第 9 节
作者:闲来一看      更新:2024-01-16 22:40      字数:9322
  sea I shall not be forgotten?〃
  Charlotte sighed。
  〃Why that sigh; my dear Charlotte? could I flatter myself that a fear
  for my safety; or a wish for my welfare occasioned it; how happy would it
  make me。〃
  29
  … Page 30…
  CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
  〃I shall ever wish you well; Montraville;〃 said she; 〃but we must meet
  no more。〃   〃Oh say  not so;  my  lovely  girl:   reflect; that   when   I   leave  my
  native land; perhaps a few short weeks may terminate my existence; the
  perils of the oceanthe dangers of war〃
  〃I   can   hear   no   more;〃   said   Charlotte   in   a   tremulous   voice。   〃I   must
  leave you。〃
  〃Say you will see me once again。〃
  〃I dare not;〃 said she。
  〃Only for one half hour to…morrow evening: 'tis my last request。 I shall
  never trouble you again; Charlotte。〃
  〃I know not what to say;〃 cried Charlotte; struggling to draw her hands
  from him: 〃let me leave you now。 〃
  〃And you will come to…morrow;〃 said Montraville。
  〃Perhaps I may;〃 said she。
  〃Adieu then。 I will live upon that hope till we meet again。〃
  He    kissed   her   hand。   She   sighed    an  adieu;   and   catching    hold   of
  Mademoiselle's arm; hastily entered the garden gate。
  CHAPTER X。
  WHEN WE HAVE EXCITED CURIOSITY; IT IS BUT AN ACT
  OF GOOD NATURE TO GRATIFY IT。
  MONTRAVILLE   was   the   youngest   son   of   a   gentleman   of   fortune;
  whose   family   being   numerous;   he   was   obliged   to   bring   up   his   sons   to
  genteel   professions;   by   the   exercise   of   which   they   might   hope   to   raise
  themselves into notice。
  〃My daughters;〃 said he; 〃have been educated like gentlewomen; and
  should I die before they are settled; they must have some provision made;
  to place them above the snares and temptations which vice ever holds out
  to   the   elegant;   accomplished   female;   when   oppressed   by   the   frowns   of
  poverty     and   the  sting   of  dependance:      my   boys;    with   only   moderate
  incomes; when placed in the church; at the bar; or in the field; may exert
  their talents; make themselves friends; and raise their fortunes on the basis
  of merit。〃
  When Montraville chose the profession of arms; his father presented
  30
  … Page 31…
  CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
  him   with   a   commission;   and   made   him   a   handsome   provision   for   his
  private purse。 〃Now; my boy;〃 said he; 'go! seek glory in the field of battle。
  You have received from me all I shall ever have it in my power to bestow:
  it   is   certain   I   have   interest   to   gain   you   promotion;   but   be   assured   that
  interest shall never be exerted; unless by your future conduct you deserve
  it。 Remember; therefore; your success in life depends entirely on yourself。
  There     is  one    thing   I  think   it  my    duty   to   caution    you   against;    the
  precipitancy      with   which     young    men    frequently     rush   into  matrimonial
  engagements; and by their thoughtlessness draw many a deserving woman
  into scenes of poverty and distress。 A soldier has no business to think of a
  wife till his rank is such as to place him above the fear of bringing into the
  world a train of helpless innocents; heirs only to penury and affliction。 If;
  indeed; a woman; whose fortune is sufficient to preserve you in that state
  of   independence   I   would   teach   you   to   prize;   should   generously   bestow
  herself on a young soldier; whose chief hope of future prosperity depended
  on his success in the field if such a woman should offerevery barrier is
  removed; and I should rejoice in an union which would promise so much
  felicity。 But mark me; boy; if; on the contrary; you rush into a precipitate
  union   with   a   girl   of   little   or   no   fortune;   take   the   poor   creature   from   a
  comfortable   home   and   kind   friends;   and   plunge   her   into   all   the   evils   a
  narrow income and increasing family can inflict; I will leave you to enjoy
  the   blessed   fruits   of   your   rashness;   for   by   all   that   is   sacred;   neither   my
  interest   or   fortune   shall   ever   be   exerted   in   your   favour。   I   am   serious;〃
