charlotte temple(夏洛特·藤布尔)-第3节
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the girl who just now left us； were the fruits of our union。 My boy had
genius and spirit。 I straitened my little income to give him a liberal
education； but the rapid progress he made in his studies amply
compensated for the inconvenience。 At the academy where he received his
education he commenced an acquaintance with a Mr。 Lewis； a young man
of affluent fortune： as they grew up their intimacy ripened into friendship；
and they became almost inseparable companions。
〃George chose the profession of a soldier。 I had neither friends or
money to procure him a commission； and had wished him to embrace a
nautical life： but this was repugnant to his wishes； and I ceased to urge
him on the subject。
〃The friendship subsisting between Lewis and my son was of such a
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nature as gave him free access to our family； and so specious was his
manner that we hesitated not to state to him all our little difficulties in
regard to George's future views。 He listened to us with attention； and
offered to advance any sum necessary for his first setting out。
〃I embraced the offer； and gave him my note for the payment of it； but
he would not suffer me to mention any stipulated time； as he said I might
do it whenever most convenient to myself。 About this time my dear Lucy
returned from school； and I soon began to imagine Lewis looked at her
with eyes of affection。 I gave my child a caution to beware of him； and to
look on her mother as her fe；；end。 She was unaffectedly artless； and when；
as I suspected； Lewis made professions of love； she confided in her
parents； and assured us her heart was perfectly unbiassed in his favour；
and she would chearfully submit to our direction。
〃I took an early opportunity of questioning him concerning his
intentions towards my child： he gave an equivocal answer； and I forbade
him the house。
〃The next day he sent and demanded payment of his money。 It was not
in my power to comply with the demand。 I requested three days to
endeavour to raise it； determining in that time to mortgage my half pay；
and live on a small annuity which my wife possessed； rather than be under
an obligation to so worthless a man： but this short time was not allowed
me； for that evening； as I was sitting down to supper； unsuspicious of
danger； an officer entered； and tore me from the embraces of my family。
〃My wife had been for some time in a declining state of health： ruin at
once so unexpected and inevitable was a stroke she was not prepared to
bear； and I saw her faint into the arms of our servant； as I left my own
habitation for the comfortless walls of a prison。 My poor Lucy； distracted
with her fears for us both； sunk on the floor and endeavoured to detain me
by her feeble efforts； but in vain； they forced open her arms； she shrieked；
and fell prostrate。 But pardon me。 The horrors of that night unman me。 I
cannot proceed。〃
He rose from his seat； and walked several times across the room： at
length； attaining more composure； he cried〃What a mere infant I am！
Why； Sir； I never felt thus in the day of battle。〃 〃No；〃 said Temple； 〃but
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the truly brave soul is tremblingly alive to the feelings of humanity。〃
〃True；〃 replied the old man； （something like satisfaction darting across
his features） 〃and painful as these feelings are； I would not exchange them
for that torpor which the stoic mistakes for philosophy。 How many
exquisite delights should I have passed by unnoticed； but for these keen
sensations； this quick sense of happiness or misery？ Then let us； my friend；
take the cup of life as it is presented to us； tempered by the hand of a wise
Providence； be thankful for the good； be patient under the evil； and
presume not to enquire why the latter predominates。〃
〃This is true philosophy；〃 said Temple。
〃'Tis the only way to reconcile ourselves to the cross events of life；〃
replied he。 〃But I forget myself。 I will not longer intrude on your patience；
but proceed in my melancholy tale。
〃The very evening that I was taken to prison； my son arrived from
Ireland； where he had been some time with his regiment。 From the
distracted expressions of his mother and sister； he learnt by whom I had
been arrested； and； late as it was； flew on the wings of wounded affection；
to the house of his false friend； and earnestly enquired the cause of this
cruel conduct。 With all the calmness of a cool deliberate villain； he
avowed his passion for Lucy； declared her situation in life would not
permit him to marry her； but offered to release me immediately； and make
any settlement on her； if George would persuade her to live； as he
impiously termed it； a life of honour。
〃Fired at the insult offered to a man and a soldier； my boy struck the
villain； and a challenge ensued。 He then went to a coffee…house in the
neighbourhood and wrote a long affectionate letter to me； blaming himself
severely for having introduced Lewis into the family； or permitted him to
confer an obligation； which had brought inevitable ruin on us all。 He
begged me； whatever might be the event of the ensuing morning； not to
suffer regret or unavailing sorrow for his fate； to encrease the anguish of
my heart； which he greatly feared was already insupportable。
〃This letter was delivered to me early in the morning。 It would be vain
to attempt describing my feelings on the perusal of it； suffice it to say； that
a merciful Providence interposed； and I was for three weeks insensible to
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miseries almost beyond the strength of human nature to support。
〃A fever and strong delirium seized me； and my life was despaired of。
At length； nature； overpowered with fatigue； gave way to the salutary
power of rest； and a quiet slumber of some hours restored me to reason；
though the extreme weakness of my frame prevented my feeling my
distress so acutely as I otherways should。
〃The first object that struck me on awaking； was Lucy sitting by my
bedside； her pale countenance and sable dress prevented my enquiries for
poor George： for the letter I had received from him； was the first thing that
occurred to my memory。 By degrees the rest returned： I recollected being
arrested； but could no ways account for being in this apartment； whither
they had conveyed me during my illness。
〃I was so weak as to be almost unable to speak。 I pressed Lucy's hand；
and looked earnestly round the apartment in search of another dear object。
〃Where is your mother？〃 said I； faintly。
〃The poor girl could not answer： she shook her head in expressive
silence； and throwing herself on the bed； folded her arms about me； and
burst into tears。
〃What！ both gone？〃 said I。
〃Both；〃 she replied； endeavouring to restrain her emotions： 〃but they
are happy； no doubt。〃
Here Mr。 Eldridge paused： the recollection of the scene was too
painful to permit him to proceed。
CHAPTER IV。
CHANGE OF FORTUNE。
〃IT was some days；〃 continued Mr。 Eldridge； recovering himself；
〃before I could venture to enquire the particulars of what had happened
during my illness： at length I assumed courage to ask my dear girl how
long her mother and brother had been dead： she told me； that the morning
after my arrest； George came home early to enquire after his mother's
health； staid with them but a few minutes； seemed greatly agitated at
parting； but gave them strict charge to keep up their spirits； and hope every
thing would turn out for the best。 In about two hours after； as they were
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