按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
still interesting； still charming； and the unhallowed flame； which had
urged Belcour to plant dissension between her and Montraville； still raged
in his bosom： he was determined； if possible； to make her his mistress； nay；
he had even conceived the diabolical scheme of taking her to New…York；
and making her appear in every public place where it was likely she
should meet Montraville； that he might be a witness to his unmanly
triumph。
76
… Page 77…
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
When he entered the room where Charlotte was sitting； he assumed the
look of tender； consolatory friendship。 〃And how does my lovely
Charlotte？〃 said he； taking her hand： 〃I fear you are not so well as I could
wish。〃
〃I am not well； Mr。 Belcour；〃 said she； 〃very far from it； but the pains
and infirmities of the body I could easily bear； nay； submit to them with
patience； were they not aggravated by the most insupportable anguish of
my mind。〃
〃You are not happy； Charlotte；〃 said he； with a look of well…dissembled
sorrow。
〃Alas！〃 replied she mournfully； shaking her head； 〃how can I be happy；
deserted and forsaken as I am； without a friend of my own sex to whom I
can unburthen my full heart； nay； my fidelity suspected by the very man
for whom I have sacrificed every thing valuable in life； for whom I have
made myself a poor despised creature； an outcast from society； an object
only of contempt and pity。〃
〃You think too meanly of yourself； Miss Temple： there is no one who
would dare to treat you with contempt： au who have the pleasure of
knowing you must admire and esteem。 You are lonely here； my dear girl；
give me leave to conduct you to New…York； where the agreeable society of
some ladies； to whom I will introduce you； will dispel these sad thoughts；
and I shall again see returning chearfulness animate those lovely features。〃
〃Oh never！ never！〃 cried Charlotte； emphatically： 〃the virtuous part of
my sex will scorn me； and I will never associate with infamy。 No； Belcour；
here let me hide my shame and sorrow； here let me spend my few
remaining days in obscurity； unknown and unpitied； here let me die
unlamented； and my name sink to oblivion。〃 Here her tears stopped her
utterance。 Belcour was awed to silence： he dared not interrupt her； and
after a moment's pause she proceeded〃I once had conceived the thought
of going to New…York to seek out the still dear； though cruel； ungenerous
Montraville； to throw myself at his feet； and entreat his compassion；
heaven knows； not for myself； if I am no longer beloved； I will not be
indebted to his pity to redress my injuries； but I would have knelt and
entreated him not to forsake my poor unborn〃 She could say no more； a
77
… Page 78…
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
crimson glow rushed over her cheeks； and covering her face with her
hands； she sobbed aloud。
Something like humanity was awakened in Belcour's breast by this
pathetic speech： he arose and walked towards the window； but the selfish
passion which had taken possession of his heart； soon stifled these finer
emotions； and he thought if Charlotte was once convinced she had no
longer any dependance on Montraville； she would more readily throw
herself on his protection。 Determined； therefore； to inform her of all that
had happened； he again resumed his seat； and finding she began to be
more composed； enquired if she had ever heard from Montraville since the
unfortunate recontre in her bed chamber。
〃Ah no；〃 said she。 〃I fear I shall never hear from him again。〃
〃I am greatly of your opinion；〃 said Belcour； 〃for he has been for some
time past greatly attached〃
At the word 〃attached〃 a death…like paleness overspread the
countenance of Charlotte； but she applied to some hartshorn which stood
beside her； and Belcour proceeded。
〃He has been for some time past greatly attached to one Miss Franklin；
a pleasing lively girl； with a large fortune。〃
〃She may be richer； may be handsomer；〃 cried Charlotte； 〃but cannot
love him so well。 Oh may she beware of his art； and not trust him too far
as I have done。〃
〃He addresses her publicly；〃 said he； 〃and it was rumoured they were
to be married before he sailed for Eustatia； whither his company is
ordered。〃
〃Belcour；〃 said Charlotte； seizing his hand； and gazing at him earnestly；
while her pale lips trembled with convulsive agony； 〃tell me； and tell me
truly； I beseech you； do you think he can be such a villain as to marry
another woman； and leave me to die with want and misery in a strange
land： tell me what you think； I can bear it very well； I will not shrink from
this heaviest stroke of fate； I have deserved my afflictions； and I will
endeavour to bear them as I ought。〃
〃I fear；〃 said Belcour； 〃he can be that villain。〃
〃Perhaps；〃 cried she； eagerly interrupting him； 〃perhaps he is married
78
… Page 79…
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE
already： come； let me know the worst；〃 continued she with an affected
look of composure： 〃you need not be afraid； I shall not send the fortunate
lady a bowl of poison。〃
〃Well then； my dear girl；〃 said he； deceived by her appearance； 〃they
were married on Thursday； and yesterday morning they sailed for
Eustatia。〃
〃Marriedgonesay you？〃 cried she in a distracted accent； 〃what
without a last farewell； without one thought on my unhappy situation！ Oh
Montraville； may God forgive your perfidy。〃 She shrieked； and Belcour
sprang forward just in time to prevent her falling to the floor。
Alarming faintings now succeeded each other； and she was conveyed
to her bed； from whence she earnestly prayed she might never more arise。
Belcour staid with her that night； and in the morning found her in a high
fever。 The fits she had been seized with had greatly terrified him； and
confined as she now was to a bed of sickness； she was no longer an object
of desire： it is true for several days he went constantly to see her； but her
pale； emaciated appearance disgusted him： his visi