the grey hairs of my doating grand-father with sorrow to the grave,

or make my beloved father perhaps curse the hour that gave me birth."
She covered her face with her hands, and burst into tears.

"All these distressing scenes, my dear Charlotte," cried Montraville,
"are merely the chimeras of a disturbed fancy. Your parents

might perhaps grieve at first; but when they heard from your own
hand that you was with a man of honour, and that it was to insure

your felicity by an union with him, to which you feared they would
never have given their assent, that you left their protection,

they will, be assured, forgive an error which love alone occasioned,
and when we return from America, receive you with open arms and

tears of joy."
Belcour and Mademoiselle heard this last speech, and conceiving it a proper

time to throw in their advice and persuasions, approached Charlotte,
and so well seconded the entreaties of Montraville, that finding

Mademoiselle intended going with Belcour, and feeling her own treacherous
heart too much inclined to accompany them, the hapless Charlotte,

in an evil hour, consented that the next evening they should bring
a chaise to the end of the town, and that she would leave her friends,

and throw herself entirely on the protection of Montraville.
"But should you," said she, looking earnestly" target="_blank" title="ad.认真地；急切地">earnestly at him, her eyes full

of tears, "should you, forgetful of your promises, and repenting
the engagements you here voluntarily enter into, forsake and leave

me on a foreign shore--" "Judge not so meanly of me," said he.
"The moment we reach our place of destination, Hymen shall sanctify

our love; and when I shall forget your goodness, may heaven forget me."
"Ah," said Charlotte, leaning on Mademoiselle's arm as they walked up

the garden together, "I have forgot all that I ought to have remembered,
in consenting to this intended elopement."

"You are a strange girl," said Mademoiselle: "you never know
your own mind two minutes at a time. just now you declared

Montraville's happiness was what you prized most in the world;
and now I suppose you repent having insured that happiness by agreeing

to accompany him abroad."
"Indeed I do repent," replied Charlotte, "from my soul:

but while discretion points out the impropriety of my conduct,
inclination urges me on to ruin."

"Ruin! fiddlestick!" said Mademoiselle; "am I not going with you?
and do I feel any of these qualms?"

"You do not renounce a tender father and mother," said Charlotte.
"But I hazard my dear reputation," replied Mademoiselle, bridling.

"True," replied Charlotte, "but you do not feel what I do."
She then bade her good night: but sleep was a stranger to her eyes,

and the tear of anguish watered her pillow.
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 fall'n!--
WHEN Charlotte left her restless bed, her languid eye and pale cheek

discovered to Madame Du Pont the little repose she had tasted.
"My dear child," said the affectionate" target="_blank" title="a.亲爱的">affectionategoverness, "what is the cause

of the languor 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 depressed this morning."

"Come chear 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 maternal 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" target="_blank" title="a.亲爱的">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 aged 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" target="_blank" title="a.亲爱的">affectionate mother,

L. TEMPLE."
"Gracious heaven!" cried Charlotte, forgetting where she was,

and raising her streaming eyes as in earnest supplication.
Madame Du Pont was surprised. "Why these tears, my love?" said she.

"Why this seemingagitation? I thought the letter would have rejoiced,
instead of distressing 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 forfeited both

for ever! Yet let me reflect:--the irrevocable step is not yet taken:
it is not too late to recede from the brink of a precipice, from which I

can only behold the dark abyss of ruin, shame, and remorse!"
She arose from her seat, and flew to the apartment of La Rue.

"Oh Mademoiselle!" said she, "I am snatched by a miracle from destruction!
This letter has saved me: it has opened my eyes to the folly 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 outrage 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 fortitude 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, incurred their anger,
and the scoffs of the world; and what fruit do you expect to reap

from this piece of heroism, (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 eloquent harangue 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 determined 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 exulted in the certainty
of its success. "How shall I rejoice," said she, "in this

triumph of reason over inclination, and, when in the arms of my
affectionate" target="_blank" title="a.亲爱的">affectionate parents, lift up my soul in gratitude to heaven as I

look back on the dangers I have escaped!"
The hour of assignation arrived: Mademoiselle put what money

and valuables she possessed 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.