At last, an answer came from the two old ladies. —
最终，两位老太太回复了。 —

They presented their compliments to Mr. Copperfield, and informed him that they had given his letter their best consideration, ‘with a view to the happiness of both parties’ - which I thought rather an alarming expression, not only because of the use they had made of it in relation to the family difference before-mentioned, but because I had (and have all my life) observed that conventional phrases are a sort of fireworks, easily let off, and liable to take a great variety of shapes and colours not at all suggested by their original form. —
他们向柯波菲尔德先生致以问候，并告知他他们已经认真考虑了他的信，’希望双方幸福’ - 这个表达方式让我觉得有些令人担忧，不仅因为他们之前在谈到家庭矛盾时使用过这个用语，还因为我一直（至今都是如此）观察到，常规的短语就像焰火，容易放出，并可能呈现出很多形状和颜色，完全不受原始形式的影响。 —

The Misses Spenlow added that they begged to forbear expressing, ‘through the medium of correspondence’, an opinion on the subject of Mr. Copperfield’s communication; —
斯彭洛小姐们补充说，他们恳请不要通过书信表达对柯波菲尔德先生沟通的意见； —

but that if Mr. Copperfield would do them the favour to call, upon a certain day (accompanied, if he thought proper, by a confidential friend), they would be happy to hold some conversation on the subject.
但如果柯波菲尔德先生愿意在某一天前来（如有必要，可以携带一位亲信朋友），她们将很乐意就此事进行一些交谈。

To this favour, Mr. Copperfield immediately replied, with his respectful compliments, that he would have the honour of waiting on the Misses Spenlow, at the time appointed; —
柯波菲尔德先生立即回复说，他将有幸在约定的时间拜访斯彭洛小姐们； —

accompanied, in accordance with their kind permission, by his friend Mr. Thomas Traddles of the Inner Temple. —
并根据她们的慷慨许可，带上他的朋友，内殿特雷德尔斯先生。 —

Having dispatched which missive, Mr. Copperfield fell into a condition of strong nervous agitation; —
发送完这封信后，柯波菲尔德先生进入了一种强烈的紧张状态； —

and so remained until the day arrived.
并一直保持到那天到来。

It was a great augmentation of my uneasiness to be bereaved, at this eventful crisis, of the inestimable services of Miss Mills. But Mr. Mills, who was always doing something or other to annoy me - or I felt as if he were, which was the same thing - had brought his conduct to a climax, by taking it into his head that he would go to India. Why should he go to India, except to harass me? —
在这个重大的危机时刻失去了米尔斯小姐无价的服务，使我的不安加剧了。 但是米尔斯先生总是做些让我恼火的事情 - 或者我感觉他是这样，这就等同于他真的这么做了 - 他一时想法要去印度。 除了想困扰我，他为什么要去印度呢？ —

To be sure he had nothing to do with any other part of the world, and had a good deal to do with that part; —
当然，他与世界上的其他任何地方都无关，但与那个地方有很多关系； —

being entirely in the India trade, whatever that was (I had floating dreams myself concerning golden shawls and elephants’ teeth); —
完全处于印度贸易中，不管那是什么（我自己对金色披肩和象牙的梦想随之而来）。 —

having been at Calcutta in his youth; and designing now to go out there again, in the capacity of resident partner. —
他年轻时曾去过加尔各答；现在打算再次前往那里，担任居住合伙人的职务。 —

But this was nothing to me. However, it was so much to him that for India he was bound, and Julia with him; —
但对我而言无关紧要。 然而，这对他来说非常重要，因为他选择了印度，朱莉亚也跟着他去； —

and Julia went into the country to take leave of her relations; —
朱莉亚去了乡下告别亲戚； —

and the house was put into a perfect suit of bills, announcing that it was to be let or sold, and that the furniture (Mangle and all) was to be taken at a valuation. —
房子被张贴了一整套告示，宣布要出租或出售，家具（包括熨烫机）要按估价收购。 —

So, here was another earthquake of which I became the sport, before I had recovered from the shock of its predecessor!
所以，这又是一次地震，我成了它的牺牲品，我还没有从前一次的震惊中恢复过来！

I was in several minds how to dress myself on the important day; —
在这重要的日子里，我不知道该穿什么; —

being divided between my desire to appear to advantage, and my apprehensions of putting on anything that might impair my severely practical character in the eyes of the Misses Spenlow. —
我在要想要展示自己的优势和担心穿上什么会对斯潘洛小姐的严谨形象造成影响之间徘徊。 —

I endeavoured to hit a happy medium between these two extremes; my aunt approved the result; —
我试图在这两个极端之间找到一个满意的平衡; 我姨妈赞成了我的选择; —

and Mr. Dick threw one of his shoes after Traddles and me, for luck, as we went downstairs.
迪克先生在我和特拉德尔下楼时，向我们扔了一只鞋，祝我们好运。

Excellent fellow as I knew Traddles to be, and warmly attached to him as I was, I could not help wishing, on that delicate occasion, that he had never contracted the habit of brushing his hair so very upright. —
虽然我知道特拉德尔是个好人，我也十分喜欢他，但我在那个关键时刻还是不禁希望他从来没有养成这么竖立梳头的习惯。 —

It gave him a surprised look - not to say a hearth-broomy kind of expression - which, my apprehensions whispered, might be fatal to us.
这给他带来了一种吃惊的表情 - 也可以说是一种炉子刷子般的表情 - 我的担心告诉我，这可能对我们是致命的。

I took the liberty of mentioning it to Traddles, as we were walking to Putney; —
我趁我们走到普特尼的路上，提到了这个问题给特拉德尔听; —

and saying that if he WOULD smooth it down a little -
并说如果他肯把头发梳顺一点 -

‘My dear Copperfield,’ said Traddles, lifting off his hat, and rubbing his hair all kinds of ways, ‘nothing would give me greater pleasure. But it won’t.’
‘我亲爱的科波菲尔德，’特拉德尔抬起帽子，把头发按各种方式搓了搓，’没有什么比这更让我高兴的了。但是它不会。

‘Won’t be smoothed down?’ said I.
‘梳不顺吗?‘我说。

‘No,’ said Traddles. ‘Nothing will induce it. —
‘不会，’特拉德尔说，’没什么能让它服从的。 —

If I was to carry a half-hundred-weight upon it, all the way to Putney, it would be up again the moment the weight was taken off. —
就算我一路把它负重半百斤到普特尼，一旦减去负重，它会又立起来。 —

You have no idea what obstinate hair mine is, Copperfield. I am quite a fretful porcupine.’
你根本不知道我的头发有多倔强，科波菲尔德。我就像一个易怒的箭猪。

I was a little disappointed, I must confess, but thoroughly charmed by his good-nature too. —
我必须承认，我有点失望，但他的善良也让我完全迷住了。 —

I told him how I esteemed his good-nature; —
我告诉他我是如何钦佩他的好脾气的； —

and said that his hair must have taken all the obstinacy out of his character, for he had none.
并且说他的头发一定把他性格中所有的固执都拨动光了，因为他一点都不固执。

‘Oh!’ returned Traddles, laughing. ‘I assure you, it’s quite an old story, my unfortunate hair. —
‘哦！’特拉德尔斯笑着回答道，‘我保证你，这已经是一个很老的笑话了，我那不幸的头发。 —

My uncle’s wife couldn’t bear it. She said it exasperated her. —
我叔叔的妻子简直无法忍受它。她说它让她恼火。 —

It stood very much in my way, too, when I first fell in love with Sophy. Very much!’
当我第一次爱上索菲时，它确实给我带来了很多麻烦。非常多！’

‘Did she object to it?’
‘她反对它吗？’

‘SHE didn’t,’ rejoined Traddles; ‘but her eldest sister - the one that’s the Beauty - quite made game of it, I understand. —
‘她不反对，’ 特拉德尔斯回答道，‘但她的大姐 - 那个美人 - 据我了解是在拿它开玩笑。 —

In fact, all the sisters laugh at it.’
实际上，所有姐妹们都笑起来。’

‘Agreeable!’ said I.
‘有趣！’我说。

‘Yes,’ returned Traddles with perfect innocence, ‘it’s a joke for us. —
‘是的，’特拉德尔斯毫无心机地回答道，‘对我们来说是个笑话。 —

