If Valentine could have seen the trembling step and agitated countenance of Franz when he quitted the chamber of M. Noirtier, even she would have been constrained to pity him. —
如果瓦伦丁能看到弗朗茨离开诺尔缇耶先生房间时战栗的脚步和焦躁的表情，她也会被迫同情他。 —

Villefort had only just given utterance to a few incoherent sentences, and then retired to his study, where he received about two hours afterwards the following letter:
维尔福刚刚说了几句语无伦次的话，然后退到书房，大约两个小时后收到了以下信件：

“After all the disclosures which were made this morning, M. Noirtier de Villefort must see the utter impossibility of any alliance being formed between his family and that of M. Franz d’Épinay. —
“在今天早上进行的所有披露之后，韦尔福先生已经看到他的家族与弗朗茨·德埃皮纳伊先生的家族之间无法形成任何联姻的彻底不可能。 —

M. d’Épinay must say that he is shocked and astonished that M. de Villefort, who appeared to be aware of all the circumstances detailed this morning, should not have anticipated him in this announcement.”
德埃皮纳伊先生必须说他对韦尔福先生感到震惊和惊讶，因为韦尔福先生似乎已经了解了今天早上详细说明的所有情况，并没有在这个宣布之前预料到他。

No one who had seen the magistrate at this moment, so thoroughly unnerved by the recent inauspicious combination of circumstances, would have supposed for an instant that he had anticipated the annoyance; —
在此刻看到这位法官如此被最近不吉利的环境所动摇，没有人会想象他曾经预料到这种困扰。 —

although it certainly never had occurred to him that his father would carry candor, or rather rudeness, so far as to relate such a history. —
虽然他从未想到他的父亲会如此坦率，或者说是粗鲁到如此程度来讲述这样的历史。 —

And in justice to Villefort, it must be understood that M. Noirtier, who never cared for the opinion of his son on any subject, had always omitted to explain the affair to Villefort, so that he had all his life entertained the belief that General de Quesnel, or the Baron d’Épinay, as he was alternately styled, according as the speaker wished to identify him by his own family name, or by the title which had been conferred on him, fell the victim of assassination, and not that he was killed fairly in a duel. —
并且为了公正起见，必须理解M. Noirtier从来不关心他儿子对任何事情的意见，一直忽略向Villefort解释这件事，所以他一直以来都相信，General de Quesnel，或者根据说话者希望用自己的家族姓氏还是被赋予他的头衔来确定他的身份而交替使用的Baron d’Epinay，是被暗杀而不是在决斗中公平地被杀害。 —

This harsh letter, coming as it did from a man generally so polite and respectful, struck a mortal blow at the pride of Villefort.
这封来自一个通常彬彬有礼、恭敬有加的人的严厉信件，给Villefort的自尊心以致命一击。

Hardly had he read the letter, when his wife entered. —
他刚读完信，他的妻子进来了。 —

The sudden departure of Franz, after being summoned by M. Noirtier, had so much astonished everyone, that the position of Madame de Villefort, left alone with the notary and the witnesses, became every moment more embarrassing. —
弗朗茨突然离开的事情让每个人都感到惊讶，让独自一人与公证人和证人留在一起的维勒福夫人的处境变得越来越尴尬。 —

Determined to bear it no longer, she arose and left the room; —
决定再也不忍受，她站起身离开了房间； —

saying she would go and make some inquiries into the cause of his sudden disappearance.
她说要去了解一下他突然离开的原因。

M. de Villefort’s communications on the subject were very limited and concise; —
维勒福先生对此事的介绍非常有限和简洁； —

he told her, in fact, that an explanation had taken place between M. Noirtier, M. d’Épinay, and himself, and that the marriage of Valentine and Franz would consequently be broken off. —
他告诉她，实际上，诺尔缇先生、埃皮内先生和他之间已经发生了一次解释，因此瓦伦蒂娜和弗朗茨的婚事将被取消。 —

This was an awkward and unpleasant thing to have to report to those who were waiting. —
这是一个尴尬而不愉快的事情需要向那些在等待的人们报告。 —

She therefore contented herself with saying that M. Noirtier having at the commencement of the discussion been attacked by a sort of apoplectic fit, the affair would necessarily be deferred for some days longer. —
因此，她只是简单地说诺尔缇先生在讨论开始时突然遭受了突发中风，所以这个事情必定会再延迟几天。 —

This news, false as it was following so singularly in the train of the two similar misfortunes which had so recently occurred, evidently astonished the auditors, and they retired without a word.
这则消息虽然在之前发生了两起类似的不幸后显得荒诞，但显然让听众们大为惊讶，他们默不作声地离开了。

During this time Valentine, at once terrified and happy, after having embraced and thanked the feeble old man for thus breaking with a single blow the chain which she had been accustomed to consider as irrefragable, asked leave to retire to her own room, in order to recover her composure. —
范妮担心而又快乐，感谢这个衰老的老人通过一击打破了她曾认为无法反驳的链条，并请求离开以恢复平静。 —

Noirtier looked the permission which she solicited. —
内尔蒂尔医生表示同意她所请求的离开。 —

But instead of going to her own room, Valentine, having once gained her liberty, entered the gallery, and, opening a small door at the end of it, found herself at once in the garden.
但范妮没有去自己的房间，她一旦获得自由，便进入了画廊，打开了尽头的一扇小门，发现自己立即进入了花园。

In the midst of all the strange events which had crowded one on the other, an indefinable sentiment of dread had taken possession of Valentine’s mind. —
在所有连续发生的奇异事件中，一种难以言喻的恐惧情感占据了范妮的心灵。 —

She expected every moment that she should see Morrel appear, pale and trembling, to forbid the signing of the contract, like the Laird of Ravenswood in The Bride of Lammermoor.
她每时每刻都期待着莫雷尔出现，面色苍白地颤抖着，禁止签署合同，就像《兰默尔之妻》中的雷文斯伍德负有的职责一样。

It was high time for her to make her appearance at the gate, for Maximilian had long awaited her coming. —
她已经迫不及待地要出现在大门口了，因为马克西米利安等待她的到来已经很久了。 —

He had half guessed what was going on when he saw Franz quit the cemetery with M. de Villefort. —
当弗朗茨和维尔福先生离开墓地时，他已经猜到了一半发生了什么事情。 —

He followed M. d’Épinay, saw him enter, afterwards go out, and then re-enter with Albert and Château-Renaud. —
他跟着德阿封尼先生，看到他进去后，再次出来，然后带着阿尔伯特和沙多诺进去。 —

He had no longer any doubts as to the nature of the conference; —
现在他对会议的性质再没有任何疑虑了； —

he therefore quickly went to the gate in the clover-patch, prepared to hear the result of the proceedings, and very certain that Valentine would hasten to him the first moment she should be set at liberty. —
因此，他迅速走到三叶草地里的大门旁，准备听到会议结果，也相信瓦伦丁在被释放后会第一时间来找他。 —

He was not mistaken; peering through the crevices of the wooden partition, he soon discovered the young girl, who cast aside all her usual precautions and walked at once to the barrier. —
他没有错；透过木制隔板的缝隙，他很快就发现了那个年轻女孩，她放下了平时的一切谨慎，径直走到了栅栏那边。 —

The first glance which Maximilian directed towards her entirely reassured him, and the first words she spoke made his heart bound with delight.
Maximilian对她投去的第一眼完全让他放心，她说的第一句话让他的心欢喜跳动。

“We are saved!” said Valentine.
“我们得救了！”瓦伦丁说道。

“Saved?” repeated Morrel, not being able to conceive such intense happiness; “by whom?”
“救了？”莫雷尔重复道，难以想象这么强烈的幸福，“是谁救的？”

“By my grandfather. Oh, Morrel, pray love him for all his goodness to us!”
“是我爷爷。哦，莫雷尔，求你因他对我们的慈善而喜爱他！”

Morrel swore to love him with all his soul; —
莫雷尔发誓全心全意地爱他； —

and at that moment he could safely promise to do so, for he felt as though it were not enough to love him merely as a friend or even as a father, he worshiped him as a god.
此刻他能够安全地承诺如此，因为他感觉只是把他爱他当作朋友，甚至父亲，还不够，他把他当作上帝崇拜着。

“But tell me, Valentine, how has it all been effected? —
“不过告诉我，瓦伦丁，是如何实现的呢？ —

What strange means has he used to compass this blessed end?”
他用了什么奇特的手段来达到这个幸福的结局？”

Valentine was on the point of relating all that had passed, but she suddenly remembered that in doing so she must reveal a terrible secret which concerned others as well as her grandfather, and she said:
瓦伦丁正要讲述发生的一切，但她突然想起，这样做将揭示一个关系到别人和她祖父的可怕秘密，于是她说：

“At some future time I will tell you all about it.”
“将来的某个时候我会告诉你一切的。”

“But when will that be?”
“但那会是什么时候？”

