For several subsequent days I saw little of Mr. Rochester. —
几天来，我很少见到罗切斯特先生。 —

In the mornings he seemed much engaged with business, and, in the afternoon, gentlemen from Millcote or the neighbourhood called, and sometimes stayed to dine with him. —
在早上，他似乎很忙于工作，而下午，从米尔科特或邻近地区的绅士们会来拜访，有时还会留下来与他共进晚餐。 —

When his sprain was well enough to admit of horse exercise, he rode out a good deal; —
当他的扭伤好得足以骑马时，他经常出去骑行。 —

probably to return these visits, as he generally did not come back till late at night.
可能是为了回访，因为他通常到深夜才回来。

During this interval, even Adèle was seldom sent for to his presence, and all my acquaintance with him was confined to an occasional rencontre in the hall, on the stairs, or in the gallery, when he would sometimes pass me haughtily and coldly, just acknowledging my presence by a distant nod or a cool glance, and sometimes bow and smile with gentlemanlike affability. —
在这段时间里，甚至阿黛勒也很少被派去见他，我对他的了解只限于偶尔在大厅、楼梯或画廊遇到他的时候。他有时会高傲冷漠地经过我，只用遥远的点头或冷漠的眼神承认我的存在，有时会礼貌地鞠躬微笑。 —

His changes of mood did not offend me, because I saw that I had nothing to do with their alternation; —
他的情绪变化并不冒犯我，因为我看到这与我无关；起伏是与我毫无关联的原因造成的。 —

the ebb and flow depended on causes quite disconnected with me.
这段时间里他的变化并不冒犯我，因为我看到潮起潮落取决于与我无关的原因。

One day he had had company to dinner, and had sent for my portfolio; —
有一天，他请人来吃饭，并让人拿来我的作品集； —

in order, doubtless, to exhibit its contents: —
无疑是为了展示其中的内容； —

the gentlemen went away early, to attend a public meeting at Millcote, as Mrs. Fairfax informed me; —
费尔法克斯夫人告诉我说，先生们很早就走了，去参加一个在米尔科特举行的公共会议； —

but the night being wet and inclement, Mr. Rochester did not accompany them. —
但因为当晚下雨且天气恶劣，罗切斯特先生没有陪同他们一起去； —

Soon after they were gone he rang the bell: a message came that I and Adèle were to go downstairs. —
他们一走，他就按了门铃，然后传来一条消息，说我和阿黛勒要下楼去； —

I brushed Adèle’s hair and made her neat, and having ascertained that I was myself in my usual Quaker trim, where there was nothing to retouch—all being too close and plain, braided locks included, to admit of disarrangement—we descended, Adèle wondering whether the petit coffre was at length come; —
我给阿黛勒梳理了头发，让她整洁了起来，还确认自己是否以我通常的宗教派别打扮，因为一切都太整齐和朴素了，连扎好的发辫也不容许松散；我们下楼了，阿黛勒好奇地想着小箱子是否终于到了，因为以前因为一些失误一直耽误了它的到来。她很高兴：它就摆在我们走进餐厅时的桌子上； —

for, owing to some mistake, its arrival had hitherto been delayed. She was gratified: —
她似乎凭直觉就知道了； —

there it stood, a little carton, on the table when we entered the dining-room. —
“我的盒子！我的盒子！”她喊着跑向它； —

She appeared to know it by instinct.
她似乎是本能地认识到了它；

“Ma boite! ma boite!” exclaimed she, running towards it.
“Ma boite! ma boite!”她喊着跑向它。

“Yes, there is your ‘boite’ at last: —
“是的，终于有你的“盒子”了，”来自火炉边巨大的扶手椅深处的罗切斯特先生发出了低沉而略显嘲讽的声音。 —

take it into a corner, you genuine daughter of Paris, and amuse yourself with disembowelling it,” said the deep and rather sarcastic voice of Mr. Rochester, proceeding from the depths of an immense easy-chair at the fireside. —
“拿它到一边去吧，你这个地地道道的巴黎女儿，尽情享受解剖它的乐趣吧。” —

“And mind,” he continued, “don’t bother me with any details of the anatomical process, or any notice of the condition of the entrails: —
“并且注意，”他继续说，“别用任何解剖过程的细节或者内脏的情况来打扰我。 —

let your operation be conducted in silence: —
保持安静进行操作。 —

tiens-toi tranquille, enfant; comprends-tu?”
静静地待着，孩子，明白吗？”

Adèle seemed scarcely to need the warning; —
阿黛尔似乎并不需要这个提醒； —

she had already retired to a sofa with her treasure, and was busy untying the cord which secured the lid. —
她已经带着她的宝藏退到了沙发上，正忙着松开固定盒子盖子的线。 —

Having removed this impediment, and lifted certain silvery envelopes of tissue paper, she merely exclaimed—
解决了这个障碍，撩开了某些银色的纸绢封套之后，她只是惊叹道：

“Oh ciel! Que c’est beau!” and then remained absorbed in ecstatic contemplation.
“哦，天啊！太漂亮了！”然后陷入了狂喜的沉思。

“Is Miss Eyre there?” now demanded the master, half rising from his seat to look round to the door, near which I still stood.
“爱尔小姐在吗？”主人现在半站起身，扭头向门口看去，门口我还站着。

“Ah! well, come forward; be seated here.” He drew a chair near his own. —
“啊！好吧，过来坐下。”他把一把椅子放在自己旁边。 —

“I am not fond of the prattle of children,” he continued; —
“我不喜欢孩子们的闲聊，”他继续说道； —

“for, old bachelor as I am, I have no pleasant associations connected with their lisp. —
“因为我是个老光棍，对他们的婉转语言没有什么愉快的回忆。 —

It would be intolerable to me to pass a whole evening tête-à-tête with a brat. —
与一个小孩独处一个晚上是我无法忍受的。 —

Don’t draw that chair farther off, Miss Eyre; —
不要把椅子拉得更远，爱尔以琳小姐； —

sit down exactly where I placed it—if you please, that is. Confound these civilities! —
就坐在我放置的位置上，请赐予你的允许，谢谢。讨厌这些礼节！ —

I continually forget them. Nor do I particularly affect simple-minded old ladies. —
我经常忘记这些。我也不是特别喜欢简单-minded的老太太。 —

