《All Passion Spent》 中英对照阅读 -备份1

[aqiun]

初发 < 2024/07/21
试啃《激情耗尽》

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译文从第一句起就看得不太舒服了，为了文辞的派头似乎用力过猛，而牺牲了一部分准确性和语句间的逻辑性。不知道这本书本身会不会对胃口，（Vita好不喜欢分段分章，有点晕字，）先挖坑为敬吧。[br]
7/21 补：发现一处把changeling完全译错的，本来这么有意思的一句话，深深为之可惜。想坚持下去的动力+1。[br]
7/23 补: 很奇怪gracious这个词前面译错隔了几页又译得很妥帖，不知道是不是有两名译者的关系？也经常看到前面几段翻得漂亮细致后面却简单内容出错，五花肉似的，想不通怎么会造成这种情况。[br]
8/7 补：更多收回前面不舒服之语，原译有些段落翻得很优美，比如：
She retained, however, a conviction that many spirits were fundamentally attuned, but so thickly overlaid by the formulas of the world that the clear requisite note could no longer be struck.
‘尽管她一直坚信，这世间惺惺相惜的灵魂本并不少，只是深埋于俗世的繁文缛节之下，内在的美妙心弦从此难再触动’。
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原文：'Henry Lyulph Holland, first Earl of Slane, had existed for so long that the public had begun to regard him as immortal.'
译：“身为斯莱恩勋爵一世，亨利·莱尔夫·霍兰德年事颇高，人们甚至以为他将永存于世。”
评： ‘亨利·莱尔夫·霍兰德，斯莱恩伯爵一世活了那么久，公众都开始以为他将永存于世了。’ 好像Lord Slane时该称勋爵，但完整Earl of Slane里还是应该用伯爵名号。
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原文：'The public, as a whole, finds reassurance in longevity, and, after the necessary interlude of reaction, is disposed to recognise extreme old age as a sign of excellence.'
译：“世人皆以长寿为慰藉，虽势必也曾不以此为然，但终究乐于承认，岁至期颐实乃优良品质。”
评： interlude 和‘不以为然’联系不起来吧。‘长寿总是世人喜闻乐见的。人们遇到老得出格的，虽不免反应有所迟疑，但终究乐于承认活得久是素质优秀的证明。’
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原文：'To filch twenty years from eternal annihilation is to impose one’s superiority on an allotted programme. '
译：“命有定数，若能在寿终正寝前偷得二十载光阴，也不失为胜人一筹。”
评：不是和人较劲吧，也不是平和的‘寿终正寝’：‘命既有定数，若能在恒久的湮灭前偷得二十载光阴，那便是胜天一筹了。’
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原文：'added with a sigh, ‘Well, another old landmark gone.’ That was the dominant feeling: another old landmark gone, another reminder of insecurity.'
译：“不忘一阵叹息。“哎，又一位老寿星走了。”众人都有同感：又一位老寿星走了，让人倍感生命无常。”
评： landmark不如直译？‘又一座地标倒下了，再次提醒人们没什么是能指靠的。’
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原文：'to this very last day when as Earl of Slane, K.G., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., etc. etc. – his diminishing honours trailing away behind him like the tail of a comet '
译：“临终之际，他已是斯莱恩勋爵，且手握嘉德勋章、印度之星大十字勋章、印度帝国大十字勋章……——种种荣誉犹如彗星之尾，渐失光芒”
评： ‘临终之际，他已是斯莱恩勋爵，且手握嘉德勋章、印度之星大十字勋章、印度帝国大十字勋章、等等等等……——种种头衔以荣誉递减，犹如彗星之尾般随其身后’
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原文：'Time seemed to have made a little jump forward, now that the figure of old Slane was no longer there with outstretched arms to dam it back. '
译：“时间仿佛在那一刻往前跳脱了一步，而他却已无力展臂阻止这一切。”
评：对不起这个成语形容的姿态太合适： ‘再没有老斯莱恩的螳臂挡车，时间仿佛在那一刻得以往前跳一小步。’
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原文：'For some fifteen years he had taken no very active part in public life, but he had been there, and on occasion the irrefutable suavity, common sense, and mockery of his eloquence in Parliament had disturbed, though it could not actually arrest, his more extreme colleagues upon the brink of folly.'
译：“过去十五余载，他鲜少抛头露面，支持政务，但他却从未真正离开自己的工作；在议会里，他时而和风细雨，娓娓道来，时而敏睿判断，洞悉世事，时而激昂雄辩却极具嘲讽，一度让他那些更为激进却有勇无谋的同僚虽不能就此作罢，却也坐立不安。”
评： 就是这种不必要的文辞渲染，把句子的重点都盖住了。关键不是赞美他的雄辩，是嘲讽他的无效： ‘过去十五余载，他在政务上并不活跃，但亦从未缺席；在议会里，他偶尔的雄辩——兼容不可否认的温文尔雅、通晓常理、揶揄嘲讽——在他那些更为激进的同僚即将犯蠢的岌岌可危之刻，虽无真正的回天之力，却的确能让后者坐立不安。’
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原文：'and unburdening himself, in his incomparable way, of opinions carefully, soberly, but cynically gestated, then the Press and the public were compelled into attention.'
译：“以他那严谨、冷静却不乏个性的方式畅谈己见，媒体和民众定会洗耳倾听。”
评：cynically gestated私以为在这句里最要紧：‘以他人难以企及的方式袒露自己严谨冷静地形成、基于对人性不抱幻想/从不高估人性的意见，媒体和民众定会洗耳恭听。’
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原文：'His humour, his charm, his languor, and his good sense, had rendered him sacrosanct to all generations and to all parties;'
译：“虽历经几代，但在所有党派和世人眼中，他的幽默和魅力，柔情和理智让他近乎完人，神圣而不可侵犯。”
评：‘虽’从何而来？ ‘他的幽默和魅力，惰性和明智使他被人们视为神圣而不可侵犯，无论辈代或派别。’
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原文：' by virtue of his proverbial detachment, he had never drawn upon himself the execration and mistrust commonly accorded to the mere expert. '
译：“人人皆知他超然脱俗，从不像所谓的专家那样招人怀疑甚至憎恶。”
评：这儿可以强调一下因果关系吧： ‘人人皆知他超然脱俗，因而仅仅精通事务者往往招致的怀疑甚至憎恶从来沾不到他身上。’
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原文：'‘Yes,’ he would write at the bottom of a memorandum setting forth the advantages of two opposite lines of policy; and his myrmidons passed their hands over their brows, distraught. '
译：“他会先在备忘录上洋洋洒洒罗列一个政策正反两条路径的优点，之后才在最底部写上一个“同意”，为此他的部下无不抓耳挠腮，心烦意乱。”
评：备忘录不是他自己写的： ‘呈上的备忘录上洋洋洒洒罗列着两条相反政策各自的优点，他则在最底部写上一个“同意”，让他的部下扶额抓狂。’
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原文：'He was destroyed as a statesman, they said, because he always saw both sides of the case; '
译：“人们总说，为官从政毁了他，因为凡事他都必须兼顾正反两面，”
评：as不是因果： ‘人们评说他政途被毁，是因为他总能看到事物的两面’
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原文：'In his exquisitely courteous way, he would annihilate alike the optimism and the myopia of his correspondent. '
译：“他行事机敏谦和，常让记者们的盲目乐观、鼠目寸光遁于无形；”
评：这里correspondent该取‘one who has regular commercial relations with another’之意吧。‘和他打交道，须知他自有其无懈可击的谦和方式，荡除/泯除对方乐观或短视之处。’
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原文：'Courteous always, and civilised, he left his competitors dead.'
译：“他一向为人谦和恭敬，举止得体有礼，却总打得敌方措手不及，不给人留一丝招架还手之力。”
评：‘他素来谦恭平和，彬彬有礼，见血封喉。’
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原文：'by all this was he buttressed through the confused justice and injustice of legend;'
译：“坊间有关他的传说，虚实真假虽不易分辨，但多少铸就了他的形象。”
评： ‘坊间有关他的传说虚实真假不易分辨，但他的个人形象助他屹立不倒。’
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原文：'His wife alone suspected how closely those idiosyncrasies were associated with a settled policy.'
译：“但只有他的妻子觉得他的这些个人成就抑或特质总与既定政策有着莫大关联。”
评： ‘唯独他的妻子怀疑他的这些独特习性是刻意而为，发自既定政策。’
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原文：'The least cynical of people by nature, she had learned to lay a veneer of cynicism over herself after seventy years’ association with Henry Holland.'
译：“勋爵夫人生来心慈人善，宽容豁达，然而和斯莱恩勋爵夫妻七十载，她也学会了给自己披上一层愤世嫉俗的面纱。”
评： ‘伯爵夫人本性是完全把人往好里想的，然而和亨利·霍兰德相处七十载后，她也学会了一点对人性的怀疑悲观，以此为自己添置一层薄薄的保护漆。’
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原文：'now that the joke had become a reality, the reality gained in impressiveness for having been anticipated by a joke. '
译：“而今玩笑成真，一语成谶，令人唏嘘不已。”
评： ‘而今玩笑一语成谶，使现实更令人动容。’
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原文：'The bony architecture of nose, chin, and temples, stood out in greater relief for the slight sinking of the flesh;'
译：“他的皮肤已微陷，好在瘦削的鼻子、下巴依然坚挺，额角的轮廓依然清晰；”
评：不是转折： ‘他的皮肤已微陷，使其从额角、鼻子到下巴的瘦削骨相愈发轮廓清晰；’
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原文：'Yet, for all its dignity, death brought a revelation. '
译：“然而，尽管令人敬畏，死神终将还万物以本来面目。”
评： ‘然而，尽管遗体一派威仪，死神亦揭露了某种真相。 ’
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原文：'The face which had been so noble in life lost a trifle of its nobility in death; the lips which had been too humorous to be unpleasantly sardonic now betrayed their thinness;'
译：“曾经如此尊贵的脸庞已风采不再；曾经口吐戏谑之言，却不至令人厌弃的双唇已饱满不再；”
评： ‘生前如此清贵可敬的脸庞在死后丧失了些许高尚；曾经幽默风趣，让嘲讽之言不至于令人生厌的双唇暴露了它们的刻薄劲；’
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原文：'The hardness which had disguised itself under the charming manner now remained alone, robbed of the protection of a smile. He was beautiful, but he was less agreeable. '
译：“曾经掩藏在周全礼数之下的冷酷内心没了往日笑容的掩护，突然显得如此冰冷。他长相俊俏，却并不讨喜。”
评： ‘曾经掩藏在迷人礼数之下的冷硬丧失了笑容的掩护，如今孤零零地陈放在那里。他是美丽的，但现在不那么讨喜了。’
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原文：'Shorthand? – but one must not let one’s thoughts run on like this; one must discipline one’s mind, keeping one’s attention on the present matter, as other people seemed to do without any difficulty; though, to be sure, if one had not learnt that lesson by the time one was sixty, one was never likely to learn it. '
译：“速记？但我们不能如此思考问题，必须训练自己的大脑，让自己专注于眼前之事，正如其他某些人似乎可以轻而易举做到的那样。诚然，一个人如果到了六十岁依然不得其法，那他恐怕永远都学不会了。”
评：前面都是Edith云游所思，破折号说明她想收心，不能省略；后面那个though是她又禁不住想东想西前后矛盾，也不该省略： ‘速记？—— 但我们不能再让思绪跑远了，必须规训自己的大脑，让自己专注于眼前之事，这不是别人似乎都轻而易举做到的吗？不过诚然...’ Edith的心理活动就是整个的run-on sentence.
