Noirtier was prepared to receive them, dressed in black, and installed in his armchair. —
诺蒂埃身穿黑色衣服，坐在他的扶手椅上准备接待他们。 —

When the three persons he expected had entered, he looked at the door, which his valet immediately closed.
当他期待的三个人进入后，他看了看门，他的贴身男仆立刻把门关上。

“Listen,” whispered Villefort to Valentine, who could not conceal her joy; —
“听着，”维勒福轻声对瓦伦泰娜说，她掩饰不住自己的喜悦； —

“if M. Noirtier wishes to communicate anything which would delay your marriage, I forbid you to understand him.”
“如果诺蒂埃先生有什么要传达的事情会延迟你们的婚礼，我禁止你理解他的意思。”

Valentine blushed, but did not answer. Villefort, approached Noirtier.
瓦伦泰娜脸红了，但没有回答。维勒福走近诺蒂埃。

“Here is M. Franz d’Épinay,” said he; “you requested to see him. —
“这位是弗朗茨·德坡内先生，”他说；”你要求见他。 —

We have all wished for this interview, and I trust it will convince you how ill-formed are your objections to Valentine’s marriage.”
我们都希望这次会谈能使你对瓦伦泰娜的婚姻的反对意见消除。”

Noirtier answered only by a look which made Villefort’s blood run cold. —
诺蒂埃只是通过一种让维勒福毛骨悚然的眼神回答。 —

He motioned to Valentine to approach. In a moment, thanks to her habit of conversing with her grandfather, she understood that he asked for a key. —
他示意瓦伦泰娜靠近。瓦伦泰娜凭借与祖父交谈的习惯，立刻明白他要钥匙。 —

Then his eye was fixed on the drawer of a small chest between the windows. —
接着他的眼睛盯着窗户之间的小抽屉。 —

She opened the drawer, and found a key; and, understanding that was what he wanted, again watched his eyes, which turned toward an old secretaire which had been neglected for many years and was supposed to contain nothing but useless documents.
她打开抽屉，找到了一把钥匙；并且，明白这就是他想要的东西，再次注视着他的眼睛，眼睛转向一个已经多年没有整理过的老书桌，其中应该只有一些无用的文件。

“Shall I open the secretaire?” asked Valentine.
“我要打开书桌吗？”瓦伦蒂娜问道。

“Yes,” said the old man.
“是的,“老人说道。

“And the drawers?”
“还有抽屉吗？”

“Yes.”
“是的.”

“Those at the side?”
“两边的抽屉吗？”

“No.”
“不是.”

“The middle one?”
“中间那个抽屉吗？”

“Yes.”
“是的.”

Valentine opened it and drew out a bundle of papers. “Is that what you wish for?” asked she.
瓦伦蒂娜打开抽屉，拿出一叠文件。“这是你想要的吗？”她问道。

“No.”
“不是.”

She took successively all the other papers out till the drawer was empty. —
她依次拿出所有其他文件，直到抽屉里空无一物。 —

“But there are no more,” said she. Noirtier’s eye was fixed on the dictionary.
“但是没有其他文件了,“她说道。诺尔缇耶盯着字典。

“Yes, I understand, grandfather,” said the young girl.
“是的，我理解了，爷爷,“年轻的女孩说道。

She pointed to each letter of the alphabet. —
她一一指向字母表中的每个字母。 —

At the letter S the old man stopped her. —
在字母S处，老人拦住了她。 —

She opened, and found the word “secret.”
她打开了，发现了“秘密”这个词。

“Ah! is there a secret spring?” said Valentine.
“啊！有一个秘密开关吗？”瓦伦丁说。

“Yes,” said Noirtier.
“是的，”诺尔缇耶说。

“And who knows it?” Noirtier looked at the door where the servant had gone out.
“谁知道这个？”诺尔缇耶看向仆人走出去的门。

“Barrois?” said she.
“巴罗瓦？”她说。

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“Shall I call him?”
“我要叫他吗？”

“Yes.”
“是的。”

Valentine went to the door, and called Barrois. —
瓦伦丁走到门口，叫了巴罗瓦。 —

Villefort’s impatience during this scene made the perspiration roll from his forehead, and Franz was stupefied. —
在这一幕中，维勒福的不耐烦让他的额头冒出汗来，而弗朗茨则惊呆了。 —

The old servant came.
老仆人过来了。

“Barrois,” said Valentine, “my grandfather has told me to open that drawer in the secretaire, but there is a secret spring in it, which you know—will you open it?”
“巴罗瓦，”瓦伦丁说，“爷爷告诉我要打开秘书里的那个抽屉，但里面有一个秘密开关，你知道——你能打开吗？”

Barrois looked at the old man. “Obey,” said Noirtier’s intelligent eye. —
巴罗瓦看着老人。“遵命，”诺尔缇耶聪明的眼神说。 —