“When I am your wife.”
“当我成为你的妻子时。”

The conversation had now turned upon a topic so pleasing to Morrel, that he was ready to accede to anything that Valentine thought fit to propose, and he likewise felt that a piece of intelligence such as he just heard ought to be more than sufficient to content him for one day. —
这个话题让莫雷尔感到非常愉快，他愿意听从瓦伦丁的提议，并且他也觉得刚刚听到的这个消息足以让他在一天内感到满足。 —

However, he would not leave without the promise of seeing Valentine again the next night. —
然而，他不愿意在没有看到瓦伦丁的承诺之前就离开。 —

Valentine promised all that Morrel required of her, and certainly it was less difficult now for her to believe that she should marry Maximilian than it was an hour ago to assure herself that she should not marry Franz.
瓦伦丁答应了莫雷尔对她的要求，现在她更容易相信自己会嫁给马克西米利安，而在一个小时前，她不确定自己是否会嫁给弗朗茨。

During the time occupied by the interview we have just detailed, Madame de Villefort had gone to visit M. Noirtier. —
在我们刚刚描述的会面期间，维尔福夫人去探望了诺尔缇耶先生。 —

The old man looked at her with that stern and forbidding expression with which he was accustomed to receive her.
老人以他习惯接待她时那种严厉和禁止的表情看着她。

“Sir,” said she, “it is superfluous for me to tell you that Valentine’s marriage is broken off, since it was here that the affair was concluded.”
“先生，”她说，“告诉您瓦伦丁的婚姻已经破裂实属多余，毕竟是在这里终日该交易成立的。”

Noirtier’s countenance remained immovable.
“诺尔提尔的脸色没有变化。

“But one thing I can tell you, of which I do not think you are aware; —
“但有一件事我可以告诉您，我想您可能不知道； —

that is, that I have always been opposed to this marriage, and that the contract was entered into entirely without my consent or approbation.”
“那就是，我一直反对这次婚姻，合同完全没有征得我的同意或赞同。”

Noirtier regarded his daughter-in-law with the look of a man desiring an explanation.
“诺尔提尔用一种期待解释的眼神看着女儿婿。

“Now that this marriage, which I know you so much disliked, is done away with, I come to you on an errand which neither M. de Villefort nor Valentine could consistently undertake.”
“既然您如此不喜欢这次婚姻已经取消了，那我来找您办件事，这件事维尔福先生和瓦伦丁都不方便处理。”

Noirtier’s eyes demanded the nature of her mission.
“诺尔提尔的眼神要求知道她的任务是什么。

“I come to entreat you, sir,” continued Madame de Villefort, “as the only one who has the right of doing so, inasmuch as I am the only one who will receive no personal benefit from the transaction, —I come to entreat you to restore, not your love, for that she has always possessed, but to restore your fortune to your granddaughter.”
“我前来恳求您，先生，”维勒福夫人接着说道，“作为唯一有权这样做的人，因为我是唯一不会从这次交易中得到个人利益的人——我前来恳求您，将您的爱，并不是说她一直没有拥有，而是将您的财富归还给您的孙女。”

There was a doubtful expression in Noirtier’s eyes; —
诺爱提尔的眼神中有一种犹豫的表情； —

he was evidently trying to discover the motive of this proceeding, and he could not succeed in doing so.
显然他在试图找出这一行动的动机，但却无法成功。

“May I hope, sir,” said Madame de Villefort, “that your intentions accord with my request?”
“先生，我是否可以希望您的意图与我的请求一致？”维勒福夫人说。

Noirtier made a sign that they did.
诺爱提尔示意他们一致。

“In that case, sir,” rejoined Madame de Villefort, “I will leave you overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness at your prompt acquiescence to my wishes. —
“既然如此，先生，”维勒福夫人回答道。“我将满怀感激和幸福地离开，并对您迅速同意我的愿望表示感谢。 —

” She then bowed to M. Noirtier and retired.
”然后她向诺爱提尔先生鞠了一躬，离开了。

The next day M. Noirtier sent for the notary; —
第二天，诺爱提尔先生派人找来公证人。 —

the first will was torn up and a second made, in which he left the whole of his fortune to Valentine, on condition that she should never be separated from him. —
第一份遗嘱被撕毁，他立了第二份，遗赠了他的全部财产给瓦伦泰妮，条件是她永远不会与他分开。 —

It was then generally reported that Mademoiselle de Villefort, the heiress of the marquis and marchioness of Saint-Méran, had regained the good graces of her grandfather, and that she would ultimately be in possession of an income of 300,000 livres.
于是，人们普遍传言说瓦伦泰妮·德维尔福小姐，圣梅兰侯爵和侯爵夫人的继承人，重新赢得了祖父的好感，并最终将拥有30万里弗的收入。

While all the proceedings relative to the dissolution of the marriage-contract were being carried on at the house of M. de Villefort, Monte Cristo had paid his visit to the Count of Morcerf, who, in order to lose no time in responding to M. Danglars’ wishes, and at the same time to pay all due deference to his position in society, donned his uniform of lieutenant-general, which he ornamented with all his crosses, and thus attired, ordered his finest horses and drove to the Rue de la Chaussée d’Antin.
当在维尔福先生家进行有关解除婚约的所有手续时，蒙特克里斯托去了拜访莫塞夫伯爵。为了不浪费时间回应当格拉先生的愿望，并同时对他的社会地位表示敬意，莫塞夫伯爵身着他的中将制服，并佩戴上他的所有勋章，这样装扮好后，他命令备好他最好的马匹，并驱车去了安坦大街。

Danglars was balancing his monthly accounts, and it was perhaps not the most favorable moment for finding him in his best humor. —
当罗吉埃·丹格拉尔斯正在平衡他的月度账目时，也许不是他情绪最好的时刻。 —

At the first sight of his old friend, Danglars assumed his majestic air, and settled himself in his easy-chair.
他一看到老朋友，丹格拉尔斯就摆出他威严的姿态，坐在他的躺椅上。

Morcerf, usually so stiff and formal, accosted the banker in an affable and smiling manner, and, feeling sure that the overture he was about to make would be well received, he did not consider it necessary to adopt any manœuvres in order to gain his end, but went at once straight to the point.
平时很拘谨正式的蒙塞夫以和蔼可亲且微笑的方式向银行家打招呼，他确信自己即将提出的建议会得到肯定，所以并不认为需要采取任何策略来达到目的，而是直截了当地说出了要点。

“Well, baron,” said he, “here I am at last; —
“嗯，男爵，”他说，“我终于来了；我们的计划已经制定了一段时间，但现在还未执行。” —

some time has elapsed since our plans were formed, and they are not yet executed.”
蒙塞夫在这些话语间停顿下来，静静地等着既然连接两人的沉默即将散去，而丹格拉尔斯的脸色也会随之变亮，然而，令他非常惊讶的是，脸色变得越来越阴沉。

Morcerf paused at these words, quietly waiting till the cloud should have dispersed which had gathered on the brow of Danglars, and which he attributed to his silence; —
“你指的是什么，先生？”丹格拉尔斯问道； —

but, on the contrary, to his great surprise, it grew darker and darker.
蒙塞夫决定安静地等待，直到连接两人的沉默散去，而丹格拉尔斯脸上的阴云也消散，然而，令他非常惊讶的是，这个阴云变得越来越黑。

“To what do you allude, monsieur?” said Danglars; —
“你指的是什么，先生？”丹格拉尔斯问道。 —

as if he were trying in vain to guess at the possible meaning of the general’s words.
仿佛他在徒劳地猜测将军话语的可能意义。

“Ah,” said Morcerf, “I see you are a stickler for forms, my dear sir, and you would remind me that the ceremonial rites should not be omitted. —
“啊，”莫尔谢夫说道，”我明白您是一个拘泥于形式的人，亲爱的先生，您会提醒我不可忽略典礼仪式。 —

Ma foi, I beg your pardon, but as I have but one son, and it is the first time I have ever thought of marrying him, I am still serving my apprenticeship, you know; —
真的，非常抱歉，但是我只有一个儿子，这是我第一次考虑给他娶妻，您知道，我还在学徒期； —

come, I will reform.”
好吧，我会改正的。

And Morcerf with a forced smile arose, and, making a low bow to M. Danglars, said:
莫尔谢夫强行笑了笑，起身向当格拉先生鞠躬说：

“Baron, I have the honor of asking of you the hand of Mademoiselle Eugénie Danglars for my son, the Vicomte Albert de Morcerf.”
“男爵，我有幸请求您将您女儿欧仁妮·当格拉小姐许配给我的儿子，莫尔谢夫子爵阿尔贝特。”

But Danglars, instead of receiving this address in the favorable manner which Morcerf had expected, knit his brow, and without inviting the count, who was still standing, to take a seat, he said:
但是当格拉先生并没有如莫尔谢夫预期那样接受这个请求，他皱起了眉头，没有邀请依然站着的伯爵坐下，他说道：