  continued he; 〃therefore imprint this conversation on your memory; and let
  it influence your future conduct。 Your happiness will always be dear to me;
  and I wish to warn you of a rock on which the peace of many an honest
  fellow has been wrecked;   for believe me; the   difficulties and dangers   of
  the longest winter campaign are much easier to be borne; than the pangs
  that would seize your heart; when you beheld the woman of your choice;
  the    children    of  your    affection;   involved     in  penury     and   distress;   and
  reflected that it was your own folly and precipitancy had been the prime
  cause of their sufferings。 〃
  As this conversation passed but a few hours before Montraville took
  leave of his father; it was deeply impressed on his mind: when; therefore;
  31
  … Page 32…
  CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
  Belcour   came   with   him   to   the   place   of   assignation   with   Charlotte;   he
  directed   him  to   enquire   of   the   French   woman   what   were   Miss   Temple's
  expectations in regard to fortune。
  Mademoiselle informed him; that though Charlotte's father possessed a
  genteel independence; it was by no means probable that he could give his
  daughter more than a thousand pounds; and in case she did not marry to
  his liking; it was possible he might not give her a single SOUS; nor did it
  appear the least likely; that Mr。 Temple would agree to her union with a
  young man on the point of embarking for the feat of war。
  Montraville      therefore   concluded     it  was  impossible    he  should    ever
  marry     Charlotte    Temple;    and   what    end   he  proposed     to  himself    by
  continuing the acquaintance he had commenced with her; he did not at that
  moment give himself time to enquire。
  CHAPTER XI。
  CONFLICT OF LOVE AND DUTY。
  ALMOST         a  week    was   now    gone;   and   Charlotte   continued    every
  evening to meet Montraville; and in her heart every meeting was resolved
  to be the last; but alas! when Montraville at parting would earnestly intreat
  one more interview; that treacherous heart betrayed her; and; forgetful of
  its resolution; pleaded the cause of the enemy so powerfully; that Charlotte
  was unable to resist。 Another and another meeting succeeded; and so well
  did Montraville improve each opportunity; that the heedless girl at length
  confessed no idea could be so painful to her as that of never seeing him
  again。
  〃Then we will never be parted;〃 said he。
  〃Ah; Montraville;〃 replied Charlotte; forcing a smile; 〃how can it be
  avoided? My parents   would never consent   to our union;   and even   could
  they be brought to approve it; how should I bear to be separated from my
  kind; my beloved mother?〃
  〃Then you love your parents more than you do me; Charlotte?〃
  〃I  hope   I  do;〃  said   she;  blushing   and   looking    down;   〃I  hope   my
  affection   for   them   will   ever   keep   me   from   infringing   the   laws   of   filial
  duty。〃
  32
  … Page 33…
  CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
  〃Well;   Charlotte;〃   said   Montraville   gravely;   and   letting   go   her   hand;
  〃since that is the case; I find I have deceived myself with fallacious hopes。
  I had flattered my fond heart; that I was dearer to Charlotte than any thing
  in the world beside。 I thought that you would for my sake have braved the
  dangers of the ocean; that you would; by your affection and smiles; have
  softened the hardships of war; and; had it been my fate to fall; that your
  tenderness   would   chear   the   hour   of   death;   and   smooth   my   passage   to
  another world。 But farewel; Charlotte! I see you never loved me。 I shall
  now     welcome      the  friendly   ball   that  deprives    me    of  the  sense   of   my
  misery。〃
  〃Oh stay; unkind Montraville;〃 cried she; catching hold of his arm; as
  he pretended to leave her; 〃stay; and to calm your fears; I will here protest
  that   was   it   not   for   the   fear   of   giving   pain   to   the   best   of   parents;   and
  returning     their  kindness    with    ingratitude;   I  would    follow    you   through
  every danger; and; in studying to promote