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原文：'‘Isn’t it splendid that Father is dead,’ '
译：“爸爸死了岂不是太棒了。”
评： ‘爸爸死了真是太棒了。’
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原文：'by which one might use a really dreadful word, the sort of word that butcher-boys scrawled in pencil on the white-washed walls of the basement passage, and about which one had to speak, most evasively, to the cook. An unpleasant task; the sort of task that fell to Edith in Elm Park Gardens and to a thousand Ediths all over London. But of these preoccupations her family knew nothing.'
译：“那就是一不小心蹦出一些个惊世骇俗的字眼，那种屠夫用铅笔在地下室过道的白墙上潦草写下的字眼，以及那些和厨师掰扯的含糊之词。这可真是件苦差；一件落到埃尔姆帕克街的伊迪丝和全伦敦成百上千个伊迪丝头上的苦差。但她的家人对此却一无所知。”
评： ‘那就是一不小心蹦出一些个真正伤风败俗的字眼，那种屠夫学徒用铅笔在地下室过道的白墙上潦草写下的字眼，以致我们不得不为此对厨师竭力含糊地提出怨言。这可真是件苦差；... 但这些心事是她的家人们一无所知的。’ 寥寥数笔Edith这位恪守闺格、无偿持家（？）的老处女形象就出来了。
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原文：'the gesture implied that she had not spoken. Having reduced her to this confusion, they returned to their conversation, they returned to their conversation, suitably hushed and mournful. '
译：“这个动作表明她没再说话。伊迪丝被吓得慌了神后，其他几人又重拾刚才的老话题，声音略微低沉了几分，神情适当地悲切了一点。”
评：他们的语调没变过，只是停顿了： ‘这个动作暗示她刚才没有发言。把伊迪丝打压得不知所措后，他们重拾先前的话题，声音适当低沉，神情适当悲切。’
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原文：'she let fall remarks that could not be reconciled with ordinary sense; '
译：“母亲总会时不时说些让普通人摸不着头脑的话，”
评： ‘和常理全不搭边的’
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原文：'Mother was a changeling, they had often said politely, in the bitter-sweet accents reserved for a family joke; '
译：“母亲乃无能之妇，他们常常用或喜或悲的口吻故作礼貌地说，这甚至成了家中的招牌笑话；”
评：！ ‘母亲出生时该是被精灵掉过包的，他们常常礼貌地说，口气又甜蜜又苦涩，是专门用来讲家人间笑话的那种。’
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原文：'like a refrain coming periodically into their conversation and sweeping it upwards on to a higher level. Then it drooped again; became practical. '
译：“好似一段周期性出现在他们谈话中的副歌，让他们的对话快速升华，迎来高潮，但之后逐渐趋于平淡，最后再次回到现实语境。”
评：两个主语是该分两句说吧： ‘好似一段周期性出现在他们谈话中的副歌，让他们的对话昂扬升华。但之后对话的调性又回落下来，变得务实。’
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原文：'Evidently, she could not go on being wonderful for the rest of her life. Somewhere, somehow, she must be allowed to break down, and then, after that was over, must be stowed away; housed, taken care of. '
译：“很明显，她不可能终其余生一直如此。无论如何，总有那一刻，得允许她崩溃痛哭，然后等她情绪过去，得找个地方安顿好她。”
评：stow away是对物件的态度： ‘很明显，她不可能余生一直这么棒。无论如何，总有那一刻，得允许她崩溃一场，然后，等她情绪过去，得把她存放起来/收放妥当；给她找个地方住，照顾她。’
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原文：'they might pounce on the pigeon-holes – that macabre columbarium – where the obituary notices were stored in readiness;'
译：“他们会猛扑向那鸽笼似的可怕的骨灰安置场所，那儿存放着所有现成的讣告；”
评： ‘他们可能会扑向存放着现成讣告的鸽笼式分类架——那些格子和存放骨灰匣的壁龛相似得瘆人，’
另外这以上一长段都是用‘might’，是因为Slane才刚刚去世，外面的media frenzy还没有全发生。
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原文：'‘indecently soon,’'
译：““来得也太快了。””
评： ‘这么快就送来，真不讲究’
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原文：' ‘Mother, you understand, is naturally rather overcome; wonderful, I must say;'
译：“你知道的，母亲生性坚忍；真的很了不起，我不得不说；”
评： ‘你想必知道，母亲自然深受打击，她很坚强了，我不得不说；’
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原文：'all her life long, gracious and gentle, she had been wholly submissive'
译：“她这漫长的一生，虽然优雅温柔，但一直异常顺从”
评：没有转折， ‘她一生都性格体恤温柔，全然顺从’
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原文：'after years of being merely a fluttering lovable presence amongst them, '
译：“平日无足轻重、讨人喜爱的母亲，”
评： 想直译试试：‘多年来她仅仅是翩跹于他们之中的可爱存在’
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原文：'Around them hung that uneasy, unsettled air which attends those about to set out on a journey or those whose lives have been seriously disturbed.'
译：“他们当中有人即将踏上新的征程，有人生活受到极大影响，他们周围的气氛异常凝重，空气中飘满了未知。”
评： ‘他们当中弥漫着即将踏上征程或生活遭受重扰时那种惶惶不宁的气氛。’
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原文：'How large they all were, she thought;'
译：“家里的人可真多啊，她心想”
评： ‘他们都长得真高大啊’
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原文：'and how terrible it would have been for Carrie to arrive in a pink shirt. '
译：“卡丽就有点惨了，竟穿了件粉色衬衫。”
评：假设语气， ‘卡丽若是穿了件粉色衬衫登门该会多可怕。’
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原文：'he didn’t worry about significance,'
译：“他从不关心什么人生意义，”
评： ‘他不关心自己是不是个大人物’
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原文：'gave a preliminary glare at his relations.'
译：“看了一眼身边众人，仿佛在做开讲预热。”
评： ‘瞪了身边的亲人一眼以作开场白。’
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原文：'if Herbert had betrayed no irritation against her for thus failing to turn him into a successful legatee.'
译：“好歹赫伯特没有因为未能成功继承财产而把气撒到老婆身上。”
评：一家都这么要面子的不太会‘撒气’吧， ‘赫伯特没有因为妻子未能成功让他当上动产受遗赠者而显露出对她的嫌怨。’
值得加注的是Herbert因为是长子，已经继承了爵位和entailed的财产部分，这里说的是死者本人可以指定任意人继承的那部分财产。按下文看Herbert是喜欢迁怒于内人的那种人。（古典英国小说哪本少得了讨论遗产处置...）
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原文：'‘But surely I ought to bear the brunt –'
译：““但我也应该来分担一些负担呀”
评： ‘但我一定该冲在——’ （本来想用‘首当其冲’这个词的，但后面的word play用冲可能性大些，） 当然后面Carrie责备Edith的话也要调整为‘谁让你冲了？...’
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原文：'It became a rude and Saxon word, like woad, or witenagemot; brunt, blunt; a blunt word. And what did it mean, to bear the brunt? What was a brunt, anyhow? '
译：“变得犹如撒克逊语般野蛮；“负担”这个说法实在不够客气。话说“分担负担”到底什么意思？而“负担”到底所指何意？”
评：这段按字面翻会有不知所云的感觉吧，brunt/blunt更加难以传达。尝试本土化些貌离神合的，反正这是Edith脚踩西瓜皮式的联想，该无伤大雅，‘冲这个词是当兵打仗的人用的，冲啊杀啊的多粗野，冲突冲撞也都不是好词。还有犯冲，这个冲的读音为什么和平时的冲不一样呢？’
[br]
原文：'Herbert’s voice had been as a trumpet threatening the walls of his Jericho. '
译：“赫伯特的嗓音如同喇叭一般，声声冲击着他的耶利哥墙。”
评：可能可以加注 ‘walls of Jericho’的圣经典故？百度说Jericho是‘约旦古城... 耶利哥城的崩毁，是西方家喻户晓的故事，此城守着迦南的门户，城墙高厚，守军高大壮健，是古代极强大的堡垒，犹太人虽为数达百万人，但却是乌合之众，无任何能力与技术攻城，但据圣经记载，犹太人围城行走七日然后一起吹号，上帝以神迹震毁城墙，使犹太军轻易攻入，而后能顺利攻入迦南。’
[br]
原文：'Joy was a matter they seldom considered, but duty was ever present with them, seriously always and sometimes grimly.'
译：“他们鲜少考虑享乐，肩上的责任却从未间断，这些责任总是严肃且重大，有时甚至残酷。”
评： ‘...对责任却时刻牢记，严肃对待，有时甚至咬紧牙根也要撑下去。’
[br]
原文：'Their father’s energy had passed on to them, turning a trifle sour on the way.'
译：“他们都遗传了父亲的充沛精力，一点小事也要斤斤计较，结果弄得众人不悦。”
评：‘他们都遗传了父亲的充沛精力，但精力中小小的一部分转变成了斤斤计较/一股别扭劲。’
[br]
原文：'dear Edith,’ she said, with a digressive smile; ‘but quite rightly, as I think,’ she continued, ‘she refused to leave Father and Mother so long as she could be of use to them.'
译：“亲爱的伊迪丝，”她带着一抹漫不经心的笑容说着，“但这很正常，我觉得，”她继续说道，“但凡父亲和母亲还需要她，她就不会丢下他们不管。”
评： ‘... 她带着一抹岔题的笑容说着，“但她也表示但凡父亲和母亲还需要她，她就不会丢下他们不管。这是做得很对的，我觉得。”’
[br]
原文：' I should find an additional guest a serious drain on my resources.'
译：“以至于家里若是再多一个客人，我都会觉得亏空不少。”
评： ‘家里若是添个客人，对我会是严重的负担。’
[br]
原文：'which no doubt they are holding in reserve until a suitable occasion, as they have not yet printed it, '
译：“毫无疑问，他们会先将其搁置一段时间，以待合适时机，因为至今还未刊登。”
评： ‘他们现在还没刊登这信，那毫无疑问，他们留着是等合适时机再拿出来。’
[br]
原文：'‘Isn’t it rather delicate …’ '
译：““这样会不会太棘手了……””
评： ‘这恐怕是得委婉....’
[br]
原文：'it cannot be discussed in any detail until after – h’m – poor Father’s funeral.'
