wbF- 
 
 k3H 
 
 
-2-f | &t~\ 
 
 7S~ 
 
Digitized by the Internet Arehive 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/charlottetemplet02rows 
 
m 
 
TALE OF TRUTH, 
 
 By Mits. RO-W-SON, 
 
 lf*1Z OP THE XZW THEATRE, PHILADELPHIA •; 
 
 AUTHOR OF VICTORIA, THE INQUISITOR; 
 FJX.LE DE CHAMURE, $rt, 
 
 TWO VOLUMES IN ONE. 
 
 She was her parents' only joy : 
 . They had but one — one darling child. 
 
 ROMEO AND 'JULIE'?, 
 
 tier form iv as faultless ; and her jnindj 
 
 Untainledyet by art, 
 IVas nchle, just, humane and kind, 
 
 And virtue it'afm'd her heart* 
 Bui &h ! the cruel spoiler came-..;**,,: 
 
 for.. I. 
 
 FIFTH AMERICAN EDITION, 
 
 HARRISBURCH, PENNSYL. 
 VIUXTED FOR MATllEW CARET OF PHIL AEELPEIAj 
 
 by 'John ivrzTir. 
 J 8 02. 
 
< : IT raj y be a Tale of Truth, for it is not unnatu- 
 ral ; ?.nd it is a tale of real distress. . Charlotte, by 
 the a rtifice of a teacher, recommended to a school 
 fro\n humanity rather than a conviaion of her in- 
 tegrity, or the regularity of her former conducl 
 As enticed from her governess," and accompanie? 
 a young officer to America. — The marriage cere 
 
 . mony, if not forgotten, is postponed, and Char- 
 lotte dies a martyr to the inconstancy cf her lovei 
 and treachery of his friend — The situations 
 are artless and affeaing — the description natura' 
 ttnd pathetic- We should feel for Charlotte, i: 
 such a person ever existed, who, for one error 
 scarcely, 1 perhaps, deserved so severe a punish 
 ment. If it is a fiaion, poetic, justice is not, wc 
 
 think, properly distributed."- Crit. Review 
 
 April 179 1 ,/><#<? 4-6&. 
 
 i.tilMHlM.K »„MO....M«t U.MI..I.... •*•»»"" ' > 
 
,<?^ 
 ,,.,. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 X* or theperitfaloftheyoungandthought- 
 lefs of the fair fex, this Tale of Truth is de- 
 flgned ; and I could wifh my fair readers to 
 confider it as not merely the eftufion of Fancy, 
 but as a reality <. The circumftances, on which 
 I have founded this novel, were related to me 
 fome little time fmce, by an old lady who 
 had perfonally known Charlotte, though fhe 
 concealed the real names of the characters/ 
 and likewife the place where the unfortunate- 7 
 fcenes were a6ted : yet as it was impoflibkr 
 to offer a relation to the public ' in fuch a'tf 
 imperfecl ftate, I have thrown over the whole 
 a flight veil of fiction, and fubftituted names 
 and places according to my own fancy. The 
 principal characters in this little tale are novf 
 configned to the filent tomb : it can there- 
 fore hurt the feelings of no one ; and may, I 
 flatter myfelf, be of fervice to fome wriq. are 
 fo unfortunate as to have neither friends to 
 advife, nor underilanding to direct them, 
 through the various ancl unexpected evils 
 that attend a young and unprotected woman 
 in her firft entrance into life. 
 
 While the tear of companion flill trembled 
 in my eye for the fate of trie unhappy Char- 
 lotte, ** I may have children of my own," fcud 
 I, " to whom this recital may be of ufe."— 
 
iv, ? R E F A C E. 
 
 "And if to, your own children," faid Benevo- 
 lence, "why not to the many daughters of 
 Misfortune, who, deprived of natural friends, 
 or fpoiied by a miftaken education, are thrown 
 on an unfeeling world without the leaft pow- 
 er to defend themfelves from the fnaresnot 
 only of the other fex, but from the more dan- 
 gerous arts of the profligate of their own ?" 
 
 Senfijble as I am;, that a novel writer, at a 
 time when fuch a variety of works are ufher- 
 ed into the world under that name, Hands but 
 a poor chance for fame in the annals of lite- 
 rature, but confeious that I wrote with a 
 rnind anxious for the happinefs of that fex 
 whofe morals and conduct have fo powerful 
 an influence on mankind in general ; and 
 oonvinced that I have not written a line that 
 eonveys a wrong idea to the head, or a cor- 
 rupt wifh to the heart, I fhall reft fatisfied in 
 the purity of; my own intentions, and if I me- 
 rit not applaufe,Ifeelthat I dread not Genfure* 
 
 If the following tale fliould fave one hap- 
 lefs fair one from the errors which ruined - 
 poor Charlotte, or refcue from impending 
 inHery the heart of one anxious parent, I 
 fhall feel a much, higher gratification in re- 
 flecting on this trifling performance, than, 
 cpuid poflibly refult from the applaufe which 
 might attend* the moft elegant finifned piece 
 of literature, whofe tendency might deprave, 
 the heart, or miflead the wierftanding,. 
 
Cfjarfotte Xempie; 
 
 * 
 
 SHATTER I. . 
 -*:*:*■ 
 
 A BOARDING SCHOOL. 
 
 ARE you for a walk," faid MontravilJe,' 
 to his companion as they arofe from tatele ; 
 iC are you for a walk ?- or fhall we order the 
 ehaife and proceed to Portfmouth ?" Belcour 
 preferred the former ; and they fauntered out 
 to view the town, and to make remarks oa 
 the inhabitants, as they returned from church. 
 
 ■ Montraville was a Lieutenant in the army r 
 Beicour was his brother officer : they had 
 been to take leave of their friends previous 
 to their departure for America, and were 
 now returning to Portfmouth, where the 
 troops waited orders for embarkation. They 
 had flopped at Chicheftertodine } and know- 
 ing they had fufncient time to reach the place 
 of •deftination before dark, and yet allow 
 taem a Walk, had refolved, it being Sunday 
 afternoon, to take a furvey of the Cnichefter 
 -idies as they returned from their devotioFs. 
 a 2 
 
S C H A R h G-TT't 
 
 They had, gratified their eurionty, and; 
 were preparing to return to the inn without 
 honoring amy of the belles with particular no- 
 tice, when Madame Du Pont, at- the head, 
 of her fchool,. defcended from the church. 
 Such an aflcmblage of youth and innocence 
 naturally attracted the young foldiers : , they 
 flopped ; and, as the little cavalcade pafled, 
 almofl involuntarily pulled off their hats. A 
 tall, elegant girl looked at Montraville, and 
 bhifhed : he inflantly recollected the features. 
 t>f Charlcttte Temple, whom he had once feen 
 and danced with at a ball at Eortfmouth. At 
 that time lie- thought on her only as a very 
 lovely child, fhe being then only thirteen ; 
 but the improvement two yea?s had made in 
 her gcrnm, and the. blwfh of recollection, 
 which, fuifu&d- her Gheeks. as l]ie paffed, 
 awakened in Lis bofom new and pleafmg 
 ideas.. Vanity led him to think, thai plea- 
 fure at again beholding him, might have oc*. 
 cafioned the emotion he had witneiTed ; and 
 tjie fasae. varsity, led him. to wifa to fee her 
 again*! 
 
 <* She is die fw.eei.eft girl in the world," 
 laid he, ashe entered the inn. Eelcour flared, 
 41 Did: you not notice her ?" continued Mon- 
 travaik r r"'fhehad oa a blue bonnet, and with' 
 a pair of lovely eyes of the fame colour, lias 
 conti-i:wed to mafce ; xac feeldeviliiii odd about 
 :h.e heart ," 
 
€"H A RL O T TE,: 1 
 
 i£ Poh," faid Belcour, " a\ muiket-ball 
 from our friends the Americans,, may in lefs 
 than two months, make you feel; wotfe." 
 
 46 I never think of the fiature;" implied 
 Montraville ; " but am determined to make 
 the moil of. the prefent, and; wouldV willingly 
 compound with any kind Familiar*, who 
 would inform, me who the girl is, and how I 
 might be likely to obtain, an interview." 
 
 But no kind Familiar at that time appear- 
 ing, and the chaife, which they had ordered, 
 driving; up to the door, Montraville and his 
 companion were obliged to take leave o£ 
 Chichefter and its fair inhabitant, and pro- 
 ceed em their journey. 
 
 But Charlotte had made too great an im- 
 prefTion on his mind to be eafily eradicated : 
 having therefore, fpent three whole days in- 
 thinking on her, and endeavoring to form 
 fome plan for feeing her, he determined to fet 
 off for Chicheiter, andtruft to chance either 
 to favor or fruitrate his defigns. Arriving 
 at the vergeofrthe town, he difinounted,. and 
 fending the fervant forward with the horfes, 
 proceeded toward the place,, where in the 
 midfl of an extennve pleafure ground,, ftood 
 the manfion which', contained th# lovelv 
 Charlotte Temple. Montnwille leaned on a 
 broken gate, and looked eameftiy aHhehoufc. 
 The v/ailj which furrounded it, wte ?%h j 
 
8 C HA RLOT'TL 
 
 and perhaps the Argufies, who guarded the 
 Hefperian fruit within, were more watchful 
 than thofe famed of old. 
 
 " 'Tis a romantie attempt," faid he ; 
 " and fliould I even fucceed in feeing and 
 converfing with her, it can be productive of 
 no good : I muft of neceffity leave England 
 in a few days, and probably may never re- 
 turn ; why then fliould I endeavor to engage 
 the affections of this lovely girl, only to leave 
 her a prey to a thoufand inquietudes, of 
 which at prefent fhe has no idea ? I will 
 return to Portfmouth, and think no more 
 about her." 
 
 :.. 
 
 The evening was now clofed; aferene ftill- 
 nefs reigned; and the chafle Queen of Night, 
 with her filver crefcent, faintly illuminated 
 the hemifphere. The mind of Montraville 
 was hufhed into compofure by the ferenityof 
 the furrounding objects. ** I will think on 
 her no more, 'Maid he, and turned with an 
 intention to leave the place ; but as he turned, 
 he law the gate which led to the pleafure 
 grounds open, and two women come out, 
 who walked arm-in-arm acrofs the field. 
 
 - 
 
 "I will at leaft fee who thefe arc," Hud he. 
 He overtook them, and giving them the com- 
 pliments of the evening, begged leave to fee 
 them into the mere frequented parts of the 
 towii ; but how was 1 he deli ghted 7 v, hen, wait- 
 
CHARLOTTE. r 
 
 ing for an anfwer, He difcovered under the 
 concealment of a large bonnet, the face of 
 Charlotte Temple.. 
 
 He foon found means to ingratiate himfelf 
 with her companion, who was a French 
 teacher at the fchool, and, at parting, Hipped 
 a letter he had purpofely; written, into Char- 
 lotte's hand, and five guineas into that of 
 Mademoifelle, who promifed flie would en- 
 deavor to bring her young charge into the 
 field again the next evening. 
 

C H A R'L O T T E. v U 
 
 - 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 DOMESTIC CONCERNS. 
 
 JyJr. Temple was the youngeft fon ; of a 
 nobleman, whofe fortune was by no means 
 adequate to the antiquity, grandeur, and, I 
 may add, pride of the family. He faw his 
 elder brother made completely wretched by 
 marrying a difagreeable woman, whofe for- 
 tune helped to prop the finking dignity of 
 the houfe ; and he beheld his filters legally 
 proftituted to old, decrepit men, whofe titles 
 gave them confequenee in the eyes of the 
 world, and whofe affluence rendered them 
 fplendidly miferable. " I will not facrifice 
 internal happinefs for outward {how," faid 
 he : "1 will feek Content ; and, if I find her 
 in a cottage, will embrace her with as much 
 cordiality as I fhould if feated on a throne." 
 
 Mr. Temple poffefTed a fmall eftate of 
 about five hundred pounds a year ; and with 
 that he refolved to preferve independence, to 
 marry where the feelings of his heart fhould 
 direct him, and to confine his expenfes with- 
 in the limits of his income. He had a. heart 
 
m C H A R^L'O TTE, 
 
 open to every generous feeling of humanity, 
 and a hand ready to difpenfe, to thofe who 
 wanted, part of the blefiings he enjoyed 
 himfelf. 
 
 As he was univerfally known to be the 
 friend of the unfortunate, his advice and 
 bounty were frequently folicited ; nor was it 
 feldom that he fought out indigent merit, 
 and raifed it from obfcurity, confining his 
 • own expenfes within a very narrow compafs. 
 
 " You are a benevolent fellow," faid -a 
 young officer to him one day ; " and I have 
 a great mind to give you -a fubje<5t to exer- 
 -cife the goodnefs of your heart upon." 
 
 " You cannot oblige me more," faid Tem- 
 ple, "than to point out any way by which I 
 can be ferviceable to my. fellow creatures." 
 
 ** Come along then," faid the young man, 
 *' we will go and vifit a man who is not in fo 
 good a lodging as he deferves ; and, were it 
 not that he has an angel with him, who com- 
 forts and fupports him, he mult long fincc 
 have funk under his misfortunes." The 
 young man's heart was too full to proceed ; 
 and Temple, unwilling to irritate his feelings 
 by making further enquiries,followedhimin 
 fdeuce, till they arrived at the Fleet prifon. 
 
C H A RL O T T E. 13 
 
 The officer enquired for Captain Eldridge. 
 A perfon led them up feveral pair of dirty- 
 flairs, and pointing to a door which led to a 
 miferable, iinall apartment, faid that was the 
 Captain's room, and retired. 
 
 The officer, whofe name was Blakeney, 
 xappcd at the door, and was bid to enter by 
 a voice melodioully foft. He opened the door, 
 and difcovered to Temple aicene which ri- 
 vetted him to the fpot with aitonifhment. 
 
 The apartment though fmall, and bearing 
 ■ftrong marks of poverty, was neat in the ex- 
 treme. In an arm-chair, his head reelinedup- 
 on his hand, his eyes fixed on a book which, 
 lay open before him, fat an aged man in a 
 Lieutenant's uniform, which, though thread- 
 bare, fhould fooner call a blufh of lliame in- 
 to the face of thofe who could negle£t real 
 merit, than caufe the heclic of confuiion to 
 glow on the cheeks of him who wore it. 
 
 Befide him fat a lovely creature, bufied in 
 painting.a fan mount. She was fair as the 
 lily ; but forrow had nipped the rofe in her 
 cheek, before it was half blown. Her eve§ 
 were blue ; and her hair, which was light 
 brown, was flightiy confined under a plaha 
 muilin cap, tied round with a black ribbon ; 
 a white linen gown and plain lawn handker- 
 chief compofed the remainder of her dreis ; 
 £nd in this fimple attire, ilie was more irie- 
 vol. I. B 
 
14 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 fiftibly charming to fuch a heart asTemplc"s, 
 than the would hare been, if adorned with 
 ail the fplehaor of a courtly belle. 
 
 - When they entered, the old man arofe 
 from his feat, and fhaking Blakeney by the 
 hand with great cordiality, offered Temple 
 his chair ; and there being but three in the 
 room, feated himfelf en the lide of his little 
 bed, with evident compofure. 
 
 i* This is a ftrange place," faid he to Tem- 
 ple, "to receive vilitors of diftincYion in ; 
 but we muft fit our feelings to our ftation. 
 While I am not afhamed to owft the caufe 
 which brought me here, why ihould I blufh 
 at my fituation ? Our misfortunes are not 
 our faults ; and were it not for that poor 
 
 Here the philofopher was loft in the father. 
 He rofe haftily from his feat, walked towards 
 the window, and wiped eft' a tear which he 
 was afraid would tarnifh the cheek'cf afailor. 
 
 Temple call his eye on Mifs Eldridge ; a 
 pellucid drop had ftolen from her eyes, and 
 fallen upon a rofe (lie was paintins/,. It blot- 
 ted and difcoloured the flower. " 'Tis em- 
 blematic," faid he mentally : " the rofe of 
 youth and health foon fades when watered 
 by the tear of afilicTion. n 
 
CHARLOTTE. 15 • 
 
 " My friend Blackeney," faid he, addreff* 
 ing the old man, " told me I could be of 
 fervice to you : be fo kind, then, dear Sir, 
 as to point out fome way in which I can re- 
 lieve the anxiety of your heart and encreafe 
 the pleafures of my own." 
 
 " My good young man," faid Eidridge, 
 " youknownot whatyou offer. Whii e depriv- 
 ed of my liberty, I cannot be free from anxi- 
 ety on my own account ; but that is a trifling; 
 concern ; my anxious thoughts extend to one 
 more dear a thoufand times than life : I am 
 a poor, weak, old man, and muft expecl in 
 a few years to fink into filence and oblivion ; 
 but when I am gone, who will protect that 
 fair bud of innocence from the b'lafts of ad- 
 verfity, or from the cruel hand of infult and 
 dishonour?" 
 
 " Oh, my father!" cried Mifs Eidridge,' 
 tenderly taking his hand, " be not anxious 
 on that account ; for daily are my prayers 
 offered to hearen that our lives may terminate 
 at the fame inflant, ami one grave receive 
 us both ; for why mould I live when depriv- 
 ed of my only friend I ' ' 
 
 Temple was moved even to tears. " You 
 will both live many years," faid he, " and I 
 hope fee muqh happinefe. Chee'rly, my friend, 
 cheerly ; thefe paffing clouds of adverhty will 
 ferve only to make the funfhme of profperity 
 
16 CHARLOTTE, 
 
 more plcafing. But We are loHng time : 
 you might ere this have told rnc who wert 
 your creditors, what were their demands, 
 arid other particulars necelTary to your libe- 
 ration." 
 
 44 My ftory is fhort," faid Mr. Eldridge; 
 ** but there are fome particulars which will 
 wring my heart barely to remember ; yet to 
 one whole offers of friendfhip appear fo open 
 and diiinterefted, I will relate every circum- 
 ilance that led to my prefent painful filiation. 
 But my child," continued he, addreffmg his 
 daughter, " let me prevail ou you to take 
 this opportunity, while my friends are with 
 me, to enjoy the benefit of air and exercife. 
 ■Go, my love ; leave me now ; to-morrow at 
 your vifual hour I will expect you." 
 
 Mifs Eldridge impreffed on his cheek the 
 ldfs of filial affection, and obeyed. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 2i 
 
 i y her ; but offered to releafe me immediate- 
 ly, and make any fettlement on her, if George 
 would perfuade her to live, as he impioufly 
 termed it, a life of honor. 
 
 " Fired at the infult offered to a man and 
 a foldier, my boy ftruck the villain, and a 
 challenge enfued. He then went to a coffee- 
 houfe in the neighborhood, and wrote a long$ 
 affectionate letter to me, blaming himfelf fe^ 
 verely for having introduced Lewis into thg 
 family, or permitted him to confer an obliga- 
 tion, which had brought inevitable ruin on 
 us all. He begged me, whatever might be 
 the event of the enfuing morning, not to 
 fuffer regret or unavailing forrow for his fate, 
 to encreafe the anguifh of my heart, which, he 
 greatly feared was already infupportable. 
 
 " This letter was delivered to me early hi 
 the morning. It would be in vain to attempt 
 defcribing my feelings oil the perufal of it ; 
 fuffice it to Fay, that a merciful Providence 
 interpofed, and I was for three weeks infen- 
 fible to miferies almoft beyond the ftrength 
 of human nature to fupport. 
 
 " A fever and ftrong delirium feized me, 
 and my life was defpaired of. At length, 
 nature, overpowered with fatigue, gave way 
 to the falutary power of reft, and a quiet 
 (lumber of fome hours reflored me to reafon, 
 though the extreme weaknefs of my frame 
 prevented my feeling my diftrefe fo "acutely 
 as I othcrwife fhculd. 
 
22 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 11 The -Rrft object that ftruck me on awak- 
 ing, was Lucy iitting by my bedfide ; her 
 pale countenance and fable drefs prevented 
 my enquiries for poor George : for the letter 
 I had received from him, was the firft thing 
 that occurred to my memory. By degrees 
 the reft returned : I recollected being arrett- 
 ed, but could no ways account for being in 
 this apartment, whither they had conveyed 
 me during my illnefs. 
 
 " I was fo weak as to be almoft unable to 
 fpeak : preffed Lucy's hand, and looked ear- 
 neftly round the apartment in fearch of ano- 
 ther dear object. 
 
 \ Where is your mother ?" faid I faintly. 
 
 u The poor girl could not anfwer : flic 
 fhook her head in exprefiive lilence ; and 
 throwing herfelf on the bed, folded her arm's 
 about me, and burit into tears. 
 
 " What ! both gone," faid I. 
 
 " Both," fhe replied, endeavoring to f"<g- 
 ftrainher emotions : " but they are happy, 
 no doubt." 
 
 Here Mr. Eldridge paufed : the recollec- 
 tion of the fcene was too painful to permit 
 him to proceed. 
 
CHARLOTTE/ '23 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CHANGE OF FORTUNE. 
 
 „T was fome days," continued Mr. Eld- 
 ridge, recovering himfelf, " before I could 
 venture to enquire the particulars of what 
 had happened during my iilnefs ••••at length 
 I aflumed courage to afk my dear girl, how 
 long her mother and brother had been dead : 
 fhe told me, that the morning after my ar- 
 reft, George came home early to enquire- af- 
 ter his mother's health, flaid with them rjut 
 a few minutes, feemed greatly agitated at 
 parting, but gave them ftrict charge to keep 
 up their fpirits, and hope every thing would 
 •turn out for the heft. In about two hours 
 after, as they were fitting at breakfaft, and 
 endeavoring; to itrike out ibmc plan to attain 
 my liberty, they heard a loud rap at the door, 
 which Lucy running to open, fhe met the 
 bleeding bocyj)f her brother, borne in by 
 two men who had lifted him from a litter, on 
 which they had brought him from the place 
 where he fought. Her poor mother, weak- 
 ened by iilnefs and the druggies of the pre- 
 ceding night, was not abie to fupport this 
 fliock : gafping for breath, her looks v. i d 
 and haggard, fhe reached the apartment 
 
24 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 where they had carried her dying fon. She- 
 knelt by the bed-fide ; and taking his cold 
 hand, ' my poor boy,' faicl fhe, ' I will not 
 be parted from thee : hufband ! fon ! both at 
 once lofc — Father of mercies fpare me !' — 
 She fell into aflrong convulfion, and expired 
 in about two hours. In the mean time, a 
 furgeon had drefted George ? s wounds ; but 
 they were in fuch a fituation as to bar the 
 fmalleft hopes of recovery. He never was 
 fenfible from the time he was bro't home, and 
 died that evening in the arms of his lifter. 
 
 " Late as it was when this event took 
 place, my affectionate Lucy infilled on concu 
 ing to me. * What mull he feel,' faid fhe, 
 4 at our apparent neglect, and how fhall I in- 
 form him of the afflictions with which it has 
 pleafed heaven to vifit us V 
 
 " She left the care of the dear departed 
 ones to fome neighbors, who had kindly 
 come in to comfort and affift her ; and on en- 
 tering the houfe where I was confined, found 
 me in the fituation I have mentioned. 
 
 " How fhe fupported herfelf in thefe try- 
 ing moments, I know not : heaven, no doubt, 
 was with her ; and her anxiety to preferve 
 the life of one parent in fome meafure abated 
 her a9U6tion for the lofs of the other. 
 
CHARLOTTE. .2* 
 
 " My circumftances were greatly embar- 
 raffed, my acquaintance few, and thofe few 
 utterly unable to afiift me. When my wife 
 and fon were committed to the kindred earth, 
 my creditors feized my houfe and furniture, 
 which not being fufficient to difcharge all 
 their demands, detainers were lodged againft 
 me. No friend Hepped forward to my relief; 
 from the grave of her mother, my beloved 
 Lucy followed an almoft dying father to this 
 melancholy place. 
 
 " Here we have been nearly a year and a 
 half. My half-pay I have given up to fatis- 
 fy my creditors, and my child fupports mc 
 by her induftry : fometimes by fine needle- 
 work, fometimes by painting.. She leaves 
 me every night, and goes to a lodging near 
 the bridge: but returns in the morning, to> 
 cheer me with her fmiles, and blefs me by 
 her duteous afFeclion. A lady once offered 
 her an afylum in her family ; but fhe would 
 not leave me. * We are all the world to 
 each other,' faid fhe, c I thank God, I have 
 health and fpirits to improve the talents with 
 which nature has endowed me ; and I trufl, 
 if I employ them in the fupport of a beloved 
 parent, I (hall not be thought an unprofitable 
 fervant. W'hile he lives, I pray for flrength 
 to purfue my employment ; and when it 
 pleafes heaven to take one of us, may it give 
 the furvivor fortitude to bear the feparation 
 with due refignation ; till then I will never 
 leave him.' vol. 1. c 
 
26 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 " But where is this inhuman perfecutor ?" 
 faid Temple. 
 
 " He has been abroad ever fmce," replied 
 the old man; ''but he has left orders with 
 his lawyer never to give up the note till the 
 utmoft farthing is paid." 
 
 " And how much is the amount of your 
 debts in all ?" faid Temple. 
 
 " Five hundred pounds," he replied. 
 
 \ Temple ftarted : it was more than he ex- 
 peeled. "But fomething muft be done,'* 
 faid he : " that fweet maid muft not wear 
 out her life in a prifon. I will fee you again 
 to-morrow, my friend," faid he, fhaking El- 
 dridge's hand : " keep up your fpirits : light 
 and ihade are not more happily blended than 
 are the pleafures and pains of life ; and the 
 horrors of the one ferve only to encreafe the 
 fplendor of the other,' ? 
 
 " You never loft a wife and fon,'' faigl EI- 
 dridge. 
 
 " No," replied he, "but I can feel for 
 thofe that have." Eldridge preffed his hand, 
 as they went toward the door, and they part- 
 ed in filence. 
 
 When they got without the walls of the 
 prifon, Temple thanked his friend Blackener 
 
CHARLOtT E. 27 
 
 for introducing him to fo worthy a character; 
 and telling him he had a particular engage- 
 ment in the city, wifhed him a good evening. 
 
 " And what is to be done for this diftreff- 
 edman?" faid Temple, as he walked up 
 Ludeate Hill. " Would to heaven I had a 
 fortune that would enable me inftantly to 
 difcharge his debt ; what exquifite tranfport, 
 to fee the expreffive eyes of Lucy beaming at 
 once with pleafure for her father's deliver^ 
 ance, and gratitude for her deliverer : but is 
 not my fortune affluence," continued he, 
 ** nay, fuperfluous wealth, when compared 
 to the extreme indigence of Eldridge ? and 
 what have I done to deferve eafe and plenty, 
 while a brave worthy officer flarves in a pri- 
 fon : Three hundred a year is furely -fuflici* 
 ent for all my wants and wifhes ; at any rate^ 
 Eldridge mult be relieved." 
 
 When the heart has will, the hands canfoon 
 find means to execute a r<ood action. 
 
 Temple was a young man, his feelings 
 warm and impetuous; unacquainted with the 
 world, his heart had not been rendered cal- 
 lous by being convinced of its fraud and hy- 
 pocrify. He pitied their fufferings, overlook- 
 ed their aults, thought every bofom as ge- 
 nerous as his own, and would cheerfully 
 have divided hislafl guinea with an unfortu- 
 nate fellow creature. 
 
28 CHARLOTTE 
 
 No wonder, then, that fuch a man, (with- 
 out waiting a moment for the interference of 
 Madam Prudence) fhould refolve to raife 
 money fufficient for the relief of Eldridge, 
 by mortgaging part of his fortune. 
 
 We will not enquire too minutely into the 
 motive which might actuate him in this in- 
 ftance : fumce it to fay, he immediately put 
 the plan in execution; and in three days from 
 the time lie firft faw the unfortunate Lieute- 
 nant, he had the fuperlative felicity of feeing 
 him at liberty, and receiving an ample re- 
 ward in the tearful eye and half articulated 
 thanks of the grateful Lucy. 
 
 11 And pray, young man," faid his father 
 to him one morning, " what are your de- 
 figns in vifiting thus conftantly that old man 
 and his daughter ?" 
 
 Temple w^as at a lofs for a reply : he had 
 never afked himfelf the queftion : he hefitat- 
 ed and his father continued.... 
 
 "It was not till within thefe few days that I 
 heard in what manner your acquaintance firft 
 commenced, and cannot fuppofe any thing 
 but attachment to the daughter could carry 
 you fuch imprudent lengths for the father ; it 
 certainly muft be her art that drew you in to 
 mortgage part of your fortune." 
 
CHARLOTTE. 39 
 
 K '- Art, Sir!" cried Temple eagerly.... 
 '*' Lucy Eldridge is as free from art as ilie is 
 from every other error : ihe is " 
 
 " Every thing that is amiable and lovely,' * 
 faid his father, interrupting him, ironically; 
 * no doubt, in your opinion fhe is a pattern 
 of excellence for all her fex to follow ; but 
 come, Sir, pray tell me, what are your de- 
 iigns toward this paragon ? I hope you do 
 not intend to complete your folly by marry- 
 ing her." 
 
