[Charlotte Temple by Susanna Rowson]@TWC D-Link bookCharlotte Temple CHAPTER XXVII 2/3
You are lonely here, my dear girl; give me leave to conduct you to New-York, where the agreeable society of some ladies, to whom I will introduce you, will dispel these sad thoughts, and I shall again see returning cheerfulness animate those lovely features." "Oh never! never!" cried Charlotte, emphatically: "the virtuous part of my sex will scorn me, and I will never associate with infamy.
No, Belcour, here let me hide my shame and sorrow, here let me spend my few remaining days in obscurity, unknown and unpitied, here let me die unlamented, and my name sink to oblivion." Here her tears stopped her utterance.
Belcour was awed to silence: he dared not interrupt her; and after a moment's pause she proceeded--"I once had conceived the thought of going to New-York to seek out the still dear, though cruel, ungenerous Montraville, to throw myself at his feet, and entreat his compassion; heaven knows, not for myself; if I am no longer beloved, I will not be indebted to his pity to redress my injuries, but I would have knelt and entreated him not to forsake my poor unborn--" She could say no more; a crimson glow rushed over her cheeks, and covering her face with her hands, she sobbed aloud. Something like humanity was awakened in Belcour's breast by this pathetic speech: he arose and walked towards the window; but the selfish passion which had taken possession of his heart, soon stifled these finer emotions; and he thought if Charlotte was once convinced she had no longer any dependance on Montraville, she would more readily throw herself on his protection.
Determined, therefore, to inform her of all that had happened, he again resumed his seat; and finding she began to be more composed, enquired if she had ever heard from Montraville since the unfortunate recontre in her bed chamber. "Ah no," said she.
"I fear I shall never hear from him again." "I am greatly of your opinion," said Belcour, "for he has been for some time past greatly attached--" At the word "attached" a death-like paleness overspread the countenance of Charlotte, but she applied to some hartshorn which stood beside her, and Belcour proceeded. "He has been for some time past greatly attached to one Miss Franklin, a pleasing lively girl, with a large fortune." "She may be richer, may be handsomer," cried Charlotte, "but cannot love him so well.
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