Barrois touched a spring, the false bottom came out, and they saw a bundle of papers tied with a black string.
巴罗瓦触动了一个开关，假底板弹了出来，他们看到了一捆用黑线绑着的文件。

“Is that what you wish for?” said Barrois.
“这是你希望的吗？”巴鲁瓦问道。

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“Shall I give these papers to M. de Villefort?”
“我应该把这些文件交给维勒福先生吗？”

“No.”
“不。”

“To Mademoiselle Valentine?”
“交给瓦伦丁小姐？”

“No.”
“不。”

“To M. Franz d’Épinay?”
“交给弗朗茨·德埃皮奈先生？”

“Yes.”
“是的。”

Franz, astonished, advanced a step. “To me, sir?” said he.
弗朗茨吃惊地向前迈了一步。“给我，先生？”他问道。

“Yes.”
“是的。”

Franz took them from Barrois and casting a glance at the cover, read:
弗朗茨从巴鲁瓦手中接过文件，瞥了一眼封面，读到：

“‘To be given, after my death, to General Durand, who shall bequeath the packet to his son, with an injunction to preserve it as containing an important document.’
“‘在我去世后送给杜朗将军，他将把这个包裹遗赠给他的儿子，并嘱咐他保留，因为其中含有重要文件。’”

“Well, sir,” asked Franz, “what do you wish me to do with this paper?”
“嗯，先生，”弗朗茨问道，“您希望我对这份文件做什么？”

“To preserve it, sealed up as it is, doubtless,” said the procureur.
“无疑是保留它，封存起来，”检察官说道。

“No,” replied Noirtier eagerly.
“不，”诺提尔急切地回答。

“Do you wish him to read it?” said Valentine.
“你希望他读吗？”瓦伦丁问道。

“Yes,” replied the old man.
“是的，”老人回答道。

“You understand, baron, my grandfather wishes you to read this paper,” said Valentine.
“你明白，男爵，我祖父希望你读这份文件，”瓦伦丁说道。

“Then let us sit down,” said Villefort impatiently, “for it will take some time.”
“那么让我们坐下来吧，”维勒福急切地说道，“因为这需要花些时间。”

“Sit down,” said the old man. Villefort took a chair, but Valentine remained standing by her father’s side, and Franz before him, holding the mysterious paper in his hand. —
“坐下来吧，”老人说道。维勒福坐在一把椅子上，而瓦伦丁仍然站在她父亲身边，弗朗茨站在他面前，手中拿着这份神秘的文件。 —

“Read,” said the old man. Franz untied it, and in the midst of the most profound silence read:
“读吧，”老人说道。弗朗茨解开文件，众人静默无声地听着他读道：

“‘Extract of the report of a meeting of the Bonapartist Club in the Rue Saint-Jacques, held February 5th, 1815.’”
“‘《波拿巴主义俱乐部在圣雅克大街召开的会议记录摘要，时间是1815年2月5日》’。”

Franz stopped. “February 5th, 1815!” said he; “it is the day my father was murdered. —
弗朗茨停下来。“1815年2月5日！”他说道，“那是我父亲被谋杀的那天。 —

” Valentine and Villefort were dumb; the eye of the old man alone seemed to say clearly, “Go on.”
瓦伦丁和维勒福都哑口无言，只有老人的眼神清晰地表达出“继续。”的意思。

“But it was on leaving this club,” said he, “my father disappeared.”
“但正是在离开这个俱乐部后，”他说道，“我父亲就失踪了。”

Noirtier’s eye continued to say, “Read.” He resumed:—
瓦卡耀的眼神仍然在说，“继续阅读。”他继续读道：

“‘The undersigned Louis-Jacques Beaurepaire, lieutenant-colonel of artillery, Étienne Duchampy, general of brigade, and Claude Lecharpal, keeper of woods and forests, declare, that on the 4th of February, a letter arrived from the Island of Elba, recommending to the kindness and the confidence of the Bonapartist Club, General Flavien de Quesnel, who having served the emperor from 1804 to 1814 was supposed to be devoted to the interests of the Napoleon dynasty, notwithstanding the title of baron which Louis XVIII. had just granted to him with his estate of Épinay.
“本人签字，路易-雅克·博雷佩尔中校，艾蒂安·杜尚比准将和克洛德·勒沙帕尔林务员宣布，2月4日，来自埃尔巴岛的一封信件到达，推荐波拿巴主义俱乐部亲善和信任弗拉维安·德·克尼尔将军，他在1804年至1814年期间曾为皇帝服役，被认为忠于拿破仑王朝的利益，尽管路易十八刚刚赐予他爵位和埃皮奈庄园。

“‘A note was in consequence addressed to General de Quesnel, begging him to be present at the meeting next day, the 5th. —
“因此有一张便条寄给克尼尔将军，请求他在第二天即5日的会议上到场。 —