By-the-bye, I must have mine in mind; it won’t do to neglect her; —
顺便说一句，我必须记住我的。不可以忽视她； —

she is a Fairfax, or wed to one; and blood is said to be thicker than water.”
她是个费尔法克斯，或者已经嫁给了一个费尔法克斯；血液常言道水更浓。”

He rang, and despatched an invitation to Mrs. Fairfax, who soon arrived, knitting-basket in hand.
他按响了铃，派人邀请费尔法克斯夫人，她很快带着织篮来了。

“Good evening, madam; I sent to you for a charitable purpose. —
“晚上好，夫人；我找你是出于慈善目的。 —

I have forbidden Adèle to talk to me about her presents, and she is bursting with repletion; —
我已经禁止Adèle和我谈论她的礼物，而她又因饱食而快要爆炸了； —

have the goodness to serve her as auditress and interlocutrice; —
请善待她，充当她的审计员和对话者； —

it will be one of the most benevolent acts you ever performed.”
这将是你所做过的最仁慈的行为之一。

Adèle, indeed, no sooner saw Mrs. Fairfax, than she summoned her to her sofa, and there quickly filled her lap with the porcelain, the ivory, the waxen contents of her “boite; —
当阿黛勒看到费尔法克斯夫人时，她立即叫她坐到沙发上，迅速地向她的膝上倒出了她手袋里的瓷器、象牙制品和蜡制品，同时用她自己掌握的有限的英语解释和赞叹着。 —

” pouring out, meantime, explanations and raptures in such broken English as she was mistress of.
“现在我已经尽到了一个好东道主的责任，”罗切斯特继续说道，“让我的客人互相娱乐起来，我可以自由地享受自己的乐趣了。”

“Now I have performed the part of a good host,” pursued Mr. Rochester, “put my guests into the way of amusing each other, I ought to be at liberty to attend to my own pleasure. —
爱德华·罗切斯特先生这样说道：“爱德华，再往前移一点位置，你坐得离后面还太远了。我在这把舒适的椅子上看不见你，这样我就会扰乱我的姿势，而我可不想这样。” —

Miss Eyre, draw your chair still a little farther forward: you are yet too far back; —
我按照他的吩咐做了，尽管我更愿意稍微保持在阴影中； —

I cannot see you without disturbing my position in this comfortable chair, which I have no mind to do.”
但是罗切斯特先生的命令总是那么直接，迅速服从似乎是理所当然的。

I did as I was bid, though I would much rather have remained somewhat in the shade; —
我做了他说的，尽管我更愿意稍微保持在阴影中； —

but Mr. Rochester had such a direct way of giving orders, it seemed a matter of course to obey him promptly.
但是罗切斯特先生总是直接下令，我只好迅速地服从他。

We were, as I have said, in the dining-room: —
我们就像我之前所说的那样，身处在餐厅里: —

the lustre, which had been lit for dinner, filled the room with a festal breadth of light; —
吊灯亮着，让整个房间充满了节日般的光芒； —

the large fire was all red and clear; the purple curtains hung rich and ample before the lofty window and loftier arch; —
大火明亮而红艳；紫色的帘子悬挂在高高的窗户和更高的拱顶前面； —

everything was still, save the subdued chat of Adèle (she dared not speak loud), and, filling up each pause, the beating of winter rain against the panes.
一切都静悄悄的，除了阿黛勒低声的交谈声，填补着每一个间歇，是冬雨敲打着窗户的声音。

Mr. Rochester, as he sat in his damask-covered chair, looked different to what I had seen him look before; —
罗切斯特先生坐在那层叠着丝绸罩子的椅子上，看上去与我之前见到的他不同； —

not quite so stern—much less gloomy. There was a smile on his lips, and his eyes sparkled, whether with wine or not, I am not sure; —
没有那么严厉，也没有那么阴郁。他的嘴角挂着微笑，眼睛闪闪发亮，不确定是因为酒还是其他原因； —

but I think it very probable. He was, in short, in his after-dinner mood; —
但我认为很有可能是因为酒。简而言之，他处于用餐后的情绪中； —

more expanded and genial, and also more self-indulgent than the frigid and rigid temper of the morning; —
更加开放和亲切，也更加放纵，不再像早上那样冷漠和刻板。 —

still he looked preciously grim, cushioning his massive head against the swelling back of his chair, and receiving the light of the fire on his granite-hewn features, and in his great, dark eyes; —
然而，他依然显得严肃庄重，将沉重的头颅靠在椅背上，火光照射在他那镌刻在花岗石般面容上的特征和他那一双深邃的眼眸中。 —

for he had great, dark eyes, and very fine eyes, too—not without a certain change in their depths sometimes, which, if it was not softness, reminded you, at least, of that feeling.
因为他有着一双大而深邃的眼睛，非常优美，尽管有时会在深处略微变幻，如果不是柔和，至少也会让你想起那种感觉。

He had been looking two minutes at the fire, and I had been looking the same length of time at him, when, turning suddenly, he caught my gaze fastened on his physiognomy.
他盯着火已经两分钟了，而我也同样长时间地盯着他，突然他转身，发现我的目光停在了他的面容上。

“You examine me, Miss Eyre,” said he: “do you think me handsome?”
“你在审视我，爱尔。”他说道：“你觉得我帅吗？”

I should, if I had deliberated, have replied to this question by something conventionally vague and polite; —
如果我经过深思熟虑，也许会用一些常规的模糊客套话来回答这个问题； —

but the answer somehow slipped from my tongue before I was aware—“No, sir.”
然而，答案不知怎地已经不经意地从我口中滑出——“不，先生。”

“Ah! By my word! there is something singular about you,” said he: —
“啊！我的天！你的一些地方很奇特。”他说道： —

“you have the air of a little nonnette; —
“你给人一种小修女的感觉； —

quaint, quiet, grave, and simple, as you sit with your hands before you, and your eyes generally bent on the carpet (except, by-the-bye, when they are directed piercingly to my face; —
你坐在那里，双手摆在身前，目光通常落在地毯上（顺便提一下，除非你穿透地看着我的脸，就像刚才一样）。 —

as just now, for instance); and when one asks you a question, or makes a remark to which you are obliged to reply, you rap out a round rejoinder, which, if not blunt, is at least brusque. —
你温文尔雅、安静、严肃、朴实，当有人问你问题或发表一句你必须回答的评论时，你会急急忙忙地作出一个简明扼要的回答。 —

