charlotte temple-第17章

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；　and　I　have　no　friend　who　has　either　power　or　will　to　relieve　me。　Let　me　hope；　as　you　see　my　unhappy　situation；　your　charity〃　〃Charity；〃　cried　the　woman　impatiently　interrupting　her；　〃charity　indeed：　why；　Mistress；　charity　begins　at　home；　and　I　have　seven　children　at　home；　HONEST；　LAWFUL　children；　and　it　is　my　duty　to　keep　them；　and　do　you　think　I　will　give　away　my　property　to　a　nasty；　impudent　hussey；　to　maintain　her　and　her　bastard；　an　I　was　saying　to　my　husband　the　other　day　what　will　this　world　come　to；　honest　women　are　nothing　now…a…days；　while　the　harlotings　are　set　up　for　fine　ladies；　and　look　upon　us　no　more　nor　the　dirt　they　walk　upon：　but　let　me　tell　you；　my　fine　spoken　Ma'am；　I　must　have　my　money；　so　seeing　as　how　you　can't　pay　it；　why　you　must　troop；　and　leave　all　your　fine　gimcracks　and　fal　der　ralls　behind　you。　I　don't　ask　for　no　more　nor　my　right；　and　nobody　shall　dare　for　to　go　for　to　hinder　me　of　it。〃　〃Oh　heavens；〃　cried　Charlotte；　clasping　her　hands；　'what　will　become　of　me？〃　〃Come　on　ye！〃　retorted　the　unfeeling　wretch：　　〃why　go　to　the　barracks　and　work　for　a　morsel　of　bread；　wash　and　mend　the　soldiers　cloaths；　an　cook　their　victuals；　and　not　expect　to　live　in　idleness　on　honest　people's　means。　　Oh　I　wish　I　could　see　the　day　when　all　such　cattle　were　obliged　to　work　hard　and　eat　little；　it's　only　what　they　deserve。　　〃　〃Father　of　mercy；〃　cried　Charlotte；　〃I　acknowledge　thy　correction　just；　but　prepare　me；　I　beseech　thee；　for　the　portion　of　misery　thou　may'st　please　to　lay　upon　me。〃　〃Well；〃　said　the　woman；　〃I　shall　go　an　tell　my　husband　as　how　you　can't　pay；　and　so　d'ye　see；　Ma'am；　get　ready　to　be　packing　away　this　very　night；　for　you　should　not　stay　another　night　in　this　house；　though　I　was　sure　you　would　lay　in　the　street。'　Charlotte　bowed　her　head　in　silence；　but　the　anguish　of　her　heart　was　too　great　to　permit　her　to　articulate　a　single　word。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　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。　WHEN　Charlotte　was　left　to　herself；　she　began　to　think　what　course　she　must　take；　or　to　whom　she　could　apply；　to　prevent　her　perishing　for　want；　or　perhaps　that　very　night　falling　a　victim　to　the　inclemency　of　the　season。　　After　many　perplexed　thoughts；　she　at　last　determined　to　set　out　for　New…York；　and　enquire　out　Mrs。　Crayton；　from　whom　she　had　no　doubt　but　she　should　obtain　immediate　relief　as　soon　as　her　distress　was　made　known；　she　had　no　sooner　formed　this　resolution　than　she　resolved　immediately　to　put　it　in　execution：　she　therefore　wrote　the　following　little　billet　to　Mrs。　Crayton；　thinking　if　she　should　have　company　with　her　it　would　be　better　to　send　it　in　than　to　request　to　see　her。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　TO　MRS。　CRAYTON。　〃MADAM；　〃When　we　left　our　native　land；　that　dear；　happy　land　which　now　contains　all　that　is　dear　to　the　wretched　Charlotte；　our　prospects　were　the　same；　we　both；　pardon　me；　Madam；　if　I　say；　we　both　too　easily　followed　the　impulse　of　our　treacherous　hearts；　and　trusted　our　happiness　on　a　tempestuous　ocean；　where　mine　has　been　wrecked　and　lost　for　ever；　you　have　been　more　fortunateyou　are　united　to　a　man　of　honour　and　humanity；　united　by　the　most　sacred　ties；　respected；　esteemed；　and　admired；　and　surrounded　by　innumerable　blessings　of　which　I　am　bereaved；　enjoying　those　pleasures　which　have　fled　my　bosom　never　to　return；　alas！　sorrow　and　deep　regret　have　taken　their　place。　Behold　me；　Madam；　a　poor　forsaken　wanderer；　who　has　no　where　to　lay　her　weary　head；　wherewith　to　supply　the　wants　of　nature；　or　to　shield　her　from　the　inclemency　of　the　weather。　　To　you　I　sue；　to　you　I　look　for　pity　and　relief。　　