The note indicated neither the street nor the number of the house where the meeting was to be held; —
“便条并未说明会议举行的街道和门牌号码； —

it bore no signature, but it announced to the general that someone would call for him if he would be ready at nine o’clock. —
“它没有署名，但告诉将军，如果他准备好了，会有人在九点准时去接他。 —

The meetings were always held from that time till midnight. —
“这些会议总是从那个时间持续到午夜。 —

At nine o’clock the president of the club presented himself; —
九点钟，俱乐部的主席出现了； —

the general was ready, the president informed him that one of the conditions of his introduction was that he should be eternally ignorant of the place of meeting, and that he would allow his eyes to be bandaged, swearing that he would not endeavor to take off the bandage. —
将军准备好了，主席告诉他，介绍的一个条件是他必须永远不知道会议地点，并答应眼睛被蒙住，誓言不会试图摘下蒙住眼睛的绷带。 —

General de Quesnel accepted the condition, and promised on his honor not to seek to discover the road they took. —
奎内尔将军接受了这个条件，并郑重承诺不会试图找到他们走的路。 —

The general’s carriage was ready, but the president told him it was impossible for him to use it, since it was useless to blindfold the master if the coachman knew through what streets he went. —
将军的马车准备好了，但主席告诉他，他不可能使用它，因为如果车夫知道他经过哪些街道，蒙住主人的眼睛就没有意义了。 —

“What must be done then?” asked the general. —
“那该怎么办？”将军问道。 —

—“I have my carriage here,” said the president.
“我这里有我的马车，”主席说。

“‘“Have you, then, so much confidence in your servant that you can intrust him with a secret you will not allow me to know?”
“你真的对你的仆人有这么大的信任吗？你能把一个不让我知道的秘密交给他？”

“‘“Our coachman is a member of the club,” said the president; —
“我们的车夫是俱乐部的成员，”主席说。 —

“we shall be driven by a State-Councillor.”
“我们将被一位国务参议员驱使。”

“‘“Then we run another risk,” said the general, laughing, “that of being upset. —
“‘‘那我们还有另一个风险，”将军笑着说，“就是被弄翻。” —

” We insert this joke to prove that the general was not in the least compelled to attend the meeting, but that he came willingly. —
“我们插入这个笑话是要证明将军完全不是被迫参加会议，而是自愿前来的。” —

When they were seated in the carriage the president reminded the general of his promise to allow his eyes to be bandaged, to which he made no opposition. —
当他们坐上马车后，主席提醒将军允许蒙上眼睛，他没有反对。 —

On the road the president thought he saw the general make an attempt to remove the handkerchief, and reminded him of his oath. —
在路上，主席觉得将军试图摘下手帕，提醒他发过誓。 —

“Sure enough,” said the general. The carriage stopped at an alley leading out of the Rue Saint-Jacques. —
“果然如此，”将军说。马车在通往圣雅各大街的小巷停下。 —

The general alighted, leaning on the arm of the president, of whose dignity he was not aware, considering him simply as a member of the club; —
将军下了车，倚着主席的手臂走，他并不了解主席的尊严，只把他当作俱乐部的成员； —

they went through the alley, mounted a flight of stairs, and entered the assembly-room.
他们穿过小巷，上了一段楼梯，进入了会议室。

“‘The deliberations had already begun. —
“‘讨论已经开始了。 —

The members, apprised of the sort of presentation which was to be made that evening, were all in attendance. —
接到关于当晚演讲的通知，所有成员都出席了。 —

When in the middle of the room the general was invited to remove his bandage, he did so immediately, and was surprised to see so many well-known faces in a society of whose existence he had till then been ignorant. —
当将军被邀请到房间的中央解开绷带时，他立即这样做了，并对看到这么多熟悉的面孔感到吃惊，因为他之前对这个社团的存在一无所知。 —

They questioned him as to his sentiments, but he contented himself with answering, that the letters from the Island of Elba ought to have informed them——’”
他们询问他的看法，但他只是简单回答说，埃尔巴岛的来信应该已经告诉了他们。

Franz interrupted himself by saying, “My father was a royalist; —
弗朗茨打断他自己，说：“我父亲是王党；他们不需要询问他的看法，因为那是众所周知的。” —

they need not have asked his sentiments, which were well known.”
维勒福尔特说：“这也是我对你的父亲产生感情的原因，亲爱的弗朗茨先生。共同的观点是紧密联结的纽带。”

“And hence,” said Villefort, “arose my affection for your father, my dear M. Franz. Opinions held in common are a ready bond of union.”
“再读一遍，”老人说。

“Read again,” said the old man.
弗朗茨继续说:

Franz continued:
“然后主席试图让他更明确地说出来，但克苏奈尔先生回答说，他希望先了解他们想要什么。

“‘The president then sought to make him speak more explicitly, but M. de Quesnel replied that he wished first to know what they wanted with him. —
“可是他们以他犯了难以言喻的罪行为借口，对我们正统君主制的权利表示了怀疑，因此他们希望我们做一些保单的修改。 —

