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"There are stories of her which I would fain disbelieve-stories that she is sealed to some Gentile.
"外面有許多傳說，都說她已經和某個異教徒訂婚了。我倒是不愿聽信這些說法的。
This must be the gossip of idle tongues. What is the thirteenth rule in the code of the sainted Joseph Smith?
這一定是那些無聊的人嚼舌。圣約瑟·史密斯經典中第十三條說些什么？
'Let every maiden of the true faith marry one of the elect; for if she wed a Gentile, she commits a grievous sin.'
'讓摩門教中每個少女都嫁給一個上帝的選民；如果她嫁給了一個異教徒，她就犯下了彌天大罪。'
This being so, it is impossible that you, who profess the holy creed, should suffer your daughter to violate it."
經典上就是這樣說的。你既然信奉了神圣的教義，你就不該縱容你的女兒破壞它。"
John Ferrier made no answer, but he played nervously with his riding- whip.
約翰·費瑞厄沒有回答，他不停地玩弄著他的馬鞭子。
"Upon this one point your whole faith shall be tested–so it has been decided in the Sacred Council of Four.
"在這個問題上就可以考驗你的全部誠意了，四圣會已經這樣決定了。
The girl is young, and we would not have her wed gray hairs, neither would we deprive her of all choice.
這個女孩子還年輕，我們不會讓她嫁給一個老頭子的，我們也不會完全不讓她挑選。
We Elders have many heifers, but our children must also be provided.
我們這些作長老的，已經有了許多'小母牛'了，可是我們的孩子們卻還有需要。
Stangerson has a son, and Drebber has a son, and either of them would gladly welcome your daughter to his house.
斯坦節遜有一個兒子，錐伯也有一個，他們都非常高興把你的女兒娶到他們家里去。
Let her choose between them. They are young and rich, and of the true faith. What say you to that?"
叫她在他們兩個人中間選擇一個罷。他們既年輕又有錢，并且都是信奉正教的。你對這件事有什么要說的？"
Ferrier remained silent for some little time with his brows knitted.
費瑞厄一聲不響，雙眉緊皺著，沉默了一會兒。
"You will give us time," he said at last. "My daughter is very young–she is scarce of an age to marry."
最后他說道："您總得給我們一些時間啊。我的女兒還很年輕，她還不到結婚的年歲呢。"
"She shall have a month to choose," said Young, rising from his seat.
"給她一個月的時間來選擇，"揚說著就站了起來，
"At the end of that time she shall give her answer."
"一個月完了，她就要給我答復。"
He was passing through the door, when he turned with flushed face and flashing eyes.
他走過門口時，突然回過頭來，臉漲得紅紅的，眼露兇光地厲聲喝道：
"It were better for you, John Ferrier," he thundered,
"約翰·費瑞厄，你要是想拿雞蛋往石頭上碰，
"that you and she were now lying blanched skeletons upon the Sierra Blanco, than that you should put your weak wills against the orders of the Holy Four!"
膽敢違抗四圣的命令，倒不如當年你們父女倆都給我死在布蘭卡山上的好！"
With a threatening gesture of his hand, he turned from the door, and Ferrier heard his heavy steps scrunching along the shingly path.
他威脅地揮了一下拳頭，掉頭不顧而去。費瑞厄聽得見他的沉重的腳步踏在門前砂石小徑上發出沙沙的聲音。