They pretend that Sophy has a lock of it in her desk, and is obliged to shut it in a clasped book, to keep it down. —
他们假装索菲把一缕头发放在她的桌子里，不得不把它夹在一本锁着的书里，才能压下去。 —

We laugh about it.’
我们笑着聊这个。’

‘By the by, my dear Traddles,’ said I, ‘your experience may suggest something to me. —
‘顺便说一句，我亲爱的特拉德尔斯，’我说，‘你的经历可能给我一些启发。 —

When you became engaged to the young lady whom you have just mentioned, did you make a regular proposal to her family? —
当你向刚提到的这位年轻女士求婚时，你是否正式向她的家人提出求婚？ —

Was there anything like - what we are going through today, for instance?’ —
是否有类似的情况 - 比如，我们今天经历的这种情况？ —

I added, nervously.
我紧张地补充道。

‘Why,’ replied Traddles, on whose attentive face a thoughtful shade had stolen, ‘it was rather a painful transaction, Copperfield, in my case. —
“为什么，” 特拉德尔斯回答道，他注视的脸上笼罩着一丝思ful的阴影， “在我的情况下，这实在是一笔令人痛苦的交易，科波菲尔德。 —

You see, Sophy being of so much use in the family, none of them could endure the thought of her ever being married. —
你看，索菲在家庭中如此有用，他们中没有一个人能忍受她结婚的想法。 —

Indeed, they had quite settled among themselves that she never was to be married, and they called her the old maid. —
事实上，他们已经在内部完全一致决定她永远不会结婚，称她为老处女。 —

Accordingly, when I mentioned it, with the greatest precaution, to Mrs. Crewler -’
因此，当我最小心翼翼地提到这件事给克鲁勒夫人时-

‘The mama?’ said I.
“妈妈？” 我说。

‘The mama,’ said Traddles - ‘Reverend Horace Crewler - when I mentioned it with every possible precaution to Mrs. Crewler, the effect upon her was such that she gave a scream and became insensible. —
“妈妈，” 特拉德尔斯说， “霍勒斯·克鲁勒牧师——当我像最小心翼翼地向克鲁勒夫人提到时，她的反应是尖叫并晕厥过去。 —

I couldn’t approach the subject again, for months.’
几个月内我无法再接触这个话题。”

‘You did at last?’ said I.
“你最终还是说了？” 我说。

‘Well, the Reverend Horace did,’ said Traddles. —
“嗯，霍勒斯牧师说了，” 特拉德尔斯说。 —

‘He is an excellent man, most exemplary in every way; —
“他是一个优秀的人，各方面都非常值得效仿； —

and he pointed out to her that she ought, as a Christian, to reconcile herself to the sacrifice (especially as it was so uncertain), and to bear no uncharitable feeling towards me. —
他对她指出，作为一个基督徒，她应该和解并承受这种牺牲（尤其是情况如此不确定），对我不要怀有不仁慈的情感。 —

As to myself, Copperfield, I give you my word, I felt a perfect bird of prey towards the family.’
至于我呢，科波菲尔德，我向你发誓，我对这个家庭感到非常狡猾。”

‘The sisters took your part, I hope, Traddles?’
“姐妹们支持你，希望，特拉德尔斯？”

‘Why, I can’t say they did,’ he returned. —
“为什么，我不能说她们这样做了，” 他回答说。 —

‘When we had comparatively reconciled Mrs. Crewler to it, we had to break it to Sarah. You recollect my mentioning Sarah, as the one that has something the matter with her spine?’
当我们相对让克鲁勒夫人接受了这个事实后，我们不得不告诉莎拉。您还记得我提到过的莎拉，那个脊柱有问题的人吗？

‘Perfectly!’
完全记得！

‘She clenched both her hands,’ said Traddles, looking at me in dismay; ‘shut her eyes; —
“她握紧双手，”特拉德尔斯说着，惊恐地看着我，“闭上眼睛； —

turned lead-colour; became perfectly stiff; —
变得像铅一样灰色；变得完全僵硬； —

and took nothing for two days but toast-and-water, administered with a tea-spoon.’
两天没吃别的，只吃用茶匙喂的烤面包水。”

‘What a very unpleasant girl, Traddles!’ I remarked.
“特拉德尔斯，这莎拉实在是个很讨厌的女孩！”我评论道。

‘Oh, I beg your pardon, Copperfield!’ said Traddles. —
“哦，抱歉，柯波菲尔德！”特拉德尔斯说。 —

‘She is a very charming girl, but she has a great deal of feeling. In fact, they all have. —
“她是一个非常迷人的女孩，但她有很多感情。事实上，她们所有人都是这样的。 —

Sophy told me afterwards, that the self-reproach she underwent while she was in attendance upon Sarah, no words could describe. —
索菲事后告诉我，她在照料莎拉时所经历的自责，无法用言语描述。 —

I know it must have been severe, by my own feelings, Copperfield; which were like a criminal’s. —
柯波菲尔德，我知道它肯定是严重的，因为我的感受就像罪犯的感受。 —

After Sarah was restored, we still had to break it to the other eight; —
莎拉康复后，我们还必须告诉其他八个人； —

and it produced various effects upon them of a most pathetic nature. —
这对他们产生了各种极具悲剧性的影响。 —

The two little ones, whom Sophy educates, have only just left off de-testing me.’
索菲教育的两个小孩刚刚停止厌恶我。”

‘At any rate, they are all reconciled to it now, I hope?’ said I.
“无论如何，他们现在应该都已经接受了吧？”我说。

‘Ye-yes, I should say they were, on the whole, resigned to it,’ said Traddles, doubtfully. —
“嗯…是的，我想他们总体上已经接受了，”特拉德尔斯犹豫地说道。 —

‘The fact is, we avoid mentioning the subject; —
实际上，事实是，我们避免提及这个话题； —

and my unsettled prospects and indifferent circumstances are a great consolation to them. —
我的前途未卜和状况平淡对他们而言是一大慰藉。 —

There will be a deplorable scene, whenever we are married. —
无论我们什么时候结婚，那都将是一个悲惨的场面。 —

It will be much more like a funeral, than a wedding. —
这将更像是一个葬礼，而不是一个婚礼。 —

And they’ll all hate me for taking her away!’
他们都会讨厌我把她带走！

His honest face, as he looked at me with a serio-comic shake of his head, impresses me more in the remembrance than it did in the reality, for I was by this time in a state of such excessive trepidation and wandering of mind, as to be quite unable to fix my attention on anything. —
当他以一种严肃而滑稽的摇头看着我的时候，他诚实的脸在我脑海中的印象比现实中更深刻，因为那时候我已经极度不安，心神恍惚，无法把注意力集中到任何事情上。 —

On our approaching the house where the Misses Spenlow lived, I was at such a discount in respect of my personal looks and presence of mind, that Traddles proposed a gentle stimulant in the form of a glass of ale. —
我们走向斯本罗小姐住的房子时，我的个人外表和精神状态让我觉得有些丢面子，特拉德尔斯建议在附近的一家酒吧喝一杯啤酒作为一种温和的刺激剂。 —

This having been administered at a neighbouring public-house, he conducted me, with tottering steps, to the Misses Spenlow’s door.
这种刺激剂在附近的一家酒吧喝过后，他带着踉跄的步伐引导我到斯本罗小姐家的门口。

I had a vague sensation of being, as it were, on view, when the maid opened it; —
当女仆打开门时，我有一种被展示的模糊感； —

and of wavering, somehow, across a hall with a weather-glass in it, into a quiet little drawing-room on the ground-floor, commanding a neat garden. —
然后迈步穿过一个带有气压计的走廊，来到一间安静的一楼小客厅，可以俯瞰一个整洁的花园。 —

Also of sitting down here, on a sofa, and seeing Traddles’s hair start up, now his hat was removed, like one of those obtrusive little figures made of springs, that fly out of fictitious snuff-boxes when the lid is taken off. —
坐在这里的沙发上，看着特拉德尔斯摘掉帽子后头发竖了起来，就像那些盒子里可以飞出来的弹簧制小人一样。 —

Also of hearing an old-fashioned clock ticking away on the chimney-piece, and trying to make it keep time to the jerking of my heart, - which it wouldn’t. —
还能听到壁炉台上一只老式时钟滴答作响，我试图让它跟上我心脏的跳动，但它不肯。 —

