章节正文
Charlotte Temple
by Susanna Rowson
Volume I
CHAPTER I.
A Boarding School.
CHAPTER II.
Domestic Concerns.
CHAPTER III.
Unexpected Misfortunes.
CHAPTER IV.
Change of Fortune.
CHAPTER V.
Such Things Are.
CHAPTER VI.
An Intriguing Teacher.
CHAPTER VII.
Natural Sense of Propriety Inherent in the
Female Bosom.
CHAPTER VIII.
Domestic Pleasures Planned.
CHAPTER IX.
We Know Not What a Day May Bring Forth.
CHAPTER X.
When We Have Excited Curiosity, It Is But an Act
of Good Nature to Gratify it.
CHAPTER XI.
Conflict of Love and Duty.
CHAPTER XII.
Nature's last, best gift:
Creature in whom excell'd, whatever could
To sight or thought be nam'd!
Holy, divine! good, amiable, and sweet!
How thou art falln'!--
CHAPTER XIII.
Cruel Disappointment.
CHAPTER XIV.
Maternal Sorrow.
CHAPTER XV.
Embarkation.
CHAPTER XVI.
Necessary Digression.
CHAPTER XVII.
A Wedding.
VOLUME II.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Reflections.
CHAPTER XIX.
A Mistake Discovered.
CHAPTER XX.
Virtue never appears so amiable as when reaching
forth her hand to raise a fallen sister.
Chapter of Accidents.
CHAPTER XXI.
Teach me to feel another's woe,
To hide the fault I see,
That mercy I to others show
That mercy show to me. POPE.
CHAPTER XXII.
Sorrows of the Heart.
CHAPTER XXIII.
A Man May Smile, and Smile, and Be a Villain.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Mystery Developed.
CHAPTER XXV.
Reception of a Letter.
CHAPTER XXVI.
What Might Be Expected.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Pensive she mourn'd, and hung her languid head,
Like a fair lily overcharg'd with dew.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
A Trifling Retrospect.
CHAPTER XXIX.
We Go Forward Again.
CHAPTER XXX.
And what is friendship but a name,
A charm that lulls to sleep,
A shade that follows wealth and fame,
But leaves the wretch to weep.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Subject Continued.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Reasons Why and Wherefore.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Which People Void of Feeling Need Not Read.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Retribution.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Conclusion.
PREFACE.
FOR the perusal of the young and thoughtless of the fair sex,
this Tale of Truth is designed; and I could wish my fair readers
to consider it as not merely the effusion of Fancy, but as a reality.
The circumstances on which I have founded this novel were related
to me some little time since by an old lady who had personally
known Charlotte, though she concealed the real names of the characters,
and likewise the place where the unfortunate scenes were acted:
yet as it was impossible to offer a relation to the public in such an
imperfect state, I have thrown over the whole a slight veil of fiction,
and substituted names and places according to my own fancy.
The principal characters in this little tale are now consigned
to the silent tomb: it can therefore hurt the feelings of no one;
and may, I flatter myself, be of service to some who are so unfortunate
as to have neither friends to advise, or understanding to direct them,
through the various and unexpected evils that attend a young
and unprotected woman in her first entrance into life.
While the tear of compassion still trembled in my eye for the fate
of the unhappy Charlotte, I may have children of my own, said I,
to whom this recital may be of use, and if to your own children,
said Benevolence, why not to the many daughters of Misfortune who,
deprived of natural friends, or spoilt by a mistaken education,
are thrown on an unfeeling world without the least power to defend
themselves from the snares not only of the other sex, but from
the more dangerous arts of the profligate of their own.
Sensible as I am that a novel writer, at a time when such a variety
of works are ushered into the world under that name, stands
6 PREFACE.
but a poor chance for fame in the annals of literature, but conscious
that I wrote with a mind anxious for the happiness of that sex whose
morals and conduct have so powerful an influence on mankind in general;
and convinced that I have not wrote a line that conveys a wrong idea
to the head or a corrupt wish to the heart, I shall rest satisfied
in the purity of my own intentions, and if I merit not applause,
I feel that I dread not censure.
