評論
打印
The promise of a smooth career, which my first calm introduction to Thornfield Hall seemed to pledge, was not belied on a longer acquaintance with the place and its inmates.
我初到桑菲爾德府的時候，一切都顯得平平靜靜，似乎預示著我未來的經歷會一帆風順。我進一步熟悉了這個地方及其居住者以后，發現這預期沒有落空。
Mrs. Fairfax turned out to be what she appeared, a placid-tempered, kind-natured woman, of competent education and average intelligence.
費爾法克斯太太果然與她當初給人的印象相符，性格溫和，心地善良，受過足夠的教育，具有中等的智力。
My pupil was a lively child, who had been spoilt and indulged, and therefore was sometimes wayward.
我的學生非常活潑，但由于過份溺愛己被寵壞，有時顯得倔強任性，
But as she was committed entirely to my care, and no injudicious interference from any quarter ever thwarted my plans for her improvement,
好在完全由我照管，任何方面都沒有進行不明智的干預，破壞我的培養計劃，
she soon forgot her little freaks, and became obedient and teachable.
她也很快改掉了任性的舉動，變得馴服可教了。
She had no great talents, no marked traits of character, no peculiar development of feeling or taste which raised her one inch above the ordinary level of childhood,
她沒有非凡的才能，沒有個性特色，沒有那種使她稍稍超出一般兒童水平的特殊情趣，
but neither had she any deficiency or vice which sunk her below it.
不過也沒有使她居于常人之下的缺陷和惡習。
She made reasonable progress, entertained for me a vivacious, though perhaps not very profound, affection.
她取得了合情合理的進步，對我懷有一種也許并不很深卻十分熱烈的感情。
And by her simplicity, gay prattle, and efforts to please, inspired me, in return, with a degree of attachment sufficient to make us both content in each other's society.
她的單純、她愉快的喁語、她想討人喜歡的努力，反過來也多少激起了我對她的愛戀，使我們兩人之間維系著一種彼此都感到滿意的關系。
This, par parenthese, will be thought cool language by persons who entertain solemn doctrines about the angelic nature of children,
這些話，會被某些人視為過于冷淡，這些人持有莊嚴的信條，認為孩子要有天使般的本性，
and the duty of those charged with their education to conceive for them an idolatrous devotion:
承擔孩子教育責任者，應當對他們懷有偶象崇拜般的虔誠。
But I am not writing to flatter parental egotism, to echo cant, or prop up humbug.
不過這樣寫并不是迎合父母的利己主義，不是附和時髦的高論，不是支持騙人的空談。
I am merely telling the truth.
我說的無非是真話。
I felt a conscientious solicitude for Adèle's welfare and progress, and a quiet liking for her little self.
我覺得我真誠地關心阿黛勒的幸福和進步，默默地喜歡這個小家伙。
Just as I cherished towards Mrs. Fairfax a thankfulness for her kindness, and a pleasure in her society proportionate to the tranquil regard she had for me, and the moderation of her mind and character.
正像我對費爾法克斯太太的好心懷著感激之情一樣，同時也因為她對我的默默敬意以及她本人溫和的心靈與性情，而覺得同她相處是一種樂趣了。
