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