The very day of Mr. Elton’s going to London produced a fresh occasion for Emma’s services towards her friend. —
Elton先生去伦敦的那一天正好给了Emma一个为她的朋友提供服务的新机会。 —

Harriet had been at Hartfield, as usual, soon after breakfast; —
哈丽特和往常一样，早饭后不久就来到了哈特菲尔德； —

and, after a time, had gone home to return again to dinner: —
一段时间后回家，并计划着再回来吃晚饭； —

she returned, and sooner than had been talked of, and with an agitated, hurried look, announcing something extraordinary to have happened which she was longing to tell. —
她回来得比预期的要早，神情匆忙激动，宣布发生了一些非同寻常的事情，她迫切地想告诉别人。 —

Half a minute brought it all out. She had heard, as soon as she got back to Mrs. Goddard’s, that Mr. Martin had been there an hour before, and finding she was not at home, nor particularly expected, had left a little parcel for her from one of his sisters, and gone away; —
仅仅半分钟，一切情况就清楚了。她在回到戈达德夫人那里的时候就听说马丁先生一个小时前到过那里，发现她不在家，也不特别期望她在，在给她一个他的姐妹送来的小包裹之后就走了； —

and on opening this parcel, she had actually found, besides the two songs which she had lent Elizabeth to copy, a letter to herself; —
打开这个包裹后，她实际上发现了除了借给伊丽莎白抄写的两首歌曲以外，还有一封给她自己的信； —

and this letter was from him, from Mr. Martin, and contained a direct proposal of marriage. —
而这封信是从他，从马丁先生那里来的，里面含有明确的求婚。 —

`Who could have thought it? She was so surprized she did not know what to do. —
“谁能想到呢？她感到非常吃惊，不知道该怎么办。 —

Yes, quite a proposal of marriage; and a very good letter, at least she thought so. —
是的，完全是一封求婚的信；而且是一封很好的信，至少她这么认为。 —

And he wrote as if he really loved her very much - but she did not know - and so, she was come as fast as she could to ask Miss Woodhouse what she should do. —
而且他写得好像他真的非常爱她 - 但她不知道 - 所以她尽可能快地赶来问伍德豪斯小姐该怎么做。 —

• ` Emma was half-ashamed of her friend for seeming so pleased and so doubtful.
  - Emma为她那么高兴又那么犹豫的表现感到有些羞愧。
  

Upon my word,' she cried,the young man is determined not to lose any thing for want of asking. —
“天啊，”她叫道，“这个年轻人决定不会因为不求而失去任何东西。 —

He will connect himself well if he can.’
只要有机会，他就会好好地娶妻子的。”

Will you read the letter?' cried Harriet.Pray do. I’d rather you would.’
“你读一下这封信吧？”哈丽特喊道。“拜托了。我宁愿你读。”

Emma was not sorry to be pressed. She read, and was surprized. —
Emma并不介意被逼着读。她读了，感到吃惊。 —

The style of the letter was much above her expectation. —
信函的风格远超出她的期待。 —

There were not merely no grammatical errors, but as a composition it would not have disgraced a gentleman; —
不仅没有语法错误，作为一篇文章，它不会让一个绅士丢脸； —

the language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer. —
虽然语言简单，但坚实自然，表达的情感非常有利于作者。 —

It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling. —
信函虽然简短，但表达出良好的思路、热情的感情、慷慨、得体，甚至有一些细腻的情感。 —

She paused over it, while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion, with a Well, well,' and was at last forced to add,Is it a good letter? —
她看着信函沉思着，而哈丽特焦急地等着她的意见，一边说着“好，好”，最后不得不补充道，“这是一封好信函吗？ —

or is it too short?’
还是太短了？

Yes, indeed, a very good letter,' replied Emma rather slowly -so good a letter, Harriet, that every thing considered, I think one of his sisters must have helped him. —
“是的，的确，一封非常好的信函，”艾玛缓缓回答，“哈丽特，考虑到一切，我想他的一个姐妹一定帮助了他。 —

I can hardly imagine the young man whom I saw talking with you the other day could express himself so well, if left quite to his own powers, and yet it is not the style of a woman; —
我很难想象我前两天看见你和那位年轻人谈话的样子，如果完全靠自己的能力，他能表达得这么好，而且这也不像一个女人的风格； —

no, certainly, it is too strong and concise; not diffuse enough for a woman. —
不，当然，它太强烈而简洁了；对于女人来说不够散漫。 —

