Creature in whom excell'd, whatever could
To sight or thought be nam'd!
Holy, divine! good, amiable1, and sweet!
How thou art fall'n!—
WHEN Charlotte left her restless bed, her languid eye and pale cheek discovered to Madame Du Pont the little repose2 she had tasted.
“My dear child,” said the affectionate governess, “what is the cause of the languor3 so apparent in your frame? Are you not well?”
“Yes, my dear Madam, very well,” replied Charlotte, attempting to smile, “but I know not how it was; I could not sleep last night, and my spirits are depressed4 this morning.”
“Come cheer up, my love,” said the governess; “I believe I have brought a cordial to revive them. I have just received a letter from your good mama, and here is one for yourself.”
Charlotte hastily took the letter: it contained these words—
“As to-morrow is the anniversary of the happy day that gave my beloved girl to the anxious wishes of a maternal5 heart, I have requested your governess to let you come home and spend it with us; and as I know you to be a good affectionate child, and make it your study to improve in those branches of education which you know will give most pleasure to your delighted parents, as a reward for your diligence and attention I have prepared an agreeable surprise for your reception. Your grand-father, eager to embrace the darling of his aged6 heart, will come in the chaise for you; so hold yourself in readiness to attend him by nine o'clock. Your dear father joins in every tender wish for your health and future felicity, which warms the heart of my dear Charlotte's affectionate mother, L. TEMPLE.”
“Gracious heaven!” cried Charlotte, forgetting where she was, and raising her streaming eyes as in earnest supplication7.
Madame Du Pont was surprised. “Why these tears, my love?” said she. “Why this seeming agitation8? I thought the letter would have rejoiced, instead of distressing9 you.”
“It does rejoice me,” replied Charlotte, endeavouring at composure, “but I was praying for merit to deserve the unremitted attentions of the best of parents.”
“You do right,” said Madame Du Pont, “to ask the assistance of heaven that you may continue to deserve their love. Continue, my dear Charlotte, in the course you have ever pursued, and you will insure at once their happiness and your own.”
“Oh!” cried Charlotte, as her governess left her, “I have forfeited10 both for ever! Yet let me reflect:—the irrevocable step is not yet taken: it is not too late to recede11 from the brink12 of a precipice13, from which I can only behold14 the dark abyss of ruin, shame, and remorse15!”
She arose from her seat, and flew to the apartment of La Rue16. “Oh Mademoiselle!” said she, “I am snatched by a miracle from destruction! This letter has saved me: it has opened my eyes to the folly17 I was so near committing. I will not go, Mademoiselle; I will not wound the hearts of those dear parents who make my happiness the whole study of their lives.”
“Well,” said Mademoiselle, “do as you please, Miss; but pray understand that my resolution is taken, and it is not in your power to alter it. I shall meet the gentlemen at the appointed hour, and shall not be surprized at any outrage18 which Montraville may commit, when he finds himself disappointed. Indeed I should not be astonished, was he to come immediately here, and reproach you for your instability in the hearing of the whole school: and what will be the consequence? you will bear the odium of having formed the resolution of eloping, and every girl of spirit will laugh at your want of fortitude19 to put it in execution, while prudes and fools will load you with reproach and contempt. You will have lost the confidence of your parents, incurred20 their anger, and the scoffs21 of the world; and what fruit do you expect to reap from this piece of heroism22, (for such no doubt you think it is?) you will have the pleasure to reflect, that you have deceived the man who adores you, and whom in your heart you prefer to all other men, and that you are separated from him for ever.”
This eloquent23 harangue24 was given with such volubility, that Charlotte could not find an opportunity to interrupt her, or to offer a single word till the whole was finished, and then found her ideas so confused, that she knew not what to say.
At length she determined25 that she would go with Mademoiselle to the place of assignation, convince Montraville of the necessity of adhering to the resolution of remaining behind; assure him of her affection, and bid him adieu.
Charlotte formed this plan in her mind, and exulted26 in the certainty of its success. “How shall I rejoice,” said she, “in this triumph of reason over inclination27, and, when in the arms of my affectionate parents, lift up my soul in gratitude28 to heaven as I look back on the dangers I have escaped!”
The hour of assignation arrived: Mademoiselle put what money and valuables she possessed29 in her pocket, and advised Charlotte to do the same; but she refused; “my resolution is fixed,” said she; “I will sacrifice love to duty.”
Mademoiselle smiled internally; and they proceeded softly down the back stairs and out of the garden gate. Montraville and Belcour were ready to receive them.
“Now,” said Montraville, taking Charlotte in his arms, “you are mine for ever.”
“No,” said she, withdrawing from his embrace, “I am come to take an everlasting30 farewel.”
It would be useless to repeat the conversation that here ensued, suffice it to say, that Montraville used every argument that had formerly31 been successful, Charlotte's resolution began to waver, and he drew her almost imperceptibly towards the chaise.
“I cannot go,” said she: “cease, dear Montraville, to persuade. I must not: religion, duty, forbid.”
“Cruel Charlotte,” said he, “if you disappoint my ardent32 hopes, by all that is sacred, this hand shall put a period to my existence. I cannot—will not live without you.”
“Alas! my torn heart!” said Charlotte, “how shall I act?”
“Let me direct you,” said Montraville, lifting her into the chaise.
“Oh! my dear forsaken33 parents!” cried Charlotte.
The chaise drove off. She shrieked34, and fainted into the arms of her betrayer.
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收听单词发音
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1
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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8
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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recede
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| vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进 | |
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12
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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17
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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18
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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19
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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21
scoffs
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| 嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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22
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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25
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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26
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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28
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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29
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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30
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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31
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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32
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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33
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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34
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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