译：“无论如何，在父亲入土为安前，这个事情我们都不该过多讨论。”
评： ‘无论如何，在——呃——可怜的父亲入土为安前... ’
[br]
原文：'(That’s one for William, thought Edith.) '
译：“（这要怪威廉，伊迪丝心想。）”
评：‘（这句话是说给威廉听的。... ’
[br]
原文：'then look down their noses while their friends praise them. '
译：“然后在接受亲朋好友的赞扬之余还一脸趾高气扬。”
评：‘然后一脸趾高气扬地接受亲朋好友的赞扬。’
[br]
原文：'He was annoyed, because he imagined a reproof in Edith’s tone, where, really, he should have detected only an appeal. He was annoyed, because he already had a sense of guilt in his intention of keeping an engagement; ought he, rather, to have remained to dinner at Elm Park Gardens? '
译：“他有点生气，因为他仿佛从伊迪丝的语调中听出了一丝责备，尽管实际上他听到的只有恳求，他还是有些生气，因为此去赴约着实让他有些过意不去；难道他本不该留在埃尔姆帕克街吃晚饭吗？”
评：‘他有点气恼，因为他仿佛从伊迪丝的语调中听出了一丝责备，尽管实际上他本该只听出恳求。他有点气恼，还因为他为打算接着照常赴约是有点内疚的；也许他本该留在埃尔姆帕克街吃晚饭？’
[br]
原文：'looking as patiently annoyed as it was possible for him to look. '
译：“露出了一副微愠而淡定的神情。”
评：‘露出一副微愠并极度耐心的神情’
[br]
原文：'He added this, being cowardly though self-indulgent, and anxious to avoid unpleasantness at any cost. '
译：“他怯生生而又任性地加了这一句，或许是想竭尽全力避免不快。”
评：‘他补上这句是因为他虽然自我骄纵，却也性格懦弱，总竭力避免不快。’
[br]
原文：'Kay Holland was poor – all the Hollands were comparatively poor, their father had been Viceroy of India. '
译：“而凯·霍兰德却是穷人——尽管有个曾任印度总督的父亲，霍兰德家的子女都算不上富有。”
评：这里没有转折的意思，感觉这属于反直觉的冷知识/老笑话， ‘而凯·霍兰德却是穷人——霍兰德家的子女都算不上富有，他们的父亲曾任印度总督。’
[br]
原文：' and took pleasure in a work of art only if it had been his own discovery and a bargain. '
译：“整日沉迷于各种艺术品，而且还非得是自己发现且低价购得的。”
评：‘只欣赏自己发现且低价购得的艺术品。’

=======================
第一章（2）
到现在Lady Slane还没什么戏份。
这部分好像越改越细，有些原本的意思并没有翻错，但都避免了直译，好像把作者一些有趣的表达平淡化了。（很可能是我个人偏好。） [br]
[br]
原文：'so people said, basing their suspicions on the suggestive prefix to his name. '
译：“毕竟他的名字前缀实在让人觉得蹊跷可疑。”
评：这里前缀指的是FitzGeorge里的Fitz部分。fitz 原意就是某某之子，但英国有国王为其私生子以Fitz冠姓的史例 - 可参考https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitz，"at later periods this form was adopted by English kings for the surnames given some of their recognized illegitimate children, " 大家由此捕风捉影，
‘毕竟他的姓氏前缀容易让人往血统不明那个方向想。’
[br]
原文：'He felt vexed with Kay; it was inconsiderate of him to have lost his father, inconsiderate of him not to have cancelled their appointment; '
译：“不守在父亲身旁已是轻率之举；之后还不取消约会，更是冒失不妥；”
评：‘丧父已是轻率之举’—— 作者一定想到了王尔德著名的俏皮话吧， 'To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.'
[br]
原文：'But this evening, Mr FitzGeorge’s pleasure was spoilt; he had not said what he intended to say,'
译：“但今晚，菲茨乔治先生有些扫兴；他一直言不由衷，话到嘴边又咽下，”
评：‘...; 他想说的话始终难以启齿’
[br]
原文：'it was a mistake, a great mistake, to admit exceptions.'
译：“非要特立独行、搞特殊化，便是大错特错”
评：‘打破惯例真是大错特错’
[br]
原文：'He scowled across the table at Kay, drinking his barley-water and carefully wiping his neat little beard, unaware of the hostility he was arousing.'
译：“他和凯面对面坐着，一脸不悦，喝了一口大麦茶，小心翼翼地擦了擦他那整洁的白胡子，对心头涌起的那份敌意全然不知。”
评：喝茶的不是Fitz，‘他一脸不悦地望着对桌的凯，而后者喝了一口大麦茶，小心翼翼地擦了擦他那整洁的白胡子，对其在同伴心头挑起的敌意全然不知。’
[br]
原文：' he’s been making an effort to talk.'
译：“菲茨乔治一直想说些什么。”
评：仍是Kay，‘他在努力维持对话’
[br]
原文：' – But you’re wrong about those bowls all the same, Holland. '
译：“可是，说到那对碗，霍兰德你的判断自始至终都不对。”
评：‘——但不管怎么，霍兰德你对那对碗的判断就是错的。’
[br]
原文：'he liked being bullied by old Fitz; it gave him a little tremor of delight.'
译：“甚至还高兴得微微发抖。”
评：好抖m，但也不能太明显吧， ‘这愉快会让他心中微颤一下’？
[br]
原文：'laughing a little meanwhile, ever so slightly arch,... Their relations had miraculously got back to the normal, '
译：“他时不时笑笑，微微躬身，... 他俩就这么神奇地和好如初了，”
评：arch 这里该是形容词，‘他时不时笑笑，笑容中的顽劣/淘气几不可测，... 他俩的关系就这么神奇地恢复原样了，’
[br]
原文：'he said presently he was dashed if he wouldn’t have a brandy too.'
译：“还说为了不让自己扫兴，他现在也要来一杯白兰地。”
评：dashed 这里是damned的文明说法吧 ‘还说他现在决计也要来一杯白兰地。’
[br]
原文：'St James’s Street had not opened to swallow him up. '
译：“圣詹姆斯大街并未将他的声音吞没。”
评：‘圣詹姆斯大街并未裂开巨缝将他吞没。’
[br]
原文：'Kay looked taken aback; and no wonder. '
译：“凯大吃一惊，倒也不足为怪。”
评：‘难怪凯看起来大吃一惊。’
[br]
原文：'while old Fitz stood staring after him, wondering whether he had made it impossible for himself ever to see Kay Holland again.'
译：“望着凯远去的背影；菲茨心里七上八下，不知这样一来，他是不是再也见不到凯·霍兰德了。”
评：想表达尴尬后的双向离弃，‘望着凯远去的背影，不知自己是不是从此要和凯·霍兰德不相往来了。’
[br]
原文：'and the talk of Westminster Abbey'
译：“有关西敏寺的讲话”
评：怀疑这里讨论的是Lord Slane会否得到入葬西敏寺的殊荣，‘关于入葬西敏寺的传言’
[br]
原文：'horrified the assembled family by asking, ‘Pardon, miladi, est-ce que ça vaut la peine d’envoyer les shirts de milord à la wash?’'
译：“然后一惊一乍地问：“对不起，夫人，有必要把老爷的衬衫送去清洗吗？”着实吓了大伙一跳。”
评：如果要添油加醋一点的话，‘然后直愣愣地问：“对不起，夫人，有必要把老爷的衬衫送去清洗吗？”着实弄得众人心惊肉跳。’
[br]
原文：'They could only insist, implicitly, that their own convention must be adopted:'
译：“所以他们只能隐晦地坚称凡事一律按他们的老规矩办：”
评：‘所以他们只能隐晦地坚持一定按他们袭用的那套成法来：’
[br]
原文：'Mother’s life was shattered, Mother was bearing up wonderfully, Mother must be sheltered within the privacy of her disaster, while the necessary business was conducted, the necessary contact with the outside world maintained, by her capable sons and her capable daughter.'
译：“母亲的人生破碎了，但她的情绪一直很稳定，在她独自默默承受一切的时候，我们定要好好庇护她，其他必须安排的事务乃至与外界联络的任务应当都由她能干的子女们来承担。”
评：daughter这里的单数是故意的，‘母亲的天塌了，母亲在遭受如此打击后十分坚强，悲痛中的母亲一定有私处空间，我们定要好好庇护她，必须处理的事务乃至与外界联络的任务应当都由她几位能干的儿子和一位能干的女儿来承担。’
[br]
原文：'Herbert, Carrie, William, and Charles stood between their mother and the outside world. '
译：“赫伯特、卡丽、威廉和查尔斯则如同一堵墙似的横在了母亲和外界之间。”
评：‘赫伯特、卡丽、威廉和查尔斯则为他们的母亲挡住了外面的世界’
[br]
原文：'These bits of information were imparted to his mother by Herbert in driblets and with caution; he was feeling his way to see how she would receive them.'
译：“一直以来，赫伯特都小心谨慎地将这些消息一点一点地告诉母亲，同时也试探着母亲应对这些消息的态度。”
评：‘这些消息都是赫伯特谨慎地一点一点告诉母亲的，他吃不准母亲会以什么态度应对这些消。’
[br]
原文：'Generation must tread upon the heels of generation – '
译：“毕竟后人必须仰息前人——那可是自然法则”
评：有现成的，‘后浪总是推着前浪走的’
[br]
原文：'She ought, posthumously, for these three or four days, to rally supremely in honour of her husband’s memory; any abrogation of her right was unseemly. So it ran in Herbert’s code.'
译：“父亲过世后的三四天里，她理应打起十万分精神缅怀亡夫，任何弃权行为都是不合时宜的。
”
评：漏了点， ‘父亲身后，在这三四天里... 任何弃权行为都有失成规，易招非议。这是赫伯特奉行的准则。’
[br]
原文：'But perhaps, chattered the imp in Edith,'
译：“但伊迪丝脑中的小精灵告诉她：”
评： imp ‘淘气的小魔鬼’？
[br]
原文：'capering through silent chanceries and over the parquet floors of ballrooms,'
译：“寂静的档案室”
评：字典说chancery 这里是‘an office attached to an embassy or consulate.’ 所以这个house是兼办公和居住的公府。
[br]
原文：'some dance up to Golder’s Green or Huddersfield as the fancy took her, instead of resigning herself to Westminster Abbey or Brompton Cemetery as was expected;'
译：“只要她一时兴起，众人便会一路奔至戈尔德斯格林或是哈德斯菲尔德，而她也可以任性地将万众期待的西敏寺或布朗普顿公墓置之一旁，视若无睹。”
评： ‘只要她想，众人便会一路奔至戈尔德斯格林或是哈德斯菲尔德。她并不必屈从众人视为理所应当的选择——西敏寺或皇家布朗普顿公墓。’ Golder’s Green在伦敦郊区，很平民，Brompton Cemetery则是唯一属于皇家的伦敦公墓，气派足够。
[br]
原文：'‘Now let’s romp through the kitchens;’'
译：““咱们快点儿穿过厨房吧。””
评： ‘咱们下面到厨房里蹦跶一圈吧’ ？
[br]
原文：'though, true son of his father, he was flattered by womanly dependence.'
译：“尽管他是父亲如假包换的亲生子，但面对女性的依赖顺从，他依旧受宠若惊。”
评： ‘不过，作为他父亲如假包换的亲生子，他欣然接受女性的依赖顺从。’
[br]
原文：'Only for these three or four days – since he was playing a game, subscribing to a convention – did he demand of his mother that she should hold opinions of her own. '
译：“在这短短的三四天里，赫伯特要求母亲坚持主见——毕竟玩游戏就该守规则。”
评： ‘只在这短短的三四天里，赫伯特要求母亲有她的主见——既然他在参与一场游戏，在遵守一套规则。’ （大家要陪他进行游戏）
[br]
原文：'Yet at the same time, such was his masculine contrariness, he would have resented any decision running counter to his own ideas.'