He was then informed of the contents of the letter from the Island of Elba, in which he was recommended to the club as a man who would be likely to advance the interests of their party. —
他接到了来自埃尔巴岛的信的内容，信中推举他加入这个俱乐部，因为他有可能对他们的派别有所贡献。 —

One paragraph spoke of the return of Bonaparte and promised another letter and further details, on the arrival of the Pharaon belonging to the shipbuilder Morrel, of Marseilles, whose captain was entirely devoted to the emperor. —
一段文字提到了波拿巴的回归，并承诺等到来自马赛的船厂主Morrel旗下的“法老號”船到达后再来信详细说明。 —

During all this time, the general, on whom they thought to have relied as on a brother, manifested evidently signs of discontent and repugnance. —
在这段时间里，他们本以为可以依靠的将军，明显流露出不满和抵触的迹象。 —

When the reading was finished, he remained silent, with knitted brows.
读完信后，他默默无言，紧锁着眉头。

“‘“Well,” asked the president, “what do you say to this letter, general?”
“‘“好吧，”主席问道，“对于这封信你有什么看法，将军？”

“‘“I say that it is too soon after declaring myself for Louis XVIII. to break my vow in behalf of the ex-emperor. —
“‘“我觉得现在离我宣誓效忠路易十八还太近，不能为了前皇帝而食言。” —

” This answer was too clear to permit of any mistake as to his sentiments. —
这个回答很明确，不容任何对他态度的误解。 —

“General,” said the president, “we acknowledge no King Louis XVIII., or an ex-emperor, but his majesty the emperor and king, driven from France, which is his kingdom, by violence and treason.”
“将军，”总统说道，“我们不承认路易十八国王，或者是一个前皇帝，而只承认他的皇帝和国王陛下，他被暴力和叛乱驱逐出了法国，他的王国。”

“‘“Excuse me, gentlemen,” said the general; —
“‘“对不起，请诸位，”将军说道； —

“you may not acknowledge Louis XVIII., but I do, as he has made me a baron and a field-marshal, and I shall never forget that for these two titles I am indebted to his happy return to France.”
“我虽然不像你们一样承认路易十八，但是我承认他，因为他让我成为了男爵和元帅，我永远不会忘记这两个头衔是因为他的幸福回归法国而得到的。”

“‘“Sir,” said the president, rising with gravity, “be careful what you say; —
“‘“先生，”总统庄重地站起身说：“请你小心你说的话； —

your words clearly show us that they are deceived concerning you in the Island of Elba, and have deceived us! —
“你的话明显告诉我们，他们在埃尔巴岛上误解了你，并且也误导了我们！ —

The communication has been made to you in consequence of the confidence placed in you, and which does you honor. —
我们之所以向你传达了这个信息，是因为我们对你的信任，这使你很荣幸。 —

Now we discover our error; a title and promotion attach you to the government we wish to overturn. —
现在我们发现了我们的错误；一个头衔和晋升让你与我们想要推翻的政府联系在一起。 —

We will not constrain you to help us; we enroll no one against his conscience, but we will compel you to act generously, even if you are not disposed to do so.”
我们不会强迫你帮助我们；我们不会违背任何人的意愿来招募，但我们会强迫你慷慨行事，即使你不愿意这样做。

“‘“You would call acting generously, knowing your conspiracy and not informing against you, that is what I should call becoming your accomplice. —
“你称之为慷慨行事，知情而不告发你们的阴谋，我称之为成为你们的同谋。” —

You see I am more candid than you.”’”
你看，我比你更坦诚。

“Ah, my father!” said Franz, interrupting himself. —
“啊，父亲！”弗朗茨打断了自己的话。 —

“I understand now why they murdered him. —
“我现在明白为什么他们杀害了他。” —

” Valentine could not help casting one glance towards the young man, whose filial enthusiasm it was delightful to behold. —
瓦伦丁情不自禁地瞥了一眼那个年轻人，看到他对父亲充满热情，真是令人愉快。 —

Villefort walked to and fro behind them. —
维尔福在他们身后来回走动。 —

Noirtier watched the expression of each one, and preserved his dignified and commanding attitude. —
诺伊缇尔观察着每个人的表情，保持着他庄严而威严的姿态。 —

Franz returned to the manuscript, and continued:
弗朗茨回到手稿上，继续写道：

“‘“Sir,” said the president, “you have been invited to join this assembly—you were not forced here; —
“‘“先生，”主席说，“你受邀参加这个集会——你并没有被强迫来到这里； —

it was proposed to you to come blindfolded—you accepted. —
曾有人提议你眼睛蒙着布来——你接受了。” —

When you complied with this twofold request you well knew we did not wish to secure the throne of Louis XVIII., or we should not take so much care to avoid the vigilance of the police. —
当你遵守了这个双重要求时，你很清楚我们并不想夺取路易十八的王位，否则我们就不会如此小心地避开警察的监视。 —