No doubt he is a sensible man, and I suppose may have a natural talent for - thinks strongly and clearly - and when he takes a pen in hand, his thoughts naturally find proper words. —
毫无疑问，他是一个有智慧的人，我想他可能有自然的文才——思维清晰，明确——当他拿起笔时，他的思绪自然地找到合适的词语。 —

It is so with some men. Yes, I understand the sort of mind. —
某些男人就是这样。是的，我理解这种思维方式。 —

Vigorous, decided, with sentiments to a certain point, not coarse. —
有活力，果断，有一定程度的情感，不粗俗。 —

A better written letter, Harriet (returning it,) than I had expected.’
“哈丽特（将信函还给她），这封信写得比我预期的好。”

Well,' said the still waiting Harriet; - well - and - and what shall I do?’
“嗯，”依然等待的哈丽特说，“好吧——然后——然后我该怎么办呢？”

`What shall you do! In what respect? Do you mean with regard to this letter?’
“你说怎么办！在哪方面？你是指这封信吗？”

Yes.' <span><tang1>是的。’

But what are you in doubt of? You must answer it of course - and speedily.' <span><tang1>但你在怀疑什么？你必须回答，当然要快速。’

Yes. But what shall I say? Dear Miss Woodhouse, do advise me.' <span><tang1>是的。但我应该说什么呢？亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐，你给点建议吧。’

Oh no, no! the letter had much better be all your own. --- <span><tang1>哦不，不！这封信最好全由你自己写。’ —

You will express yourself very properly, I am sure. —
`我相信你会表达得非常恰当。’ —

There is no danger of your not being intelligible, which is the first thing. —
`你不会不清楚表达，这是第一要紧的事情。’ —

Your meaning must be unequivocal; no doubts or demurs: —
`你的意思必须明确无误；没有疑问或迟疑。’ —

and such expressions of gratitude and concern for the pain you are inflicting as propriety requires, will present themselves unbidden to your mind, I am persuaded. —
`你需要表达对他失望所带来的痛苦的感激和关切，这是礼仪要求的，我确信这些话会不请自来。’ —

You need not be prompted to write with the appearance of sorrow for his disappointment.’
`你写信时不必被提示要带有对他失望的悲伤之情。’

You think I ought to refuse him then,' said Harriet, looking down. <span><tang1>那么你认为我应该拒绝他，’哈丽埃特低头说。

Ought to refuse him! My dear Harriet, what do you mean? Are you in any doubt as to that? --- <span><tang1>应该拒绝他！亲爱的哈丽埃特，你是什么意思？你对此有任何犹豫吗？ —

I thought - but I beg your pardon, perhaps I have been under a mistake. —
我以为——但请原谅，也许我误解了。 —

I certainly have been misunderstanding you, if you feel in doubt as to the purport of your answer. —
如果你对回答的目的感到困惑，那我肯定是误会你了。 —

I had imagined you were consulting me only as to the wording of it.’
我之前以为你只是在征求我的意见他的措辞方面。’

Harriet was silent. With a little reserve of manner, Emma continued:
哈丽埃特保持沉默。艾玛带着一点点保留地继续说道：

You mean to return a favourable answer, I collect.' <span><tang1>你的意思是要给一个积极的答复，我明白了。’

No, I do not; that is, I do not mean - What shall I do? --- <span><tang1>不，不是的；也就是说，我并不是这个意思 - 我该怎么办呢？’ —

What would you advise me to do? Pray, dear Miss Woodhouse, tell me what I ought to do.’
你觉得我该怎么办呢？拜托，亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐，告诉我我该做什么吧。’

I shall not give you any advice, Harriet. I will have nothing to do with it. --- <span><tang1>哈里埃特，我不会给你任何建议。我不会参与其中。 —

This is a point which you must settle with your feelings.’
这是你必须用你的感受来解决的问题。’

I had no notion that he liked me so very much,' said Harriet, contemplating the letter. --- <span><tang1>我怎么没有意识到他这么喜欢我呢，’哈里埃特看着那封信说道。 —

For a little while Emma persevered in her silence; —
艾玛沉默了一会儿； —

but beginning to apprehend the bewitching flattery of that letter might be too powerful, she thought it best to say,
但是开始担心那封信中迷人的谄媚语言可能太过强大，她认为最好说，