If the following tale should save one hapless fair one from
the errors which ruined poor Charlotte, or rescue from impending
misery the heart of one anxious parent, I shall feel a much
higher gratification in reflecting on this trifling performance,
than could possibly result from the applause which might attend
the most elegant finished piece of literature whose tendency might
deprave the heart or mislead the understanding.
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE,
VOLUME I
CHAPTER I.
A BOARDING SCHOOL.
"ARE you for a walk," said Montraville to his companion,
as they arose from table; "are you for a walk? or shall we order
the chaise and proceed to Portsmouth?" Belcour preferred the former;
and they sauntered out to view the town, and to make remarks on
the inhabitants, as they returned from church.
Montraville was a Lieutenant in the army: Belcour was his
brother officer: they had been to take leave of their friends
previous to their departure for America, and were now returning
to Portsmouth, where the troops waited orders for embarkation.
They had stopped at Chichester to dine; and knowing they had
sufficient time to reach the place of destination before dark,
and yet allow them a walk, had resolved, it being Sunday afternoon,
to take a survey of the Chichester ladies as they returned
from their devotions.
They had gratified their curiosity, and were preparing to return
to the inn without honouring any of the belles with particular notice,
when Madame Du Pont, at the head of her school, descended from
the church. Such an assemblage of youth and innocence naturally
attracted the young soldiers: they stopped; and, as the little
cavalcade passed, almost involuntarily pulled off their hats.
A tall, elegant girl looked at Montraville and blushed:
he instantly recollected the features of Charlotte Temple,
whom he had once seen and danced with at a ball at Portsmouth.
At that time he thought on her only as a very lovely child,
she being then only thirteen; but the improvement two years had made
in her person, and the blush of recollection which suffused her
cheeks as she passed, awakened in his bosom new and pleasing ideas.
Vanity led him to think that pleasure at again beholding him might
have occasioned the emotion he had witnessed, and the same vanity
led him to wish to see her again.
"She is the sweetest girl in the world," said he, as he entered the inn.
Belcour stared. "Did you not notice her?" continued Montraville:
"she had on a blue bonnet, and with a pair of lovely eyes
of the same colour, has contrived to make me feel devilish odd
about the heart."
"Pho," said Belcour, "a musket ball from our friends, the Americans,
may in less than two months make you feel worse."
"I never think of the future," replied Montraville; "but am
determined to make the most of the present, and would 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 appearing, and the chaise which they
had ordered, driving up to the door, Montraville and his companion
were obliged to take leave of Chichester and its fair inhabitant,
and proceed on their journey.
But Charlotte had made too great an impression on his mind
to be easily eradicated: having therefore spent three whole
days in thinking on her and in endeavouring to form some plan
for seeing her, he determined to set off for Chichester,
and trust to chance either to favour or frustrate his designs.
Arriving at the verge of the town, he dismounted, and sending
the servant forward with the horses, proceeded toward
the place, where, in the midst of an extensive pleasure ground,
stood the mansion which contained the lovely Charlotte Temple.
Montraville leaned on a broken gate, and looked earnestly at the house.
The wall which surrounded it was high, and perhaps the Argus's
who guarded the Hesperian fruit within, were more watchful than
those famed of old.
"'Tis a romantic attempt," said he; "and should I even succeed
in seeing and conversing with her, it can be productive of no good:
I must of necessity leave England in a few days, and probably
may never return; why then should I endeavour to engage
the affections of this lovely girl, only to leave her a prey
to a thousand inquietudes, of which at present she has no idea?
I will return to Portsmouth and think no more about her."
The evening now was closed; a serenestillness reigned;
by Susanna Rowson
Volume I
CHAPTER I.
A Boarding School.
CHAPTER II.
Domestic Concerns.
CHAPTER III.
Unexpected Misfortunes.
CHAPTER IV.
Change of Fortune.
CHAPTER V.
Such Things Are.
CHAPTER VI.
An Intriguing Teacher.
CHAPTER VII.
Natural Sense of Propriety Inherent in the
Female Bosom.
CHAPTER VIII.
Domestic Pleasures Planned.
CHAPTER IX.
We Know Not What a Day May Bring Forth.
CHAPTER X.
When We Have Excited Curiosity, It Is But an Act
of Good Nature to Gratify it.
CHAPTER XI.