译：“但与此同时，一旦任何决定与他意见相左，他便又愤愤不平，矛盾的男权主义又开始作祟。”
评： ‘...——男人嘛就是这么自相矛盾。’
[br]
原文：'Herbert, then, became gentler and gentler as he saw his own ideas adopted and yet could persuade himself that they had originated with his mother and not with him. '
译：“眼看着自己的想法被一一采纳，于是乎，赫伯特变得越发温和，他还试着说服自己，告诉自己这些想法原本就是母亲的，并非来源于他。”
评： ‘赫伯特的自己的想法被一一采纳，而且还能说服自己这些想法原本就是母亲的，并非来源于他。于是乎，赫伯特变得越发温和了。’
[br]
原文：'Edith shrewdly estimated the honesty of this remark'
译：“伊迪丝精明地盘算着，觉得赫伯特并不坦诚，”
评： ‘伊迪丝精明地估算出了赫伯特这话里的水分，’
[br]
原文：'They must bow to the publicity of the Abbey. '
译：“同时也得屈服于西敏寺的赫赫声名。”
评：这里不用fame用publicity应该有标榜淡泊的意思，‘西敏寺太出名也没办法了。’
[br]
原文：'thought how much amused her father would have been, and at the same time how much gratified, '
译：“看到自己最终葬于西敏寺，会有多窃喜、多满足，”
评：父亲段位这么高不会这么小家子气吧，‘看到自己最终葬于西敏寺，会被如何逗乐、同时也多欣慰，’
[br]
原文：'so satisfactorily in character'
译：“他全情投入”
评： ‘完满地占据了这个角色’ ？
[br]
原文：'The two young princes, ushered hurriedly though respectfully to their seats, wondered, '
译：“两位年轻的王子匆忙却不失恭敬地进来就座，他们百思不解，”
评： ‘两位被匆忙而不失恭敬地领入座位的年轻王子不禁思忖，… ’
[br]
原文：'but a note of impatience crept in, a note of domination, held rather insistently by Herbert and Carrie.'
译：“但赫伯特和卡丽渐渐地有了一丝不耐烦，显出一副独掌大权的模样，而且坚持要这样。”
评： ‘但一丝不耐烦渐渐渗入，赫伯特和卡丽执意要为她做主了。’ ？
[br]
原文：'take a firm though kind line with their mother. '
译：“对母亲软硬兼施了。”
评： 觉得‘刚柔并济’好些，可能因为是从子女的角度说的，而‘软硬兼施’有点贬义。
[br]
原文：'Like the papers in Lord Slane’s desk, Lady Slane must be cleared up; then Herbert and Carrie could get back to their business. Nothing not put actually into words could have been conveyed more plainly.'
译：“必须尽快得到妥善安排；只有这样，赫伯特和卡丽才可以重操旧业。能用言语表达的都已经表达得再清楚不过了。”
评： ‘…妥善处置；那样赫伯特和卡丽才能重新去做他们的正事。这意思虽没明说，但已经表达得再清楚不过。’
[br]
原文：'Clothes upon her ceased to be clothes and became draperies; she had the secret of line.'
译：“穿在她身上的衣服不再是简单的衣服，而是雅致的装饰；她深谙美丽线条的秘诀，”
评： ‘什么衣服穿在她身上都有衣袂飘飘的效果，她深谙线条之道。’ （‘线条’还是在说她的衣品，不该和下句连一起。）
[br]
原文：'Her gowns for years past had always been soft, indefinite, and of unrelieved black. '
译：“她穿过的礼服款式不一，但都质地柔软，”
评： ‘穿过的礼服都质地柔软，轮廓朦胧，’
[br]
原文：'It was more difficult to believe in the activity that Lady Slane had learned to pack into her life.'
译：“早已学着将各种社会活动“塞进”自己的生活”
评： ‘她竟能够把那么多事情装进自己的生活’ ？ 主要觉得‘塞进’用不着双引号
[br]
原文：'‘Mother, dear …’ A form of address semi-childish, semi-conventional; '
译：““亲爱的母亲……”赫伯特有点孩子气但却很习惯地说道，”
评： ‘半孩子气半落俗套地称呼道’ ？
[br]
原文：'said Lady Slane with the utmost sweetness'
译：“斯莱恩夫人和蔼可亲地说道。”
评： ‘Slane夫人回问得再和蔼不过’ ？
[br]
原文：'to his original speech whose interruption he had endured, patient though not pleased,'
译：“话题，方才被打断的他这回表现得算是很有耐心了，但终究有些不高兴，”
评： ‘…原先的讲话，他方才耐心地容忍了被人打断，但终究…’
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原文：'a house such as you are entitled to expect.'
译：“您当然有权在这儿继续住下去，”
评： ‘期望住在一座与您身份相称的房子自然是合理的’
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原文：'without surprise'
译：“不惹半点麻烦。”
评： ‘安之若素’
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原文：'‘here we are discussing Mother’s house as though everything were settled. '
译：“我们在这里一起讨论母亲的住所问题就好似一切已经尘埃落定。”
评： ‘我们在这里一起讨论母亲该独住什么房子，就好像这点完全定下来了。’
[br]
原文：'Such a hint of independence was an outrage, almost a manifesto.'
译：“这一寻求独立的迹象无异于一份宣言，让卡丽怒不可遏。”
评： ‘这一寻求独立的迹象太让人难以接受了，近乎一份革命宣言了。’
[br]
原文：'Genoux would be sent round with a note in the morning; '
译：“热努每天一早便会拿着她俩给的小纸条忙里忙外；”
评： ‘热努一早便会在两人间跑腿送信’
[br]
原文：'practical, rustling, '
译：“犀利务实”
评： ‘讲究实用，风风火火/雷厉风行’ （为了凑四个字...）
[br]
原文：'She was the very incarnation of placidity. '
译：“她显得异常平静。”
评： ‘她如同安详的化身。’
[br]
原文：'her tone was a mixture between dreaminess and confidence, '
译：“语气中夹杂着一丝幻想，一丝自信，”
评： ‘语气介于幻想和自信之间，’
[br]
原文：'Gervase Bucktrout'
译：“杰维斯·巴克劳特”
评： 查了Gervase，是spear的意思，所以连起来是‘鱼叉叉鳟鱼’？
[br]
原文：'she started on a fresh piece of knitting. '
译：“开始织起毛线来。”
评： ‘她开始织一件新东西。’ 虽然是很小的差别，但这里‘开新’之举一是突出老夫人的淡定，二是（如果不是解读过度的话）有开始新生活的象征意味。
[br]
原文：'said Carrie, making the best of a bad job,'
译：“卡丽明知很难挽回，但依然苦口婆心道”
评： ‘卡丽尽量挽回败/残局’
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原文：'strenuous young people, who are not content with doing a thing, but must needs know why they do it.'
译：“他们总是不易满足，见异思迁，凡事都要追根究底。”
评： ‘他们不满足于有事干，还非得知道为什么干’
[br]
原文：'Her madness, however, was taking a harmless and even a convenient form.'
译：“但母亲这一糊涂，倒是让他们轻松方便了不少。”
评： ‘但母亲犯糊涂的形式并无害处，甚至让他们轻松了些。’
[br]
原文：'her gentleness, her unselfishness, her impersonal activities'
译：“她的温柔，她的无私，她的公益活动。”
评： impersonal 查不出公益的意思，而这里她的子女感受她最多的品质好像和公益活动也不是属于同列的。存疑
[br]
原文：'Edith alone frolicked in her mind. '
译：“只有伊迪丝一人窃喜万分。”
评： ‘只有伊迪丝一人开心得在脑海里翻跟斗。’ ？
[br]
原文：'She was delighted to see Carrie and Herbert routed, by their mother quietly disentangling herself from their toils. '
译：“母亲平静地拒绝接受卡丽和赫伯特的一番安排，而他们二人竟也无力抗争，”
评： ‘母亲不费什么动静就/恬静地从卡丽和赫伯特苦心积虑的安排中脱身，而他们二人毫无招架之力，’
[br]
原文：'concealing even the expression on her face as she bent her head over her knitting or embroidery, when her occasional ‘Yes, dear?’ gave but little indication of what she was really thinking.'
译：“甚至在她埋头编织或是刺绣之时，她把面部表情都隐藏了起来，她偶尔说的那句“你说什么，亲爱的？”几乎无法让人猜到她心里在想什么。”
评： ‘利用埋头编织或是刺绣，她甚至把面部表情都隐藏了起来，偶尔一句“是吗，亲爱的？”让人难以猜到她心里在想什么。’
[br]
原文：'her mother might have lived a full private life, all these years, behind the shelter of her affectionate watchfulness. '
译：“尽管母亲表面温柔亲切、谨言慎行，但她却可能有着不为人知的隐秘生活。”
评： ‘在母亲对他人温柔的关切背后，可能有着丰富而不为人知的生活。’ ?
[br]
原文：'How much had she observed? noted? criticised? stored up? '
译：“她观察到了什么？留意到了什么？非难过何人？又隐藏了什么？”
评： ‘... 批评过什么，又保存了什么？’

=======================
第一章（3）
[br]
[br]
原文：'I must be able to deck myself out on Occasions. '
译：“要是出席重大场合，我务必得精心打扮一番。”
评： ‘遇到重大场合，我务必有足够份量的珠宝装点自己。’ （和上文联系）
[br]
原文：'he used to buy back a lot of things at the Tash-i-Khane auctions. He had a theory that it pleased the princes to see me wearing their gifts, even though they knew perfectly well that we had bought them back. '
译：“他会在拍卖会上买回不少东西。他常头头是道地说，那些王侯看到我佩戴他们送的礼物定会开心满意，尽管他们心知肚明，那些珠宝实则由我们自掏腰包购得。”
评： 不确定这个拍卖会的流程是什么，是不是慈善拍卖——王侯捐了这些珠宝当拍卖品，Slane花钱买下。
[br]
原文：'we used to sit in front of the fire looking through it, like Nero at the burning of Rome. Only it was brown fire, not green.'
译：“只不过那火焰是棕黄色的，而非绿色。”
评： 是Pliny说Nero拿翡翠或类似的绿石头当眼镜用，但没说他用这来观火。
[br]
原文：'there’s nobody here for Genoux but Mother;'
译：“这里除了母亲，没人会叫热努；”
评： ‘对热努来说，这里没有旁人只有母亲’
[br]
原文：'Herbert peeking over his collar, '
译：“赫伯特四下张望，”
评： 还以为只有摄政时期男士衣领才高得挡住视线，‘绕过高高的衣领四下张望’
[br]
原文：'Mother has never talked at all – until to-day; yet Genoux comes in as though Mother were the only person in the room, in the house, fit to give an order. '
译：“母亲以前从不说话——今天却一反常态；这时热努跑进来，那架势好似房间里除了母亲以外，旁人都没资格差使她。”
评： ‘在今天之前母亲从不发声，但热努跑进来的架势就好似整间屋子里、整座房子里唯独母亲有资格差使她。’
[br]
原文：'Genoux takes no account of insistent voices.'