 " Were my fortune fuch as would fupport 
 her, according to her merit, I don't know a 
 woman more formed to enfure happinels in 
 the married ftate." 
 
 li Then prithee, my dear lad," faid his 
 father, " fmce your rank and fortune are fo 
 much beneath what your Princess might ex- 
 pec!, be fo kind as to turn your eyes to Mifs 
 Weatherby ; who, having only an eftate of 
 three thoufand a year, is more upon a level 
 with you, and whofe father yefterclay iblieited 
 the mighty honor of your alliance. I ihali 
 leave you to corifider on this oiT. r ; and pray 
 remember, that your -union with Mifs Wea- 
 therby will put it in your power to be more 
 liberally the friend of Lucy Eldrkisre." 
 
SO CHARLOTTE. 
 
 The old gentleman walked in a ftately 
 manner out of the room ; and Temple flood 
 almoft petrified with altomftiment, contempt 
 and rage, 
 
CHARLOTTE. 31 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 SUCH THINGS ARE, 
 
 JVliss Weatherby was the only chnd of a 
 wealthy man, almoft idolized by her parents, 
 flattered by her dependants, and never con- 
 tradicted even by thofewho called themfelves 
 her friends : I cannot give a better defcrip- 
 tion than by the following lines : 
 
 The lovely maid whose form and face 
 Nature has deck'd with every grace, 
 But in whose breast no virtues glow. 
 Whose heart ne'er felt another's woe, 
 Whose hand ne'er smooth'd the bed of pain, 
 Or eas'd the captive's galling chain : 
 But like the tulip caught the eye, 
 Born just to be admir'd and die ; 
 When gone, no one regrets its loss, 
 Or scarce remembers that it was. 
 
 Such was Mifs Weatherby; her form 
 lovely as nature could make it, but her mind 
 uncultivated, her heart unfeeling, her pafii on s 
 
32 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 impetuous, and her brain almoft turned with 
 flattery, difiipation and pleafure ; and fuch 
 was the girl, whom a partial grandfather left 
 independent miftrefs of the fortune before 
 mentioned. 
 
 She had feen Temple frequently ; and fan- 
 cying fhe could never be happy without 
 him, nor once imagining he could refufe a 
 girl of her beauty and fortune, fhe prevailed 
 on her fond father to offer the alliance to the 
 old Earl of D , Mr. Temple's father. 
 
 The. Earl had received the offer courte- 
 oully : he thought it a great match for Hen- 
 ry ; and was too fafhionable a man to fuppofe 
 a wife couldlje any impediment to the friend- 
 Ihip he profelTed for Eldridge and his daugh- 
 ter. 
 
 Unfortunately for Temple, he thought 
 quite otherwife : the converfation he had juft 
 had with his father, difcovered to him the 
 iituation of his heart ; and he found that the 
 moft affluent fortune would bring no in- 
 creafe of happinefs uniefs Lucy Eldridge 
 fnared it with him ; and the integrity of his 
 own heart, made him fhudder at the idea his 
 father had ftarted, of marrying a woman for 
 no other reafon than becaufe the affluence of 
 her fortune would enable him to injure her 
 by maintaining in fplendor the woman to 
 whom his heart was devoted : he therefore 
 
CHARLOTTE. 33 
 
 refolved to refufe Mifs Weatherby, and, be 
 the event what it might, offer his heart and 
 hand to Lucy Eldridge. 
 
 Full of this determination, he fought his 
 father, declared his refolution, and was com- 
 manded nevermore to appear in his prefence. 
 Temple bowed : his heart was too full .to per- 
 mit him to fpeak ; he left the houfe preci- 
 pitately, and haftened to relate the caufe of 
 his forrows, to his good old friend and his 
 amiable daughter. 
 
 In the mean time, the Earl, vexed to the 
 foul that fuch a fortune fhould be loft, de- 
 termined to offer himfelf a candidate for Mifs 
 Weatherby's favor. 
 
 "What wonderful changes are wrought by 
 that reigning power, ambition ! the love-fick 
 girl, when mil fhe heard of Temple's refu- 
 sal, wept, raved, tore her hair, and vowed to 
 found a proteftant nunnery with her fortune ; 
 and commencing abbefs, to fhut herfelf up 
 from the fight of cruel ungrateful man for 
 ever. 
 
 Her father was a man of the world : he 
 fuffered this firft tranfport to fubfide,and then 
 very deliberately unfolded to her the offers of 
 the old Earl, expatiated on the many be- 
 nefits arifmg from an elevated title, painted 
 in glowing colours the furprife and vexatica 
 
34 CHAKLOTT E. 
 
 of Temple when he fhould fee her figuring 
 as a Countefs and his mother-in-law, and 
 begged her to confider well before fhe made 
 any rafh vows. 
 
 The distressed fair one dried her tears, 
 iifienecl patiently, and at length declared fhe 
 believed the fureft method to revenge the 
 flight put on her by the fon, would be to ac- 
 cept the father : fo faid fo done, and in a few 
 days (lie became the Countefs D -. 
 
 Temple heard the news with emotion : 
 he had loft his father's favor by .avowing his 
 paifion for Lucy, and he faw now there was 
 no hope of regaining it : "but he fhall not 
 make me miferable," faid he, " Lucy and I 
 have no ambitious notions : we can live. on 
 three hundred a year for fome little time, till 
 the mortgage is paid off, and then we fhall 
 have fufficient not only for the comforts but 
 many of the little elegancies of iife. We will 
 purchafe a little cottage, my Lucy," faid he, 
 *' and thither, with your reverend father, we 
 will retire ; we will forget that there are fuch 
 things as fplendor, profufion and difiipation : 
 we will have fome cows, and you fhall be 
 queen of the dairy ; in a morning, while I 
 look after my garden, you fhall take a bafket 
 on your arm, and fally forth to feed your 
 poultrv ; and as they flutter round you in 
 token of humble gratitude, your father, fhall 
 fmoke his pipe in, a woodbine alcove, and 
 
CHARLOTTE, 35 
 
 viewing the ferenity of your countenance, 
 feel fuch real pleafure dilate his heart, as fhall 
 make him forget he has ever been unhappy." 
 
 Lucy fmiled : and Temple faw it was the 
 fmile of approbation. He fought and found 
 a cottage fuited to his tafle ; thither, attend- 
 ed by Love and Hymen, the happy trio re- 
 tired, where, during many years of uninter- 
 lupted felicity, they call not a wifh beyond 
 the little boundaries of their own tenement. 
 Plenty, and her handmaid, Prudence, prefid- 
 ed at their board ; Hofpitality flood at their 
 gate, Peace fmiled on each face, Content 
 reigned in each heart, and Love and Health 
 ftrewed rofes on their pillows. 
 
 Such were the parents of Charlotte Tem- 
 ple, who was the only pledge of their mutual 
 love, and who, at the earneft entreaty of a 
 particular friend, was permitted to finifh the 
 education her mother had begun, at Madame 
 Du Pont's fchool, where we firft introduced 
 frer to the acquaintance of the reader. 
 
C H A R L O T T E, 
 
 -<^><XX>000<^><>0<><><><>00— 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 AN INTRIGUING TEACHER. 
 
 JVIadame Du Pont was a woman every 
 way calculated to take the care of young la- 
 dies, had that care entirely devolved on her- 
 felf ; but it was impoflible to attend the edu- 
 cation of a numerous fchool without proper 
 afliftants : and thofe afiiftants were not always 
 the kind of people wliGfe converfation and 
 morals were exactly fuch as parents of de~ 
 licacv and refinement would wifh a daughter 
 to copy. Among the teachers at Madame 
 Du Pont's fchool, was Mademoifelle La Rue, 
 who added to a pleafmg perfon and infinu- 
 ating addrefs, a liberal education and the 
 manners of a gentlewoman. She was re- 
 commended to the fchool by a lady, whofe 
 humanity overflepped the bounds of difcre- 
 tion : for though fhe knew Mifs La Rue had 
 eloped from a convent with a young oiiicer, 
 and, on coming to England, had lived with 
 feveral different men in open defiance of all 
 moral and religious duties ; yet, finding her 
 reduced to the molt abject want, and believ- 
 vol. 1. D 
 
38 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 ing the penitence which fhe profeffed to be 
 fmcere, fhe took her into her own family, and 
 from thence recommended her to Madame 
 Du Pont, as thinking the iituation more fu it- 
 able for a woman of her abilities. But Ma- 
 damoifellc pofTefTed too much the fpirit of 
 intrigue to remain long without adventures. 
 At church, where fhe conftantly appeared, 
 her perfon attracted the attention of a young 
 man who was upon a vifit at a gentleman's 
 feat in the neighborhood : fhe had met him 
 feveral times clandeftinely ; and being invit- 
 ed to come out that evening, and eat fomc 
 fruit and paltry in a fummer-houfe belonging, 
 to the gentleman he was vihting, and re- 
 quefted to bring fome of the ladies with her. 
 Charlotte being her favorite, was fixed on to 
 accompany her. 
 
 The mind of youth eafily catches at pro- 
 mifed pleafure : pure and innocent by nature, 
 it thinks not of the dangers lurking beneath 
 tjiofe pleafures, till too late to avoid them ; 
 when Mademoifelle aiked Charlotte to go 
 with her, fhe mentioned the getleman as a 
 relation, and ipoke in. fuch high terms of the^ 
 elegance of his gardens, the fprightliiiefs of 
 his converfaticn, and the liberality with 
 which he ever entertained his guefts, that 
 Churl cUe thought only of the pleafure fhe 
 fhould enjoy in the vifit,...noton the impru- 
 dence of going without her governefs's 
 knowledge, or of the danger to which Hie 
 
CHARLOTT E. 8f 
 
 expofed herfelf in 'vifiting the houfe of a gay 
 young man of fafhion. 
 
 Madame Du PSrti had gone but for the 
 evening: ; and the reft of the ladies retired to 
 reft, ivhen Charlotte and the teacher Hole out 
 at the back gate, and in cr offing the field, 
 were accofted by Montraville, as mentioned 
 in the firft chapter. 
 
 Charlotte was difappointed in the pleafure 
 fhe had promifed herfelf from this viiit. The 
 levit} T of the gentlemen and the freedom of 
 their ccnverfation difgufted her. She was 
 aftdnifned at the liberties Mademoifelle per- 
 mitted them to take ; grew thoughtful and 
 uneafy, and heartily wifhed herfelf at home 
 again in her own chamber. 
 
 Perhaps one caufe of that W r ifh might be," 
 in eameft defire to fee the contents of the 
 letter which had been put into her hand by 
 Montraville. 
 
 Any reader, who has the leaft knowledge 
 of the world, will eafily imagine the fetter 
 ■was made ur> of encomiums on her beautv, 
 and vows of cverlafting love and constancy ; 
 nor will he be furprifed that a heart open to 
 every gentle, generous fentinient, mould feel 
 iffelf warmed by gratitude for a man who 
 profeffed to feel fo much for her ; nor is it 
 improbable that her mind might revert to 
 
40 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 the agreeable perfon and martial appearance 
 of Montravilie. 
 
 In affairs of love, a young heart is never in 
 more danger than when attacked by a 
 handfome young foldier. A man of indiffe- 
 rent appearance, will, when arrayed in a mi- 
 litary habit, fhow to advantage ; but when 
 beauty of perfon, elegance of manner, and an 
 eafy method of paying compliments, are unit- 
 ed to the fcarlet coat, fmart cockade, and 
 military faJh, ah ! well-a-day for the poor 
 girl who gazes on him : (he is in imminent 
 danger ; but if fhe linens to him with plea- 
 fure, 'tis all over with her, and from that 
 moment fhe has neither eyes nor ears for any 
 other object. 
 
 Now, my dear fober matron, (if a fober 
 matron ihould deign to turn over thefe pages, 
 before fhe trufts them to the eye of a darling 
 daughter,) let me entreat you not to put on a 
 grave face and throw down the book in a 
 paffion, and declare 'tis enough to turn the 
 heads of half the girls in England ; I do fo- 
 lemnly proteft, my dear madam, I mean no 
 more by what I have here advanced, than to 
 ridicule thofe romantic girls, who foolifhly 
 imagine a red coat and a filver epaulet con- 
 ftitute the fine gentleman ; and fhould that 
 fine gentleman make half a dozen fine fpeech- 
 es to them, they will imagine themfelves 
 fo much in love as to fancy it a meritorious 
 
CHA&LdTTE. 41 
 
 action to jump out of a two pair of ftairs win- 
 dow, abandon their friends, and truft entirely 
 to the honor of a man, who perhaps hardly 
 knows the meaning of the word, and, if he 
 does, will be too much the modern man of 
 refinement, to practice it in their favor. 
 
 Gracious heaven ! when I think on the 
 miferies that rauft rend the heart of a dcating 
 parent, when he fees the darling of his age 
 at firft feduced from his protection, and after- 
 wards abandoned, by the very wretch whofe 
 promifes of love decoyed her from the pater- 
 nal roof . . .when he fees her poor and wretch- 
 ed, her bofom torn between remorfe for her 
 crime and love for her vile betrayer.... when 
 fancy paints to me the good old man {looping 
 to raife the weeping penitent, while every 
 tear from her eye is numbered by drops from 
 his bleeding heart, my bofom glows with 
 honeft indignation, and I wiili for power to 
 extirpate thofe monflers of feduclion from 
 the earth. 
 
 Oh, my dear girls.... for tofuch only am I 
 writing — liften not to the voice of love, un- 
 lefs fanclioned by paternal approbation : be 
 allured, it is now paftthe days of romance : 
 no woman can be run away with contrary to 
 her own inclination : then kneel down each 
 morning, and requeft kind heaven to keep 
 you free from temptation, or, mould it pleafe 
 to fuffer you to be tried, pray for fortitude to 
 d 2 
 
42 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 refill the impulfe of inclination when it runs 
 counter to the precepts qf religion and virtue. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 48 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 NATURAL SENSE OF PROPRIETY INHE- 
 RENT IN THE FEMALE BOSOM. 
 
 li JL cannot think we have done exactly 
 right in going out this evening, Mademoi- 
 felle," faid Charlotte, feating herfelf when The 
 entered her apartment : " nay, I am fure it 
 was not right ; for I expected to be very 
 happy, but was fadly difappointed." 
 
 " It was your own fault, then," replied 
 Mademoifelle : " for I am fure my coufm 
 omitted nothing that could ferve to render 
 th£ evening agreeable." 
 
 " True," faid Charlotte : "but I thought 
 the gentlemen were very free in their man- 
 ner : I wonder you would fuffer them to be- 
 have as they did." 
 
 " Prithee, don't be fuch a foolifli little 
 prude," faid the artful woman, affecting an- 
 ger : "I invited you to go, in hopes it would 
 divert you, and be an agreeable change of 
 fcene ; however, if your delicacy was hurt 
 by the behaviour of the gentlemen, you need 
 not go again; fo there let it reit.'^ 
 
44 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 " I do not intend to go again, " faid Char- 
 lotte, gravely taking off her bonnet, and be- 
 ginning to prepare for bed : "I am fure, if 
 Madame Du Pont knew we had been out to 
 night, ihc would be very angry ; and it is ten 
 to one but fhe hears of" it by ibme means or 
 other." 
 
 1 'Nay, Mifs," faid La Rue, "perhaps 
 your mighty fcnfc of propriety may lead you 
 to tell her yourfelf : and in order to avoid the 
 ccnfurc you would incur, fhould flie hear 
 of it by accident, throw the bkine on me : 
 but I cor.fcfs I defervc it : it y:ill be a very 
 kind return for that partiality which led -me 
 to prefer you before any of the reft of the la- 
 dies ; but perhaps it will give you pleafure," 
 continued fhe, letting fall fome hypocritical 
 tears, "to fee me deprived of bread, and, 
 for an a£lion which by the moil rigid could 
 only be efieemed an inadvertency, lofe my 
 place and character, and be driven again in- 
 to the world, where I have already filtered 
 all the evils attendant on poverty." 
 
 This, was touching Charlotte in the nicfl 
 vulnerable part ; me rofe from her feat, and. 
 taking MaGernoifeuVs hand...." you know, 
 my dear La Rue," faid (ha, " I love you too 
 wen, to do any thing that would injure you 
 inmv go vemefs\s opinion : I am onlvforrv 
 we went otit this eVeninp * 
 
 '6 
 
 A t ai 
 
CHARLOTTE. 45 
 
 u I don't believe it, Charlotte," faid fhe 
 affuming a little vivacity ; " for if you had 
 not gone out, ) r ou would not have feen the 
 gentleman who met us crofiing the field ; 
 and I rather think you were pleafed with his 
 conversation." 
 
 " I had feen him once before," replied 
 Charlotte, " and thought him an agreeable 
 man ; and you know one is always pleafed to 
 fee a perfon with whom one has paffed feve- 
 ral cheerful hours. But," faid fhe, paufmg, 
 and drawing the letter from ker pocket, 
 while a gentle fuSufion of vermillion tinged 
 her neck and face, "he gave me this letter : 
 What (hall I do with it :" 
 
 " Read it, to be fure," returned Made- 
 moifelle. 
 
 " I am afraid I ought not," faid Charlotte : 
 " my mother has often told me, I fhduld ne- 
 ver read a letter given me by a young man, 
 without firil giving it to her." 
 
 " Lord blcfs you, my dear girl," cried the 
 teacher fmiling, " have you a mind to be in 
 leading 1 firings all your life time ? Prithee 
 open tl>e letter, read it, and judge for your- 
 f .'f ; if you (how it to your mother, the con- 
 fequence will be, you will be taken from 
 fchool, and a Uriel guard kept over you : fo 
 you will Hand no chance of ever feeing the- 
 fmart young officer again. 
 
46 C H A R J L l O T T E. 
 
 " I fliould not like to leave fchool yet," 
 replied Charlotte, " till I have attained a 
 greater proficiency in my Italian and munc. 
 But )*ou can, if you pleafe, Mademoifelle, 
 take the letter back to Montraviile, and tell 
 him I wilh him well, but cannot, with 'any 
 propriety, enter into a clancleftine correspon- 
 dence with him." She laid the letter on the 
 table, and began to undrefs herfeif. 
 
 " Well," faid La Rue, " I vow you are 
 an unaccountable girl : have you no ciirion- 
 ty to fee the infide now ? For my part I could 
 no more let a letter -addreifed to me lie itn- 
 opened fo long, than I could work miracles ; 
 he writes a good hand," continued fhe, turn* 
 ing the letter, to look at the faperfcription. 
 
 " 'Tis well enough," faid Charlotte, 
 drawing it towards her. 
 
 " He h a genteel young fellow," faid La 
 Rue, carelefsly folding trp her apron at the 
 fame time ; u but I think he is marked with 
 the fmall pox." 
 
 " O you are greatly mi Raken," faid Char- 
 lotte, eagerly ';' : "he fra*s a remarkable' dear 
 {kin and fine complexion." 
 
 '"'His "'eyes, if l could judge bv what I 
 faw," faid La Hue, " are g?zy, and want ex- 
 prefnen." 
 
GHARL.OTT E. 47 
 
 "By no means," replied Charlotte; "they 
 are the molt exprefiive eyes I ever faw." 
 
 " Well, child, whether they are grey or 
 black is of no confequence ; you have de- 
 termined net to read his letter ; fo it is like- 
 ly 3-011 .will never either fee or hear from him 
 again." 
 
 Charlotte took up the letter and MademoU 
 felle continued 
 
 " He is moll probably going to America : 
 and if ever you fhouid hear any account of 
 him, it may pombly be, that he is killed ; 
 and though he loved you ever fo fervently, 
 though his lafc breath fho.uld be fpent in a 
 prayer for your happinefs, it can be nothing 
 to you: you can feel Nothing for the fate of 
 the man, whofe letters you will not open, and 
 whofe fufferings you will not alleviate, by 
 permitting him to think you would remem- 
 ber 'him when abfent, and pray for his fafety." 
 
 Charlotte ilill held the letter in her hand: 
 her heart fwelled at the concluficn of Made* 
 mqiielie's fpeech, and a tear dropped upon 
 the wafer that clcfed it. 
 
 " The wafer is not dry yet," faid fhe, 
 
 " and fure there can be no great harm " 
 
 She hefitated. La Rue was fiient. " I may 
 read, it Macemcifelle, and return it after- 
 wards." 
 
48 C II A R L O T T E. 
 
 " Certainly," replied Mademoifellc. 
 
 " At any rate I am determined not to an- 
 fwer it," continued Charlotte, as ihe opened 
 the letter. 
 
 Here let me flop to make one remark, and 
 truft me my very heart aches while I write 
 it ; but certain I am, that when once a wo- 
 man has ftifled the fenfe of fhame in her own 
 bofom, when once fhe has loft fight of the ba- 
 ns on which reputation, honor, every thing 
 that fhould be dear to the female heart, refts, 
 flie grows hardened in guilt, and will fpare 
 no pains to bring down innocence and beau- 
 ty to the. fhocking level with herfelf : and 
 this proceeds from that diabolical fpirit of 
 envy, which repines at feeing another in the 
 fullpoflfeffion of that refpecl: and eileem which 
 fhe can no longer hope to enjoy. 
 
 Mademoifellc eyed the unfufpecYmg Char- 
 lotte, as fhe perufed the letter, with a malig- 
 nant pleafure. She faw that the contents 
 had awakened new emotions in her youthful 
 bofom : fhe encouraged her hopes, calmed 
 her fears, and before they parted for the 
 night, it was determined that (he fhould 
 meet Montraville in the enfuing evening. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 49 
 
 — 3=>tC$€g>S&^^®3$QOGO&*- 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 DOMESTIC PLEASURE PLANNED. 
 
 44 1 think, my dear," faid Mrs. Temple, 
 laying her hand on her hufband's arm, as they 
 were walking together in the garden, " I 
 think next Wednefday is Charlotte's birth 
 day : now I have formed a little fcheme in 
 my own mind, to give her an agreeable fur- 
 prife ; and if you have no objection, we will 
 fend for her home on that day." Temple 
 preffedhis wife's hand, in token of approba- 
 tion, and Die proceeded — u You know the 
 little alcove at the bottom of the garden, of 
 which Charlotte is fo fond ? I have an incli- 
 nation to deck this out in a fanciful man* 
 ner, and invite all her little friends to partake 
 of a collation of fruit, fweatmeats, and other 
 things fuitable to the general tafte of young 
 guefts ; and to make it more pleafing to 
 Charlotte, ihe {hall be miftrefs of the feafl, 
 and entertain her viiitors in this alcove. I 
 know fhe will be delighted ; and, to com- 
 yoL. 1. E 
 
50 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 plete all, they fhall have fome inufic, and 
 finifh with a dance." 
 
 " A very fine plan indeed," faid Temple, 
 fmiling ; " and you really fuppofe I will wink 
 at your indulging the girl in this manner ? 
 You will quite fpoil her, Lucy, indeed you 
 will." 
 
 *' She is the only child we have," faid 
 Mrs. Temple, the whole tendernefs of a 
 mother adding animation to her fine counte- 
 nance ; but it was withal tempered fo fweet- 
 ly with the meek affection and kind compli- 
 ance of the wife, that, as fhe paufed, expect- 
 ing her hufband's anfwer, he gazed at her 
 tenderly, and found he was unable to refufe 
 her requeft, 
 
 *' She is a good girl," faid Temple. 
 
 " She is, indeed," replied the fond mo- 
 ther exultingly, " a grateful, affectionate 
 girl ; and I am fure will never lofe fight of 
 the duty fhe owes her parents." 
 
 " If fhe does," faid he, " fhe muft forget 
 the example fctherby the belt of mothers." 
 
 Mrs. Temple could not reply ; but the 
 delightful fenfation that dilated her heart, 
 fparkled in her intelligent eyes, and height- 
 ened the vermillion on her cheeks. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 51 
 
 Of all the pleasures of which the human 
 mind is lenfible, there is none equal to that 
 which warms and expands the bcfom, when 
 we are liftening to commendations bellowed 
 upon us by a beloved object, and are con- 
 fcious of havinsr defer ved them, 
 
 o 
 
 Ye giddy flatterers in the fantaflic round 
 of diffipation, who eagerly feek pleafure in 
 the lofty dome, rich treat, and midnight re- 
 vel — tell me, thoughtlefs daughters of folly, 
 have you ever found the phantom you have 
 fo long fought with fuch unremitted affi- 
 duity ? Has fhe not always eluded your 
 grafp, and, when you have reached your hand 
 to take the cup fhe extends to her deluded 
 votaries, have you not found the long ex- 
 pected draught ftrongly tinctured with the 
 bitter dregs of difappointment ? I know you 
 have : I fee it in the wan cheek, funk cye y 
 and air of chagrin, which ever mark the 
 children of diffipation. Pleafure is a vain 
 iilufion ; fhe draws you on to a thoufand fol- 
 lies, errors, and 1 may fay vices, and then 
 leaves you to deplore your thoughtlefs cre- 
 dulity. • 
 
 Look, my dear friends, at yonder loveU- 
 Virgin, arrayed in a white robe, devoid of 
 ornament ; behold the meeknefs of her coun- 
 tenance, the modefty of her gait ; her hand- 
 maids are Humility , Filial 'Piety, Conjugal 
 JJ'ccttd'i, Industry and Benevolence ; he? 
 
52 C H A R L O T T E.. 
 
 name is Content ; (he holds in her hand the' 
 cup of true felicity, and when once you hare 
 formed an intimate acquaintance with thei'e 
 her attendants, nay, you muft admit them as 
 your bofom friends and chief counfellors, 
 then, whatever may be your iituation in life, 
 the meek eyed Virgin w ( Bl immediately take 
 up her abode with you. 
 
 Is poverty your portion ? — fne will light- 
 ten your labors, preiide at your frugal board, 
 and watch your quiet (lumbers. 
 
 Is your flate mediocrity ? — fhe will heigh- 
 ten every bleffing you enjoy, by informing 
 you how grateful you fhoulcl be to that boun- 
 tiful Providence who might have placed you 
 m the moft abject fituation ; and, by teach- 
 ing you to weigh your blefhngs againft your 
 deferts, fhow you how much more you re> 
 ceive, than you have a right to expect. 
 
 Are you poffefied of affluence ? — what an 
 inexhauftible fund of happinefs will (lie lay 
 before you ! To relieve the diitreffed, re- 
 clrefsthe injured, in fhort, to perform all the 
 good works of peace and mercy. 
 
 Content, my dear friends, will blunt even 
 the arrows of advcifity, fo that they cannot 
 materially harm you. She will dwell in the 
 humbled cottage : (lie will attend you even 
 to a prifon. Her parent is religion ; her 
 
C H A R L O T T E 4 5JS 
 
 lifters, Patience and Hope. She will pais 
 with you through life, fmoothing the rough 
 paths, and treading to earth thole thorns 
 which every one mult meet with as thcv 
 journey onward to the appointed goal. She 
 will foften the pains of hcknels, continue 
 with you even in the cold gloomy hour of 
 death, and, cheering you with the fmiles of 
 her heaven-born filter, Hope, lead you tri- 
 umphantly to a blifsful eternity. 
 
 I confefs I have rambled ftrangely from my 
 ftory : but what of that ? if I have been ic? 
 lucky as to find the road to happinefs, why 
 fhould I be fuch a niggard as to omitfo good 
 an opportunity of pointing o/ut the way to 
 others ! the very bails of true peace of mind 
 is a benevolent wifhi to fee all the world as 
 happy as onc^s felf ; and from my foul do I 
 pity the felfifh churl, who, remembering the 
 little bickerings of anger, envy, and fifty 
 other difagreeables to which frail mortality 
 is fubjeci, would wifh to avenge the affront 
 which pride whifpers him he has received* 
 For my own part, I can fafely declare, there 
 is not a human being in the univerfe, whofe 
 proiberity I fhould not rejoice in, and to 
 whofe happinefs I would not contribute to 
 the utmolt limit of my power : and may my 
 offences be no more remembered in the day 
 of general retribution, than as from my foul 
 I forgive every offence or injury received 
 from a fellow creature. 
 £ 2 
 
54 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 Merciful heaven ! who would exchange 
 the rapture of fuch a reflection for all the 
 gaudy tinfel which the world calls pleafure. 
 
 But to return. — Content dwelt in Mrs. 
 Temple's bofom, and fpread a charming 
 animation over her countenance, as her huf- 
 band led her in, to lay the plan fhe had form^ 
 ed (for the celebration of Charlotte's birth- 
 day,) before Mr. Eldridge. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 55 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 WE KNOW NOT WHAT A DAY MAY BRING 
 FORTH. 
 
 V a mo us were the fenfations which agitat- 
 ed the mind of Charlotte, during the day pre- 
 ceding the evening in which fhe was to meet 
 Moiitraville, Several times did fhe almoft 
 refolve to go to her governefs, (how her his 
 letter, and be guided by her advice: but 
 Charlotte had taken one fcep in the ways of 
 imprudence ; and when that is once done, 
 there are always innumerable obftacles to 
 prevent the erring perfon returning to the 
 path of rectitude : yet thefe obllacles, how- 
 ever forcible they may appear in general, 
 exill chiefly in the imagination. 
 
 Charlotte feared the anger of her gover- 
 nefs : fhe loved her mother, and the very 
 idea of incurring her difpleafure, gave her 
 the greateit uneafmefs ; but there was a more 
 forcible reafon fall remaining : fhould fhe 
 ihow the letter to Madame du Pont, fhe mull 
 confefs the means by which it came into her 
 
56 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 poiTefiiOii ; and what would be the confe- 
 quence ? Mademoifelle would be turned out 
 of doors. 
 