It would be conceding too much to allow you to put on a mask to aid you in the discovery of our secret, and then to remove it that you may ruin those who have confided in you. —
允许你戴上面具以帮助你发现我们的秘密并摘下它以毁灭那些信任你的人，那是让步太多了。 —

No, no, you must first say if you declare yourself for the king of a day who now reigns, or for his majesty the emperor.”
不，不，你必须首先说你是为那位现在统治的一天的国王宣誓效忠，还是他的陛下皇帝。

“‘“I am a royalist,” replied the general; —
“我是皇家主义者，”将军回答说； —

“I have taken the oath of allegiance to Louis XVIII., and I will adhere to it. —
“我曾经宣誓效忠路易十八，并将坚守不移。 —

” These words were followed by a general murmur, and it was evident that several of the members were discussing the propriety of making the general repent of his rashness.
这些话引起了普遍的低声议论，很明显，有几位成员正在讨论让将军悔悟自己的鲁莽是否合适。

“‘The president again arose, and having imposed silence, said,—“Sir, you are too serious and too sensible a man not to understand the consequences of our present situation, and your candor has already dictated to us the conditions which remain for us to offer you. —
“总统再次站起来，安静地说道——‘先生，你是一个太认真、太明智的人，不会不明白我们当前形势的后果，你的坦率已经告诉我们我们需要向你提出的条件。 —

” The general, putting his hand on his sword, exclaimed,—“If you talk of honor, do not begin by disavowing its laws, and impose nothing by violence.”
‘‘将手放在剑上的将军大声说道——‘如果你谈论荣誉，就不要开始否认它的规则，并用暴力强迫什么。

“‘“And you, sir,” continued the president, with a calmness still more terrible than the general’s anger, “I advise you not to touch your sword. —
‘‘‘而你，先生，’总统继续说道，平静得比将军的愤怒还可怕，‘我建议你不要动剑。 —

” The general looked around him with slight uneasiness; —
将军稍微感到一丝不安地看了看四周； —

however he did not yield, but calling up all his fortitude, said,—“I will not swear.”
然而他没有屈服，而是鼓起了所有勇气，说道——‘我不会宣誓。

“‘“Then you must die,” replied the president calmly. M. d’Épinay became very pale; —
‘‘‘那么你必须死，’总统平静地回答道。埃平奈先生的脸变得非常苍白； —

he looked round him a second time, several members of the club were whispering, and getting their arms from under their cloaks. —
他环顾四周，看了第二次，几个俱乐部的成员正在低声交谈，并从他们的斗篷下拿出武器。 —

“General,” said the president, “do not alarm yourself; —
“将军，”总统说道，“不要惊慌自失； —

you are among men of honor who will use every means to convince you before resorting to the last extremity, but as you have said, you are among conspirators, you are in possession of our secret, and you must restore it to us. —
你身处荣誉之士之中，他们将使用一切办法说服你，在诉诸最后的手段之前，但正如你所说，你身处阴谋者之中，你掌握了我们的秘密，必须将其归还给我们。 —

” A significant silence followed these words, and as the general did not reply, —“Close the doors,” said the president to the door-keeper.
“这番话之后，重要的沉默随之而来，因为将军没有回答—— “把门关上，”总统对门房说。

“‘The same deadly silence succeeded these words. —
“同样致命的沉默接踵而来。 —

Then the general advanced, and making a violent effort to control his feelings,—“I have a son, ” said he, “and I ought to think of him, finding myself among assassins.”
然后将军上前一步，努力控制自己的情绪，说道—— “我有一个儿子，”他说，“作为一个发现自己身处刺客之中的人，我应该为他着想。”

“‘“General,” said the chief of the assembly, “one man may insult fifty—it is the privilege of weakness. —
“‘将军，”会议的首脑说道，“一个人可以侮辱五十个人——这是弱者的特权。 —

But he does wrong to use his privilege. Follow my advice, swear, and do not insult. —
但他错了，利用了他的特权。听我的建议，宣誓，并不要侮辱。 —

” The general, again daunted by the superiority of the chief, hesitated a moment; —
“将军，又一次被首脑的优势所制伏，犹豫了一会； —

then advancing to the president’s desk,—“What is the form, said he.
然后进入总统的办公桌．“他说的是什么形式呢？

“‘“It is this:—‘I swear by my honor not to reveal to anyone what I have seen and heard on the 5th of February, 1815, between nine and ten o’clock in the evening; —
““这是：我发誓，我将不向任何人透露我在1815年2月5日晚上九点到十点之间所见所闻； —

and I plead guilty of death should I ever violate this oath. —
如果我违背了这个誓言，我愿意承担死刑的责任。 —