“Monsieur, it will be necessary to reflect before I give you an answer.”
“先生，在我给您一个回答之前，需要先考虑一下。”

“To reflect?” said Morcerf, more and more astonished; —
“需要考虑？”莫尔谢夫越发惊讶地说道； —

“have you not had enough time for reflection during the eight years which have elapsed since this marriage was first discussed between us?”
“在我们最初讨论这场婚姻的八年里，你难道没有足够的时间反思吗？”

“Count,” said the banker, “things are constantly occurring in the world to induce us to lay aside our most established opinions, or at all events to cause us to remodel them according to the change of circumstances, which may have placed affairs in a totally different light to that in which we at first viewed them.”
“伯爵，”银行家说，“世界上不断发生着一些事情，让我们放弃我们最根深蒂固的观点，或者至少让我们根据情况的变化重新调整它们，这些情况可能已经使事态看起来完全不同于我们最初的看法。”

“I do not understand you, baron,” said Morcerf.
“我不明白你的意思，男爵，”莫尔塞夫说。

“What I mean to say is this, sir,—that during the last fortnight unforeseen circumstances have occurred——”
“我想说的是，先生，最近两个星期发生了一些意外的情况——”

“Excuse me,” said Morcerf, “but is it a play we are acting?”
“请原谅，”莫尔塞夫说，“我们在演戏吗？”

“A play?”
“演戏？”

“Yes, for it is like one; pray let us come more to the point, and endeavor thoroughly to understand each other.”
“是的，就像一出戏；请我们更直接地谈谈，努力彻底理解彼此。”

“That is quite my desire.”
“那正是我的愿望。”

“You have seen M. de Monte Cristo have you not?”
“你见过蒙特克里斯托先生吗？”

“I see him very often,” said Danglars, drawing himself up; —
“我经常见他。”当格拉尔斯挺直身子说道， —

“he is a particular friend of mine.”
“他是我的一位特别朋友。”

“Well, in one of your late conversations with him, you said that I appeared to be forgetful and irresolute concerning this marriage, did you not?”
“好吧，在你和他的最近一次谈话中，你不是说我似乎对这个婚姻忘记了，又不坚定吗？”

“I did say so.”
“是的，我确实这么说过。”

“Well, here I am, proving at once that I am really neither the one nor the other, by entreating you to keep your promise on that score.”
“现在，我来证明我既不是忘记了，也不是对这个婚姻犹豫不决，我恳求你要信守你的承诺。”

Danglars did not answer.
Danglars没有回答。

“Have you so soon changed your mind,” added Morcerf, “or have you only provoked my request that you may have the pleasure of seeing me humbled?”
“你是不是很快改变了主意，”莫尔泰夫补充道，“或者你只是刻意激怒我，好让你可以看到我受辱？”

Danglars, seeing that if he continued the conversation in the same tone in which he had begun it, the whole thing might turn out to his own disadvantage, turned to Morcerf, and said:
Danglars意识到如果他继续以自己开始对话的方式继续下去，整件事可能会对他不利，于是他转向莫尔泰夫，说道：

“Count, you must doubtless be surprised at my reserve, and I assure you it costs me much to act in such a manner towards you; —
“伯爵，你肯定对我的保留感到惊讶，但请相信我，对你采取这种方式对待我，这对我来说是很困难的。” —

but, believe me when I say that imperative necessity has imposed the painful task upon me.”
“但请相信我，当我说紧迫的必要性迫使我这样做，这是一项痛苦的任务。”

“These are all so many empty words, my dear sir,” said Morcerf: —
“亲爱的先生，这些都是空洞的话，”莫尔塞夫说道： —

“they might satisfy a new acquaintance, but the Comte de Morcerf does not rank in that list; —
“它们或许可以满足一个新认识的人，但莫尔塞夫伯爵不在那个名单上； —

and when a man like him comes to another, recalls to him his plighted word, and this man fails to redeem the pledge, he has at least a right to exact from him a good reason for so doing.”
当像他这样的人来找另一个人，提醒他他的承诺，而这个人未能履行承诺时，他至少有权力要求对方给出一个充分的理由。”

Danglars was a coward, but did not wish to appear so; —
但丹格拉是个胆小鬼，他并不希望显露出来； —

he was piqued at the tone which Morcerf had just assumed.
他对莫尔塞夫刚才所采取的态度感到被轻视了。

“I am not without a good reason for my conduct,” replied the banker.
“我对我的行为有充分的理由，”银行家回答道。

“What do you mean to say?”
“你是什么意思？”

“I mean to say that I have a good reason, but that it is difficult to explain.”
“我的意思是我有一个很好的理由，但很难解释。”

“You must be aware, at all events, that it is impossible for me to understand motives before they are explained to me; —
“无论如何，你必须明白，在解释之前，我无法理解动机； —

but one thing at least is clear, which is, that you decline allying yourself with my family.”
但至少有一件事是明确的，那就是你拒绝与我的家族结盟。”

“No, sir,” said Danglars; “I merely suspend my decision, that is all.”
“不，先生，”当仁格拉尔说道：“我只是暂时搁置了决定，仅此而已。”

“And do you really flatter yourself that I shall yield to all your caprices, and quietly and humbly await the time of again being received into your good graces?”
“你真以为我会顺从你的一切怪癖，静静地等待重新被你接纳的时机吗？”

“Then, count, if you will not wait, we must look upon these projects as if they had never been entertained.”
“那么，伯爵，如果你不等待，我们必须视这些计划为从未存在过。”

The count bit his lips till the blood almost started, to prevent the ebullition of anger which his proud and irritable temper scarcely allowed him to restrain; —
伯爵咬住嘴唇，几乎要流血，以阻止愤怒的涌动，他那骄傲易怒的脾气几乎无法控制； —

understanding, however, that in the present state of things the laugh would decidedly be against him, he turned from the door, towards which he had been directing his steps, and again confronted the banker. —
然而，他明白眼下的情况会让人嘲笑他，于是他转身离开了他一开始要走向的那扇门，再次面对着银行家。 —

A cloud settled on his brow, evincing decided anxiety and uneasiness, instead of the expression of offended pride which had lately reigned there.
一阵忧虑和不安落在了他的额头上，显示出了他的焦虑，而不是刚才那种被冒犯的傲慢表情。

“My dear Danglars,” said Morcerf, “we have been acquainted for many years, and consequently we ought to make some allowance for each other’s failings. —
“我的亲爱的当格拉先生，我们认识多年，因此我们应该互相宽容一些对方的缺点。 —

You owe me an explanation, and really it is but fair that I should know what circumstance has occurred to deprive my son of your favor.”
你欠我一个解释，实际上我应该知道到底发生了什么事情让你不再喜欢我的儿子。”

“It is from no personal ill-feeling towards the viscount, that is all I can say, sir, ” replied Danglars, who resumed his insolent manner as soon as he perceived that Morcerf was a little softened and calmed down.
“这与子爵个人无关，我只能这么说，先生，”当格拉回答道，一旦他察觉到莫塞夫有些软化和平静下来，他的傲慢态度又恢复了。

“And towards whom do you bear this personal ill-feeling, then? —
“那你对谁抱有这种个人恶感呢？”莫塞夫生气地脸色发白地问道。 —

” said Morcerf, turning pale with anger. —
—

The expression of the count’s face had not remained unperceived by the banker; —
贵族脸上的表情并未逃过银行家的观察。 —

he fixed on him a look of greater assurance than before, and said:
他对目光不再像之前那样不确定，而是更加自信地看着他说道：

“You may, perhaps, be better satisfied that I should not go farther into particulars.”
也许你更满意我不再继续深入详述。

A tremor of suppressed rage shook the whole frame of the count, and making a violent effort over himself, he said: —
贵族的全身都在颤抖着克制住了愤怒，他费力地说道： —

“I have a right to insist on your giving me an explanation. —
我有权利要求你给我一个解释。 —

Is it Madame de Morcerf who has displeased you? —
是德·莫塞尔夫人让你不高兴吗？ —

Is it my fortune which you find insufficient? —
是我的财富让你觉得不够吗？ —

Is it because my opinions differ from yours?”
是因为我的观点与你不同吗？

“Nothing of the kind, sir,” replied Danglars: —
先生，绝对不是这样的，”当时的当古拉回答道： —

“if such had been the case, I only should have been to blame, inasmuch as I was aware of all these things when I made the engagement. —
如果真是这样的话，那只能怪我自己，因为在我们做出约定时我已经了解到了这一切。 —

No, do not seek any longer to discover the reason. —
不，不要再去寻找原因了。 —

I really am quite ashamed to have been the cause of your undergoing such severe self-examination; —
真的很抱歉让你自我反思得如此辛苦； —

let us drop the subject, and adopt the middle course of delay, which implies neither a rupture nor an engagement. —
让我们放下这个话题，采取中庸之道，既不断交也不订婚。 —

