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爱玛|Emma

Part 1 第7章|Part 1 Chapter 7

属类: 双语小说 【分类】世界名著 -[作者: 简-奥斯汀] 阅读:[12436]
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就在埃尔顿先生去伦敦那天,爱玛又有了一个为朋友出力的好机会。吃过早饭不久,哈丽特就照例来到哈特菲尔德,待了一会就回家去了,然后再回来吃午饭。她回来了,而且比说定的时间要早些,只见她带着激动、急切的神情,声称她有一件异乎寻常的事情,想要告诉大家。不一会工夫,她就把事情和盘托出了。

1
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The very day of Mr. Elton’s going to London produced a fresh occasion for Emma’s services towards her friend. Harriet had been at Hartfield, as usual, soon after breakfast; and, after a time, had gone home to return again to dinner: she returned, and sooner than had been talked of, and with an agitated, hurried look, announcing something extraordinary to have happened which she was longing to tell. Half a minute brought it all out.

2
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原来,她一回到戈达德太太家,就听说马丁先生一小时前来过了,见哈丽特不在,别人也不知道她什么时候能回来,便留下他妹妹给哈丽特的一个小包,随即就走掉了。哈丽特打开小包,发现除了她借给伊丽莎白抄写的两首歌以外,还有一封写给她的信。这封信是马丁先生写的,直截了当地向她求婚。

2
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She had heard, as soon as she got back to Mrs. Goddard’s, that Mr. Martin had been there an hour before, and finding she was not at home, nor particularly expected, had left a little parcel for her from one of his sisters, and gone away; and on opening this parcel, she had actually found, besides the two songs which she had lent Elizabeth to copy, a letter to herself; and this letter was from him, from Mr. Martin, and contained a direct proposal of marriage.

3
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“谁能想到会有这种事?我万万没有料到,不知如何是好。是的,真是向我求婚。一封很得体的信,至少我是这么认为的。从信里看,他好像非常爱我——不过我拿不准——所以就急忙跑来,问问伍德豪斯小姐我该怎么办。”爱玛见她的朋友那么兴高采烈,又那么犹犹豫豫,不禁有些替她感到羞愧。

3
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`Who could have thought it? She was so surprized she did not know what to do. Yes, quite a proposal of marriage; and a very good letter, at least she thought so. And he wrote as if he really loved her very much - but she did not know - and so, she was come as fast as she could to ask Miss Woodhouse what she should do. - ` Emma was half-ashamed of her friend for seeming so pleased and so doubtful.

4
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“我敢说,”爱玛嚷道,“这个年轻人决不想因为不好意思开门而错失良机。他要尽可能攀上一门好亲事。”

4
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`Upon my word,’ she cried, `the young man is determined not to lose any thing for want of asking. He will connect himself well if he can.’

5
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“你看看这封信好吗?”哈丽特大声说道。“请你看看吧。你还是看看吧。”

5
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`Will you read the letter?’ cried Harriet. `Pray do. I’d rather you would.’

6
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爱玛受到敦促,并没有什么不高兴的。她开始看信,当即吃了一惊。她全然没有想到,居然会写得这么好。不仅没有语病,而且从文笔来看,就是出自一个有教养的人之手,,也不会让他觉得丢脸。语言虽然简单,但却真挚感人,充分表达了写信人的情感。信写得不长,但却表现了他的通情达理、情真意切、豁达大度、礼貌周全,甚至感情也很细腻。爱玛在对着信出神,哈丽特却站在一旁,急着想听听她的意见,嘴里“嗳,嗳”地叫了两声,最后无奈地问了一句:“信写得好吗?是不是太短了?”

6
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Emma was not sorry to be pressed. She read, and was surprized. The style of the letter was much above her expectation. There were not merely no grammatical errors, but as a composition it would not have disgraced a gentleman; the language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer. It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling. She paused over it, while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion, with a `Well, well,’ and was at last forced to add, `Is it a good letter? or is it too short?’

