charlotte temple(夏洛特·藤布尔)-第17节
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〃He certainly cannot be so base as to leave me；〃 said she； 〃and in
stiling himself my friend does he not promise to protect me。 I will not
torment myself with these causeless fears； I will place a confidence in his
honour； and sure he will not be so unjust as to abuse it。〃
Just as she had by this manner of reasoning brought her mind to some
tolerable degree of composure； she was surprised by a visit from Belcour。
The dejection visible in Charlotte's countenance； her swoln eyes and
neglected attire； at once told him she was unhappy： he made no doubt but
Montraville had； by his coldness； alarmed her suspicions； and was
resolved； if possible； to rouse her to jealousy； urge her to reproach him；
and by that means occasion a breach between them。 〃If I can once
convince her that she has a rival；〃 said he； 〃she will listen to my passion if
it is only to revenge his slights。〃 Belcour knew but little of the female
heart； and what he did know was only of those of loose and dissolute lives。
He had no idea that a woman might fall a victim to imprudence； and yet
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retain so strong a sense of honour； as to reject with horror and contempt
every solicitation to a second fault。 He never imagined that a gentle；
generous female heart； once tenderly attached； when treated with
unkindness might break； but would never harbour a thought of revenge。
His visit was not long； but before he went he fixed a scorpion in the
heart of Charlotte； whose venom embittered every future hour of her life。
We will now return for a moment to Colonel Crayton。 He had been
three months married； and in that little time had discovered that the
conduct of his lady was not so prudent as it ought to have been： but
remonstrance was vain； her temper was violent； and to the Colonel's great
misfortune he had conceived a sincere affection for her： she saw her own
power； and； with the art of a Circe； made every action appear to him in
what light she pleased： his acquaintance laughed at his blindness； his
friends pitied his infatuation； his amiable daughter； Mrs。 Beauchamp； in
secret deplored the loss of her father's affection； and grieved that he should
be so entirely swayed by an artful； and； she much feared； infamous
woman。
Mrs。 Beauchamp was mild and engaging； she loved not the hurry and
bustle of a city； and had prevailed on her husband to take a house a few
miles from New…York。 Chance led her into the same neighbourhood with
Charlotte； their houses stood within a short space of each other； and their
gardens joined： she had not been long in her new habitation before the
figure of Charlotte struck her； she recollected her interesting features； she
saw the melancholy so conspicuous in her countenance； and her heart bled
at the reflection； that perhaps deprived of honour； friends； all that was
valuable in life； she was doomed to linger out a wretched existence in a
strange land； and sink broken…hearted into an untimely grave。 〃Would to
heaven I could snatch her from so hard a fate；〃 said she； 〃but the merciless
world has barred the doors of compassion against a poor weak girl； who；
perhaps； had she one kind friend to raise and reassure her； would gladly
return to peace and virtue； nay； even the woman who dares to pity； and
endeavour to recall a wandering sister； incurs the sneer of contempt and
ridicule； for an action in which even angels are said to rejoice。〃
The longer Mrs。 Beauchamp was a witness to the solitary life
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Charlotte led； the more she wished to speak to her； and often as she saw
her cheeks wet with the tears of anguish； she would say〃Dear sufferer；
how gladly would I pour into your heart the balm of consolation； were it
not for the fear of derision。〃
But an accident soon happened which made her resolve to brave even
the scoffs of the world； rather than not enjoy the heavenly satisfaction of
comforting a desponding fellow…creature。
Mrs。 Beauchamp was an early riser。 She was one morning walking in
the garden； leaning on her husband's arm； when the sound of a harp
attracted their notice： they listened attentively； and heard a soft melodious
voice distinctly sing the following stanzas：
Thou glorious orb； supremely bright； Just rising from the sea； To
chear all nature with thy light； What are thy beams to me？ In vain thy
glories bid me rise； To hail the new…born day； Alas！ my morning sacrifice
Is still to weep and pray。 For what are nature's charms combin'd； To one；
whose weary breast Can neither peace nor comfort find； Nor friend
whereon to rest？ Oh！ never！ never！ whilst I live Can my heart's anguish
cease： Come； friendly death； thy mandate give； And let me be at peace。
〃'Tis poor Charlotte！〃 said Mrs。 Beauchamp； the pellucid drop of
humanity stealing down her cheek。
Captain Beauchamp was alarmed at her emotion。 〃What Charlotte？〃
said he； 〃do you know her？〃
In the accent of a pitying angel did she disclose to her husband
Charlotte's unhappy situation； and the frequent wish she had formed of
being serviceable to her。 〃I fear；〃 continued she； 〃the poor girl has been
basely betrayed； and if I thought you would not blame me； I would pay her
a visit； offer her my friendship； and endeavour to restore to her heart that
peace she seems to have lost； and so pathetically laments。 Who knows； my
dear；〃 laying her hand affectionately on his arm； 〃who knows but she has
left some kind； affectionate parents to lament her errors； and would she
return； they might with rapture receive the poor penitent； and wash away
her faults in tears of joy。 Oh！ what a glorious reflexion would it be for me
could I be the happy instrument of restoring her。 Her heart may not be
depraved； Beauchamp。〃
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〃Exalted woman！〃 cried Beauchamp； embracing her； 〃how dost thou
rise every moment in my esteem。 Follow the impulse of thy generous heart；
my Emily。 Let prudes and fools censure if they dare； and blame a
sensibility they never felt； I will exultingly tell them that the heart that is
truly virtuous is ever inclined to pity and forgive the errors of its fellow…
creatures。〃
A beam of exulting joy played round the animated countenance of Mrs。
Beauchamp； at these encomiums bestowed on her by a beloved husband；
the most delightful sensations pervaded her heart； and； having breakfasted；
she prepared to visit Charlotte。
CHAPTER XXI。
Teach me to feel another's woe； To hide the fault I see； That
mercy I to others show； That mercy show to me。 POPE。
WHEN Mrs。 Beauchamp was dressed； she began to feel embarrassed
at the thought of beginning an acquaintance with Charlotte； and was
distressed how to make the first visit。 〃I cannot go without some
introduction；〃 said she； 〃it will look so like impertinent curiosity。〃 At
length recollecting herself； she stepped into the garden； and gathering a
few fine cucumbers； took them in her hand by way of apology for her
visit。
A glow of conscious shame vermillioned Charlotte's face as Mrs。
Beauchamp entered。
〃You will pardon me； Madam；〃 said she； 〃for not having before paid
my respects to so amiable a neighbour； but we English people always keep
up that reserve which is the characteristic of our nation wherever we go。 I
have taken the liberty to bring you a few cucumbers； for I observed you
had none in your garden。〃
Charlotte； though naturally polite and well…bred； was so confused she
could hardly speak。 Her kind visitor endeavoured to relieve her by not
noticing her embarrassment。 〃I am come； Mad
