charlotte temple(夏洛特·藤布尔)-第27节
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Such were the dreadful images that haunted her distracted mind； and
nature was sinking fast under the dreadful malady which medicine had no
power to remove。 The surgeon who attended her was a humane man； he
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exerted his utmost abilities to save her； but he saw she was in want of
many necessaries and comforts； which the poverty of her hospitable host
rendered him unable to provide： he therefore determined to make her
situation known to some of the officers' ladies； and endeavour to make a
collection for her relief。
When he returned home； after making this resolution； he found a
message from Mrs。 Beauchamp； who had just arrived from Rhode…Island；
requesting he would call and see one of her children； who was very unwell。
〃I do not know；〃 said he； as he was hastening to obey the summons； 〃I do
not know a woman to whom I could apply with more hope of success than
Mrs。 Beauchamp。 I will endeavour to interest her in this poor girl's behalf；
she wants the soothing balm of friendly consolation： we may perhaps save
her； we will try at least。〃
〃And where is she；〃 cried Mrs。 Beauchamp when he had prescribed
something for the child； and told his little pathetic tale； 〃where is she； Sir？
we will go to her immediately。 Heaven forbid that I should be deaf to the
calls of humanity。 Come we will go this instant。〃 Then seizing the doctor's
arm； they sought the habitation that contained the dying Charlotte。
CHAPTER XXXIII。
WHICH PEOPLE VOID OF FEELING NEED NOT READ。
WHEN Mrs。 Beauchamp entered the apartment of the poor sufferer；
she started back with horror。 On a wretched bed； without hangings and but
poorly supplied with covering； lay the emaciated figure of what still
retained the semblance of a lovely woman； though sickness had so altered
her features that Mrs。 Beauchamp had not the least recollection of her
person。 In one comer of the room stood a woman washing； and； shivering
over a small fire； two healthy but half naked children； the infant was
asleep beside its mother； and； on a chair by the bed side； stood a porrenger
and wooden spoon； containing a little gruel； and a tea…cup with about two
spoonfulls of wine in it。 Mrs。 Beauchamp had never before beheld such a
scene of poverty； she shuddered involuntarily； and exclaiming〃heaven
preserve us！〃 leaned on the back of a chair ready to sink to the earth。 The
doctor repented having so precipitately brought her into this affecting
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scene； but there was no time for apologies： Charlotte caught the sound of
her voice； and starting almost out of bed； exclaimed〃Angel of peace and
mercy； art thou come to deliver me？ Oh； I know you are； for whenever you
was near me I felt eased of half my sorrows； but you don't know me； nor
can I； with all the recollection I am mistress of； remember your name just
now； but I know that benevolent countenance； and the softness of that
voice which has so often comforted the wretched Charlotte。 〃
Mrs。 Beauchamp had； during the time Charlotte was speaking； seated
herself on the bed and taken one of her hands； she looked at her attentively；
and at the name of Charlotte she perfectly conceived the whole shocking
affair。 A faint sickness came over her。 〃Gracious heaven；〃 said she； 〃is this
possible？〃 and bursting into tears； she reclined the burning head of
Charlotte on her own bosom； and folding her arms about her； wept over
her in silence。 〃Oh；〃 said Charlotte； 〃you are very good to weep thus for
me： it is a long time since I shed a tear for myself： my head and heart are
both on fire； but these tears of your's seem to cool and refresh it。 Oh now I
remember you said you would send a letter to my poor father： do you
think he ever received it？ or perhaps you have brought me an answer： why
don't you speak； Madam？ Does he say I may go home？ Well he is very
good； I shall soon be ready。〃
She then made an effort to get out of bed； but being prevented； her
frenzy again returned； and she raved with the greatest wildness and
incoherence。 Mrs。 Beauchamp； finding it was impossible for her to be
removed； contented herself with ordering the apartment to be made more
comfortable； and procuring a proper nurse for both mother and child； and
having learnt the particulars of Charlotte's fruitless application to Mrs。
Crayton from honest John； she amply rewarded him for his benevolence；
and returned home with a heart oppressed with many painful sensations；
but yet rendered easy by the reflexion that she had performed her duty
towards a distressed fellow…creature。
Early the next morning she again visited Charlotte； and found her
tolerably composed； she called her by name； thanked her for her goodness；
and when her child was brought to her； pressed it in her arms； wept over it；
and called it the offspring of disobedience。 Mrs。 Beauchamp was delighted
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to see her so much amended； and began to hope she might recover； and；
spite of her former errors； become an useful and respectable member of
society； but the arrival of the doctor put an end to these delusive hopes： he
said nature was making her last effort； and a few hours would most
probably consign the unhappy girl to her kindred dust。
Being asked how she found herself； she replied〃Why better； much
better； doctor。 I hope now I have but little more to suffer。 I had last night a
few hours sleep； and when I awoke recovered the full power of
recollection。 I am quite sensible of my weakness； I feel I have but little
longer to combat with the shafts of affliction。 I have an humble confidence
in the mercy of him who died to save the world； and trust that my
sufferings in this state of mortality； joined to my unfeigned repentance；
through his mercy； have blotted my offences from the sight of my
offended maker。 I have but one caremy poor infant！ Father of mercy；〃
continued she； raising her eyes； 〃of thy infinite goodness； grant that the
sins of the parent be not visited on the unof…fending child。 May those who
taught me to despise thy laws be forgiven； lay not my offences to their
charge； I beseech thee； and oh！ shower the choicest of thy blessings on
those whose pity has soothed the afflicted heart； and made easy even the
bed of pain and sickness。〃
She was exhausted by this fervent address to the throne of mercy； and
though her lips still moved her voice became inarticulate： she lay for some
time as it were in a doze； and then recovering； faintly pressed Mrs。
Beauchamp's hand； and requested that a clergyman might be sent for。
On his arrival she joined fervently in the pious office； frequently
mentioning her ingratitude to her parents as what lay most heavy at her
heart。 When she had performed the last solemn duty； and was preparing to
lie down； a little bustle on the outside door occasioned Mrs。 Beauchamp to
open it； and enquire the cause。 A man in appearance about forty； presented
himself； and asked for Mrs。 Beauchamp。
〃That is my name； Sir；〃 said she。
〃Oh then； my dear Madam；〃 cried he； 〃tell me where I may find my
poor； ruined； but repentant child。〃
Mrs。 Beauchamp was surprised and affected； she knew not what to say；
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she foresaw the agony this interview would occasion Mr。 Temple； who had
just arrived in search of his Charlotte； and yet was sensible that the pardon
and blessing of her father would soften even the agonies of death to the
daughter。
She hesitated。 〃Tell me； Madam；〃 cried he wildly； 〃tell me； I beseech
thee； does she live？ shall I see my darling once again？ Perhaps she is in
this house。 Lead； lead me to her； that I may ble