Conflict of Love and Duty.
CHAPTER XII.
Nature's last, best gift:
Creature in whom excell'd, whatever could
To sight or thought be nam'd!
Holy, divine! good, amiable, and sweet!
How thou art falln'!--
CHAPTER XIII.
Cruel Disappointment.
CHAPTER XIV.
Maternal Sorrow.
CHAPTER XV.
Embarkation.
CHAPTER XVI.
Necessary Digression.
CHAPTER XVII.
A Wedding.
VOLUME II.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Reflections.
CHAPTER XIX.
A Mistake Discovered.
CHAPTER XX.
Virtue never appears so amiable as when reaching
forth her hand to raise a fallen sister.
Chapter of Accidents.
CHAPTER XXI.
Teach me to feel another's woe,
To hide the fault I see,
That mercy I to others show
That mercy show to me. POPE.
CHAPTER XXII.
Sorrows of the Heart.
CHAPTER XXIII.
A Man May Smile, and Smile, and Be a Villain.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Mystery Developed.
CHAPTER XXV.
Reception of a Letter.
CHAPTER XXVI.
What Might Be Expected.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Pensive she mourn'd, and hung her languid head,
Like a fair lily overcharg'd with dew.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
A Trifling Retrospect.
CHAPTER XXIX.
We Go Forward Again.
CHAPTER XXX.
And what is friendship but a name,
A charm that lulls to sleep,
A shade that follows wealth and fame,
But leaves the wretch to weep.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Subject Continued.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Reasons Why and Wherefore.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Which People Void of Feeling Need Not Read.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Retribution.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Conclusion.
PREFACE.
FOR the perusal of the young and thoughtless of the fair sex,
this Tale of Truth is designed; and I could wish my fair readers
to consider it as not merely the effusion of Fancy, but as a reality.
The circumstances on which I have founded this novel were related
to me some little time since by an old lady who had personally
known Charlotte, though she concealed the real names of the characters,
and likewise the place where the unfortunate scenes were acted:
yet as it was impossible to offer a relation to the public in such an
imperfect state, I have thrown over the whole a slight veil of fiction,
and substituted names and places according to my own fancy.
The principal characters in this little tale are now consigned
to the silent tomb: it can therefore hurt the feelings of no one;
and may, I flatter myself, be of service to some who are so unfortunate
as to have neither friends to advise, or understanding to direct them,
through the various and unexpected evils that attend a young
and unprotected woman in her first entrance into life.
While the tear of compassion still trembled in my eye for the fate
of the unhappy Charlotte, I may have children of my own, said I,
to whom this recital may be of use, and if to your own children,
said Benevolence, why not to the many daughters of Misfortune who,
deprived of natural friends, or spoilt by a mistaken education,
are thrown on an unfeeling world without the least power to defend
themselves from the snares not only of the other sex, but from
the more dangerous arts of the profligate of their own.
Sensible as I am that a novel writer, at a time when such a variety
of works are ushered into the world under that name, stands
6 PREFACE.
but a poor chance for fame in the annals of literature, but conscious
that I wrote with a mind anxious for the happiness of that sex whose
morals and conduct have so powerful an influence on mankind in general;
and convinced that I have not wrote a line that conveys a wrong idea
to the head or a corrupt wish to the heart, I shall rest satisfied
in the purity of my own intentions, and if I merit not applause,
I feel that I dread not censure.
If the following tale should save one hapless fair one from
the errors which ruined poor Charlotte, or rescue from impending
misery the heart of one anxious parent, I shall feel a much
higher gratification in reflecting on this trifling performance,
than could possibly result from the applause which might attend
the most elegant finished piece of literature whose tendency might
deprave the heart or mislead the understanding.
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE,
VOLUME I
CHAPTER I.
A BOARDING SCHOOL.
"ARE you for a walk," said Montraville to his companion,
as they arose from table; "are you for a walk? or shall we order
the chaise and proceed to Portsmouth?" Belcour preferred the former;
and they sauntered out to view the town, and to make remarks on
the inhabitants, as they returned from church.
Montraville was a Lieutenant in the army: Belcour was his
brother officer: they had been to take leave of their friends
previous to their departure for America, and were now returning
to Portsmouth, where the troops waited orders for embarkation.
