Aubin, Penelope (1679?-1731?)

The Life of Charlotta Du Pont, an English Lady

London

Printed for A. Bettesworth

1723

"[Y]ou must use your Reason; conquer that Passion which is now unlawful and injurious to your repose"

Monsieur Belanger and his generous KinsmanMontandre, with the Hermit Monsieur du Riviere, came safe to Virginia, where they were gladly received by the old Gentleman and his new Wife. Belanger was much pleased that she was now his Aunt, and Montandre liked her well enough for a Mother-in-law; yet she could not look upon her Nephew without Blushes, and some kind of Disorder; this was observed by her Husband, and he began to wish his Kinsman thence. He well knew that she married him in a Pique, not out of Affection. In short, having been informed of all that had befallen him and his Son in their Voyage to the Island of St. Domingo, he calmly advised him to return to France, having honourably accounted with him for all the Monies and Effects left in his Hands, and made him a handsome Present of Sugars, Tobacco, and other Commodities which that Country produces, to a great Value; saying, 'Nephew, I always designed you something, and tho' I have now a Prospect of more Children, yet I will do what I intended; you are now of Age, and your Guardians can no longer detain you from your own; it is time you should settle in the World, and the young Woman you liked being disposed of to another, you must use your Reason; conquer that Passion which is now unlawful and injurious to your repose, and look out for a Wife in your own Nation, to bring Posterity to keep up your Name, and be comforts to you in your declining Years.' Belanger thanked him for his good Advice and Present, but was determined not to follow his Counsel, though Monsieur du Riviere pressed him extremely to go with him to France, but Belanger would not consent to leave Charlotta behind. YoungMontandre did likewise spur him on to let him go back to the Island to inquire after her: but alas, he had another Design than that only in view; he had seen the charming Teresa, DonMedenta's Sister, and her bright Image so filled his Soul, that he could not rest. We easily consent to what we desire. Belanger deals with the Captain that carried them thither before, to go back again with Montandre. Mean time he finding his Uncle look cold upon him, invited Monsieur du Riviere, no Ship being at that time ready to go for France, to go with him to see another Plantation of his Uncle's, and view the Country. The Ship goes off withMontandre, much against his Father's Will; but he arrived safe at the Island, and resolved to lye on board the Ship every Night, and not take a Lodging on shore, for fear of discovery; in the Day he ventured to walk about the Town, and went to the great Church to Mass on the next Sunday after his Arrival, there he saw the charming Charlotta, with her little Son and Daughter standing by the Governor her Father-in-law, dressed in a Widow's Dress, andTeresa in deep Mourning. This was a very agreeable Sight in doubt to him; he did not dare to venture to speak to her, but was fain to wait for an Opportunity some other time, which he supposed would not be extreme difficult, now Don Medenta was gone; but he was mistaken, for he had engaged his Father on his Death-bed to prevent, if possible, her ever seeing Belanger again. 'My dear Lord and Father, said he, he is the Cause of my Death, he ruined my Repose, and if he returns, will rob my dear Children of their Mother; her Affections are still inclined to him. I have brought her to the Catholick Faith, he is a Hugonot, and will seduce her from her Religion and Children; do not let my Fortune serve to enrich my hated Rival, nor my Children be wronged.' He likewise charged Charlotta, as she valued his Soul's Repose, not to marry him, or leave that Island and his Children. Thus the revengefulSpaniard, even in Death, continued to hate his brave Rival, who had a prior Right to her Heart, and endeavoured to prevent his Happiness, even when he could no longer enjoy her himself. For these Reasons the Governor who was inconsolable for the Loss of his Son, desired Charlotta to live in the Castle with him, where she was respected as a Queen, and had all the Reason in the World to be contented. Teresa, who was courted by the greatest Persons in the Island, kept her Company, and there was the greatest Friendship imaginable between them. Teresahad not as yet felt Cupid's Tyranny; she seemed invincible to Love. Montandre having waited some Days in vain for an Opportunity to speak to Charlotta, grew weary, and resolved to give her a Letter in publick. He thought in himself, she is now a Widow, and free to choose whom she pleases: why should I fear to remind her of her Vows and Engagements with