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advice and machinations of La Rue； which led her to this imprudent action；
she recollected her agitation at the receipt of her mother's letter； and saw in
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it the conflict of her mind。
〃Does that letter relate to Charlotte？〃 said Mr。 Eldridge； having waited
some time in expectation of Madame Du Pont's speaking。
〃It does；〃 said she。 〃Charlotte is well； but cannot return today。〃
〃Not return； Madam？ where is she？ who will detain her from her fond；
expecting parents？〃
〃You distract me with these questions； Mr。 Eldridge。 Indeed I know not
where she is； or who has seduced her from her duty。〃
The whole truth now rushed at once upon Mr。 Eldridge's mind。 〃She
has eloped then；〃 said he。 〃My child is betrayed； the darling； the comfort
of my aged heart； is lost。 Oh would to heaven I had died but yesterday。〃
A violent gush of grief in some measure relieved him； and； after
several vain attempts； he at length assumed sufficient composure to read
the note。
〃And how shall I return to my children？〃 said he： 〃how approach that
mansion； so late the habitation of peace？ Alas！ my dear Lucy； how will
you support these heart…rending tidings？ or how shall I be enabled to
console you； who need so much consolation myself？〃
The old man returned to the chaise； but the light step and chearful
countenance were no more； sorrow filled his heart； and guided his motions；
he seated himself in the chaise； his venerable head reclined upon his
bosom； his hands were folded； his eye fixed on vacancy； and the large
drops of sorrow rolled silently down his cheeks。 There was a mixture of
anguish and resignation depicted in his countenance； as if he would say；
henceforth who shall dare to boast his happiness； or even in idea
contemplate his treasure； lest； in the very moment his heart is exulting in
its own felicity； the object which constitutes that felicity should be torn
from him。
CHAPTER XIV。
MATERNAL SORROW。
SLOW and heavy passed the time while the carriage was conveying
Mr。 Eldridge home； and yet when he came in sight of the house； he wished
a longer reprieve from the dreadful task of informing Mr。 and Mrs。 Temple
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of their daughter's elopement。
It is easy to judge the anxiety of these affectionate parents； when they
found the return of their father delayed so much beyond the expected time。
They were now met in the dining parlour； and several of the young people
who had been invited were already arrived。 Each different part of the
company was employed in the same manner； looking out at the windows
which faced the road。 At length the long…expected chaise appeared。 Mrs。
Temple ran out to receive and welcome her darling： her young
companions flocked round the door； each one eager to give her joy on the
return of her birth…day。 The door of the chaise was opened： Charlotte was
not there。 〃Where is my child？〃 cried Mrs。 Temple； in breathless agitation。
Mr。 Eldridge could not answer： he took hold of his daughter's hand and
led her into the house； and sinking on the first chair he came to； burst into
tears； and sobbed aloud。
〃She is dead；〃 cried Mrs。 Temple。 〃Oh my dear Charlotte！〃 and
clasping her hands in an agony of distress； fell into strong hysterics。
Mr。 Temple； who had stood speechless with surprize and fear； now
ventured to enquire if indeed his Charlotte was no more。 Mr。 Eldridge led
him into another apartment； and putting the fatal note into his hand； cried
〃Bear it like a Christian；〃 and turned from him； endeavouring to suppress
his own too visible emotions。
It would be vain to attempt describing what Mr。 Temple felt whilst he
hastily ran over the dreadful lines： when he had finished； the paper dropt
from his unnerved hand。 〃Gracious heaven！〃 said he； 〃could Charlotte act
thus？〃 Neither tear nor sigh escaped him； and he sat the image of mute
sorrow； till roused from his stupor by the repeated shrieks of Mrs。 Temple。
He rose hastily； and rushing into the apartment where she was； folded his
arms about her； and saying〃Let us be patient； my dear Lucy；〃 nature
relieved his almost bursting heart by a friendly gush of tears。
Should any one； presuming on his own philosophic temper； look with
an eye of contempt on the man who could indulge a woman's weakness；
let him remember that man was a father； and he will then pity the misery
which wrung those drops from a noble； generous heart。
Mrs。 Temple beginning to be a little more composed； but still
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imagining her child was dead； her husband； gently taking her hand； cried
〃You are mistaken； my love。 Charlotte is not dead。 〃
〃Then she is very ill； else why did she not come？ But I will go to her：
the chaise is still at the door： let me go instantly to the dear girl。 If I was ill；
she would fly to attend me； to alleviate my sufferings； and chear me with
her love。〃
〃Be calm； my dearest Lucy； and I will tell you all；〃 said Mr。 Temple。
〃You must not go； indeed you must not； it will be of no use。〃
〃Temple；〃 said she； assuming a look of firmness and composure； 〃tell
me the truth I beseech you。 I cannot bear this dreadful suspense。 What
misfortune has befallen my child？ Let me know the worst； and I will
endeavour to bear it as I ought。 〃
〃Lucy；〃 replied Mr。 Temple； 〃imagine your daughter alive； and in no
danger of death： what misfortune would you then dread？〃
〃There is one misfortune which is worse than death。 But I know my
child too well to suspect〃
〃Be not too confident； Lucy。〃
〃Oh heavens！〃 said she； 〃what horrid images do you start： is it possible
she should forget〃
〃She has forgot us all； my love； she has preferred the love of a stranger
to the affectionate protection of her friends。
〃Not eloped？〃 cried she eagerly。
Mr。 Temple was silent。
〃You cannot contradict it；〃 said she。 〃I see my fate in those tearful eyes。
Oh Charlotte！ Charlotte！ how ill have you requited our tenderness！ But；
Father of Mercies；〃 continued she； sinking on her knees； and r