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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 your happiness； insure my own。
But I cannot break my mother's heart； Montraville； I must not bring the
grey hairs of my doating grand…father with sorrow to the grave； or make
my beloved father perhaps curse the hour that gave me birth。〃 She covered
her face with her hands； and burst into tears。
〃All these distressing scenes； my dear Charlotte；〃 cried Montraville；
〃are merely the chimeras of a disturbed fancy。 Your parents might perhaps
grieve at first； but when they heard from your own hand that you was with
a man of honour； and that it was to insure your felicity by an union with
him； to which you feared they would never have given their assent； that
you left their protection； they will； be assured； forgive an error which love
alone occasioned； and when we return from America； receive you with
open arms and tears of joy。〃
Belcour and Mademoiselle heard this last speech； and conceiving it a
proper time to throw in their advice and persuasions； approached Charlotte；
and so well seconded the entreaties of Montraville； that finding
Mademoiselle intended going with Belcour； and feeling her own
treacherous heart too much inclined to accompany them； the hapless
Charlotte； in an evil hour； consented that the next evening they should
bring a chaise to the end of the town； and that she would leave her friends；
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and throw herself entirely on the protection of Montraville。 〃But should
you；〃 said she； looking earnestly at him； her eyes full of tears； 〃should you；
forgetful of your promises； and repenting the engagements you here
voluntarily enter into； forsake and leave me on a foreign shore〃 〃Judge
not so meanly of me；〃 said he。 〃The moment we reach our place of
destination； Hymen shall sanctify our love； and when I shall forget your
goodness； may heaven forget me。〃
〃Ah；〃 said Charlotte； leaning on Mademoiselle's arm as they walked
up the garden together； 〃I have forgot all that I ought to have remembered；
in consenting to this intended elopement。〃
〃You are a strange girl；〃 said Mademoiselle： 〃you never know your
own mind two minutes at a time。 just now you declared Montraville's
happiness was what you prized most in the world； and now I suppose you
repent having insured that happiness by agreeing to accompany him
abroad。〃
〃Indeed I do repent；〃 replied Charlotte； 〃from my soul： but while
discretion points out the impropriety of my conduct； inclination urges me
on to ruin。〃
〃Ruin！ fiddlestick！〃 said Mademoiselle； 〃am I not going with you？ and