Ma foi, there is no hurry. My daughter is only seventeen years old, and your son twenty-one. —
_噢，不用着急。我的女儿只有十七岁，你的儿子二十一岁。 —

While we wait, time will be progressing, events will succeed each other; —
在我们等待的同时，时间会继续流逝，事件会依次发生。 —

things which in the evening look dark and obscure, appear but too clearly in the light of morning, and sometimes the utterance of one word, or the lapse of a single day, will reveal the most cruel calumnies.”
有些事在晚上看起来黯淡模糊，但在早晨的光照下就变得清晰明了。有时候仅仅是说出一个词，或者过去一天，就能揭示出最残酷的诽谤。

“Calumnies, did you say, sir?” cried Morcerf, turning livid with rage. —
“诽谤，你说诽谤，先生？”莫塞夫怒火中烧地变得苍白。 —

“Does anyone dare to slander me?”
“难道有人敢诽谤我？”

“Monsieur, I told you that I considered it best to avoid all explanation.”
“先生，我告诉过您，我认为避免一切解释是最好的。”

“Then, sir, I am patiently to submit to your refusal?”
“那么，先生，我只能耐心地接受您的拒绝吗？”

“Yes, sir, although I assure you the refusal is as painful for me to give as it is for you to receive, for I had reckoned on the honor of your alliance, and the breaking off of a marriage contract always injures the lady more than the gentleman.”
“是的，先生，虽然我向您拒绝的同时，我向您保证这种拒绝对我来说同样痛苦，就像对您来说接受这种拒绝一样。因为我曾指望着与您结成联姻，而解除婚约总是对女士的伤害大于对绅士的伤害。”

“Enough, sir,” said Morcerf, “we will speak no more on the subject.”
“够了，先生，”莫塞夫说，“我们不再谈这个问题。”

And clutching his gloves in anger, he left the apartment. —
愤怒地握紧手套，他离开了房间。 —

Danglars observed that during the whole conversation Morcerf had never once dared to ask if it was on his own account that Danglars recalled his word.
当戴格拉尔斯观察到整个对话过程中莫塞夫从未敢问戴格拉尔斯是否是因为他自己的原因而撤销承诺时。

That evening he had a long conference with several friends; —
那天晚上他与几个朋友举行了一次长时间的会议； —

and M. Cavalcanti, who had remained in the drawing-room with the ladies, was the last to leave the banker’s house.
而留在客厅与女士们一起的卡瓦尔坎蒂先生是离开银行家府邸的最后一个人。

The next morning, as soon as he awoke, Danglars asked for the newspapers; —
第二天早上，当戴格拉尔斯醒来后，他要求看报纸； —

they were brought to him; —
报纸被送到他手中； —

he laid aside three or four, and at last fixed on l’Impartial, the paper of which Beauchamp was the chief editor. —
他撇开了三四份报纸，最后选择了由博尚是主编的《公正报》（l’Impartial）。 —

He hastily tore off the cover, opened the journal with nervous precipitation, passed contemptuously over the Paris jottings, and arriving at the miscellaneous intelligence, stopped with a malicious smile, at a paragraph headed
他匆忙地撕开封面，紧张地打开日记，轻蔑地跳过巴黎的记录，当他看到一则标题为“我们从雅尼那里听说”的段落时，他停下来，露出了恶毒的笑容。

We hear from Yanina.
“很好。”在阅读了这段文字后，当达格拉斯说道。

“Very good,” observed Danglars, after having read the paragraph; —
“很好,” 达格拉斯阅读完这段文字后评论道。 —

“here is a little article on Colonel Fernand, which, if I am not mistaken, would render the explanation which the Comte de Morcerf required of me perfectly unnecessary.”
“这是一篇关于费尔南上校的小文章，如果我没记错的话，我想这将完全不需要我向蒙塞夫伯爵解释。”

At the same moment, that is, at nine o’clock in the morning, Albert de Morcerf, dressed in a black coat buttoned up to his chin, might have been seen walking with a quick and agitated step in the direction of Monte Cristo’s house in the Champs-Élysées. —
同时，也就是早上九点钟，阿尔贝·蒙塞夫身穿一件黑色大衣，紧扣领口，手脚迅速而焦躁地走向香榭丽舍大街上蒙特克里斯托的住所。 —

When he presented himself at the gate the porter informed him that the Count had gone out about half an hour previously.
当他到达大门时，看门人告诉他，伯爵大约半个小时前出门了。

“Did he take Baptistin with him?”
“他带巴普蒂斯坦去了吗？”

“No, my lord.”
“不，阁下。”

“Call him, then; I wish to speak to him.”
“那就叫他来，我想和他说话。”

The concierge went to seek the valet de chambre, and returned with him in an instant.
看门人去叫侍从回来，立刻就带着他回来了。

“My good friend,” said Albert, “I beg pardon for my intrusion, but I was anxious to know from your own mouth if your master was really out or not.”
“我的朋友，”阿尔贝说，“我对打扰您感到抱歉，但我很想亲口从您口中得知您的主人是否真的出去了。”

“He is really out, sir,” replied Baptistin.
“他确实出去了，先生，”巴普蒂斯坦回答道。

“Out, even to me?”
“出去了，连我也不例外吗？”

“I know how happy my master always is to receive the vicomte,” said Baptistin; —
“我知道我的主人一直都很高兴见到维康特子爵，”巴蒂斯坦说道； —

“and I should therefore never think of including him in any general order.”
“所以我决不会考虑把他包含在任何普通命令中。”

“You are right; and now I wish to see him on an affair of great importance. Do you think it will be long before he comes in?”
“你说得对；现在我希望见他，有件重要的事要商量。你认为他会很快进来吗？”

“No, I think not, for he ordered his breakfast at ten o’clock.”
“不会，我想不会，因为他定了十点钟的早餐。”

“Well, I will go and take a turn in the Champs-Élysées, and at ten o’clock I will return here; —
“好的，我去香榭丽舍大街散散步，十点钟回到这里； —

meanwhile, if the count should come in, will you beg him not to go out again without seeing me?”
“同时，如果伯爵进来了，你请他不要离开而不见我。”

“You may depend on my doing so, sir,” said Baptistin.
“你尽管放心，先生，我会这样做的，”巴蒂斯坦说道。

Albert left the cab in which he had come at the count’s door, intending to take a turn on foot. —
艾伯特下了他坐过来的出租车，打算步行散散步。 —

As he was passing the Allée des Veuves, he thought he saw the count’s horses standing at Gosset’s shooting-gallery; —
当他经过寡妇小路时，他看到了伯爵的马停在高塞特的射击场； —

he approached, and soon recognized the coachman.
他走近一看，很快认出了车夫。

“Is the count shooting in the gallery?” said Morcerf.
“伯爵在射击场上射击吗？”莫尔塞夫说道。

“Yes, sir,” replied the coachman. While he was speaking, Albert had heard the report of two or three pistol-shots. —
“是的，先生，”车夫回答道。在他说话的时候，阿尔伯特听到了两三声枪响。 —

He entered, and on his way met the waiter.
他走进去时遇见了服务员。

“Excuse me, my lord,” said the lad; “but will you have the kindness to wait a moment?”
“对不起，我的大人，”那个小伙子说，“您能稍等一下吗？”

“What for, Philip?” asked Albert, who, being a constant visitor there, did not understand this opposition to his entrance.
“为什么，菲利普？”阿尔伯特问道，他是那里的常客，不明白为什么会有人阻止他进去。

“Because the person who is now in the gallery prefers being alone, and never practices in the presence of anyone.”
“因为现在正有一个人独自呆在画廊里，并且从不在任何人的面前练习。”

“Not even before you, Philip? Then who loads his pistol?”
“连在你面前都不练习吗，菲利普？那么谁给他上弹药？”

“His servant.”
“他的仆人。”

“A Nubian?”
“一个努比亚人？”

“A negro.”
“一个黑人。”

“It is he, then.”
“原来是他。”

“Do you know this gentleman?”
“你认识这位先生吗？”

“Yes, and I am come to look for him; he is a friend of mine.”
“是的，我正来找他；他是我的朋友。”

“Oh, that is quite another thing, then. I will go immediately and inform him of your arrival.”
“哦，那可是另一回事了。我马上去通知他您的到来。”

And Philip, urged by his own curiosity, entered the gallery; —
菲利普被自己的好奇心推动着，走进了画廊。 —

a second afterwards, Monte Cristo appeared on the threshold.
一刹那之后，蒙蒂·克里斯托出现在门口。

“I ask your pardon, my dear count,” said Albert, “for following you here, and I must first tell you that it was not the fault of your servants that I did so; —
“亲爱的伯爵，请原谅我跟着你来这里，首先我必须告诉你，并不是你的仆人的过错，而是我自己的冒失。” —