my Friend? He dressed himself very fine the next Festival-day, and went to Mass earlier than before, and there waited till they all came; then he went boldly up to Charlotta, and with a profound Bow, presented the Letter to her: this he did with such a Grace and Mein, that Teresa looking upon him, was seized with such an unusual liking to him, and so disordered, that she could scarce conceal it; and Love at this fatal Moment entered her Breast. He withdrew to the other side of the Altar so soon as he had delivered the Letter, and there placed himself on his Knees right against them, with design to observe Charlotta's Countenance, by which he hoped to judge of her Sentiments in relation to his Friend, as likewise to have the pleasure of looking often upon the charmingTeresa, to whom his eager Glances spoke his Passion, whilst her unguarded Looks and Blushes assured him he was taken notice of. Mean while the Governor observed him, and watched Charlotta; who having looked on the Superscription guessed that it brought News of Belanger, and remembered Montandre's Face. This threw her into a mighty Disorder; she put the Letter into her Pocket, not daring to peruse it in so publick a Place: but the Distraction of her Mind caused her in a few Minutes to faint. This confirmed the Governor in his Suspicions, and he whispered one of his Gentlemen, whom he beckoned to him, to take care that Gentleman was secured as he went out of the Church, and kept under a Guard till he examined him. Prayers being ended, he gave Charlotta his Hand to lead her to the Coach, so that she had no Opportunity to speak to Montandre. A young Cavalier, who courted Teresa, did the same by her, inflamed with Jealousy at her Behaviour towards the Stranger, who imprudently followed them, in hopes to speak to one of the Ladies; but he was seized at the Church-door as they were going into the Coach; he struggled, and demanded a reason of the Soldiers and Gentlemen that laid Hands upon him, but could get no other Answer but that it was the Governor's Order: so he was carried to a Room in the Castle, and kept till the Governor, having conducted the Ladies to their Chamber, came and examined him, asked him what the Letter contained that he had given his Daughter-in-law, whence he came, and who sent him: To all which he answered boldly, and told the Truth, saying, 'My Lord, I do not think I have done any thing but my Duty. She is a Widow, was promised to my Kinsman before, and forced unjustly from him; he is her Equal, and her first Choice, and I cannot imagine why you should detain her from him.' "Your Friend, replied the Governor fiercely, by his imprudent coming hither, ruined my Son's Peace, and broke his Heart; he begged me with his dying Breath never to let him see her more, to rob his Children of her Presence, whom I will never let her carry hence; and he has bound her by the strictest Injunctions never to marry again; and to be brief with you, I am determined, if he ever sets foot on this Island again, to take such Measures to secure him, that it shall never be in his Power to disturb her or me any more. As for you, I'll try whether a Prison cannot hold you, and if you escape hence again it shall be my fault." At these Words he left the Room, and Montandre was hurried away that Night under a Guard to a strong Prison into which they used to put Criminals of State, ten Miles from the Town; here he was lodged in all Appearance for his Life.
(pp. 149-54)

War::Conquest::Conquer Passion

Searching "conque" and "reason" in HDIS (Prose Fiction); Found again searching "conque" and "passion"

Text from A Collection Of Entertaining Histories and Novels, Designed To promote the Cause of Virtue and Honour. Principally founded on Facts, and interspersed with a Variety of Beautiful and Instructive Incidents, 3 vols. (London: Printed for D. Midwinter, A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, 1739). <Link to ECCO>

See also The life of Charlotta Du Pont, an English lady; taken from her own memoirs. Giving an account how she was trepan'd by her stepmother to Virginia, how the Ship was taken by some Madagasear Pirates, and retaken by a Spanish Man of War. Of her Marriage in the Spanish West-Indies, and Adventures whilst she resided there, with her return to England. And the History of several Gentlemen and Ladys whom she met withal in her Travels; some of whom had been Slaves in Barbary, and others cast on Shore by Shipwreck on the barbarous Coasts up the great River Oroonoko: with their Escape thence, and safe Return to France and Spain. A History that contains the greatest Variety of Events that ever was publish'd. By Mrs. Aubin. (London: Printed for A. Bettesworth at the Red Lion in Pater-Noster-Row, 1723). <Link to ECCO>

01/26/2005