 " I mull not be ungrateful,' ' laid fhe," La 
 Rue is very kind to me ; befides I can, when 
 1 fee Montraville, inform him of the impro- 
 priety of our continuing to fee or correfpond 
 with each other, and requeft him to come 
 no more to Chichefter." 
 
 However prudent Charlotte might be in 
 thefe refoiutions, ihe ccrtainlv did not take 
 a proper method to confirm herfelf in them. 
 Several times, in the courfe of the day, fhe 
 indulged herfelf in reading over the letter, 
 and each time (he read it, the contents funk 
 deeper in her heart. As ^evening drew near, 
 ihe caught herfelf frequently confulting her 
 watch. " I vvilli this fooliifi meeting was 
 over," faid fhe, by way of apology to her 
 own heart, " I wifh it was over ; for when 
 I have feen him, and convinced him that my 
 refolution is not to be fhaken, I (hall feel my 
 mind much eafier." 
 
 The appointed hour arrived. Charlotte 
 and Mademoifelle dueled the eye of vigr- 
 lance ; and Montraville who had waited their 
 coming with impatience, received them with 
 rapturous and unbounded acknowledgments 
 for their condefcention : he had wifely 
 brought Belcour with him, to entertain Mfe 
 
CHARLOTTE. 57 
 
 demoifelle, while he enjoyed im uninterrupt- 
 ed converfation with Charlotte. 
 
 Belcoiir was a man whofe character might 
 be comprifed in a few words ; and as he 
 will make fome fissure in the enfuing pages, 
 I lhall here defcribe him. He poiTefTed a 
 genteel fortune, and had had a liberal edu- 
 cation ; difiipated, thoughtless, and caprici- 
 ous, he paid little regard to the moral duties, 
 and lefs to religious ones : eager in the pur- 
 fuit of pleafure, he minded not the miferies 
 he inflicted on others, provided his own 
 wifhes, however extravagant, w r ere gratified. 
 Self, darling felf was the idol he worfhiped, 
 and to that he would have facriiiced the in- 
 tereft and happinefs of all mankind. Such 
 was the friend of Montraville : will not the 
 reader be ready to imagine, that the man 
 who could regard fuch a character, mud be 
 actuated by the fame feelings, follow the 
 fame purfuits, and be equally unworthy with 
 the perfon to whom he thus gave his confi- 
 dence ? 
 
 But Montraville was a different eharacler : 
 generous in his difpofition, liberal in his 
 opinions, and good natured almoft to a fault ; 
 yet eager and impetuous in the purfuit of a 
 favorite object, he ftaid not to reflect on the 
 confequence which might follow the attain- 
 ment of his willies ; with a mind ever open 
 to conviction, had he been fo fortunate as to 
 
58 CHAR L O T T E. 
 
 pofTefs a friend who would have pointed out 
 the cruelty of endeavoring to gain the heart 
 of an innocent artlefs girl, when he knew it 
 was utterly impomble for him to marry her, 
 and when the gratification of his paffion 
 would be unavoidable infamy and mifery to 
 her, and a caufe of never-ceafing remorfe to 
 himfelf : had thefc dreadful confequences 
 been placed before him in a proper light, the 
 humanity of his nature would have urged him 
 to give up the purfuit : but Belcour was not 
 this friend ; he rather encouraged the grow- 
 ing paffion of Montraville ; and being pleafed 
 with the vivacity of Mademoifelle, refolved 
 to leave no argument untried, which he 
 thought might prevail on her to be the com- 
 panion of their intended voyage : and he 
 made no doubt but her example, added to 
 the rhetoric of Montraville, would perfuade 
 Charlotte to 2ro with them. 
 
 o 
 
 Charlotte had, when (he went out to meet 
 Montraville, flattered herfeif, that her refo- 
 lution was not to be fhaken, and that, con- 
 fcious of the impropriety of her conduct in 
 having a clandeftine intercourfe with a ftran- 
 ger, fhe would never repeat the indifcretion. 
 
 But alas poor Charlotte ! (lie knew not the 
 -deceilfulnefs of her own heart, or fhe would 
 have avoided the trial of her liability. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 59 
 
 Montraville was tender, eloquent, ardent, 
 and yet refpectful. " Shall I not fee you 
 once more," faid he, "before I leave Eng- 
 land ? will you not blefs me by an alfurance, 
 that when we are divided by a vail expanfe 
 of fea, I fhallnot be forgotten ?" 
 
 Charlotte fighed. 
 
 " Why that figh, my dear Charlotte ? 
 could I flatter myfelf that a fear for my fafety, 
 or a wifli for my welfare occalioned it, how 
 happy would it make me." 
 
 " I fliall ever wifh you well, Montraville," 
 faid Hie ; " but*we mull meet no more." 
 
 " Oh fay not fo, my lovely girl : refiecl;, 
 that when I leave my native land, perhaps a 
 few fhort weeks may terminate my exiftence; 
 the perils of the ocean... the dangers ofwar..' , 
 
 " I can hear no more," faid Charlotte in 
 a tremulous voice, " I mull leave you." 
 
 *' Say you will fee me once again." 
 
 " I dare not," faid fhe. 
 
 *' Only for one half hour to-morrow even- 
 ing : 'tis my lafl requeft. I fliall never trou- 
 ble you again, Charlotte." 
 
60 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 " I know not what to fay," cried Char- 
 lotte, ftruggling to draw her hands from 
 him : " let me leave you now/' 
 
 " And you will come to-morrow," faid 
 MontravUle. 
 
 " Perhaps I may," faid flie. 
 
 *' Adieu, then, I will live upon that hope, 
 till we m.eet again." 
 
 He kiffed her hand. She fighed an adieu, 
 and catching hold of Mademoifelle^ arm, 
 haftily entered the garden gate. 
 
CHARLOTTE, 61 
 
 ~<XW<X&Q<^£C0C&>0c^ 
 
 GH4PTEK X. 
 
 WHEN WE HAVE EXCITED CURIOSITY, IT IS BV? 
 AN ACT OF GOOD NATURE TO GRATIFY IT. 
 
 IVloNTRAViLLE was the youngefl ion of a 
 gentleman of fortune, whofe family being- 
 numerous, he was obliged to bring up his 
 fons to genteel profefiions, by the exercife 
 of which they might hope to raife themfelves 
 into notice. 
 
 "My daughters," faid he, *' have been 
 educated like gentlewomen ; and fliould I 
 die before they are fettled, they muft have 
 fonie provifion made, to place them above 
 the fnares and temptations which vice ever 
 holds out to the elegant, accomplished fe- 
 male, when opprefTed by the frowns of po- 
 verty and the fting of dependence : my boys* 
 with only moderate incomes, when placed 
 in the church, at the bar, or in the field, may- 
 exert their talents, make themfelves friends, 
 and raife their fortunes on the balls of merit. " 
 vol. 1. s 
 
62 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 When Montraville chofe the profeffion of 
 arms, his father preferred him with a com- 
 mifiion, and made him a handfome provi- 
 fion for his private purfe. " Now, my boy," 
 faid he, " go ! feek glory in the field of bat- 
 tle. You have received from me all I ihall 
 ever have it in my power to beftow : it is 
 certain I have intereft to gain yon promotion ; 
 but be allured that that intereft fhall never be 
 exerted, unlefs by your future conduit you 
 deferve it. Remember therefore your fuccefs 
 in life depends entirely on yourfelf. Th#re 
 is one thing I think it my duty to caution 
 5 r ou againft ; the precipitaney with which 
 young men frequently rufh into matrimonial 
 engagements, and by their thoughtlefsnefs 
 draw many a deferving woman into fcenes of 
 poverty and diftrefs, A foldier has no bufi- ' 
 nefs to think of a wife, till his rank is fuch 
 as to place him above the fear of bringing 
 into the world a train of helplefs innocents, 
 heirs only to penury and affliction. If, in- 
 deed, a woman, whofe fortune is fufficient to 
 preferve you in that ftate of independence, 
 which I would teach you to prize, fhouid 
 generouily beftow herfelf on* a young foldier, 
 whqfe chief hope of future profperity de- 
 pended on his fuccefs in the field — if fuch a 
 woman fhouid offer— every barrier is re-. 
 moved, arid I fhouid rejoice in an union 
 which would proniife fe much felicity. E 
 mark me, boy, if, on the contrary, you rufh 
 into a precipitate union with a girl of I 
 
C H A R L O T T E. 63 
 
 or no fortune, take the poor creature from a 
 comfortable home, and kind friends, and 
 plunge her into all the evils that a narrow in- 
 come and encrealing family can inflict, 1 will 
 leave you to enjoy the bleCfed fruits of your 
 rafhnefs ; for by all that is facred, neither my 
 intereft or fortune fhall ever be exerted in 
 your favor. I am ferious," continued he ; 
 " therefore imprint this converfation on your 
 memory, and let it influence your future con- 
 duel:. Your happinefs will always be dear 
 to me ; and I wiih to warn you of a rock on 
 which the peace of many an honeit Fellow has 
 been wrecked ; for believe me, the difficulties 
 and dangers of the iongeft winter campaign 
 are much eafier to be borne than the pangs 
 that would feize your heart, when you beheld 
 the woman of your choice, the children of 
 your affection, * involved in penury and dif- 
 trefs, and reflected that it was your own folly 
 and precipitancy had been the prime caufe 
 of their funering." 
 
 As this converfation paffed but a few - hours 
 before Montraville took leave of his father, 
 it was deeply impreffed on his mind : when, 
 therefore, Belcour "came with him to the 
 place of affignation with Charlotte, he di- 
 rected him to enquire of the French woman 
 what were Mifs Temple's expectations in 
 regard to fortune. 
 
 ' S 
 
64 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 Mademoifelle informed him, that thought 
 Charlotte's father poffeffed a genteel inde- 
 pendence, it was by no means probable that 
 he could give his daughter more than a 
 thoufand pounds ; and in cafe fhe did not 
 marry to his liking, it was poflible he might 
 not give her a hngle sous ; nor did it appear 
 the leaft 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 
 impomble he lliould ever marry Charlotte 
 Temple ; and what end he propofed to him- 
 felf by continuing the acquaintance he had 
 commenced with her, he did not at that mo* 
 gjaient give himfelf time to enquire*. 
 
C H A R L O T T E. 05 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 CONFLICT OF LOVE AND DUTY. 
 
 Almost a week was now gone, and Char- 
 lotte continued every evening to meet Mon- 
 traville, and in her heart every meeting was 
 reiblved to be the lait ; but alas ! when Mon- 
 travilie at parting, would earneflly entreat one 
 more interview, that treacherous heart be- 
 . frayed her ; and forgetful of its refolutlon, 
 pleaded the caufe of the enemy fo powerfully, 
 that Charlotte was unable to refill. Another 
 and another meeting fucceeded ; and fo well 
 did Montraville improve each opportunity, 
 that the heedlefs girl at length confeffed no 
 idea could be fo painful to her as that of ne- 
 ver feeing him agaiii. 
 
 "• Then we will never be parted," faid he. 
 
 " Ah, Montraville," replied Charlotte, 
 forcing a fmile, " how can it be avoided ? 
 My parents would never confent to our uni- 
 on ; and even could they be brought to ap- 
 prove of it, how fhould I bear to be feparated 
 from my kind, my beloved mother :" 
 
 " Then yo.i love your parents more than 
 you do me, Charlotte ?" 
 
 " I hope I do," faid (he, blufhmg and 
 looking down, "I hope my affection for them 
 will ever keep me from infringiiikg the laws 
 of filial duty." 
 
 s 2 
 
$6 CHARLOTTE 
 
 " Well,Charlotte,"faidMontraville grave- 
 ly, and letting go her hand, " fince that is the: 
 cafe, I find I have deceived myfelf with falla- 
 cious hopes. I had flattered my fond heart, 
 that I was dearer to Charlotte than any thing 
 in the world befide. I thought that you would 
 for my fake have braved the dangers of the 
 ocean, that you would, by your affection and 
 fmiles, have foftened the hardfhips of war, 
 and, had it been my fate to fall, that your 
 tendernefs would chear the hour of death, 
 and fmooth my paffage to another world. 
 But farewell, Charlotte ! I fee you never lov- 
 ed me. I fhall now welcome the friendly ball 
 that deprives me of the fenfe of my mifery."' 
 
 "Oh Hay, unkind Montravillle," cried fhe, 
 catching hold of his arm, as he pretended to 
 leave her, " (lay, and to calm your fears, I 
 will here proteft, that was it not for the fear of 
 giving pain to the belt of. parents, and return- 
 ing their kindnefs with ingratitude, I would 
 follow you through every danger, and, in Ru- 
 dy ing to promote your happinefs, infure my 
 own. But I cannot break my mother's heart, 
 Montraville ; I muft not bring the grey hairs 
 of my doatinggrand- father withforrow to the 
 grave , or make my beloved father perhaps cu rfe 
 the hour that gave me birth."' She covered 
 Iter face with her hands, and burft into tears., 
 
 " All thefe diftreifing fcenes, my dear 
 Charlotte," cried Montraville, " are merely 
 the chimeras of a difturbed fancy. Your pa- 
 sents might perhaps grieve at .fir.lt > bilk 
 
CHARLOTTE. 6T 
 
 when they heard from your own hand, that 
 you was with a man of honor, and that it was 
 to enfure your felicity by an union with him, 
 to which you feared they would never have 
 given their affent, that you left their protec- 
 tion, they will, be afiured, forgive an error 
 which love alone occafioned, and when we 
 return from America, receive you with o.pen 
 arms and tears of joy," 
 
 Belcour and Mademoifelle heard this laft 
 fpeech, and conceiving it a proper time ta 
 throw in their advice and perfuafions, ap- 
 proached Charlotte, and lb well feconded the 
 intreaties of Montraville, that finding Made- 
 moifelle intended going with Belcour, and 
 feeling her own treacherous heart too much 
 inclined to accompany them, the haplefs 
 Charlotte, commented in an evil hour that the 
 next evening they fhould bring a chaife to the 
 end of the town, and that ihe would leave her 
 friends, and throw herfelf entirely on the pro- 
 tection of Montraville. ct But fhould you," 
 faid fhc, looking earneftly at him, her eyes 
 full of tears, " fhould you, forgetful of your 
 promifes, and repenting the engagements 
 you here voluntarily enter into, forfake and 
 ieave me on a foreign iliore.— "' 
 
 u Judge not fo meanly of me," faid he.. 
 ** The moment we reach our place of defli- 
 nation, Hymen fhall fanctify our love : and 
 when I fhall forget your gpodnefs, may he.a>- 
 ^en forget me.." 
 
63 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 44 Ah," faid Charlotte, leaning on Macle- 
 raoii'eile's arm, as they walked up the garden 
 together, " I have forgot ail that I ought to 
 have remembered, in contenting to this in- 
 tended elopement." 
 
 44 You are aftrange girl," faid Mademoi- 
 felle : " you never know your own mind two 
 minutes at a time. Juft now you declared 
 Montraville's happinefs was whatyou prized 
 moft in the world ; and now I fuppofe you 
 repent having infured that happinefs by 
 agreeing to accompany him abroad." 
 
 44 Indeed I do repent," replied Charlotte, 
 44 from my foul : but while difcretion points 
 out the impropriety of my conducl, inclina- 
 tion urges me on to ruin." 
 
 44 Ruin ! fiddleftick !" faid Mademoifelle ; 
 44 am not I going with you ? and do 1 feel 
 any of thefe qualms ? ' ' 
 
 44 You do not renounce a tender father 
 and mother," faid Charlotte. 
 
 44 But I hazard my dear reputation,' 1 re- 
 plied Mademoifelle, bridling. 
 
 44 True," replied Charlotte, 4i but you do 
 aiot feel what 1 do." She then bade her good 
 night ; but ileep was a ftranger to her eyes, 
 and the tear ofar.guifh watered her pillow. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 6* 
 
 e H A P T E R XII. 
 
 Nature's laft, beft gift : 
 Greature in whom excell'd, whatever could 
 To fight or thought be aam'd ! 
 Holy, divine ! good, amiable, and fweet, 
 How art thou fall'n i 
 
 VV hen Charlotte left her reftlefs bed, her 
 languid eye, and pale cheek, difcovered to- 
 Madame Du Pont the little repofe ilie had 
 tailed. 
 
 *' My dear child," faid the aftectionate go- 
 vernefs, " what is the caufe of the languor lb 
 apparent in your frame ? Are you not well?'* 
 
 44 Yes, my dear Madam, very well," re- 
 plied Charlotte, attempting to fmile, " but I 
 know not how it was ; I could not Deep laft 
 night, and my fpirits are deprefled this 
 morning." 
 
 " Come, cheer up, my love," faid the go- 
 vernefs ; " 1 believe I have brought a cor- 
 dial to revive them. I have juft received a 
 letter from your good mama, and here is one 
 for vourfelf." 
 
70 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 Charlotte haftily took the letter : it con- 
 tained thefe words : — 
 
 " As to-morrow is the anniverfary of the 
 happy day that gave my beloved girl to the 
 anxious wifhes of a maternal heart, I have 
 requeued your governefs to let you come 
 home and fpend it with us ; and as I know 
 you to be a good affectionate child, and make 
 it yourftudy to improve in thofe branches of 
 education, which you know will give moft 
 pleafure to your delighted parents, as a re- 
 ward for your diligence and attention, I have 
 prepared an agreeable furprize for your re- 
 ception. Your grand- Either, eager to em- 
 brace the darling of his aged heart, will come 
 in the chaife for you : fo hold yourfelf in rea- 
 dinefs to attend him by nine o'clock. Your 
 dear father joins in every tender wifh for 
 your health and future felicity, which warms 
 the heart of my dear Charlotte's affectionate 
 modier, L. TEMPLE. 
 
 " Gracious heaven !" cried Charlotte, 
 forgetting where (lie was, and raifing her 
 ftreaming eyes as in earned Amplication. 
 
 Madame Du Pont was furprifed. " Why 
 thefe tears, my love ?" faid fhe. " Why 
 this feeming agitation ? I thought the letter 
 would have rejoiced, infteacl of cliftreffmg 
 you." 
 
CHARLOTTE. 71 
 
 " It does rejoice me," replied Chatlotte, 
 endeavoring at coinpofure, " but I was pray- 
 ing for merit to deferve the unremitted at- 
 tentions of the beft of parents." 
 
 " You do right," faid Madame Du Pont, 
 " to a(k the affiilance of heaven that you may 
 continue to deferve their love. Continue, 
 my dear Charlotte, in the courfe you have 
 ever purfued, and you will enfure at once 
 their happinefs and your own." 
 
 " Oh !" cried Charlotte, as her governefs 
 left her, " I have forfeited both for ever ! 
 Yet let me reikcl : — the irrevocable Hep is 
 not yet taken : it is net too late to recede 
 from the brink of a precipice, from which I 
 can only behold the dark abyfsof ruin, {name 
 and remorie !" 
 
 She arofe from her feat, and flew to the 
 fcpr.rtment of La Brie. " Oh Mademoifelle !" 
 laid fhe, 4t I am fnatched by a miracle from 
 defiruclion ! This letter has faved me : it has 
 opened my eyes to the folly I wasfonear 
 committing. 1 will not go, MademoifeUe ; I 
 tvill not wound the hearts of thofe dear pa- 
 rents who make my happinefs the w&o'le 
 fludy of their lives." . 
 
 " Well," faid Mademoifelle, " do as you 
 jHeafe, Mifs ; but pray underftand that my 
 reTolution is taken, and it is not in your 
 
5 ?2 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 power to alter it. I fhall meet the gentlemen 
 at the appointed hour, and fhall not be fur- 
 prized at any outrage which Montraville 
 may commit, when he finds himfelf difap- 
 pointed. Indeed I fhould not be afloniihed, 
 was he to come immediately here, and re- 
 proach you for your inftability in the hearing 
 of the whole fchool : and what will be the 
 confequence » ? you will bear the odium of 
 having formed the refolution of eloping, and 
 every girl of fpirit will laugh at your want of 
 fortitude to put it in execution, while prudes 
 and fools will load you with reproach and 
 contempt. You will have loft the confidence 
 of your parents, incurred their anger, and the 
 feoffs of the world ; and what fruit do you 
 expect to reap from this piece of heroifm, 
 (for fuch no doubt you think it is ?) you will 
 have the pleafure to reflect, that you have de- 
 ceived the man who adores you, and whom 
 in your heart you prefer to all other men, and 
 that you are feparated from him for ever." 
 
 This eloquent harangue was given with 
 fuch volubility, that Charlotte couid not find 
 an opportunity to interrupt her, or to offer a 
 fingie word till the whole was finifhed, and 
 then found her ideas fo confufed, that fhe 
 knew not what to fay. 
 
 At length fhe determined thatfhe would go 
 with Mademoifelle to the place of aflignation, 
 convince Montraviile of the neceinty of ad- 
 
CHARLOTT E. 73 
 
 'hering to the refolution of remaining behind 3 
 *uTure him of her affedlion,and bid him adieu* 
 
 Charlotte formed this plan in her mind, 
 •and exulted in the certainty of its fnccefs. 
 " How (hail 1 rejoice," faid fhe, " in this 
 triumph of reafon over inclination, and, when 
 -in the arms of my affectionate parents, lift up 
 my foul in gratitude to. heaven as I look 
 back on the dangers I have efcaped P" 
 
 The hour of affignation arrived : Made- 
 moifelle put what money and valuables flic 
 poifefled in her pocket, and advifed Charlotte 
 to do the fame ; but fhe .refilled ; "my re- 
 folution is fixed," .faid fhe ; " I will Sacrifice 
 love to duty." 
 
 Mademoifelle fmiled internallv ; and thev 
 proceeded foftly down the back ftairs and out 
 ■of the garden gate . Montraville aad Jielc ur 
 were ready to receive them, 
 
 " Now," faid Montraville, taking Char- 
 lotte in his arms, "you are mine forever." 
 
 "No," faid (lie, withdrawing from his 
 -embrace, " I am come to take an everiafimg 
 farewell." 
 
 It would be ufelefs to repeat the conver- 
 sation that here enfued ; fuffi.ce it to fay, that 
 Montraville ufsd every argument that had 
 vol. 1. G 
 
r#4 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 formerly been TuccefsFul, Charlotte's refolu- 
 <ion began to waver, and he drew her almoft 
 imperceptibly towards the chaife. 
 
 " I cannot go," faid fhe : " ceafe, dear 
 •Montraville, to perfuade. I muft not : reli- 
 gion, duty, forbid." 
 
 * Cruel Charlotte," faid he, "if you dik 
 Appoint my ardent hopes, by all that is fa- 
 vored, this hand fhall put a period to my ex- 
 iflence. I cannot — will not live without 
 you." 
 
 <* Alas! my torn heart !" faid Charlotte,, 
 iiow fhall I aa ?" 
 
 c ' Let me direct you," faid Montraville, 
 lifting her into the chaife. 
 
 " Oh ! my dear forfaken parents !" cried 
 Charlotte. 
 
 The chaife drove of. She fhrieked, an.4 
 fainted into the arms of her betrayer. 
 
€ H A R LOT T E.. 7& 
 
 H A P'T E R XIII,. 
 
 GRUEL DISAPPOINTMENT: 
 
 ** W hat pleafure,"' cried Mr. Eidridge, 
 as he flepped into the chaife to go for his 
 grand- daughter, " what pleafure expands the 
 heart of an old man when he beholds the 
 progeny of a beloved child growing up in 
 every virtue that adorned the minds of her 
 parents. I fooliihly thought, fome few years 
 iince, that every fenfe of joy was buried in 
 the grave of my dear partner and my fon ; 
 but my Lucy, by her filial affeclion, foothecfc 
 my foul to peace, and this dear Charlotte has 
 twined herfelf round my heart, and opened 
 fuch new fcenes of delight to my view, that 
 lalmoft forget that I have ever been unhappy."' 
 
 When the chaife flopped, he alighted with* 
 the alacrity of youth ; fo much do the emo?- 
 tions of the foul influence the body, 
 
 It was half pafl eight o'clocH : the ladles' 
 were affembled in the fchool room, and Ma- 
 dame Du Pont was preparing to offer the 
 morning facrifice of prayer and praifa,. whe$\ 
 
76 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 it was difcovered, that Mademoifelle and: 
 Charlotte were miffing,, 
 
 " She is bufv, no doubt," faid the gover- 
 nefs, " in preparing Charlotte for her little 
 excurfion ; but pleafure fliall never make u» 
 forget our duty to our Creator. Go, one of 
 you, and bid them both attend prayers.*' 
 
 The lady- who went to fumrnon them, foon 
 returned, and informed the s*overnefs, that 
 the room was locked, and that fhe had 
 knocked repeatedly, but obtained no amwer. 
 
 " Good heaven ! '"' cried Madame du Pont, 
 "this is very llrange ;" and turning pale 
 with terror, (lie went haftily to the door and 
 ordered it to be forced open. The apart- 
 ment inftantly discovered, that no perfon had 
 been in it the preceding night, the beds ap- 
 pearing as though jiift made. The houfe was 
 inftantly a fccne cf confuiion : the garden, 
 the pleafure grounds were fearched to no 
 purpofe ; every apartment rung with the 
 names of Mifs Temple and Mademoifelle i 
 but they were too dillant to hear ; and every 
 face wore the marks of difappointment. 
 
 Mr. Eldridge was fitting in the parlouiv 
 eagerly expecting his grand daughter to de- 
 fcend, ready equipped for her journey : he 
 heard the confuiion that reigned in the houfe ; 
 he heard the name of Charlotte frequently 
 
C JF A. R. l. a T T E, 7T 
 
 repeated. " What can be the matter T? Md< 
 he, riling and opening the door : " I fear 
 fome accident has befallen my dear girl." 
 
 The governefs entered. The vifible agita^ 
 tion of her countenance difeovered that fome— 
 thing extraordinary had happened,. 
 
 " Where is Charlotte ?" faid he, « Why- 
 does not my child come to welcome her' 
 doating parent ?" 
 
 " Be compofed, my dear Sir," faid Ma- 
 dame Du Pont, do not frighten yourfelf un= 
 necelfarily. She is not in the houfe at pre- 
 fent ; but as Mademoifelie is undoubted!/ 
 with her, fhe will fpNsedily retur» in fafety y 
 and 1 hope they will both be able to account 
 for this unfeaforiable abfence in fuch a man- 
 ner as fliall remove our preterit uneadnefs.' 2 
 
 " Madam," cried the old man, with air 
 ?.ngry look, " has my child been accuftomed'* 
 to go out without leave, with no other com- 
 pany or prcte£icr than that French woman ? 
 Pardon me, Madam, I mean no refle&iojjs 
 on your country, but I never did like Made- 
 moifelie La Rue ; I think frie was a very im- 
 proper perfon to be entrufted with the care 
 of fuch a girl as Charlotte Temple, or to be. 
 iurfered to take her from under your Jmmj^ 
 diate. protection," 
 
78' C H A R L O T T E. 
 
 " You wrong me, Mr. Eidridge, ''faid fhe,, 
 " if you fuppoie I have ever permitted your 
 grand-daughter to go out, unlefs with the- 
 other ladies. I would to heaven I could form 
 any probable conjecture concerning her ab- 
 fence this morning ; but it is a mvflerv to- 
 me which her return can alone unraveh" 
 
 Servants were now difpatched to every 
 place where there was the leaft hope of hear- 
 ing any tidings of the fugitives, but in vain. 
 Dreadful were the hours of horrid fufpenfe 
 which Mr.. Eidridge pa fled till twelve o'- 
 clock, when that fufpenfe was reduced to a 
 (hocking certainty, and every fpark of hope, 
 which till then they had indulged, was in a 
 moment extingiufhed- 
 
 Mr. Eidridge was preparing, with a hea- 
 vy heart, to return to his anxioufly expect- 
 ing children, when Madame Du Pont re- 
 ceived the following note without either 
 name or date.. 
 
 " Mifs Temple is well, and wiihes to re^ 
 Fieve the anxiety of her parents, by letting- 
 them know the has voluntarily put herfelf un- 
 der the protection of a man whofe future 
 Hudy fliall be to make her happy. Purfuit 
 is ncedlefs ;. the meafures taken to avoid dif- 
 covery are too effectual to be eluded. When- 
 Hie thinks her friends are reconciled to this 
 precipitate Hep, they may perhaps be isu- 
 
CHARLOTT K2. Up 
 
 formed of her place of refidence.. Made mo i- 
 feiie is with her.' v 
 
 As Madame Bu Pont read tliefe cruel 
 lines, flie turned pale as allies, her limbs-: 
 trembled, and ilie was forced to call for a. 
 glafs of water,. She loved Charlotte truly :.. 
 and when die reflected on the innocence and 
 gentlenefs of her difpoiition, fhe concluded: 
 that it muft have been the advice and machi- 
 nations of La Rue, which led her to this im- 
 prudent action ; fhe recollected her ap itation. 
 at the receipt of her mother's letter, and faw 
 in it the conflict of her mind,. 
 