’” The general appeared to be affected by a nervous tremor, which prevented his answering for some moments; —
”总统似乎受到了一阵神经性的颤抖，使他无法立即回答； —

then, overcoming his manifest repugnance, he pronounced the required oath, but in so low a tone as to be scarcely audible to the majority of the members, who insisted on his repeating it clearly and distinctly, which he did.
然后，克服了他明显的厌恶，他以一种低低的音调发表了所需的誓言，但是对于大多数成员来说，他的声音几乎听不见，他们坚持要求他清楚明确地重复，他也这样做了。

“‘“Now am I at liberty to retire?” said the general. —
“现在我可以离开吗？总统站起身，任命三名成员陪同他，并在给将军蒙上眼睛后与他一起上了车。 —

The president rose, appointed three members to accompany him, and got into the carriage with the general after bandaging his eyes. —
这三名成员中有一名是他们来时的车夫。 —

One of those three members was the coachman who had driven them there. —
—

The other members silently dispersed. “Where do you wish to be taken?” asked the president. —
其他成员悄无声息地散开了。 “你想被带到哪里去？” 总统问道。 —

—“Anywhere out of your presence,” replied M. d’Épinay. —
——”无论哪里，只要离开您在场的地方，”埃皮内先生答道。 —

“Beware, sir,” replied the president, “you are no longer in the assembly, and have only to do with individuals; —
“小心，先生，”总统回答道，”您已经不在议会中了，只需要与个人打交道；除非您想承担责任，否则不要侮辱他们。 —

do not insult them unless you wish to be held responsible. —
“ 但埃皮内先生没有倾听，继续说道，”因为您现在四个对一个，所以您的马车上仍然充满了勇气。 —

” But instead of listening, M. d’Épinay went on, —“You are still as brave in your carriage as in your assembly because you are still four against one. —
” 总统停下了马车。他们正处在莫尔姆码头的那个地方，那里的台阶通往河边。 —

” The president stopped the coach. They were at that part of the Quai des Ormes where the steps lead down to the river. —
“你为什么在这儿停下？”埃皮内问道。 —

“Why do you stop here?” asked d’Épinay.
“因为，先生，”总统说道，”你侮辱了一个人，这个人不会再往前走一步，除非要求光荣償還。

“‘“Because, sir,” said the president, “you have insulted a man, and that man will not go one step farther without demanding honorable reparation.”
“另一种谋杀的方式吗？”将军耸了耸肩。

“‘“Another method of assassination?” said the general, shrugging his shoulders.
“是因为，先生，”总统说道，”你已经侮辱了一个人，这个人将不会再继续前进，除非要求光荣償還。

“‘“Make no noise, sir, unless you wish me to consider you as one of the men of whom you spoke just now as cowards, who take their weakness for a shield. —
“请不要发出声音，先生，除非您希望我把您视为刚才提到的懦夫之一，将自己的软弱当作盾牌。” —

You are alone, one alone shall answer you; you have a sword by your side, I have one in my cane; —
您是一个人，只有一个人会回答您。您身边有一把剑，我手杖上也有一把。 —

you have no witness, one of these gentlemen will serve you. —
您没有证人，其中一个绅士会为您效劳。 —

Now, if you please, remove your bandage.” The general tore the handkerchief from his eyes. —
现在，如果您愿意，请取下您的绷带。”将军从他的眼睛上撕下手帕。 —

“At last,” said he, “I shall know with whom I have to do. —
“终于，”他说，“我将知道我要对付的人是谁了。 —

” They opened the door and the four men alighted.’”
”他们打开门，四个人下了车。’”

Franz again interrupted himself, and wiped the cold drops from his brow; —
弗朗茨再次打断他自己，从额头上抹去冷汗。 —

there was something awful in hearing the son read aloud in trembling pallor these details of his father’s death, which had hitherto been a mystery. —
听到儿子以颤抖的苍白声音大声读出关于父亲死亡的这些细节，这在某种程度上让人感到可怕，那些细节之前一直是一个谜。 —

Valentine clasped her hands as if in prayer. —
瓦伦丁合起双手，仿佛在祈祷。 —

Noirtier looked at Villefort with an almost sublime expression of contempt and pride.
努瓦提耶用一种近乎崇高的表情鄙视地看着维尔福。

Franz continued:
弗朗茨继续说：

“‘It was, as we said, the fifth of February. —
“‘正如我们所说，是二月五日。 —

For three days the mercury had been five or six degrees below freezing and the steps were covered with ice. —
连续三天，温度都比冰点低五六度，楼梯上覆盖着冰。 —

The general was stout and tall, the president offered him the side of the railing to assist him in getting down. —
将军身材魁梧高大，总统搀扶着他靠近栏杆。 —

The two witnesses followed. It was a dark night. —
两名目击者紧随其后，夜晚一片漆黑。 —

The ground from the steps to the river was covered with snow and hoarfrost, the water of the river looked black and deep. —
从楼梯到河边的地面覆盖着雪和霜，河水看上去又黑又深。 —