译：“她全然不顾身边的人在慌张仓促地说些什么。”
评： ‘热努全然不去理会那些不依不饶/不厌其烦的声音。’
[br]
原文：'but now a more immediate, because a more legitimate and English, danger menaced these jealously guarded possessions. '
译：“但如今近在眼前的这群英国“窃贼”，又名正言顺对她日夜守护的珠宝虎视眈眈起来。”
评： ‘但现在又有危险威胁到她小心守护的珠宝，而且这危险因为来头更名正言顺，来自英国本土而更加迫近。’
[br]
原文：'so gentle, so vague, so detached,'
译：“夫人如此温柔贤惠、不拘小节、超然世外，”
评： 这里溜进来‘贤惠’不合适吧，‘如此温柔，如此疏略超然’
[br]
原文：'They were, as the saying goes, loaded with rings. '
译：“俗话说的“戒指成堆”放在此处也毫不夸张。”
评： 鉴于下文都是说珠宝负担之重，既然中文是造词组，不如‘戒指压覆’ ？
[br]
原文：'Her hands were indeed loaded with rings. They had been thus loaded by Lord Slane – tokens of affection, certainly, '
译：“而斯莱恩夫人的确双手戴满戒指，这当然是斯莱恩勋爵宠爱她的象征，”
评： 这两句合并把Lord Slane在此中的主导地位抹平了，‘她的双手的确被戒指压覆，那是斯莱恩伯爵造成的。当然这示意伯爵对她的爱悦，’
[br]
原文：'they were fine, sculptural, and characteristic; but Lord Slane might be trusted to seize upon the more feminine aspect, and to ignore the subtler, less convenient, suggestion.'
译：“这双纤纤玉手颇有个性，如同雕像一般。然而斯莱恩勋爵或许更在意她柔弱的一面，却忽视了那些微妙的、不易察觉的蛛丝马迹。）”
评： ‘这双纤纤玉手如同雕像，并彰显主人的个性。然而我们可以指望斯莱恩勋爵只着意她更柔弱的一面，而忽视那些微妙的、较不顺他心意的迹象。’ 这个less convenient很要紧。
[br]
原文：'the parts of one’s body that one suddenly sees with the maximum of detachment'
译：“人们猛然瞥见它时，却总是对它们投去最漠然的目光：”
评： ‘人们突然真正看见它们时，往往抱着最疏离的态度。’
[br]
原文：'But the other things were not hers in the same way'
译：“但其他东西可不属于她，”
评： ‘但其他东西只是在名义/法理上属于她，’
[br]
原文：'and their associations meant much, representing as they did the whole background of her life in its most fantastic aspect.'
译：“它们也会让她想起一生中最奇妙的一段时光，这也是她所在乎的。”
评： ‘她也在乎它们所联系的历史，它们代表着她人生背景中最奇妙的那一部分。’
[br]
原文：'checking it with the thought that it was on a par with the narrow English amusement at the unfamiliar collection of consonants in a Polish name. '
译：“她一边忍着笑一边想，这和狭隘的英国人取笑波兰名字中种种陌生的辅音有何区别。”
评： ‘她忍笑的方式是提醒自己，这和狭隘的英国人取笑波兰名字中种种陌生的辅音并无区别。’
[br]
原文：'Herbert’s, decently avid. '
译：“明明急切却故作正经的赫伯特”
评： ‘殷切得没有过火的赫伯特’ ？
[br]
原文：'Such simplicity amounted to imbecility. But Herbert was well aware, and – so amiable are our secret feelings – rejoiced.'
译：“如此简单粗暴和愚蠢低能有什么两样。然而赫伯特对一切了然于心，而且甚是欢喜，人们私下倒觉得这样的他特别和蔼可亲。”
评： ‘如此简单行事和愚蠢低能有什么两样。然而赫伯特对这些反应了然于心，而且暗自欢喜——我们隐秘的情感就是如此与人亲善。’ 这里应该是在说反话吧。
[br]
原文：'Mabel who had once been pretty had now faded, according to the penalty of fair people, so that her skin appeared to be darker than her hair,'
译：“梅布尔曾经也年轻美貌，但如今已人老珠黄，正所谓刹那芳华，红颜易逝；她现在的皮肤比头发还暗沉”
评：原文相比之下刻薄得很客观， ‘梅布尔曾经漂亮过，金发白皙，但如今容颜黯淡了。岁月对浅色肤发的惩罚使她现在的肤色比头发还暗沉’
[br]
原文：'An existence once limited only by the boundaries of Empire had shrunk since the era of Elm Park Gardens began. '
译：“自从入住埃尔姆帕克街，那个昔日只受限于帝国边界的女孩的身影渐渐离她远去了。”
评： ‘...，昔日只受限于帝国边界的人生版图徒然缩小了。’
[br]
原文：'only the body was a little shaky, not very certain of its reliability,'
译：“依稀知道体格已不再硬朗，”
评： ‘不能确信身子骨是否靠得住，’
[br]
原文：'as she sat, swaying slightly with the rocking of the Underground train, very upright,'
译：“她挺直腰板，随着地铁的摇晃，颤颤地坐下，”
评： ‘她腰板挺直地坐着，随着地铁的摇晃微微晃动，’
[br]
原文：'It did not occur to her to wonder what her travelling companions would think, could they know that two days previously she had buried her husband in Westminster Abbey. '
译：“她无心琢磨旅伴们的想法，毫不在意他们是否知道，两天前她刚在西敏寺埋葬了自己的丈夫。”
评： ‘她完全无意去琢磨旅伴们的想法，假使他们知道两天前她刚在西敏寺埋葬了自己的丈夫会如何反应。’
[br]
原文：'It was just another instance of what she had vaguely noted all her life: how certain events brought apparently irrelevant results in their train.'
译：“她曾隐约注意到，她这一生中，有些事的发生注定会带来与之全然无关的意外结果。”
评： ‘这一生中她曾隐约注意到，有些事件的发生会带来与之全然无关的意外结果。’
[br]
原文：'that he gave the best of his intelligence to everybody on the slightest demand,'
译：“他人若有事相求，哪怕再小，他都会耗尽所有智慧出手相助，”
评： ‘只要他人有需要，无论多小，他都会为对方把自己的智慧发挥到极致，’ （不一定是请他帮忙）
[br]
原文：'he was not disposed to take the matter up, '
译：“他却闪烁其词，”
评： ‘他并无意对此深聊’ ？
[br]
原文：'Often she had pressed a tentative switch, and Henry’s mind had failed to light up. '
译：“她时常感到彷徨踌躇，亨利却无动于衷。”
评： ‘时常，她试探着按下点亮他大脑的开关，亨利却并无反应。’
[br]
原文：'It was perhaps an arid compliment, but a sincere one.'
译：“这番恭维或许空洞无味，但却发自她内心。”
评： ‘这对她可能算是一种干涩的恭维，但也是真诚的。’ （指Lord Slane不用讨好她是恭维她之举）
[br]
原文：'impersonal things, nothing troublesome. '
译：“客观之事，无关情感，不费半点周章。”
评： ‘于私无关的事，不烦人的事。’ ？
[br]
原文：'He would have been amused by her emancipation from Carrie. '
译：“亨利若是知道如今她摆脱了卡丽，也定会窃喜。”
评： ‘... 会被逗乐的。’
[br]
原文：'she doubted whether he had ever much liked any of his children.'
译：“她甚至怀疑，他们那么多孩子，亨利从未特别青睐过任何一个。”
评： ‘她甚至怀疑，不管他们哪个孩子，亨利都从未怎么喜欢过。’
[br]
原文：'Lady Slane knew him well enough (although in a sense she did not know him at all) to know when he approved of a person and when he did not.'
译：“但斯莱恩夫人对亨利颇为了解（尽管从某种意义上来说，她对他一无所知），很清楚他是喜欢一个人还是厌恶一个人。”
评： ‘以斯莱恩夫人对亨利的了解（...），她至少清楚他是喜欢一个人还是厌恶一个人。’
[br]
原文：'‘Damned efficient woman, my daughter,’ '
译：““该死，我这女儿手脚可真麻利””
评： ‘效率高得要命，我这女儿’
[br]
原文：'‘Now shall I bestir myself and give this rhetorical and peevish man my exact opinion of government offices, about which, after all, I know a great deal more than he does, or shall I not?’ So far as Lady Slane knew he never had.'
译：“他从未将这番话说出口。”
评： 他没做过的是bestir自己，‘据斯莱恩夫人所知，他从未打起精神费那番口舌。’
[br]
原文：'‘I find it difficult to accommodate myself to the society of minds balanced like a ledger,’ '
译：“我实在受不了这些脑袋藏账本、锱铢必较的人。”
评：稍微委婉一点点，‘让我和这些什么都要精细轧平，像本账本的脑袋打交道实在是力不从心。’ ？
[br]
原文：'For Edith he had had a somewhat selfish affection.'
译：“出于自己的一点小私心，亨利不知怎的，倒是挺喜欢伊迪丝。”
评：somewhat 不是somehow吧， ‘亨利对伊迪丝的喜爱略有一部分出于自私/利己。’
[br]
原文：'a contretemps which always caused Lord Slane more amusement than annoyance.'
译：“如此困窘之事总让斯莱恩勋爵既好气，又好笑。”
评： ‘如此窘事对斯莱恩勋爵来说好笑多于好气。’
[br]
原文：'he liked Edith more for the opportunities she afforded him of teasing her than for the reliance he placed upon her well-intentioned service.'
译：“亨利之所以喜欢伊迪丝，除了因为依赖好心的伊迪丝的服侍，更是因为伊迪丝给了他取笑她的机会。”
评： ‘亨利之所以喜欢伊迪丝，与其说是因为依赖伊迪丝出于良好本意的服务，不如说是因为伊迪丝给了他拿她逗趣的机会。’ well-intentioned 暗示事与愿违，不知表达出来没有
[br]
原文：'it was on these occasions and these alone, when she must compete with the rush of mechanical life, that she betrayed herself for an old lady. She became then a little tremulous, '
译：“每逢此刻，也唯有此刻，她才不得不挣扎着跟上这机械般的匆匆人流，她的年迈苍老随即也暴露无遗。于是乎，她变得有些战战兢兢，哆哆嗦嗦。”
评： ‘每逢此刻，也唯有此刻，当她不得不挣扎着跟上机械化生活的匆忙节奏，她的年迈苍老才暴露出来。这时她会变得...’
[br]
原文：'again, in her anxiety not to push herself forward,'
译：“她不想被人推着往前走，”
评： ‘同时，她习于谦让，’
[br]
原文：'standing in the warm summer air with the roofs of London beneath her.'
译：“发现迎接她的是夏日的阵阵和风，而伦敦的过往已被她踩在脚下。”
评：Hampstead地势是伦敦最高的，‘发现迎接她的是夏日的阵阵和风，眼前即可俯视伦敦的屋顶。’
[br]
原文：'so sleepy and village-like, '
译：“更像一个睡梦中的村庄”
评： ‘它寂靜无趣，如同村庄，’
[br]
原文：' It was curious to think that she would see it again, so imminently.'
