目 录 上一节 下一节 
“我对您来说确实算不了什么，”我接着说，“但是，如果您不嫌弃的话，我会像一个兄弟一样来照顾您，不离开您，我会治好您的病。等您身体复原之后，只要您喜欢，再恢复您现在这种生活也行；但是我可以肯定，您一定会喜欢过清静生活的，这会使您更加幸福，会使您永远这样美丽。” 'You may think like that this evening, because the wine has made you sentimental, but you wouldn't have as much patience as you say you have.' “今儿晚上您这样想，那是因为您酒后伤感，但是，您自夸的那份耐心您是不会有的。” 'Let me remind you, Marguerite, that you were ill for two months and during those two months, I called every day to find out how you were.' “请听我对您说，玛格丽特，您曾经生了两个月的病，在这两个月里面，我每天都来打听您的病情。” 'That's true. But why did you never come up?' “这倒不假，但是为什么您不上楼来呢？” 'Because I didn't know you then.' “因为那时候我还没有认识您。” 
“跟我这样一个姑娘还有什么不好意思的呢？” 'One always observes the niceties with any woman; at least, that's what I believe.' “跟一个女人在一起总会有点儿不好意思，至少我是这样想的。” 'So you'd look after me?' “这么说，您真的会来照顾我吗？” 'Yes.' “是的。” 'You'd stay by me every day?' “您每天都留在我身边吗？” 
“是的。” 'And even every night?' “甚至每天晚上也一样吗？” 'For as long as you weren't tired of me.' “任何时间都一样，只要您不讨厌我。” 'What would you say that was?' “您把这叫做什么？” 'Devotion.' “忠诚。” 
“这种忠诚是从哪儿来的呢？” 'From an irresistible attraction that draws me to you.' “来自一种我对您无法克制的同情。” 'In other words you're in love with me? Just say it straight out, it's a great deal simpler.' “这样说来您爱上我了吗？您干脆就这样说，不是更简单吗？” 'I may be: but if I ever tell you some day that I do, this is not that day.' “这是可能的，但是，即使我有一天要对您说，那也不是在今天。” 'It would be better for you if you never said it.' “您最好还是永远也别对我讲的好。” 
“为什么？” 'Because there are only two things that can come from such an admission.' “因为这样表白只能有两种结果。” 'And they are?' “哪两种？” 'Either I turn you down, in which case you will resent me, or I say yes, in which case you won't have much of a mistress; someone who is temperamental, ill, depressed, or gay in a way that is sadder than sorrow itself, someone who coughs blood and spends a hundred thousand francs a year ?which is all very well for a rich old man like the Duke, but it's not much of a prospect for a young man like yourself. And, if it's proof you want, the fact is that all the young lovers I have ever had have never stayed around for very long.' “或者是我拒绝您，那您就会怨恨我；或者是我接受您，那您就有了一个多愁善感的情妇；一个神经质的女人，一个有病的女人，一个忧郁的女人，一个快乐的时候比痛苦还要悲伤的女人，一个吐血的、一年要花费十万法郎的女人，对公爵这样一个有钱的老头儿来说是可以的，但是对您这样一个年轻人来说是很麻烦的。我以前所有的年轻的情夫都很快地离开了我，那就是证据。” I did not answer: I listened. Her frankness, which seemed to verge on the confessional, and the dismal life which I half-glimpsed beneath the golden veil that covered its stark reality from which the poor girl sought escape in debauchery, drunkenness and sleepless nights, all made such an impression on me that I could not find a thing to say. 我什么也没有回答，我听着这种近乎忏悔的自白，依稀看到在她纸醉金迷的生活的外表下掩盖着痛苦的生活。可怜的姑娘在放荡、酗酒和失眠中逃避生活的现实。这一切使我感慨万端，我一句话也说不出来。 