I alone am to blame for the indiscretion. —
“这个错误完全是我自己的责任。” —

I went to your house, and they told me you were out, but that they expected you home at ten o’clock to breakfast. —
“我去了你的家，他们告诉我你不在，但预计你早上十点回家吃早餐。” —

I was walking about in order to pass away the time till ten o’clock, when I caught sight of your carriage and horses.”
“于是我在周围逛了一圈，打发时间，直到看见了你的马车和马匹。”

“What you have just said induces me to hope that you intend breakfasting with me.”
“你刚才说的让我希望你打算和我一起吃早餐。”

“No, thank you, I am thinking of other things besides breakfast just now; —
“不，谢谢，我现在有其他的事要考虑； —

perhaps we may take that meal at a later hour and in worse company.”
也许我们可以稍后吃那顿早餐，也有可能是在更糟糕的伴侣下。”

“What on earth are you talking of?”
“你到底在说什么？”

“I am to fight today.”
“我今天要参加一场斗争。”

“For what?”
“为了什么？”

“For the sake of fighting!”
“为了战斗的缘故！”

“Yes, I understand that, but what is the quarrel? —
“是的，我明白，但是争吵的原因是什么？ —

People fight for all sorts of reasons, you know.”
“人们为了各种各样的原因而战斗，你知道的。”

“I fight in the cause of honor.”
“我为了荣誉而战。”

“Ah, that is something serious.”
“啊，那可是一件严肃的事情。”

“So serious, that I come to beg you to render me a service.”
“如此严肃，以至于我前来恳求您帮我个忙。”

“What is it?”
“是什么事？”

“To be my second.”
“做我的副手。”

“That is a serious matter, and we will not discuss it here; —
“这是个严肃的事情，我们不会在这里讨论； —

let us speak of nothing till we get home. —
在我们回家之前，我们不要谈论任何事情。 —

Ali, bring me some water.”
“阿里，给我些水。”

The count turned up his sleeves, and passed into the little vestibule where the gentlemen were accustomed to wash their hands after shooting.
伯爵卷起袖子，走进小门厅，在那里绅士们习惯洗手。

“Come in, my lord,” said Philip in a low tone, “and I will show you something droll. —
“进来，大人，”菲利普低声说道，“我要给您看些有趣的东西。 —

” Morcerf entered, and in place of the usual target, he saw some playing-cards fixed against the wall. —
”莫尔塞夫走进去，他看见墙上固定着一些纸牌，而不是通常的靶子。 —

At a distance Albert thought it was a complete suit, for he counted from the ace to the ten.
从远处，阿尔贝看起来像是一副完整的纸牌，因为他从A到10都数了一遍。

“Ah, ha,” said Albert, “I see you were preparing for a game of cards.”
“啊哈，”阿尔贝说道，“我看你是在准备打牌。”

“No,” said the count, “I was making a suit.”
“不，”伯爵说道，“我是在做一副扑克牌。”

“How?” said Albert.
“怎么，”阿尔贝说。

“Those are really aces and twos which you see, but my shots have turned them into threes, fives, sevens, eights, nines, and tens.”
“你看到的那些确实是A和2，但我的子弹把它们变成了3、5、7、8、9和10。”

Albert approached. In fact, the bullets had actually pierced the cards in the exact places which the painted signs would otherwise have occupied, the lines and distances being as regularly kept as if they had been ruled with pencil. —
阿尔伯特走了过来。事实上，子弹实际上已经穿过了卡片，正好击中了本来应该涂上标记的地方，线条和距离保持得好像用铅笔画出来一样规整。 —

In going up to the target Morcerf picked up two or three swallows that had been rash enough to come within the range of the count’s pistol.
当蒙特克里斯托的手枪正好射中目标时，莫尔塞夫捡起了两三只不幸站在计数范围内的燕子。

“Diable!” said Morcerf.
“该死！”莫尔塞夫说道。

“What would you have, my dear viscount? —
“亲爱的子爵，你有何事？”蒙特克里斯托说道。 —

” said Monte Cristo, wiping his hands on the towel which Ali had brought him; —
蒙特克里斯托用阿里递过来的毛巾擦拭着双手说道。 —

“I must occupy my leisure moments in some way or other. —
“我必须找点事情打发闲暇时间。” —

But come, I am waiting for you.”
“不过，来吧，我在等你。”

Both men entered Monte Cristo’s carriage, which in the course of a few minutes deposited them safely at No. 30. —
两个人进入了蒙特克里斯托的马车，几分钟后安全地抵达了30号。 —

Monte Cristo took Albert into his study, and pointing to a seat, placed another for himself. —
蒙特克里斯托带着阿尔伯特进入了他的书房，并指给他一把椅子，为自己又拿了一把。 —

“Now let us talk the matter over quietly,” said the count.
“现在让我们安静地讨论这件事吧。”蒙特克里斯托说道。

“You see I am perfectly composed,” said Albert.
“你看，我完全冷静。”阿尔伯特说道。

“With whom are you going to fight?”
“你要和谁决斗？”

“With Beauchamp.”
“和博沙姆在一起。”

“One of your friends!”
“你朋友中的一个！”

“Of course; it is always with friends that one fights.”
“当然了，总是和朋友们一起打架。”

“I suppose you have some cause of quarrel?”
“我猜你们有些争执的原因？”

“I have.”
“有。”

“What has he done to you?”
“他对你做了什么？”

“There appeared in his journal last night—but wait, and read for yourself. —
“昨晚他的日记里有一篇文章，等等，你自己看吧。” —

” And Albert handed over the paper to the count, who read as follows:
于是阿尔贝交给伯爵一份报纸，上面写着：

“A correspondent at Yanina informs us of a fact of which until now we had remained in ignorance. —
“Yanina的一位记者告诉我们一个事实，直到现在我们都不知道。 —

The castle which formed the protection of the town was given up to the Turks by a French officer named Fernand, in whom the grand vizier, Ali Tepelini, had reposed the greatest confidence.”
这个保护城镇的城堡被一个名叫Fernand的法国军官交给了土耳其人，而大维齐尔阿里·泰普林对他寄予了最大的信任。”

“Well,” said Monte Cristo, “what do you see in that to annoy you?”
“那么，蒙特克里斯托先生，你认为这个会使你烦恼吗？”

“What do I see in it?”
“我该在其中看到什么？”

“Yes; what does it signify to you if the castle of Yanina was given up by a French officer?”
“是的，如果Yanina的城堡被一个法国军官交出来，对你有什么意义呢？”

“It signifies to my father, the Count of Morcerf, whose Christian name is Fernand!”
“对我父亲，莫尔塞夫伯爵，他的基督教名字是Fernand，意义重大！”

“Did your father serve under Ali Pasha?”
“你父亲在阿里帕夏的麾下服役过吗？”

“Yes; that is to say, he fought for the independence of the Greeks, and hence arises the calumny.”
“是的，也就是说，他为希腊人的独立而战斗，因此产生了这个诽谤。”

“Oh, my dear viscount, do talk reason!”
“哦，亲爱的子爵，请讲理！”

“I do not desire to do otherwise.”
“我不希望做其他事情。”

“Now, just tell me who the devil should know in France that the officer Fernand and the Count of Morcerf are one and the same person? —
“现在，告诉我，谁他妈的在法国知道军官费尔南和莫塞夫伯爵是同一个人呢？ —

and who cares now about Yanina, which was taken as long ago as the year 1822 or 1823?”
而现在谁还关心1822年或1823年就被占据的雅尼那？”

“That just shows the meanness of this slander. —
“这只是显示了这种诽谤的卑鄙。” —

They have allowed all this time to elapse, and then all of a sudden rake up events which have been forgotten to furnish materials for scandal, in order to tarnish the lustre of our high position. —
“他们已经让所有这段时间过去，然后突然揭发已经被遗忘的事件来提供丑闻的素材，以玷污我们高贵地位的光辉。” —

I inherit my father’s name, and I do not choose that the shadow of disgrace should darken it. —
“我继承了我父亲的名字，我不希望耻辱的阴影使它黯然失色。” —

I am going to Beauchamp, in whose journal this paragraph appears, and I shall insist on his retracting the assertion before two witnesses.”
“我要去找布欧尚，在他的报纸上出现这段文字，并且我将坚决要求他在两个证人面前撤回这个说法。”

“Beauchamp will never retract.”
“布欧尚永远不会收回。”

“Then we must fight.”
“那么我们必须打架。”

“No you will not, for he will tell you, what is very true, that perhaps there were fifty officers in the Greek army bearing the same name.”
“不，他不会告诉你，因为他会告诉你，这是非常真实的，也许希腊军队中有五十个军官都有同样的名字。”

“We will fight, nevertheless. I will efface that blot on my father’s character. —
“尽管如此，我们将战斗。我要抹去我父亲名誉上的污点。” —