译：“想到马上就要见到它，她不禁心生好奇。”
评： ‘想到多年后竟马上就要见到它，她不禁心生异样。’
[br]
原文：'There, now, you can see what it’s like '
译：“这下行了吧，你也看了这房子——”
评： ‘这下就把房子看清楚了吧’
[br]
原文：'a sort of bedraggled obsequiousness. '
译： “转而卑躬屈膝起来”
评： ‘转成了一种潦乱的恭谦’
[br]
原文：'receiving a few shillings a week and expected to make their knuckles even more unsightly in the care of a house which, to them, was at best a job and at worst a nuisance. '
译：“毕竟他们一周也就挣区区几先令，还得打扫房子，原本已经不忍直视的双手还要再次受累。于他们而言，这至多不过是份工作，说得不好听些，实则就是件苦差。”
评： ‘毕竟他们为了一周区区几先令就得把双手弄得更加惨不忍睹，只为最好是份工作，最坏就是麻烦/累赘的一座房子’
[br]
原文：'And if this superstition seemed irrational, one might reply that man himself was but a collection of atoms, even as a house was but a collection of bricks, yet man laid claim to a soul, to a spirit, to a power of recording and of perception, which had no more to do with his restless atoms than had the house with its stationary bricks. '
译：“有人或觉得此迷信说法纯属无稽之谈，反驳说：人不过是原子的集合，房子也只不过由砖头堆砌而成。然而人宣称拥有灵魂，拥有精神，拥有记忆和感知的能力，这和那些永不停歇的原子并无关联，同样道理，房子和那些静止不动的砖头的关系亦是如此。”
评： ‘若是有人觉得此迷信说法纯属无稽之谈，我们可以反驳说：说房子只是砖头的集合，那就也可以说人不过是原子的集合，然而人宣称拥有灵魂，拥有精神，拥有记忆和感知的能力，这和那些永不停歇的原子并无关联。房子和那些静止不动的砖头的关系岂不是同理吗？’
[br]
原文：'the curious sensation common to all who remain alone for the first time in an empty house which may become their home. '
译：“所有首次独自置身于某间日后他们可能安家于此的房子的人都会萌生一种奇怪的感觉，”
评： ‘当人们首次独自置身于某间日后他们可能安家于此的房子，他们都会萌生一种奇怪的感觉，’ 这里的curious和前文用法一样。
[br]
原文：'She would be content to stir with the breeze and grow green in the light of the sun, and to drift down the passage of years'
译：“只要能有拂面清风唤醒身心，能在日光浴里栽种绿植，能有幸飘然畅游时光走廊，”
评：前面说merge，所以这里应该和稻草、常春藤叶和蜘蛛一个角度吧， ‘只要能随风摇曳，能在日光中葱翠生长，能在时光之河中漂浮而下，’
[br]
原文：'She wanted nothing but passivity while these outward things worked their will upon her. '
译：“她别无他求，只求活得顺从，即便外物强加意愿于她，她依然泰然接受。”
评： ‘她别无他求，只求活得顺从，外物强加意愿于她的话，她便泰然接受。’
[br]
原文：'though she hated business, and would have preferred to take possession of the house as the straw, the ivy, and the spider had taken possession, simply adding herself to their number. '
译：“尽管她讨厌生意经；她更希望像那些稻草、藤蔓和蜘蛛一般享有这房子，它们若能加她一个，那该有多好。”
评： ‘尽管她讨厌处理商务；要是像那些稻草、藤蔓和蜘蛛一般占据这座房子，成为它们中的一员，那该有多好。’
[br]
原文：'documents would have to be signed, orders given, curtains and carpets chosen, and various human beings set in motion, all provided with hammers, tin-tacks, needles, and thread, before she and her belongings could settle down after their last journey.'
译：“她得先签一堆文件，然后发号施令，选窗帘择地毯，等到各行工人手持铁锤、平头钉、针线等各色工具开工就绪后，还要长途跋涉将她所有的财产物件运至此处。”
评： ‘会有一堆文件要签，命令要施发，窗帘地毯要选，各行工人要各自配置上铁锤、平头钉、针线，忙忙碌碌一番，她和她的所有物才能在最后一程跋涉后安顿下来。’
[br]
原文：'great was her relief when, peeping over the banisters, she saw, curiously foreshortened to her view, a safely old gentleman standing in the hall.'
译：“她透过楼梯扶手，满心好奇地向下望去，看到一位老实本分的老绅士独自站在大厅里”
评： ‘她透过楼梯扶手向下望去，看到一位老得令人安心的绅士站在大厅里，身材被透视法奇怪地缩短了。’
[br]
原文：'She thought it more probable that he did not care. He appeared to be in no hurry to find out. '
译：“因为他似乎一副不慌不忙的样子。”
评： ‘因为他好像不着急知道客户来了没有。’
[br]
原文：'‘I came about the house,’ '
译：““我刚才在房子里转了转。​””
评： ‘“我是为了租房子来的。​”’
[br]
原文：'Mr Bucktrout dropped his skirts and stood on two feet like anybody else.'
译：“巴克劳特先生放下衣角，像没事人一样站在那里。​”
评： ‘巴克劳特先生放下衣摆，与常人无异地/泯然众人地双脚立地。’

=======================
第一章（4）
[br]
[br]
原文：'Young people compel one to look forward on a life full of effort. Old people permit one to look backward on a life whose effort is over and done with. '
译：“年轻人总让你翘盼将来，催你奋发图强，而年长者却容许你在辛劳已付、尘埃落定之时回首过往人生。”
评： ‘年轻人总让你前瞻奋发图强的将来，而年长者却容许你回顾辛劳已付的过往人生。’
[br]
原文：'I assure you, Lady Slane, that I touched the highest moment of life whenever I saw a fine pair of tusks coming at me.'
译：“我可以跟您保证，这辈子没什么比见到一头满嘴獠牙、疾驰而来的野猪更令我兴奋的事了。”
评： ‘我可以跟您保证，我人生的至高点就是一口上好的獠牙向我疾驰而来的那些时刻。’
[br]
原文：'it was a relapse into the old viceregal manner that brought Mr Bucktrout back from pig-sticking in the scrub '
译：“此时她重拾总督夫人仪态，巴克劳特先生不得不从在灌木丛里狩猎野猪的思绪中跳出，”
评： ‘此时她复萌总督夫人之态，使巴克劳特先生不得不告别野猪出没的灌木丛，’
[br]
原文：'quizzing Lady Slane, giving himself time to think. '
译：“问斯莱恩夫人可否容他思考片刻。”
评： ‘问斯莱恩夫人一些问题，以给自己思考的时间。’
[br]
原文：'he lived, naturally, in a world where rents were not of much importance. So did Lady Slane; and thus a pair more ill-assorted, and yet better assorted, to discuss rents could scarcely be imagined.'
译：“他在生活中一向为人坦荡，喜欢顺其自然，租金在他看来实在无足轻重。而斯莱恩夫人恰是同道中人，因而实在很难想象如此全然不搭却又意气相投的两人如何凑在一块儿商量租金。​”
评： ‘自然，他属于把租金看得无足轻重的那类人。而斯莱恩夫人恰是同道中人，因而在凑在一块儿商议租金的人中，实在很难想象更不搭调却又更加合拍的一对。​’
[br]
原文：'You might vacate it at any moment, and your heirs would not wish to have it on their hands.'
译：“您随时可以搬走，您的子女想来也不太愿意接手此事。”
评： ‘您随时可能离开，您的继承人想来也不太愿意接管这房子。’
[br]
原文：'He pointed a foot; recollected himself; took it back; and cocked at Lady Slane an eye full of satisfaction and triumph.'
译：“他一只脚点地，气定神闲后，又将之收回，然后颇为神气地看了看斯莱恩夫人。”
评： ‘他一只脚点地，回想起现在的场合，又将之收回，然后歪着头颇为得意告捷地看了看斯莱恩夫人。’ 不是collected
[br]
原文：'however fixedly its imminence may weigh on their hearts; '
译：“无论心中对死亡的到来多么彷徨恐惧，”
评： ‘无论死亡的即将到来如何长长地盘桓在心中，’
[br]
原文：'who resent seeing their fantasies reduced to terms of pounds and pence.'
译：“但眼见自己的美好念想最终变成一堆英镑便士，”
评： ‘但眼见自己的美好幻梦减缩为几英镑几便士，’
[br]
原文：' a relationship which had grown up, creating itself, as swiftly and exquisitely as a little rigged ship of blown glass, each strand hardening instantly as it left the tube and met the air, yet remaining so brittle that a false note, jarring on the ethereal ripples, could splinter it. '
译：“二人这火速发展的关系，这关系微妙得犹如一艘索具齐全的瓶中小船，一旦离开瓶管，暴露于空气中，船上的每一根绳索便立即紧立，却又如此脆弱，即便遇到再细微的涟漪，都有可能粉碎。”
评： ‘二人间自发的关系，这关系发展得迅速而精细，犹如玻璃吹制的一艘瓶中小船，索具齐全，每根离开吹管的玻璃丝暴露于空气中后立即坚硬起来，却依然脆弱绝顶，仅仅一个不和谐音刮过那些纤细若无物的波纹，都有可能将之粉碎。’
[br]
原文：'yes, she had arranged to take it. On a yearly tenancy. Carrie exclaimed. What if the agent got a better offer and turned her out?'
译：“她的确也准备把房子租下来，但一年一租？卡丽嚷嚷道，万一到时有人开价更高，经纪人反悔了，不租给她了怎么办？”
评： ‘她的确已经安排了把房子租下来。是一年一租。此时卡丽嚷嚷道，万一到时有人开价更高...’
[br]
原文：'And had her mother made any arrangements about repairs and decoration, she asked? whisking off on to another subject, '
译：“此外，房子的整修和装潢，不知母亲有否安排，她匆忙转移话题，问道，”
评： ‘此外房子的整修和装潢，不知母亲有否安排？她匆忙转向问那些，是因为...’
[br]
原文：'for she could not reasonably assume authority over an old lady of eighty-eight, '
译：“毕竟在一位八十八岁的老妇面前，她没法太把自己当回事，”
评： ‘毕竟，她无法合理地把自己的权威施加在一位八十八岁的老妇身上，’
[br]
原文：'apart from her consternation at seeing herself deposed, '
译：“愤愤不平于母亲不再需要她的同时，”
评： ‘对被罢免难以消化的同时，’
[br]
原文：'A world which, as Carrie knew very well, bore no relation to anything on this planet. It was all a part of the same thing as her mother’s extraordinary indifference and obtuseness about the jewels. '
译：“那个世界和现实世界相去甚远，倒是和母亲对珠宝的漠视和迟钝有着异曲同工之妙。”
评： ‘那个世界和现实世界毫不相干，倒是和母亲对珠宝非同一般的漠视和迟钝路数一致。’
[br]
原文：'They would not have grudged poor Edith a brooch.'
译：“他们甚至都没留个胸针给可怜的伊迪丝。”
评： ‘换了她们就不会介意给可怜的伊迪丝留个胸针。’
[br]
原文：'Carrie, however, found great consolation in talking the matter over at immense and repetitive length with her relations. '
译：“然而和家里人就此事絮絮叨叨、畅谈一番过后，卡丽觉得宽慰了不少。”
评： ‘很让卡丽宽慰的是，她可以和家里人就此事絮絮叨叨、反反复复地商议讨论。’
[br]
原文：'Carrie and her relations found great reassurance in assertion and re-assertion. Say a thing often enough, and it becomes true; by hammering in sufficient stakes of similar pattern they erected a stockade between themselves and the wild dangers of life.'