What do you mean by it?”
你这是什么意思？

“Sir, I was too plain; I beg your pardon. —
先生，我表达得太直接了，请原谅。 —

I ought to have replied that it was not easy to give an impromptu answer to a question about appearances; —
我应该回答说，对于一个关于外貌的问题很难给出即兴回答；大家对审美品味大不相同；而且美貌并不重要之类的话。 —

that tastes mostly differ; and that beauty is of little consequence, or something of that sort.”
你本不应该回答那样的话。美貌不重要，真是荒谬！

“You ought to have replied no such thing. Beauty of little consequence, indeed! —
确实，果然不应说出那样的话来。美貌并不重要！ —

And so, under pretence of softening the previous outrage, of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear! —
因此，假借软化先前的暴行，抚弄我，使我平静下来，你把一把狡猾的小刀插在我的耳朵下！ —

Go on: what fault do you find with me, pray? —
继续吧：请告诉我你找我的错在哪里？ —

I suppose I have all my limbs and all my features like any other man?”
我想我长得和其他人一样，四肢完整，五官齐全，对吗？

“Mr. Rochester, allow me to disown my first answer: —
罗切斯特先生，请允许我否认我第一个回答： —

I intended no pointed repartee: it was only a blunder.”
我没有意图进行尖锐的回应，那只是一个错误。

“Just so: I think so: and you shall be answerable for it. —
就这样：我认为是这样的：你必须为此负责。 —

Criticise me: does my forehead not please you?”
批评我吧：难道我的前额不讨你喜欢吗？

He lifted up the sable waves of hair which lay horizontally over his brow, and showed a solid enough mass of intellectual organs, but an abrupt deficiency where the suave sign of benevolence should have risen.
他掀起横在眉间的黑色浪漫，露出一团足够坚实的智力器官，但在善意的愉悦信号应该出现的地方却有一个突然的不足。

“Now, ma’am, am I a fool?”
现在，夫人，我是个傻瓜吗？

“Far from it, sir. You would, perhaps, think me rude if I inquired in return whether you are a philanthropist?”
远非如此，先生。或许，如果我问你是否是一个博爱主义者，你会觉得我粗鲁？

“There again! Another stick of the penknife, when she pretended to pat my head: —
又来了！当她假装拍拍我的头时，又一次戳我一下！ —

and that is because I said I did not like the society of children and old women (low be it spoken! —
这是因为我说我不喜欢儿童和老妇人的社交圈。虽然低声说！ —

). No, young lady, I am not a general philanthropist; but I bear a conscience; —
不，小姐，我并不是一个真正的慈善家；但我有一颗良心。 —

” and he pointed to the prominences which are said to indicate that faculty, and which, fortunately for him, were sufficiently conspicuous; —
他指着据说能显示出那种才能的突起，这些突起对他来说足够显眼。 —

giving, indeed, a marked breadth to the upper part of his head: —
事实上，这些突起给他的头部上部带来明显的宽度。 —

“and, besides, I once had a kind of rude tenderness of heart. —
“而且，曾经我是有一种粗糙的心灵柔情的。 —

When I was as old as you, I was a feeling fellow enough; —
当我和你一样年轻时，我是一个感性的家伙； —

partial to the unfledged, unfostered, and unlucky; but Fortune has knocked me about since: —
对于那些未成熟、未被培养和不幸的人，我都有偏爱；但自从那以后，命运把我甩来甩去： —

she has even kneaded me with her knuckles, and now I flatter myself I am hard and tough as an India-rubber ball; —
她甚至用她的指关节揉搓我，如今我自认为坚硬而坚韧，就像一颗橡皮球； —

pervious, though, through a chink or two still, and with one sentient point in the middle of the lump. —
然而，仍然有一两个缝隙通向内部，中央还有一个知觉点。 —

Yes: does that leave hope for me?”
是的：这样对我来说还有希望吗？

“Hope of what, sir?”
“希望什么，先生？

“Of my final re-transformation from India-rubber back to flesh?”
“希望我最终能从橡皮重新变回肉体吗？

“Decidedly he has had too much wine,” I thought; —
“毫无疑问，他是喝醉了太多的酒，”我心想； —

and I did not know what answer to make to his queer question: —
而我不知道该怎么回答他奇怪的问题； —

how could I tell whether he was capable of being re-transformed?
“我怎么能知道他是否有能力再次变回原来的模样呢？”

“You looked very much puzzled, Miss Eyre; —
“你看起来很困惑，爱尔眼小姐； —

and though you are not pretty any more than I am handsome, yet a puzzled air becomes you; —
尽管你并不漂亮，就像我不帅一样，但是一种困惑的神情很适合你； —

besides, it is convenient, for it keeps those searching eyes of yours away from my physiognomy, and busies them with the worsted flowers of the rug; —
而且，这也很方便，因为它能让你那双寻求的眼睛远离我的相貌，而忙于绣花地毯上的针线； —

so puzzle on. Young lady, I am disposed to be gregarious and communicative to-night.”
所以，继续猜吧。年轻女士，今晚我愿意变得好群居且健谈。”

With this announcement he rose from his chair, and stood, leaning his arm on the marble mantelpiece: —
他宣布完这个之后，从椅子上起身，靠着大理石壁炉架站着， —

in that attitude his shape was seen plainly as well as his face; —
在那个姿势下，他的身形以及他的脸都能清楚地看到； —

his unusual breadth of chest, disproportionate almost to his length of limb. —
他的胸部异常宽阔，几乎不与他的肢体长度相称。 —

I am sure most people would have thought him an ugly man; —
我相信大多数人会认为他是个丑陋的男人； —

yet there was so much unconscious pride in his port; so much ease in his demeanour; —
然而他身姿中透露出无意识的自豪，他的举止中有如此的自在。 —

such a look of complete indifference to his own external appearance; —
他对外貌漠不关心的神态如此明显； —

so haughty a reliance on the power of other qualities, intrinsic or adventitious, to atone for the lack of mere personal attractiveness, that, in looking at him, one inevitably shared the indifference, and, even in a blind, imperfect sense, put faith in the confidence.
他如此傲慢地依靠其他内在或外在的品质来弥补自身吸引力的不足，以至于在看着他时，人们不可避免地也会感受到这种漠不关心，并且在盲目和不完美的感觉中，对他的自信心产生了信任。