 "Does that letter relate to Charlotte ?' r 
 laid Mr. Eldridge r having waited four; time 
 iai expectation ofMadameDu Pout's fpeaking, 
 
 '"■ It does,-' faid flie^ " Ccarlatte is well^. 
 but cannot return to- day," 
 
 tl Not return, Madam ? where is fhe ? 
 who will detain her from her fond expect- 
 ing parents ?-" 
 
 "You difiracb me with thefe queftions,. 
 Mr. Eldridge- Indeed I know not where 
 Mie is, or who has {Seduced her fromher duty.' 3 * 
 
 The whole truth now rirfjhed at once upon 
 Mr. Eldfidge r s mind,. fo4 She has eloped,, 
 toP>" laid he,. u my chikl is betrayed ; ^thc 
 
Stf C H A R L a T T EV 
 
 darlinsvthe comfort of my ao;ed heart, is loft,: 
 Oh would to heaven I had died but yefterday." 
 
 A violent gufh of grief in fome meafurc 
 relieved him, and, after feveral vain attempts^ 
 he at length aflumed fuffieient compofure to 
 read the. note .. 
 
 " And how fhall I return to my children ?" ' 
 faid he ; " how approach that manfion, fo late 
 the habitation of peace ? Alas ! my dear 
 Lucy, how will you fupport thefe heart-rend- 
 ing: tidings ? or how iliall I be enabled to 
 confole vou, who need fo much confolation 
 myfeif :"' 
 
 The old "man returned to the chaife, but 
 the light Rep and cheerful countenance were 
 no more ; forrow filled his heart, and guided.' 
 his motions ; he feated himfelf in the chaife, 
 his venerable head reclined upon his bofdmj 
 his hands were folded, his eye fixed on va- 
 cancy, and the large drops of forrow rolled 1 
 filently down his cheeks,. There was a mix* 
 ture of .anguifh and re fi gnat ion depiclcd in 
 Bis countenance, as ii he would fay, hence- 
 forth -who fhall dare to boafchis happinefs, or 
 even in idea contemplate his trealure, left in 
 the very moment his heart is exulting in its 
 awn felicity, the object which conftitutes thatH 
 felicity fhould be torn frcm.iiim I 
 
CHARLOTT E. *Ji 
 
 e H A P T Z R XIV. 
 
 MATERNAL SORROW. 
 Q 
 
 Oeow and heavy paffed the time while the 
 carriage was conveying Mr. Eldridge home y 
 and yet when he came in light of the houfe,. 
 he wifhed a longer reprieve.from the dread- 
 ful talk of informing Mr. and Mrs, Temple 
 •f their daughter's elopements 
 
 It is-eafy to judge the anxiety of thefe af- 
 fectionate parents, when they found the re- 
 turn of their father delayed fo much beyond, 
 the expected time. They were now met in 
 the dining parlour, and feveral of the young- 
 people who had been invited were already 
 arrived. Each different part of the company 
 was employed in the fame manner, looking 
 out at the windows which faced the road. — 
 At length the long expected chaife appeared,. 
 Mrs. Temple ran out to receive and wel- 
 come her darling.... her young companions 
 nocked round the door, each one eager to 
 give her joy on the return of her birth day.. 
 The door of the chaife was opened : Char- 
 lotte was not there. " Where is my child ?"* 
 cried Mrs- Temple, m breathlefs agitation*. 
 
15 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 Mr. Eldrido-e could not anfwer : he took 
 
 O 
 
 hold of his daughter's hand and led her into 
 the houfe ; and linking on the firft chair he 
 •ame to, bunt into tears, and fobbed aloud. 
 
 " She is dead," cried Mrs. Temple. " Oh 
 my dear Charlotte !" and clafping her hands 
 in an agony of diitrefs, fell into ftrong hy- 
 fterics. 
 
 Mr. Temple who had Hood fpeechlefs with, 
 furprize 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 Chriftian:" and turned from 
 him, endeavoring. to fupprefs his own to®, 
 vifible emotions.. 
 
 It would be vain to attempt defcribirig- 
 what Mr. Temple felt whilft he haftily ran 
 oyer the dreadful lines : when he had finifh- 
 ed, the paper dropt from his unnerved hand.. 
 "Gracious heaven !"'faid he, "could Char- 
 lotte acl: thus?" Neither tear nor figh efcap- 
 ed him ; and he fet the image of mute for. 
 row, till roufed from his ftupor by the re- 
 peated fhrieks of Mrs. Temple. He rofe 
 haftily, and milling into the apartment where 
 ihe was, folded his anus about her and fay- 
 ing — « Let us be patient, my dear Lucy,"' 
 nature relieved his almoft burfting heart by/ 
 airiendly gufli of tears. . 
 
C H A R L O T T E. S3 
 
 "Should any one, prefuming on his own 
 ,-philoiophic temper, look with an e| T e of con- 
 .tempt on the man who could indulge a wo- 
 man's weakntfs, let him remember that 
 man was a father, and he will then pity the 
 anifery which wrung thofe drops from a no- 
 ble, generous heart. 
 
 Mrs. Temple beginning to be a little more 
 compofed, but Hill imagining her child was 
 dead, her hufband, gently taking her hand, 
 cried../' You are miftaken, my love. Char- 
 lotte is not dead." 
 
 *' Then fhe is very ill ; elfe why did fhe 
 not come ? But I will go to her : the chaife is 
 ftill at the door : let me go inftantly to the 
 dear girl. If I was ill, fhe would fty to at- 
 tend me, to alleviate my fufferings,and chear 
 me with her love/" 
 
 "Be calm, my deareft Lucy, and I will 
 tell you all," laid Mr. Temple. " You 
 mull not go, indeed you muft not : it will 
 be of no ufe." 
 
 u Temple," faid fhe, affurnlrg a look o£ 
 .frrwmefs and compofure, " tell me the truth 
 I befeecu you. I cannot bear this dreadful 
 ftifpenfe. What misfortune has befallen my 
 child ? let me know the worft, and I wik 
 endeavor to bear it as I Gu^ht. "*• 
 
m C H A R L O T T E„ 
 
 "Lucy," replied Mr. Temple, "imagine: 
 your daughter alire, and in no danger of 
 death : what misfortune would you then 
 dread I* 
 
 " There is one misfortune which is worfe 
 than death. But I know my child too well 
 to fufpett — " 
 
 •*■* Be not too confident, Lucy." 
 
 " Oh heavens !" faid fhe, "what horrid 
 images do you ftart/. .isitpoffible flic fhould 
 forget. " 
 
 < v She has forgot us all, my love ; fhe has 
 'preferred the love of a ftranger to the affec- 
 tionate protection of her friends." 
 
 " Not eleped ?" cried fiie eagerly. 
 
 Mr. Temple w:as filent, - 
 
 " You cannot contradict it," faid fiie. " I 
 fee my fate in thofe tearful eyes. Oh Char- 
 lotte ! Charlotte ! how ill have you requitted 
 our tendernefs ! But, Father of mercies," 
 continued fhe, finking on her knees, and 
 railing her "flreaming eyes and clafped hands 
 to heaven, " this once vouchfafe to hear a 
 fond, a diilra&ed mother's prayer. Oh let 
 thy bounteous Providence watch over and 
 protect the dear thoughtlefs girl, fave her 
 
as C H A R L O T T E. 
 
 from the miferies which 1 fear will be her 
 portion, and oh ! of thine infinite mercy, 
 make her not a mother, left flie fhould ore 
 day feel what I now iuffer." 
 
 The laft words faultered on her tongue, 
 and ilie fell fainting into the arms of her huf- 
 band, who had involuntarily dropped on his 
 knees befide her. 
 
 A mother's anguifh when difappomted in 
 her tendereit hopes, none but a mother can 
 conceive. Yet, my dear young readers, I 
 would have you to read this fcene with at- 
 tention, and reflect that }-on may yourfeive-s 
 one day be mothers. Oh, my friends, as you 
 value your eternal happinefs, wound not, by 
 thoughtlefs ingratitude, the peace of the mo- 
 ther who bore you : remember the tender- 
 nefs, the care, the unremitting anxiety with, 
 which ine has attended to all your wants and 
 wiihesfrom earliefl infancy to the prefentday ; 
 behold the mild ray of affectionate applaufe 
 that beams from her eye on the performance 
 of your duty : liften to her reproofs w ith ii- 
 lent attention ; they proceed from a heart 
 anxious for your future felicity : you muit 
 lovelier; nature, all-powerfulnaturehasplant- 
 e4 the feeds of filial affection in your bofoms. 
 
 Then once more read over the forrows of 
 poor Mrs. Temple, and remember, the mo- 
 ther whom yjo'u io dearly love and veiera:-r 
 
 VOA. 1. H 
 
86 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 will feel the fame, fhoulcl yon, forgetful of 
 the refpect due to your maker and yourfelf, 
 forfake the paths of virtue for thofe of vice 
 and folly. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 37 
 
 an AFTER XJ-* 
 
 EMBARKATION. 
 
 t was with the utmoft difficulty that the 
 united efforts of Mademoifelle and Montra- 
 rille could fupport Charlotte's fpirits during 
 their fhort ride from Chichefcer to Portf- 
 mouth, where a boat waited to take them im- 
 mediately on board the fliip in which they 
 v, ere to embark for America. 
 
 As fconas (he became tolerably compofed 
 flie entreated pen and ink to write to her pa- 
 rents. This fhe did in the moil affecting, 
 artlefe manner, entreating their pardon and 
 bleilrag, and defcribing the dreadful fituation 
 of her mind, the conflict fhe fuffered in en- 
 deavoring to conquer this unfortunate atr 
 tachment, and concluded with laving, het 
 only hope of future comfort confifted in the" 
 (perhaps cleluilvc) idea Hie indulged, of be- 
 ing once more folded in their proteelmga; my. 
 and heaiing the void* of peace and pardon 
 from their lips. 
 
8S C H A R L O T T E. 
 
 The tears ftreamed inceffantly while fhe 
 was writings and fhe was frequently obliged 
 to lay down her pen ; but when the talk was 
 completed, and ihe had committed the letter 
 to the care of Montraville, to be fent to the 
 poll-office, fhe became more calm, and in- 
 dulging the delightful hope of foon receiving' 
 an anfwer that would feal her pardon, fhe in 
 fome lneafure afllimed herufual ckearmlnefs. 
 
 But MontraviHe knew too well the confe- 
 rences that mult unavoidably enfue, fhould 
 this letter reach Mr. Temple : he therefore 
 craftily refoivea to walk on the deck, tear it 
 in pieces, and commit the fragments to the 
 care of Neptune, who might or might not, 
 as it fuited his convenience, convey them on 
 ihore. 
 
 All Charlotte's hopes and wifhes were 
 now centered in one, namely, that the fleet 
 might be detained at Spithead till fhe could 
 receive a letter from her friends ; but in this 
 fhe was djfappomted ; for the fecond morn- 
 ing after fhe went on board, the fignal was 
 made, the fleet weighed anchor, and in a few 
 hours (the wind being favorable) they bid 
 adieu to the white cliffs of Albion. 
 
 In the mean time every enquiry that could 
 be thought of was made bv Mr. and Mrs. 
 Temple : for many days did they indulge 
 the fond hope that me was merely gone off to 
 
CHARLOTTE. 33 
 
 fee married, and that when the indifibluble 
 knot was once tied, ihe would return with 
 the partner Hie had chofen, and entreat their 
 blciUng and forgi\ enefs. 
 
 "And fhall we not forgive her?" laid 
 Mr. Temple. 
 
 " Forgive her ■!"' exclaimed the mother.' 
 *•' Oh yes, whatever be her errors, is ihe not 
 our child ? and though bowed even to to the 
 «arth with fhame and remorfe, is it not our 
 duty to raife the poor penitent, and whifper 
 peace and comfort to her defponding 'foul ? 
 would ilie but return, with rapture would I 
 fold her to 1113* heart, and bury every remem- 
 brance of her faults in the dear embrace." 
 
 But ftill day after day patted on, and Char- 
 lotte did not appear, nor were any tidings to 
 be heard of her : yet each riling morning was 
 
 welcomed by fonie new hope the evening 
 
 brought with it diihppomtment. At length 
 hope was no more ; deipair ufnrped her 
 place ; and the manfion which was once the 
 manlion of peace, became the habitation of 
 pale dejecled melancholy* 
 
 The eke :.rful fmile that was wont to adorn 
 the face ci Mrs. Temple, was fled, and had 
 it not been for the fupport of unaffecled pie- 
 ty, and a confeioufhefs of having ever fct 
 
 e2 
 
90 CHARLOTT E. 
 
 before her child the faireft example, flie mull 
 have funk under this heavy affliction. 
 
 ** fence, 5 " faid fhe, "the fevcreft fcrutlny 
 cannot charge me with any breach of duty, 
 to have deferved this fevere chaftifement, I 
 will bow before the power who inflicts it with 
 humble renr-nation to his will ; nor fhall 
 the duty of a wife be totally abforbed in the- 
 feelings of the mother ; I will endeavor to 
 ieem more chearful, and by appearing in 
 fome meafure to have conquered my own 
 ibrrow, alleviate the fufFerihgs of myhufband, 
 and roufe him from that torpor into which 
 this misfortune has plunged him. My father 
 too demands my care and attention : I muft 
 not, by afelfifti indulgence of my own grief, 
 forget the ihtereft thofe two dear objeels take 
 in my happmefs or mifery : I will wear a 
 fmile on my face, though the thorn rankles 
 in my heart : and if by fo doing I contribute 
 in the fmailefl degree to relieve their peace 
 of mind, 1 fhali be amply rewarded for the 
 pain the concealment of my own feelings 
 may oceaiion." 
 
 Thus argued this excellent woman : and 
 in the execution of fo laudable a refolntion 
 we fhall leave her, to follow the fortunes of 
 the naplefe victim of imprudence and evil 
 counfellors; 
 
CHARLOTTE. 01 
 
 C-H A P T E R XVI. 
 
 NECESSARY DIGRESSION. 
 
 1 n board of the fhip in wliich Charlotte 
 and Mademoifelle were embarked, was an 
 officer of large unincumbered fortune and- 
 elevated rank, and whom I fhallcall Crayton. 
 
 He was one of thofe men, who, having 
 travelled in their youth, pretend to have con- 
 tracted a peculiar fondnefs for every thing 
 foreign, and to hold in contempt the produc- 
 tions of their own country ; and this affect- 
 ed partiality extended even to the women. 
 
 With him therefore the bkifhing modefly 
 and unaffected fimplicity of Charlotte palled 
 unnoticed ; but the forward pertnefs of La 
 Rue, the freedom of her converfation, the 
 elegance of her perfon, mixed with a certain 
 engaging^"? ne sais quoi, perfectly enchant- 
 ed him. 
 
 The reader, no doubt, has already deve- 
 loped the character of La Rue ; dedgning, 
 
92 C II ARLO T T E* 
 
 artful and fern fh, fhe had accepDjd the devoirs 
 of Belcour, becaufe £he was heartily weary 
 of the retired life fhe led at the fchool, w iflied 
 to be releafed from what fhe deemed a Have - 
 ry, and to return to that vortex of folly and 
 diffipation which had once plunged her into 
 the deepeft mifery ; but her plan, fhe flatter- 
 ed herfelf, was now better formed : fhe re- 
 folved to put herfelf under the protection of 
 no man, till fhe had firft fecured a fettlement ; 
 but the clandeftine manner in which fhe left 
 Madame Du Font's, prevented her putting 
 this plan in execution, though Belcour fo- 
 lemniy protefted he would make her a hand* 
 fome Lctlement the moment they arrived at 
 Portfmoath. This he afterwards contrived 
 to evade by a pretended hurry of bufmefs ; 
 La Rue readily conceiving he never meant 
 to fulfil his promife, determined to change 
 her battery, and attack the heart of Colonel 
 Cravton. She foon difcovered the partiality 
 he entertained for her nation ; and having 
 impofed on him a feigned tale of diftrefs, re- 
 prefented Belcour as a villain who had fe- 
 duced her from her friends under promife of 
 marriage, and afterwards betrayed her, pre- 
 tending great remorfe for the errors fhe had 
 nitted, and declaring that whatever her 
 
 don might have been, it was now en- 
 . v ly extinguished, and fhe wifhed for no- 
 
 •• more than an opportunity to leave a 
 c •■: • ■•"■ dxlch laer fauj abhored^ but 
 -i.. ii . iius 10 a">.^.* tj , Ciiwj uou - •-•' 
 
CHARLOTTE. 93 
 
 denounced her, and guilt and mifery would 
 undoubtedly be her future portion through 
 life. 
 
 Crayton was porTe fifed of many amiable 
 qualities ; though the peculiar trait in his 
 character, which we have already mentioned, 
 in a great meafure threw a (hade over them. 
 He was beloved for his humanity and bene- 
 volence by all who knew him ; but he was 
 eafy and unfufpicious himfelf, and became a 
 dupe to the artifice of others. 
 
 He was, when very young, united to an 
 amiable Parifian lady, and perhaps it was his 
 affection for her that laid the foundation for 
 the partiality he ever retained for the whole 
 nation. He had by her one daughter, who 
 entered into the world but a few hours before 
 her mother left it. This lady was univer- 
 fally beloved and admired, being endowed 
 with all the virtues of her mother, without 
 the weaknefs of the father : flie was married 
 to Major Beauchamp, and was at this time 
 in the fame fleet with her father, attending 
 her hufband to New-York. 
 
 Crayton was melted by the affected con- 
 trition and diilrcfs of La Rue : he would con- 
 verfe with her for hours, read to her, play 
 cards with her, liften to all her complaints, 
 and promife to protect her to the utmoil of 
 his power. La Rue eafily faw his character ; 
 
94 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 her fole aim was to awaken a paffion in his 
 bofom that might turn out to her advantage ; 
 and in this aim ihe was but too fuccefsful ; i 
 for before the voyage was finifhed, the infa- 
 tuated Colonel gave her from under his hand 
 a promife of marriage on their arrival at 
 New- York, under forfeiture of five thoufand 
 pounds. 
 
 And how did our poor Charlotte pafs her 
 time during a tedious and tempeftuous paf- 
 fage ? Naturally delicate, the fatigue and 
 ficknefs which ihe endured, rendered her lb 
 weak as to be almoft entirely confined to her 
 bed : yet the kindnefs and attention of jNion- 
 travilie in fome rneafure contributed to alle- 
 viate her fufterings, and the hope of hearing 
 from her friends loon after "her arrival, kept 
 up her fpirits, arjd cheered many a gloomy 
 hour. 
 
 But during the voyage a great revolution- 
 took place, not only in the fortune of La Rue 
 but in the bofom of Bclcour : whilfl in pur- 
 suit cf his amour with Mademoifclle, he had 
 attended little to the intereftmg, unobtrufive 
 charms of Charlotte ; but when, cloved by 
 policfiion, and difgufted with the art ana dii- 
 limulation of the one, he beheld the iimplicity 
 and genllenef^ of the other, the contrail be- 
 came too ftriking, not to fill him at once v. ith 
 furprize and admiration. He frequently coa- 
 veif^d with Charlotte ; he found her (eniible,' 
 
CHARLOTTE. f)5 
 
 well informed, but diffident and unafliiming. 
 The languor which the fatigue of her body 
 and perturbation of her mind fpread over 
 her delicate features, ferved only in his opi- 
 nion, to render her more lorely : he knew 
 that Montraville did not defign to marry her, 
 and he formed a refolution to endeavor to 
 gain her himfelf, whenever Montraville 
 fhould leave her. 
 
 Let not the reader imagine Belcour's de= 
 figns were honorable. Alas ! when once a 
 woman has forgot the refpecl due to herfelf, 
 by yielding to the folicitations of illicit love, 
 fhe lofes all her confequence, even in the 
 eyes of the man whofe art has betrayed her, 
 and for whofe fake fhe has facrificed every 
 valuable confideration. 
 
 3The heedlefs Fair, *»ho ftoops to guilty joys, 
 A mas may pity. ...bat he aauft dsfpife. 
 
 Nay, every libertine will think he has a right 
 to infult her with his licentious paffion ; and 
 fhould the unhappy creature fhrink from the 
 infolent overture, he will fneeringljr taynt 
 Her with pretence- of modeily. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 97 
 
 CHAP T $ R XVII. 
 
 A WEDDING. 
 
 vJn the day before their arrival at New- 
 York, after dinner, Crayton arofe from his 
 feat, and, placing himfelf by MademoHelle, 
 thus addreffed the company :.... 
 
 " As we are now nearly arrived at our 
 deftined port, I think it but my duty to in- 
 form you, my friends, that this lady," (tak- 
 ing her hand,) " has placed herfelf under my 
 protection. I have feen and feverely felt the 
 anguith of her heart, and through every fhade 
 which cruelty or malice may throw over her, 
 can difcover the moll amiable qualities. I 
 thought it but neceffary to mention my ef- 
 teem for her before our difembarkation, as it 
 is my fixed refolution, the morning after we 
 land, to give her an undoubted title to my 
 favor and protection by honorably uniting 
 my fate to hers. I would wivh every gentle- 
 man here, therefore, to remember that, her 
 honor henceforth is mine ; and," cDnt$$&'ed 
 he, looking at Belcour, "- fhould aay man, 
 v©i. I. i 
 
98 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 prefume to fpeak in the leaft difrefpeclfully 
 of her, I fnall hot hefitate to pronounce him 
 a fcoundrel." 
 
 Belcour caft at him a fmile of contempt, 
 and bowing profoundly low, wifhed Made- 
 moifelle much joy in the propofcd union ; 
 and aiTuring the Colonel that he need not be 
 in the leaft apprehenfive of any one throwing 
 the leaft odium on the character of his lady, 
 ihook him by the hand with ridiculous gra- 
 vity, and left the cabbin. 
 
 The truth was, he was glad to be rid of 
 La Rue, and fo he was but freed from her, 
 he cared not who fell a victim to her infa- 
 mous arts, 
 
 The inexperienced Charlotte was rffton-, 
 jfhed at what fhe heard. She thought La Rue 
 had, like herfelf, only been urged by the 
 force of her attachment to Belcour, to quit 
 her friends, and follow him to the feat of war : 
 how wonderful then, that fhe fhould refolve 
 to many another man ! It was certainly ex- 
 tremely wrong. It was indelicate. She 
 mentioned her thoughts to Montraviile. He 
 laughed at her fimplicity, called her a little 
 kleot, and patting her on the cheek, faid flic 
 knew nothing of the world. "If the world 
 Sanctifies fuch things, 'tis a very bad world, 
 t think,' 1 faid Charlotte. " Why I always, 
 underftood that they were to have been mar- 
 
CHARLOTTE. 99 
 
 ried when they arrived at New- York. I am 
 fure Mademoifelle told me Belcour promifed 
 to marry her." 
 
 " Well, and iuppofe he did ?" 
 
 " Why, he fhould be obliged to keep his 
 word, I think." 
 
 " Well, but I fuppofe he has changed his 
 mind," faid Montraville, " and then, you 
 know the cafe is altered," 
 
 Charlotte looked at him attentively for a 
 moment. A full fenfe of her own iituation 
 rufhed upon her mind. She burft into tears, 
 and remained filent. Montraville too well 
 underflood the caufe of her tears. He kill '• i 
 her cheek, and bidding her not make herfelf 
 uneafy, unable to bear the fileilt but kccu 
 remonitrance, haltily left her. 
 
 The next morning by fun-rife they found 
 thcmfelves at anchor before the city of New- 
 York. A boat was ordered to convey the 
 ladies on more. Crayton accompanied them ; 
 and they were fhownto a houfe of public en- 
 tertainment. Scarcely were they feated when 
 the door opened, and the Colonel found him- 
 fell' in the arms of his daughter, who had 
 landed a few minutes before him. The iirfi. 
 -tranfport of meeting fubfided, Crayton intro- 
 duced his daughter to Mademoifelle La Rue.;, 
 
100 CHARLOTT Sfc 
 
 as an old friend of her mother's, (for the art* 
 fill French woman had really made it appear 
 to the credulous Colonel that Ihe was in the 
 fame convent with his firlt wife, and though 
 much younger, had received many tokens pf 
 her eileeni and regard.) 
 
 *' If, Mademoifelle," faid Mrs. Beauchamp, 
 "you were the friend of my mother, you 
 mult be worthy the eiteem of all good hearts." 
 
 il Mademoifelle will foon honor our fami- 
 ly.," faid Crayton, " by fupplying the place 
 that valuable woman filled ; and as you are 
 raaiTied, my dear, I think you will not 
 blame " 
 
 * " Hufh, my dear Sir," replied Mrs. Beau- 
 champ : tl I know my duty too well to fcru-^ 
 tinizc )-our conduct. Be allured, my dear 
 lather, your happinefs is mine* I fnall re- 
 joice in it, and fincerely love the perfon who 
 contributes to it. But tell me," continued 
 ihe, turning to Charlotte, " who is this love- 
 ly girl f Is ihe your lifter, Mademoifelle ?" 
 
 A blufh, deep as the glow of the carna- 
 tion, fumifed the cheeks of Charlotte. 
 
 u It is a young lady," replied the Colonel, 
 " who came in the fame velfel with us from 
 England." He then drew his daughter afide, 
 ancTtoid her in a whifper, Charlotte was the 
 miflrefs of Montraville, 
 
CHARLOTTE. 101 
 
 "What a pity !" faid Mrs. Beau champ 
 foftly, (calling a molt companionate glance 
 at her.) "But furely her mind is not de- 
 praved. The goodnefs of her heart is de- 
 picted in her ingenuous countenance.' ' 
 
 Charlotte caught the word pity. " And 
 am I already fallen fo low ?" faid fhe. A 
 figh efcaped her, and a tear was ready to 
 flart, but Montraville appeared, and Hie 
 checked the riling emotion. Mademoifelle 
 went with the Colonel and his daughter to 
 another apartment. Charlotte remained with 
 Montraville and Belcour. The next morn- 
 ing the Colonel performed his promife and 
 La Rue became in due form Mrs. Crayton, 
 exulted in her own good fortune, and dared 
 to look with an eye of contempt on the un- 
 fortunate but far lefs guilty Charlotte, 
 
 
 iuV£ OF THE FIRST VOLUME, 
 
efjatfotte Xtmplz* 
 
 A 
 
 TALE OF TRUTH, 
 
 By Mrs, ROW SON, 
 
 LAt'E OF 'THE NEW ?HEA?'5E, PHILADELPHIA 9 
 
 AUTHOR OF VICTORIA, THE INQUISITOR , 
 F1LLE DE CHAMBRE, kfc. 
 
 -^m»:®:^»~ 
 
 two volumes in one, 
 
 She was her parents' only joy : 
 
 They had but ens— one darling child. 
 
 ROMEO AND JULIE'. 
 
 Her form was faultless ; and her mind, 
 
 Untainted yet by art, 
 Was neble, just, humane and kind, 
 
 And virtue warmed her heart, 
 But ah I ths cruel spoiler came* « 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 FIFTH AMERICAN EDITION, 
 
 HARRJSBUROJI, PENN3TL. 
 
 fMNTED TOR MATREV/ CARET OF PHILADELPHIA,; 
 
 BY JOHN wrE?lU 
 
 AS Q2* 
 
Cijarlattc %tmplt. 
 
 • II A P T E R XVIH. 
 
 REFLECTIONS. 
 
 ?« AND am I indeed fallen fo low," faid 
 Charlotte, " as to be only pitied ? Will the 
 voice of approbation no more meet my ear ? 
 and fliall I never again poffefs a friend, whofe 
 face will wear afmlle of joy, whenever I ap- 
 proach ? Alas ! how thoughtlefs, how dread- 
 fully imprudent have 1 been ! I know not 
 which is moil painful to endure, the fneer of 
 contempt, or the glance of companion, 
 which is depicted in the various countenan- 
 ces of my own fex : they are both equally 
 humiliating. —Ah! my dear parents, eou.Hl. 
 you now fee the child of your affeclions, the 
 daughter whom you fo dearly loved, a poor 
 folitary being, without fociety, here wearing 
 out her heavy hours in deep regret and an- 
 guifh of heart, no kind friend of her own fex 
 to whom fhe can unbofom her griefs, no be- 
 loved mother, no woman of character to ap- 
 pear in her company ; and, low as your 
 Charlotte is fallen, fhe cannot afibciate with 
 infamy," 
 
106 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 Thcfe were the painful reflections which 
 occupied the mind of Charlotte. Montraville 
 had placed her in a fmall houfe, a few miles 
 from New-York : he gave her one female at- 
 tendant, and funplied her with what money 
 fhe wanted ; but buiinefs and pleafure fo en- 
 tirely occupied his time, that he had little to 
 devote to the woman whom he had brought 
 from all her connections and robbed of in- 
 nocence. Sometimes, indeed, he would 
 fteal out at the clofe of evening, and pafs a 
 fevv T hours with her ; and then fo much was 
 ihe attached to him, that all her forrows were 
 Forgotten while bleft with his fociety : fhe 
 would enjoy a walk by moonlight, or fit by 
 him in a little arbor at the bottom of the gar- 
 den, and play on the harp, accompanying it 
 with her plaintive, harmonious voice. But 
 often, very often, did he promife to renew his 
 vifits, and, forgetful of his promife, leave her 
 to mourn her difappointment. What painful 
 hours of expectation would fhe pafs ! ihe 
 would fit at a window which looked toward 
 afield he ufed to crofs, counting the minutes, 
 and {training her eyes to catch the firft 
 glimpfe of his perfon, till, blinded with tears 
 of difappointment, fhe would lean her head 
 on her hands, and give free vent to her for- 
 rows : then catching at fome new hope, ilie 
 would again renew her watchful pofition, till 
 the fhades of evening enveloped every object 
 in a dufky cloud : fhe would then renew her 
 complaints, and with a heart burfting with 
 
CHARLOTTE. 10T 
 
 difappointed love and wounded fenfibility, 
 retire to a bed which remorfe had ftrewecl 
 with thorns, and court in vam that comforter 
 of weary nature (who feldom vifits the un- 
 happy) to come and lleep her/fenfes in ob- 
 livion. 
 