Also of looking round the room for any sign of Dora, and seeing none. —
还试图四处寻找多拉的踪迹，但没有找到。 —

Also of thinking that Jip once barked in the distance, and was instantly choked by somebody. —
还好像听到吉普在远处吠叫，立刻被人制止住。 —

Ultimately I found myself backing Traddles into the fireplace, and bowing in great confusion to two dry little elderly ladies, dressed in black, and each looking wonderfully like a preparation in chip or tan of the late Mr. Spenlow.
最终我发现自己把特拉德尔斯赶到壁炉边，然后尴尬地向两位干瘪的衣着黑色的老太太鞠躬，她们每个人看起来非常像已故的斯本罗先生的某个实验制作品。

‘Pray,’ said one of the two little ladies, ‘be seated.’
‘祈祷吧，’两位小姐中的一位说，‘请坐下吧。’

When I had done tumbling over Traddles, and had sat upon something which was not a cat - my first seat was - I so far recovered my sight, as to perceive that Mr. Spenlow had evidently been the youngest of the family; —
当我翻越特拉德尔斯后，坐在一只不是猫的东西上时，我渐渐恢复了视力，发现斯彭洛先生显然是家里最年轻的人； —

that there was a disparity of six or eight years between the two sisters; —
两姐妹之间有六到八岁的差距； —

and that the younger appeared to be the manager of the conference, inasmuch as she had my letter in her hand - so familiar as it looked to me, and yet so odd! —
而年轻的那位似乎是会谈的策划者，因为她手里拿着我的信——它看起来对我来说如此熟悉，却又如此奇怪！ —

• and was referring to it through an eye-glass. —
  并透过一个单片眼镜在查阅。 —
  

They were dressed alike, but this sister wore her dress with a more youthful air than the other; —
她们穿着一样，但这位姐妹穿着的打扮比另一位更具青春气息； —

and perhaps had a trifle more frill, or tucker, or brooch, or bracelet, or some little thing of that kind, which made her look more lively. —
也许她多了点荷边、领巾、胸针、手镯，或者一些让她看起来更有活力的小饰物。 —

They were both upright in their carriage, formal, precise, composed, and quiet. —
她们的举止笔直，正式、准确、镇定而宁静。 —

The sister who had not my letter, had her arms crossed on her breast, and resting on each other, like an Idol.
没有我的信的那位姐妹，双臂交叉在胸前，相互靠在一起，像个偶像。

‘Mr. Copperfield, I believe,’ said the sister who had got my letter, addressing herself to Traddles.
‘我相信这位是柯波菲尔德先生，’拿着我的信的姐妹对特拉德尔斯说。

This was a frightful beginning. Traddles had to indicate that I was Mr. Copperfield, and I had to lay claim to myself, and they had to divest themselves of a preconceived opinion that Traddles was Mr. Copperfield, and altogether we were in a nice condition. —
这是一个可怕的开端。特拉德尔斯不得不表示我才是柯波菲尔德先生，而我必须宣称自己，他们必须摆脱对特拉德尔斯是柯波菲尔德先生的预设观点，总而言之我们处于一个尴尬的状态。 —

To improve it, we all distinctly heard Jip give two short barks, and receive another choke.
为了改善情况，我们都清楚地听到了吉普发出两声短促的吠声，并收到了另一声噎住的声音。

‘Mr. Copperfield!’ said the sister with the letter.
‘柯波菲尔德先生！’拿着信的姐妹说。

I did something - bowed, I suppose - and was all attention, when the other sister struck in.
我做了些什么——我想应该是鞠了个躬——全神贯注，而另一位姐妹插话了。

‘My sister Lavinia,’ said she ‘being conversant with matters of this nature, will state what we consider most calculated to promote the happiness of both parties.’
‘我的姐妹拉维尼亚，’她说，‘熟悉这类事务，将说明我们认为最有助于促进双方幸福的事情。’

I discovered afterwards that Miss Lavinia was an authority in affairs of the heart, by reason of there having anciently existed a certain Mr. Pidger, who played short whist, and was supposed to have been enamoured of her. —
我后来发现，拉文尼娅小姐曾因为有一位名叫皮杰先生的人爱她，而在情感事务上颇有研究。 —

My private opinion is, that this was entirely a gratuitous assumption, and that Pidger was altogether innocent of any such sentiments - to which he had never given any sort of expression that I could ever hear of. —
我个人认为，这完全是一种无端的假设，皮杰先生并未对这种情感表达过任何我所知的感情。 —

Both Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa had a superstition, however, that he would have declared his passion, if he had not been cut short in his youth (at about sixty) by over-drinking his constitution, and over-doing an attempt to set it right again by swilling Bath water. —
但拉文尼娅小姐和克拉丽莎小姐却有一种迷信，认为他本来会表白自己的爱意，如果他没有被饮酒过度和过度攻击身体（六十岁时）而夭折，尝试通过涌泉水来恢复身体健康。 —

They had a lurking suspicion even, that he died of secret love; —
他们甚至私下怀疑他是因为秘密爱情而死的； —

though I must say there was a picture of him in the house with a damask nose, which concealment did not appear to have ever preyed upon.
尽管我要说房子里有张他的画像，他那贴着花呢的鼻子似乎并没有受到任何某种的侵蚀。

‘We will not,’ said Miss Lavinia, ‘enter on the past history of this matter. —
‘我们不会,’ 拉文尼娅说，“回顾这件事的过去历史。 —

Our poor brother Francis’s death has cancelled that.’
‘我们可怜的兄弟弗朗西斯的去世已经抹掉了那段。”

‘We had not,’ said Miss Clarissa, ‘been in the habit of frequent association with our brother Francis; —
‘我们和我们的兄弟弗朗西斯并没有经常在一起； —

but there was no decided division or disunion between us. Francis took his road; we took ours. —
但我们之间也没有明显的矛盾分歧。弗朗西斯选择了他的道路；我们选择了我们的。 —

We considered it conducive to the happiness of all parties that it should be so. And it was so.’
我们认为这对所有人的幸福都有好处。事情就这样发生了。”

Each of the sisters leaned a little forward to speak, shook her head after speaking, and became upright again when silent. —
每位姐妹在讲话时都稍微前倾，说完后摇摇头，再保持端正。 —

Miss Clarissa never moved her arms. She sometimes played tunes upon them with her fingers - minuets and marches I should think - but never moved them.
克拉丽莎小姐从不动手臂。她有时用手指弹奏乐曲 - 我想是迷你舞曲和进行曲 - 但从不移动手臂。

‘Our niece’s position, or supposed position, is much changed by our brother Francis’s death,’ said Miss Lavinia; —
‘我们侄女的地位，或者说被认为的地位，因我们的弟弟弗朗西斯的去世而发生了很大变化，’ 拉文尼娅说； —

‘and therefore we consider our brother’s opinions as regarded her position as being changed too. —
‘因此我们认为我们的弟弟关于她地位的看法也发生了改变。 —

We have no reason to doubt, Mr. Copperfield, that you are a young gentleman possessed of good qualities and honourable character; —
我们没有理由怀疑，考柏德菲尔德先生，你是一个拥有良好品质和光荣性格的年轻绅士； —

or that you have an affection - or are fully persuaded that you have an affection - for our niece.’
或者你对我们的侄女有感情，或者你完全相信自己对我们的侄女有感情。

I replied, as I usually did whenever I had a chance, that nobody had ever loved anybody else as I loved Dora. Traddles came to my assistance with a confirmatory murmur.
我回答说，每当有机会时，我总是像我爱Dora一样爱任何人。特拉德尔斯用确定的嗡嗡声帮我证实。

Miss Lavinia was going on to make some rejoinder, when Miss Clarissa, who appeared to be incessantly beset by a desire to refer to her brother Francis, struck in again:
当拉维尼娅小姐要发表一些回应时，似乎不断被一种要提到她的兄弟弗朗西斯的欲望所困扰，克拉丽莎小姐再次插话：

‘If Dora’s mama,’ she said, ‘when she married our brother Francis, had at once said that there was not room for the family at the dinner-table, it would have been better for the happiness of all parties.’
“如果多拉的妈妈,“她说，”当她嫁给我们的弟弟弗朗西斯时，立刻说家庭在餐桌上没有位置，那对所有人的幸福来说会更好.”

