charlotte temple(夏洛特·藤布尔)-第2章
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has no idea？ I will return to Portsmouth and think no more about her。〃
The evening now was closed； a serene stillness reigned； and the chaste
Queen of Night with her silver crescent faintly illuminated the hemisphere。
The mind of Montraville was hushed into composure by the serenity of the
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surrounding objects。 〃I will think on her no more；〃 said he； and turned
with an intention to leave the place； but as he turned； he saw the gate
which led to the pleasure grounds open； and two women come out； who
walked arm…in…arm across the field。
〃I will at least see who these are；〃 said he。 He overtook them； and
giving them the compliments of the evening； begged leave to see them
into the more frequented parts of the town： but how was he delighted；
when； waiting for an answer； he discovered； under the concealment of a
large bonnet； the face of Charlotte Temple。
He soon found means to ingratiate himself with her companion； who
was a French teacher at the school； and； at parting； slipped a letter he had
purposely written； into Charlotte's hand； and five guineas into that of
Mademoiselle； who promised she would endeavour to bring her young
charge into the field again the next evening。
CHAPTER II。
DOMESTIC CONCERNS。
MR。Temple was the youngest son of a nobleman whose fortune was
by no means adequate to the antiquity； grandeur； and I may add； pride of
the family。 He saw his elder brother made completely wretched by
marrying a disagreeable woman； whose fortune helped to prop the sinking
dignity of the house； and he beheld his sisters legally prostituted to old；
decrepid men； whose titles gave them consequence in the eyes of the
world； and whose affluence rendered them splendidly miserable。 〃I will
not sacrifice internal happiness for outward shew；〃 said he： 〃I will seek
Content； and； if I find her in a cottage； will embrace her with as much
cordiality as I should if seated on a throne。〃
Mr。 Temple possessed a small estate of about five hundred pounds a
year； and with that he resolved to preserve independence； to marry where
the feelings of his heart should direct him； and to confine his expenses
within the limits of his income。 He had a heart open to every generous
feeling of humanity； and a hand ready to dispense to those who wanted
part of the blessings he enjoyed himself。
As he was universally known to be the friend of the unfortunate； his
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advice and bounty was frequently solicited； nor was it seldom that he
sought out indigent merit； and raised it from obscurity； confining his own
expenses within a very narrow compass。
〃You are a benevolent fellow；〃 said a young officer to him one day；
〃and I have a great mind to give you a fine subject to exercise the
goodness of your heart upon。〃
〃You cannot oblige me more；〃 said Temple； 〃than to point out any way
by which I can be serviceable to my fellow creatures。〃
〃Come along then；〃 said the young man； 〃we will go and visit a man
who is not in so good a lodging as he deserves； and； were it not that he has
an angel with him； who comforts and supports him； he must long since
have sunk under his misfortunes。〃 The young man's heart was too full to
proceed； and Temple； unwilling to irritate his feelings by making further
enquiries； followed him in silence； til they arrived at the Fleet prison。
The officer enquired for Captain Eldridge： a person led them up
several pair of dirty stairs； and pointing to a door which led to a miserable；
small apartment； said that was the Captain's room； and retired。
The officer； whose name was Blakeney； tapped at the door； and was
bid to enter by a voice melodiously soft。 He opened the door； and
discovered to Temple a scene which rivetted him to the spot with
astonishment。
The apartment； though small； and bearing strong marks of poverty；
was neat in the extreme。 In an arm…chair； his head reclined upon his hand；
his eyes fixed on a book which lay open before him； sat an aged man in a
Lieutenant's uniform； which； though threadbare； would sooner call a blush
of shame into the face of those who could neglect real merit； than cause
the hectic of confusion to glow on the cheeks of him who wore it。
Beside him sat a lovely creature busied in painting a fan mount。 She
was fair as the lily； but sorrow had nipped the rose in her cheek before it
was half blown。 Her eyes were blue； and her hair； which was light brown；
was slightly confined under a plain muslin cap； tied round with a black
ribbon； a white linen gown and plain lawn handkerchief composed the
remainder of her dress； and in this simple attire； she was more irresistibly
charming to such a heart as Temple's； than she would have been； if
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adorned with all the splendor of a courtly belle。
When they entered； the old man arose from his seat； and shaking
Blakeney by the hand with great cordiality； offered Temple his chair； and
there being but three in the room； seated himself on the side of his little
bed with evident composure。
〃This is a strange place；〃 said he to Temple； 〃to receive visitors of
distinction in； but we must fit our feelings to our station。 While I am not
ashamed to own the cause which brought me here； why should I blush at
my situation？ Our misfortunes are not our faults； and were it not for that
poor girl〃
Here the philosopher was lost in the father。 He rose hastily from his
seat； and walking toward the window； wiped off a tear which he was afraid
would tarnish the cheek of a sailor。
Temple cast his eye on Miss Eldridge： a pellucid drop had stolen from
her eyes； and fallen upon a rose she was painting。 It blotted and
discoloured the flower。 〃 'Tis emblematic；〃 said he mentally： 〃the rose of
youth and health soon fades when watered by the tear of affliction。〃
〃My friend Blakeney；〃 said he； addressing the old man； 〃told me I
could be of service to you： be so kind then； dear Sir； as to point out some
way in which I can relieve the anxiety of your heart and increase the
pleasures of my own。〃
〃My good young man；〃 said Eldridge； 〃you know not what you offer。
While deprived of my liberty I cannot be free from anxiety on my own
account； but that is a trifling concern； my anxious thoughts extend to one
more dear a thousand times than life： I am a poor weak old man； and must
expect in a few years to sink into silence and oblivion； but when I am gone；
who will protect that fair bud of innocence from the blasts of adversity； or
from the cruel hand of insult and dishonour。 〃
〃Oh； my father！〃 cried Miss Eldridge； tenderly taking his hand； 〃be not
anxious on that account； for daily are my prayers of
