Charlotte Temple

Montraville

A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin.

Belcour

Belcour manipulates and deceives Charlotte, acting as a predatory figure who exploits her vulnerability.

Mademoiselle La Rue

La Rue acts as a corrupting influence and false friend, luring Charlotte into danger under the guise of companionship.

Julia Franklin

They are acquaintances within the same social circle, with Julia representing the virtuous life Charlotte could have had.

Colonel Crayton

Colonel Crayton is a military superior and authority figure who provides lodging but ultimately fails to protect Charlotte.

Henry Temple

A tender father-daughter relationship, with Henry Temple grieving his daughter's tragic choices and eventual death.

John

John is a loyal servant who shows kindness to Charlotte in her time of need, offering small acts of assistance.

Charlotte Stanley

Charlotte Stanley is likely a relative (possibly an aunt or cousin) who shows concern for Charlotte Temple's welfare.

Montraville

A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin.

Montraville

A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin.

Mademoiselle La Rue

La Rue acts as a corrupting influence and false friend, luring Charlotte into danger under the guise of companionship.

Mademoiselle La Rue

La Rue acts as a corrupting influence and false friend, luring Charlotte into danger under the guise of companionship.

Epigraph

Described as the only joy of her parents, faultless in form, and possessing a noble, just, humane, and kind mind with a warm heart.

The Author's Preface

The subject of the tale, whose unfortunate fate is recounted as a warning.

Charlotte Temple

The protagonist, a young and innocent girl whose story of seduction and downfall is introduced.

I: A Boarding School

A young schoolgirl, now fourteen, who blushes upon seeing Montraville and receives a letter from him.

Such Things Are

The daughter of Henry and Lucy Temple, born after their happy retirement, and later sent to Madame Du Pont's school.

An Intriguing Teacher

Accompanies Mademoiselle La Rue to a secret meeting, feels disgusted by the gentlemen's behavior, but is captivated by Montraville's letter and appearance.

VII: Natural Sense of Propriety Inherent in the Female Bosom

Charlotte struggles with her sense of propriety after the evening's events, but is ultimately persuaded by La Rue to read Montraville's letter and agree to a secret meeting.

VIII: Domestic Pleasures Planned

The subject of the birthday plan, described as a grateful and affectionate daughter.

IX: We Know Not What a Day May Bring Forth

Agitated and conflicted, she resolves to end the affair but is swayed by Montraville's eloquence.

X: When We Have Excited Curiosity, It Is but an Act of Good Nature to Gratify It

Discussed in terms of her fortune and family situation; not directly present.

XI: Conflict of Love and Duty

Torn between love and filial duty, she reluctantly agrees to elope with Montraville despite her conscience.

XII: “How Thou Art Fall’n!”

Torn between duty and love, she initially resolves to reject Montraville after reading her mother's letter, but is swayed by La Rue's manipulation and Montraville's desperate entreaties, ultimately eloping.

XIII: Cruel Disappointment

Missing from the school; has eloped with Montraville under La Rue's influence.

XIV: Maternal Sorrow

Referenced as the absent daughter who has eloped, causing her parents' anguish.

XV: Embarkation

Writes a letter to her parents seeking forgiveness, but Montraville destroys it; she hopes for a reply before the fleet sails.

XVI: Necessary Digression

Suffers from fatigue and sickness during the voyage, confined to bed, but sustained by Montraville's attention and hope of hearing from her parents.

A Wedding

Charlotte is astonished and troubled by La Rue's impending marriage to Crayton, which forces her to reflect on her own vulnerable position with Montraville.

XVIII: Reflections

Reflects on her fall from grace, her isolation, and her longing for her parents and a virtuous friend.

XIX: A Mistake Discovered

Waits for Montraville, unaware of his growing feelings for Julia; she tends to him when he visits, sensing his distress.

XX: Virtue—When Most Amiable

Awakens to find Montraville gone and a note that devastates her; she struggles between despair and hope, then is further tormented by Belcour's insinuations.

Another's Woe

Charlotte is visited by Mrs. Beauchamp, confesses her sorrow and regret, and expresses a desperate wish to return to her parents.

XXII: Sorrows of the Heart

Writes a tearful letter to her mother, confessing her guilt, regret, and pregnancy, and pleading for forgiveness.

XXIII: A Man May Smile, and Smile, and Be a Villain

Awakens to find Montraville accusing her of infidelity; she protests her innocence and clings to him, but is ultimately abandoned.

Mystery Developed

Falls asleep exhausted; is discovered by Montraville lying beside Belcour, leading to her being spurned and left in despair.

XXV: Reception of a Letter

Sends a penitent letter to her parents, expressing a wish to return home.

XXVI: What Might Be Expected

The injured and seduced girl to whom Montraville writes a remorseful farewell letter, though she remains unaware of his marriage and provision.

XXVII: “Like a Fair Lily”

Charlotte is deeply melancholic, physically weakened by grief and weeping, and devastated by the news of Montraville's marriage. She expresses a desire to die and is left alone in sickness and penury.

XXVIII: A Trifling Retrospect

Referenced as the hapless girl whose fate evokes sympathy and whose story serves as a moral warning.

XXIX: We Go Forward Again

Recovering from illness but depressed; reduced to one guinea and in debt; evicted by the farmer's wife.

XXX: “Friendship a Name”

Charlotte writes a desperate letter to Mrs. Crayton and ventures into the snow to seek aid, learning of Montraville's marriage to Julia Franklin.

Subject Continued

Charlotte, in a state of extreme distress, begs Mrs. Crayton for shelter, is rejected, collapses, and later gives birth to a daughter.

Reasons Why and Wherefore

Lies insensible and delirious, raving about Montraville and her mother, unaware of her newborn child, and rapidly sinking under her illness.

XXXIII: Which People Void of Feeling Need Not Read

Dying in poverty and illness, she experiences delirium, then repentance, and finally a peaceful death after reuniting with her father.

Retribution

Buried in a pauper's grave; her tragic fate is revealed through the soldier's account and Montraville's grief.

Endnotes

Her house in New York is identified; her daughter Lucy Temple is mentioned.