“I am disposed to be gregarious and communicative to-night,” he repeated, “and that is why I sent for you: —
“我今晚愿意合群和健谈，”他重复道，“这就是我叫你来的原因： —

the fire and the chandelier were not sufficient company for me; —
火炉和吊灯对我来说还不够陪伴； —

nor would Pilot have been, for none of these can talk. —
Pilot也不行，因为它们都不能说话。 —

Adèle is a degree better, but still far below the mark; Mrs. Fairfax ditto; —
Adèle稍稍好一点，但还远远不够；费尔法克斯夫人也是如此； —

you, I am persuaded, can suit me if you will: —
我相信你，如果你愿意，你可以适应我： —

you puzzled me the first evening I invited you down here. I have almost forgotten you since: —
你在我邀请你来这里的第一个晚上让我感到困惑。之后我几乎忘了你： —

other ideas have driven yours from my head; but to-night I am resolved to be at ease; —
其他的思想驱逐了你的存在；但今晚我决定放松一下； —

to dismiss what importunes, and recall what pleases. —
摒弃那些纷扰之物，回想起那些令人愉快的事情。 —

It would please me now to draw you out—to learn more of you—therefore speak.”
现在，能让我高兴的是了解你一些更多——因此，请讲话。

Instead of speaking, I smiled; and not a very complacent or submissive smile either.
我没有说话，只是微笑了一下；并不是一种很顺从或者满意的微笑。

“Speak,” he urged.
“请讲话，”他催促道。

“What about, sir?”
“关于什么，先生？”

“Whatever you like. I leave both the choice of subject and the manner of treating it entirely to yourself.”
“无论你喜欢什么，无论你希望以什么样的方式来谈论，完全由你自己决定。”

Accordingly I sat and said nothing: “If he expects me to talk for the mere sake of talking and showing off, he will find he has addressed himself to the wrong person,” I thought.
因此，我坐在那里什么也没说：“如果他希望我只是为了说话而说话，炫耀一番，他就错了人，”我心想道。

“You are dumb, Miss Eyre.”
“你是哑巴，爱小姐。”

I was dumb still. He bent his head a little towards me, and with a single hasty glance seemed to dive into my eyes.
我还是沉默着。他把头稍微朝我低了一些，用一个匆忙的瞥视似乎深入我的眼中。

“Stubborn?” he said, “and annoyed. Ah! it is consistent. —
“固执？”他说，“还有恼怒。啊！那是符合逻辑的。 —

I put my request in an absurd, almost insolent form. Miss Eyre, I beg your pardon. —
我用一种荒谬而几乎傲慢的方式提出了请求。埃尔小姐，我请求你原谅。 —

The fact is, once for all, I don’t wish to treat you like an inferior: —
事实上，一劳永逸地说，我不想以次等人的方式对待你。 —

that is” (correcting himself), “I claim only such superiority as must result from twenty years’ difference in age and a century’s advance in experience. —
“这是我自己所宣称的优越性。”（他纠正自己）“这个优越性只是因为我们相差二十年的年龄和一个世纪的经验进步而产生的。” —

This is legitimate, et j’y tiens, as Adèle would say; —
“这是正当的，而且我坚持如此，正如Adèle会说的； —

and it is by virtue of this superiority, and this alone, that I desire you to have the goodness to talk to me a little now, and divert my thoughts, which are galled with dwelling on one point—cankering as a rusty nail.”
“也正是基于这种优越性，也只有基于这一点，我才希望您能够友善地和我交谈一些，分散我过分纠结于一个问题的思绪，这问题就像铁钉生锈般损害我的内心。”

He had deigned an explanation, almost an apology, and I did not feel insensible to his condescension, and would not seem so.
“他已经解释了，几乎算是道歉，而我对他的谦和举止并不感到冷漠，也不会表现得冷漠。

“I am willing to amuse you, if I can, sir—quite willing; —
“如果可以的话，我很愿意取悦您，先生——非常愿意； —

but I cannot introduce a topic, because how do I know what will interest you? —
“但我不能引入一个话题，因为我不知道什么会引起您的兴趣？ —

Ask me questions, and I will do my best to answer them.”
“请您问我问题，我会尽力回答。”

“Then, in the first place, do you agree with me that I have a right to be a little masterful, abrupt, perhaps exacting, sometimes, on the grounds I stated, namely, that I am old enough to be your father, and that I have battled through a varied experience with many men of many nations, and roamed over half the globe, while you have lived quietly with one set of people in one house?”
“那么，首先，请你同意我有权利有点自以为是、突然、有时苛刻地对待你吗？我的理由是，我足够大你的父亲，并且我经历了与许多国家的许多人的激烈斗争，周游了半个地球，而你在一个家庭中与一群人安安稳稳地生活。”

“Do as you please, sir.”
“您随便。”

“That is no answer; or rather it is a very irritating, because a very evasive one. Reply clearly.”
“这不是一个答案，或者说这是一个非常令人恼火的、非常搪塞的答案。请明确回答。”

“I don’t think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; —
“我认为，先生，你没有权利命令我，仅仅因为你比我年长，或者因为你比我见过更多的世面； —

your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.”
你对优越的要求取决于你对时间和经验的利用。”

“Humph! Promptly spoken. But I won’t allow that, seeing that it would never suit my case, as I have made an indifferent, not to say a bad, use of both advantages. —
“哼！说得很爽快。但我不同意，因为这对我的情况并不适用，我对这两个优势都没有做出好的，甚至可以说是糟糕的利用。” —

Leaving superiority out of the question, then, you must still agree to receive my orders now and then, without being piqued or hurt by the tone of command. Will you?”
在不涉及优越性的情况下，你必须同意偶尔接受我的命令，不会对命令的口气感到生气或受伤。你愿意吗？

I smiled: I thought to myself Mr. Rochester is peculiar—he seems to forget that he pays me £30 per annum for receiving his orders.
我微笑了：我心想罗切斯特先生真是怪人——他似乎忘记了我每年拿30英镑来听他的命令。

“The smile is very well,” said he, catching instantly the passing expression; —
“微笑很好，”他立刻插嘴道。 —

“but speak too.”
“但还是要说出来。”