They had stopped at Chichester to dine; and knowing they had
sufficient time to reach the place of destination before dark,
and yet allow them a walk, had resolved, it being Sunday afternoon,
to take a survey of the Chichester ladies as they returned
from their devotions.
They had gratified their curiosity, and were preparing to return
to the inn without honouring any of the belles with particular notice,
when Madame Du Pont, at the head of her school, descended from
the church. Such an assemblage of youth and innocence naturally
attracted the young soldiers: they stopped; and, as the little
cavalcade passed, almost involuntarily pulled off their hats.
A tall, elegant girl looked at Montraville and blushed:
he instantly recollected the features of Charlotte Temple,
whom he had once seen and danced with at a ball at Portsmouth.
At that time he thought on her only as a very lovely child,
she being then only thirteen; but the improvement two years had made
in her person, and the blush of recollection which suffused her
cheeks as she passed, awakened in his bosom new and pleasing ideas.
Vanity led him to think that pleasure at again beholding him might
have occasioned the emotion he had witnessed, and the same vanity
led him to wish to see her again.
"She is the sweetest girl in the world," said he, as he entered the inn.
Belcour stared. "Did you not notice her?" continued Montraville:
"she had on a blue bonnet, and with a pair of lovely eyes
of the same colour, has contrived to make me feel devilish odd
about the heart."
"Pho," said Belcour, "a musket ball from our friends, the Americans,
may in less than two months make you feel worse."
"I never think of the future," replied Montraville; "but am
determined to make the most of the present, and would 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 appearing, and the chaise which they
had ordered, driving up to the door, Montraville and his companion
were obliged to take leave of Chichester and its fair inhabitant,
and proceed on their journey.
But Charlotte had made too great an impression on his mind
to be easily eradicated: having therefore spent three whole
days in thinking on her and in endeavouring to form some plan
for seeing her, he determined to set off for Chichester,
and trust to chance either to favour or frustrate his designs.
Arriving at the verge of the town, he dismounted, and sending
the servant forward with the horses, proceeded toward
the place, where, in the midst of an extensive pleasure ground,
stood the mansion which contained the lovely Charlotte Temple.
Montraville leaned on a broken gate, and looked earnestly at the house.
The wall which surrounded it was high, and perhaps the Argus's
who guarded the Hesperian fruit within, were more watchful than
those famed of old.
"'Tis a romantic attempt," said he; "and should I even succeed
in seeing and conversing with her, it can be productive of no good:
I must of necessity leave England in a few days, and probably
may never return; why then should I endeavour to engage