‘Sister Clarissa,’ said Miss Lavinia. ‘Perhaps we needn’t mind that now.’
“拉维尼娅姐妹,“拉维尼娅小姐说。”也许我们现在不必在意那个.”

‘Sister Lavinia,’ said Miss Clarissa, ‘it belongs to the subject. —
“拉维尼娅姐妹,“克拉丽莎小姐说，”这是属于这个主题的。 —

With your branch of the subject, on which alone you are competent to speak, I should not think of interfering. —
对于你的那部分主题，你是唯一有资格发言的，我不会考虑干涉。 —

On this branch of the subject I have a voice and an opinion. —
就这个话题，我有一席之地和一个观点。 —

It would have been better for the happiness of all parties, if Dora’s mama, when she married our brother Francis, had mentioned plainly what her intentions were. —
如果多拉的妈妈在嫁给我们的弟弟弗朗西斯时，坦率地提到她的意图，那么对所有当事人的幸福都会更好。 —

We should then have known what we had to expect. —
那样我们就会知道可以期待什么。 —

We should have said “Pray do not invite us, at any time”; —
我们本可说“请任何时候都不要邀请我们”，那么就可以避免所有的误解。 —

and all possibility of misunderstanding would have been avoided.’
并且可以避免任何误会。

When Miss Clarissa had shaken her head, Miss Lavinia resumed: —
当克拉丽莎绅士摇了摇头时，拉维尼亚小姐继续说道： —

again referring to my letter through her eye-glass. —
再次通过她的眼镜参照着我的来信。 —

They both had little bright round twinkling eyes, by the way, which were like birds’ eyes. —
顺便提一下，她们都有一双亮晶晶的小圆眼睛，就像小鸟的眼睛一样。 —

They were not unlike birds, altogether; having a sharp, brisk, sudden manner, and a little short, spruce way of adjusting themselves, like canaries.
总的来说，它们很像鸟，具有敏捷、轻快、突然的方式，并且有一种像金丝雀一样的小巧、整洁的调整方式。

Miss Lavinia, as I have said, resumed:
正如我所说的，拉维尼亚小姐继续说：

‘You ask permission of my sister Clarissa and myself, Mr. Copperfield, to visit here, as the accepted suitor of our niece.’
“作为我们侄女的未婚夫，你向我姐克拉丽莎和我申请在这里访问的许可，”

‘If our brother Francis,’ said Miss Clarissa, breaking out again, if I may call anything so calm a breaking out, ‘wished to surround himself with an atmosphere of Doctors’ Commons, and of Doctors’ Commons only, what right or desire had we to object? —
“如果我们的弟弟弗朗西斯希望将自己置身于律师公所的氛围中，并且只有律师公所的话，那我们有什么权利或愿望能反对呢？” —

None, I am sure. We have ever been far from wishing to obtrude ourselves on anyone. —
我敢肯定，我们从来都不希望对任何人强行施加自己。 —

But why not say so? Let our brother Francis and his wife have their society. —
但为什么不直说呢？让我们的弟弟弗朗西斯和他的妻子有他们的社交圈。 —

Let my sister Lavinia and myself have our society. —
让我的姐拉维尼亚和我自己有我们的社交圈。 —

We can find it for ourselves, I hope.’
我们可以自己找到的，希望如此。

As this appeared to be addressed to Traddles and me, both Traddles and I made some sort of reply. —
由于这似乎是给特拉德尔和我而讲的，所以特拉德尔和我都做了某种回答。 —

Traddles was inaudible. I think I observed, myself, that it was highly creditable to all concerned. —
特拉德尔的声音很低，我认为我自己注意到这对所有相关人都是很值得称赞的。 —

I don’t in the least know what I meant.
我完全不知道我说的是什么意思。

‘Sister Lavinia,’ said Miss Clarissa, having now relieved her mind, ‘you can go on, my dear.’
‘莱文尼亚姐妹，’克拉丽莎小姐解脱了自己的心情之后说，’你可以继续，亲爱的。

Miss Lavinia proceeded:
莱文尼亚小姐继续说道：

‘Mr. Copperfield, my sister Clarissa and I have been very careful indeed in considering this letter; —
‘科波菲尔德先生，我妹妹克拉丽莎和我确实非常仔细地考虑了这封信； —

and we have not considered it without finally showing it to our niece, and discussing it with our niece. —
我们在最终向我们的侄女展示信函并与她讨论之后才做出了决定。 —

We have no doubt that you think you like her very much.’
我们毫不怀疑您认为您非常喜欢她。

‘Think, ma’am,’ I rapturously began, ‘oh! -’
‘认为，夫人，’我狂喜地开始说,‘哦！-’

But Miss Clarissa giving me a look (just like a sharp canary), as requesting that I would not interrupt the oracle, I begged pardon.
但是克拉丽莎小姐给了我一个（就像一只尖尖的金丝雀）的眼神，仿佛在要求我不要打断圣谕，我抱歉道。

‘Affection,’ said Miss Lavinia, glancing at her sister for corroboration, which she gave in the form of a little nod to every clause, ‘mature affection, homage, devotion, does not easily express itself. —
‘爱情，’莱文尼亚小姐说，瞥了一眼她的姐姐来证实，姐姐则在每一段的结尾都轻轻点头，’成熟的爱情、尊敬、献身，往往不容易表达出来。 —

Its voice is low. It is modest and retiring, it lies in ambush, waits and waits. —
它的声音很低。它是谦逊而退缩的，它在埋伏，静待着。 —

Such is the mature fruit. Sometimes a life glides away, and finds it still ripening in the shade.’
这就是成熟的果实。有时生命流走，它仍然在暗处成熟。

Of course I did not understand then that this was an allusion to her supposed experience of the stricken Pidger; —
当然那时我并不明白这是一个对她所谓经历过悲剧的皮吉尔的暗示； —

but I saw, from the gravity with which Miss Clarissa nodded her head, that great weight was attached to these words.
但我看到克拉丽莎小姐认真地点头，这些话语显然是非常重要的。

‘The light - for I call them, in comparison with such sentiments, the light - inclinations of very young people,’ pursued Miss Lavinia, ‘are dust, compared to rocks. —
‘光 - 相较于这样的感情，我把他们称为光 - 年轻人非常轻浮的倾向，与岩石相比是尘土。 —

It is owing to the difficulty of knowing whether they are likely to endure or have any real foundation, that my sister Clarissa and myself have been very undecided how to act, Mr. Copperfield, and Mr. -’
要知道这些感情是否持久或是否有真正的基础，是我和我妹妹克拉丽莎一直犹豫不决该如何行事的原因，考文菲尔德先生，还有 -

‘Traddles,’ said my friend, finding himself looked at.
‘特拉德尔斯，’我的朋友说，发现自己被注视着。

‘I beg pardon. Of the Inner Temple, I believe?’ said Miss Clarissa, again glancing at my letter.
‘对不起。我相信您是寻求内庭的特拉德尔斯先生？’克拉丽莎小姐再次扫视着我的信。

Traddles said ‘Exactly so,’ and became pretty red in the face.
特拉德尔斯说’确实如此’，脸上泛起绯红。

Now, although I had not received any express encouragement as yet, I fancied that I saw in the two little sisters, and particularly in Miss Lavinia, an intensified enjoyment of this new and fruitful subject of domestic interest, a settling down to make the most of it, a disposition to pet it, in which there was a good bright ray of hope. —
虽然我还没有得到过任何明确的鼓励，但我觉得在这两个小姐妹，尤其是在拉文尼亚小姐身上，对这个新鲜而富有成果的家庭兴趣主题有着更深入的享受，他们似乎决心把握住次题，对此给予宠爱，这里面带着一丝光明的希望。 —

I thought I perceived that Miss Lavinia would have uncommon satisfaction in superintending two young lovers, like Dora and me; —
我想我察觉到拉文尼亚小姐会极为满足地监督两个像多拉和我这样的年轻恋人； —

and that Miss Clarissa would have hardly less satisfaction in seeing her superintend us, and in chiming in with her own particular department of the subject whenever that impulse was strong upon her. —
而克拉丽莎小姐看到自己监督我们，并在她自己的特定领域内随着冲动的推动加入其中时，也会感到几乎同样的满足。 —

