“As we are now nearly arrived at our destined1 port, I think it but my duty to inform you, my friends, that this lady,” (taking her hand,) “has placed herself under my protection. I have seen and severely2 felt the anguish3 of her heart, and through every shade which cruelty or malice5 may throw over her, can discover the most amiable6 qualities. I thought it but necessary to mention my esteem7 for her before our disembarkation, as it is my fixed8 resolution, the morning after we land, to give her an undoubted title to my favour and protection by honourably9 uniting my fate to hers. I would wish every gentleman here therefore to remember that her honour henceforth is mine, and,” continued he, looking at Belcour, “should any man presume to speak in the least disrespectfully of her, I shall not hesitate to pronounce him a scoundrel.”
Belcour cast at him a smile of contempt, and bowing profoundly low, wished Mademoiselle much joy in the proposed union; and assuring the Colonel that he need not be in the least apprehensive10 of any one throwing the least odium on the character of his lady, shook him by the hand with ridiculous gravity, and left the cabin.
The truth was, he was glad to be rid of La Rue4, and so he was but freed from her, he cared not who fell a victim to her infamous11 arts.
The inexperienced Charlotte was astonished at what she heard. She thought La Rue had, like herself, only been urged by the force of her attachment12 to Belcour, to quit her friends, and follow him to the feat13 of war: how wonderful then, that she should resolve to marry another man. It was certainly extremely wrong. It was indelicate. She mentioned her thoughts to Montraville. He laughed at her simplicity14, called her a little idiot, and patting her on the cheek, said she knew nothing of the world. “If the world sanctifies such things, 'tis a very bad world I think,” said Charlotte. “Why I always understood they were to have been married when they arrived at New-York. I am sure Mademoiselle told me Belcour promised to marry her.”
“Well, and suppose he did?”
“Why, he should be obliged to keep his word I think.”
“Well, but I suppose he has changed his mind,” said Montraville, “and then you know the case is altered.”
Charlotte looked at him attentively15 for a moment. A full sense of her own situation rushed upon her mind. She burst into tears, and remained silent. Montraville too well understood the cause of her tears. He kissed her cheek, and bidding her not make herself uneasy, unable to bear the silent but keen remonstrance16, hastily left her.
The next morning by sun-rise they found themselves at anchor before the city of New-York. A boat was ordered to convey the ladies on shore. Crayton accompanied them; and they were shewn to a house of public entertainment. Scarcely were they seated when the door opened, and the Colonel found himself in the arms of his daughter, who had landed a few minutes before him. The first transport of meeting subsided17, Crayton introduced his daughter to Mademoiselle La Rue, as an old friend of her mother's, (for the artful French woman had really made it appear to the credulous18 Colonel that she was in the same convent with his first wife, and, though much younger, had received many tokens of her esteem and regard.)
“If, Mademoiselle,” said Mrs. Beauchamp, “you were the friend of my mother, you must be worthy19 the esteem of all good hearts.” “Mademoiselle will soon honour our family,” said Crayton, “by supplying the place that valuable woman filled: and as you are married, my dear, I think you will not blame—”
“Hush, my dear Sir,” replied Mrs. Beauchamp: “I know my duty too well to scrutinize20 your conduct. Be assured, my dear father, your happiness is mine. I shall rejoice in it, and sincerely love the person who contributes to it. But tell me,” continued she, turning to Charlotte, “who is this lovely girl? Is she your sister, Mademoiselle?”
A blush, deep as the glow of the carnation21, suffused22 the cheeks of Charlotte.
“It is a young lady,” replied the Colonel, “who came in the same vessel23 with us from England.' He then drew his daughter aside, and told her in a whisper, Charlotte was the mistress of Montraville.
“What a pity!” said Mrs. Beauchamp softly, (casting a most compassionate24 glance at her.) “But surely her mind is not depraved. The goodness of her heart is depicted25 in her ingenuous26 countenance27.”
Charlotte caught the word pity. “And am I already fallen so low?” said she. A sigh escaped her, and a tear was ready to start, but Montraville appeared, and she checked the rising emotion. Mademoiselle went with the Colonel and his daughter to another apartment. Charlotte remained with Montraville and Belcour. The next morning the Colonel performed his promise, and La Rue became in due form Mrs. Crayton, exulted28 in her own good fortune, and dared to look with an eye of contempt on the unfortunate but far less guilty Charlotte.
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1
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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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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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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6
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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7
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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8
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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9
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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10
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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12
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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14
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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15
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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16
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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17
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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18
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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scrutinize
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| n.详细检查，细读 | |
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carnation
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| n.康乃馨（一种花） | |
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22
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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25
depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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