s long as I live; yet to leave poor Charlotte
in her present situation would be cruel beyond description."

"Oh my good sentimental friend," said Belcour, "do you imagine no body
has a right to provide for the brat but yourself."

Montraville started. "Sure," said he, "you cannot mean to insinuate that
Charlotte is false."

"I don't insinuate it," said Belcour, "I know it."

Montraville turned pale as ashes. "Then there is no faith in woman,"
said he.

"While I thought you attached to her," said Belcour with an air of
indifference, "I never wished to make you uneasy by mentioning her
perfidy, but as I know you love and are beloved by Miss Franklin, I was
determined not to let these foolish scruples of honour step between you
and happiness, or your tenderness for the peace of a perfidious girl
prevent your uniting yourself to a woman of honour."

"Good heavens!" said Montraville, "what poignant reflections does a man
endure who sees a lovely woman plunged in infamy, and is conscious he
was her first seducer; but are you certain of what you say, Belcour?"

"So far," replied he, "that I myself have received advances from her
which I would not take advantage of out of regard to you: but hang it,
think no more about her. I dined at Franklin's to-day, and Julia bid
me seek and bring you to tea: so come along, my lad, make good use of
opportunity, and seize the gifts of fortune while they are within your
reach." Montraville was too much agitated to pass a happy evening even
in the company of Julia Franklin: he determined to visit Charlotte early
the next morning, tax her with her falsehood, and take an everlasting
leave of her; but when the morning came, he was commanded on duty, and
for six weeks was prevented from putting his design in execution.
At length he found an hour to spare, and walked out to spend it with
Charlotte: it was near four o'clock in the afternoon when he arrived at
her cottage; she was not in the parlour, and without calling the servant
he walked up stairs, thinking to find her in her bed room. He opened the
door, and the first object that met his eyes was Charlotte asleep on the
bed, and Belcour by her side.

"Death and distraction," said he, stamping, "this is too much. Rise,
villain, and defend yourself." Belcour sprang from the bed. The noise
awoke Charlotte; terrified at the furious appearance of Montraville, and
seeing Belcour with him in the chamber, she caught hold of his arm as he
stood