7
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“是的,的确写得很好,”爱玛慢吞吞地答道。“写得太好了,哈丽特,考虑到种种情况,我想一定是他哪个妹妹帮了忙。说到这个年轻人嘛,那天我亲眼看见了他跟你说话的情形,如果全凭他自己的本领,我看他根本写不出这么好的信来,不过这又不像女人的笔调。的确不像,写得太简练了,不像女人那样拖泥带水。他无疑是个聪明人,具有一定的天赋,思路清晰敏锐,一提起笔来,就能自然而然地找到恰当的字眼,来表达自己的思想。有些人就有这个本领。是的,我了解这种人的特点:刚强果断,有点感情用事,而又不粗俗。哈丽特,我没想到这封信写得这么好。”说着,把信还给了哈丽特。

7
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`Yes, indeed, a very good letter,’ replied Emma rather slowly - `so good a letter, Harriet, that every thing considered, I think one of his sisters must have helped him. I can hardly imagine the young man whom I saw talking with you the other day could express himself so well, if left quite to his own powers, and yet it is not the style of a woman; no, certainly, it is too strong and concise; not diffuse enough for a woman. No doubt he is a sensible man, and I suppose may have a natural talent for - thinks strongly and clearly - and when he takes a pen in hand, his thoughts naturally find proper words. It is so with some men. Yes, I understand the sort of mind. Vigorous, decided, with sentiments to a certain point, not coarse. A better written letter, Harriet (returning it,) than I had expected.’

8
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“嗳,”哈丽特还在等着听她的意见,说道。“嗳——我——我该怎么办啊?”

8
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`Well,’ said the still waiting Harriet; - ` well - and - and what shall I do?’

9
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“你该怎么办!什么怎么办?你是指这封信吗?”

9
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`What shall you do! In what respect? Do you mean with regard to this letter?’

10
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“是的。”

10
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`Yes.’

11
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“你还在犹豫什么?你当然应该回信——马上就回。”

11
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`But what are you in doubt of? You must answer it of course - and speedily.’

12
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“好的。可我说什么好呢?亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐,给我出出主意吧。”

12
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`Yes. But what shall I say? Dear Miss Woodhouse, do advise me.’

13
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“哦,不行,不行!信最好由你自己去写。我想你一定会很恰当地表达自己的意思的。你是不会词不达意的,这一点最重要啦。你表达意思不能含含糊糊,不能模棱两可,不能犹犹豫豫。我认为,出于礼貌要感激什么人,或是为给某人带来痛苦而要表示关切,这样的话会自动涌上你的心头。你写信时,用不着为他的碰壁装作很伤心的样子。”

13
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`Oh no, no! the letter had much better be all your own. You will express yourself very properly, I am sure. There is no danger of your not being intelligible, which is the first thing. Your meaning must be unequivocal; no doubts or demurs: and such expressions of gratitude and concern for the pain you are inflicting as propriety requires, will present themselves unbidden to your mind, I am persuaded. You need not be prompted to write with the appearance of sorrow for his disappointment.’

14
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“那你觉得我是该拒绝他啦,”哈丽特低下头说道。

14
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`You think I ought to refuse him then,’ said Harriet, looking down.

15
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“应该拒绝他!亲爱的哈丽特,你这是什么意思?你对此还有什么怀疑吗?我觉得——不过请你原谅,也许是我搞错了。你要是对于如何答复他还拿不定主意,那我还真是误解你了。我原以为你只是找我商量回信的措辞呢。”

15
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`Ought to refuse him! My dear Harriet, what do you mean? Are you in any doubt as to that? I thought - but I beg your pardon, perhaps I have been under a mistake. I certainly have been misunderstanding you, if you feel in doubt as to the purport of your answer. I had imagined you were consulting me only as to the wording of it.’

16
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哈丽特没有做声。爱玛神态有点冷漠,接着说道:

16
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Harriet was silent. With a little reserve of manner, Emma continued:

17
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“这么说,你打算给他个肯定的答复啦。”

17
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`You mean to return a favourable answer, I collect.’