I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. --- <span><tang1>哈里埃特，我认为应该作为一个普遍规则，如果一个女人对是否接受一个男人心存疑虑，那么她肯定应该拒绝他。 —

If she can hesitate as to Yes,'' she ought to sayNo” directly. —
如果她对“是”的答案犹豫不决，她应该直截了当地说“不”。 —

It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful feelings, with half a heart. —
这不是一个可以带着犹豫感情，半颗心安全进入的状态。 —

I thought it my duty as a friend, and older than yourself, to say thus much to you. —
我觉得作为一个朋友，一个比你年长的人，应该对你说这么多。 —

But do not imagine that I want to influence you.’
但不要以为我想要影响你。’

Oh! no, I am sure you are a great deal too kind to - but if you would just advise me what I had best do - No, no, I do not mean that - As you say, one's mind ought to be quite made up - One should not be hesitating - It is a very serious thing. --- <span><tang1>哦！不，我相信你对我太好了 - 但如果你能给我一些建议我该怎么做 - 不，不，我不是这个意思 - 正如你所说，一个人的想法应该是确立的 - 一个人不应该在犹豫 - 这是一件非常严肃的事情。 —

• It will be safer to say “No,” perhaps. —
  也许直接说“不”会更安全。’ —

• Do you think I had better say “No?”’
  你认为我最好还是说“不”？

Not for the world,' said Emma, smiling graciously,would I advise you either way. —
“世界上都不会有人会建议你做出选择。”爱玛亲切地微笑着说。 —

You must be the best judge of your own happiness. If you prefer Mr. Martin to every other person; —
“你必须是自己幸福的最好判断者。如果你更喜欢马丁先生而不是任何其他人； —

if you think him the most agreeable man you have ever been in company with, why should you hesitate? You blush, Harriet. —
如果你认为他是你在一起过的最讨人喜欢的男士，你为什么犹豫呢？你在脸上泛红了，哈丽特。 —

• Does any body else occur to you at this moment under such a definition? —
  - 此刻，还有别人在你心中符合这样的定义吗？ —
  

Harriet, Harriet, do not deceive yourself; —
哈丽特，哈丽特，不要欺骗自己； —

do not be run away with by gratitude and compassion. —
不要被感激和同情冲昏了头脑。 —

At this moment whom are you thinking of?’
此刻你在想谁？”

The symptoms were favourable. - Instead of answering, Harriet turned away confused, and stood thoughtfully by the fire; —
症状是有利的。- 哈丽特没有回答，困惑地转身，站在火炉旁深思； —

and though the letter was still in her hand, it was now mechanically twisted about without regard. —
虽然信仍在她手中，但现在却是机械地随意扭曲着，没有关注。 —

Emma waited the result with impatience, but not without strong hopes. —
爱玛急切地等待着结果，但并不是没有强烈的希望。 —

At last, with some hesitation, Harriet said -
最后，带着一些犹豫，哈丽特说：

`Miss Woodhouse, as you will not give me your opinion, I must do as well as I can by myself; —
“伍德豪斯小姐，既然你不会给出意见，我只能尽力自己决定了； —

and I have now quite determined, and really almost made up my mind - to refuse Mr. Martin. —
我现在已经完全下定决心，几乎确定了 - 拒绝马丁先生。 —

Do you think I am right?’
你认为我做对了吗？”

`Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just what you ought. —
亲爱的哈丽特，你做得完全正确；你正做着你应该做的事。 —

While you were at all in suspense I kept my feelings to myself, but now that you are so completely decided I have no hesitation in approving. —
当你还有些犹豫的时候，我没有表达我的感受，但现在你已完全决定了，我毫不犹豫地赞同。 —

Dear Harriet, I give myself joy of this. —
亲爱的哈丽特，我为此感到快乐。 —

It would have grieved me to lose your acquaintance, which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr. Martin. —
如果你嫁给马丁先生，失去你的友谊会让我伤心。 —

While you were in the smallest degree wavering, I said nothing about it, because I would not influence; —
当你稍微动摇时，我没有说什么，因为我不想施加影响； —

but it would have been the loss of a friend to me. —
但失去你对我来说是一个朋友的损失。 —

I could not have visited Mrs. Robert Martin, of Abbey-Mill Farm. Now I am secure of you for ever.’
我将无法拜访罗伯特·马丁太太，从阿比米尔农场。现在，我永远安心了。

Harriet had not surmised her own danger, but the idea of it struck her forcibly.
哈丽雅还没有意识到自己的危险，但这个想法却让她深感震惊。

