charlotte temple-第8章
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t the erring person returning to the path of rectitude: yet these obstacles; however forcible they may appear in general; exist chiefly in imagination。 Charlotte feared the anger of her governess: she loved her mother; and the very idea of incurring her displeasure; gave her the greatest uneasiness: but there was a more forcible reason still remaining: should she show the letter to Madame Du Pont; she must confess the means by which it came into her possession; and what would be the consequence? Mademoiselle would be turned out of doors。 〃I must not be ungrateful;〃 said she。 〃La Rue is very kind to me; besides I can; when I see Montraville; inform him of the impropriety of our continuing to see or correspond with each other; and request him to come no more to Chichester。〃 However prudent Charlotte might be in these resolutions; she certainly did not take a proper method to confirm herself in them。 Several times in the course of the day; she indulged herself in reading over the letter; and each time she read it; the contents sunk deeper in her heart。 As evening drew near; she caught herself frequently consulting her watch。 〃I wish this foolish meeting was over;〃 said she; by way of apology to her own heart; 〃I wish it was over; for when I have seen him; and convinced him my resolution is not to be shaken; I shall feel my mind much easier。〃 The appointed hour arrived。 Charlotte and Mademoiselle eluded the eye of vigilance; and Montraville; who had waited their coming with impatience; received them with rapturous and unbounded acknowledgments for their condescension: he had wisely brought Belcour with him to entertain Mademoiselle; while he enjoyed an uninterrupted conversation with Charlotte。 Belcour was a man whose character might be comprised in a few words; and as he will make some figure in the ensuing pages; I shall here describe him。 He possessed a genteel fortune; and had a liberal education; dissipated; thoughtless; and capricious; he paid little regard to the moral duties; and less to religious ones: eager in the pursuit of pleasure; he minded not the miseries he inflicted on others; provided his own wishes; however extravagant; were gratified。 Self; darling self; was the idol he worshipped; and to that he would have sacrificed the interest and happiness of all mankind。 Such was the friend of Montraville: will not the reader be ready to imagine; that the man who could regard such a character; must be actuated by the same feelings; follow the same pursuits; and be equally unworthy with the person to whom he thus gave his confidence? But Montraville was a different character: generous in his disposition; liberal in his opinions; and good…natured almost to a fault; yet eager and impetuous in the pursuit of a favorite object; he staid not to reflect on the consequence which might follow the attainment of his wishes; with a mind ever open to conviction; had he been so fortunate as to possess a friend who would have pointed out the cruelty of endeavouring to gain the heart of an innocent artless girl; when he knew it was utterly impossible for him to marry her; and when the gratification of his passion would be unavoidable infamy and misery to her; and a cause of never…ceasing remorse to himself: had these dreadful consequences been placed before him in a proper light; the humanity of his nature would have urged him to give up the pursuit: but Belcour was not this friend; he rather encouraged the growing passion of Montraville; and being pleased with the vivacity of Mademoiselle; resolved to leave no argument untried; which he thought might prevail on her to be the companion of their intended voyage; and he made no doubt but her example; added to the rhetoric of Montraville; would persuade Charlotte to go with them。 Charlotte had; when she went out to meet Montraville; flattered herself that her resolution was not to be shaken; and that; conscious of the impropriety of her conduct in having a clandestine intercourse with a stranger; she would never repeat the indiscretion。 But alas! poor Charlotte; she knew not the deceitfulness of her own heart; or she would have avoided the trial of her stability。 Montraville was tender; eloquent; ardent; and yet respectful。 〃Shall I not see you once more;〃 said he; 〃before I leave England? will you not bless me by an assurance; that when we are divided by a vast expanse of sea I shall not be forgotten?〃 Charlotte sighed。 〃Why that sigh; my dear Charlotte? could I flatter myself that a fear for my safety; or a wish for my welfare occasioned it; how happy would it make me。〃 〃I shall ever wish you well; Montraville;〃 said she; 〃but we must meet no more。〃 〃Oh say not so; my lovely girl: reflect; that when I leave my native land; perhaps a few short weeks may terminate my existence; the perils of the oceanthe dangers of war〃 〃I can hear no more;〃 said Charlotte in a tremulous voice。 〃I must leave you。〃 〃Say you will see me once again。〃 〃I dare not;〃 said she。 〃Only for one half hour to…morrow evening: 'tis my last request。 I shall never trouble you again; Charlotte。〃 〃I know not what to say;〃 cried Charlotte; struggling to draw her hands from him: 〃let me leave you now。 〃 〃And you will come to…morrow;〃 said Montraville。 〃Perhaps I may;〃 said she。 〃Adieu then。 I will live upon that hope till we meet again。〃 He kissed her hand。 She sighed an adieu; and catching hold of Mademoiselle's arm; hastily entered the garden gate。 CHAPTER X。 WHEN WE HAVE EXCITED CURIOSITY; IT IS BUT AN ACT OF GOOD NATURE TO GRATIFY IT。 MONTRAVILLE was the youngest son of a gentleman of fortune; whose family being numerous; he was obliged to bring up his sons to genteel professions; by the exercise of which they might hope to raise themselves into notice。 〃My daughters;〃 said he; 〃have been educated like gentlewomen; and should I die before they are settled; they must have some provision made; to place them above the snares and temptations which vice ever holds out to the elegant; accomplished female; when oppressed by the frowns of poverty and the sting of dependance: my boys; with only moderate incomes; when placed in the church; at the bar; or in the field; may exert their talents; make themselves friends; and raise their fortunes on the basis of merit。〃 When Montraville chose the profession of arms; his father presented him with a commission; and made him a handsome provision for his private purse。 〃Now; my boy;〃 said he; 'go! seek glory in the field of battle。 You have received from me all I shall ever have it in my power to bestow: it is certain I have interest to gain you promotion; but be assured that interest shall never be exerted; unless by your future conduct you deserve it。 Remember; therefore; your success in life depends entirely on yourself。 There is one thing I think it my duty to caution you against; the precipitancy with which young men frequently rush into matrimonial engagements; and by their thoughtlessness draw many a deserving woman into scenes of poverty and distress。 A soldier has no business to think of a wife till his rank is such as to place him above the fear of bringing into the world a train of helpless innocents; heirs only to penury and affliction。 If; indeed; a woman; whose fortune is sufficient to preserve you in that state of independence I would teach you to prize; should generously bestow herself on a young soldier; whose chief hope of future prosperity depended on his success in the field if such a woman should offerevery barrier is removed; and I should rejoice in an union which would promise so much felicity。 But mark me; boy; if; on the contrary; you rush into a precipitate union with a girl of little or no fortune; take the poor creature from a comfortable home and kind friends; and plunge her into all the evils a narrow income and increasing family can inflict; I will leave you to enjoy the blessed fruits of your rashness; for by all that is sacred; neither my interest or fortune shall ever be exerted in your favour。 I am serious;〃 continued he; 〃therefore imprint this conversation on your memory; and let it influence your future conduct。 Your happiness will always be dear to me; a