Charlotte Temple: A Tale of Truth

Recognizing that Belcour has no intentions of marrying her, Mademoiselle La Rue pursues Colonel Crayton, a widowed officer on the ship who has a married daughter, Mrs. Beauchamp. She tells him that she was tricked by Belcour and that she feels guilty for believing him. Crayton, who is benevolent and unsuspecting, falls for Mademoiselle La Rue’s farce. He proposes to marry her when they arrive in the United States.

While on the ship, Charlotte experiences severe motion sickness and is mostly confined to bed. Montraville visits her and takes care of her. Belcour, having been slighted by Mademoiselle La Rue, develops an interest in Charlotte and decides he will pursue her when Montraville gets bored with her.

The day before the ship arrives at the port in New York, Crayton announces that Mademoiselle La Rue is under his protection and is to be treated with respect. Belcour, happy to shirk responsibility for Mademoiselle La Rue, wishes the couple well and assures them that he will not interfere. Charlotte, however, is shocked, as she believed Mademoiselle La Rue loved Belcour. When she takes her concerns to