I　ask　not　to　be　received　as　an　intimate　or　an　equal；　only　for　charity's　sweet　sake　receive　me　into　your　hospitable　mansion；　allot　me　the　meanest　apartment　in　it；　and　let　me　breath　out　my　soul　in　prayers　for　your　happiness；　I　cannot；　I　feel　I　cannot　long　bear　up　under　the　accumulated　woes　that　pour　in　upon　me；　but　oh！　my　dear　Madam；　for　the　love　of　heaven　suffer　me　not　to　expire　in　the　street；　and　when　I　am　at　peace；　as　soon　I　shall　be；　extend　your　compassion　to　my　helpless　offspring；　should　it　please　heaven　that　it　should　survive　its　unhappy　mother。　A　gleam　of　joy　breaks　in　on　my　benighted　soul　while　I　reflect　that　you　cannot；　will　not　refuse　your　protection　to　the　heart…broken。　CHARLOTTE。〃　When　Charlotte　had　finished　this　letter；　late　as　it　was　in　the　afternoon；　and　though　the　snow　began　to　fall　very　fast；　she　tied　up　a　few　necessaries　which　she　had　prepared　against　her　expected　confinement；　and　terrified　lest　she　should　be　again　exposed　to　the　insults　of　her　barbarous　landlady；　more　dreadful　to　her　wounded　spirit　than　either　storm　or　darkness；　she　set　forward　for　New…York。　It　may　be　asked　by　those；　who；　in　a　work　of　this　kind；　love　to　cavil　at　every　trifling　omission；　whether　Charlotte　did　not　possess　any　valuable　of　which　she　could　have　disposed；　and　by　that　means　have　supported　herself　till　Mrs。　Beauchamp's　return；　when　she　would　have　been　certain　of　receiving　every　tender　attention　which　compassion　and　friendship　could　dictate：　　but　let　me　entreat　these　wise；　penetrating　gentlemen　to　reflect；　that　when　Charlotte　left　England；　it　was　in　such　haste　that　there　was　no　time　to　purchase　any　thing　more　than　what　was　wanted　for　immediate　use　on　the　voyage；　and　after　her　arrival　at　New…York；　Montraville's　affection　soon　began　to　decline；　so　that　her　whole　wardrobe　consisted　of　only　necessaries；　and　as　to　baubles；　with　which　fond　lovers　often　load　their　mistresses；　she　possessed　not　one；　except　a　plain　gold　locket　of　small　value；　which　contained　a　lock　of　her　mother's　hair；　and　which　the　greatest　extremity　of　want　could　not　have　forced　her　to　part　with。　I　hope；　Sir；　your　prejudices　are　now　removed　in　regard　to　the　probability　of　my　story？　　Oh　they　are。　　Well　then；　with　your　leave；　I　will　proceed。　The　distance　from　the　house　which　our　suffering　heroine　occupied；　to　New…York；　was　not　very　great；　yet　the　snow　fen　so　fast；　and　the　cold　so　intense；　that；　being　unable　from　her　situation　to　walk　quick；　she　found　herself　almost　sinking　with　cold　and　fatigue　before　she　reached　the　town；　her　garments；　which　were　merely　suitable　to　the　summer　season；　being　an　undress　robe　of　plain　white　muslin；　were　wet　through；　and　a　thin　black　cloak　and　bonnet；　very　improper　habiliments　for　such　a　climate；　but　poorly　defended　her　from　the　cold。　In　this　situation　she　reached　the　city；　and　enquired　of　a　foot　soldier　whom　she　met；　the　way　to　Colonel　Crayton's。　〃Bless　you；　my　sweet　lady；〃　said　the　soldier　with　a　voice　and　look　of　compassion；　〃I　will　shew　you　the　way　with　all　my　heart；　but　if　you　are　going　to　make　a　petition　to　Madam　Crayton　it　is　all　to　no　purpose　I　assure　you：　　if　you　please　I　will　conduct　you　to　Mr。　Franklin's；　though　Miss　Julia　is　married　and　gone　now；　yet　the　old　gentleman　is　very　good。　　〃　〃Julia　Franklin；〃　said　Charlotte；　〃is　she　not　married　to　Montraville？〃　〃Yes；〃　replied　the　soldier；　〃and　may　God　bless　them；　for　a　better　officer　never　lived；　he　is　so　good　to　us　all；　and　as　to　Miss　Julia；　all　the　poor　folk　almost　worshipped　her。〃　〃Gracious　heaven；〃　cried　Charlotte；　〃is　Montraville　unjust　then　to　none　but　me。　　〃　The　soldier　now　shewed　her　Colonel　Crayton's　door；　and；　with　a　beating　heart；　she　knocked　for　admission。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　CHAPTER　XXXI。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　SUBJECT　CONTINUED。　