The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases, and again during the chief of the day, was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. —-
班纳特一家应邀去和卢卡斯家共进晚餐，当天的大部分时间里，卢卡斯小姐都在悉心倾听柯林斯先生。 —-

Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. —-
伊丽莎白找机会向她表示感谢。 —-

“It keeps him in good humour,” said she, “and I am more obliged to you than I can express.” —-
“这让他保持好心情，”她说，“我要感谢你的话，都不知道该说些什么好。” —-

Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. —-
夏洛特向她的朋友保证，她非常乐意提供帮助，并且这小小的牺牲时间给她带来了充分的回报。 —-

This was very amiable, but Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of; —-
这非常讨人喜欢，但夏洛特的好意远超伊丽莎白的想象； —-

— its object was nothing else than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins’s addresses, by engaging them towards herself. —-
这个目的不过是为了确保她（伊丽莎白）免受柯林斯先生再次求爱，而将他的注意力转向她自己。 —-

Such was Miss Lucas’s scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when they parted at night she would have felt almost sure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon. —-
这就是卢卡斯小姐的计划；情况看起来如此有利，以至于当晚分别时，如果柯林斯先生不是那么快就要离开赫特福德郡的话，她几乎可以确定自己会成功。 —-

But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet. —-
但是在这里，她低估了他个性中的热情和独立，正是这些特质使他第二天一大早就巧妙地逃离浪搏恩府邸，并匆匆来到卢卡斯宅邸，向她献身。 —-

He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success could be known likewise; —-
他急于避开表亲的注意，因为他相信，如果他们看到他离开，他们一定能猜出他的目的，而他不希望在成功前让人知道他的尝试； —-

for though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. —-
尽管自信满满，而且有理由，因为夏洛特相当鼓励他，但自从周三的事件之后，比较起来他还是显得有些缺乏自信。 —-

His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. —-
不过，他的接待却是最让人高兴的。 —-

Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. —-
卢卡斯小姐从楼上的窗户看到他朝房子走来，立刻出发在巷子里“偶然”与他相遇。 —-

But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.
但她几乎不敢希望在那里会有那么多的爱和雄辩等着她。

In as short a time as Mr. Collins’s long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; —-
在柯林斯先生冗长的讲话允许的短时间内，两人间的一切都已敲定，并让双方都感到满意； —-

and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; —-
当他们进入屋子时，他渴望地恳求她定下使他成为世上最幸福男人的日子； —-

and though such a solicitation must be waved for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. —-
尽管此刻必须推迟这样的请求，但女士并没有打算拿他的幸福开玩笑。 —-

The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; —-
自然赋予他的愚笨必将保护他的求爱不受任何魅力的影响，足以让任何女人希望它继续下去； —-

and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained.
接受他纯粹是出于对一个稳定家庭的单纯而无私的渴望的卢卡斯小姐，并不在乎那个家庭多快能得到。

Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent; —-
威廉爵士和卢卡斯夫人很快就被要求给出他们的同意； —-

and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. —-
他们也非常欣然地表示同意。 —-

Mr. Collins’s present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; —-
柯林斯先生目前的情况使这桩婚事成为他们女儿最合适的选择，他们只能给她很少的嫁妆； —-

and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. —-
而他将来财富的前景异常光明。 —-

Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was likely to live; —-
卢卡斯夫人立刻开始计算，比之前对这个问题更感兴趣，班纳特先生还能活多少年； —-

and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion that, whenever Mr. Collins should be in possession of the Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife should make their appearance at St. James’s. —-
威廉爵士明确表示，无论何时柯林斯先生拥有了浪搏恩庄园，他和他的妻子出现在圣詹姆斯宫将是非常适宜的。 —-

The whole family, in short, were properly overjoyed on the occasion. —-
简而言之，整个家庭，都适当地为此感到欢喜不已。 —-

The younger girls formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have done; —-
年轻的女儿们开始希望比原计划早一两年进入社会； —-

and the boys were relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte’s dying an old maid. —-
而男孩们也解除了夏洛特会孤独终老的忧虑。 —-

Charlotte herself was tolerably composed. —-
夏洛特自己相当镇定。 —-

She had gained her point, and had time to consider of it. —-
她达成了自己的目标，并有时间去考虑它。 —-

Her reflections were in general satisfactory. —-
她的反思总体上是令人满意的。 —-

Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; —-
柯林斯先生既不明智也不讨人喜欢； —-

his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. —-
他的陪伴是让人厌烦的，他对她的爱慕必定是虚幻的。 —-