 Who can form an adequate idea of the for- 
 row that preyed upon the mind of Charlotte ? 
 The wife, whofe breaft glows with affection 
 for her hufband, and who in return meets 
 only indifference, can but faintly concerve 
 her anguifh. Dreadfully painful is the fitu- 
 ation of fuch a woman ; but fhe has many 
 comforts, of which our poor Charlotte was 
 deprived. The duteous, faithful wife, though 
 treated with indifference, has one folid plea- 
 fure within her own bofom : fhe can reflect 
 that Hie has not deferved neglect- --that fhe 
 has ever fulfilled the duties of her ftation with 
 the flricleft exaclnefs ; fhe may hope, by 
 conftant affiduity and unremitted attention, 
 to recall her wanderer, and be doubly happy" 
 in his returning affecllon ; fhe knows he can- 
 not leave her to unite himfelf to another : he 
 cannot call her out to poverty and contempt. 
 She looks around her, and fees the frnile of 
 friendly welcome, or the tear of affectionate 
 confolation, on the face of every perfon whom 
 fhe favors with her eileem; and from all thefe 
 circumftances, (lie gathers comfort ; but the 
 poor girl, by thoughtlefs paffion led aflray, 
 yv'ho, in parting with her honor, has forfeited 
 
108 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 the efteem of the very man to whom fhe hae 
 facrificed every thing dear and valuable in 
 life, feels his indifference to be the fruit of 
 her own follv, and laments her want of pow- 
 er to recall His loft affection : fhe knows, 
 there is no tie but honor, and that, in a man 
 who has been guilty of feduclion, is but very 
 feeble ; he may leave her in a moment to 
 fhame and want ; he may marry and forfake 
 her forever; and fhouid he do lb, fhe has no 
 rcdrefs, no friendly foothing companion to 
 pour into her wounded mind the balm of 
 confolation, no benevolent hand to lead her 
 back to the path of rectitude ; ilie has dif- 
 graced her friends, forfeited the good opinion 
 of the world, and undone herfelf. She feels 
 herfelf a poor folitary being in the midft of 
 furrounding multitudes ; fhame bows her to 
 the earth, remorfe tears her diflrac\ed mind, 
 and guilt, poverty, and difeafe clofe the 
 dreadful fcene ; fhe finks unnoticed to obli- 
 vion. The finger of contempt may point out, 
 to forne palling daughter of youthful mirth, 
 the humble bed where lies this frail filter of 
 mortality : and will fhe, in the unbounded 
 gaiety of her heart, exult in her own unblem- 
 ifned fame, and triumph over the filent afhes 
 of the dead ? Oh no ! fhe has a heart of fen- 
 iibility, fhe will flop, and thus addrefs the 
 unhappy viclim of folly :... 
 
 "Thou hadft thy faults; but finely thy 
 fnffcrings have expiated them : thy errors 
 
CHARLOTTE. 109 
 
 brought thee to an early grave ; but thou 
 wert a fellow creature.... thou halt been un- 
 happy. . . . then be thofe errors forgotten . " 
 
 Then, as Hie Hoops to pluck the noxious 
 weed from off the fod, a tear will fall, and 
 -confecrate the fpot to Charity. 
 
 Forever honored be the Hicred drop of 
 humanity : the angel of mercy fhaH record 
 its fource, and the foul from whence it fprang 
 ihall be immortal. 
 
 My dear Madam, contract not your brow 
 into a frown of difapprobation. I mean not 
 to extenuate the faults of thofe unhappy wo- 
 men who fall victims to guilt and folly ; but 
 furely, when we reflect how many errors we 
 are ourfelves fubjecl; to, how many fecret 
 faults lie hid in the recefTcs of our hearts, 
 which we fhould blufti to have brought into 
 open day (and yet thofe faults require the le- 
 nity and pity of a benevolent judge, or awful 
 would be our profpect of futurity) I fay, mv 
 dear Madam, when we confider this, we 
 furely may pity the faults of others. 
 
 Believe me, many an unfortunate female, 
 who has once ftrayed into the thorny paths 
 of vice, would gladly return to virtue, was 
 any generous friend to endeavor to raife and 
 re-amrre her ; but alas ! it cannot be, you 
 fay; the world would cleride ahd fcoi*. Thea 
 
 VOL.. 2. K 
 
110 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 let me tell you, Madam, 'tis a very unfeeling 
 world, and does not deferve half the bleffings 
 which a bountiful Providence fhowers up- 
 on it. 
 
 Oh, thou benevolent giver of all good ! 
 how fhall we, erring mortals, dare to look 
 up to thy mercy in the great day of retribu- 
 tion, if v/e now uncharitably refufe to over- 
 look the errors, or alleviate the miferies, of 
 our fellow-creatures. 
 
CHARLOTTE. in 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 A MISTAKE DISCOVERED. 
 
 ulia Franklin was the only child of a 
 man of large property, who left her indepen- 
 dent miftrefs of an unincumbered income of 
 ieven hundred" a year, at the age of eighteen ; 
 fhe was a girl of a lively difpoiition, and hu- 
 mane, fufeeptible heart : fhe re fide d in New- 
 York with an uncle, who loved her too well, 
 and had too high an opinion of her prudence, 
 to fcrutinize her actions fo much as would 
 kave been neceffary with many young ladies, 
 who were not bleft with her discretion : fhe 
 was, at the time Montraville arrived at New- 
 York, the life of fociety, and the univerfal 
 toad. Montraville was introduced to her by 
 the following accident. — 
 
 One night when he was upon guard, a 
 dreadful fire broke out near Mr. Franldin's 
 houfe, which, in a few hours, reduced that 
 and feveral others to allies ; fortunately no 
 lives were loft, and, by the aftiduity of the 
 foldiers, much valuable property was fave.4 
 
m C'H A R LOT TE. 
 
 from the flames. In the midft-.pf.the eon- 
 fufion, an old gentleman came up to Mon- 
 traviile, and, putting a fmall box into his 
 
 hands, cried, " Keep it, my good Sir, till 
 
 I come to yon again ;" and then rufhing again 
 into the thickeft of the croud, Montravillc 
 faw him no more. He ..waited till the fire 
 was quite extinguished, and the mob dif- 
 perfed ; but in vain : the old gentleman did 
 not appear to claim his -property ; and Mon- 
 traville, fearing to make an enquiry, left he 
 fhould meet with impoftors who might lay 
 claim, without any legal right, to the box, 
 carried it to his lodgings, and locked it up : 
 he n'linrally imagined, that the perfon who 
 committed it to his care, knew him, and 
 ■would in a day or two, reclaim it ; -but feve- 
 ral weeks palled on, and no enquiry being 
 made, he began to be uneafy, and refolved to 
 examine the contents of the box, and if 'they 
 were, as hefuppofed, valuable, to fpare no 
 pains to difcover the owner, and reft ore them 
 to him. Upon opening it, he found it con- 
 tained jewels to a large amount, about -two 
 hundred pounds in money, and a miniature 
 piclure let for a bracelet. On examiningthe 
 picture, he thought he had fomewhere feen 
 features very like at, but could not recollect 
 where. A few days after, being at a public 
 affembly; he law 'Mifs Franklin, and the 
 likenefs was too evident to be miilaken : he 
 enquired among his brother officers if any 
 of them knew 'her, and found one who was*- 
 
CHARLOTT E. 113 
 
 upon terms of intimacy with the family : 
 *' then introduce me to her immediately," 
 laid he, ^ for 1 am certain I can inform her 
 of fomething which will give her peculiar 
 pleafure." 
 
 He was immediately introduced, found flie 
 was the owner of the jewels, and was invited 
 to breakfaft the next morning, in order to 
 their reftoration. This whole eveninar Mon- 
 
 O 
 
 traville was honored with Julia's hand ; the 
 lively fallies of her wit, the elegance of her 
 manner, powerfully charmed him ; he forgot 
 Charlotte, and indulged himfelf in faying eve- 
 ry thing that was polite and tender to*|wia.. 
 But on retiring, recollection returned,... 
 *« What am I about?" faid he, " though I 
 cannot marry Charlotte, I cannot be villain 
 -enough to forfake her, nor mull I dare to 
 trifle with the heart of Julia Franklin. I will 
 return this box," faid he, " which has been 
 the fource of fo much uneafinefs already, and 
 in the evening pay a vifit to my poor melan- 
 choly Charlotte, and endeavor to forget &is. 
 fafcinating Julia." 
 
 He arofe, drefFed himfelf, and taking the 
 piaure out, " I will referve this from the 
 rell," faid he, * l and by presenting it to her 
 when flie thinks it is loft, enhance the value 
 of the obligation." He repaired to Mr.. 
 Franklin'^ and found Julia in 'the breakfaii 
 p ; v:our alone. 
 
 k2 
 
114 C H A R L O T T £. 
 
 "How happy ami, Madam," faid he, 
 te that being the fortunate inftrument of far- 
 ing thefe jewels, has been the means of pro- 
 curing me the acquaintance of io amiable a> 
 lady. There are the jewels and money all 
 fafe." 
 
 44 But where is the picture, Sir?" faid 
 Julia. 
 
 " Here, Madam. I would not willingly 
 part with it." 
 
 ."It is the portrait of my mother," faid 
 fhe, taking it from him : " 'tis all tjiat re- 
 mains." She preffed it to her lips, and a 
 tear trembled in her eyes. M-ontraville 
 glanced his eyes on her grey night gown and 
 black ribbon, and his own feelings prevent- 
 ed a reply. 
 
 Julia Franklin was the very reverfe of 
 Charlotte Temple : Ihe was tall, elegantly 
 Shaped, and poffeifed much of the air and 
 manner of a woman of fafhion ; her com- 
 plexion was a clear brown, enlivened with 
 the glow of heal til ; her eyes, full, black, 
 and fparkling, darted their intelligent glances 
 through long filken lafhes ; her hair was 
 fhining brown, and her features regular and 
 ftriking ; there was an air of innocent gaiety 
 that played about her countenance, where 
 good humor fat triumphant. 
 
CHARLOTTE. ll£ 
 
 N I have been miflaken," faid Montraville, 
 " I imagined I loved Charlotte ; but alas 1 I 
 am too late convinced my attachment to her 
 was merely the impulfe of a moment. I fear 
 I have not only entailed lalling mifery on 
 that poor gir', but alfo thrown a barrier in 
 the way of my own happinefs, which it will 
 be irnpoffible to furmount. I feel I love Ju- 
 lia Franklin wrih ardor and iincerity ; yet, 
 when in her prefence, I am fenfible of my 
 own inability to offer a heart worthy her ac- 
 ceptance, and remain filent." 
 
 Full of thefe painful thoughts, Montraville 
 walked out to lee Charlotte : (he faw hint 
 approach, and ran out to meet him ; me ban- 
 ifhed from her countenance the air of difcon- 
 tent which ever appeared when he was ab« 
 fent, and met him with a fmile of joy. 
 
 " I thought you had forgot me, Montra- 
 ville," faid lhe, " and was very unhappy." 
 
 " I fhall never forget you, Charlotte," he 
 replied, preffing her hand. 
 
 The uncommon gravity of his counte- 
 nance, and the brevity of his reply, alarm- 
 ed her. 
 
 "You are not well," faid (he ; "your 
 hand is hot ; your eyes are heavy ; you are 
 very ill.' » 
 
116 CHARLOTTE, 
 
 "I am a villian," faid he mentally, as lie 
 turned from her to hide his emotions. 
 
 " But come," continued flie tenderly, 
 *j you fhall go to bed, and I will fit by and 
 watch you ; you will be better when you 
 have flept." 
 
 Montr&ville was glad to retire, and by 
 pretending fleep, concealed the agitation' of 
 his mind from her penetrating eye. Char- 
 lotte watched by him till a latehour,and then 
 lying foftly down by his fide, funk into a 
 profound fleep, from whence {he awoke not 
 till late the next morning. 
 
e H A R L O T T E. 1 W 
 
 OVjI.PT EX. XX. 
 
 Virtu-e ««ver appear* foamiibleas-vrhren reaching -forrii kffr 
 kafld to raife a fallen lifter. 
 
 «HAPfE* OF ACCIDENTS. 
 
 W iTEar Chaf lotte awoke, fhemnTed Mon- 
 traville ; :but thinking he might have -arifen 
 early to enjoy the beauties of the morning, 
 (he was preparing to follow him, when cast- 
 ing her -eye on the table, fhefaw a note, and 
 opening it haftily, found thefe words.... 
 
 " My dear Charlotte muft not be furprifed 
 if file does not fee me again for fome time : 
 unavoidable foufmefs will prevent me that 
 pleafure : be ami red I am quite well this 
 morning ; and what your fond imagination 
 magnified into illnefs, was nothing more than 
 fatigue, which a few hours reft has entirely 
 removed. Make yourfelf happy, and be cer- 
 tain of the unalterable friendfhip of 
 
 MONTRAVILLE." ' 
 
 *' Friendship /" faid Charlotte emphati- 
 cally, as fhe fmiihed the note, '* is it come 
 to this at laft ? Alas ! poor forfaken Char- 
 
118 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 iotte ! thy doom is now but too apparent. --- 
 Montraville is no longer interefled in thy 
 happinefs ; and fhame, rernorfe, and difap- 
 pointed love will henceforth be thy only at- 
 tendants." 
 
 Though thefe were the ideas that involun- 
 tarily rumed upon the mind of Charlotte as 
 fhe'perufed the fatal note, yet after afew hours 
 had elapfed, the fyren Hope again took pof- 
 fefiion of her bofom, and fhe flattered herfelf 
 fhe could, on a fecend perufal, difcover an 
 air of tendernefs in the few lines he had left, 
 which had at firft efcaped her notice. "He 
 ©ertainly cannot be fo bafe as to leave me^" 
 faid flie ; " and in (tiling himfelf my friend, 
 does he not promife to protect me ? I willnot 
 torment myfelf with thefe caufelefs fears ; I 
 will place a confidence in his honor, and fure 
 he will not be fo unjuft as to abufe it." 
 
 : Juft as fhe had by this manner of reafoa- 
 ing brought her mind to fome tolerable de- 
 gree of compofure, fiie was furprifed by a 
 viht from Befcour. The dejeclion vifibie in 
 Charlotte's countenance, her fwoln eyes and 
 neglected attire, at once told him fhe Was 
 unhappy : he made no doubt but Montra- 
 ville had, by his coldnefs, alarmed her fuf- 
 picions, and was reiblved, if poffible, to roufe 
 her to jealoufy, urge her to reproach him, 
 And by th?^- means occafion a breach between 
 them. " If I can once convince her that flie 
 
CHARLOTTE. 119 
 
 has a rival," faidhe, " fhe will liften to my 
 paffion, if it is only to revenge his flights." 
 Belcour -knew but little of the female heart ; 
 and what he did know, was only of thofe of 
 loofe and diffolute lives. He had no idea, 
 that a woman might fall a victim to impru- 
 dence, and yet retain fo ftrong a fenfe of 
 honor, as to reject with horror and contempt 
 every folicitation to a fecond fault. He never 
 imagined that a gentle, generous female 
 heart, once tenderly attached, when treated 
 with unkindnefs, might break, but would 
 never harbor a thought of revcnsre. 
 
 His vifit was not long, but before he went, 
 he fixed a fcorpion in the heart of Charlotte 
 whofe venom embittered every future hour 
 of her life. 
 
 We w T ill now return for a moment to Co- 
 lonel Craytoh. He had been three months 
 married, and in that little time had difcover- 
 ed that the Conduct of his lady was not fo 
 prudent as it ought to have been ; but re- 
 monltrarice was vain; her temper was. vio- 
 lent ; and to the Colonel's great misfortune 
 he had Conceived a fmcere affection for her : 
 flie few her own power, and, with the art of 
 a Circe, made every action appear to him in 
 what light (he pleafed : his acquaintance 
 laughed at his biindnefs, his friends pitied 
 his infatuation, his amiable daughter, Mrs : . 
 Beauchamp, in, fecrel, deplored the leas- of 
 
120 G H A R L O T T &. 
 
 her father's affection, and grieved that h« 
 fhould be fo entirely fwayed by an ariful and, 
 flie much feared, infamous woman. 
 
 Mrs. Beauchamp was mild and engaging:; 
 (lie loved not the hurry and buflle gI a city, 
 and had prevailed on her hufband to take a 
 houfe a few miles from New- York, Chance 
 led her into the fame neighborhood with 
 Charlotte : their houfes Hood within a fhort 
 fpace of each other, and. their gardens join- 
 ed : fhe had not been long in her new habi- 
 tation before the figure of Charlotte flruck 
 her ; fhe recollected her interefting features; 
 fhe faw the melancholy fo confpicuous in 
 her countenance, and her heart bled at the 
 refle&ion, that perhaps . deprived of honor, 
 friends, and all that was valuable in life, fhe 
 was doomed to linger out a wretched exift- 
 ence in a., ftrange land,_. and ..fink broken- 
 hearted into an untimely grave. " Would 
 to heaven I could match her from fo hard .a 
 fate," laid fhe : " but the mercilefs world 
 has barred the doors of compalBon againft a 
 poor weak girl, who, perhaps, had fhe one 
 kind friend to raife and re-affure her, would 
 gladly return to peace and virtue. Nay, 
 even the woman who dares to pity, and en- 
 deavor to recall a wandering filler, incurs 
 the fneer of contempt .and ridicule, for 
 an action in. which even angels are faid t* 
 rejoice." 
 
C H A R L O T T £. 121 
 
 The. longer Mrs. Beauchamp was a wit- 
 nefs to the folitary life Charlotte led, the 
 more flie wifhed to fpeak to her ; and often 
 as (lie few her cheeks wet with the tears of 
 anguiili, (lie would fay — "dear fufferer, 
 how gladly would I pour into your heart the 
 balm of confolation, were it not for the fear 
 of deriuon." 
 
 But 'An accident foon happened, which 
 made her refolve to brave e\en the IcoffV of 
 the world, rather than not enjoy the heaven- 
 ly fatisfaction of comforting a defponding 
 fellow-creature. 
 
 Mrs. Beauchamp was an early rifer. She 
 was one morning walking in the garden, 
 leaning on her hulband's arm, when the 
 found of a harp attracted their notice : they 
 liilencd attentively, and heard a loft melo- 
 dious voice diitinclly ling the following 
 ftanzas :--- 
 
 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 ; 
 Aliis ! .my morning sacrifice 
 
 Is st ill to wee;) and pray. 
 
 vol. 2. i 
 
122 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 For what are nature's charms combin'd, 
 To one, whose weary breast 
 
 Can neither peace or 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. 
 
 44 'Tis poor Charlotte !" faid Mrs. Beau- 
 champ, the pellucid drop of humanity Heal- 
 ing down her cheek. 
 
 Captain Bcauchamp was alarmed at her 
 e-motion. "What Charlotte:''' faid he; 
 11 do you know her ?" 
 
 In the accent of a pitying angel did fhe 
 difciofe to her huiband, Charlotte's unhappy 
 fituation, and the frequent wifhfhe had form- 
 ed of being ferviceable to her. " I fear," 
 continued ihe, " the poor girl has been baie- 
 Iv betrayed ; and if I thought you would not 
 blame me, I would pay her a viiit, offer her 
 my friendfhip, and endeavor to reilore to her 
 heart that peace (he feems to have loll, and 
 fo pathetically laments. Who knows, ray 
 dear," laying her hand affectionately on his 
 arm, " who knows, but fhe has left fame 
 kind, affectionate parents to lament her er- 
 rors, and would fhe return, they might with 
 rapture receive the poor penitent, and wafh 
 away her faults in tears of joy. Oh ! wbit 
 
CHARLOTTE. 123 
 
 a glorious reflection would it be for me, could 
 I be the happy inflrument of reiloring her. 
 Her heart may not be depraved, Beau- 
 champ." 
 
 " Exalted woman !" cried Beauchamp, 
 embracing her, " how doll thou rife every 
 moment in my eileem. Follow the impulfe 
 of thy generous heart, my Emily. Let prudes 
 and fools cenfure, if they dare, aad blame a 
 fenfibility they never felt : I wilrexultingly 
 tell them that the truly virtuous heart 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 thefe encomiums bellowed on her by a 
 beloved huiband ; the mcfl delightful fer.fa- 
 tions pervaded her heart, and, having break, 
 foiled, ihe prepared to viiit Charlotte. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 12 
 
 CHAPTER XXI, 
 
 A BENEVOLENT VISIT. 
 
 Teach me to feel another's woe ; 
 To hide the fault I fee : 
 That mercy I to others (how, 
 That mercy fhow to mc. -Pope. 
 
 hen Mrs. Beauchamp was dreffed, (he 
 began to feel embarraffed at the thought of 
 beginning an acquaintance with Charlotte, 
 and was diftrefTed how to make the firit vifit. 
 " I cannot go without ibme introduction,'' 
 faid ilie. " It will look like impertinent cu- 
 riofitv. ' ' At length, recolleftinff herfelf, ftie 
 ftepped into the garden, and gathering a [cw 
 fine cucumbers, took them in her Jiand by 
 way of anolosrv for her viiit. 
 
 A glow of confeious fliame vermillioned 
 Charlotte's face as Mrs. Beauchamp entered. 
 I. 2 
 
125 CHAR L O T T E. 
 
 " You will pardon me, Madam," laid fee, 
 u for not having before paid my refpecls to 
 ib amiable a neighbor ; but we Englifh peo* 
 pie always keep up, wherever we go, that re- 
 serve which is the eharacleriftic of our na- 
 tion. I have taken the liberty to bring you 
 a few cucumbers ; for I obferved 3 ou had 
 none in your garden." 
 
 Charlotte, though naturally polite and well 
 bred, v. as fo confuted me could hardly fpeak. 
 Her kind vifitor endeavored to relieve her 
 by not noticing her embarra{Tment. " I am 
 come, Madam," continued {he, " to requcft 
 you to fpend the day with me, I fhall be 
 alone ; and as we are both Grangers in this 
 country, we may hereafter be extremely hap- 
 py in each other's friendfhip," 
 
 " Yosr friendfhip, Madam," faid Char- 
 lotte, bluihing, " is an honor to all who are 
 fevered with it. Little as I have teen of this 
 part of the world, lam no firangcr to Mrs, 
 Beau champ's goodnefs of heart and knows 
 
 humanity : but my friendfhip " She 
 
 paufed, glanced her eye upon her own vifible 
 fituaiion, and, fpite of her endeavors to fup? 
 prefs them, buift into tears, 
 
 Mrs. Beancharnp guefied the fmirce from. 
 whence thofe tears flowed." " You feem un, 
 happy, Madam," laid me : " mail I be 
 fought worthy your confidence ? \\\\l \o\\ 
 
CHARLOTTE. 127 
 
 entruft me with the caufe of your forrow, and 
 reft on my afTurances to exert my utmoit 
 power to ferve you :" Charlotte returned a 
 look of gratitude, but could not fpeak, and 
 Mrs. Beauchamp continued...." My heart 
 was interefted in your behalf the lirft mo- 
 ment I faw you ; and I only lament I had not 
 made earlier overtures,, towards an acquain-r 
 tance ; but I flatter myfelf you will hence- 
 forth confider me as your friend." 
 
 << Oh, Madam!" cried Charlotte, "I have, 
 forfeited the good opinion of all my friends ; 
 I have forfaken them, and undone myfelf." 
 
 " Come, come, my dear," faid Mrs. Beau- 
 champ, " you mull not indulge thefe gioomv 
 thoughts : you are not, I hope, fo unhappy 
 as you imagine yourfelf : endeavor to be 
 compofed, and let me be favored with your 
 company at dinner, when, if you can bring 
 yourfelf to think me your friend, and repofe 
 a confidence in me, I am ready to convince 
 you that it (hall not be abufed." She then 
 iirofe and bade her good morning. 
 
 At the dining hour, Charlotte repaired to 
 Mrs. Beauchamp' s, and during dinner aiTum-, 
 ed as compofed an afnecl as poiuble ; but 
 when the cloth was removed, me fummonedt 
 all her refolution and determined to make 
 JVIrs. Beauchamp -Acquainted with every cii\ 
 cumlknce preceding her elopement, and the 
 
128 C II A RLOTT E. 
 
 earned defire fhe had to quit a way of life fa 
 repugnant to her feelings. 
 
 With the benignant afpec\ of an angel of 
 mercy did Mrs. Beauchamp liften to the art- 
 lefs tale ; ihe was fhbcked to the foul to find 
 hov» large a fnare La Rue had in the fcduc- 
 tion of this amiable girl, and a tear fell when 
 ihe reflected that fo vile a woman was now 
 the wife of her father. When Charlotte had 
 iinifhcd, ihe gave her a little time to 'collecl 
 her fcattered i'pirits, and then - aiked her, if 
 ihe had never written to her friends ? 
 
 " Oh yes, Madam," faid (lie, " frequent- 
 ly ; but I have- broke their hearts ; they are 
 all either dead or have call me off forever, 
 for 1 have never received a fingle line from 
 them." 
 
 " I rather fufpeeV' faid Mrs. Beauchamp, 
 "they have never had your letters : but fup- 
 pofe you were to hear from them, and they 
 were willing to receive you, would yon then 
 leave this cruel Montraviile, and return to 
 them ? M 
 
 " Would I !" faid Cliarlotte, clafpingher 
 hands : u would not the poor failor, toil o» 
 a tempefluous ocean, threatened every mo- 
 ment with death, gladly return to the Ihore 
 he had left to truil to its deceitful calmnefs ? 
 Oh, my dear Madam, I would return, though 
 
CHARLOTTE. 129 
 
 to do it I v, ere obliged to walk barefooted 
 and beg a fcanty pittance of each traveller 
 to fupport my exiilence. I would endure 
 it all cheerfully, could I but once more fee 
 my dear bleffed mother, hear her pronounce 
 my pardon, and blefs me before I died ; but 
 alas ! I fhall never fee her more ; fhe has 
 blotted the ungrateful Charlotte from her re- 
 membrance, and I fhall fink to the grave 
 leaded with her's and my father's curfe." 
 
 Mrs. Beauchamp endeavored to footh her. 
 " You fhall write to them again,' 1 faid fhe, 
 " and I will fee that the letter is fent by the 
 firfl packet that fails for England ; in the 
 mean time keep up your fpirits, and hope 
 for every thing, by daring to deferve it." 
 
 She then turned the converfation, and 
 Charlotte having taken a cup of tea, wifhed 
 her benevolent friend a good evening* 
 
CHARLOTTE. 131 
 
 — ^Q0QQQQ&^>QG2Q&&G :smm 
 
 QUA? T E R XXII. 
 
 SORROWS OF THE HEART'. 
 
 W hen Charlotte returned home, fhe en- 
 deavored to collect her thoughts*, and took 
 up a pen in order to addrefs thofe dear pa- 
 rents, whom, fpite of her errors, fhe ft ill lov- 
 ed with the utmofl tendernefs ; but vain was 
 every effort to write with the leaft coherence ; 
 her tears fell fo fall they ajmoft blinded her : 
 and as fhe proceeded to defcribe her unhap- 
 py lituation, fhe became fo agitated, that fhe 
 was obliged to give over the attempt, and 
 retire to bed, where, overcome with the fa- 
 tigue her mind had undergone, ihe fell into 
 a Humber, which greatly refrefhed her. She 
 arofe in the morning with fpirits more ade- 
 quate to the painful talk (lie had to perform, 
 and, after feveral attempts, at length conclud- 
 ed the following letter to her mother : 
 
132 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 To Mrs. Temple. 
 