This gave me courage to protest most vehemently that I loved Dora better than I could tell, or anyone believe; —
这使我有了勇气，激烈地表示我爱多拉胜过我能表达的，或者任何人能相信的； —

that all my friends knew how I loved her; —
我的所有朋友都知道我有多么爱她； —

that my aunt, Agnes, Traddles, everyone who knew me, knew how I loved her, and how earnest my love had made me. —
我的姑姑、阿格尼丝、特拉德尔斯，所有了解我的人，都知道我有多么爱她，以及我的爱有多么使我认真。 —

For the truth of this, I appealed to Traddles. —
为了证实这一点，我向特拉德尔斯求证。 —

And Traddles, firing up as if he were plunging into a Parliamentary Debate, really did come out nobly: —
而特拉德尔斯一反常态地激动起来，像是投入一场议会辩论，真的非常出色地表现出来： —

confirming me in good round terms, and in a plain sensible practical manner, that evidently made a favourable impression.
以平实而实用的方式坚定地证实我，明显地留下了良好的印象。

‘I speak, if I may presume to say so, as one who has some little experience of such things,’ said Traddles, ‘being myself engaged to a young lady - one of ten, down in Devonshire - and seeing no probability, at present, of our engagement coming to a termination.’
‘我说话，如果我这样说不妄自尊大的话，是有一些这方面经验的人，’特拉德尔斯说，’因为我自己和一个年轻女士订婚了 - 住在德文郡，她是十个姐妹中的一个 - 目前看不到我们的订婚有任何可能结束的迹象。’

‘You may be able to confirm what I have said, Mr. Traddles,’ observed Miss Lavinia, evidently taking a new interest in him, ‘of the affection that is modest and retiring; —
‘您也许能证实我所说的话，特拉德尔斯先生，’拉文尼亚小姐观察到，显然对他产生了新的兴趣，’那种谦虚和内向的爱情； —

that waits and waits?’
‘等待，等待？’

‘Entirely, ma’am,’ said Traddles.
‘完全对，夫人，’特拉德尔斯说。

Miss Clarissa looked at Miss Lavinia, and shook her head gravely. —
克拉丽莎小姐看了看拉文尼亚小姐，严肃地摇了摇头。 —

Miss Lavinia looked consciously at Miss Clarissa, and heaved a little sigh. —
拉文尼亚小姐有意识地看着克拉丽莎小姐，轻轻叹了口气。 —

‘Sister Lavinia,’ said Miss Clarissa, ‘take my smelling-bottle.’
‘拉文尼亚姐妹，’克拉丽莎小姐说，’拿我的嗅瓶来吧。’

Miss Lavinia revived herself with a few whiffs of aromatic vinegar - Traddles and I looking on with great solicitude the while; —
拉文尼亚小姐用一些芬香的醋复活了一下自己 - 特拉德尔斯和我在一旁非常担心地看着； —

and then went on to say, rather faintly:
然后微弱地继续说道：

‘My sister and myself have been in great doubt, Mr. Traddles, what course we ought to take in reference to the likings, or imaginary likings, of such very young people as your friend Mr. Copperfield and our niece.’
‘特拉德尔斯先生，我们之间一直存在着一个疑问，关于我们应该采取什么样的态度，涉及到您的朋友大卫·科波菲尔德和我们侄女这些非常年轻人的好感或想象的好感。’

‘Our brother Francis’s child,’ remarked Miss Clarissa. —
‘我们弗朗西斯兄弟的孩子，’克拉丽莎小姐补充道。 —

‘If our brother Francis’s wife had found it convenient in her lifetime (though she had an unquestionable right to act as she thought best) to invite the family to her dinner-table, we might have known our brother Francis’s child better at the present moment. —
‘如果我们弗朗西斯兄弟的妻子在她有生之年找到方便的话（虽然她有绝对的权利按她认为最好的方式行事），请家人到她的餐桌上用餐，那么我们可能现在更了解我们弗朗西斯兄弟的孩子。 —

Sister Lavinia, proceed.’
拉文尼亚姐妹，继续说吧。’

Miss Lavinia turned my letter, so as to bring the superscription towards herself, and referred through her eye-glass to some orderly-looking notes she had made on that part of it.
拉文尼亚小姐将我的信翻过来，使地址朝向自己，然后通过眼镜查看了一些她在信的这部分做的整洁的笔记。

‘It seems to us,’ said she, ‘prudent, Mr. Traddles, to bring these feelings to the test of our own observation. —
‘在我们看来，’她说，’明智的，特拉德尔斯先生，将这些感情带到我们自己的观察中去验证。 —

At present we know nothing of them, and are not in a situation to judge how much reality there may be in them. —
目前我们对他们一无所知，也没有权利去判断其中可能存在的真实程度。 —

Therefore we are inclined so far to accede to Mr. Copperfield’s proposal, as to admit his visits here.’
因此我们倾向于接受柯波菲尔德先生的提议，同意他来此访问。

‘I shall never, dear ladies,’ I exclaimed, relieved of an immense load of apprehension, ‘forget your kindness!’
‘亲爱的女士们，我永远不会忘记你们的善意！’我如释重负地喊道。

‘But,’ pursued Miss Lavinia, - ‘but, we would prefer to regard those visits, Mr. Traddles, as made, at present, to us. —
‘但是，’拉文尼亚小姐接着说道，’我们更愿意将特拉德尔斯先生现在的访问视为针对我们而言的。 —

We must guard ourselves from recognizing any positive engagement between Mr. Copperfield and our niece, until we have had an opportunity -’
我们必须防范自己承认柯波菲尔德先生和我们侄女之间的任何正式订婚，直到我们有机会 -’

‘Until YOU have had an opportunity, sister Lavinia,’ said Miss Clarissa.
‘直到你有机会，拉文尼亚姐姐，’克拉丽莎小姐说道。

‘Be it so,’ assented Miss Lavinia, with a sigh - ‘until I have had an opportunity of observing them.’
‘好吧，’拉文尼亚小姐叹息着表示同意，’直到我有机会观察他们。

‘Copperfield,’ said Traddles, turning to me, ‘you feel, I am sure, that nothing could be more reasonable or considerate.’
‘柯波菲尔德，’特拉德尔斯对我说，’我相信你感觉到，再也没有比这更合理或体贴的了。

‘Nothing!’ cried I. ‘I am deeply sensible of it.’
‘没有！’我喊道，’我深感这一点。

‘In this position of affairs,’ said Miss Lavinia, again referring to her notes, ‘and admitting his visits on this understanding only, we must require from Mr. Copperfield a distinct assurance, on his word of honour, that no communication of any kind shall take place between him and our niece without our knowledge. —
‘在目前的情况下，’拉文尼亚小姐再次参考着她的笔记说，’根据这一理解允许他的访问，我们必须要求柯波菲尔德先生郑重保证，凭他的诚信，不会与我们的侄女在未经我们同意的情况下进行任何形式的交流。 —

That no project whatever shall be entertained with regard to our niece, without being first submitted to us -’ ‘To you, sister Lavinia,’ Miss Clarissa interposed.
不会有任何关于我们侄女的计划在没有首先经过我们 -’ ‘克拉丽莎小姐插话道。

‘Be it so, Clarissa!’ assented Miss Lavinia resignedly - ‘to me - and receiving our concurrence. —
‘好吧，克拉丽莎！’拉文尼亚小姐顺从地表示同意，’对我 - 并获得我们的赞同。 —

We must make this a most express and serious stipulation, not to be broken on any account. —
我们必须使这个要求清楚明确而严肃，绝对不能违背。 —

We wished Mr. Copperfield to be accompanied by some confidential friend today,’ with an inclination of her head towards Traddles, who bowed, ‘in order that there might be no doubt or misconception on this subject. —
我们希望柯波菲尔德先生今天有一个值得信赖的朋友陪同，’她向特拉德尔斯点头示意，特拉德尔斯鞠躬，’为了避免在这个问题上产生任何疑虑或误解。 —