18
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“不,没有的事。我是说,我没有这个打算——我该怎么办呢?你看我该怎么办呢?伍德豪斯小姐,请你告诉我我该怎么办吧?”

18
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`No, I do not; that is, I do not mean - What shall I do? What would you advise me to do? Pray, dear Miss Woodhouse, tell me what I ought to do.’

19
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“我可不给你出主意,哈丽特。我可不想介入这件事,你得自己拿主意。”

19
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`I shall not give you any advice, Harriet. I will have nothing to do with it. This is a point which you must settle with your feelings.’

20
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“我没想到他这么喜欢我,”哈丽特一边说,一边望着信发呆。爱玛沉默了一阵,可是进而一想,又担心哈丽特会被信里的甜言蜜语迷住心窍,觉得最好还是说几句:

20
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`I had no notion that he liked me so very much,’ said Harriet, contemplating the letter. For a little while Emma persevered in her silence; but beginning to apprehend the bewitching flattery of that letter might be too powerful, she thought it best to say,

21
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“哈丽特,我认为有一条总的原则:一个女人要是拿不准该不该接受一个男人的求爱,那她当然应该拒绝他。她要是犹犹豫豫地不愿接受,那她就应该当机立断地拒绝他。这种事不能犹犹豫豫,不能三心二意。我作为你的朋友,又比你大几岁,觉得有义务跟你讲明这些道理。不过,你可不要以为我想叫你照我的意思办。”

21
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`I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to ``Yes,’’ she ought to say ``No’’ directly. It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful feelings, with half a heart. I thought it my duty as a friend, and older than yourself, to say thus much to you. But do not imagine that I want to influence you.’

22
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“哦!不,我知道你对我太好了,不会——不过,你要是能教我一个好办法——不,不,我不是这个意思。正如你说的,应该拿定主意——不应该犹犹豫豫——这是一件十分严肃的事情。也许拒绝他更稳妥一些。你看我是不是应该拒绝他?”

22
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`Oh! no, I am sure you are a great deal too kind to - but if you would just advise me what I had best do - No, no, I do not mean that - As you say, one’s mind ought to be quite made up - One should not be hesitating - It is a very serious thing. - It will be safer to say ``No,’’ perhaps. - Do you think I had better say ``No?’’’

23
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爱玛嫣然一笑,说道:“我决不会劝你答应或拒绝。你自己的终身大事,最好由你自己做主。你要是最喜欢马丁先生,觉得跟他最合得来,那你为什么还犹豫呢?你脸红了,哈丽特。眼下你就没想到别的人符合这个条件吗?哈丽特,哈丽特,你可不要犯糊涂,不要让感激之情和怜悯之心冲昏了头脑。眼下你脑子里想着谁呢?”

23
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`Not for the world,’ said Emma, smiling graciously, `would I advise you either way. You must be the best judge of your own happiness. If you prefer Mr. Martin to every other person; if you think him the most agreeable man you have ever been in company with, why should you hesitate? You blush, Harriet. - Does any body else occur to you at this moment under such a definition? Harriet, Harriet, do not deceive yourself; do not be run away with by gratitude and compassion. At this moment whom are you thinking of?’

24
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出现了可喜的征兆。哈丽特没有回答,却慌张地转过身去,站在火炉边寻思。虽然她手里还抓着那封信,却心不在焉地把信揉皱了。爱玛焦急地等着她回话,心里依然抱着很大的希望。哈丽特迟疑了一阵,后来终于说道:

24
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The symptoms were favourable. - Instead of answering, Harriet turned away confused, and stood thoughtfully by the fire; and though the letter was still in her hand, it was now mechanically twisted about without regard. Emma waited the result with impatience, but not without strong hopes. At last, with some hesitation, Harriet said -

25
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“伍德豪斯小姐,既然你不肯给我出主意,我只得自己做主了。我已经想好了,可以说拿定了主意——拒绝马丁先生。你看我这样做对吗?”

