Charlotte Temple

lk? or shall we order the chaise and proceed to Portsmouth?" Belcour preferred the former; and they

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

cade 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 th

d you not notice her?" continued Montraville: "she had on a blue bonnet, and with a pair of

m our friends, the Americans, may in le

e most of the present, and would willingly compound with any kind Familiar who wo

dered, driving up to the door, Montraville and his companion were obliged to

nce 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 con

cessity leave England in a few days, and probably may never return; why then should I endeavour to engage the affections of this lovely girl, o

of Montraville was hushed into composure by the serenity of the surrounding objects. "I will think on her no more," said he, and turned with an intention

ing, begged leave to see them into the more frequented parts of the town: but how was he delighted, when, w

t parting, slipped a letter he had purposely written, into Charlotte's hand, and five guineas into that of M