charlotte temple(夏洛特·藤布尔)-第4节
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sitting at breakfast； and endeavouring to strike out some plan to attain my
liberty； they heard a loud rap at the door； which Lucy running to open； she
met the bleeding body of her brother； borne in by two men who had lifted
him from a litter； on which they had brought him from the place where he
fought。 Her poor mother； weakened by illness and the struggles of the
preceding night； was not able to support this shock； gasping for breath； her
looks wild and haggard； she reached the apartment where they had carried
her dying son。 She knelt by the bed side； and taking his cold hand； 'my
poor boy；' said she； 'I will not be parted from thee： husband！ son！ both at
once lost。 Father of mercies； spare me！' She fell into a strong convulsion；
and expired in about two hours。 In the mean time； a surgeon had dressed
George's wounds； but they were in such a situation as to bar the smallest
hopes of recovery。 He never was sensible from the time he was brought
home； and died that evening in the arms of his sister。
〃Late as it was when this event took place； my affectionate Lucy
insisted on coming to me。 'What must he feel；' said she； 'at our apparent
neglect； and how shall I inform him of the afflictions with which it has
pleased heaven to visit us？'
〃She left the care of the dear departed ones to some neighbours who
had kindly come in to comfort and assist her； and on entering the house
where I was confined； found me in the situation I have mentioned。
〃How she supported herself in these trying moments； I know not：
heaven； no doubt； was with her； and her anxiety to preserve the life of one
parent in some measure abated her affliction for the loss of the other。
〃My circumstances were greatly embarrassed； my acquaintance few；
and those few utterly unable to assist me。 When my wife and son were
committed to their kindred earth； my creditors seized my house and
furniture； which not being sufficient to discharge all their demands；
detainers were lodged against me。 No friend stepped forward to my relief；
from the grave of her mother； my beloved Lucy followed an almost dying
father to this melancholy place。
〃Here we have been nearly a year and a half。 My half…pay I have given
up to satisfy my creditors； and my child supports me by her industry：
sometimes by fine needlework； sometimes by painting。 She leaves me
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every night； and goes to a lodging near the bridge； but returns in the
morning； to chear me with her smiles； and bless me by her duteous
affection。 A lady once offered her an asylum in her family； but she would
not leave me。 'We are all the world to each other；' said she。 'I thank God； I
have health and spirits to improve the talents with which nature has
endowed me； and I trust if I employ them in the support of a beloved
parent； I shall not be thought an unprofitable servant。 While he lives； I
pray for strength to pursue my employment； and when it pleases heaven to
take one of us； may it give the survivor resignation to bear the separation
as we ought： till then I will never leave him。' 〃
〃But where is this inhuman persecutor？〃 said Temple。
〃He has been abroad ever since；〃 replied the old man； 〃but he has left
orders with his lawyer never to give up the note till the utmost farthing is
paid。〃
〃And how much is the amount of your debts in all？〃 said Temple。
〃Five hundred pounds；〃 he replied。
Temple started： it was more than he expected。 〃But something must be
done；〃 said he： 〃that sweet maid must not wear out her life in a prison。 I
will see you again to…morrow； my friend；〃 said he； shaking Eldridge's hand：
〃keep up your spirits： light and shade are not more happily blended than
are the pleasures and pains of life； and the horrors of the one serve only to
increase the splendor of the other。〃
〃You never lost a wife and son；〃 said Eldridge。
〃No；〃 replied he； 〃but I can feel for those that have。〃 Eldridge pressed
his hand as they went toward the door； and they parted in silence。
When they got without the walls of the prison； Temple thanked his
friend Blakeney for introducing him to so worthy a character； and telling
him he had a particular engagement in the city； wished him a good
evening。
〃And what is to be done for this distressed man；〃 said Temple； as he
walked up Ludgate Hill。 〃Would to heaven I had a fortune that would
enable me instantly to discharge his debt： what exquisite transport； to see
the expressive eyes of Lucy beaming at once with pleasure for her father's
deliverance； and gratitude for her deliverer： but is not my fortune
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affluence；〃 continued he； 〃nay superfluous wealth； when compared to the
extreme indigence of Eldridge； and what have I done to deserve ease and
plenty； while a brave worthy officer starves in a prison？ Three hundred a
year is surely sufficient for all my wants and wishes： at any rate Eldridge
must be relieved。〃
When the heart has will； the hands can soon find means to execute a
good action。
Temple was a young man； his feelings warm and impetuous；
unacquainted with the world； his heart had not been rendered callous by
being convinced of its fraud and hypocrisy。 He pitied their sufferings；
overlooked their faults； thought every bosom as generous as his own； and
would chearfully have divided his last guinea with an unfortunate fellow
creature。
No wonder； then； that such a man （without waiting a moment for the
interference of Madam Prudence） should resolve to raise money sufficient
for the relief of Eldridge； by mortgaging part of his fortune。
We will not enquire too minutely into the cause which might actuate
him in this instance： suffice it to say； he immediately put the plan in
execution； and in three days from the time he first saw the unfortunate
Lieutenant； he had the superlative felicity of seeing him at liberty； and
receiving an ample reward in the tearful eye and half articulated thanks of
the grateful Lucy。
〃And pray； young man；〃 said his father to him one morning； 〃what are
your designs in visiting thus constantly that old man and his daughter？〃
Temple was at a loss for a reply： he had never asked himself the
question： he hesitated； and his father continued
〃It was not till within these few days that I heard in what manner your
acquaintance first commenced； and cannot suppose any thing but
attachment to the daughter could carry you such imprudent lengths for the
father： it certainly must be her art that drew you in to mortgage part of
your fortune。〃
〃Art； Sir！〃 cried Temple eagerly。 〃Lucy Eldridge is as free from art as
she is from every other error： she is〃
〃Everything that is amiable and lovely；〃 said his father； interrupting
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him ironically： 〃no doubt in your opinion she is a pattern of excellence for
all her sex to follow； but come； Sir； pray tell me what are your designs
towards this paragon。 I hope you do not intend to complete your folly by
marrying her。〃
〃Were my fortune such as would support her according to her merit； I
don't know a woman more formed to insure happiness in the married
state。〃
〃Then prithee； my dear lad；〃 said his father； 〃since your rank and
fortune are so much beneath what your PRINCESS might expect； be so
kind as to turn your eyes on Miss Weatherby； who； having only an estate
of three thousand a year； is more upon a level with you； and whose father
yesterday solicited the mighty honour of your alliance。 I shall leave you to
consider on this offer； and pray remember； that your union with Miss
Weatherby will put it in
