第 9 节
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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。〃
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〃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
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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;
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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。〃
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〃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