You could not have visited me!' she cried, looking aghast.No, to be sure you could not; —
“你不可能来看我！”她惊恐地喊道。“不，当然你来不了； —

but I never thought of that before. That would have been too dreadful! - What an escape! —
但我以前从来没有想到过这一点。那太可怕了！–太幸运了！ —

• Dear Miss Woodhouse, I would not give up the pleasure and honour of being intimate with you for any thing in the world.’
  –亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐，我宁愿放弃与你亲密交往的快乐与荣誉，也不愿失去世上任何东西。”
  

`Indeed, Harriet, it would have been a severe pang to lose you; but it must have been. —
“确实，哈丽雅，失去你会是一种折磨；但那必须是这样的。 —

You would have thrown yourself out of all good society. —
你会被排斥出好社交圈。 —

I must have given you up.’
我必须放弃你。”

`Dear me! - How should I ever have borne it! —
“天哪！–我怎么能忍受那样的事！ —

It would have killed me never to come to Hartfield any more!’
永远不能再来哈特菲尔德！那会把我逼疯的！”

`Dear affectionate creature! - You banished to Abbey-Mill Farm! —
“亲爱的、充满感情的人！–你被流放到富人庄农场！ —

• You confined to the society of the illiterate and vulgar all your life! —
  –终身只能与无知和粗俗的人为伴！ —
  

I wonder how the young man could have the assurance to ask it. —
我不明白那个年轻人怎么敢要求这个。 —

He must have a pretty good opinion of himself.’
他一定对自己有相当高的看法。”

`I do not think he is conceited either, in general,’ said Harriet, her conscience opposing such censure; —
“我认为他通常并不自负，”哈丽雅说，她的良心反对这样的指责； —

`at least, he is very good natured, and I shall always feel much obliged to him, and have a great regard for - but that is quite a different thing from - and you know, though he may like me, it does not follow that I should - and certainly I must confess that since my visiting here I have seen people - and if one comes to compare them, person and manners, there is no comparison at all, one is so very handsome and agreeable. —
“至少，他非常善良，我会永远感激他，对他很重要–但这与–完全是两回事，你知道，尽管他可能喜欢我，但并不意味着我会–当然，我必须承认，自从我来这里参观，我见过一些人–如果要对比他们，外表和举止，根本就没有可比性，一个非常英俊和令人愉快。” —

However, I do really think Mr. Martin a very amiable young man, and have a great opinion of him; —
然而，我真的认为马丁先生是一个非常和蔼可亲的年轻人，对他极为看重； —

and his being so much attached to me - and his writing such a letter - but as to leaving you, it is what I would not do upon any consideration.’
他对我如此依恋 - 还写了这样一封信 - 但要离开你，无论如何我是不会的。

Thank you, thank you, my own sweet little friend. We will not be parted. --- <span><tang1>谢谢，谢谢，我亲爱的小朋友。我们不会分开的。 —

A woman is not to marry a man merely because she is asked, or because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter.’
一个女人不应该嫁给一个男人仅仅是因为他求婚了，或者因为他对她忠诚，还会写封过得去的信。

Oh no; - and it is but a short letter too.' <span><tang1>哦不，- 而且信也很短。

Emma felt the bad taste of her friend, but let it pass with a `very true; —
艾玛感觉到朋友的品味不佳，但她让这事过去了，说了一句“非常正确； —

and it would be a small consolation to her, for the clownish manner which might be offending her every hour of the day, to know that her husband could write a good letter.’
要知道她的丈夫写过好信，这是很小的安慰。

Oh! yes, very. Nobody cares for a letter; --- <span><tang1>哦！是的，没人在意一封信； —

the thing is, to be always happy with pleasant companions. —
重要的是，能和愉快的伙伴一直幸福。 —

I am quite determined to refuse him. But how shall I do? That shall I say?’
我已经下定决心拒绝他。但我应该怎么做？我该说什么？

Emma assured her there would be no difficulty in the answer, and advised its being written directly, which was agreed to, in the hope of her assistance; —
艾玛保证她可以轻松回答，建议立即写下来，她同意了，希望得到她的帮助； —

and though Emma continued to protest against any assistance being wanted, it was in fact given in the formation of every sentence. —
尽管艾玛一直反对需要任何帮助，事实上每句话都是在她的协助下形成的。 —