“I was thinking, sir, that very few masters would trouble themselves to inquire whether or not their paid subordinates were piqued and hurt by their orders.”
“我在想，先生，很少有主人会费心去关心他们付薪的下属是否在意听命令时产生的不悦和伤害。”

“Paid subordinates! What! you are my paid subordinate, are you? —
“付薪的下属！你是我的付薪下属，是吗？ —

Oh yes, I had forgotten the salary! Well then, on that mercenary ground, will you agree to let me hector a little?”
哦，对了，我都忘记薪水了！那么，出于这种金钱的考虑，你愿意让我稍微威风一点吗？”

“No, sir, not on that ground; but, on the ground that you did forget it, and that you care whether or not a dependent is comfortable in his dependency, I agree heartily.”
“不，先生，不是出于金钱的考虑，而是因为你忘记了，你在意有没有一个依赖你的人感到舒适，所以我非常愿意。”

“And will you consent to dispense with a great many conventional forms and phrases, without thinking that the omission arises from insolence?”
“你会同意省去许多常规的形式和措辞，而不认为这是出于傲慢吗？”

“I am sure, sir, I should never mistake informality for insolence: —
“先生，我敢肯定我不会将不拘礼节看作傲慢行为： —

one I rather like, the other nothing free-born would submit to, even for a salary.”
其中一种我很喜欢，而另一种则不是自由人会屈服的，即使有薪水也不行。”

“Humbug! Most things free-born will submit to anything for a salary; —
“胡扯！大部分自由人都会为了薪水屈服于任何事情； —

therefore, keep to yourself, and don’t venture on generalities of which you are intensely ignorant. —
因此，请不要自作聪明，不要对你完全不了解的一般性事物妄加评论。 —

However, I mentally shake hands with you for your answer, despite its inaccuracy; —
不过，尽管你的回答不准确，我仍然心理上与你握手； —

and as much for the manner in which it was said, as for the substance of the speech; —
并且不仅仅是因为它的方式，还因为言辞的内容； —

the manner was frank and sincere; one does not often see such a manner: —
这种方式真诚坦率；这样的方式并不常见： —

no, on the contrary, affectation, or coldness, or stupid, coarse-minded misapprehension of one’s meaning are the usual rewards of candour. —
不，恰恰相反，虚伪、冷漠或愚蠢、粗俗地误解他人意思才是坦率的常见回报。 —

Not three in three thousand raw school-girl-governesses would have answered me as you have just done. —
“在三千个年轻女教师中，只有不到三个会像你刚才回答我那样。” —

But I don’t mean to flatter you: if you are cast in a different mould to the majority, it is no merit of yours: —
但我并不是为了恭维你：如果你与大多数人不同，这并不是你的功劳。 —

Nature did it. And then, after all, I go too fast in my conclusions: —
是自然决定的。不过，毕竟，我的结论可能过于仓促： —

for what I yet know, you may be no better than the rest; —
就我现在所知，你可能并不比其他人更好； —

you may have intolerable defects to counterbalance your few good points.”
你可能有无法忍受的缺点来抵消你为数不多的优点。”

“And so may you,” I thought. My eye met his as the idea crossed my mind: —
“而且你也可能一样。”我心想。我与他的眼神相遇，思想的意义仿佛已经被表达出来— —

he seemed to read the glance, answering as if its import had been spoken as well as imagined—
他似乎读懂了那眼神，回答起来仿佛它的意义被说出来一样—

“Yes, yes, you are right,” said he; “I have plenty of faults of my own: —
“是的，是的，你说得对。”他说，“我有很多缺点： —

I know it, and I don’t wish to palliate them, I assure you. —
我知道，我并不希望掩饰它们，我向你保证。 —

God wot I need not be too severe about others; —
上帝知道，我对别人不需要太严厉； —

I have a past existence, a series of deeds, a colour of life to contemplate within my own breast, which might well call my sneers and censures from my neighbours to myself. —
我有过去的存在，一系列的行为，一种内心的生活色彩，足以让我将别人的嘲笑和指责自己身上。 —

I started, or rather (for like other defaulters, I like to lay half the blame on ill fortune and adverse circumstances) was thrust on to a wrong tack at the age of one-and-twenty, and have never recovered the right course since: —
我开始的时候，或者更确切地说（因为象其他拖欠者一样，我喜欢将一半的责任归咎于厄运和逆境），在二十一岁时被迫走上了错误的道路，自那以后一直没有找回正确的方向。 —

but I might have been very different; I might have been as good as you—wiser—almost as stainless. —
但是我本可以截然不同；我本可以和你一样优秀——更加明智——几乎一尘不染。 —

I envy you your peace of mind, your clean conscience, your unpolluted memory. —
我羡慕你的心灵宁静、干净的良心和无瑕的记忆。 —

Little girl, a memory without blot or contamination must be an exquisite treasure—an inexhaustible source of pure refreshment: is it not?”
小姑娘，一份没有瑕疵、没有污染的记忆一定是至宝，是一份永不枯竭的纯洁滋养：难道不是吗？

“How was your memory when you were eighteen, sir?”
“当您十八岁的时候，您的记忆是怎样的，先生？”

“All right then; limpid, salubrious: no gush of bilge water had turned it to fetid puddle. —
“还好；清澈，健康：没有一股污水使之变成臭气熏天的水坑。 —

I was your equal at eighteen—quite your equal. —
我十八岁时和你一样平等——完全一样。 —

Nature meant me to be, on the whole, a good man, Miss Eyre; —
大自然本想让我成为一个好人，爱眼小姐； —

one of the better kind, and you see I am not so. You would say you don’t see it; —
其中一种更好的人，可是你看，我并不是这样。你会说你没有看出来； —

at least I flatter myself I read as much in your eye (beware, by-the-bye, what you express with that organ; —
至少我可以自吹自擂地说，我从你的眼睛里读出了这么多（顺便提醒一下，小心你用那个器官表达的东西; ） —

I am quick at interpreting its language). Then take my word for it,—I am not a villain: —
我很擅长解读它的语言。那么请相信我的话——我并不是一个恶棍: —

you are not to suppose that—not to attribute to me any such bad eminence; —
你不要以为我是这样的人，不要把这样的坏名声归于我; —

but, owing, I verily believe, rather to circumstances than to my natural bent, I am a trite commonplace sinner, hackneyed in all the poor petty dissipations with which the rich and worthless try to put on life. —
但是，我真的相信这更多地是由于环境的原因，而不是我天生的才能，我只是一个陈腐平庸的罪人，磨破了所有富有而无趣的放纵方式，这是富人和无所事事的人试图装扮生活的方式。 —