25
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`Miss Woodhouse, as you will not give me your opinion, I must do as well as I can by myself; and I have now quite determined, and really almost made up my mind - to refuse Mr. Martin. Do you think I am right?’

26
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“对极了,对极了,最亲爱的哈丽特。你就该这样做。你刚才犹豫不决的时候,我不便于表明自己的想法,现在你已经拿定了主意,我毫不犹豫地表示支持。亲爱的哈丽特,我为此感到很高兴。你要是嫁给马丁先生,我势必会失去你的友情,那该有多伤心呀。你还有点犹豫不决的时候,我并没有发表意见,因为我不想干预你的事,不过那样一来,我就要失去一位朋友。我不可能去看望阿比一米尔农庄的罗伯特·马丁太太。现在我永远也不会失去你了。”

26
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`Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just what you ought. While you were at all in suspense I kept my feelings to myself, but now that you are so completely decided I have no hesitation in approving. Dear Harriet, I give myself joy of this. It would have grieved me to lose your acquaintance, which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr. Martin. While you were in the smallest degree wavering, I said nothing about it, because I would not influence; but it would have been the loss of a friend to me. I could not have visited Mrs. Robert Martin, of Abbey-Mill Farm. Now I am secure of you for ever.’

27
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哈丽特本来没有料到问题会这么严重,听爱玛这么一说,不由得大为震惊。

27
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Harriet had not surmised her own danger, but the idea of it struck her forcibly.

28
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“你不能去看我!”她大声说道,吓得目瞪口呆。“是呀,你当然不能去看我,可我刚才就没想到这一点。那该有多可怕啊!这事好险呀!亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐,跟你在一起又快乐又荣幸,我说什么也不能离开你。”

28
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`You could not have visited me!’ she cried, looking aghast. `No, to be sure you could not; but I never thought of that before. That would have been too dreadful! - What an escape! - Dear Miss Woodhouse, I would not give up the pleasure and honour of being intimate with you for any thing in the world.’

29
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“说真的,哈丽特,我要是失去了你,真要伤透了心。不过那也是没有办法的事。你就把自己完全排斥出了上流社会,我也跟你断绝了来往。”

29
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`Indeed, Harriet, it would have been a severe pang to lose you; but it must have been. You would have thrown yourself out of all good society. I must have given you up.’

30
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“天哪!我可怎么受得了啊!我再也不能到哈特菲尔德来了,那岂不是要我的命嘛!”

30
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`Dear me! - How should I ever have borne it! It would have killed me never to come to Hartfield any more!’

31
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“可亲可爱的人儿!你给流放到阿比一米尔农场!一辈子跟那些没有文化的粗人混在一起!我感到奇怪,那个年轻人怎么会厚着脸皮向你求婚。他一定自以为很了不起。”

31
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`Dear affectionate creature! - You banished to Abbey-Mill Farm! - You confined to the society of the illiterate and vulgar all your life! I wonder how the young man could have the assurance to ask it. He must have a pretty good opinion of himself.’

32
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“总的说来,我也不觉得他很自负,”哈丽特听到马丁先生受到责备,良心有些过不去,便说道。“他至少性情非常和善,我要永远感谢他,非常敬重他——不过那完全是另外一码事——你知道,虽说他喜欢我,但并不因此说我就该——说实话,我来这里后见到不少人——要是比较一下他们的相貌和风度,那就根本不能相比,一个是那么英俊,那么讨人喜欢。不过,我的确认为马丁先生是个很可爱的年轻人,觉得他很了不起。他非常喜欢我——还写了这样一封信——可是,要叫我离开你,说什么我也不愿意。”

32
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`I do not think he is conceited either, in general,’ said Harriet, her conscience opposing such censure; `at least, he is very good natured, and I shall always feel much obliged to him, and have a great regard for - but that is quite a different thing from - and you know, though he may like me, it does not follow that I should - and certainly I must confess that since my visiting here I have seen people - and if one comes to compare them, person and manners, there is no comparison at all, one is so very handsome and agreeable. However, I do really think Mr. Martin a very amiable young man, and have a great opinion of him; and his being so much attached to me - and his writing such a letter - but as to leaving you, it is what I would not do upon any consideration.’

