she began to feel embarrassed at the thought of beginning an acquaintance with Charlotte； and was distressed how to make the first visit。 〃I cannot go without some introduction；〃 said she； 〃it will look so like impertinent curiosity。〃 At length recollecting herself； she stepped into the garden； and gathering a few fine cucumbers； took them in her hand by way of apology for her visit。 A glow of conscious shame vermillioned Charlotte's face as Mrs。 Beauchamp entered。 〃You will pardon me； Madam；〃 said she； 〃for not having before paid my respects to so amiable a neighbour； but we English people always keep up that reserve which is the characteristic of our nation wherever we go。 I have taken the liberty to bring you a few cucumbers； for I observed you had none in your garden。〃 Charlotte； though naturally polite and well…bred； was so confused she could hardly speak。 Her kind visitor endeavoured to relieve her by not noticing her embarrassment。 〃I am come； Madam；〃 continued she； 〃to request you will spend the day with me。 I shall be alone； and； as we are both strangers in this country； we may hereafter be extremely happy in each other's friendship。〃 〃Your friendship； Madam；〃 said Charlotte blushing； 〃is an honour to all who are favoured with it。 Little as I have seen of this part of the world； I am no stranger to Mrs。 Beauchamp's goodness of heart and known humanity： but my friendship〃 She paused； glanced her eye upon her own visible situation； and； spite of her endeavours to suppress them； burst into tears。 Mrs。 Beauchamp guessed the source from whence those tears flowed。 〃You seem unhappy； Madam；〃 said she： 〃shall I be thought worthy your confidence？ will you entrust me with the cause of your sorrow； and rest on my assurances to exert my utmost power to serve you。〃 Charlotte returned a look of gratitude； but could not speak； and Mrs。 Beauchamp continued〃My heart was interested in your behalf the first moment I saw you； and I only lament I had not made earlier overtures towards an acquaintance； but I flatter myself you will henceforth consider me as your friend。〃 〃Oh Madam！〃 cried Charlotte； 〃I have forfeited the good opinion of all my friends； I have forsaken them； and undone myself。〃 〃Come； come； my dear；〃 said Mrs。 Beauchamp； 〃you must not indulge these gloomy thoughts： you are not I hope so miserable as you imagine yourself： endeavour to be composed； and let me be favoured with your company at dinner； when； if you can bring yourself to think me your friend； and repose a confidence in me； I am ready to convince you it shall not be abused。〃 She then arose； and bade her good morning。 At the dining hour Charlotte repaired to Mrs。 Beauchamp's； and during dinner assumed as composed an aspect as possible； but when the cloth was removed； she summoned all her resolution and determined to make Mrs。 Beauchamp acquainted with every circumstance preceding her unfortunate elopement； and the earnest desire she had to quit a way of life so repugnant to her feelings。 With the benignant aspect of an angel of mercy did Mrs。 Beauchamp listen to the artless tale： she was shocked to the soul to find how large a share La Rue had in the seduction of this amiable girl； and a tear fell； when she reflected so vile a woman was now the wife of her father。 When Charlotte had finished； she gave her a little time to collect her scattered spirits； and then asked her if she had never written to her friends。 〃Oh yes； Madam；〃 said she； 〃frequently： but I have broke their hearts： they are either dead or have cast me off fo
