10.
CHAPTER X
WHEN WE HAVE EXCITED CURIOSITY,
IT IS BUT AN ACT OF GOOD NATURE
TO GRATIFY IT
Montraville was the youngest son of a gentleman of
fortune, whose family being numerous, he was obliged
to bring up his sons
[5]
to genteel professions, by the exercise of
which they might hope to raise themselves into notice.
"My daughters," said he, "have been educated like gentle-women;
and should I die before they are settled, they must have
some provision made, to place them above the snares and temptations
which vice ever holds out to the elegant, accomplished
female, when oppressed by the frowns of poverty and the sting of
dependance: my boys, with only moderate incomes, when
placed in the church, at the bar, or in the field, may exert their
talents, make themselves friends, and raise their fortunes on the basis
of merit."
When Montraville chose the profession of arms, his father presented
him with a commission, and made him a handsome provision
for his private purse. "Now, my boy," said he, 'go! seek
glory in the field of battle. You have received from me all I shall
ever have it in my power to bestow: it is certain I have interest to
gain you promotion; but be assured that interest shall never be
exerted, unless by your future conduct you deserve it. Remember,
therefore, your success in life depends entirely on yourself.
There is one thing I think it my duty to caution you against; the
precipitancy with which young men frequently
rush into matrimonial engagements, and by their thoughtlessness
draw many a
deserving woman into scenes of poverty and distress. A soldier
has no business to think of a wife till his rank is such as to place
him above the fear of bringing into the world a train of helpless
innocents, heirs only to penury and affliction. If, indeed, a
woman, whose fortune is sufficient to preserve you in that state
of independence I would teach you to prize, should generously
bestow herself on a young soldier, whose chief hope of future
prosperity depended on his success in the field—if such a
woman should offer—every barrier is removed, and I should rejoice
in an union which would promise so much felicity. But
mark me, boy, if, on the contrary, you rush into a precipitate
union with a girl of little or no fortune, take the poor creature
from a comfortable home and kind friends, and plunge her into
all the evils a narrow income and increasing
family can inflict, I
will leave you to enjoy the blessed fruits of your rashness; for by
all that is sacred, neither my interest or fortune shall ever be exerted
in your favour. I am serious," continued he, "therefore imprint
this conversation on your memory, and let it influence
your future conduct. Your happiness will always be dear to me;
and I wish to warn you of a rock on which the peace of many an
honest fellow has been wrecked; for believe me, the difficulties
and dangers of the longest winter campaign are much easier to
be borne, than the pangs that would seize your heart, when you
beheld the woman of your choice, the children of your affection,
involved in penury and distress, and reflected that it was your
own folly and precipitancy had been the prime cause of their
sufferings. "
As this conversation passed but a few hours before
Montraville took leave of his father, it was deeply impressed
on
his mind: when, therefore, Belcour came with him to the place of
assignation with Charlotte, he directed him to enquire of the
French woman what were Miss Temple's expectations in regard
to fortune.
Mademoiselle informed him, that though Charlotte's father
possessed a genteel independence, it was by no means probable
that he could give his daughter more than a thousand pounds;
and in case she did not marry to his liking, it was possible he
might not give her a single sous; nor did it appear the least likely,
that Mr. Temple would agree to her union with a young man on
the point of embarking for the feat of war.
Montraville therefore concluded it was impossible he should
ever marry Charlotte Temple; and what end he proposed to himself
by continuing the acquaintance he had commenced with
her, he did not at that moment give himself time to inquire.