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Thursday came. All work had been completed the previous evening;
星期四到了，一切準備工作都已在前一個晚上完成。
carpets were laid down, bed-hangings festooned, radiant white counterpanes spread,
地毯鋪開了，床幅掛上了彩條，白得眩目的床罩鋪好了，
toilet tables arranged, furniture rubbed, flowers piled in vases.
梳妝臺已經安排停當，家具都擦拭得干干凈凈，花瓶里插滿了鮮花。
Both chambers and saloons looked as fresh and bright as hands could make them.
臥室和客廳都已盡人工所能，拾掇得煥然一新。
The hall, too, was scoured.
大廳也已經擦洗過。
And the great carved clock, as well as the steps and banisters of the staircase, were polished to the brightness of glass.
巨大的木雕鐘，樓梯的臺階和欄桿都已擦得像玻璃一般閃閃發光。
In the dining-room, the sideboard flashed resplendent with plate.
在餐室里，餐具柜里的盤子光亮奪目。
In the drawing-room and boudoir, vases of exotics bloomed on all sides.
在客廳和起居室內，一瓶瓶異國鮮花，在四周燦然開放。
Afternoon arrived. Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown, her gloves, and her gold watch,
到了下午，費爾法克斯太太穿上了她最好的黑緞袍子，戴了手套和金表，
for it was her part to receive the company, to conduct the ladies to their rooms, etc.
因為要由她來接待客人 — 把女士們領到各自的房間里去等等。
Adèle, too, would be dressed, though I thought she had little chance of being introduced to the party that day at least.
阿黛勒也要打扮一番，盡管至少在那天，我想不大會有機會讓她見客。
However, to please her, I allowed Sophie to apparel her in one of her short, full muslin frocks.
但為了使她高興，我讓索菲婭給她穿上了一件寬松的麻紗短上衣。
For myself, I had no need to make any change.
至于我自己，是沒有必要換裝的。
I should not be called upon to quit my sanctum of the schoolroom.
不會把我從作為我私室的讀書室里叫出去。
For a sanctum it was now become to me, "a very pleasant refuge in time of trouble."
這私室現在已經屬于我，成了"患難時愉快的避難所。"
It had been a mild, serene spring day — one of those days which,
這是個溫煦寧靜的春日，
towards the end of March or the beginning of April, rise shining over the earth as heralds of summer.
三月末四月初的那種日子，驕陽當空，預示著夏天就要到來。
It was drawing to an end now, but the evening was even warm,
這時已近日暮，但黃昏時更加暖和。
And I sat at work in the schoolroom with the window open.
我坐在讀書室里工作，敞開著窗子。