 Nhv-Tork. 
 " Will my once kind, my ever-beloved 
 mother, deign to receive a letter from her 
 guilty, but repentant child ? or has ilie, juft- 
 ly inccnfed at my ingratitude, driven the un- 
 happy Charlotte from her remembrance ? 
 Alas ! thou much injured mother ! ihoukiit 
 thou even difown me, I dare not complain, 
 becaufe I know I have deferred it ; but yet t 
 believe me, guilty as I am, and cruelly as I 
 have difappointedthe hopes of the fondell pa- 
 rents that ever girl had, even in the moment 
 when, forgetful of my duty, I Red from you 
 and happinefs, even then I loved you mod, 
 and my heart bled at the thought of what 
 you would fuffer. Oh ! never, never ! while 
 I have exiftence, will the agony of that mo- 
 ment be erafed from my memory. It feem- 
 ed like the feparation of foul from body.--- 
 What can 1 plead in excufe for my conduct ? 
 alas ! nothing ! That I loved my fcducer is 
 but too true ! yet powerful as that paffion is, 
 when operating in a young heart glowing 
 with fcniibility, it never would have conquer- 
 ed my aife'Slion to you, my beloved parents, 
 had I not been encouraged, nay, ursred to 
 take the fatal Hep by one of my own fcx, 
 who, under the mafk of frie&dfhip, drew the 
 on to ruin. Yet think not your Charlotte 
 was fo loft as to voluntarily rufh into a life of 
 infamy : No, my dear mother, deceived by 
 
CHARLOTTE. 133 
 
 the fpecious appearance of my betrayer, and 
 every fufpicion lulled afleep by the moil fo- 
 lemn promifes of marriage, 1 thought not? 
 thofe promifes would fo eafily be forgotten. 
 I never once reflecledthat the man who could 
 Hoop to feduction, would not hefitate to for- 
 fake the wretched obje&t of his pafiion, when- 
 ever his capricious heart grew weary of her 
 tendernefs. When we arrived at this place, 
 I vainly expected him to fulfil his engage- 
 ments ; but was at laft fatally convinced he 
 had never intended to make me his wife, or 
 if he had once thought of it, his mind was 
 now altered, I fcorhed to claim from his 
 humanity what I could not obtain from his 
 love: I was confeious of having forfeited the 
 only gem that could render me refpeclable 
 in the eye of the world, I locked my for- 
 rows in my own bofom, and bore my inju- 
 ries in filence. But how fhall I proceed ?--- 
 This man, this cruel Montraville, for whom 
 I facrinced honor, happinefs, and the love cf 
 nry friends, no longer looks on me with af- 
 fection, but fcorns the credulous girl whom, 
 his art has made miferable. Could you fee 
 me, my dear parents, without fociety, with- 
 out friends, flung with remorfe, and (I feel 
 the burning blulh of fliame die my eheeks 
 while I write it) tortured with the "par.p-s of 
 difappointed love ; cut to the foul by the in. 
 difference of him, who, having deprived me 
 of every other comfort, no longer thicks it 
 worth his while to footh the heart where he 
 vol. 2, m 
 
134 C H A R L O T T E. 
 
 has planted the thorn of never-ceafihg regret. 
 My daily employment is to think ofytou raid 
 weep, to pray for your happinefs, and de- 
 plore my own folly : my nights are fcaree 
 more happy ; for if by chance I clofe my 
 weary eyes, and hope fome fmall forgetful- 
 nefs of lorrow, fome little time to pafs in 
 fweet oblivion, fancy, ftill wakr^ft wafts me 
 home to you : I fee your beloved forms : I 
 kneel and hear the bleffed words of peace and 
 pardon. Extatie joy pervades my foul ; I 
 reach my arms to catch your dear embraces ^ 
 the motion chafes the iliuiive dream ; I Make 
 to real mifery. At other times 1 fee my fa- 
 ther angry and frowning, point to horrid 
 eaves, where, on the cold damp ground, in 
 the agonies of death; I fee my dear mother 
 and my revered grand-father. I ft. live to 
 raife you ; you pufh me horn you, and 
 fhrieking, cry tl Charlotte, thou hail mur- 
 dered me !" Horror and defpair tear every 
 tortured nerve ; I ftart, and leave my reiiicis 
 bedj weary and unrefrefhed, 
 
 " Schocking as thefe reflections are, I have, 
 yet one more dreadful than the reft. Mo- 
 ther, my dear mother ! do not let me quite 
 break your heart when I tell you, in a few 
 <me?nths I (hall b^ing into the world an inno- 
 Sfce'nt '.« itneJ i of my guilt. Oh my bleeding 
 heart • * i**&$ hi-iv^ a poor little helpief^ 
 creature, brie to hikyaiy and (hame. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 135 
 
 u This alone has urged me once more to 
 addrefsyou, to interelt you m behalf of this 
 poor unborn, and begayou to extend your . 
 protection to the child of your loft Charlotte: 
 for my own part, I have wrote fo often, fo 
 frequently have pleaded for forgivenefs, and 
 entreated to be received once more beneath 
 the paternal roof, that having received no an- 
 fwer, nor even one line, I much fear you 
 have call me from you forever. 
 
 " But Hire you cannot refufe to protect my 
 innocent infant ; it partakes not Gf its mo- 
 ther's guilt. Oh my father, oh beloved mo- 
 ther, now do 1 feel the anguifh I infiicled on 
 your hearts recoiling with double force up- 
 on my own. 
 
 " If my child fhouid be a girl (which hea- 
 ven forbid) tell her the unhappy fate of her 
 mother, and teach her to avoid my errors; if 
 a boy, teach him to lament my miferies, but 
 tell him not who inflicted them, left, in with- 
 ing to revenge his mother's injuries, he 
 Iliould wound the peace of his father. 
 
 " And now, dear friends of inv foul,, kind 
 guardians of my infancy, farewell. I feel I 
 never more mult hope to fee you ; the an- 
 guifh of my heart ftrikes at the firings of 
 life, and in a fhorf time I {hall be at rell.--- 
 Oh ! could I but receive your blef&hg and 
 fergivenels before! died, it would fmeoth 
 
136 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 my paffuge to the peaceful grave, and be a 
 bleffed foretafte of a happy eternity. I be- 
 feechyou, curie me not, my adored parents; 
 but let a tear of pity and pardon fall to the 
 memory of your Iok 
 
 CHARLOTTE." 
 
CHARLOTTE. 137 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 A MAN MAY SMILE, AND SMILE, AND BE 
 A VILLAIN. 
 
 VV kile Charlotte was enjoying Tome fmall 
 degree of comfort in the confoling friendfiiip 
 of Mrs. Beauchamp, Montravilk was ad- 
 vancing rapidly in his affeftion towards Mils 
 Franklin. Julia was an amiable girl ; ihe 
 faw only the fair fide of his character ; ilie 
 poileifed an independent fortune, and refolv- 
 ed to be happy with the man of her heart, 
 though his rank and fortune were bv no 
 means fo exalted as (lie had aright to ex- 
 pect ; ilie law the paffian which Montraviile 
 iiruggled to conceal ; ilie wondered at his ti- 
 midity, but imagined the diftance fortune 
 had placed between them occaiioned his 
 backwardnefs. She therefore made every 
 advance which ftri£fc prudence and a becom- 
 ing modefty would permit. Montraviile f;uv 
 with pleafure he was not indifferent to her ; 
 but a fpark of honor which animated his b ;- 
 fom would not infer him to tike advantage 
 of .her partiality. He was well acquaints J 
 with Charlotte's iiiuation, and he lhon U: 
 
138 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 there would be a double cruelty in forfaking 
 her at fuch a time ; and to m&ry Mils 
 Franklin, while honor, humanity, every fa- 
 cred law, obliged him Hill to protect and fup- 
 port Charlotte, was a bafenefs at which his 
 foul fhuddered. 
 
 He communicated his uneafmefs to Bel- 
 eour : it was the very thing this pretended 
 friend had wilhed. " And do you really," 
 faid he, laughing, " hefitate at marrying the 
 lovely Julia, and becoming mailer of her for- 
 tune, becaufe a little fooliih, fond girl chofe 
 to leave her friends, and run away with you 
 to America ? Dear Montraville, acl more 
 like a man of fenfe ; this whining, pinfat* 
 Charlotte, who occafions you fo much un- 
 eafmefs, would have eloped with fomebody 
 clfe, if (he had not with you." 
 
 u Would to heaven," faid Montraville, 
 " I had never feen her ; my regard for her 
 was but the momentary paflion of defire ; but 
 1 feel I (hall love and revere Julia Franklin 
 as long as I live ; yet to leave poor Charlotte 
 in her prefent fituation would be cruel be- 
 yond defcription." 
 
 " Oh, my good fentimental friend," faid 
 Belcour, u do you imagine that nobody has 
 a right to provide for die brat but yourfelf?" 
 
 Montraville ftarted. " Sure," faid he/ 
 " you cannot mean to infuiuate that Charlotte 
 is'falie." 
 
CHARLOTTE; 13? 
 
 "I don't infinuate it," faid Belqour, " I 
 know it." 
 
 Montraville turned pale as afhes. u Then 
 there is no faith in woman," faid he. 
 
 " While I thought you attached to her," 
 faid Belcour, with an air of indifference, " I 
 never wilhed to make you uneafy by men- 
 tioning' her perfidy; but as I know you love 
 and are beloved by Mifs Franklin, I was. de- 
 termined not to let thefe foolifh fcruples of 
 honor Hep between you and happinefs, or 
 your tendernefs for the peace of a perfidious 
 girl, prevent your uniting yourfelf to a wo- 
 man of honor." 
 
 " Good heavens !" faid Montraville,-- - 
 " what poignant reflections does a man en- 
 dure who fees a lovely woman plunged in 
 infamy, and is confeious he was her firit 
 feducer ; but are you certain of what you 
 fay, Belcour ?" 
 
 " So far," replied he, " that I myfelf have 
 received advances from her, which I would 
 not take advantage of out of regard to you : 
 but hang it, think no more about her. I 
 dined at Franklin's to-day, and Julia bid me 
 feek and bring you to tea : fo come along, 
 my lad, make good ufe of opportunity, and 
 feize the gifts of fortune while they are with- 
 in your reach." 
 
14® CHARLOTTE. 
 
 Montraville was too much agitated to pafs 
 a happy evening even in the company of Ju- 
 lia Franklin : he determined to viiit Char- 
 lotte early the next morning, tax her with 
 her fallhood, and take an everlaiting leave of 
 her , but when the morning came he was 
 commanded on duty, and for fix weeks was- 
 prevented from putting his defign in execu- 
 tion. At length he found an hour to fpare, 
 and walked out tofpend it with Charlotte: 
 it was near four o'clock in the afternoon 
 when he arrived at her cottasre : ihe was not 
 in the parlour, and without calling her fer- 
 vant, he walked up Hairs, thinking to find 
 her in her bed room. He opened the door, 
 and the firfc object that met his eyes was 
 Charlotte afleep on the bed, and BelCoitr by 
 her fide. 
 
 <l Death and diftraclion," faid he, ilamp- 
 ing, " this is too much. Ilife, villain, and 
 defend yourfelf." Belcour fprang from the 
 bed. The nolfe awoke Charlotte : terrified 
 at the furious appearance ofMonJtraville, and 
 feeing BeTcour withhini in the chamber, fhe 
 caught hold of his arm as he Hood by the bed 
 fide, and eagerly afked what was the matter. 
 
 " Treacherous, infamous girl," faid he, 
 " can you aik? IIow came he here ?" point- 
 Ki2 to Belcour. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 141 
 
 " As heaven is my witnefs," replied {lie, 
 weeping, " I do not know. I have not feeii 
 him for thefe three weeks." 
 
 " Then you confefs he fometimes vifite 
 you ?" 
 
 " He came fometimes by your dearc" 
 
 " 'Tis falfe ; I never defired him to come, 
 and you know 1 did not : but mark me, 
 Charlotte, from this inftant our connection 
 is at an end. Let Belcour, or any other of 
 your favored lovers, take you and provide 
 for you ; I have done with you forever." 
 
 He was then going to leave her ; but ftart- 
 ing wildly from the bed, Hie threw herfelf 
 on her knees before him, prctelling her it*. 
 nocence and entreating him not to leave her. 
 " Oh, Montraville," faid flic, " kilt me, for 
 pity's fake kill me, but do not doubt my fi- 
 delity. Do not leave me in this horrid filia- 
 tion; for the fake of your unborn child, ohi 
 fpurn not the wretched mother from you." 
 
 " Charlotte," faid he, with a firm voice, 
 *' I fhall take care that neither you nor your 
 child want any thing in the approaching 
 painful hour; but we meet no more." He 
 then endeavored to raife her from the ground, 
 but in vain ; fhe clung about his knees, en- 
 treating him to believe her innocent, and 
 
142 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 conjuring Beleou-r to clear up the dreadful 
 myfieiy. 
 
 Eelcour caft on Montraville" a fmile of 
 contempt: it irritated him aimofi to madnefs; 
 he broke fnom the feeble arms of the dif- 
 treffed girl ; fhe ihrieked and fell proltrate on 
 the floor. Montraville inflantly left the houfe 
 and returned haftily to the city. 
 
CHARLOTTE. Ha 
 
 * H A P T E R XXIV. 
 
 MYSTERY DEVELOPED. 
 
 Unfortunately for Charlotte, about 
 three weeks before this unhappy rencontre, 
 Captain Reauchamp, being ordered to Rhode 
 Iiland, his lady had accompanied him, ib 
 that Charlotte was deprived of her friendly 
 advice and confoling fociety. The afternoon 
 on which Montraville had vifited her ihe had 
 found herfelf languid and fatigued, and after 
 making a very flight dinner had lain down 
 to endeavor to recruit her exhauiled fpirits, 
 and, contrary to her expectations, had fallen 
 afieep. She had not been long lain down, 
 when Belcour arrived, for he took every op- 
 portunity of viiiting her, and (triving to 
 awaken her refentment againil Montraville^ 
 He enquired of the fervant where her mif- 
 trefs was, and being told (he was afieep, took 
 up a book to amufe himfelf: having fat a 
 few minutes, he by chance call his eyes to-, 
 wards the road, and faw Montraville ap- 
 proaching ; he inftantly conceived the dia- 
 bolical fcheme of ruining the unhappy Char- 
 lotte in his opinion for ever i he therefore 
 
144 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 ftole foftly up ftairs, and laying himfelf by 
 her tide with the gaeateft precaution, for fear 
 flie iliould awake, was in that fituaticn dis- 
 covered by his credulous friend. 
 
 When Montraville fpurned the weeping 
 Charlotte from him, and left her almoil dif- 
 tracled with terror and defpair, Belcour rail", 
 ed her from the floor, and leading her down 
 ftairs, affirmed the part of a tender, confoling 
 friend ; (he liftencd to the arguments he ad- 
 vanced with apparent compofure ; but this 
 was only the calm of a moment : the remem^ 
 brance of Montraville' s recent cruelty, again 
 ruined upon her mind : fhe pufhed him from 
 her with fome violence, and crying, "Leave 
 me, Sir, I befeech you leave me, for much I 
 fear you have been the caufe of my fidelity 
 being fufpccled ; go, leave me to the accu- 
 mulated miferies my own imprudence has 
 brought upon me." 
 
 She then left him with piecipitation, and 
 retiring to her own apartment, threw herfelf 
 on the bed, and gave vent to an agony of 
 grief which it is impoffible to defcribe. 
 
 It now occurred to Belcour that fhe might 
 pofiibly write to Montraville, and endeavor 
 to convince him of her innocence : he was 
 well aware of her pathetic remonflrances, and 
 fenfible of the tendemefs of Montraville's 
 heart, refolved tQ- prevent any letters ever 
 
CHARLOTTE. 145 
 
 reaching him : he therefore called the fer- 
 vant, and by the powerful perfuafion of a 
 bribe, prevailed with her to promife what- 
 ever letters her miftrefs might write, ihould 
 be fent to him. He then left a polite, ten- 
 der note for Charlotte, and returned to New- 
 York. His firft bufmefs was to feek Mon- 
 traville, and endeavor to convince him that 
 what had happened would ultimately tend to 
 his happinefs : he found him in his apart- 
 ment, folitary, penfive, and wrapped in difa- 
 greeable reflections. 
 
 " Why how now, whining, pining lover ?" 
 faid he, clapping him on the fhoulder. Mon- 
 traviile darted; a momentary flufh of refent- 
 ment crolTed his cheek, but inflantiy gave 
 place to a death-like palenefs, occafioned by 
 painful remembrance..,. remembrance awak- 
 ened by that monitor, whom, though we 
 may in vain endeavor, we can never entirely 
 filence. 
 
 " Belcour," faid he, " you have injured 
 me in a tender point." 
 
 " Prithee, Jack,'* replied Belcour, « .do 
 not make a ferious matter of it : how could 
 I refufe the girl's advances ? and thank hea- 
 ven flie is not your wife." 
 
 " True," faid Montraville ; " but flie was 
 innocent when I firft knew her. It was I fe- 
 
 VOL. 2o w 
 
146 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 dueed her, Belcour. Had it not been for iae, 
 ihe had ft ill been virtuous and happy in the 
 affection and protection of her family." 
 
 " Pfhaw," replied Belcour, laughing, "if 
 you had not taken advantage of her eafy na- 
 ture, feme other would, and where is the 
 difference, pray :" 
 
 *' I wifhed I had never feen her," cried h<j 
 paffionately, and ftartmg from his feat, " Oh 
 that curled Frenchwoman," added he with 
 rehemence, u had it not been for her, I 
 might have been happy " He paufed, 
 
 " With Julia Franklin," faid Belcour.— 
 The name, like a fudden fpark of eleclric 
 fire, feemed for a moment to fufpend his fa- 
 culties— for a moment he was transfixed; but 
 recovering, he caught Belcour's hand, and 
 cried---" Stop! Hop! I befecch you, name 
 not the lovely Julia and the wretched Mon- 
 traville in the fame breath. I am a feducer, 
 a mean, ungenerous feducer of unfufpecling 
 innocence. I dare not hope that purity like 
 her's would ftoop to unite itfelf with black, 
 premeditated guilt: yet by heavens I fwear, 
 Belcour, I thought I loved the loft, abandon-* 
 ed Charlotte till I faw Julia— I thought I 
 never could forfake her ; but the heart is de- 
 ceitful, and I now can plainly difcriminate 
 between the impulfe of a youthful paflion, 
 and the pure flame of difinterefted affection.'* 
 
Charlotte. 147 
 
 At that inftant Julia Franklin pafied the 
 window, leaning on her uncle's arm. She 
 curtfeyed as the palled, and with the bewitch- 
 ing fmile of modeft chearfulnefs, cried.... 
 " Do you bury yourfelves in the houfe this 
 fine evening, gents V There was fomething 
 in the voice \ the manner ! the look ! that 
 was altogether irrenftible. *.' Perhaps The 
 wiilies my company," faidMontraville men- 
 tally, as he matched up his hat: " If I tho't 
 ftie loved me, I would confefs my errors, 
 and trull to her generofity to pity and pardon 
 me." He foon overtook her, and offering h^r 
 his arm, they fauntered to pleafant but un- 
 frequented walks. Belcour drew Mr. Frank- 
 lin on one fide and entered into a political 
 difcourfe : they walked falter than the young 
 people, and Belcour by fome means contriv- 
 ed entirely to iofe light of them. It was a 
 fine evening in the beginning of autumn ; 
 the laft remains of day -light faintly ftreaked 
 the weftern Iky, while the mocii, with pale 
 and virsrin luftre in the room of sroreeous 
 gold and purple, ornamented the canopy of 
 heaven with filver, fleecy clouds, which now 
 and then half hid her lovely face, and, by 
 partly concealing, heightened every beaut}' ; 
 the zephyrs whifpered foftly thro' the trees, 
 which now began to flied their leafy honors ; 
 a folemn filence reigned : and to a happy 
 mind an evening fuch as this would give fe- 
 renitv, and calm, .unruffled pleafure ; but *o 
 JVlontraville, while it foothed the turbulence 
 
US CHARLOTTE 
 
 of his pafiions, it brought increafe of melan- 
 choly reflections, Julia was leaning on his 
 arm : he took her hand in his, and preffing; it 
 tenderly, fighed deeply, but continued lilent. 
 Julia was embarrailed ; Ihe wifhed to break 
 a filence fo unaccountable, but was unable ; 
 ilie loved Montraville, The faw he was un- 
 happy, and wjfhed to know the caufe of his 
 uneafinefs, but that innate modefty, which 
 nature has implanted in the female breaft, 
 prevented her enquiring. tc I am bad com- 
 pany, Mifs Franklin," faid he, at laft recol- 
 lecting himfelf ; " but I have met withforne- 
 thing to-day that has greatly diitreiTed me, 
 and I cannot (hake oft' the difagreeable hn- 
 prefiion it has made on my mind." 
 
 " I am forry," fhe replied, " that you have 
 any caufe of inquietude. Iamfure if you were 
 as happy as you deferve, and as all your 
 
 friends willi you " She hefitated. "And 
 
 might I," replied he with fome animation, 
 ** prelume to rank the amiable Julia in that 
 number ?" 
 
 " Certainly," faid fhe, " the fervice you 
 have rendered me, the knowledge of your 
 worth, all combine to make me efteem you." 
 
 " Efteem, my lovely Julia," faid he paf- 
 fionately, "is but a poor cold word. I 
 would if I dared, if I thought I merited your 
 attention.... but no, I mull not.... honor for- 
 
CHARLOTTE. 149 
 
 bids. I am beneath your notice, Julia, I am 
 miferable and cannot hope to be other wife." 
 
 " Alas!" laid Julia, " I pity you." 
 
 " Oh thou condefcending charmer," faid 
 lie, " how that fweet word chears my fad 
 heart. Indeed if you knew all, you would 
 pity ; but at the fame time I fear you would 
 defpife me." 
 
 Juft then they were again joined by Mr. 
 Franklin and Belcour. It had interrupted an 
 interefting difcourfe. They found it impof- 
 iible to converfe on indifferent fubjecls, and 
 proceeded home in lilence. At Mr. Frank- 
 lin's door Montraville again preffed Julia's 
 hand, and faintly articulating " good night," 
 retired to his lodgings difpirited and wretch- 
 ed, from a confbioufnefs that he deferved 
 not the affection, with which he plainly faw 
 lie was honored. 
 
 w J 
 
CHARLOTTE. 151 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 RECEPTION OF A LETTER. 
 
 " ^TLnd where now is our poor Charlotte ?" 
 faid Mr. Temple one evening, as the cold 
 blafts of autumn whiffled rudely over the 
 heath, and the yellow appearance of the dif- 
 tant wood, fpoke the near approach of win- 
 ter. In vain the chearful fire blazed on the 
 hearth, in vain was he furrounded by all the 
 comforts of life ; the parent was ftill alive in 
 his heart, and when he thought that perhaps 
 his once darling child was ere this expofed 
 to all the miferies of want in a diflant land, 
 without a friend to footh and comfort her, 
 without the benignant look of companion to 
 chear, or the angelic voice of pity to pour the 
 balm of confolation on her wounded heart ; 
 when he thought of this, his whole foul dif- 
 folved in tendernefs ; and while he wiped the 
 tear of anguifh from the eye of his patient, 
 uncomplaining Lucy, he ftruggled to fup- 
 prefs the fympathizing drop that ftarted in 
 his own. " Oh, my poor girl," faid Mrs. 
 Temple, "how mult fhe be altered, elfe 
 furely fne would have relieved our agonising 
 
152 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 minds by one line to fay fhe lived.... to fay 
 fhe had not quite forgot the parents who 
 almoft idolized her." 
 
 " Gracious heaven !" faid Mr. Temple, 
 flatting from his feat, " who would wiih to 
 be a lather, to experience the agonizing 
 pangs inflicted on a parent's heart by the in- 
 gratitude of a child :" Mrs. Temple wept : 
 her father tGok her hand ; he would have 
 faid — " be comforted, my child" — but the 
 words died on his tongue. The fad filence 
 that enfued was interrupted by a loud rap at 
 the door. In a moment a fervant entered 
 with a letter ia his hand. 
 
 Mrs. Temple took it from him : fhe cad 
 her eyes upon the fuperfcription ; Hie knew 
 the writing----" 'Tis Charlotte," faid fhe, 
 eagerly breaking the feal, " fhe has not quite 
 forgot us." But before fhe had half gone 
 through the contents, a hidden licknefs feiz- 
 ed her ; flie grew cold and giddy, and put- 
 ting it into her hu (band's hand, fhe cried.... 
 " Read it : I cannot ." Mr. Temple attempt- 
 ed to read it aloud, but frequently paufed to 
 give vent to his tears. " My poor deluded 
 child," faid he, when he had finilhed. 
 
 "Oh, fliall we not forgive the dear peni- 
 tent?" faid Mrs. Temple. " We mull, we 
 will, my love ; fhe is .rilling to return, and 
 ?tis our duty to receive her." 
 
CHARLOTTE. 153 
 
 "Father of mercy," faid Mr. Eldridge, 
 raifmg his clafped hands, *' let me but live 
 once more to fee the dear wanderer reflored 
 to her affiicled parents, and take me from 
 this world of forrow whenever it feemeth 
 belt to thy wifdom." 
 
 " Yes, we will receive her," faid Mr. 
 Temple ; " we will endeavor to heal her 
 wounded fpirit, and fpeak peace and comfort 
 to her agitated foul. I will write to her to 
 return immediately." 
 
 41 Oh !" faid Mrs. Temple, " I would, if 
 pofnble, fly to her, fupport and chear the 
 dear fufierer in the approaching hour of dif- 
 trefs, and tell her how nearly penitence is 
 allied to virtue. Cannot we go and conduct 
 her home, my love ?" continued fhe, laying 
 her hand on his arm. " My father will fure- 
 ly forgive our abfenee if we go to bring home 
 his darling." 
 
 " You cannot go, my Lucy," faid Mr. 
 Temple : " the delicacy of your frame would 
 but poorly fuftain the fatigue of a long voy- 
 age' ; but I will go and bring the gentle pen- 
 itent to your arms : we may (till fee many- 
 years of happinefs." 
 
 The ftruggle in the bofom of Mrs. Tem- 
 ple between maternal and conjugal tender- 
 nefs was long and painful. At length the 
 
154 CHARLOTTE, 
 
 former triumphed, and fhe confented that her 
 huiband ffaould fet forward to New- York by 
 the firft opportunity : fhe wrote to her Char- 
 lotte in the tendered, moil eonfoling maimer, 
 ■and looked forward to the happy hour, vvlien 
 i\\z fhould again embrace her with the noil 
 animated hope. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 155 
 
 SHATTER XXVI. 
 
 WHAT MIGHT BE EXPECTED. 
 
 In the mean time the paffion Montraville 
 had conceived for Julia Franklin daily en- 
 creafed, and he faw evidently how much he 
 was beloved by that amiable girl : he was 
 likewife itrongly prepoffefled with an idea 
 of Charlotte's perfidy. What wonder then if 
 he g-ave himfclf up to the delightful fenfation 
 which pervaded his bofom ; and finding no 
 obftacle arife to oppofe his happinefs, he fo- 
 licited and obtained the hand of Julia. A 
 few days before his marriage he thus ad- 
 drelTed Eelcour : 
 
 " Though Charlotte, by her abandoned 
 conduct, has thrown herfelf from my protec- 
 tion, I ftill hold myfeif bound to fupport her 
 till relieved from her prelbnt condition, ancj 
 alfo to provide for the child. I do not in- 
 tend to fee her again, but I will place a fura 
 of money in your hands, which will amply 
 fupplyher with every convenience; but {lioukl 
 
156 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 flie require more, let her have it, and I will 
 fee it repaid. I wifh I could prevail on the 
 poor deluded girl to return to her friends: 
 She was an only child, and I make no doubt 
 but that they would joyfully receive her ; it 
 would fhoek me greatly to fee her henceforth 
 leading a life of infamy, as I fhould always 
 accufe myfelf of being the primary caufe of 
 all her errors. If (he Ihould chocfe to remain 
 under your protection, be kind to her, Bel- 
 cour, I conjure yo;i. Let not fatiety prompt 
 you to treat her in fuch a manner, as may 
 drive her to actions which neceility might 
 urge her to, while her better reafon difap- 
 proved them : ihe fhall never want a friend 
 while I live, but I never more defire to be- 
 hold her ; her prefence would be always 
 painful to me, and a glance from her eye 
 would call the blufh of confeions guilt into 
 
 my cheek. 1 will write a letter to her, 
 
 which ycu may deliver when I am gone, 
 as I ihall go to St. liuftatia the day after 
 my union with Julia, who will accompany 
 me." 
 
 Belcour pr-omifec! to fulfil the requeft of 
 his friend, though nothing was farther from 
 liis intentions, than the leaft defion of deli- 
 vering the letter, or making Charlotte ac- 
 quainted with the provifion Montraville had 
 made for her ; he was bent on the complete 
 ruin of the unhappy girl, and fuppofed by re- 
 ducing her to an entire dependancc on him, 
 
CHARLOTTE. 157 
 
 to bring her by degrees to confent to gratify 
 his ungenerous paiiion. 
 
 The evening before the day appointed for 
 the nuptials of Montraville and Julia, the 
 former retired early to his apartment : and 
 ruminating on the pail fcenes of his life, fuf- 
 fered the keeneft remorfe inthe remembrance 
 of Charlotte's feduclion. "Poor girl," faid 
 he, " I will at leaft write and bid her adieu ; 
 I will too endeavor to awaken that love of 
 virtue in her bofom which her unfortunate 
 attachment to me hasextinguiflied." Hetook 
 up the pen and began to write, but words 
 were denied him. How could he addrefs the 
 woman whom he had feduced, and whom, 
 though he thought unworthy his tendernefs, 
 he was about to bid adieu forever ? How 
 fhould he tell her that he was going to ab- 
 jure her, to enter into the moft indiffoluble 
 ties with another, and that he could not even 
 own the infant which fhe bore as his child ? 
 Several letters were begun and cleftroyed : 
 at length he completed the following : 
 
 To Charlotte. 
 " Though I have taken up my pen to ad- 
 drefs you, my poor injured girl, I feel I am 
 inadequate to the tafk ; yet, however painful 
 the endeavor, I could not refolve upon leaving 
 you forever without one kind line to bid you 
 adieu, to tell you how my heart bleeds at the 
 remembrance of what you was, before yen 
 tol. 2. o 
 
153 CHARLOT T E. 
 
 faw the hatred Montraville. Even now ima*- 
 gination paints the fcene, when, torn by con- 
 lending paflions, when, flruggling between 
 love and duty, you fainted in my arms, and 
 I lifted you into the chaife : I fee the agony 
 of your mind, when, recovering, you found 
 yourfelf on the road to Portfmouth : but how, 
 my gentle girl, how could you, whenfojuft- 
 ly imprefTed with the value of virtue, how 
 could you, when loving as I thought you 
 loved me, yield to the felicitation of Belcour? 
 