But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; —-
但他毕竟会成为她的丈夫。即使她对男人或婚姻并无高看，婚姻一直是她的目标； —-

it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. —-
它是唯一名誉的归宿，对于受过良好教育的、家境清贫的年轻女子来说，无论是否能带来幸福，确保有稳定的经济来源对她来说是最好的保障。 —-

This preservative she had now obtained; —-
现在，她已经得到了这份保障； —-

and at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it. —-
虽然她已经27岁了，而且从未被认为漂亮，她感到了无比的好运。 —-

The least agreeable circumstance in the business was the surprise it must occasion to Elizabeth Bennet, whose friendship she valued beyond that of any other person. —-
这件事情中最让她感到不愉快的是，这将会给伊丽莎白·班纳特带来惊讶，伊丽莎白的友情对她来说比任何人都重要。 —-

Elizabeth would wonder, and probably would blame her; —-
伊丽莎白会感到惊讶，很可能也会责怪她； —-

and though her resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings must be hurt by such disapprobation. —-
尽管她的决心无法动摇，但伊丽莎白的不赞成肯定会伤害到她的感情。 —-

She resolved to give her the information herself, and therefore charged Mr. Collins, when he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had passed before any of the family. —-
她决定亲自告诉伊丽莎白，所以她要求柯林斯先生，在他回浪搏恩吃晚饭时，不要在家族成员面前透露任何已经发生的事情。 —-

A promise of secrecy was of course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty; —-
当然，他非常恭敬地承诺保密，但要做到并不容易； —-

for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct questions on his return as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great self-denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love.
因为他长时间的缺席激起了大家的好奇心，在他回来时直接询问的问题需要些机智才能回避，同时他也在极力自制，因为他渴望宣布自己幸福的恋情。

As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see any of the family, the ceremony of leavetaking was performed when the ladies moved for the night; —-
由于他明日一早就要开始远行，无缘见到任何家族成员，所以在那些女士们夜里退场时已经进行了告别仪式； —-

and Mrs. Bennet, with great politeness and cordiality, said how happy they should be to see him at Longbourn again, whenever his other engagements might allow him to visit them.
班纳特夫人非常有礼貌和真诚地说，不管他的其他约定如何，他们非常希望他能再次访问浪搏恩。

“My dear madam,” he replied, “this invitation is particularly gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; —-
“我亲爱的夫人,” 他回答说，“这次邀请让我非常感激，因为这正是我所希望得到的； —-

and you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as possible.”
您可以非常肯定，我将尽可能早地抓住这个机会。”

They were all astonished; and Mr. Bennet, who could by no means wish for so speedy a return, immediately said —
他们都很惊讶；班纳特先生绝对不希望他这么快就回来，立刻说道—

“But is there not danger of Lady Catherine’s disapprobation here, my good sir? —-
“但是，亲爱的先生，您不担心得罪凯瑟琳夫人吗？ —-

You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness.”
您宁可忽略您的亲戚，也不要冒犯您的庇护人。”

“My dear sir,” replied Mr. Collins, “I am particularly obliged to you for this friendly caution, and you may depend upon my not taking so material a step without her ladyship’s concurrence.”
“我亲爱的先生,”柯林斯先生回答说，” 对于您的这份友好提醒，我特别感激，您可以相信，在没有得到她老人家同意的情况下，我绝不会采取这么重要的一步。”

“You cannot be too much on your guard. Risk anything rather than her displeasure; —-
“您不能过于谨慎。宁愿冒任何风险，也不要得罪她； —-

and if you find it likely to be raised by your coming to us again, which I should think exceedingly probable, stay quietly at home, and be satisfied that we shall take no offence.”
如果您觉得再来我们这里可能会引起她的不悦——我认为这非常可能——那就安静地待在家里，相信我们不会因此感到不快。”

“Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly excited by such affectionate attention; —-
“请相信我，我亲爱的先生，如此亲切的关怀激起了我热烈的感激； —-

and depend upon it, you will speedily receive from me a letter of thanks for this, as well as for every other mark of your regard during my stay in Hertfordshire. —-
请相信，您很快就会收到我为此事以及在我停留赫特福德郡期间您所给予的每一份关怀而写的感谢信。 —-

As for my fair cousins, though my absence may not be long enough to render it necessary, I shall now take the liberty of wishing them health and happiness, not excepting my cousin Elizabeth.”
至于我那漂亮的表妹们，尽管我不会离开太久，可能不需要这样做，但我现在将利用这个机会希望她们身体健康、生活幸福，其中不排除我的表妹伊丽莎白。”

With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew; —-
随着适当的礼节，女士们退场了； —-

all of them equally surprised to find that he meditated a quick return. —-
他们都同样惊讶地发现他预计会很快返回。 —-