If Mr. Copperfield, or if you, Mr. Traddles, feel the least scruple, in giving this promise, I beg you to take time to consider it.’
如果柯波菲尔德先生，或者特拉德尔斯先生，在做出这个承诺时有一丝顾虑，请你们花点时间考虑一下。

I exclaimed, in a state of high ecstatic fervour, that not a moment’s consideration could be necessary. —
我兴奋地高声说道，没有必要考虑一刻钟。 —

I bound myself by the required promise, in a most impassioned manner; —
我以最激动的方式承诺自己； —

called upon Traddles to witness it; and denounced myself as the most atrocious of characters if I ever swerved from it in the least degree.
叫上特拉德尔斯作证；并且发誓如果我在任何程度上偏离这个承诺，我会成为最可怕的人物。

‘Stay!’ said Miss Lavinia, holding up her hand; —
“等等！”拉文尼娅小姐举手停下； —

‘we resolved, before we had the pleasure of receiving you two gentlemen, to leave you alone for a quarter of an hour, to consider this point. —
“我们在见到你们两位先生之前，已经决定让你们独处一刻钟，考虑这一点。 —

You will allow us to retire.’
你们请退下吧。”

It was in vain for me to say that no consideration was necessary. —
我说不需要任何考虑都是徒劳。 —

They persisted in withdrawing for the specified time. —
他们坚持要按规定的时间撤退。 —

Accordingly, these little birds hopped out with great dignity; —
于是，这两只小鸟非常庄重地跳跃着出去； —

leaving me to receive the congratulations of Traddles, and to feel as if I were translated to regions of exquisite happiness. —
把我留下来接受特拉德尔斯的祝贺，感觉自己仿佛被带到了极度幸福的境地。 —

Exactly at the expiration of the quarter of an hour, they reappeared with no less dignity than they had disappeared. —
正好在一刻钟到期时，他们以跟消失时一样的庄严再次露面。 —

They had gone rustling away as if their little dresses were made of autumn-leaves: —
他们离开时像衣服是秋叶做的一样沙沙作响： —

and they came rustling back, in like manner.
而他们回来时也同样沙沙作响。

I then bound myself once more to the prescribed conditions.
于是我再次遵守了规定条件。

‘Sister Clarissa,’ said Miss Lavinia, ‘the rest is with you.’
“克拉丽莎姐妹，”拉文尼娅小姐说，“剩下的就看你了。”

Miss Clarissa, unfolding her arms for the first time, took the notes and glanced at them.
克拉丽莎小姐第一次展开双臂，接过那些笔记，瞥了一眼。

‘We shall be happy,’ said Miss Clarissa, ‘to see Mr. Copperfield to dinner, every Sunday, if it should suit his convenience. —
“如果他方便的话，我们会很高兴每周日邀请柯波菲尔德先生来用餐的。”克拉丽莎小姐说道。 —

Our hour is three.’
“我们用餐时间是三点。”

I bowed.
我鞠了一躬。

‘In the course of the week,’ said Miss Clarissa, ‘we shall be happy to see Mr. Copperfield to tea. —
“这周里我们会很高兴邀请柯波菲尔德先生来喝下午茶。”克拉丽莎小姐说道。 —

Our hour is half-past six.’
“我们喝下午茶时间是六点半。”

I bowed again.
我再次鞠躬。

‘Twice in the week,’ said Miss Clarissa, ‘but, as a rule, not oftener.’
“一周两次，”克拉丽莎小姐说，“但通常不会更频繁。”

I bowed again.
我再次鞠躬。

‘Miss Trotwood,’ said Miss Clarissa, ‘mentioned in Mr. Copperfield’s letter, will perhaps call upon us. —
“特洛特伍德小姐，”克拉丽莎小姐说，“在柯波菲尔先生的信中提到，也许会来拜访我们。” —

When visiting is better for the happiness of all parties, we are glad to receive visits, and return them. —
当拜访对所有人的幸福都更好时，我们很高兴接受拜访并回访。 —

When it is better for the happiness of all parties that no visiting should take place, (as in the case of our brother Francis, and his establishment) that is quite different.’
当对所有人的幸福更好不进行拜访时（比如我们弗朗西斯兄弟及他的家庭），情况就完全不同。

I intimated that my aunt would be proud and delighted to make their acquaintance; —
我示意我姨母会为认识她们感到自豪和高兴； —

though I must say I was not quite sure of their getting on very satisfactorily together. —
虽然我必须说我不太确定她们会相处得非常圆满。 —

The conditions being now closed, I expressed my acknowledgements in the warmest manner; —
现在条件已经敲定，我以最热烈的方式表示感谢； —

and, taking the hand, first of Miss Clarissa, and then of Miss Lavinia, pressed it, in each case, to my lips.
然后，先是克拉丽莎小姐，接着是拉维尼亚小姐，我分别握了握她们的手，然后亲吻了一下。

Miss Lavinia then arose, and begging Mr. Traddles to excuse us for a minute, requested me to follow her. —
然后拉维尼亚小姐站起来，请求特拉德尔先生稍等一下，让我跟着她。 —

I obeyed, all in a tremble, and was conducted into another room. —
我战战兢兢地遵命，被引到另一间房间。 —

There I found my blessed darling stopping her ears behind the door, with her dear little face against the wall; —
在那里，我发现我可爱的宝贝在门后捂住耳朵，亲爱的小脸贴在墙上； —

and Jip in the plate-warmer with his head tied up in a towel.
而吉普则被套在毛巾里头在热盘中。

Oh! How beautiful she was in her black frock, and how she sobbed and cried at first, and wouldn’t come out from behind the door! —
哦！她穿着黑色连衣裙是多么美丽，一开始她是多么的抽泣和哭泣，不肯从门后出来！ —

How fond we were of one another, when she did come out at last; —
当她最终走出来时，我们是多么地相亲相爱。 —

and what a state of bliss I was in, when we took Jip out of the plate-warmer, and restored him to the light, sneezing very much, and were all three reunited!
我们将吉普从热盘中拿出来，让他重见天日时，我是多么幸福啊，他打了好多喷嚏，我们三人终于团聚了！

‘My dearest Dora! Now, indeed, my own for ever!’
‘我最亲爱的朵拉！现在，我永远属于你！’

‘Oh, DON’T!’ pleaded Dora. ‘Please!’
‘哦，拜托！’朵拉求道。’拜托！’

‘Are you not my own for ever, Dora?’
‘朵拉，你难道不是我的永远吗？’

‘Oh yes, of course I am!’ cried Dora, ‘but I am so frightened!’
‘噢，是的，我当然是！’朵拉喊道，’可是我好害怕！’

‘Frightened, my own?’
‘害怕，我的爱人？’

‘Oh yes! I don’t like him,’ said Dora. ‘Why don’t he go?’
‘噢，是的！我不喜欢他，’朵拉说，’他为什么不走？’

‘Who, my life?’
‘谁，我的心肝？’

‘Your friend,’ said Dora. ‘It isn’t any business of his. What a stupid he must be!’
‘你的朋友，’朵拉说，’他根本不需要操心。他一定是个蠢蛋！’

‘My love!’ (There never was anything so coaxing as her childish ways.) ‘He is the best creature!’
‘亲爱的！’（她的孩子气展现得无比撒娇）’他是最好的人！’

‘Oh, but we don’t want any best creatures!’ pouted Dora.
‘哦，但我们不需要任何最好的人！’朵拉噘着嘴说。

‘My dear,’ I argued, ‘you will soon know him well, and like him of all things. —
‘亲爱的，’我辩解道，’你很快就会深度了解他，而且会非常喜欢他的。 —

And here is my aunt coming soon; and you’ll like her of all things too, when you know her.’
‘而且我阿姨马上就要来了；当你认识了她之后，你也会非常喜欢她的。’

‘No, please don’t bring her!’ said Dora, giving me a horrified little kiss, and folding her hands. —
‘不要，请不要带她来！’朵拉说，给了我一个恐惧的小吻，双手合十。 —

‘Don’t. I know she’s a naughty, mischief-making old thing! —
‘不要。我知道她是一个淘气、惹麻烦的老东西！’ —

Don’t let her come here, Doady!’ which was a corruption of David.
“爸爸，不要让她来这里！” 是对David的简化。