33
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“谢谢你,谢谢你,我可爱的小朋友。我们永不分离。女人不能因为男人向她求婚,因为男人喜欢她,能写一封像样的信,就同意嫁给他。”

33
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`Thank you, thank you, my own sweet little friend. We will not be parted. A woman is not to marry a man merely because she is asked, or because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter.’

34
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“哦!那不行。何况信又写得那么短。”

34
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`Oh no; - and it is but a short letter too.’

35
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爱玛觉得她的朋友有些粗俗,不过没有去计较,只是说:“的确如此。做丈夫的土里土气,你会时时刻刻感到厌恶,他若是能写一封像样的信,对你倒是个小小的安慰。”

35
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Emma felt the bad taste of her friend, but let it pass with a `very true; and it would be a small consolation to her, for the clownish manner which might be offending her every hour of the day, to know that her husband could write a good letter.’

36
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“哦!一点不错。谁也不会稀罕一封信,要紧的是跟合意的伙伴在一起,人人快快活活的。我已下定决心拒绝他。不过我该怎么拒绝他呢?我该怎么说呢?”

36
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`Oh! yes, very. Nobody cares for a letter; the thing is, to be always happy with pleasant companions. I am quite determined to refuse him. But how shall I do? That shall I say?’

37
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爱玛叫她放心,说回信没有什么难的,建议她马上就写,哈丽特当即同意了,指望爱玛帮帮忙。虽然爱玛一再申明没有必要帮忙,可实际上每句话都是她帮助构思的。哈丽特写回信时,把马丁先生的信又读了-遍,不由得心软了下来,因此,要让她硬起心肠,非得说几句有分量的话不可。哈丽特生怕惹得马丁先生不高兴,心里总在嘀咕他妈妈和妹妹会怎么想、怎么说,唯恐她们认为她太忘恩负义。爱玛心想,要是那年轻人此刻见到哈丽特,哈丽特准会答应嫁给他。

37
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Emma assured her there would be no difficulty in the answer, and advised its being written directly, which was agreed to, in the hope of her assistance; and though Emma continued to protest against any assistance being wanted, it was in fact given in the formation of every sentence. The looking over his letter again, in replying to it, had such a softening tendency, that it was particularly necessary to brace her up with a few decisive expressions; and she was so very much concerned at the idea of making him unhappy, and thought so much of what his mother and sisters would think and say, and was so anxious that they should not fancy her ungrateful, that Emma believed if the young man had come in her way at that moment, he would have been accepted after all.

38
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回信写好了,封好,发了出去。事情总算办完了,哈丽特也平安无事了。她整个晚上无精打采,不过爱玛可以体谅她那情意绵绵的抱憾心情,时而说起自己的深情厚意,时而向她谈到埃尔顿先生,以便对她进行安慰。

38
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This letter, however, was written, and sealed, and sent. The business was finished, and Harriet safe. She was rather low all the evening, but Emma could allow for her amiable regrets, and sometimes relieved them by speaking of her own affection, sometimes by bringing forward the idea of Mr. Elton.

39
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“人家再也不会请我去阿比一米尔了,”哈丽特以忧伤的语调说道。

39
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`I shall never be invited to Abbey-Mill again,’ was said in rather a sorrowful tone.

40
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“就是请你了,我也不忍心放你去呀,哈丽特。哈特菲尔德太需要你了,不能放你去阿比一米尔。”

40
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`Nor, if you were, could I ever bear to part with you, my Harriet. You are a great deal too necessary at Hartfield to be spared to Abbey-Mill.’

41
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“我确实也不想去那儿,我只有待在哈特菲尔德才感到快活。”

41
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`And I am sure I should never want to go there; for I am never happy but at Hartfield.’