Do you wonder that I avow this to you? Know, that in the course of your future life you will often find yourself elected the involuntary confidant of your acquaintances’ secrets: —
你觉得我向你承认这一点会感到奇怪吗?你要知道，在你未来的生活中，你经常会发现自己被迫成为他人秘密的知情人: —

people will instinctively find out, as I have done, that it is not your forte to tell of yourself, but to listen while others talk of themselves; —
人们会本能地发现，就像我一样，告诉你自己并不是你的长项，而是倾听别人谈论自己; —

they will feel, too, that you listen with no malevolent scorn of their indiscretion, but with a kind of innate sympathy; —
他们还会感到，你并没有对他们的轻率行为怀有恶意的嘲笑，而是一种与生俱来的同情心。 —

not the less comforting and encouraging because it is very unobtrusive in its manifestations.”
尽管它表现得非常低调，但这并不妨碍它令人感到安慰和鼓舞。

“How do you know?—how can you guess all this, sir?”
“你怎么知道？你如何猜到这一切，先生？”

“I know it well; therefore I proceed almost as freely as if I were writing my thoughts in a diary. —
“我很了解，所以我几乎可以像写日记一样自由地表达我的想法。 —

You would say, I should have been superior to circumstances; so I should—so I should; —
你会说，我应该超越环境；是的，我应该……我本来可以的； —

but you see I was not. When fate wronged me, I had not the wisdom to remain cool: —
—

I turned desperate; then I degenerated. Now, when any vicious simpleton excites my disgust by his paltry ribaldry, I cannot flatter myself that I am better than he: —
但你看，我没有。当命运对我不公时，我无法保持冷静： —

I am forced to confess that he and I are on a level. I wish I had stood firm—God knows I do! —
我变得绝望；然后我堕落了。现在，当任何恶毒的蠢材以其卑劣的草率言辞激起我的厌恶时，我不能夸耀自己比他更优秀： —

Dread remorse when you are tempted to err, Miss Eyre; —
我不得不承认他和我处于同一水平。但愿我能坚定地站立——上帝知道我希望如此！ —

remorse is the poison of life.”
当你被诱导犯错时，要害怕悔恨，爱丽丝小姐；

“Repentance is said to be its cure, sir.”
悔恨是生命的毒药。”

“It is not its cure. Reformation may be its cure; —
“据说忏悔可以治愈它，先生。” —

and I could reform—I have strength yet for that—if—but where is the use of thinking of it, hampered, burdened, cursed as I am? —
而且我可以改过自新-我对此还有力量-可是,我这样受束缚、负罪、被诅咒,思考这些有什么用呢？ —

Besides, since happiness is irrevocably denied me, I have a right to get pleasure out of life: —
此外，既然幸福被我无可挽回地拒绝了，我有权从生活中取得享受。 —

and I will get it, cost what it may.”
而且我要得到它，不论付出什么代价。”

“Then you will degenerate still more, sir.”
“那么您将进一步堕落，先生。”

“Possibly: yet why should I, if I can get sweet, fresh pleasure? —
“也许：可是为什么呢，如果我能得到甜蜜、新鲜的快乐呢？ —

And I may get it as sweet and fresh as the wild honey the bee gathers on the moor.”
我可以得到像野蜂在沼泽地采集的野生蜜一样甜蜜、新鲜的快乐。”

“It will sting—it will taste bitter, sir.”
“它会刺痛-它会尝起来苦味，先生。”

“How do you know?—you never tried it. How very serious—how very solemn you look: —
“你怎么知道呢？-你从未尝试过。你看起来是多么严肃-多么庄重： —

and you are as ignorant of the matter as this cameo head” (taking one from the mantelpiece). —
而且你对这个问题一窍不通，就像这个壁炉台上的象牙浮雕头像一样”（从壁炉台上拿起一个）。 —

“You have no right to preach to me, you neophyte, that have not passed the porch of life, and are absolutely unacquainted with its mysteries.”
“你没有权利对我说教，你这个在生命的门廊都没进去的新入教者，对它的奥秘一无所知。”

“I only remind you of your own words, sir: —
“我只是提醒您您自己的话，先生： —

you said error brought remorse, and you pronounced remorse the poison of existence.”
您说错误会带来懊悔，而您又称懊悔为存在的毒药。”

“And who talks of error now? I scarcely think the notion that flittered across my brain was an error. —
“现在谁还在讨论错误呢？我几乎觉得飞过我的脑海的那个念头并不是错误。 —

I believe it was an inspiration rather than a temptation: —
我相信它是灵感而非诱惑： —

it was very genial, very soothing—I know that. Here it comes again! It is no devil, I assure you; —
它非常友好，非常舒缓——我知道的。它又来了！它不是恶魔，我向你保证； —

or if it be, it has put on the robes of an angel of light. —
或者如果它是恶魔，它已经披上了天使的光辉。 —

I think I must admit so fair a guest when it asks entrance to my heart.”
我想，当它请求进入我的心灵时，我必须欢迎这么美好的客人。”

“Distrust it, sir; it is not a true angel.”
“先生，请不要相信它；它不是真正的天使。”

“Once more, how do you know? By what instinct do you pretend to distinguish between a fallen seraph of the abyss and a messenger from the eternal throne—between a guide and a seducer?”
“再说一次，你怎么知道？凭什么本能你假装能区分堕落的深渊炽天使和来自永恒王座的使者——区分引导者和诱惑者？”

“I judged by your countenance, sir, which was troubled when you said the suggestion had returned upon you. —
“我判断来源于您的表情，先生，在您说这个念头又回到您脑海的时候，您的表情很不安。 —

I feel sure it will work you more misery if you listen to it.”
我非常确定如果您听从它的话会给您带来更多痛苦。”

“Not at all—it bears the most gracious message in the world: —
“一点也不会——它带来的是世界上最仁慈的信息： —

for the rest, you are not my conscience-keeper, so don’t make yourself uneasy. —
至于其他事情，您又不是我的良心监护人，所以不要为自己担心。” —