My father, who was such a brave soldier, whose career was so brilliant——”
“我父亲是如此勇敢的战士，他的职业生涯是如此辉煌——”

“Oh, well, he will add, ‘We are warranted in believing that this Fernand is not the illustrious Count of Morcerf, who also bears the same Christian name.’”
“噢，好吧，他会补充说，‘我们有理由相信，这个费尔南并不是那个身份显赫的莫尔塞夫伯爵，他也有同样的基督教名字。’”

“I am determined not to be content with anything short of an entire retractation.”
“我决心不满足于除了全面收回之外的任何事情。”

“And you intend to make him do it in the presence of two witnesses, do you?”
“你打算让他在两个证人面前做到这一点，是吗？”

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“You do wrong.”
“你错了。”

“Which means, I suppose, that you refuse the service which I asked of you?”
“这意味着，我想，你拒绝了我所要求的服务？”

“You know my theory regarding duels; I told you my opinion on that subject, if you remember, when we were at Rome.”
“你知道我关于决斗的理论；你还记得我们在罗马的时候我对此的看法。”

“Nevertheless, my dear count, I found you this morning engaged in an occupation but little consistent with the notions you profess to entertain.”
然而，我亲爱的伯爵，今早我发现你从事的是与你所信奉的概念极不一致的活动。

“Because, my dear fellow, you understand one must never be eccentric. —
因为，我亲爱的朋友，你要明白一个人绝不能古怪。 —

If one’s lot is cast among fools, it is necessary to study folly. —
如果一个人生活在愚蠢的人中间，就有必要研究愚蠢。 —

I shall perhaps find myself one day called out by some harebrained scamp, who has no more real cause of quarrel with me than you have with Beauchamp; —
也许有一天我会被某个鲁莽的家伙挑衅，他与我和你与博申没有真正的争端； —

he may take me to task for some foolish trifle or other, he will bring his witnesses, or will insult me in some public place, and I am expected to kill him for all that.”
他可能因为某个愚蠢的小事找我的麻烦，他会带上他的证人，或者在某个公共场所侮辱我，而我却被期望为此而杀人。

“You admit that you would fight, then? Well, if so, why do you object to my doing so?”
你承认你会去战斗，那么，如果是这样，你为什么反对我这样做呢？

“I do not say that you ought not to fight, I only say that a duel is a serious thing, and ought not to be undertaken without due reflection.”
我并不是说你不应该战斗，我只是说决斗是一件严肃的事情，不应该轻率行事。

“Did he reflect before he insulted my father?”
他在侮辱我父亲之前有没有考虑过？

“If he spoke hastily, and owns that he did so, you ought to be satisfied.”
如果他口头冒犯并承认自己错误，你应该满意。

“Ah, my dear count, you are far too indulgent.”
“啊，亲爱的伯爵，您实在太宠溺了。”

“And you are far too exacting. Supposing, for instance, and do not be angry at what I am going to say——”
“而您实在太苛求。比如说，不要对我即将要说的话生气——”

“Well.”
“好吧。”

“Supposing the assertion to be really true?”
“假设这个说法真的是真的呢？”

“A son ought not to submit to such a stain on his father’s honor.”
“儿子不应该容忍对父亲的荣誉的这种污点。”

“Ma foi! we live in times when there is much to which we must submit.”
“我的信仰!我们生活在一个我们必须忍受很多事情的时代。”

“That is precisely the fault of the age.”
“这正是这个时代的错误。”

“And do you undertake to reform it?”
“那你打算改革它吗？”

“Yes, as far as I am personally concerned.”
“是的，就我个人而言。”

“Well, you are indeed exacting, my dear fellow!”
“哦，亲爱的朋友，你真是太苛刻了！”

“Yes, I own it.”
“是的，我承认。”

“Are you quite impervious to good advice?”
“你难道对好的建议完全无动于衷吗？”

“Not when it comes from a friend.”
“如果来自朋友，我并不无动于衷。”

“And do you account me that title?”
“那你认为我是朋友吗？”

“Certainly I do.”
“当然认为。”

“Well, then, before going to Beauchamp with your witnesses, seek further information on the subject.”
“那么，在去找别克罗夫先生之前，请进一步查询该事情的相关信息。”

“From whom?”
“向谁查询？”

“From Haydée.”
“向海蒂查询。”

“Why, what can be the use of mixing a woman up in the affair?—what can she do in it?”
“为什么要让一个女人牵涉到这件事情中呢？她能做什么？”

“She can declare to you, for example, that your father had no hand whatever in the defeat and death of the vizier; —
“她可以告诉你，例如，你的父亲在维齐尔的失败和死亡中根本没有参与； —

or if by chance he had, indeed, the misfortune to——”
或者如果确实不幸发生了这样的事情，他参与其中——”

“I have told you, my dear count, that I would not for one moment admit of such a proposition.”
“我告诉过你了，亲爱的伯爵，我绝对不会接受这个提议。”

“You reject this means of information, then?”
“那么你拒绝这种获取信息的方式了？”

“I do—most decidedly.”
“我拒绝，坚决地。”

“Then let me offer one more word of advice.”
“那么让我再给你一个忠告。”

“Do so, then, but let it be the last.”
“那就说吧，但这是最后一次。”

“You do not wish to hear it, perhaps?”
“也许你不想听这个忠告？”

“On the contrary, I request it.”
“相反，我请求你说出来。”

“Do not take any witnesses with you when you go to Beauchamp—visit him alone.”
“当你去找别克罗夫时，不要带上任何证人，一个人去。”

“That would be contrary to all custom.”
“这与惯例完全相反。”

“Your case is not an ordinary one.”
“你的案件并不寻常。”

“And what is your reason for advising me to go alone?”
“那么你为什么建议我自己去？”

“Because then the affair will rest between you and Beauchamp.”
“因为这样的话，这件事只会在你和博朱坎之间保密。”

“Explain yourself.”
“请你解释清楚。”

“I will do so. If Beauchamp be disposed to retract, you ought at least to give him the opportunity of doing it of his own free will, —the satisfaction to you will be the same. —
“我会的。如果博朱坎有意撤回他的言论，你至少应该给他一个自愿这么做的机会——对你来说也是一样的满意。” —

If, on the contrary, he refuses to do so, it will then be quite time enough to admit two strangers into your secret.”
“相反地，如果他拒绝这样做，那么再把两个陌生人卷入你的秘密也不迟。”

“They will not be strangers, they will be friends.”
“他们不会是陌生人，他们会是朋友。”

“Ah, but the friends of today are the enemies of tomorrow; Beauchamp, for instance.”
“噢，但是今天的朋友很可能成为明天的敌人——例如，博朱坎。”

“So you recommend——”
“那你建议——”

“I recommend you to be prudent.”
“我建议你要谨慎。”

“Then you advise me to go alone to Beauchamp?”
“那么你建议我独自去找博朱坎？”

“I do, and I will tell you why. When you wish to obtain some concession from a man’s self-love, you must avoid even the appearance of wishing to wound it.”
“是的，我会告诉你为什么。当你希望从一个人的自尊心中获得某种让步时，你必须避免甚至是表面上想伤害他。”

“I believe you are right.”
“我相信你是对的。”

“I am glad of it.”
“我很高兴听到这样的话。”

“Then I will go alone.”
“那么我会独自去。”

“Go; but you would do better still by not going at all.”
“去吧；但你还是不去会更好。”

“That is impossible.”
“那是不可能的。”

“Do so, then; it will be a wiser plan than the first which you proposed.”
“那么就这样做吧；这会比你之前提出的第一个计划更明智。”

“But if, in spite of all my precautions, I am at last obliged to fight, will you not be my second?”
“但是，如果尽管我采取了所有的预防措施，最终还是不得不打架，你难道不愿意当我的助手吗？”

“My dear viscount,” said Monte Cristo gravely, “you must have seen before today that at all times and in all places I have been at your disposal, but the service which you have just demanded of me is one which it is out of my power to render you.”
“我亲爱的子爵，”蒙特克里斯托郑重地说道，“你之前肯定已经见识到了，在任何时候、任何地方我都愿意帮助你，但你刚刚向我提出的这个要求是我无法满足的。”

“Why?”
“为什么？”

“Perhaps you may know at some future period, and in the mean time I request you to excuse my declining to put you in possession of my reasons.”
“也许你会在将来的某个时期知道，同时我请求你谅解我不愿意向你透露原因。”

“Well, I will have Franz and Château-Renaud; they will be the very men for it.”
“好吧，我会找弗朗茨和沙托-雷诺，他们会非常适合。”

“Do so, then.”
“那就这样吧。”

“But if I do fight, you will surely not object to giving me a lesson or two in shooting and fencing?”
“但是，如果我真的要打架，你肯定不会反对给我一两课射击和剑术吧？”

“That, too, is impossible.”
“那也是不可能的。”

