charlotte temple(夏洛特·藤布尔)-第13节
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future comfort consisted in the （perhaps delusive） idea she indulged； of
being once more folded in their protecting arms； and hearing the words of
peace and pardon from their lips。
The tears streamed incessantly while she was writing； and she was
frequently obliged to lay down her pen： but when the task was completed；
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and she had committed the letter to the care of Montraville to be sent to
the post office； she became more calm； and indulging the delightful hope
of soon receiving an answer that would seal her pardon； she in some
measure assumed her usual chearfulness。
But Montraville knew too well the consequences that must
unavoidably ensue； should this letter reach Mr。 Temple： he therefore
wisely resolved to walk on the deck； tear it in pieces； and commit the
fragments to the care of Neptune； who might or might not； as it suited his
convenience； convey them on shore。
All Charlotte's hopes and wishes were now concentred in one； namely
that the fleet might be detained at Spithead till she could receive a letter
from her friends： but in this she was disappointed； for the second morning
after she went on board； the signal was made； the fleet weighed anchor；
and in a few hours （the wind being favourable） they bid adieu to the white
cliffs of Al…bion。
In the mean time every enquiry that could be thought of was made by
Mr。 and Mrs。 Temple； for many days did they indulge the fond hope that
she was merely gone off to be married； and that when the indissoluble
knot was once tied； she would return with the partner she had chosen； and
entreat their blessing and forgiveness。
〃And shall we not forgive her？〃 said Mr。 Temple。
〃Forgive her！〃 exclaimed the mother。 〃Oh yes； whatever be our errors；
is she not our child？ and though bowed to the earth even with shame and
remorse； is it not our duty to raise the poor penitent； and whisper peace
and comfort to her desponding soul？ would she but return； with rapture
would I fold her to my heart； and bury every remembrance of her faults in
the dear embrace。〃
But still day after day passed on； and Charlotte did not appear； nor
were any tidings to be heard of her： yet each rising morning was
welcomed by some new hopethe evening brought with it disappointment。
At length hope was no more； despair usurped her place； and the mansion
which was once the mansion of peace； became the habitation of pale；
dejected melancholy。
The chearful smile that was wont to adorn the face of Mrs。 Temple was
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fled； and had it not been for the support of unaffected piety； and a
consciousness of having ever set before her child the fairest example； she
must have sunk under this heavy affliction。
〃Since；〃 said she； 〃the severest scrutiny cannot charge me with any
breach of duty to have deserved this severe chastisement； I will bow
before the power who inflicts it with humble resignation to his will； nor
shall the duty of a wife be totally absorbed in the feelings of the mother； I
will endeavour to appear more chearful； and by appearing in some
measure to have conquered my own sorrow； alleviate the sufferings of my
husband； and rouse him from that torpor into which this misfortune has
plunged him。 My father too demands my care and attention： I must not； by
a selfish indulgence of my own grief； forget the interest those two dear
objects take in my happiness or misery： I will wear a smile on my face；
though the thorn rankles in my heart； and if by so doing； I in the smallest
degree contribute to restore their peace of mind； I shall be amply rewarded
for the pain the concealment of my own feelings may occasion。
Thus argued this excellent woman： and in the execution of so laudable
a resolution we shall leave her； to follow the fortunes of the hapless victim
of imprudence and evil counsellors。
CHAPTER XVI。
NECESSARY DIGRESSION。
ON board of the ship in which Charlotte and Mademoiselle were
embarked； was an officer of large unincumbered fortune and elevated rank；
and whom I shall call Crayton。
He was one of those men； who； having travelled in their youth； pretend
to have contracted a peculiar fondness for every thing foreign； and to hold
in contempt the productions of their own country； and this affected
partiality extended even to the women。
With him therefore the blushing modesty and unaffected simplicity of
Charlotte passed unnoticed； but the forward pertness of La Rue； the
freedom of her conversation； the elegance of her person； mixed with a
certain engaging JE NE SAIS QUOI； perfectly enchanted him。
The reader no doubt has already developed the character of La Rue：
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designing； artful； and selfish； she had accepted the devoirs of Belcour
because she was heartily weary of the retired life she led at the school；
wished to be released from what she deemed a slavery； and to return to
that vortex of folly and dissipation which had once plunged her into the
deepest misery； but her plan she flattered herself was now better formed：
she resolved to put herself under the protection of no man till she had first
secured a settlement； but the clandestine manner in which she left
Madame Du Pont's prevented her putting this plan in execution； though
Belcour solemnly protested he would make her a handsome settlement the
moment they arrived at Portsmouth。 This he afterwards contrived to evade
by a pretended hurry of business； La Rue readily conceiving he never
meant to fulfil his promise； determined to change her battery； and attack
the heart of Colonel Crayton。 She soon discovered the partiality he
entertained for her nation； and having imposed on him a feigned tale of
distress； representing Belcour as a villain who had seduced her from her
friends under promise of marriage； and afterwards betrayed her；
pretending great remorse for the errors she had committed； and declaring
whatever her affection for Belcour might have been； it was now entirely
extinguished； and she wished for nothing more than an opportunity to
leave a course of life which her soul abhorred； but she had no friends to
apply to； they had all renounced her； and guilt and misery would
undoubtedly be her future portion through life。
Crayton was possessed of many amiable qualities； though the peculiar
trait in his character； which we have already mentioned； in a great measure
threw a shade over them。 He was beloved for his humanity and
benevolence by all who knew him； but he was easy and unsuspicious
himself； and became a dupe to the artifice of others。
He was； when very young； united to an amiable Parisian lady； and
perhaps it was his affection for her that laid the foundation for the
partiality he ever retained for the whole nation。 He had by her one
daughter； who entered into the world but a few hours before her mother
left it。 This lady was universally beloved and admired； being endowed
with all the virtues of her mother； without the weakness of the father： she
was married to Major Beauchamp； and was at this time in the same fleet
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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