译：“卡丽和她的一众亲戚你一言我一语，互相附和肯定，从中获得莫大宽慰和鼓舞。一件事若是重复多次，便渐渐成了事实；他们奋力敲下无数木桩，在自己与人生艰险之间筑起一道栅栏。”
评： ‘卡丽和她的一众亲戚一次次申明和重申意见，从中获得莫大宽慰和鼓舞。什么话若是重复说多次，便渐渐成了事实；他们奋力敲下足够数量的相似木桩，在自己与人生难测的危险之间筑起一道栅栏。’
[br]
原文：'having said that, they were brought up short against their inability to cope with that softly hopeless Mother. '
译：“他们自知无力说服看似软弱却无可救药的母亲，因而不停念叨着这些话，好让挫败感减少几分。”
评： ‘他们说了那么多，也只能是说说了，态度柔软、无可救药的母亲竟让他们每每碰壁吃瘪，叫人一筹莫展。’
[br]
原文：'At the very best, his motive resolved itself for Carrie and her family into the ominous word Commission.'
译：“在卡丽和其他家人眼中，他的险恶用心也无外乎是奔着“佣金”而去的。”
评： ‘卡丽和其他家人最善意的揣测中，他的用心也无外乎“佣金”这两个阴险的大字。’ 原文那么翻的话佣金不用双引号的吧。
[br]
原文：'Our public services, Mr Gosheron, are conducted on very different principles.'
译：“我们的公共事务讲究一套截然不同的准则。”
评： ‘我们的政府公务遵守一套截然不同的准则。’
[br]
原文：'And I assure you that I shall make it my business to check your estimates on Lady Slane’s behalf as it were upon my own.’'
译：“跟您直说吧，我将全权代表斯莱恩夫人审核您的预算，这事以后就算是我自己的事了”
评： ‘我跟您担保，我会替斯莱恩夫人认真审核您的预算，把这事当我自己的事看待。’ ‘全权’之说有点托大？
[br]
原文：'In him she quickly recognised one of those craftsmen who find fault with all work not carried out under their own auspices.'
译：“他让她想起了一类匠人：他们但凡发现眼下的活儿非经他手，便要挑剔半天，而他身上就有这样的影子。​”
评： ‘她很快认出他属于这一类匠人：什么活儿只要没福分经过他手，便要被他四处挑剔。​“’
[br]
原文：'Nevertheless, he implied at the same time, a man of his experience could put it right; could improve, though not quite satisfactorily, on a thoroughly bad job.'
译：“但同时他也表示，若那活儿实在蹩脚透顶，即便他这样有经验的老师傅，顶多也就将其修整得还像个样儿，想要捯饬到彻底满意也是没戏。”
评： ‘但同时他也暗示，有他这样有经验的老师傅在，这活儿就有救了；再蹩脚透顶的活儿总能被改良些，虽然想要捯饬到彻底令人满意还是没戏的。’
[br]
原文：'Lady Slane, who for years had striven loyally to keep up with the beauty of lorries, now found herself released back into a far more congenial set of values.'
译：“努力追随卡车之美多年的斯莱恩夫人如今发现，她终可回归初心，拥抱更合她意的审美价值。”
评： ‘出于忠诚，斯莱恩夫人努力追随卡车之美多年，如今发现她终于被释放了，可以回归远远更合她本心的审美价值。’
[br]
原文：'with Genoux following them about as a solid and stocky chorus.'
译：“再加上有热努跟随，四人俨然一个团结可靠的合唱团。”
评： ‘热努跟随他们几人后面，俨然一支敦实可靠的单人背景歌唱团。’ 这里chorus应该指Greek chorus，希腊戏剧里背景中的群众合唱团，兼评论、叙事功能的。
[br]
原文：'Genoux who had spent her life disapproving on principle of nearly everybody,'
译：“她这一辈子，世人所谓的原则道义她大都瞧不上，”
评： ‘基于原则，她这一辈子基本上什么人都瞧不上，’
[br]
原文：'they looked at each other with a glance of confederacy, almost a wink,'
译：“他俩总会宛如盟友一般心领神会地互换个眼神，甚至只是眨个眼，”
评： ‘他俩总会宛如盟友般互换个眼神，几乎老不尊到眨眼了，’ ？
[br]
原文：'(milord who always had such beautiful manners with everyone), but he himself was so dominating a personality that other people fell naturally into his shadow.'
译：“（只是他待所有人皆是如此之好）​，但老爷生来强势独断，有他在，旁人自然相形见绌、黯然失色。”
评： ‘（老爷待所有人皆是礼数周到得完美无缺）​，但老爷自身个性强势，旁人自然而然地就溶入了他的阴影之中。’
[br]
原文：'her very aspect enough to make a timid old lady tremble. '
译：“就这一点便足够让胆小的老夫人战战兢兢的了。”
评： ‘单是她的尊容就足以让一位胆小的老太太战战兢兢的了。’ ？
[br]
原文：'they bustled their poor mother about, '
译：“他们时常使唤自己那可怜的老母亲，”
评： ‘他们裹挟着其可怜的老母亲奔波操劳，’
[br]
原文：'sometimes a vase of flowers set with a curious effect of brilliance on a window-sill in an empty room.'
译：“有时是一瓶鲜花，置于空房窗台，别有一番奇特韵味。”
评： ‘有时是一瓶鲜花，置于空房窗台上，效果分外明媚。’
[br]
原文：'he really preferred the window-sill, where he could so dispose his gift that the rays of the sun would fall upon it at the very hour when he expected his tenant. '
译：“如此一来，当他恭候的房客到来之际，他便可把那沐浴阳光的礼物尽情展现。”
评： ‘在那个位置，当他恭候的房客到来之际，阳光刚好会洒落在他的礼物上，将之照亮。’
[br]
原文：'She teased him sometimes by arriving half-an-hour late, but he was undefeated; and once a ring of wet three inches away betrayed him: seeing that she was late, he had gone upstairs again to shift his flowers along into the sun. '
译：“故意迟到半小时，但他不愿就此作罢，一次他发现对方迟到，立刻再次上楼，将花瓶挪至太阳底下，只可惜花瓶边三寸外的那圈湿痕还是出卖了他。”
评： ‘故意迟到半小时，但他从不认输。有一次，是花瓶边三寸外的那圈湿痕出卖了他——见她迟到，他便再次上楼，将花瓶挪至太阳底下。’
[br]
原文：'she still could amuse herself by playing a tiny game in miniature with Mr Bucktrout and Mr Gosheron, a sort of minuet stepped out to a fading music, artificial perhaps, yet symbolic of some reality she had never achieved with her own children. '
译：“她依然会和谷谢伦先生、巴克劳特先生做做小游戏，以此为乐，偶尔伴着渐渐微弱的音律，共跳小步舞，或许略显矫揉造作，但却分外真实，并非与儿女共处时可获得，尽管显现于外时，举止神态会略显浮夸。”
评： ‘与谷谢伦先生、巴克劳特先生在一起时，她依然能和他俩玩一小场微型游戏寻乐，如同随着渐渐微弱的旋律共跳小步舞。这舞步或许刻板做作，但象征着某种真实，某种她与自己儿女共处时从未获得过的真实。’
[br]
原文：'They were too old, all three of them, to feel keenly;'
译：“感官已敏锐不再”
评： ‘情感不再强烈’
[br]
原文：'They must fall back upon the old measure of the minuet, in which the gentleman’s bow expressed all his appreciative gallantry towards women, '
译：“于是他们重返小步舞的古老曲调，期间男士俯身鞠躬，以表对女士的殷勤倾慕；”
评： ‘于是他们依赖昔日的小步舞，在那古老曲调中，男士俯身鞠躬，就表达了对女士所有的殷勤倾慕；’
[br]
原文：'when people knew everything so well that they could no longer afford to express it save in symbols. '
译：“年迈之人已然洞彻世间万物，无意抒发己见，只愿将千言万语化作一个眼神……”
评： ‘... 因而无力明说/没有明说的资本，只能借助隐晦的符号表达’
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原文：'Set upon their window-sill, luminous in the sun, more luminous for the bare boards and plaster surrounding them, their texture appeared lit from within rather than from without. '
译：“插花置于窗台，在阳光下熠熠生辉，为其四周光秃秃的窗台板和周边的白墙增色添光不少，由内而外闪耀着夺目的质感。”
评： ‘插花置于窗台，在阳光下莹然生辉，在其四周光秃秃的木板和白墙的衬托下更为夺目，肌理中的光芒仿佛源自其内而非其外。’
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原文：'Nor did his inventiveness ever falter, '
译：“他的创作远不止于此，”
评： ‘而且他的创作灵感源源不绝，’
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原文：'and some feathery spray lightly touched with cream. '
译：“配上轻柔如羽毛、色淡如奶油的花枝。”
评： ‘配上一捧细绒似的淡奶白色花枝’ ？
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原文：'now there was nothing left but a landscape in monochrome, the features identical but all the colours gone from them, and nothing but a gesture left in the place of speech.'
译：“如今一切只剩眼前这黑白图景，景物依旧，但却色彩全无；轻轻挥手，一切尽在不言中。”
评： 译得很漂亮了但是失去了一点点反复nothing的工整？
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原文：'I dislike childishness and all such rubbish. I feel nothing but impatience with the people who pretend that the world is other than it is. '
译：“我最厌恶幼稚无知或诸如此类的废话。最不耐烦那些故弄玄虚，声称这世界远非我们所理解的人。”
评： ‘我讨厌故作天真那一套，那些假装世界不是这样，罔顾现实的人是我最不耐烦的了。’
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原文：'No one could get the better of me.'
译：“当时我可谓无人能敌，”
评： ‘当时谁都占不了我的上风，’
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原文：'in my day I had been a regular Juggernaut.’'
译：“我当年可是人人仰止膜拜的业内巨头。​””
评： “膜拜”不如‘闻风丧胆’？ ‘我当年可是势不可挡的业内金刚。’太汉化？ ‘我当年可是碾压式的存在’ 说法太时髦？
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原文：'For my practice had always been a discipline rather than an inclination.’'
译：“从商于我而言，更多的是克制与磨炼，远非我本意。​””
评： ‘从商时我那些行为手段是修习而得，远非出于个人志趣。’

=======================
第一章 （5）
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原文：'this house was always my one little patch of folly. '
译：“这个房子算是我干过的一件荒唐事。”
评： ‘这个房子算是我保留的一小块荒唐。’ folly 也指庭院里只供观赏增添情调的建筑结构，不知道这里是不是巧合。
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原文：'I see, Lady Slane, that you are something of a tease. I mean no impertinence. '
译：“斯莱恩夫人，您是在拿我说笑呢。恕我冒昧，”
评： ‘恕我冒昧，斯莱恩夫人，您有点促狭/喜欢捉弄人呢。’
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原文：'that its atmosphere is curiously ripened and detached.'