Remonstrance was of no use, then; so I laughed, and admired, and was very much in love and very happy; —
抗议是没有用的，所以我笑了，欣赏了，非常地爱她，非常地快乐； —

and she showed me Jip’s new trick of standing on his hind legs in a corner - which he did for about the space of a flash of lightning, and then fell down - and I don’t know how long I should have stayed there, oblivious of Traddles, if Miss Lavinia had not come in to take me away. —
她向我展示了Jip站在角落里的新把戏 - 他这样做了大约一闪电的时间，然后摔倒了 - 如果不是拉文尼亚小姐进来把我带走，我不知道我还会在那里待多久。 —

Miss Lavinia was very fond of Dora (she told me Dora was exactly like what she had been herself at her age - she must have altered a good deal), and she treated Dora just as if she had been a toy. —
拉文尼亚小姐非常喜欢朵拉（她告诉我说，朵拉和她在同龄时一模一样 - 她肯定已经变了很多），她对待朵拉就像对待一个玩具一样。 —

I wanted to persuade Dora to come and see Traddles, but on my proposing it she ran off to her own room and locked herself in; —
我想说服朵拉来看一看特拉德尔斯，但当我提议时，她跑进了自己的房间，把自己反锁起来； —

so I went to Traddles without her, and walked away with him on air.
所以我没有带着她去特拉德尔斯那里，我和他一起飞般地走开了。

‘Nothing could be more satisfactory,’ said Traddles; —
“没有什么比这更令人满意的了，” 特拉德尔斯说； —

‘and they are very agreeable old ladies, I am sure. —
“她们是非常愉快的老太太，我相信。 —

I shouldn’t be at all surprised if you were to be married years before me, Copperfield.’
如果你在我之前结婚几年，考伯菲尔德，我一点也不会感到惊讶。”

‘Does your Sophy play on any instrument, Traddles?’ I inquired, in the pride of my heart.
“索菲会弹什么乐器吗，特拉德尔斯？” 我心中充满了自豪。

‘She knows enough of the piano to teach it to her little sisters,’ said Traddles.
“她了解足够的钢琴知识，可以教给她的妹妹们，” 特拉德尔斯说。

‘Does she sing at all?’ I asked.
“她有唱歌吗？” 我问道。

‘Why, she sings ballads, sometimes, to freshen up the others a little when they’re out of spirits,’ said Traddles. —
“为了让其他人心情愉快，她有时会唱一些歌谣，” 特拉德尔斯说。 —

‘Nothing scientific.’
“什么都不科学。”

‘She doesn’t sing to the guitar?’ said I.
“她会弹吉他唱歌吗？” 我说。

‘Oh dear no!’ said Traddles.
“哦，亲爱的，不是的！”特拉德尔斯说。

‘Paint at all?’
“一点画？”

‘Not at all,’ said Traddles.
“一点也不。”特拉德尔斯说。

I promised Traddles that he should hear Dora sing, and see some of her flower-painting. —
我答应特拉德尔斯让他听多拉唱歌，看看她的花画。 —

He said he should like it very much, and we went home arm in arm in great good humour and delight. —
他说他会非常喜欢，我们脚踏实地并肩回家，心情愉快无比。 —

I encouraged him to talk about Sophy, on the way; —
在回家的路上，我鼓励他谈论索菲； —

which he did with a loving reliance on her that I very much admired. —
他对她充满了深深的信赖，这让我非常钦佩。 —

I compared her in my mind with Dora, with considerable inward satisfaction; —
我心里拿多拉和索菲做比较，感到相当满意； —

but I candidly admitted to myself that she seemed to be an excellent kind of girl for Traddles, too.
但我坦率地承认，她似乎也是特拉德尔斯这样的好姑娘。

Of course my aunt was immediately made acquainted with the successful issue of the conference, and with all that had been said and done in the course of it. —
当然，我阿姨立即得知了会谈的成功结果，以及其中所说所做的一切。 —

She was happy to see me so happy, and promised to call on Dora’s aunts without loss of time. —
她看到我如此幸福，感到开心，并承诺立即去拜访多拉的姨妈们。 —

But she took such a long walk up and down our rooms that night, while I was writing to Agnes, that I began to think she meant to walk till morning.
但那晚她在我写信给艾格尼丝的时候，走了很长一段时间，我开始觉得她打算走到天亮。

My letter to Agnes was a fervent and grateful one, narrating all the good effects that had resulted from my following her advice. —
我写给艾格尼丝的信是一封热情而感激的信，叙述了我遵循她建议所带来的一切好处。 —

She wrote, by return of post, to me. Her letter was hopeful, earnest, and cheerful. —
她马上回信给我。她的信充满了希望、认真和欢乐。 —

She was always cheerful from that time.
从那时起，她总是很欢快。

I had my hands more full than ever, now. My daily journeys to Highgate considered, Putney was a long way off; —
我现在比以往任何时候都更忙。考虑到我每天去海格特的旅程，普特尼相距甚远; —

and I naturally wanted to go there as often as I could. —
我自然希望尽可能经常去那里。 —

The proposed tea-drinkings being quite impracticable, I compounded with Miss Lavinia for permission to visit every Saturday afternoon, without detriment to my privileged Sundays. —
由于提议的喝茶活动很难实现，我与拉文尼娅小姐达成协议，每周六下午访问一次，而不会损害我特权的周日。 —

So, the close of every week was a delicious time for me; —
因此，每周末对我来说是愉快的时光; —

and I got through the rest of the week by looking forward to it.
我通过期待周末来度过剩下的日子。

I was wonderfully relieved to find that my aunt and Dora’s aunts rubbed on, all things considered, much more smoothly than I could have expected. —
令我惊喜的是，考虑到各种情况，我发现我的姨母和多拉的阿姨们相处得比我预料的要顺利得多。 —

My aunt made her promised visit within a few days of the conference; —
我姨妈在交流几天后兑现了她的许诺; —

and within a few more days, Dora’s aunts called upon her, in due state and form. —
几天后，多拉的阿姨们以正式且庄严的形式拜访了她。 —

Similar but more friendly exchanges took place afterwards, usually at intervals of three or four weeks. —
之后会友之类的类似但更友好的交流经常进行，通常是每三四个星期。 —

I know that my aunt distressed Dora’s aunts very much, by utterly setting at naught the dignity of fly-conveyance, and walking out to Putney at extraordinary times, as shortly after breakfast or just before tea; —
我知道，我姨妈完全无视坐轿车的尊严，以及在非寻常的时刻前往普特尼，比如早饭后不久或茶前，因此令多拉的阿姨们很不安; —

likewise by wearing her bonnet in any manner that happened to be comfortable to her head, without at all deferring to the prejudices of civilization on that subject. —
也因为在头上戴着她认为舒适的帽子，完全不考虑文明社会对此问题的偏见。 —

But Dora’s aunts soon agreed to regard my aunt as an eccentric and somewhat masculine lady, with a strong understanding; —
但多拉的阿姨们很快同意把我的姨母视为一个有着强大见解的古怪而略带男性气质的女士; —

and although my aunt occasionally ruffled the feathers of Dora’s aunts, by expressing heretical opinions on various points of ceremony, she loved me too well not to sacrifice some of her little peculiarities to the general harmony.
尽管我姨妈偶尔会因对各种礼仪观点表达异议而激怒多拉的阿姨们，但她太爱我，以至于不得不牺牲一些她的小特点以保持整体和谐。

The only member of our small society who positively refused to adapt himself to circumstances, was Jip. He never saw my aunt without immediately displaying every tooth in his head, retiring under a chair, and growling incessantly: —
我们小团体中唯一坚决不适应情况的成员是吉普。他见到我姨母时立刻展露出他头上的每颗牙齿，缩进椅子下，不停地咆哮: —

with now and then a doleful howl, as if she really were too much for his feelings. —
偶尔还会发出凄惨的嚎叫，仿佛她确实让他感到太过了。 —

All kinds of treatment were tried with him, coaxing, scolding, slapping, bringing him to Buckingham Street (where he instantly dashed at the two cats, to the terror of all beholders); —
所有的治疗方式都尝试过了，劝说、责骂、拍打，甚至把他带到了白金汉街（他立刻冲向两只猫，引起所有人的恐慌）； —

but he never could prevail upon himself to bear my aunt’s society. —
但他从未能使自己忍受我姨母的陪伴。 —