One of the seconds went for a lantern in a coal-barge near, and by its light they examined the weapons. —
其中一名证人去了附近的一艘煤炭驳船取了个灯笼，他们凭借着灯光检查了武器。 —

The president’s sword, which was simply, as he had said, one he carried in his cane, was five inches shorter than the general’s, and had no guard. —
总统的剑如他所说，只是他拿在手杖里的一个，比将军的短五英寸，而且没有护手。 —

The general proposed to cast lots for the swords, but the president said it was he who had given the provocation, and when he had given it he had supposed each would use his own arms. —
将军提议为剑进行抽签，但总统说是他挑起了争端，而且在挑起争端时他以为双方会使用各自的武器。 —

The witnesses endeavored to insist, but the president bade them be silent. —
证人试图坚持，但总统命令他们保持沉默。 —

The lantern was placed on the ground, the two adversaries took their stations, and the duel began. —
提灯放在地上，两个对手就各站好位置，决斗开始了。 —

The light made the two swords appear like flashes of lightning; —
灯光照亮了两把剑，使它们看起来像闪电一样。 —

as for the men, they were scarcely perceptible, the darkness was so great.
至于那两个人，由于黑暗非常浓密，几乎看不见他们的存在。

“‘General d’Épinay passed for one of the best swordsmen in the army, but he was pressed so closely in the onset that he missed his aim and fell. —
“艾蓬尼将军被视为军队中最好的剑客之一，但他在冲锋中被逼得手忙脚乱，没有命中目标而摔倒。 —

The witnesses thought he was dead, but his adversary, who knew he had not struck him, offered him the assistance of his hand to rise. —
见证人们以为他已经死了，但他的对手，知道自己并未伤到他，向他伸出了援助之手帮他起身。 —

The circumstance irritated instead of calming the general, and he rushed on his adversary. —
这一情况让将军愤怒而非平复，他冲向了他的对手。 —

But his opponent did not allow his guard to be broken. —
但他的对手没有让自己的防御被突破。 —

He received him on his sword and three times the general drew back on finding himself too closely engaged, and then returned to the charge. —
他在自己的剑上接住了将军，将军三次退让，因为发现自己陷入了过于危险的交战，然后再次发起冲击。 —

At the third he fell again. They thought he slipped, as at first, and the witnesses, seeing he did not move, approached and endeavored to raise him, but the one who passed his arm around the body found it was moistened with blood. —
在第三次他再次跌倒。他们认为他是滑倒了，和一开始一样。目击者们看到他没有动作，走近并试图扶起他，但是那个抱住他身体的人发现他的身体被血渗透了。 —

The general, who had almost fainted, revived. —
几乎晕倒的将军恢复了意识。 —

“Ah,” said he, “they have sent some fencing-master to fight with me. —
“啊”，他说，“他们派了个击剑教练来和我打斗。” —

” The president, without answering, approached the witness who held the lantern, and raising his sleeve, showed him two wounds he had received in his arm; —
总统没有回答，走近拿着灯笼的证人，抬起袖子向他展示了他手臂上受到的两道伤口； —

then opening his coat, and unbuttoning his waistcoat, displayed his side, pierced with a third wound. —
然后他打开外套，解开背心，露出他的肋部，被第三道伤口刺穿。 —

Still he had not even uttered a sigh. General d’Épinay died five minutes after.’”
即使这样他都没有发出一声叹息。几分钟后，德培内将军去世了。”

Franz read these last words in a voice so choked that they were hardly audible, and then stopped, passing his hand over his eyes as if to dispel a cloud; —
弗朗茨声音嘶哑地读出这些最后的话，几乎听不到。然后他停下来，用手擦过眼睛好像要驱散一片云彩。 —

but after a moment’s silence, he continued:
但是沉默了片刻之后，他继续说道：

“‘The president went up the steps, after pushing his sword into his cane; —
”总统上台阶之前，把剑插入手杖里。” —

a track of blood on the snow marked his course. —
雪地上的一条血迹标记着他的行程。 —

He had scarcely arrived at the top when he heard a heavy splash in the water—it was the general’s body, which the witnesses had just thrown into the river after ascertaining that he was dead. —
他刚到山顶，便听到水中的重重溅落声——那是见证人刚刚把将军的尸体扔进河里，确认他已经死了。 —

The general fell, then, in a loyal duel, and not in ambush as it might have been reported. —
所以可以证明，将军是在一场忠诚的决斗中倒下的，而不是像可能被报道的那样处于埋伏之中。 —

In proof of this we have signed this paper to establish the truth of the facts, lest the moment should arrive when either of the actors in this terrible scene should be accused of premeditated murder or of infringement of the laws of honor.
为了证实这一点，我们签署了这份文件，以确立事实的真相，以免将来这场可怕的场景中的任何一位参与者被指控预谋谋杀或违反了荣誉法。