 " Oh Charlotte, confcience tells me it was 
 I, villain that I am, who firft taught you the 
 allurements of guilty pleafure ; it was I who 
 dragged you from the calm repofe which in- 
 nocence and virtue ever enjoy ; and can I, 
 dare I tell you, it was not love prompted to 
 the horrid deed? No, thou dear fallen angel, 
 believe your repentant Montraville, when he 
 tells you, the man who truly loves, will ne- 
 ver betray the objecl: of his affection.--* 
 Adieu, Charlotte: could you flill find charms 
 in a life of unoffending innocence, return to 
 your parents ; you fhall never want the 
 means of fupport both for yourfelf and child. 
 Oh ! gracious heaven ! may that child be 
 entirely free from the vices of its father and 
 the weaknefs of its mother. 
 
 ** To-morrow.... but no, I cannot tell you 
 what to-morrow will produce ; Belcour will 
 inform you ; he alfo has calh for you, which 
 
CHARLOTT E. 159 
 
 1 beg you will afk for whenever you may 
 want it. Once more adieu : believe me v 
 could I hear you was returned to yourfriends, 
 and enjoying that tranquillity of whichlhave 
 robbed you, I lhould be as completely happy 
 as even you, in your fondeft hours, could 
 wifh me, but till then a gloom will obfcure 
 the brighteft profpe£ts of 
 
 MONTRAVILLE." 
 
 After he had fealed this letter he threw 
 hiinfelf on the bed, and enjoyed a few hours 
 repofe. Early in the morning Belcour tap- 
 ped at his door : he arofe haftily, and pre- 
 pared to meet his Julia at the altar. 
 
 " This is the letter to Charlotte," laid he, 
 giving it to Belcour : " take it to her when 
 we are gone to Euftatia ; and I conjure you, 
 my dear friend, not to ufe any fophilaftic ar- 
 guments to prevent her return to virtue ; but 
 fhould flie incline that way, encourrge her 
 in the tkought, and affift her to put her do 
 
CHARLOTTE. 101 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII.- 
 
 Pensive she mourn'd, and hung her languid head*- 
 Like a fair lily overcharged with deiv. 
 
 harlotte had now been left almoft three 
 months a prey to her own melancholy reflec- 
 tions.... fad companions indeed : nor did any 
 one break in upon her folitude but Belcour, 
 who once or twice called to enquire after her 
 health, and tell her he had in vain endea- 
 vored to bring Montraville to hear reafon : 
 and once, but only once, was her mind 
 chearedby the receipt of an affectionate let- 
 ter from Mrs. Beauchamp. Often had (he 
 wrote to her perfidious feducer, and with the 
 molt perfuafive eloquence endeavored to con- 
 vince him of her innocence ; but thefe let- 
 ters were never fuffered to reach the hands 
 of Montraville, or they mint, though on the 
 very eve of marriage, have prevented his 
 deferting the wretched girl. Real anguifh 
 of heart had in a great meafure faded her 
 charms, her cheeks were pale from- want of 
 red, and her eyes, by frequent, indeed al- 
 moft continued weeping, were funk and hea- 
 vy. Sometimes a gleam of hope would play 
 o 2 
 
162 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 about her heart when fhe thought of her pa~ 
 rents...." They cannot finely," fhe would 
 fay, "refufeto forgive me ; or fliould they 
 deny their pardon to me, they will not hate 
 my innocent infant on account of its mo- 
 ther's errors." How often did the poor 
 mourner wifh for the condoling prefence of 
 the benevolent Mrs. Beauchamp. " If fhe 
 was here," fhe would cry, " lhe would cer- 
 tainly comfort me, and footh the diftraclion 
 of my fouL" 
 
 She was fitting one afternoon, wrapped in 
 fchefe melancholy reflections, when fhe was 
 interrupted by the entrance of Belcour; great 
 as the alteration was which inceffant fbrrovr 
 had made on her perfon, fhe was flill intereil- 
 ing,ftill charming; and the unhallowedflame, 
 which had urged Belcour to plant diilention 
 between her and Montravillc, ftill raged in 
 his bofom ; he was determined if poflible to 
 make her his miftrefs ; nay, he had even 
 conceived the diabolical feheme of taking 
 her to New- York, and making her appear in 
 every public place where it was likely fhe 
 fhould meet Montpaville, that he might be a 
 witnefs to his unmanly triumph. 
 
 When he entered the room where Charlotte 
 was fitting, lie affumed the look of tender, 
 confolatory friendfhip. "And how does my 
 lovely Charlotte ?" laid he, taking her hand • 
 ''I fear you are not fo well as I could v."(li.' 
 
CHARLOTTE. 163 
 
 " I am not well, Mr. Belcour," laid fhe r 
 " very far from it ; but the pains and infir- 
 mities of the body I could eafily bear, nay, 
 fubmit to them with patience, were they not 
 aggravated by the mod infupportable anguiili 
 of my mind," 
 
 " You are not happy, Charlotte," faid he,, 
 with a look of well-diffembled forrow. 
 
 "Alas !" replied fhe mournfully, fhaking 
 her head, "how can I be happy, deferted and 
 forfaken as I am, without a friend of my own 
 fex to whom I can unburthen my full heart, 
 nay, my fidelity fafpecled by the very man 
 for whom I have facrificed every thing valu- 
 able in life, for whom 1 have made myfelf a 
 poor defpifed creature, an outcafl from.focie- 
 ty, an object only of contempt and pity." 
 
 " You think too meanly of yourfelf, Mifs 
 Temple : there is no one who would dare to 
 treat you with contempt : all who have the 
 pleafure of knowing you muft admire and 
 efteeni. You are lonely here, my dear girl ; 
 give me leave to conduel you to New- York, 
 where the agreeable fociety of fome ladies, 
 to whom I will introduce you, will difoel 
 there fed thoughts, and I lhall again fee re- 
 turning chearfulnefs, animate thofe lovely 
 features." 
 
 *' Oh, never! never!" cried Charlotte, 
 
164 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 emphatically ; " the virtuous part of my fex~ 
 will fcorn me, and I will never affociate with 
 infamy. No, Belcour, here let me hide my 
 fhame and forrow, here let me fpend my few 
 remaining days in obfcurity, unknown and 
 unpitied ; here let me die unlamented, and 
 my name fink to oblivion." Here her tears 
 flopped her utterance. Belcour was awed 
 to lilence ; he dared not interrupt her ; and 
 after a moment's paufe fhe proceeded...." I 
 once had conceived the thought of going to 
 New- York, to feek out the ftill dear, though 
 cruel, ungenerous Montraville,to throw my- 
 felf at his feet, and entreat his companion ; 
 heaven knows, not for myfelf; if I am no 
 longer beloved, I will not be indebted to his 
 pity to redrefs my injuries, but I would have 
 knelt and entreated him not to forfake my 
 
 poor unborn " She could fay no more ; 
 
 a crimfon glow rufhed over her cheeks, and 
 covering her face with her hands, fhe fobbed 
 aloud. 
 
 Something like humanity was awakened 
 in Belcour' s breaft by this pathetic fpeech: 
 he arofe and walked towards the window ;•. 
 but the felfifh paffion which had taken pof- 
 feffion of his heart, f° cn ftifled- thefe finer 
 emotions : and he thought if Charlotte was 
 once convinced fhe had no longer any depen- 
 dance on Mbntraville; (lie would more rcadi- 
 jy throv/ herfelf on his protection. Deter, 
 mined, therefore, to inform her of all that 
 
CHARLOTTE. 165 
 
 liad happened, he again refumed his feat ; 
 and finding (lie began to be more comnofed, 
 enquired if fhe had ever heard from M ontra- 
 ville fince the unfortunate rencontre in her 
 bed chamber. 
 
 " Ah no," faid fhe. " I fear I fliall never 
 hear from him again." 
 
 "I am greatly of your opinion," faid 
 Belcour, " for he has been for fome time 
 pall greatly attached " 
 
 At the word "attached" a death-like pal'e- 
 nefs overfpread the countenance of Charlotte, 
 but fiie applied to fome hartfhorn which 
 Hood befide her, and Belcour proceeded. 
 
 " He has been for fome time pail greatly 
 attached to one Mifs Franklin, a ■pleafing 
 lively girl, with a large fortune." 
 
 " She may be richer, may be handfomer," 
 cried Charlotte, " but cannot love him fo 
 well. O ! may (lie beware of his art, and 
 not trull him too far, as I have done." 
 
 " He addreffes her publicly," faid he, 
 " and it was rumored they were to be mar- 
 ried before he failed for Euftati?, whither 
 his company is ordered." 
 
 " Belcour," faid Charlotte, feizing his 
 
166 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 hand, and gazing at him earneftly, while her 
 pale lips trembled with convulfive agony. 
 " tell me, and tell me truly, I befeech you, 
 do you think he can be fuch a villain as to 
 marry another woman, and leave me to die 
 with want and mifery in a ftrange land ? tell 
 me what you think ; I can bear it very well ; 
 I will not fnrir.k from this her„vicft ftroke of 
 fate ; I have deferved my afflictions, and I 
 Trill endeavor to bear them as I ought." 
 
 " I fear," faid Belcour, " he can be that 
 villain." 
 
 " Perhaps," cried fne, eagerly interrupt- 
 ing him, u perhaps he is married already : 
 come, let me know the worft," continued 
 fhe, with an affecled look of compofure : 
 " you need not be afraid, I (hall not fend the- 
 fortunate lady a bowl of poifon." 
 
 " Well then, my dear girl," faid he, de- 
 ceived by her appearance, " they were mar- 
 ried on Thurfday, and yefterday morning 
 they failed for Euftatia." 
 
 *' Married.... gone.... fay you ?" cried fhe 
 in adiftracted accent, " what without a laft 
 farewel, without one thought on my unhap- 
 py fituation ! Oh Montraville, may God for- 
 give your perfidy." She fhrieked, and Bel- 
 cour fprang forward juft in time to prevent 
 her falling to the floor.- 
 
CHARLOTTE. 167 
 
 Alarming faintings now fucceeded each 
 other, and lhe was conveyed to her bed, 
 from whence fhe earneftly prayed lhe might 
 never more arife. Belcour itaid with her that 
 night, and in the morning found her in a 
 high fever. The fits fhe had been feized with 
 had greatly terrified him ; and confined as 
 fhe now was to a bed of ficknefs, fhe was no 
 longer an obje£t of defire : it is true for fe- 
 veral days he went conftantly to fee her, but 
 her pale, emaciated appearance difgufted 
 him : his vifits became lefs frequent ; he 
 forgot the folemn charge given him by Mon- 
 traville ; he even forgot the money entrufled 
 to his care ; and, the burning blufh of indig- 
 nation and fhame tinges my cheek while I 
 write it, this difgrace to humanity and man- 
 hood at length forgot even the injured Char- 
 lotte ; and, attracted by the blooming health 
 of a farmer's daughter, whom he had feen 
 in his frequent excurfions to the country, he 
 left the unhappy girl to fink unnoticed to the 
 grave, a prey to ficknefs, grief and penury ; 
 while he, having triumphed over the virtue 
 of the artlefs cottager, riotted in all the in- 
 temperance of luxury and lawlefs pleafure. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 169 
 
 C H -4P TE R XXVIII. 
 
 A TRIFLING RETROSPECT. 
 
 less my heart," cries my young, vola- 
 tile reader, " I shall never have patience to 
 get through thefe volumes ; there are fo ma- 
 ny ahs ! and ohs ! fo much fainting, tears, 
 and diftrefs, I am lick to death of the fub- 
 jecl." My dear, chearful, innocent girl, for 
 innocent I will fuppofe you to be, or you 
 would acutely feel the woes of Chatlotte, 
 did confcience fay, thus might have it been 
 with me, had not Providence interpofed to 
 match me from destruction : therefore, my 
 lively, innocent girl, I muft requeft your pa- 
 tience : 1 am writing a tale of truth : I mean 
 to write it to the heart : but if perchance the 
 heart is rendered impenetrable by unbound- 
 ed profperity, or a continuance in vice, I ex- 1 
 pect not my tale to pleafe, nay, I even expect 
 it will be thrown by with difguft. But foftly, 
 gentle fair one ; I pray you throw it not afide 
 till you have perufed the whole ; mayhap you 
 may find fomething therein to repay you for 
 the trouble. Methinks I fee a farcailic fmile 
 lit on your countenance....." And what," 
 cry you, " does the conceited author fup- 
 pofe we can glean from thefe pages, if Char- 
 lotte is held up as an object of terror, to pre- 
 vent us from falling into guilty errors ? does 
 iiot La Rue triumph in her ihame, and by 
 
 vol. 2. 7% p 
 
170 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 adding art to guilt, obtain the affection of a 
 worthy man, and rife to a ftation where fhe 
 is beheld with refpecl, and chearfully receiv- 
 ed into all companies. What then is the mo- 
 ral you would inculcate 1 Would you wifh 
 lis to think that a deviation from virtue, if 
 covered by art and hypocrify, is not an ob- 
 ject of deteftation, but on the contrary fhall 
 raife us to fame and honor ? while the hap- 
 lefs girl who falls a vi6tim to her too great 
 fenfibility, fhall be loaded with ignominy and 
 ill me ?" No, my fair querift, I mean no 
 fuch thing. Remember the endeavors of the 
 wicked are often fuffered to profper, that in 
 the end their fall may be attended with more 
 bitternefs of heart ; while the cup of afflic- 
 tion is poured out for wife and falutary ends, 
 and they who are compelled to drain it even 
 to the bitter dregs, often find comfort at the 
 foottom ; the tear of penitence blots their of- 
 fences from the book of fate, and they rife 
 from the heavy, painful trial, purified and fit 
 for a manfion in the kingdom of eternity. 
 
 Yes, my young friends, the tear of com- 
 panion fhall fall for the fate of Charlotte, 
 while the name of La Rue fhall be deteflcd 
 and defpifed. For Charlotte, the foul melts 
 with fympathy ; for La Flue, it feels nothing 
 but horror and contempt, Bnt perhaps your 
 gay hearts would rather foljpw the fortunate- 
 Mrs. Crayton through the fcenes of pleafuee 
 and diihpation, in which fhe was engaged, 
 than liften to the complaints and miferies •(' 
 
CHARLOTTE. 171 
 
 Charlotte. I will for once oblige you ; I 
 will for once follow her to midnight revels, 
 balls and fcenes of gaiety, for in fuch was 
 fhe conftantly engaged. 
 
 I have faid her perfon was lovely ; let us 
 add that fhe was furrounded by fplendor and 
 affluence, and he mull know but little of the 
 world who can wonder, (however faulty fuch 
 a woman's conducl,) at her being followed 
 by the men, and her company courted by the 
 women : in fhort, Mrs. Crayton was the uni- 
 verfal favorite ; Ihe fet the fafhions, fhe was 
 toailed by the gentlemen, and copied by the 
 ladies. 
 
 Colonel Crayton was a domeftic man.... 
 Could he be happy with fuch a woman ? im- 
 poiTible ! Remonilrance was vain : he might 
 as well have preached to the winds, as endea- 
 vor to perfuade her from any action, howe- 
 ver ridiculous, on which fhe had fet her 
 mind : in fhort, after a little ineffectual drug- 
 gie, he gave up the attempt, and left her to 
 follow the bent of her own inclinations ; 
 what thofe were, I think the reader mull have 
 it en enough of her character to form a mil: 
 idea. Among the number who paid their 
 devotions at her fhrine, fhe lingled out one, a 
 young Enfign of mean birth, indifferent edu- 
 cation, and' weak intellects. How fuch a man 
 came into the army, we hardly can account 
 for, and how he afterwards rofe to polls of 
 honor is likewife ftrange and wonderful. 
 But fortune is blind, and fo are thofe too fre- 
 
172 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 quently who have the power of difpenfmg 
 her favors : elfe why do we fee fools and 
 knaves at the very top of the wheel, while 
 patient merit finks to the extreme of the op- 
 pofite abyis. But we may form a thoufand 
 conjectures on this fubjeel:, and yet never hit 
 on the right. Let us therefore endeavor to 
 deferve her fmiles, and whether we fucceed 
 or not, we fhall feel more innate fatisfa£lion, 
 than thoufands of thofe who balk in the fun- 
 fhine of her favor unworthily. But to return 
 to Mrs. Crayton : this young man, whom I 
 fhall diflinguiih by the name of Corydon, 
 was the reigning favorite of her heart. He 
 efcorted her to the play, danced with her at 
 every ball, and when indifpofition prevented 
 her going out, it was he alone who was per- 
 mitted to chear the gloomy folitude to which 
 fhe was obliged to confine herfelf. Did fhe 
 ever think cf poor Charlotte ?---if fhe did, 
 my dear Mifs, it was only to laugh at the poor 
 girl's want of fpirit in conferring to be niGp- 
 cd up in the country, while Montraville was 
 ] ing all the pleasures of a gay, diinpated 
 .... When The heard cf his marriage, fhe 
 fmilnig faicl, fo there's an end of Madam 
 Charlotte's hopes. I wonder who will take 
 her now, or what will become of the little 
 aafe&ed prijde ? 
 
 But as you have led to the fubjec"t., I think 
 ■ -c may as well return to the diibeffed Char- 
 U Ue, and not like the unfeeling Mrs. Crav- 
 tQBj i.lmt our hearts to the call of humanity. 
 
CHARLOTTE, 173- 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 WE GO FORWARD AGAIN. 
 
 he ftrength of Charlotte's conftitution 
 combated againft her diforder, and fhe began 
 ilowly to recover, though 1 lie ftill laboured 
 under a violent depreiiion of fpirits : how 
 muft that deprefiion be encreafed, when, up- 
 on examining: her little Itore, fhe found her- 
 felf reduced to one foiitary guinea, and that 
 during her illnefs, the attendance of an apo- 
 thecary and nurfe, together with many other 
 unavoidable expences, had involved her in 
 debt, from which (lie faw no method of ex- 
 tricating herfelf. As to the faint hope which 
 file Had entertained of hearing from and be- 
 ing relieved by her parents ; it now- entirely 
 foribok her, for it was above four months 
 iince her letter was difpatched, and fhe had- 
 received no anfwer : fhe therefore imagined 
 tharhtr conduel had either entirely alienated 
 their affection from her., or broken their 
 hearts, and Hie muft never more Hope to re- 
 ceive their bleiTmg. 
 
 Never did any human being wifh for deatftr 
 
 witk greater fervency or with jufter caufe g 
 
 yet ihe had too juft a fenfe of the duties of 
 
 the cb.viH.mn religion, to attempt to put a 
 
 e 2 
 
174 CHARLOTt E, 
 
 period to her own exiftence. " I have but 
 to be patient a little longer," fhe would cry. 
 "and nature, fatigued and fainting, will 
 throw off this heavy load of mortality, and I 
 fhall be releafed from all my fufferings." 
 
 It was one cold flormy day in the latter end 
 of December, as Charlotte fat by a handful 
 of fire, the low Hate of her finances not al- 
 lowing her to replenifh her Hock of fuel, 
 and prudence teaching her to be careful of 
 what fhe had, when fhe was furprifed by the 
 entrance of a farmer's wife, who, without 
 much ceremony, feated herfelf, and began 
 this curious harangue. 
 
 u I'm come to fee if as how you can pay 
 your rent, becaufe as how we hear Captain 
 Montable is gone away, and it's fifty to one 
 if he b'ant killed afore he comes back again ; 
 an then, Mifs, or Ma'am, or whatever you 
 may be, as 1 was faying to my hufband, where 
 are we to look for our money." 
 
 This was a itroke altogether unexpected, 
 by Charlotte ; ihe knewfo little of the ways 
 of the world, that fhe had never bellowed a 
 thought on the payment of the rent of the 
 lioufe ; (he knew indeed that fhe owed a good 
 deal, but this was never reckoned among- 
 tlie others ; fhe was thunder- itfuck ; fire 
 hardly knew what anfwer to make, yet it was 
 abfoiutely neceffary that ftie fhould fay fome- 
 
CHARLOTTE. 175 
 
 tiling ; and judging of the gentlenefs of eve- 
 ry female difpofition by her own, {he thought 
 the befl way to intereil the woman in her fa- 
 vor, would be to tell her candidly to what a 
 iituation flic was reduced, and how little pro- 
 bability there was of her ever paying any 
 bodv. 
 
 Alas poor Charlotte, how/^onSned was 
 her knowledge of human nature, or fhe Would 
 have been convinced that the only way to 
 enfure the friendfhip and afliftance of your 
 furro raiding acquaintance, is to convince 
 them you do not require it, for when once 
 the petrifying afpeei of difteefs and penmy 
 appear, whofe qualities, like Mcdufa's head, 
 can change to ilone all that look upon it ; 
 when once this Gorgon claims acquaintance 
 with us, the phantom of friendfhip, that be- 
 fore courted our notice, will vaniili into un- 
 fubftantial air, and the whole world before us 
 appear a barren wafte. Pardon me, ye dear 
 fpirits of benevolence, whofe benign fmiles 
 and chearfui- giving hands have ftrewed fweet 
 flowers on man}/ a thorny path through which 
 my wayward fate forced me to pafs ; think 
 not, that in condemning the unfeeling tex- 
 ture of the human heart, I forget the fpring 
 from whence flow all the comforts I enjoy i 
 ofi no ! I look up to you as to bright con- 
 f! illations, gathering newfplendors from the' 
 forroundihg darknefs : but ah ! while I adore 
 the benignant rays that cheared and illumm- 
 
176 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 ed my heart, I mourn that their influence 
 can not extei 
 of affliction. 
 
 can not extend to aii the fons and daughters 
 
 " Indeed, Madam," faid poor Charlotte in 
 a tremulous accent, " I am at a lofs what to 
 do. Montravilie placed me here, and pro- 
 mifed to defray all my expences ; but he has 
 forgotten his promife, he has forfaken me, 
 and I -have no friend who has either power 
 or will to relieve me. Let me hope, as you 
 fee my unhappy fituation, your Charity. '* 
 
 " Charity," cried the woman, impatiently 
 interrupting her, u charity, indeed : why, 
 Miilrcis, charity begins at home, and I have 
 feven children at home, honest., lawful chil- 
 dren ; and it is my duty to keep them ; and 
 do you think I fhali give away my property 
 to a nafty, impudent hufley, to maintain her 
 and her baflard : as I was faying to my huf- 
 band the other day, what will this world come 
 to ? honeft women are nothing now-a-days, 
 while the harlotings are fet up for fine ladies, 
 and look upon us no more nor the dirt they 
 walk upon ; but let me tell you, my fine fpo~ 
 ken Ma'am, I muft have my money ; fo fee- 
 ing as how you can't pay it, why you muft 
 troop, and leave all your line gimcracks and 
 fal de rails behind you. I don't aik for no 
 more nor my right, and nobody Chall dart for 
 to go for to hinder me of it. 7 ' 
 
CHARLOTTE. 177 
 
 " Oh heavens !" cried Charlotte, clafping 
 her hands, " what will become of me V* 
 
 " Come on ye !" retorted the unfeeling 
 wretch : " why go to the barracks and work 
 for a morfel of bread ; walli and mend the 
 foldiers clothes, and cook their victuals, and 
 not expect to live in idlenefs on honeft peo- 
 ple's means. Oh I wifh I could fee the day 
 when all fuch cattle were obliged to work 
 hard and eat little : it's only what they de- 
 fer ve." 
 
 " Father of mercy," cried Charlotte, "I 
 acknowledge thy correction juft : but pre- 
 pare me, I befeech thee, for the portion of 
 mifery thou may'lipleafe to lay before me." 
 
 " Well," faid the woman, " I fliall go and 
 tell my hulband as how you can't pay ; and 
 fo d'ye fee, Ma'am, get ready to be packing 
 away this very night, for you fhould not Hay 
 another night in this houfe, though I was 
 fure you would lay in the fcreet." 
 
 Charlotte bowed her head in filence ; but 
 the anguifh of her heart was too great to per- 
 mit her to articulate a iingle word. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 179 
 
 C H A P T E R XXX. 
 
 And what is friendfhip but a name, 
 A charm that lulls to fleep — 
 
 A Jliade that follows wealth and fame, 
 ,Buc leaves the wretch to weep ? 
 
 VV hen Charlotte was left to herfelf, fhe 
 began to think what courfe lhe mull take, or 
 to whom ihe could apply, to prevent her pe- 
 rilling for want, of perhaps that very night 
 falling a victim to the inclemency of the fea- 
 fon. After many perplexed thoughts, fne at 
 bit determined to fet out for New -York, and 
 enquire out Mrs. Crayton, from whom fhe 
 had no doubt but fhe iliould obtain immedi- 
 ate relief, as foon as her diflrefs was made 
 known ; fhe had no fooner formed this refo- 
 lution, than (lie refolved immediately to put 
 it in execution : fhe therefore wrote the fol- 
 lowing little billet to Mrs. Crayton, think- 
 ing if lhe faould have company with her, it 
 would be better to fend it in than tp requeft 
 to- fee her. 
 
180 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 To Mrs. Craytcn. 
 
 " Madam, 
 
 " When we left our native land, that dear 
 happy land which now contains all that is 
 dear to the wretched Charlotte, our profpecte 
 were the fame ; we both, pardon me, Ma- 
 dam, if I fay, we both too eafily followed 
 the impulfe of our treacherous hearts, and 
 trufledour happinefs on a tempefluous ocean, 
 where mine has been wrecked and loft for- 
 ever ; you have been more fortunate.... you 
 are united to a man of honor and humanity, 
 united by the moil facred ties, relpeclcd, el- 
 teemed, admired, and furrouilded by innu- 
 merable blefiings,of which I am bereaved 
 
 enjoying thofe pleafures which have fled my 
 bofom, never to return ; alas ! forrow and 
 deep regret have taken their place. Behold 
 me, Madam, a poor forfaken wanderer, who 
 has not were to lay her weary head; where- 
 with to fupply the wants of nature, or to 
 fhield her from the inclemency of the wea- 
 ther. To you I fue, to you I look for pity 
 and relief. I afk not to be received as an 
 intimate or an equal ; only for charity's fweet 
 lake receive me into your hofpitahle man- 
 iion, allot me the meaneil apartment in it, 
 and let me breathe out my foul in prayers 
 for your happinefs ; I cannot, I feel I cannot 
 loiig bear up under the accumulated woes 
 that pour in upon me ; but oh ! my dear Ma- 
 dam, for the love of heaven fuflfer me not to 
 
CHARLOTTE. 181 
 
 t expire in the flreet ; and when I am at peace, 
 as foon I fhall be, extend your companion 
 to my helplefs offspring, fliould it pleafe hea- 
 ven that it fhould furvive its unhappy mo- 
 ther. A gleam of joy breaks in on my be- 
 nighted foul, while I reflect that you cannot, 
 will not, refufe your protection to the heart- 
 broken 
 
 CHARLOTTE." 
 
 When Charlotte had finifhed this letter, 
 late as it was in the afternoon, and though 
 the mow began to fall very fail, fhe tied up a 
 few necefiaries which fhe had prepared a- 
 gainft her expe£ted confinement ; and, terri- 
 fied left fhe fhould be again expofed to the 
 ififults of her barbarous landlady, more dread- 
 ful to her wounded fpirit than either itorm or 
 darknefs, fhe fet forward for New- York. 
 
 It may be afked by thofe who, in a work 
 of this kind, love to cavil at every trifling 
 cmifiion, whether Charlotte did not pofTefs 
 any valuable of which fhe could have dif- 
 pofed,and by that means have fupported her- 
 felf till Mrs. Eeauchamp's return, when 
 fhe would have been ce; cain of receiving 
 every tender attention >vdnch compafTion and 
 friendfiiip co\ild di£hte ; but let me entreat 
 thefe wife penetrating gentlemen to refleel, 
 that when Charlocte left England, it was in 
 fuch hafte that there was no time to purchafe 
 •any thing mare than what was wanted for 
 vol. c 2 o^ 
 
182 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 immediate ufe on the voyage ; and after her 
 arrival at New-York, Montraville's affeclion 
 foon began todecline,fo that her whole ward- 
 robe confiiled only of necefTaries ; and as to 
 the baubles, with which fond lovers often 
 load their miftrefles, fhe poffeffed not one, 
 except a plain gold locket of fmall value, 
 which contained a lock of her mother's hair, 
 and which the greateft extremity of want 
 could not have forced her to part with. 
 
 I hope, Sir, your prejudices are now r re- 
 moved in regard to the probability of my 
 {lory ? Oh they are. Well then, with your 
 leave, I will proceed. 
 
 The diflance from the houfe which our 
 fuffering heroine occupied, to New- York, 
 was not very great ; yet the fnow fell fo fail, 
 and the cold was fo intenfe, that being una- 
 ble from her fituation to walk quick, ihe 
 found herfelf almofl linking with cold and 
 fatigue before fhe reached the town ; her 
 garments, which were merely fuitable to the 
 iiimmer feafon, being an undrefs robe of 
 plain white muflin, were wet through ; and 
 a thin black cloak and bonnet, very impro- 
 per habiliments for firch a climate, but poor- 
 ly defended her from the cold. In this fitu- 
 ation (lie reached the city, and enquired of a 
 footfoldier whom ihe met, t\te way to Colo- 
 jiel Crayton's. 
 