He would sometimes think he had got the better of his objection, and be amiable for a few minutes; —
有时他会认为自己已经克服了这一反感，变得和蔼几分钟； —

and then would put up his snub nose, and howl to that extent, that there was nothing for it but to blind him and put him in the plate-warmer. —
然后又竖起他的扁鼻子，嚎叫到极点，除了蒙住他的眼睛并把他锁进板热器，别无他法。 —

At length, Dora regularly muffled him in a towel and shut him up there, whenever my aunt was reported at the door.
最后，多拉会定期用毛巾把他包裹起来，把他锁在那里，每当有人报告我姨母到了门口。

One thing troubled me much, after we had fallen into this quiet train. —
当我们陷入这种宁静时，有一件事困扰了我。 —

It was, that Dora seemed by one consent to be regarded like a pretty toy or plaything. —
那就是，多拉看起来似乎一致被当作一件漂亮的玩具或玩物对待。 —

My aunt, with whom she gradually became familiar, always called her Little Blossom; —
我姨母慢慢对她起了亲昵的称呼——小花朵； —

and the pleasure of Miss Lavinia’s life was to wait upon her, curl her hair, make ornaments for her, and treat her like a pet child. —
拉文尼亚小姐生活的乐趣就是侍奉她，给她的头发梳理，为她做饰物，像宠物一样对待她。 —

What Miss Lavinia did, her sister did as a matter of course. It was very odd to me; —
拉文尼亚小姐所做的事，她姐姐理所当然地也会做。对我来说这很奇怪； —

but they all seemed to treat Dora, in her degree, much as Dora treated Jip in his.
但他们都似乎以各自的方式对待多拉，就像多拉对待吉普一样。

I made up my mind to speak to Dora about this; —
我决定找多拉谈谈这个问题； —

and one day when we were out walking (for we were licensed by Miss Lavinia, after a while, to go out walking by ourselves), I said to her that I wished she could get them to behave towards her differently.
有一天我们出去散步（因为拉文尼亚小姐后来允许我们自己出去散步），我对她说，希望她能让他们以不同的方式对待她。

‘Because you know, my darling,’ I remonstrated, ‘you are not a child.’
“因为你知道的，亲爱的，”我劝告说，“你不是个孩子。”

‘There!’ said Dora. ‘Now you’re going to be cross!’
“哈！”多拉说，“现在你要生气了！”

‘Cross, my love?’
‘克劳斯，我的爱？’

‘I am sure they’re very kind to me,’ said Dora, ‘and I am very happy -’
‘我相信他们对我很好，’朵拉说，’我很幸福 -’

‘Well! But my dearest life!’ said I, ‘you might be very happy, and yet be treated rationally.’
‘唔！但我最亲爱的生命！’我说，’你可能很幸福，但也可能被理性对待。’

Dora gave me a reproachful look - the prettiest look! —
朵拉朝我投来一种责备的眼神 - 最可爱的眼神！ —

• and then began to sob, saying, if I didn’t like her, why had I ever wanted so much to be engaged to her? —
  - 然后开始抽泣，说，如果我不喜欢她，为什么当初那么想订婚？ —
  

And why didn’t I go away, now, if I couldn’t bear her?
如果我无法忍受她，那我为什么不走？

What could I do, but kiss away her tears, and tell her how I doted on her, after that!
除了亲吻她的眼泪并告诉她我是多么爱她，我能做些什么呢？

‘I am sure I am very affectionate,’ said Dora; ‘you oughtn’t to be cruel to me, Doady!’
‘我确实是非常情深意重的，’朵拉说；’你不应该对我这么残忍，道迪！’

‘Cruel, my precious love! As if I would - or could - be cruel to you, for the world!’
‘残忍，我珍爱的人！早知我会 - 或者能够 - 对你残忍！’

‘Then don’t find fault with me,’ said Dora, making a rosebud of her mouth; ‘and I’ll be good.’
‘那就不要指责我，’朵拉说，嘴唇像玫瑰花蕾一样；’我会乖的。’

I was charmed by her presently asking me, of her own accord, to give her that cookery-book I had once spoken of, and to show her how to keep accounts as I had once promised I would. —
她突然自愿问我拿那本烹饪书给她，还要我像以前承诺过的那样教她记账。 —

I brought the volume with me on my next visit (I got it prettily bound, first, to make it look less dry and more inviting); —
我带着这本书在下次拜访时带来了（我先把它装订得漂亮些，使其看起来不那么枯燥而更有吸引力）； —

and as we strolled about the Common, I showed her an old housekeeping-book of my aunt’s, and gave her a set of tablets, and a pretty little pencil-case and box of leads, to practise housekeeping with.
在我们在公地漫步时，我给她看了我姑姑的一本旧家庭帐簿，还给她一套写字板和一个漂亮的小铅笔盒和铅笔，让她练习家务。

But the cookery-book made Dora’s head ache, and the figures made her cry. —
但烹饪书让朵拉的头疼，数字让她哭了。 —

They wouldn’t add up, she said. So she rubbed them out, and drew little nosegays and likenesses of me and Jip, all over the tablets.
她说它们加不起来。于是她擦掉了它们，在写字板上画小花束，以及我和吉普的像。

Then I playfully tried verbal instruction in domestic matters, as we walked about on a Saturday afternoon. —
然后，在一个星期六下午散步时，我开始 playful 地试着给她一些家务方面的口头指导。 —

Sometimes, for example, when we passed a butcher’s shop, I would say:
有时，例如，我们经过肉店时，我会说：

‘Now suppose, my pet, that we were married, and you were going to buy a shoulder of mutton for dinner, would you know how to buy it?’
“现在假设，亲爱的，我们结婚了，你要买一块羊肩肉做晚餐，你会知道怎么挑选吗？”

My pretty little Dora’s face would fall, and she would make her mouth into a bud again, as if she would very much prefer to shut mine with a kiss.
我漂亮的小 Dora 的脸色会沮丧，她又会噘起嘴来，仿佛很想用一个吻把我的嘴堵住。

‘Would you know how to buy it, my darling?’ I would repeat, perhaps, if I were very inflexible.
“你会知道怎么选吗，亲爱的？” 如果我很坚决地重复。

Dora would think a little, and then reply, perhaps, with great triumph:
Dora 会想一下，然后可能得意地回答：

‘Why, the butcher would know how to sell it, and what need I know? Oh, you silly boy!’
“哦，肉店老板会知道怎么卖，我需要知道什么呢？噢，你这个傻小子！”

So, when I once asked Dora, with an eye to the cookery-book, what she would do, if we were married, and I were to say I should like a nice Irish stew, she replied that she would tell the servant to make it; —
所以，当我问 Dora，想着烹饪书，如果我们结婚了，我说我想吃一份美味的爱尔兰炖羊肉，她回答说她会告诉女佣做； —

and then clapped her little hands together across my arm, and laughed in such a charming manner that she was more delightful than ever.
然后她会在我的手臂上交叉她的小小手，用一种迷人的方式笑得那么开心，她比以往任何时候都更迷人。

Consequently, the principal use to which the cookery-book was devoted, was being put down in the corner for Jip to stand upon. —
因此，这本烹饪书最主要的用途，就是放在角落让 Jip 站上去。 —

But Dora was so pleased, when she had trained him to stand upon it without offering to come off, and at the same time to hold the pencil-case in his mouth, that I was very glad I had bought it.
但 Dora 很高兴，当她训练他能够在上面站立而不下来，并同时用嘴拿着铅笔盒，我很高兴我买了这本书。

And we fell back on the guitar-case, and the flower-painting, and the songs about never leaving off dancing, Ta ra la! —
我们回到吉他盒，花卉绘画，还有一些关于永不停止跳舞的歌曲，啦啦！ —

and were as happy as the week was long. I occasionally wished I could venture to hint to Miss Lavinia, that she treated the darling of my heart a little too much like a plaything; —
偶尔我希望能够暗示 Lavinia 小姐，她对我心爱的宝贝有点像玩具一样； —

and I sometimes awoke, as it were, wondering to find that I had fallen into the general fault, and treated her like a plaything too - but not often.
有时我像是醒来，发现自己犯了全体的错，也把她当作了一个玩具 - 但并不经常。