評(píng)論
打印
This circumstance was a growing attachment between her eldest girl and the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood, a gentleman-like and pleasing young man, who was introduced to their acquaintance soon after his sister's establishment at Norland, and who had since spent the greatest part of his time there.
這樁事就出在她大女兒和約翰．達(dá)什伍德夫人的弟弟之間，兩人漸漸萌發(fā)了愛(ài)慕之情。那位弟弟是個(gè)很有紳士派頭的逗人喜愛(ài)的年輕人，他姐姐住進(jìn)諾蘭莊園不久，就介紹他與她們母女結(jié)識(shí)了。從那以后，他將大部分時(shí)間都消磨在那里。
Some mothers might have encouraged the intimacy from motives of interest, for Edward Ferrars was the eldest son of a man who had died very rich; and some might have repressed it from motives of prudence, for, except a trifling sum, the whole of his fortune depended on the will of his mother. But Mrs. Dashwood was alike uninfluenced by either consideration. It was enough for her that he appeared to be amiable, that he loved her daughter, and that Elinor returned the partiality. It was contrary to every doctrine of her's that difference of fortune should keep any couple asunder who were attracted by resemblance of disposition; and that Elinor's merit should not be acknowledged by every one who knew her, was to her comprehension impossible.
有些做母親的從利害關(guān)系出發(fā)，或許會(huì)進(jìn)一步撮合這種密切的感情，因?yàn)閻?ài)德華．費(fèi)拉斯乃是一位已故財(cái)主的長(zhǎng)子；不過(guò)，有些做母親的為了慎重起見，也許還會(huì)遏制這種感情，因?yàn)閻?ài)德華除了一筆微不足道的資產(chǎn)之外，他的整個(gè)家產(chǎn)將取決于母親的遺囑。可是達(dá)什伍德太太對(duì)這兩種情況都不予考慮。對(duì)她來(lái)說(shuō)，只要愛(ài)德華看上去和藹可親，對(duì)她女兒一片鐘情，而埃麗諾反過(guò)來(lái)又鐘情于他，那就足夠了。因?yàn)樨?cái)產(chǎn)不等而拆散一對(duì)志趣相投的戀人，這與她的倫理觀念是格格不入的。埃麗諾的優(yōu)點(diǎn)竟然不被所有認(rèn)識(shí)她的人所公認(rèn)，簡(jiǎn)直叫她不可思議。
Edward Ferrars was not recommended to their good opinion by any peculiar graces of person or address. He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing. He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart. His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement. But he was neither fitted by abilities nor disposition to answer the wishes of his mother and sister, who longed to see him distinguished--as--they hardly knew what. They wanted him to make a fine figure in the world in some manner or other. His mother wished to interest him in political concerns, to get him into parliament, or to see him connected with some of the great men of the day. Mrs. John Dashwood wished it likewise; but in the mean while, till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche. But Edward had no turn for great men or barouches. All his wishes centered in domestic comfort and the quiet of private life. Fortunately he had a younger brother who was more promising.
她們之所以賞識(shí)愛(ài)德華．費(fèi)拉斯，倒不是因?yàn)樗似烦霰姡L(fēng)度翩翩，他并不漂亮，那副儀態(tài)嘛，只有和他熟悉了才覺(jué)得逗人喜愛(ài)。他過(guò)于靦腆，這就使他越發(fā)不能顯現(xiàn)本色了。不過(guò)，一旦消除了這種天生的羞怯，他的一舉一動(dòng)都表明他胸懷坦率，待人親切。他頭腦機(jī)靈，受教育后就更加聰明。但是，無(wú)論從才智還是從意向上看，他都不能使他母親和姐姐稱心如意，她們期望看到他出人頭地－比如當(dāng)個(gè)－她們也說(shuō)不上當(dāng)個(gè)啥。她們想讓他在世界上出出這樣或那樣的風(fēng)頭。他母親希望他對(duì)政治發(fā)生興趣，以便能躋身于議會(huì)，或者結(jié)攀一些當(dāng)今的大人物。約翰，達(dá)什伍德夫人抱有同樣的愿望，不過(guò)，在這崇高理想實(shí)現(xiàn)之前，能先看到弟弟駕著一輛四輪馬車，她也就會(huì)心滿意足了。誰(shuí)想，愛(ài)德華偏偏不稀罕大人物和四輪馬車，他一心追求的是家庭的樂(lè)趣和生活的安逸。幸運(yùn)的是，他有個(gè)弟弟比他有出息。