Here, come in, bonny wanderer!”
“来吧，进来吧，美丽的流浪者！”

He said this as if he spoke to a vision, viewless to any eye but his own; —
他这样说，仿佛他在和一个只有他自己能看见的幻象说话； —

then, folding his arms, which he had half extended, on his chest, he seemed to enclose in their embrace the invisible being.
然后，他双臂折叠在胸前，似乎在这个拥抱中拥抱着看不见的存在。

“Now,” he continued, again addressing me, “I have received the pilgrim—a disguised deity, as I verily believe. —
“现在，”他继续对我说，“我已经接纳了朝圣者——一个伪装的神，我确信如此。 —

Already it has done me good: my heart was a sort of charnel; —
它已经给了我力量：我的内心曾经像一个坟墓； —

it will now be a shrine.”
现在，它将变成一个神圣的殿堂。”

“To speak truth, sir, I don’t understand you at all: —
“说实话，先生，我完全听不懂你的话： —

I cannot keep up the conversation, because it has got out of my depth. Only one thing, I know: —
我无法跟上这个话题，因为它超出了我的理解范围。只有一件事，我明白： —

you said you were not as good as you should like to be, and that you regretted your own imperfection; —
你说你并不像自己想要的那样好，你后悔自己的不完美； —

—one thing I can comprehend: you intimated that to have a sullied memory was a perpetual bane. —
我觉得，如果你努力的话，你会在时间的推移中发现成为你自己所赞同的人是有可能的； —

It seems to me, that if you tried hard, you would in time find it possible to become what you yourself would approve; —
你暗示着拥有一颗被玷污的记忆是一个永恒的祸根。” —

and that if from this day you began with resolution to correct your thoughts and actions, you would in a few years have laid up a new and stainless store of recollections, to which you might revert with pleasure.”
“而且，如果从今天开始，你下定决心改正你的思想和行动，你几年后会积累起一份新的洁白的回忆，你可以以此自豪地回望。”

“Justly thought; rightly said, Miss Eyre; and, at this moment, I am paving hell with energy.”
“说得对，眼下我正全力以赴铺设通往地狱的道路。”

“Sir?”
“什么？”

“I am laying down good intentions, which I believe durable as flint. —
“我正在制定好的意图，我相信它们坚如磐石。” —

Certainly, my associates and pursuits shall be other than they have been.”
“当然，我的伙伴和追求将与过去不同。”

“And better?”
“更好吗？”

“And better—so much better as pure ore is than foul dross. You seem to doubt me; —
“当然，更好——就像纯净的矿石比肮脏的渣滓好一样。你似乎怀疑我； —

I don’t doubt myself: I know what my aim is, what my motives are; —
“我不怀疑自己：我知道我的目标是什么，我的动机是什么； —

and at this moment I pass a law, unalterable as that of the Medes and Persians, that both are right.”
“而此刻我通过一则法令，像玛代和波斯法律一样，将它们定为正确。”

“They cannot be, sir, if they require a new statute to legalise them.”
“如果它们需要一则新的法令来合法化，那它们就不能是正确的。”

“They are, Miss Eyre, though they absolutely require a new statute: —
“但它们是正确的，Eyre小姐，尽管它们绝对需要一则新的法令： —

unheard-of combinations of circumstances demand unheard-of rules.”
“前所未闻的环境与条件需要前所未有的规则。”

“That sounds a dangerous maxim, sir; because one can see at once that it is liable to abuse.”
“听起来是个危险的观点，先生；因为立刻就能看出来它容易被滥用。”

“Sententious sage! so it is: but I swear by my household gods not to abuse it.”
“言简意赅的圣人！当然会被滥用：但我发誓不会滥用它，这是凭我的家庭神灵起的誓。”

“You are human and fallible.”
“您是人类，会犯错误。”

“I am: so are you—what then?”
“是的，我犯错；那又怎样呢？”

“The human and fallible should not arrogate a power with which the divine and perfect alone can be safely intrusted.”
“人类会犯错，不应该独自拥有只有神圣和完美才能安全托付的权力。”

“What power?”
“什么权力？”

“That of saying of any strange, unsanctioned line of action,—‘Let it be right.’”
“就是针对任何奇怪、未经认可的行动说‘让它成为对的’的权力。”

“‘Let it be right’—the very words: you have pronounced them.”
“‘让它成为对的’，就是你刚才说的话：你刚刚说过它们。”

“May it be right then,” I said, as I rose, deeming it useless to continue a discourse which was all darkness to me; —
“那么，可能吗？”我站起来说道，认为继续这场对话毫无意义； —

and, besides, sensible that the character of my interlocutor was beyond my penetration; —
而且意识到我对话者的性格超出了我的洞察力； —

at least, beyond its present reach; and feeling the uncertainty, the vague sense of insecurity, which accompanies a conviction of ignorance.
至少超出了我目前的能力范围；并感到无知带来的不确定感和模糊的不安，伴随着人对自己无知的确认。

“Where are you going?”
“你要去哪儿？”

“To put Adèle to bed: it is past her bedtime.”
“去把艾黛勒送上床睡觉，已经过了她的睡觉时间。”

“You are afraid of me, because I talk like a Sphynx.”
“你害怕我，因为我说话像一只斯芬克斯。”

“Your language is enigmatical, sir: but though I am bewildered, I am certainly not afraid.”
“你的语言很深奥，先生，虽然我感到困惑，但绝对不害怕。”

“You are afraid—your self-love dreads a blunder.”
“你是害怕的 - 你的自尊心害怕出差错。”

“In that sense I do feel apprehensive—I have no wish to talk nonsense.”
“从那个意义上说，我确实感到担心 - 我不想说废话。”

“If you did, it would be in such a grave, quiet manner, I should mistake it for sense. —
“如果你这样做，以一种庄重、安静的方式，我会把它当作有意义的误解。” —

Do you never laugh, Miss Eyre? Don’t trouble yourself to answer—I see you laugh rarely; —
你从不笑，艾尔小姐？不用回答 - 我看见你很少笑； —

but you can laugh very merrily: believe me, you are not naturally austere, any more than I am naturally vicious. —
但你能笑得非常欢快：相信我，你并不天生严肃，就像我并不天生邪恶一样。 —