42
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过了一会,哈丽特又说:“今天的事要是让戈达德太太知道了,我看她准会大吃一惊。纳什小姐肯定也会大吃一惊——她觉得她姐姐婚事挺如意的,其实她只不过嫁了个布商。”

42
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Some time afterwards it was, `I think Mrs. Goddard would be very much surprized if she knew what had happened. I am sure Miss Nash would - for Miss Nash thinks her own sister very well married, and it is only a linen-draper.’

43
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“哈丽特,真遗憾,一个在小学教书的人,不会有多少自尊,也不会有多高的品位。我敢说,纳什小姐要是知道你可以嫁给马丁先生,还会羡慕你呢。在她看来,即使能博得这样一个人的欢心,也是十分了不得的。至于还有更好的人追求你,我想她还是一无所知的。有人向你献殷勤的事,在海伯里还不可能引起风言风语。迄今为止,只有你和我从他的神情举动中看透了他的心思。”

43
-

`One should be sorry to see greater pride or refinement in the teacher of a school, Harriet. I dare say Miss Nash would envy you such an opportunity as this of being married. Even this conquest would appear valuable in her eyes. As to any thing superior for you, I suppose she is quite in the dark. The attentions of a certain person can hardly be among the tittle-tattle of Highbury yet. Hitherto I fancy you and I are the only people to whom his looks and manners have explained themselves.’

44
-

哈丽特脸一红,笑了笑,说她也搞不明白,怎么会有人这么喜欢她。一想到埃尔顿先生,心里自然甜滋滋的。可是过了一会,她对遭她拒绝的马丁先生又心软了。

44
-

Harriet blushed and smiled, and said something about wondering that people should like her so much. The idea of Mr. Elton was certainly cheering; but still, after a time, she was tender-hearted again towards the rejected Mr. Martin.

45
-

“他现在该收到我的信了,”她低声说道。“不知道他们一家人怎么样了——不知道他妹妹知道了没有——他要是难过的话,她们也会难过的。但愿他不要看得太重了。”

45
-

`Now he has got my letter,’ said she softly. `I wonder what they are all doing - whether his sisters know - if he is unhappy, they will be unhappy too. I hope he will not mind it so very much.’

46
-

“我们还是想想那些在别处高高兴兴为我们效劳的朋友吧,”爱玛大声说道。“也许埃尔顿先生这时正把你的画像拿给他妈妈和姊妹们看,告诉她们你人比画像还要美丽得多,等她们要求了五六次,才透露了你的芳名。”

46
-

`Let us think of those among our absent friends who are more cheerfully employed,’ cried Emma. `At this moment, perhaps, Mr. Elton is shewing your picture to his mother and sisters, telling how much more beautiful is the original, and after being asked for it five or six times, allowing them to hear your name, your own dear name.’

47
-

“我的画像!可他把我的画像放在邦德街呀。”

47
-

`My picture! - But he has left my picture in Bond-street.’

48
-

“哪有这种事!那我就一点也不了解埃尔顿先生了。不,亲爱的、谦逊的小哈丽特,你放心好了,他明天才会上马,在这之前,那幅画像是不会放在邦德街的。今天一晚上,这幅画像是他的伙伴,他的安慰,他的快乐。他家里人见了画像就看出他的心思,也会了解你,还会逗得大家欢天喜地,唤起强烈的好奇和偏爱。他们一个个会多么高兴,多么兴奋,满腹狐疑,东猜西想!”

48
-

`Has he so! - Then I know nothing of Mr. Elton. No, my dear little modest Harriet, depend upon it the picture will not be in Bond-street till just before he mounts his horse to-morrow. It is his companion all this evening, his solace, his delight. It opens his designs to his family, it introduces you among them, it diffuses through the party those pleasantest feelings of our nature, eager curiosity and warm prepossession. How cheerful, how animated, how suspicious, how busy their imaginations all are!’

49
-

哈丽特又笑了,笑得越发开心。

49
-

Harriet smiled again, and her smiles grew stronger.

简典