charlotte temple(夏洛特·藤布尔)-第6章
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ungrateful man for ever。
Her father was a man of the world： he suffered this first transport to
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subside； and then very deliberately unfolded to her the offers of the old
Earl； expatiated on the many benefits arising from an elevated title；
painted in glowing colours the surprise and vexation of Temple when he
should see her figuring as a Countess and his mother…in…law； and begged
her to consider well before she made any rash vows。
The DISTRESSED fair one dried her tears； listened patiently； and at
length declared she believed the surest method to revenge the slight put on
her by the son； would be to accept the father： so said so done； and in a few
days she became the Countess D。
Temple heard the news with emotion： he had lost his father's favour by
avowing his passion for Lucy； and he saw now there was no hope of
regaining it： 〃but he shall not make me miserable；〃 said he。 〃Lucy and I
have no ambitious notions： we can live on three hundred a year for some
little time； till the mortgage is paid off； and then we shall have sufficient
not only for the comforts but many of the little elegancies of life。 We will
purchase a little cottage； my Lucy；〃 said he； 〃and thither with your
reverend father we will retire； we will forget there are such things as
splendor； profusion； and dissipation： we will have some cows； and you
shall be queen of the dairy； in a morning； while I look after my garden；
you shall take a basket on your arm； and sally forth to feed your poultry；
and as they flutter round you in token of humble gratitude； your father
shall smoke his pipe in a woodbine alcove； and viewing the serenity of
your countenance； feel such real pleasure dilate his own heart； as shall
make him forget he had ever been unhappy。〃
Lucy smiled； and Temple saw it was a smile of approbation。 He sought
and found a cottage suited to his taste； thither； attended by Love and
Hymen； the happy trio retired； where； during many years of uninterrupted
felicity； they cast not a wish beyond the little boundaries of their own
tenement。 Plenty； and her handmaid； Prudence； presided at their board；
Hospitality stood at their gate； Peace smiled on each face； Content reigned
in each heart； and Love and Health strewed roses on their pillows。
Such were the parents of Charlotte Temple； who was the only pledge
of their mutual love； and who； at the earnest entreaty of a particular friend；
was permitted to finish the education her mother had begun； at Madame
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Du Pont's school； where we first introduced her to the acquaintance of the
reader。
CHAPTER VI。
AN INTRIGUING TEACHER。
MADAME Du Pont was a woman every way calculated to take the
care of young ladies； had that care entirely devolved on herself； but it was
impossible to attend the education of a numerous school without proper
assistants； and those assistants were not always the kind of people whose
conversation and morals were exactly such as parents of delicacy and
refinement would wish a daughter to copy。 Among the teachers at Madame
Du Pont's school； was Mademoiselle La Rue； who added to a pleasing
person and insinuating address； a liberal education and the manners of a
gentlewoman。 She was recommended to the school by a lady whose
humanity overstepped the bounds of discretion： for though she knew Miss
La Rue had eloped from a convent with a young officer； and； on coming to
England； had lived with several different men in open defiance of all
moral and religious duties； yet； finding her reduced to the most abject
want； and believing the penitence which she professed to be sincere； she
took her into her own family； and from thence recommended her to
Madame Du Pont； as thinking the situation more suitable for a woman of
her abilities。 But Mademoiselle possessed too much of the spirit of
intrigue to remain long without adventures。 At church； where she
constantly appeared； her person attracted the attention of a young man
who was upon a visit at a gentleman's seat in the neighbourhood： she had
met him several times clandestinely； and being invited to come out that
evening； and eat some fruit and pastry in a summer…house belonging to the
gentleman he was visiting； and requested to bring some of the ladies with
her； Charlotte being her favourite； was fixed on to accompany her。
The mind of youth eagerly catches at promised pleasure： pure and
innocent by nature； it thinks not of the dangers lurking beneath those
pleasures； till too late to avoid them： when Mademoiselle asked Charlotte
to go with her； she mentioned the gentleman as a relation； and spoke in
such high terms of the elegance of his gardens； the sprightliness of his
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conversation； and the liberality with which he ever entertained his guests；
that Charlotte thought only of the pleasure she should enjoy in the visit；
not on the imprudence of going without her governess's knowledge； or of
the danger to which she exposed herself in visiting the house of a gay
young man of fashion。
Madame Du Pont was gone out for the evening； and the rest of the
ladies retired to rest； when Charlotte and the teacher stole out at the back
gate； and in crossing the field； were accosted by Montraville； as mentioned
in the first chapter。
Charlotte was disappointed in the pleasure she had promised herself
from this visit。 The levity of the gentlemen and the freedom of their
conversation disgusted her。 She was astonished at the liberties
Mademoiselle permitted them to take； grew thoughtful and uneasy； and
heartily wished herself at home again in her own chamber。
Perhaps one cause of that wish might be； an earnest desire to see the
contents of the letter which had been put into her hand by Montraville。
Any reader who has the least knowledge of the world； will easily
imagine the letter was made up of encomiums on her beauty； and vows of
everlasting love and constancy； nor will he be surprised that a heart open
to every gentle； generous sentiment； should feel itself warmed by gratitude
for a man who professed to feel so much for her； nor is it improbable but
her mind might revert to the agreeable person and martial appearance of
Montraville。
In affairs of love； a young heart is never in more danger than when
attempted by a handsome young soldier。 A man of an indifferent
appearance； will； when arrayed in a military habit； shew to advantage； but
when beauty of person； elegance of manner； and an easy method of paying
compliments； are united to the scarlet coat； smart cockade； and military
sash； ah！ well…a…day for