译：“这屋里的氛围一直既练达又超然，”
评： ‘这屋里的氛围颇不寻常，既醇和又超然，’
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原文：'He has a very weak idea of a Good Lord who is not very up-to-date'
译：“您这关于上帝的新奇想法显得有点苍白啊”
评： ‘他也太小瞧上帝了吧，以为祂不会与时共进/会跟不上新时代吗？’
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原文：'For courteous though he was, Mr Bucktrout in this respect remained firmly unsentimental, '
译：“尽管巴克劳特先生一向谦恭，但在这方面他却异常坚定冷峻，”
评： ‘尽管巴克劳特先生一向温文有礼，但在这方面他却非常坚定，毫不感情用事，’
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原文：'he did so on the grounds that it was scarcely worth her while. '
译：“他便会以“不值当”为理由”
评： ‘他的理由是对她情况来讲，这划不来’ ？
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原文：'he reminded her that she would spend but few winters, if any,'
译：“即便装了，她也用不了几个冬天。​“”
评： ‘就算会过冬的话，她也用不了几个冬天。’
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原文：' ‘But, Mr Bucktrout,’ said Lady Slane, not without malice,'
译：“斯莱恩夫人不无怨愤地说，​”
评： ‘怨意​’ 好像温和一点，‘恶意’显得淘气一点
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原文：'Compromise is the very breath of negation. My principle has been, that it is better to please one person a great deal than to please a number of persons a little, no matter how much offence you give. '
译：“拒绝的真谛在于懂得取舍和妥协。不管会冒犯多少人，与其捉襟见肘取悦众人，不如一心一意让一人尽欢，这便是我一贯的为人之道。”
评： ‘拒绝总是声称自己在妥协。不管会冒犯多少人，与其广撒小恩小惠，不如与一人深结善缘... ’ ？
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原文：'Yesterday is gone, and to-morrow problematical. '
译：“昨日已逝，明天尚不可知。”
评： ‘明日疑问重重’？
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原文：'Therefore I say unto you,’ said Mr Bucktrout, relapsing into Biblical language and pointing his foot as though to point his words,'
译：“因此请听我一句劝吧。​”巴克劳特先生又开始搬出《圣经》和上帝，”
评： ‘故我语汝，​”巴克劳特先生都搬出《圣经》里的句式了，’
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原文：'My next tenant is welcome to warm himself in hell. '
译：“我的下一位房客可在地狱自行取暖，”
评： ‘我下一位房客在地狱取暖我都管不到。’
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原文：'frisked his coat-tails in a little perorative flourish.'
译：“说罢轻轻甩了甩衣服下摆。”
评： ‘说罢轻轻甩了甩衣服下摆以示强调。’
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原文：'he would stick his sarcasm into Mr Gosheron, '
译：“之后他便转而取笑起谷谢伦先生来，”
评： ‘之后他把自己的嘲讽刺向谷谢伦先生，’
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原文：'Mr Bucktrout, observing this confusion, enlarged with sadistic pleasure. He knew that he had an appreciative audience in Lady Slane, even while he kept his feet on the ground sufficiently for her protection. '
译：“发现此二人惊慌得乱成一团，巴克劳特先生竟有种施虐的快感，愈发滔滔不绝起来。他知道，哪怕他为了照顾斯莱恩夫人，聊些接地气的话题，她也会倾耳细听。​“”
评： ‘见这二人茫然无措，爱看人难受/爱折磨人的巴克劳特先生愈发滔滔不绝。他知道斯莱恩夫人欣赏他的演讲；与此同时他为了照顾她，也知道不能说得太云山雾罩的。 ’ ？
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原文：'Mr Bucktrout was launched; he tiptoed across to the wall,'
译：“巴克劳特先生精神抖擞地准备一展身手，”
评： ‘巴克劳特先生启动了’ ？
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原文：'PΩMH '
评：字符含义是 ‘Roma’
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原文：'She had played her part among brilliant people, important people, she had accommodated herself to their conversation, '
译：“她曾游走于才俊翘楚、达官显贵之间，也曾想方设法与他们长谈阔论，”
评： ‘才俊显贵之间曾有她的一席之地/她曾尽职地与才俊显贵周旋，她曾勉力适从他们的长谈阔论’ ？
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原文：'She was secretly and bitterly ashamed of her insufficiency.'
译：“她私下常为自己的无知愚钝黯然神伤”
评： ‘她暗地里常为自己这项欠缺羞愧难当’
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原文：'why Mr Asquith disliked Mr Lloyd George, or what exactly were the aims of Labour, that new and alarming Party. '
译：“为何阿斯奎斯先生就是厌恶劳合·乔治先生，也没办法记住那令人闻风丧胆的新兴政党——工党的用心何在。”
评：这里应该值得加注 H·H·阿斯奎思、劳合乔治两人先后担任过英国首相，wiki里有句火药味很浓的概括：Asquith “1908年至1916年出任英国首相，任内见证第一次世界大战爆发，大战爆发后，因反对与保守党合组联合政府，两年由大卫·劳合乔治接任首相，而战时联合政府则被保守党主导。”
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原文：'marvelling at the ability of other people to compress into a phrase some aspect of life which, to her, from its very importance, demanded a lifetime of reflection,'
译：“惊叹对方慧心妙舌，只字片语便已道尽人间百态，但对她而言，如此重要技艺，或需耗尽一生，方能参悟。”
评： 干巴巴的直译，‘惊叹对方只字片语便归纳了人生某一方面，而对她而言那课题如此重大/要紧，需耗一生来省思。’
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原文：'some guest in mistaken politeness would turn to her, '
译： “席间总有失礼的宾客抛出烫手山芋，向她请教”
评： ‘席间总有宾客出于礼貌向她请教，却不知自己抛出的是烫手山芋’
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原文：'conscious meanwhile that Henry, sitting by, must be suffering wretchedly from the poor figure his wife cut. Yet, in private,'
译：“。坐在一旁的亨利，眼见妻子洋相出尽，甚是尴尬。但私下里他却说（尽管不常说）​，”
评： ‘，同时心里想着坐在一旁的亨利，眼见妻子丢人现眼，一定甚是煎熬。’ 这是老太太自己想多了。
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原文：'That these agonies should remain private to herself was her constant prayer;'
译：“她时常祈祷：这样的痛苦唯她一人知晓便好”
评： ‘她时常祈祷自己的这些痛苦永远不暴露给他人’
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原文：'that extraordinary menagerie of bulls, bears, stags, and contango, '
译：“比如牛市、熊市、雄鹿，以及期货溢价，”
评： 因为后面说像野兽马戏团，牛和熊直译加注好些？
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原文：'were all part of a necessary game, necessary since the cleverest people she knew made it their business, '
译：“而这一游戏之所以必要，只不过因为她身边的那帮绝顶聪明之士将其视为工作，”
评： ‘而这游戏之必要，乃因她所识的绝顶聪明之士将其视为要务，’ 这里的game很容易让人联想当年英俄等国之间所谓的‘the Great Game’
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原文：'though the feeling more frequently seized her of watching figures moving in the delusion of a terrible and ridiculous dream. '
译：“可她却愈发频繁地觉得自己仿佛身处一可怕而又荒谬的梦境，梦里的她眼前闪过无数数字。”
评： ‘可她却愈发频繁地觉得自己仿佛在旁观被困于错觉中的人影，在一场可怕而又荒谬的梦中移动。’ figures该是那些投身于游戏的人。
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原文：'as incomprehensible as the theory of money, which (so she had been told) bore no relation to the actual supply of gold.'
译：“如同货币理论一般令人费解，​（有人曾告诉她）毕竟货币的发行量和实际的黄金供给并无关联。”
评： ‘如同货币理论一般令人费解，​（她曾被告知该理论和实际的黄金供给并无关联）。’
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原文：'There was no true kindliness, no grace, no privacy in any of them.'
译：“这几人既不友善，也不优雅，亦无隐私。”
评： ‘这几人既无真正的善良，也无风雅，亦无隐私。’ 隐私这里的意思存疑
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原文：'the one who had, without knowing it, the strongest sense of his own entity, when he shut his door behind him and took out his duster to potter with it along the alignment of his shelves. '
译：“可他不知，他是众人之中最有存在感的那个，尤其是在他关上身后房门，拿起掸子从容不迫地沿着架子轻轻拂扫之时。”
评： ‘可他在众人之中是最独立最主体的存在，尤其是在他关上身后房门，拿起掸子从容不迫地沿着架子轻轻拂扫之时——尽管他自己没有意识到这点。’
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原文：'that would be one of the secrets, one of the jokes, she would take away with her into the grave.'
译：“她一生秘密不少，玩笑众多，而这算是其中一个，她会将其带入坟墓，永不对人说起。”
评： ‘这会是她默默带入坟墓的秘密之一，亦是玩笑之一。’
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原文：'but into whose eyes she had looked for one moment, and then, disturbed, had dismissed by her very gesture of strolling off to rejoin the Viceroy and his group of sun-helmeted officials.'
译：“但有那么一刻，她曾深情凝望对方的双眼，不料却乱了方寸，于是只得走开，”
评： ‘但有那么一刻，她曾凝望对方的双眼，接着便乱了方寸，刻意回避，’ 联系后文，深情的是Fritz；女主深情的话对她来说就是精神出轨了，很严重的。另，Fatihpur Sikhri 查出来的红沙石建筑很美。
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原文：'one might be free to dream in a world of whose sunshine and benignity one was convinced?'
译：“在那个充满阳光、仁善永驻的世界里，她便可以自由幻想。”
评： ‘她可以坚信世界充满阳光，仁善永驻，并在其中自由幻想。’
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原文：'she could pierce to a happier life more truly than her children who reckoned things by their results and activities.'
译：“她才能洞悉真正的人生幸福，比她那些标榜行为至上、凡事只看结果的孩子活得更为真实。”
评： ‘她才能洞悉人生幸福，比它以结果和行动衡量一切的孩子们幸福得更真实’
pierce 想象中是捅破窗户纸让阳光洒在身上的样子，而‘洞悉’只是了解，缺一点感受，但多造出整个比喻句好像大动干戈了，‘她才能戳破与人生的隔膜，让幸福之光洒在身上’？？
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原文：'amused as it were to restrain their swift frivolity to a flitting round this lumbering conveyance,'
译：“仿佛自娱自乐似的按捺它们轻快的翅膀，竭力跟随笨重的马车”
评： ‘仿佛故意按捺它们的轻浮迅敏，以闪现在笨重的马车周围为乐’
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原文：'making, all the while, little smuts of shadow on the sand, like little black anchors dropped, tethering them by invisible cables to earth, but dragged about with the same capricious swiftness, obliged to follow; '
译：“它们小小的身影恰似点点黑影，投射于沙间，仿佛一个个落下的小黑锚，拴在地上，被看不见的绳索牵绊，被同样矫捷任性的力量拽着四下乱窜。”
评：一点点语法问题，anchor的tether是主动的 ‘...小黑锚；锚儿以无形的绳索把它们本身拴连在地上，但也被同样迅捷任性的力量拽着四下乱窜，不离不弃/无法离弃。’
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原文：'the monotonous progression that trailed after the sun from dawn to dusk, like a plough that should pursue the sun in one straight slow furrow round and round the world'
译：“那节奏好似一把追逐太阳的铁犁，笔直地、缓慢地绕着地球转了一圈又一圈”
评： 不是节奏是progression ‘那进程好似一把追逐太阳的铁犁笔直的轨迹，缓慢地绕着地球转了一圈又一圈’
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原文：'; having an independent and a lovely life; a flock of ragamuffins skimming above the surface of the desert and around the trundling waggon;'
译：“。缓慢行进的马车周围有一群叫花子，他们正迅速走过沙漠。”
评：分号很重要，这里ragamuffins还是形容蝴蝶/她的自由思绪啊， ‘；在缓慢行进的马车周围，它们是一群穿着破烂、在沙漠之表游耍的顽童；’

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