Mrs. Bennet wished to understand by it that he thought of paying his addresses to one of her younger girls, and Mary might have been prevailed on to accept him. —-
班纳特夫人渴望了解到他是不是想要向她年轻的女儿们中的某一个求婚，玛丽可能会被说服接受他。 —-

She rated his abilities much higher than any of the others; —-
她评价他的能力远高于任何其他人； —-

there was a solidity in his reflections which often struck her, and though by no means so clever as herself, she thought that if encouraged to read and improve himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very agreeable companion. —-
他那些深思熟虑的反思往往给她留下深刻印象，尽管他远没有她那么聪明，她认为，如果他被鼓励阅读并通过她的榜样来提升自己，他可能会变成一个非常愉快的伴侣。 —-

But on the following morning, every hope of this kind was done away. —-
但在第二天早上，所有这类希望都烟消云散了。 —-

Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast, and in a private conference with Elizabeth related the event of the day before.
卢卡斯小姐在早饭后不久来访，并在与伊丽莎白的私下谈话中讲述了前一天发生的事情。

The possibility of Mr. Collins’s fancying himself in love with her friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the last day or two; —-
柯林斯先生可能自恋上了她的朋友这种可能性在过去一两天内曾经在伊丽莎白脑海中闪过； —-

but that Charlotte could encourage him seemed almost as far from possibility as that she could encourage him herself, and her astonishment was consequently so great as to overcome at first the bounds of decorum, and she could not help crying out —
但夏洛特可能鼓励他，这几乎和她自己鼓励他一样，看似是不可能的。她因此非常吃惊，一时间甚至超越了礼节的界限，不禁惊呼道——

“Engaged to Mr. Collins! my dear Charlotte, impossible!”
“订婚给柯林斯先生！亲爱的夏洛特，不可能！”

The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling her story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct a reproach; —-
卢卡斯小姐在叙述她的故事时那坚定的表情，在这么直接的指责下瞬间显得有些慌乱； —-

though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained her composure, and calmly replied —
不过，因为这不出她所料，她不久便恢复了镇静，并平静回答——

“Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? —-
“亲爱的伊丽莎，你为什么会感到惊讶呢？ —-

Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman’s good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?”
你认为柯林斯先生因为没有得到你的欢心，就不可能赢得任何女性的好感吗？”

But Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a strong effort for it, was able to assure her with tolerable firmness that the prospect of their relationship was highly grateful to her, and that she wished her all imaginable happiness.
但伊丽莎白此刻已经恢复了自我，强作镇定，竟能相当坚定地向她保证，他们的亲戚关系的前景让她非常高兴，并祝她获得一切想象中的幸福。

“I see what you are feeling,” replied Charlotte; —-
“我明白你的感受，”夏洛特回答，” —-

“you must be surprised, very much surprised — so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. —-
你一定很吃惊，非常吃惊——柯林斯先生不久前还希望娶你。 —-

But when you have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. —-
但当你有时间全部想过之后，我希望你会对我所做的感到满意。 —-

I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; —-
你知道的，我不是浪漫的人；我从来都不是。我只寻求一个舒适的家； —-

and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connexions, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.”
考虑到柯林斯先生的性格、人脉和生活状况，我相信我和他的婚姻幸福机会和大多数人步入婚姻殿堂时一样公平。”

Elizabeth quietly answered “Undoubtedly”; —-
伊丽莎白平静地答道”毫无疑问”； —-

and after an awkward pause they returned to the rest of the family. —-
经过一段尴尬的停顿之后，他们回到了家庭的其他成员那里。 —-

Charlotte did not stay much longer, and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on what she had heard. —-
夏洛特没待太久，伊丽莎白便留下来反思她所听到的一切。 —-

It was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so unsuitable a match. —-
她花了很长时间才稍微接受了这场不般配的婚事。 —-

The strangeness of Mr. Collins’s making two offers of marriage within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now accepted. —-
柯林斯先生三天之内求婚两次的荒唐不算什么，与他现在被接受相比。 —-

She had always felt that Charlotte’s opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own, but she could not have supposed it possible that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage. —-
她总觉得夏洛特对婚姻的看法并不完全像她自己，但她从未想到，当实际情况来临时，夏洛特竟会为了世俗利益牺牲所有更高的感情。 —-

Charlotte the wife of Mr. Collins was a most humiliating picture! —-
夏洛特成为柯林斯先生的妻子是一幅多么屈辱的画面啊！ —-

And to the pang of a friend disgracing herself and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen.
朋友在自己的心中贬低自己、地位下降所带来的痛苦，加上这种认知的折磨：这位朋友在她所选择的命运中不可能有什么好过的。