“What a singular being you are!—you will not interfere in anything.”
“你真是一个奇特的人！— 你对任何事情都不会干涉。”

“You are right—that is the principle on which I wish to act.”
“你说得对，我希望按照这个原则行事。”

“We will say no more about it, then. Good-bye, count.”
“那就不再提了。再见，伯爵。”

Morcerf took his hat, and left the room. He found his carriage at the door, and doing his utmost to restrain his anger he went at once to find Beauchamp, who was in his office. —
蒙舍尔夫拿起帽子，离开了房间。他在门口找到了自己的马车，尽力控制住愤怒，立即去找在办公室里的博沙东。 —

It was a gloomy, dusty-looking apartment, such as journalists’ offices have always been from time immemorial. —
这是一个阴暗、尘土飞扬的房间，就像记者办公室从古至今一直都是的样子。 —

The servant announced M. Albert de Morcerf. —
仆人宣布了阿尔贝·蒙舍尔夫先生。 —

Beauchamp repeated the name to himself, as though he could scarcely believe that he had heard aright, and then gave orders for him to be admitted. Albert entered.
博沙东自言自语地重复着这个名字，仿佛他几乎不敢相信自己听到了正确的名字，然后下令让他进来。阿尔贝走了进来。

Beauchamp uttered an exclamation of surprise on seeing his friend leap over and trample under foot all the newspapers which were strewed about the room.
博沙东看到他的朋友越过并践踏了散乱在房间里的报纸后，发出了惊讶的呼声。

“This way, this way, my dear Albert!” said he, holding out his hand to the young man. —
“这边，这边，亲爱的阿尔贝！”他伸出手招呼着年轻人。 —

“Are you out of your senses, or do you come peaceably to take breakfast with me? —
“你是发疯了，还是和平地来和我一起吃早餐？” —

Try and find a seat—there is one by that geranium, which is the only thing in the room to remind me that there are other leaves in the world besides leaves of paper.”
试着找个座位吧——那边有个与世界上除纸张以外的叶子有关联的天竺葵，是房间里唯一可以让我想起世界上还有其他叶子的东西。

“Beauchamp,” said Albert, “it is of your journal that I come to speak.”
“博尚”，阿尔伯特说道，“我是为了谈论你的日记而来。”

“Indeed? What do you wish to say about it?”
“是吗？你有什么要说的？”

“I desire that a statement contained in it should be rectified.”
“我希望你能纠正其中的一个陈述。”

“To what do you refer? But pray sit down.”
“你指的是什么？请坐。”

“Thank you,” said Albert, with a cold and formal bow.
“谢谢。”阿尔伯特冷冷地鞠了一躬。

“Will you now have the kindness to explain the nature of the statement which has displeased you?”
“现在，请你解释一下那个令你不悦的陈述的性质。”

“An announcement has been made which implicates the honor of a member of my family.”
“有一则消息涉及到了我家一个成员的荣誉。”

“What is it?” said Beauchamp, much surprised; “surely you must be mistaken.”
“是什么？”贝尚感到非常惊讶，“你一定弄错了。”

“The story sent you from Yanina.”
“从雅典娜给你发来的那个故事。”

“Yanina?”
“雅典娜？”

“Yes; really you appear to be totally ignorant of the cause which brings me here.”
“是的；看来你对我来这里的原因完全不知情。”

“Such is really the case, I assure you, upon my honor! —
“实际情况正是如此，我向你保证，我很诚实！” —

Baptiste, give me yesterday’s paper,” cried Beauchamp.
“巴普蒂斯特，给我昨天的报纸，”贝尚大声说道。

“Here, I have brought mine with me,” replied Albert.
“在这里，我带了我的，”阿尔伯特回答道。

Beauchamp took the paper, and read the article to which Albert pointed in an undertone.
博尚拿起纸，低声读了阿尔伯特指的那篇文章。

“You see it is a serious annoyance,” said Morcerf, when Beauchamp had finished the perusal of the paragraph.
“你看，这真是令人烦恼的事情，”博西福读完那段文字后说道。

“Is the officer referred to a relation of yours, then?” demanded the journalist.
“那么，被提到的军官是你的亲戚吗？”记者问道。

“Yes,” said Albert, blushing.
“是的，”阿尔伯特脸红着说道。

“Well, what do you wish me to do for you?” said Beauchamp mildly.
“那么，你希望我为你做些什么？”博尚和蔼地说道。

“My dear Beauchamp, I wish you to contradict this statement. —
“我亲爱的博尚，我希望你驳斥这个说法。” —

” Beauchamp looked at Albert with a benevolent expression.
博尚带着慈祥的表情看着阿尔伯特。

“Come,” said he, “this matter will want a good deal of talking over; —
“来吧，”他说，“这件事情需要好好商量； —

a retractation is always a serious thing, you know. —
撤回一次总是一件严肃的事情，你知道的。 —

Sit down, and I will read it again.”
坐下，我再读一遍。”

Albert resumed his seat, and Beauchamp read, with more attention than at first, the lines denounced by his friend.
阿尔伯特重新坐下，博尚比起刚开始时更认真地读了一遍被他的朋友谴责的那些行文。

“Well,” said Albert in a determined tone, “you see that your paper has insulted a member of my family, and I insist on a retractation being made.”
“嗯，”阿尔伯特用坚决的口气说道，“你知道你的报纸侮辱了我家的一个成员，我坚决要求撤销这一指控。”

“You insist?”
“你坚持？”

“Yes, I insist.”
“是的，我坚持。”

“Permit me to remind you that you are not in the Chamber, my dear viscount.”
“请允许我提醒你，亲爱的子爵，你现在不是在议会里。”

“Nor do I wish to be there,” replied the young man, rising. —
“我也不想去那里，”年轻人站起身回答道。 —

“I repeat that I am determined to have the announcement of yesterday contradicted. —
“我重申，我决心要求昨天的声明被驳斥。” —

You have known me long enough,” continued Albert, biting his lips convulsively, for he saw that Beauchamp’s anger was beginning to rise,—“you have been my friend, and therefore sufficiently intimate with me to be aware that I am likely to maintain my resolution on this point.”
“你已经足够了解我，”阿尔伯特继续说道，他咬紧嘴唇，因为他看到了博尚的愤怒正在升起，“你一直是我的朋友，因此足够亲近我，应该知道我在这个问题上可能会坚持下去。”

“If I have been your friend, Morcerf, your present manner of speaking would almost lead me to forget that I ever bore that title. —
“如果我一直是你的朋友，莫尔塞夫，你现在的说话方式几乎让我忘记我曾经拥有过那个头衔。 —

But wait a moment, do not let us get angry, or at least not yet. —
但是等一下，我们不要生气，或者至少现在不要。 —

You are irritated and vexed—tell me how this Fernand is related to you?”
“你很愤怒和烦恼 - 告诉我这个费尔南和你有什么关系？”

“He is merely my father,” said Albert—“M. Fernand Mondego, Count of Morcerf, an old soldier who has fought in twenty battles and whose honorable scars they would denounce as badges of disgrace.”
“他只是我的父亲，”阿尔伯特说道，“费尔南·蒙德戈，莫尔塞夫伯爵，一位老兵，参加过二十场战斗，那些荣誉的伤疤却被人们当作耻辱的标记。”

“Is it your father?” said Beauchamp; “that is quite another thing. —
“那是你的父亲？”博尚问道，“完全是另外一回事了。” —

Then I can well understand your indignation, my dear Albert. I will look at it again; —
那么我可以理解你的愤怒，亲爱的阿尔伯特。我会再看一遍； —

” and he read the paragraph for the third time, laying a stress on each word as he proceeded. —
”他再次读了这段文字，每念一个字都加重了语气。 —

“But the paper nowhere identifies this Fernand with your father.”
“但是这篇报道并没有将这个费尔南与你的父亲联系起来。”

“No; but the connection will be seen by others, and therefore I will have the article contradicted.”
“不，但是别人会看出这种关联，所以我要对文章进行澄清。”

At the words I will, Beauchamp steadily raised his eyes to Albert’s countenance, and then as gradually lowering them, he remained thoughtful for a few moments.
当阿尔伯特睁起眼睛看着博尚的脸庞时，博尚也逐渐垂下了眼，沉思了几分钟。

“You will retract this assertion, will you not, Beauchamp? —
“你会收回这个说法，对吗，博尚？ —

” said Albert with increased though stifled anger.
“1号，” 阿尔伯特愈发愤怒地说，尽管他已经强忍住了。

“Yes,” replied Beauchamp.
“是的，” 贝尚回答道。

“Immediately?” said Albert.
“立刻？” 阿尔伯特问道。

“When I am convinced that the statement is false.”
“当我确信那个陈述是错误的时候。”

“What?”
“什么？”

“The thing is worth looking into, and I will take pains to investigate the matter thoroughly.”
“这件事值得调查，我会尽力全面调查此事。”