“‘Signed, Beaurepaire, Duchampy, and Lecharpal.’”
“‘签名者：Beaurepaire，Duchampy和Lecharpal。’”

When Franz had finished reading this account, so dreadful for a son; —
弗朗茨读完了这个对儿子来说可怕的叙述； —

when Valentine, pale with emotion, had wiped away a tear; —
瓦伦泰因为激动而苍白，擦去了一滴眼泪。 —

when Villefort, trembling, and crouched in a corner, had endeavored to lessen the storm by supplicating glances at the implacable old man,—
当维尔福战战兢兢地蜷缩在角落里，试图通过向这个不可调和的老人祈求的眼神减轻他的愤怒时，—

“Sir,” said d’Épinay to Noirtier, “since you are well acquainted with all these details, which are attested by honorable signatures,—since you appear to take some interest in me, although you have only manifested it hitherto by causing me sorrow, refuse me not one final satisfaction—tell me the name of the president of the club, that I may at least know who killed my father.”
“先生，”德培尼对努尔泰尔说道，“既然您对所有这些细节非常了解，这些细节都得到了可信的签名证明，既然您似乎对我感兴趣，尽管您迄今为止只通过给我带来忧伤来表达过这种兴趣，请您最后满足我一个要求——告诉我俱乐部主席的姓名，这样我至少可以知道谁杀了我父亲。”

Villefort mechanically felt for the handle of the door; —
维尔福机械地摸索着门把手。 —

Valentine, who understood sooner than anyone her grandfather’s answer, and who had often seen two scars upon his right arm, drew back a few steps.
瓦伦蒂娜比任何人更早地理解了祖父的答案，她经常见到他右臂上的两个疤痕，于是她向后退了几步。

“Mademoiselle,” said Franz, turning towards Valentine, “unite your efforts with mine to find out the name of the man who made me an orphan at two years of age. —
“小姐，”弗朗茨转向瓦伦蒂娜说道，“请与我一起努力找出在我两岁时让我成为孤儿的人的名字。” —

” Valentine remained dumb and motionless.
瓦伦蒂娜保持着沉默和不动。

“Hold, sir,” said Villefort, “do not prolong this dreadful scene. —
“停下，先生，”维尔福说道，“不要再延长这可怕的场面。” —

The names have been purposely concealed; —
这些名字故意被隐瞒。 —

my father himself does not know who this president was, and if he knows, he cannot tell you; —
我父亲自己也不知道这位总统是谁，即使他知道，也不能告诉你，因为名字并不在字典上。 —

proper names are not in the dictionary.”
“名字不在字典上。”

“Oh, misery,” cried Franz: “the only hope which sustained me and enabled me to read to the end was that of knowing, at least, the name of him who killed my father! —
“噢，可怜啊，”弗朗茨叫道：“唯一支撑我并让我能看到末尾的希望，就是知道至少杀死我父亲的人的名字！ —

Sir, sir,” cried he, turning to Noirtier, “do what you can—make me understand in some way!”
先生，先生，”他转向努瓦提耶，“尽力让我明白些吧！”

“Yes,” replied Noirtier.
“是的，”努瓦提耶回答道。

“Oh, mademoiselle, mademoiselle!” cried Franz, “your grandfather says he can indicate the person. —
“噢，小姐，小姐！”弗朗茨叫道，“你爷爷说他可以指出那个人。 —

Help me,—lend me your assistance!”
帮帮我，借我你的帮助！”

Noirtier looked at the dictionary. Franz took it with a nervous trembling, and repeated the letters of the alphabet successively, until he came to M. At that letter the old man signified “Yes.”
努瓦提耶看着字典。弗朗茨紧张地颤抖着拿过来，按顺序重复了字母，直到到达M。在那个字母处，老人表示“是的”。

“M,” repeated Franz. The young man’s finger, glided over the words, but at each one Noirtier answered by a negative sign. —
“M”，弗朗茨重复道。年轻人的手指滑过这些字，但诺尔缇耶对每个字都以否定的姿态回答。 —

Valentine hid her head between her hands. —
瓦伦丁将头隐藏在双手之间。 —

At length, Franz arrived at the word MYSELF.
最后，弗朗茨看到了“我自己”这个词。

“Yes!”
“是的！”

“You!” cried Franz, whose hair stood on end; “you, M. Noirtier—you killed my father?”
“你！”弗朗茨惊恐地喊道，“你，诺尔缇耶先生，是你杀了我父亲吗？”

“Yes!” replied Noirtier, fixing a majestic look on the young man. —
“是的！”诺尔缇耶回答道，目光凝视着年轻人。 —

Franz fell powerless on a chair; Villefort opened the door and escaped, for the idea had entered his mind to stifle the little remaining life in the heart of this terrible old man.
弗朗茨无力地倒在椅子上；维尔福打开门逃走了，因为他想到了一个点子，要扼杀这个可怕老人心中仅存的一丝生机。