The Lowood constraint still clings to you somewhat; —
洛伍德的拘束还在你身上留下了一些痕迹； —

controlling your features, muffling your voice, and restricting your limbs; —
控制着你的表情，压低了你的声音，限制了你的动作； —

and you fear in the presence of a man and a brother—or father, or master, or what you will—to smile too gaily, speak too freely, or move too quickly: —
你在男人、兄弟、或者父亲、主人或者任何你称之为的人的面前害怕笑得太开心，说话太自由或者行动太迅速： —

but, in time, I think you will learn to be natural with me, as I find it impossible to be conventional with you; —
但是，我认为你会学会在我面前表现自然，就像我发现和你保持传统规矩是不可能的一样； —

and then your looks and movements will have more vivacity and variety than they dare offer now. —
那你的容貌和动作将比现在更加活泼多样。 —

I see at intervals the glance of a curious sort of bird through the close-set bars of a cage: —
我偶尔透过笼子紧密排列的栏杆看到一种好奇的鸟儿的目光： —

a vivid, restless, resolute captive is there; —
那里有一个生动、不安、坚定的囚徒； —

were it but free, it would soar cloud-high. —
只要它自由了，它就会高飞云端。 —

You are still bent on going?”
你还打算走吗？

“It has struck nine, sir.”
“现在已经九点了，先生。”

“Never mind,—wait a minute: Adèle is not ready to go to bed yet. —
“没关系，等一分钟：Adèle还没准备好上床睡觉。 —

My position, Miss Eyre, with my back to the fire, and my face to the room, favours observation. —
我的位置，Eyre小姐，背对着火，脸朝着屋子，有利于观察。 —

While talking to you, I have also occasionally watched Adèle (I have my own reasons for thinking her a curious study,—reasons that I may, nay, that I shall, impart to you some day). —
在与你交谈的同时，我有时也观察着Adèle（我对她有自己的研究原因，这些原因我可能会，甚至我会在某一天告诉你）。 —

She pulled out of her box, about ten minutes ago, a little pink silk frock; —
她大约十分钟前从盒子里拿出了一件粉红色的丝绸裙子； —

rapture lit her face as she unfolded it; —
喜悦让她的脸上绽放出来，当她展开裙子时； —

coquetry runs in her blood, blends with her brains, and seasons the marrow of her bones. —
妩媚在她的血液里流淌，融入她的思维，给她的骨髓增添了风味。 —

‘Il faut que je l’essaie!’ cried she, ‘et à l’instant même! —
“我必须试试它！”她喊道，“现在就试！” —

’ and she rushed out of the room. She is now with Sophie, undergoing a robing process: —
她冲出房间。她现在正和索菲在一起，接受着穿衣过程。 —

in a few minutes she will re-enter; and I know what I shall see,—a miniature of Céline Varens, as she used to appear on the boards at the rising of—But never mind that. —
几分钟后，她将重新进入房间；我知道我将看到什么－－一个和瓦伦斯塞琳以前在舞台上出现时一模一样的小照片。但这不重要。 —

However, my tenderest feelings are about to receive a shock: —
然而，我的最柔情的感受将要受到冲击：这就是我的预感；现在留下来，看看它是否会实现。” —

such is my presentiment; stay now, to see whether it will be realised.”
不久，阿黛勒纤细的脚步声响起穿过大厅。

Ere long, Adèle’s little foot was heard tripping across the hall. —
她进来了，就像她的监护人预测的那样变了样子。 —

She entered, transformed as her guardian had predicted. —
一件玫瑰色的缎子连衣裙，长度非常短，裙子的褶皱也尽可能地饱满，取代了她之前穿的棕色裙子。 —

A dress of rose-coloured satin, very short, and as full in the skirt as it could be gathered, replaced the brown frock she had previously worn; —
一圈玫瑰花环绕在她的额头上。 —

a wreath of rosebuds circled her forehead; —
她的脚穿着丝袜和小白色缎子凉鞋。 —

her feet were dressed in silk stockings and small white satin sandals.
“我的裙子漂亮吗？”她高兴地叫道，一下子向前跳过来。

“Est-ce que ma robe va bien?” cried she, bounding forwards; —
她是一个可爱的蓝眼睛金发的精灵，就像童话故事中的小仙女一样。 —

“et mes souliers? et mes bas? Tenez, je crois que je vais danser!”
“那我的鞋呢？我的袜子呢？ 特内兹，我想我要跳舞！”

And spreading out her dress, she chasséed across the room till, having reached Mr. Rochester, she wheeled lightly round before him on tip-toe, then dropped on one knee at his feet, exclaiming—
她把裙子展开，在房间里翩翩起舞，一直跳到罗切斯特先生面前，脚尖点地轻盈地绕着他转了一圈，然后单膝跪在他脚下，喊道——

“Monsieur, je vous remercie mille fois de votre bonté; —
“先生，非常感谢您的仁慈； —

” then rising, she added, “C’est comme cela que maman faisait, n’est-ce pas, monsieur?”
”然后她站起来，又加了一句，“妈妈就是这样做的，是吗，先生？”

“Pre-cise-ly!” was the answer; “and, ‘comme cela,’ she charmed my English gold out of my British breeches’ pocket. —
“确实！”他回答道，“而且，‘就是这样’，她从我的英国裤袋里魔术般地掏出了我的英镑。 —

I have been green, too, Miss Eyre,—ay, grass green: —
我也曾经年轻过，爱情的绿色已经过去了。 —

not a more vernal tint freshens you now than once freshened me. —
现在你看不到任何比我当年更春天的色彩了。 —

My Spring is gone, however, but it has left me that French floweret on my hands, which, in some moods, I would fain be rid of. —
然而，我的春天已经离去，但是它给我留下了这朵法国小花，有时我真想摆脱它。 —

Not valuing now the root whence it sprang; —
现在已经不再珍视它的根源了； —

having found that it was of a sort which nothing but gold dust could manure, I have but half a liking to the blossom, especially when it looks so artificial as just now. —
发现它只有金粉才能施肥，我对这朵花只有一半喜欢，特别是当它看起来像现在这样人造的时候。 —

I keep it and rear it rather on the Roman Catholic principle of expiating numerous sins, great or small, by one good work. —
我保留它并培育它，更像是罗马天主教的原则，通过一项善行来赎罪众多的罪孽，无论是大是小。 —

I’ll explain all this some day. Good-night.”
我将在某一天解释这一切。晚安。”