C H A R L O T T Et 185 
 
 " Blefs you, my fweet lady," faid the ioxj 
 dier, with a voice and look of companion, 
 " 1 will fhow you the way with all my heart; 
 but if you are going to make a petition to 
 Madam Crayton, it is all to no purpofe I af- 
 fure you : if you pleafe, I will condudl you 
 to Mr. Franklin's ; though Mils Julia is 
 married and gone now, yet the old gentle- 
 man is very good. " 
 
 " Julia Franklin," faid Charlotte : " is 
 fhe not married to Montraville ?" 
 
 " Yes," replied the foldier, " and may- 
 God blefs them ; for a better officer never 
 lived, he is fo good to us all ; and as to Mift 
 Julia, all the poor folks almoft worshipped 
 her." 
 
 " Gracious heaven," cried Charlotte, "is 
 Montraville then unjnfl to none but me ?" 
 
 The foldier now fhowed her Colonel Cray- 
 ton's door, and with a beating heart flic 
 knocked for admifiion. 
 
182 C F 
 immed'" 
 
CHARLOTTE. 185 
 
 f U A P T E R XXXI. 
 
 SUBJECT CONTINUED. 
 
 hen the door was opened, Charlotte in 
 a voice rendered fcarcely articulate, through 
 cold and the extreme agitation of her mind, 
 demanded whether Mrs. Cray ton was at 
 home. The fervant hefitated : he knew that 
 his lady was engaged at a game of picquet 
 with her dear Corydon, nor could he think 
 !he would like to be difturbed by a perfon 
 whofe appearance fpoke her of fo little con- 
 iequence as Charlotte ; yet there was fome- 
 thing in her countenance that rather in tere fl- 
 ed him in her favor, and he faid his lady was 
 engaged ; but if fhe had any particular mef- 
 fage he would deliver it. 
 
 " Take up this letter," faid Charlotte ; 
 " tell her the unhappy writer of it waits in 
 her hall for an anfwer." 
 
 The tremulous accent, the tearful eye, muft 
 have moved any heart not compofed of ada- 
 mant. The man took the letter from the poor 
 fuppliant, and haftily afcendcd the Itair caic 
 
 " A letter, Madam," faid he,prefentin^ it tu 
 hislaly : an immediate anfwer is required,'* 
 9.2 
 
186 C HARLOT T E; 
 
 Mrs. Cray ton glanced her eye cafelefel f ; 
 
 over the contents, " What fluff is this ?" 
 
 cried fhe haughtily ; " have I hot told you a 
 
 thoufand times that- 1 would riot be plagued 
 
 • i i • 
 
 with beggars, and petitions from people one 
 
 knows nothing about ? Go tell the woman I 
 
 can't do any thing in it. I'm forry, but one 
 
 can't relieve every body." 
 
 The fervant bowed, and heavily returned. 
 with this chilling menage to Charlotte. 
 
 " Surely," faid fhe, Mrs. Crayton has not 
 read my letter. Go, my good friend, pray go 
 back to her ; tell her it is Charlotte Temple 
 who re quells beneath her hcfpitable roof to 
 find flicker from the inclemency ofthefeafon." 
 
 '.* Prithee, don't plague me, man," cried 
 Mrs. Crayton impatiently, as the fervant ad- 
 vanced fomething in behalf of the unhappy 
 girl. — i.\ I tell you I don't know her." 
 
 " Not know me," cried Charlotte, ruining 
 into the room,- (for fhe had followed the man 
 up flairs) " not know nie, not remember the 
 ruined Charlotte Temple, who, but for you,' 
 perhaps might flill have been innocent, flill 
 have been happy ! Oh, La Rue, this is beyond 
 every thing I could have believed poflible." 
 
 ." Upon my honor, Mifs," replied the ua- 
 feeling woman with, the utmoft effrontery. 
 
CTH A RL O T'T e. isr 
 
 **this is a moll unaccountable addrefs : it is? 
 beyond my ■ comprehend on. John," conti- 
 nued fhe, turning to the fervant, " the young 
 woman is certainly out of her fenfes : do pray 
 take her away, fiie terrifies me to death." 
 
 " Oh God," cried Charlotte, clafping her 
 hands in an agony, this is too much ; what 
 will become of- me ? but I will not leave you^ 
 they fhall not tear me from you ; here on my 
 knees I conjure you to fave me from perffh- 
 irig in the ftreets : if you really have forgotten 
 me, oh for charity's iweet lake this night le<: 
 me be flickered from- the .winter's piercing 
 cold," 
 
 The kneeling figure of Charlotte in her 
 affecting fituation might have movedthe heart 
 of a ftoic to compaffion : but Mrs. Crayton 
 remained inflexible. In vain did Charlotte 
 recount the time they had known each other 
 at Chichefter, in vain mention their being in* 
 the fame lliip, in vain were the names of 
 Montraville and Belcour mentioned. Mrs. 
 Crayton could only fay (he was forry for her 
 imnrudence, but could not think of having? 
 rier own reputation endangered by encourag- 
 ing a woman of that kind in her own houfe ; 
 befides fhe did not know what trouble and 
 expenfe fhe might bring upon her liufband 
 by giving fhelter to a woman in her fituation., . 
 
 " I can at leaft die here," laid Chariot e, 
 *'• Ifeel I cannot long farvive this dreadful ' 
 »enili£t. Father of mercy, here let me. fini;;,. 
 
188 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 my exiftence." Her agonizing fenfations 
 overpowered her, and fhe fell fenfelefs on the 
 floor. 
 
 " Take her away," faid Mrs. Crayton, 
 " fhe will really frighten me into hyfterics j 
 take her away, I fay, thisinftant." 
 
 41 And where muft I take the poor crea- 
 ture ?" faid the fervant with a voice and look 
 of companion. 
 
 " Any where," cried fhe haftily, " only 
 don't let me ever fee her again. I declare fhe 
 has flurried me fo, I fhan't be myfelf again 
 this fortnight." 
 
 John, aflifted by his fellow-fervant, raifed 
 and carried her down flairs. " Poor foul," 
 faid he, " you fhall not lie in the flreet this 
 night. I have a bed and a poor little hovel, 
 where my wife and her little ones reft them ; 
 but they fhall watch to-night, and you fhall 
 be fheltered from danger." They placed 
 her in a chair ; and the benevolent man, afliil- 
 ed by one of his comrades, carried her to the 
 place where his wife and children lived. A 
 furgeon was fent for : he bled her ; fhe gave 
 figns of returning life ; and before the dawn, 
 gave birth to a female infant, After this 
 event fhe lay for fome hours in a kind of flu- 
 por ; and if at any time fhe fpoke, it was 
 with a quicknefs and incoherence that plain- 
 ly eyinced the total deprivation of her reafon. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 18© 
 
 € U APT E.R -XXXII, 
 
 REASONS WHY AND WHEREFORE: . 
 
 -1 he reader of fenfibility may perhaps be 
 aflonifhed to find Mrs. Crayton could fo po- 
 sitively deny any knowledge of Charlotte ; k • 
 is therefore but juft that her conducl fhould 
 in feme meafure be accounted "for. She had 
 ever been fully fcnfible of the fuperiority. of 
 Charlotte's fenib and virtue ;.flie was confci- 
 cus that fhe would never have fwerved from 
 recYiuicIe, had it not been for her bad pre- 
 cepts and worfe example. Thefe were things 
 as yet unknown to her hufband ; and fhe 
 wifhed not to have that part of her eon duel 
 expofed to him, as fhe had great rcaibn to 
 fear Hie had already loft confiderable part of 
 that power fhe once maintained over him. 
 She trembled while Charlotte was in the 
 houfe, left" the Colonel fhould return ; fhe 
 perfectly well remembered how much he 
 ibereed interefted in her favor, while on their 
 paffage from England, and made no doubt, 
 but, fhould he fee her in her prefent diilrefs, 
 lie would offer her an afylum, and protect 
 licr to the utmoft of his power. In that cg$b 
 
190 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 fhe feared the unguarded nature of Charlotte, 
 might difcover to the Colonel the part flic 
 had taken in the unhappy girl's elopement ; 
 and flie well knew the contraft between her 
 own and Charlotte's conduct would make the 
 former appear in no very refpectable light. 
 Had flic reflected properly, fhe would have 
 afforded the poor girl protection ; and by en- 
 joining her filence, enfured it by acts of re- 
 peated kindnefs ; but vice in general blinds 
 its votaries, and they difcover their real cha- 
 racters to the world, when they are moil 
 fludious to preferve appearances. 
 
 Juft fo it happened with Mrs. Crayton : 
 her fervants made no fcruple of mentioning 
 the cruel conduct of their lady to a poor dif- 
 treffed lunatic who claimed her protection ; 
 every one joined in reprobating her inhuma- 
 nity ; nay, even Cory don thought fhe might 
 at leafl have ordered her to be taken care of, 
 but he dare not even hint it to her, for he 
 lived but in her fmiles, and drew from her 
 lavifh fondnefs large fums to fupport an ex- 
 travagance to which the ftate of his own fi- 
 nances was very inadequate ; it cannot there- 
 fore be fuppofed that he wiflied Mrs. Cray- 
 ton to be very liberal in her bounty to the 
 afflicted fuppliant ; yet vice had not fo en- 
 tirely feared over his heart, but the forrows 
 of Charlotte could find a vulnerable part. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 191 
 
 _ Charlotte had now been three days with 
 her humane prefervers, but fhe was totally 
 infenfible of every thing : fhe raved inseifant- 
 ly for Montraville and her father : Hie was 
 not confcious of being a mother, nor took 
 the leaft notice of her child, except to alk 
 whofe it was, and why it was not carried to 
 its parents. 
 
 " Oh," faid fhe one day ftarting up on 
 hearing the infant cry, "why, why will you 
 keep that child here ? I am fure you would 
 not if you knew how hard it was for a mo- 
 ther to be parted from her infant : it is like 
 tearing the cords of life afunder. Oh could 
 you fee the horrid fight which I now behold 
 — there — there Hands my dear mother, her 
 poor bofom bleeding at every vein, her gen- 
 tle, affectionate heart torn in a thoufand pie- 
 ces, and all for the lofs of a ruined, ungrate- 
 ful child. Save me — fave me — from her 
 frown. I dare not — indeed 1 dare not fpeak 
 to her." 
 
 Such were the dreadful images that haunt- 
 ed her diftra£ted mind, and nature was fink- 
 ing fail under the the dreadful maladv which 
 medicine had no power to remove. The fur- 
 geon who attended her was a humane man ; 
 he exerted his utmolt abilities to lave her ; 
 but he faw fhe was in want of many neceffa- 
 ries and comforts, which the poverty of her 
 hofpitabie hoft rendered him unable to pro- 
 
192 C H A R L O T T 'E. 
 
 vide : lie therefore determined to make her 
 iituation known to fome of the officers' ladies, 
 and endeavor to make a collection for her 
 relief. 
 
 When he returned home, after making 
 this refoiution, he found a meffag-e from 
 Mrs. Bcauchamp, who had juft arrived from 
 Rhocle-Ifland, requefting he would call and 
 fee one of her children, who was very un- 
 well. "I do not know," faid he, as ke was 
 iiaftening to obey the fummons, " I do not 
 know a woman to whom I could apply with 
 more hope of fuccefs than Mrs. Beauchamp. 
 I will endeavor to intereft her in this poor 
 girl's behalf; flie wants the foothing balm of 
 friendly confoiation : w r e may perhaps fave 
 her ; we will try at ieaiL" 
 
 " And where is The," cried Mrs. Beau- 
 champ, when he had prefcribed fomething 
 for the child, and told his little pathetic tale, 
 " where is {he, Sir ? we will go to her im- 
 mediately. Heaven forbid that I fhould be 
 deaf to the calls of humanity. "Come, wc will 
 ,'to this inltant." Then feizina: the doctor's 
 arm, they fought the habitation that conlau*- 
 cd the dying Charlotte. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 193 
 
 CHAP T E R XXXIII. 
 
 WHICH PEOPLE VOID OF FEELING NEED 
 NOT READ. 
 
 V\ hex Mrs. Beauchamp entered the ^pert- 
 inent of the poor fufferer, flie ftarted back 
 with horror. On a wretched bed without 
 hangings, and but poorly fupplied with co- 
 vering:, lav the emaciated figure of what itill 
 retained the femblance of a lovely woman, 
 though iicknefs had fo altered her features 
 that Mrs. Beauchamp had not the leaft recol- 
 lection of her perfon. In one corner of the 
 room flood a woman wafhing, and, ihivering 
 over a fmall fire, two healthy but half naked 
 children : the infant was afieep beflde its mo- 
 ther, and, en a chair by the bed- fide, flood 
 3 porrenger and wooden fpoon, containing a 
 little gruel, and a tea-cup with about two 
 fpoon-fulls of wine in it. Mrs. Beauchamp 
 had never before beheld fuch a fcene of po- 
 verty; fhe fhuddered involuntarily, and ex- 
 claiming- --'•' heaven preferve us!*' leaned on 
 the back of a chair ready to fink to the earth. 
 The doctor repented having fo precipitately 
 brought her into this affecting fcene ; but 
 there was no time for apologies : Charlotte 
 caught the found of her voice, and Starting 
 almoil out of bed, exclaimed...." Angel of 
 peace and mercy, art thou come t 
 ihe ? Oh, I know you are, for wheneve , qu 
 vol. 2. B 
 
194 GHARLOT T E. 
 
 was near me, I felt cafed of half my forrows-; 
 but you don't know me, nor can I, with all 
 the recollection I am miftrefs of, remember 
 your name juil now ; but I know that bene- 
 volent countenance, and the foftnefs of that 
 voice, which has fo often comforted the 
 wretched Charlotte,'' 
 
 Mrs. Beauchamp had, during the time 
 Charlotte was fpeaking, feated herfelf on the 
 bed and taken one of her hands : fhe looked 
 at her attentively, and at the name of Char- 
 lotte ihe perfectly conceived the whole fhock- 
 ine: affair. A faint licknefs came over her. 
 r Gracious heaven," faid Ihe, " is this pofii- 
 ble :" and burftir.g into tears-, flie reclined 
 the burnine head of Charlotte on her own 
 bofom ; and folding her arms about her, 
 wept over her in filence. " Oh," faid Char- 
 lotte, " you are very good to weep thus for 
 me : it is a long time fmce I fhed a tear for 
 myfelf : my head and heart are both on fire ; 
 butthcfe tears ofyonr's fcemto cool and re- 
 fresh me. Oh now I remember you faid you 
 would fend a letter to my poor father : do 
 you think he ever received it ? or perhaps 
 you have brought me an anfwer : why don't 
 «vou fpeak, Madam ? Does he fay I may £?o 
 
 ml 1 * * O 
 
 heme ? Well he is very good ; I fhall foon 
 Jbe ready." 
 
 •She then made an effort to get out of bed ; 
 
 but. being prevented, her phrenzy again re- 
 
 . file raved with the greateft wild- 
 
 \flefs tft|d incoherence. Mrs. Beauchamp.. 
 
CHARLOTTE. 195 
 
 Ending it was mipofiible for her to be remov- 
 ed, contented herfclf with ordering- the apart- 
 ment to be made more comfortable, and oro- 
 curing a proper nurfe for both mother and 
 child ; and having learnt the particulars of 
 Charlotte's fruitless application to Mrs. Cray- 
 ton from honelt John, fhe amply rewarded 
 him for his benevolence, and returned home 
 with a heart opprefoid with many painful 
 fenfations, but yet rendered ealy by the re- 
 flection that fhe had performed her duty for- 
 wards a diftreffed fellow-creature. 
 
 Early the next morning fhe again vifited 
 Charlotte, and found her tolerably compofed : ; 
 ilie called her by name, thanked her for her 
 goodnefs, and when her child was brought 
 to her, preffed it in her arms, wept over it, 
 and called it the offspring of difobedknee. 
 Mrs. Beauehamn was delighted to fee herfo- 
 much amended, and beajan to hope fee mia;ht 
 recover, and, fpkeof her former errors, be- 
 come an ufefu-1 and rclpeciable member of 
 fociety ; but the arrival of the doclor put aa 
 end to thefe delufive hopes ; he. faid nature 
 was making her laft effort, and a few hour* 
 would moil probably confign the unhappy" 
 
 srirl to her kindred dud." 
 <-j _ . . 
 
 Being afked how me found herfelf, mcf 
 
 replied " Why better, much better, Doc* 
 
 tor. I hope now 1 have but little more to fuf- 
 fej. 1 had lail night a few hours ileep, and 
 when 1 awoke recovered the full power 
 of recollection. I am quite fenfible of my 
 
l$h C H A R L O T T E r 
 
 wcaknefsi t: feel I have but little longer ta 
 combat $$th the Shafts of affliction. I have 
 an humble confidence In the mercy of him 
 who &< -i to fave the world, and trull that my 
 ful&Fings in this ftate of mortality*, joined 
 to my unfeigned repentance^ through his 
 mercy, have blotted my offences from the 
 fight of my offended maker, I have but one 
 care — my poor infant ! Father of mercy, 
 continued me, raifmg her eyes, '' of thy in- 
 finite goodnefs, grant that the fins of the pa- 
 rent be not vilited on the unoffending child. 
 May thefe who tauglit me to defpife thy lawa 
 be forgiven ; lay net my offences to their 
 charge, I befeech thee ; and oh ! mower tha 
 ehoiceii of thy blefllngs on thofe vvhofe pity 
 has ie-othed the aiSicled heart, and made ea- 
 fy even the bed of pain and ficknefs." 
 
 She was exhauftea by this fervent addrefs 
 to the throne of mercy, and though her lips, 
 fail moved, her voice became inarticulate ; 
 ihe lay for feme time as it were in a dofe^ 
 and then recovering, faintly prefied Mrg v 
 Beauchamp's hand, and requeftcd that a 
 clergyman might be fent for. 
 
 On his arrival, foe joined fervently in the 
 pious onice, frequently mentioning her in- 
 gratitude to her parents as what lay moil: 
 heavy at her heart. When {he had perform- 
 ed the laft folemn duty, and was preparing to 
 liectown, a little buftle outfide of the door 
 occafioned Mrs. Beauchamp to open it and 
 enquire the caufe. A man in appearance 
 
CHARLOTTE; 19T 
 
 about forty, prefented himfelfj and afked for 
 Mrs. Beauchamp. 
 
 -" That is my name, Sir," faid fhe. 
 
 " Oh then, my dear Madam," cried he, 
 " tell me where I may find my poor, ruined, 
 but repentant child." 
 
 Mrs. Beauchamp was furprized andaffecled; 
 fhe knew not what to fay ; ihe forefaw the 
 agony this interview would occafion Mr. 
 Temple, who had juil arrived in fearch of his 
 Charlotte, and yet was feufible that the oar- 
 don and blefling of her father would foften 
 even the aganies of death to the daughter. 
 
 She hefitated. " Tell me, Madam," cried 
 ne wildly, " tell me, I befeechthee, does ilie 
 live ? ihall I fee my darling once again ?. 
 Perhaps fhe is in this, houfe. Lead, lead me 
 to her, that I may blefs her, and then, lie 
 down and die." 
 
 The ardent manner in which he uttered' 
 thefe words occaiioncd him to raife his voice. 
 ft caught the ear of Charlotte :. fhe knew the- 
 beloved found : and uttering a loud ihriek, 
 flie fprang forward as Mr. Temple entered 
 the room. " My adored father !" " My long 
 loll child !" Nature could fupport no more, 
 and they both funk lifelefs into the arms of 
 the attendants. 
 
 Charlotte was again put into bed, and a 
 few moments reftored Mr. Temple : but to*- 
 defcribe the agony of his fufferings is pail 
 the power of any one. Though we may rea- 
 dily conceive, we cannot delineate the dread- 
 a. 2. 
 
198 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 fill fcenc. Every eye gave teftimony o£ 
 what each heart felt — but all were iilent. 
 
 When Charlotte recovered, flie found her- 
 felf fupported in her father's arms. She call 
 on him a moll expreflive look, but was una- 
 ble to fpeak. A reviving- cordial was admi- 
 niilered. She then alked, in a low voice for 
 her child : it was brought to her : fhe put 
 it in her father's arms. " Protect her," laid 
 flie, " and blefs your dying — : — " 
 
 Unable to finifh the fentence, fhe funk 
 back on her pillow ; her countenance was 
 ferenely compofed ; flic regarded her father 
 as he preffed the infant to his breafl with a 
 ftedfaft look ; a fudden beam of joy paffed 
 acrofs her languid features, fhe raifed her 
 eyes to heaven — and then clofed them for- 
 ever. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 RETRIBUTION. 
 
 In the mean time, Montraville having 're- 
 ceived orders to return to New- York, arriv- 
 ed, and having ftill feme remains of com- 
 panionate tendernefs for the woman whom he 
 regarded as brought to fliame by himfelf, he 
 went out in fearch of Belcour, to enquire; 
 whether His was fafe.ahdwhether the child ii> - 
 
CHARLOTTE. 199 
 
 ed. He found him immerfed in diflipation, 
 and could gain no other intelligence than 
 that Charlotte had left him, and that he 
 knew not what had become of her. 
 
 " I cannot believe it pofiible" faid Men- 
 traville, '* that a mind once fo pure as Char- 
 lotte Temple's, (herald fo fuddenly become 
 the manfion of vice. Beware, Belcour,'* 
 continued he, " beware if you have dared to 
 behave either unjuflly or dishonorably to 
 that poor girl, your life fliall pay the forfeit i 
 I will revenge her caufe." 
 
 He immediately went into the country, to- 
 the houfe where he had left Charlotte. It 
 was defolate. After much enquiry, he at 
 length found the fervant girl who had lived 
 with her. From her he learned the mifery 
 Charlotte had endured from the complicated 
 evils of illnefs, poverty, and a broken heart, 
 and that (he had fet out on foot for New- 
 York, on a cold winter's evening ; but fhe 
 could inform him no further. 
 
 Tortured alnioit to madnefs by this (hock- 
 ing account, he returned to the city ; but be- 
 fore he reached it, the evening was drawing 
 to a clofe. In entering the town, he was 
 obliged to pafs feveral little huts, the refi- 
 dence of poor women, who fupported them- 
 felves by warning the clothes of the officers 
 and foldiers. It was nearly dark : he heard 
 from a neighboring fteeple, a folemntoll that. 
 jfeemed to fay, fome poor mortal was going 
 to their k.il manfion ; the found (truck on the 
 
20# C H A R L O T T E. 
 
 heart of Montraville, and he involuntarily 
 flopped, when, from one of the houfes he 
 faw the appearance of a funeral. Almofl un- 
 knowing what he did, he followed at a fmall 
 diftance ; and as they let the coffin into the" 
 grave, he enquired of a foldier who ftood by, 
 and had juft wiped off a tear that did honor 
 to his heart, who it was that was jult buried. 
 " An pleafe your honor," faid the man, 
 *' 'tis a poor girl that was brought from her 
 friends by a cruel man, who left her when fhe 
 was big with child, and married another." 
 Montraville flood motionlefs, and the man 
 proceeded — " I met her myfelf not a forU 
 night fmce, one night all wet and cold in the 
 flreet ; fhe went to Madam Crayton's, but 
 foe would not take her in, and fo the poor 
 thing went raving mad . : ' Montraville could 
 bear no more ; he ftruck his hands againfl 
 his forehead with violence ; and exclaiming 
 " poor murdered Charlotte !" ran with pre- 
 cipitation towards the place where they were 
 heaping the earth on her remains. " Hold, 
 hold, one moment," faid he. " Clofe not the 
 grave of the injured Charlotte Temple till I 
 have taken vengeance on her murderer." 
 
 " Ralh young man," faid Mr. Temple, 
 " who art "thou, that thus diilurhefl the laft 
 mournful rites of the dead, and rudely break- 
 eil in upon the grief of an afflicted father ?" 
 
 " If thou art the father of Charlotte Tem- 
 ple," faid he, gazing at him with mingled" 
 horror and amazement — " if thou art her fa- 
 hcr— I am Montraville." Then fallings. 
 
C H A R L O T T E. 201 
 
 his knees, he continued — " Here is my bo- 
 fom. I bare it to receive the ilroke I merit. 
 Strike — ftrike now, and lave me from the 
 mifery of refle£tion." 
 
 " Alas !» laid Mr. Temple, "if thou wort 
 the feducer of my child, thy own reflection* 
 be thy punilhment. I wreft not the power 
 from the hand of omnipotence. Look on that 
 little heap of earth, there hai> thou buried 
 the only joy of a fond father, Look at it of- 
 ten ; and may thy heart feel fuch true forrow* 
 as (hall merit the mercy of heaven." He 
 turned from him ; and Montraville itarting: 
 up from the ground where he had thrown 
 himfelf, and that inilant remembering the 
 perfidy of Belcour, flew like lightning to his 
 lod'ci n«*s. Belcour was intoxicated ;■ Montra- 
 ville impetuous : they fougiu, and the fword 
 of the latter entered the heart of hisadverfary. 
 lie fell, and expired almoit inftaiitly. Mon- 
 traville had received a flight worn cl ; and 
 overcome with the agitation of his mind and 
 lofs of blood, was carried in a Hate of infen- 
 fibility to his diffracted wife. A dangerous 
 illnefs and obuinate delirium enfued, during 
 which he raved inceffantly for Charlotte : but 
 a ftrong coialUtution, and the tender afii- 
 duities of Julia, in time overcame the difor- 
 der. He recovered ; but to the end of his 
 life was fubjeel to fevere fits of melancholy, 
 and while he remained at New- York, fre- 
 quently retired to the church- yard, where he 
 would weep over the grave, and regret the 
 untimely fate of th« lovely Charlotte Temple. 
 
2G2 CHARLOTT W> 
 
 * 
 
 G H A P T E R XXXf. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Oiiohtly after the interment of his daugh- 
 ter, Mr. Temple, with his dear little eharge 
 and her mirfe, let forward for England. It 
 would be impoffible to do juitice to the meet- 
 ing fcene between him, his Lucy, and her 
 aged father. Every heart of fenlibility can: 
 eafdy conceive their feelings. Aftejr the firfc 
 tumult of grief was fubikled, Mrs. Temple- 
 gave up the chief of her time to her grand- 
 child, and as fhe grew up and improved, 
 began to alaaofc fancy fhe again peffeifed her 
 Charlotte. 
 
 It was about ten years after thefe painful" 
 its, that Mr, and Mrs. Temple, having 
 buried their father, were obliged to come to 
 .London on particular bufmefs, and brought 
 the little Lucy with them. They had been? 
 walking one evening, when on their return 
 they found a poor wretGh fitting on the Heps 
 of the door. She attempted to rife as they 
 approached ; but from extreme weajenefia 
 was. unable, and after feveral fruitiefs effort:* 
 fell back in a fit. Mr. Temple was n»t ©n& 
 
CHARLOTTE. 208 
 
 of thofe men who Hand to confider whether 
 by afiifling an object in diilrefs they fhall not 
 inconvenience themfelves, but mitigated by 
 the rmpulie of a nobie feeling 'heart, imme- 
 diately ordered her to be carried into the 
 houfe, and proper reiloratives applied. 
 
 She foon recovered ; and fixing her e} T e$ 
 on Mrs. Temple, cried — "you know not. 
 Madam, what you do ; you know not whom 
 you are relieving, or you would curfe me in 
 the bitternefs of your heart. Come not near 
 me, Madam ; I lhall contaminate you. I am 
 the viper that flung your peace. I am the 
 woman who turned the poor Charlotte out 
 to perifh in the flreet. Heaven have mercy '! 
 I fee her now," continued (he, looking at 
 Lucy ; M men, fuch was the fair bud of in- 
 nocence, that my vile arts blsiled ere it was 
 half blown." 
 
 It was in vain that Mr. and Mrs, Temple 
 inireated her to be compofed and to take forne 
 refrefhment. She only drank half a glafs of 
 wine ; and then told them that fhe had. been 
 feparated from her hufband fevc-n year*, the 
 chief of which fhe had palled in riot, difUpa- 
 tion and vice, till, overtaken by poverty and 
 ficknefs, fhe had been reduced to part with 
 every valuable, and thought only of ending 
 her life in a prifon, when a benevolent friend 
 paid her debts and releafed her ; but that 
 her illnefs increafing, flie had no pofiible 
 means of fupporting herfelf, and her friends 
 were weary cf relieving her. "I have faded, ? 
 
204 C H A R L O T T E. 
 
 faid flic, " two days, and laft night laid my 
 aching head on the cold pavement ; indeed 
 it was but j uft that I fhould experience thofe 
 miferies myfelf, which I had unfeelingly in- 
 flicted on others." 
 
 Greatly as Mr. Temple had reafon to de- 
 teft Mrs. Craytcn, he could not behold her 
 -in this diftrefs without fome emotions of pi- 
 ty, lie gave her (belter that night beneath 
 his hofpitable roof, and the next day got her 
 admiflion into an hofpital ; where having 
 lingered a few weeks, flie died, a ftriking 
 example, that vice, however prosperous in 
 the beginning, in the end leads only to mifeiy 
 and fhame. 
 
 HE EN 2. 
 
ra9tt