“不谈了吧，”玛格丽特继续说，“我们简直是在讲孩子话。把手递给我，一起回餐室去吧，别让他们知道我们在干什么。” 'Go back, if that's what you want, but please let me stay here.' “您高兴去就去吧，但是我请您允许我留在这儿。” 'Why?' “为什么？” 'Because I can't bear to see you so bright and cheerful.' “因为您的快乐使我感到非常痛苦。” 'In that case, I'll be sad.' “那么，我就愁眉苦脸好啦。” 
“啊，玛格丽特，让我跟您讲一件事，这件事别人或许也经常对您说，您因为听惯了，也不会把它当回事。但这的确是我的心里话，我以后也永远不会再跟您讲第二遍了。” 'And this something?' she said, with a smile such as young mothers smile when listening to their child being silly. “什么事？……”她微笑着对我说，年轻的母亲在听她们的孩子讲傻话时常带着这种微笑。 From the moment I first saw you, I don't know how or why, you have occupied a place in my life. Though I've tried to drive your image out of my mind, it has always come back. Today, when I met you after two years without seeing you, you took an even stronger hold on my heart and my thoughts. Now you have received me here, now I know you and can see everything that is strange in you, the truth is that you've become indispensable to me, and I shall go out of my mind, not simply if you do not love me, but if you do not let me love you.' “自从我看到您以后，我也不知道是怎么回事，更不知道是为了什么，您在我的生命中就占了一个位置，我曾想忘掉您，但是办不到，您的形象始终留在我的脑海里。我已经有两年没有看到您了，但今天，当我遇到您的时候，您在我心坎里所占的位置反而更加重要了。最后，您今天接待了我，我认识了您，知道了您所有奇特的遭遇，您成了我生命中不可缺少的人，别说您不爱我，即使您不让我爱您，我也会发疯的。” 'But, you wretched man, I shall say to you what Madame D used to say: you just be very rich, then! You clearly have no idea that I spend six or seven thousands francs a month, and that spending this much has become necessary for my way of life; can't you see, you poor fool, that I'd ruin you in no time at all? that you family would have you declared unfit to manage your affairs to teach you not to live with creatures like me? Love me, like a good friend, but not otherwise. Come and see me, we'll laugh, we'll talk, but don't go getting ideas about my merits: they are very small. You have a kind heart, you need to be loved, you are too young and too sensitive to live in our world. Find yourself some married woman. You can see I'm a decent sort of girl, and I'm being frank with you.' “但您有多么可怜啊，我要学D太太说过的话来跟您讲了，‘那么您很有钱罗！’难道您不知道我每个月要花上六、七千法郎。这种花费已经成了我生活上的需要，难道您不知道，可怜的朋友，要不了多久，我就会使您破产的。您的家庭会停止供给您一切费用，以此来教训您不要跟我这样一个女人一起生活。像一个好朋友那样爱我吧，但是不能超过这个程度。您常常来看看我，我们一起谈谈笑笑，但是用不着过分看重我，因为我是分文不值的。您心肠真好，您需要爱情。但是要在我们这个圈子里生活，您还太年轻，也太容易动感情，您还是去找个有夫之妇做情妇吧。您看，我是个多好的姑娘，我跟您说话有多坦率。” 'Hello! What on earth are you pair up to? 'cried Prudence, whom we had not heard coming, as she appeared at the bedroom door, her hair half undone and her dress open. In her disordered appearance, I recognized Gaston's handiwork. “嘿嘿！你们在这里搞什么鬼啊？”普律当丝突然在门口叫道，她什么时候来的，我们一点也没听见。她头发蓬松，衣衫零乱，我看得出这是加斯东的手作的怪。 
“我们在讲正经事，”玛格丽特说，“让我们再谈几句，我们一会儿就来。” 'All right, all right, talk away, my children, 'said Prudence, and she left, closing the door as if to reinforce the tone in which she had spoken these last words. “好，好，你们谈吧，孩子们，”普律当丝说着就走了。一面关上了门，仿佛是为了加重她刚才说的几句话的语气似的。
| 