the affections of this lovely girl, only to leave her a prey
to a thousand inquietudes, of which at present she has no idea?
I will return to Portsmouth and think no more about her."
The evening now was closed; a serenestillness reigned;
- curiosity [,kjuəri´ɔsiti]
n.好奇；奇事；珍品 (初中英语单词) - whatever [wɔt´evə] pron.&a.无论什么 (初中英语单词)
- trifling [´traifliŋ] a.微小的；轻浮的 (初中英语单词)
- wealth [welθ] n.财富，财产 (初中英语单词)
- likewise [´laikwaiz] ad.同样地；也，又 (初中英语单词)
- unfortunate [ʌn´fɔ:tʃunit] a.不幸的，运气差的 (初中英语单词)
- principal [´prinsəpəl] a.主要的 n.负责人 (初中英语单词)
- therefore [´ðeəfɔ:] ad.&conj.因此；所以 (初中英语单词)
- flatter [´flætə] vt.阿谀，奉承；胜过 (初中英语单词)
- advise [əd´vaiz] vt.忠告；建议；通知 (初中英语单词)
- unhappy [ʌn´hæpi] a.不幸的；不快乐的 (初中英语单词)
- writer [´raitə] n.作者；作家 (初中英语单词)
- literature [´litərətʃə] n.文学；文献；著作 (初中英语单词)
- anxious [´æŋkʃəs] a.担忧的；渴望的 (初中英语单词)
- purity [´pjuəriti] n.纯净；贞洁 (初中英语单词)
- rescue [´reskju:] vt.&n.救援；挽救 (初中英语单词)
- tendency [´tendənsi] n.趋势；倾向 (初中英语单词)
- lieutenant [lef´tenənt] n.陆军中尉；代理；副手 (初中英语单词)
- departure [di´pɑ:tʃə] n.离开，出发 (初中英语单词)
- knowing [´nəuiŋ] a.会意的，心照不宣的 (初中英语单词)
- survey [´sə:vei] vt.&n.俯瞰；审视；测量 (初中英语单词)
- instantly [´instəntli] ad.立即，立刻 (初中英语单词)
- improvement [im´pru:vmənt] n.改进，改善，进步 (初中英语单词)
- emotion [i´məuʃən] n.感情；情绪；激动 (初中英语单词)
- obtain [əb´tein] v.获得；买到；得到承认 (初中英语单词)
- interview [´intəvju:] n.&vt.接见；会见；交谈 (初中英语单词)
- impression [im´preʃən] n.印刷；印象；效果 (初中英语单词)
- extensive [ik´stensiv] a.广阔的；大量的 (初中英语单词)
- romantic [rəu´mæntik] a.传奇(式)的；浪漫的 (初中英语单词)
- productive [prə´dʌktiv] a.生产的；富饶的 (初中英语单词)
- endeavour [in´devə] n.&v.努力，试图，尽力 (初中英语单词)
- gratify [´grætifai] vt.使高兴；满足 (高中英语单词)
- unexpected [ʌniks´pektid] a.突然的；意外的 (高中英语单词)
- misfortune [mis´fɔ:tʃən] n.不幸；灾祸 (高中英语单词)
- mistaken [mis´teikən] mistake的过去分词 (高中英语单词)
- corrupt [kə´rʌpt] a.腐败的 v.败坏；贿赂 (高中英语单词)
- applause [ə´plɔ:z] n.鼓掌；欢呼；称赞 (高中英语单词)
- elegant [´eligənt] a.文雅的；优美的 (高中英语单词)
- destination [,desti´neiʃən] n.目标地 (高中英语单词)
- innocence [´inəsəns] n.无罪；天真 (高中英语单词)
- recollection [,rekə´lekʃən] n.回忆；追想；记忆力 (高中英语单词)
- pleasing [´pli:ziŋ] a.使人愉快的；合意的 (高中英语单词)
- bonnet [´bɔnit] n.无边女帽；童帽 (高中英语单词)
- seeing [si:iŋ] see的现在分词 n.视觉 (高中英语单词)
- frustrate [frʌ´streit] vt.挫败；破坏 (高中英语单词)
- mansion [´mænʃən] n.大厦；宅第；官邸 (高中英语单词)
- earnestly [´ə:nistli] ad.认真地；急切地 (高中英语单词)
- serene [si´ri:n] n.&a.清澈的；宁静的 (高中英语单词)
- stillness [´stilnis] n.不动；无声，寂静 (高中英语单词)
- amiable [´eimiəbəl] a.亲切的，温和的 (英语四级单词)
- wretch [retʃ] n.不幸的人；卑鄙的人 (英语四级单词)
- compassion [kəm´pæʃən] n.同情；怜悯 (英语四级单词)
- resolved [ri´zɔlvd] a.决心的；坚定的 (英语四级单词)
- musket [´mʌskit] n.滑膛枪 (英语四级单词)
- watchful [´wɔtʃfəl] a.注意的；戒备的 (英语四级单词)
- charlotte [´ʃɑ:lət] n.水果奶油布丁 (英语六级单词)
- propriety [prə´praiəti] n.正当；合适；礼貌 (英语六级单词)
- inherent [in´hiərənt] a.固有的，天生的 (英语六级单词)
- languid [´læŋgwid] a.精神不振的 (英语六级单词)
- thoughtless [´θɔ:tləs] a.粗心的，轻率的 (英语六级单词)
- recital [ri´saitl] n.背诵；叙述；音乐会 (英语六级单词)
- hapless [´hæpləs] a.不幸的；倒楣的 (英语六级单词)
- gratification [,grætifi´keiʃən] n.满意；喜悦 (英语六级单词)
- involuntarily [in´vɔləntərili] ad.不 自觉地 (英语六级单词)
- devilish [´devəliʃ] a.魔鬼般的，凶恶的 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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