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Chapter 2 THE STATEMENT OF THE CASE
第二章 案情的陳述
Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm step and an outward composure of manner.
摩斯坦小姐以穩(wěn)重的步履、沉著的姿態(tài)走進(jìn)屋來。
She was a blonde young lady, small, dainty, well gloved, and dressed in the most perfect taste.
她是一個淺發(fā)女郎，體態(tài)輕盈，戴看顏色調(diào)和的手套，穿著最合乎她風(fēng)度的衣服。
There was, however, a plainness and simplicity about her costume which bore with it a suggestion of limited means.
因為她衣服的簡單素雅，說明了她是一個生活不太優(yōu)裕的人。
The dress was a sombre grayish beige, untrimmed and unbraided,
她的衣服是暗褐色毛呢料的，沒有花邊和裝飾，
and she wore a small turban of the same dull hue, relieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the side.
配著一頂同樣暗色的帽子，邊緣上插著一根白色的翎毛。
Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion,
面貌雖不美麗，
but her expression was sweet and amiable, and her large blue eyes were singularly spiritual and sympathetic.
但是豐采卻很溫柔可愛，一雙蔚藍(lán)的大眼睛，飽滿有神，富有情感。
In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents,
就我所見到過的女人，遠(yuǎn)到數(shù)十國和三大洲，
I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature.
但是從來沒有見過一副這樣高雅和聰敏的面容。
I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her,
當(dāng)福爾摩斯請她坐下的時候，
her lip trembled, her hand quivered, and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation.
我看見她嘴唇微動，兩手顫抖，顯示出緊張的情緒和內(nèi)心的不安。
"I have come to you, Mr. Holmes," she said,
她說："福爾摩斯先生，我所以來這里請教，
"because you once enabled my employer, Mrs. Cecil Forrester, to unravel a little domestic complication.
是因為您曾經(jīng)為我的女主人西色爾·弗里斯特夫人解決過一樁家庭糾紛。
She was much impressed by your kindness and skill."
她對您的協(xié)助和本領(lǐng)是很感激和欽佩的。"
"Mrs. Cecil Forrester," he repeated thoughtfully. "I believe that I was of some slight service to her.
他想了一想答道："西色爾·弗里斯特夫人呀，我記得對她有過小小的幫忙。
The case, however, as I remember it, was a very simple one."
那一件案子，我記得是很簡單的。"
"She did not think so. But at least you cannot say the same of mine.
"她并不認(rèn)為簡單。最低限度，我所請教的案子您不能同樣也說是簡單的了。
I can hardly imagine anything more strange, more utterly inexplicable, than the situation in which I find myself."
我想再也沒有任何事情比我的處境更離奇費解了。"
Holmes rubbed his hands, and his eyes glistened.
福爾摩斯搓著他的雙手，目光炯炯。
He leaned forward in his chair with an expression of extraordinary concentration upon his clear- cut, hawklike features.
他從椅子上微微傾身向前，在他那清秀而象鷂鷹的臉上現(xiàn)出了精神極端集中的樣子。
"State your case," said he in brisk business tones. I felt that my position was an embarrassing one.
"說一說您的案情吧。"他以精神勃勃而又鄭重其事的語調(diào)說道。
"You will, I am sure, excuse me," I said, rising from my chair.
我覺得在此有些不便，因而站起來說道："請原諒我，失陪了。"
To my surprise, the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me.
沒想到這位年輕姑娘伸出她戴著手套的手止住了我，
"If your friend," she said, "would be good enough to stop, he might be of inestimable service to me."
說道："您如肯稍坐一會兒，或者可以給我很大幫助呢。"
I relapsed into my chair.
我因此重新坐下。