“But what is there to investigate, sir? —
“但是有什么需要调查的啊，先生？” —

” said Albert, enraged beyond measure at Beauchamp’s last remark. —
“1号，” 阿尔伯特被贝尚最后的话激怒到了极点。 —

“If you do not believe that it is my father, say so immediately; —
“如果你不相信那是我父亲，立刻说出来； —

and if, on the contrary, you believe it to be him, state your reasons for doing so.”
如果相反，你认为那是他，给出你相信的理由。”

Beauchamp looked at Albert with the smile which was so peculiar to him, and which in its numerous modifications served to express every varied emotion of his mind.
贝尚用他那独特的笑容看着阿尔伯特，这个笑容有着众多的变化，能够表达他内心的各种情绪。

“Sir,” replied he, “if you came to me with the idea of demanding satisfaction, you should have gone at once to the point, and not have entertained me with the idle conversation to which I have been patiently listening for the last half hour. —
“先生，”他回答道，“如果你是来找我要个说法的，你应该直接切入要点，而不是浪费我将近半个小时耐心聆听你们闲聊的时间。” —

Am I to put this construction on your visit?”
我要把这个结构放在你的访问上吗？

“Yes, if you will not consent to retract that infamous calumny.”
是的，如果你不同意撤回那个臭名昭著的诽谤。

“Wait a moment—no threats, if you please, M. Fernand Mondego, Vicomte de Morcerf; —
等一下，如果你不介意的话，请不要威胁，莫尔塞夫子爵费尔南·蒙德戈先生； —

I never allow them from my enemies, and therefore shall not put up with them from my friends. —
我从不允许来自敌人的威胁，因此也不会容忍来自朋友的威胁。 —

You insist on my contradicting the article relating to General Fernand, an article with which, I assure you on my word of honor, I had nothing whatever to do?”
你坚持让我否认和费尔南中将有关的那篇文章吗？我向你保证，我对此一点也不知情。

“Yes, I insist on it,” said Albert, whose mind was beginning to get bewildered with the excitement of his feelings.
是的，我坚持，”阿尔伯特说，他的思绪开始因为情感的激动而变得迷茫起来。

“And if I refuse to retract, you wish to fight, do you?” said Beauchamp in a calm tone.
如果我拒绝撤回，你想要打架吗？贝舒朗以平静的口吻问道。

“Yes,” replied Albert, raising his voice.
是的，”阿尔伯特回答，声音提高了。

“Well,” said Beauchamp, “here is my answer, my dear sir. —
好吧，”贝舒朗说，“这是我的回答，亲爱的先生。 —

The article was not inserted by me—I was not even aware of it; —
那篇文章不是我插入的，我甚至不知道它存在。 —

but you have, by the step you have taken, called my attention to the paragraph in question, and it will remain until it shall be either contradicted or confirmed by someone who has a right to do so.”
但是你所采取的步骤引起了我的注意，这段文字将一直存在，直到有资格的人对其进行证实或否定。

“Sir,” said Albert, rising, “I will do myself the honor of sending my seconds to you, and you will be kind enough to arrange with them the place of meeting and the weapons.”
“先生，”阿尔伯特起身说道，“我将荣幸派遣我的见证人与您会面，您将与他们商定见面地点和武器。”

“Certainly, my dear sir.”
“当然，亲爱的先生。”

“And this evening, if you please, or tomorrow at the latest, we will meet.”
“今晚，如果可以的话，或最晚明天，我们将会面。”

“No, no, I will be on the ground at the proper time; —
“不，不，我会按时到达现场的； —

but in my opinion (and I have a right to dictate the preliminaries, as it is I who have received the provocation)—in my opinion the time ought not to be yet. —
但是我认为（作为接受挑衅的人，我有权力规定初步条件）—我认为现在还不是时候。 —

I know you to be well skilled in the management of the sword, while I am only moderately so; —
我知道您各种剑术技巧熟练，而我只是勉强及格； —

I know, too, that you are a good marksman—there we are about equal. —
我也知道您是一位出色的射击手—在这方面我们差不多。 —

I know that a duel between us two would be a serious affair, because you are brave, and I am brave also. —
我知道我们两个之间的决斗是一件严肃的事情，因为您勇敢，我也一样勇敢。 —

I do not therefore wish either to kill you, or to be killed myself without a cause. —
因此，我既不希望杀死你，也不希望无故被杀。 —

Now, I am going to put a question to you, and one very much to the purpose too. —
现在，我要向你提一个问题，而且非常中肯。 —

Do you insist on this retractation so far as to kill me if I do not make it, although I have repeated more than once, and affirmed on my honor, that I was ignorant of the thing with which you charge me, and although I still declare that it is impossible for anyone but you to recognize the Count of Morcerf under the name of Fernand?”
你坚持要我作出撤回声明，否则你就要杀了我，即使我已经多次重申，并且发誓说我对你指控的事情一无所知，即使我仍然声明只有你能够把蒙斯尔夫伯爵认出来，而用了费尔南的名字而已？”

“I maintain my original resolution.”
“我坚持原来的决定。”

“Very well, my dear sir; then I consent to cut throats with you. —
“好吧，亲爱的先生；那么我同意与你厮杀。 —

But I require three weeks’ preparation; —
但是我需要三个星期的准备时间； —

at the end of that time I shall come and say to you, ‘The assertion is false, and I retract it, ’ or ‘The assertion is true,’ when I shall immediately draw the sword from its sheath, or the pistols from the case, whichever you please.”
到时候我会来告诉你，‘这个断言是错误的，我撤回它’，或者‘这个断言是正确的’，然后我会立即拔出剑或者从盒子里拿出手枪，随你选择。”

“Three weeks!” cried Albert; “they will pass as slowly as three centuries when I am all the time suffering dishonor.”
“三个星期！”阿尔贝呼喊道，“当我一直在遭受耻辱时，它们会过得像三个世纪一样缓慢。”

“Had you continued to remain on amicable terms with me, I should have said, ‘Patience, my friend;’ but you have constituted yourself my enemy, therefore I say, ‘What does that signify to me, sir?’”
“如果你继续与我保持友好关系，我会说：‘耐心，我的朋友’，但是你已经把自己变成了我的敌人，所以我说：‘那对我有什么意义，先生？’”

“Well, let it be three weeks then,” said Morcerf; —
“好吧，那就是三个星期。”莫尔塞夫说道； —

“but remember, at the expiration of that time no delay or subterfuge will justify you in——”
“但请记住，在那段时间过后，任何延迟或诡计都不能为你辩解。”

“M. Albert de Morcerf,” said Beauchamp, rising in his turn, “I cannot throw you out of window for three weeks—that is to say, for twenty-four days to come—nor have you any right to split my skull open till that time has elapsed. —
“阿尔贝·德·莫尔塞夫先生，”博尚再度站起身，“我不能在三个星期内将你扔出窗户——也就是说，在未来的二十四天内不能这样做；你也没有权利在此期限过前砸碎我的脑袋。” —

Today is the 29th of August; the 21st of September will, therefore, be the conclusion of the term agreed on, and till that time arrives—and it is the advice of a gentleman which I am about to give you—till then we will refrain from growling and barking like two dogs chained within sight of each other.”
今天是8月29日，所以9月21日将是我们约定的学期结束日期。在那之前，我向你提出一位绅士的建议：我们要克制住，不要像两条被锁在一起的狗一样咆哮和吠叫。

When he had concluded his speech, Beauchamp bowed coldly to Albert, turned his back upon him, and went to the press-room. —
比约尚冷冷地向艾伯特鞠了一躬，转过身去走进了印刷室。 —

Albert vented his anger on a pile of newspapers, which he sent flying all over the office by switching them violently with his stick; —
艾伯特发泄他的愤怒，用手杖猛烈地抽打着一堆报纸，把它们在办公室里四处飞扬。 —

after which ebullition he departed—not, however, without walking several times to the door of the press-room, as if he had half a mind to enter.
在发泄完之后，他离开了，不过在离开之前，他多次走到印刷室的门口，仿佛心里有打算要进去的样子。

While Albert was lashing the front of his carriage in the same manner that he had the newspapers which were the innocent agents of his discomfiture, as he was crossing the barrier he perceived Morrel, who was walking with a quick step and a bright eye. —
当艾伯特用同样的方式抽打马车前部，就像他狠扑报纸一样，被他气急败坏的原因，路过关卡时，他看见莫雷尔正在快步走着，眼神明亮。 —

He was passing the Chinese Baths, and appeared to have come from the direction of the Porte Saint-Martin, and to be going towards the Madeleine.
他正从圣马丁门口走来，似乎是从中华浴池经过，朝向玛德琳方向前进。

“Ah,” said Morcerf, “there goes a happy man! —
“啊,”莫塞夫说，“那个人真是幸福的人！” —

” And it so happened Albert was not mistaken in his opinion.
而恰好阿尔伯特对他的看法并没有错。