WHEN　the　door　was　opened；　Charlotte；　in　a　voice　rendered　scarcely　articulate；　through　cold　and　the　extreme　agitation　of　her　mind；　demanded　whether　Mrs。　Crayton　was　at　home。　　The　servant　hesitated：　he　knew　that　his　lady　was　engaged　at　a　game　of　picquet　with　her　dear　Corydon；　nor　could　he　think　she　would　like　to　be　disturbed　by　a　person　whose　appearance　spoke　her　of　so　little　consequence　as　Charlotte；　yet　there　was　something　in　her　countenance　that　rather　interested　him　in　her　favour；　and　he　said　his　lady　was　engaged；　but　if　she　had　any　particular　message　he　would　deliver　it。　〃Take　up　this　letter；〃　said　Charlotte：　　〃tell　her　the　unhappy　writer　of　it　waits　in　her　hall　for　an　answer。〃　　The　tremulous　accent；　the　tearful　eye；　must　have　moved　any　heart　not　composed　of　adamant。　The　man　took　the　letter　from　the　poor　suppliant；　and　hastily　ascended　the　stair　case。　〃A　letter；　Madam；〃　said　he；　presenting　it　to　his　lady：　〃an　immediate　answer　is　required。　　〃　Mrs。　Crayton　glanced　her　eye　carelessly　over　the　contents。　〃What　stuff　is　this；〃　cried　she　haughtily；　〃have　not　I　told　you　a　thousand　times　that　I　will　not　be　plagued　with　beggars；　and　petitions　from　people　one　knows　nothing　about？　　Go　tell　the　woman　I　can't　do　any　thing　in　it。　I'm　sorry；　but　one　can't　relieve　every　body。〃　The　servant　bowed；　and　heavily　returned　with　this　chilling　message　to　Charlotte。　〃Surely；〃　said　she；　〃Mrs。　Crayton　has　not　read　my　letter。　Go；　my　good　friend；　pray　go　back　to　her；　tell　her　it　is　Charlotte　Temple　who　requests　beneath　her　hospitable　roof　to　find　shelter　from　the　inclemency　of　the　season。〃　〃Prithee；　don't　plague　me；　man；〃　cried　Mrs。　Crayton　impatiently；　as　the　servant　advanced　something　in　behalf　of　the　unhappy　girl。　〃I　tell　you　I　don't　know　her。〃　〃Not　know　me；〃　cried　Charlotte；　rushing　into　the　room；　（for　she　had　followed　the　man　up　stairs）　〃not　know　me；　not　remember　the　ruined　Charlotte　Temple；　who；　but　for　you；　perhaps　might　still　have　been　innocent；　still　have　been　happy。　　Oh！　　La　Rue；　this　is　beyond　every　thing　I　could　have　believed　possible。〃　〃Upon　my　honour；　Miss；〃　replied　the　unfeeling　woman　with　the　utmost　effrontery；　〃this　is　a　most　unaccountable　address：　it　is　beyond　my　comprehension。　　John；〃　continued　she；　turning　to　the　servant；　〃the　young　woman　is　certainly　out　of　her　senses：　do　pray　take　her　away；　she　terrifies　me　to　death。　　〃　〃Oh　God；〃　cried　Charlotte；　clasping　her　hands　in　an　agony；　〃this　is　too　much；　what　will　become　of　me？　but　I　will　not　leave　you；　they　shall　not　tear　me　from　you；　here　on　my　knees　I　conjure　you　to　save　me　from　perishing　in　the　streets；　if　you　really　have　forgot　me；　oh　for　charity's　sweet　sake　this　night　let　me　be　sheltered　from　the　winter's　piercing　cold。〃　　The　kneeling　figure　of　Charlotte　in　her　affecting　situation　might　have　moved　the　heart　of　a　stoic　to　compassion；　but　Mrs。　Crayton　remained　inflexible。　In　vain　did　Charlotte　recount　the　time　they　had　known　each　other　at　Chichester；　in　vain　mention　their　being　in　the　same　ship；　in　vain　were　the　names　of　Montraville　and　Belcour　mentioned。　Mrs。　Crayton　could　only　say　she　was　sorry　for　her　imprudence；　but　could　not　think　of　having　her　own　reputation　endangered　by　encouraging　a　woman　of　that　kind　in　her　own　house；　besides　she　did　not　know　what　trouble　and　expense　she　might　bring　upon　her　husband　by　giving　shelter　to　a　woman　in　her　situation。　〃I　can　at　least　die　here；〃　said　Charlotte；　〃I　feel　I　cannot　long　survive　this　dreadful　conflict。　　Father　of　mercy；　here　let　me　finish　my　existence。〃　　Her　agonizing　sensations　overpowered　her；　and　she　fell　senseless　on　the　floor。　〃Take　her　away；〃　said　Mrs。　Crayton；　〃she　will　really　frighten　me　into　hysterics；　take　her　away　I　say　this　instant。〃　〃And　where　must　I　take　the　poor　creature？〃　said　the　servant　with　a　voice　and　look　of　co