The looking over his letter again, in replying to it, had such a softening tendency, that it was particularly necessary to brace her up with a few decisive expressions; —
再次查看他的信，回复时有一种柔和的倾向，这时就有必要用几句明确的话语来鼓励她； —

and she was so very much concerned at the idea of making him unhappy, and thought so much of what his mother and sisters would think and say, and was so anxious that they should not fancy her ungrateful, that Emma believed if the young man had come in her way at that moment, he would have been accepted after all.
她非常担心让他难过的想法，也很在意他的母亲和姐妹们会怎么想怎么说，还特别希望他们不要认为她是不感激的，艾玛觉得如果那个年轻人此刻出现在她面前，他很可能会被接受。

This letter, however, was written, and sealed, and sent. —
这封信，不过，已经写好，封好，寄出了。 —

The business was finished, and Harriet safe. —
生意已经做完了，哈丽埃特也安全了。 —

She was rather low all the evening, but Emma could allow for her amiable regrets, and sometimes relieved them by speaking of her own affection, sometimes by bringing forward the idea of Mr. Elton.
她整个晚上都有点低落，但艾玛体谅她的可爱遗憾，有时通过表达自己的爱意来缓解她的情绪，有时通过提到埃尔顿先生的想法。

`I shall never be invited to Abbey-Mill again,’ was said in rather a sorrowful tone.
“我想我再也不会被邀请去艾比庄园了，”她以有点悲伤的口吻说道。

`Nor, if you were, could I ever bear to part with you, my Harriet. —
“即使你被邀请了，我也绝对舍不得和你分开，亲爱的哈丽埃特。 —

You are a great deal too necessary at Hartfield to be spared to Abbey-Mill.’
你在哈特菲尔德太重要了，不可能被空出去给艾比庄园。”

`And I am sure I should never want to go there; for I am never happy but at Hartfield.’
“而且我肯定我永远也不愿意去那里；因为只有在哈特菲尔德我才开心。”

Some time afterwards it was, `I think Mrs. Goddard would be very much surprized if she knew what had happened. —
过了一会，她又说，”我觉得戈达德夫人要是知道发生了什么会很吃惊。 —

I am sure Miss Nash would - for Miss Nash thinks her own sister very well married, and it is only a linen-draper.’
我相信纳什小姐也会——因为纳什小姐认为她自家的妹妹嫁得很好，而那只是一位销售亚麻布的人而已。”

`One should be sorry to see greater pride or refinement in the teacher of a school, Harriet. —
“在一个学校里教书的老师如果有更大的骄傲或优雅，那会是令人遗憾的，哈丽埃特。 —

I dare say Miss Nash would envy you such an opportunity as this of being married. —
我敢说，纳什小姐会嫉妒你得到这样一个结婚的机会。 —

Even this conquest would appear valuable in her eyes. —
这样的征服在她眼中似乎是有价值的。 —

As to any thing superior for you, I suppose she is quite in the dark. —
至于对你来说有更高级别的事情，我想她肯定一无所知。 —

The attentions of a certain person can hardly be among the tittle-tattle of Highbury yet. —
某人的关心恐怕还没有传遍海伯里的闲言闲语。 —

Hitherto I fancy you and I are the only people to whom his looks and manners have explained themselves.’
到目前为止，我想你和我是唯一能理解他的样子和举止的人。

Harriet blushed and smiled, and said something about wondering that people should like her so much. —
哈丽埃特脸红了，微笑着说，奇怪人们为什么这么喜欢她。” —

The idea of Mr. Elton was certainly cheering; —
埃尔顿先生的想法确实令人振奋; —

but still, after a time, she was tender-hearted again towards the rejected Mr. Martin.
但是，过了一会儿，她对被拒绝的马丁先生又心生怜悯。

`Now he has got my letter,’ said she softly. —
“现在他已经收到我的信了,“她轻声说。 —

`I wonder what they are all doing - whether his sisters know - if he is unhappy, they will be unhappy too. —
“我不知道他们都在做什么-他的姐妹们知道吗-如果他不开心，她们也会不开心。 —

I hope he will not mind it so very much.’
我希望他不会太介意。”

Let us think of those among our absent friends who are more cheerfully employed,' cried Emma.At this moment, perhaps, Mr. Elton is shewing your picture to his mother and sisters, telling how much more beautiful is the original, and after being asked for it five or six times, allowing them to hear your name, your own dear name.’
“让我们想想我们那些不在身边的朋友中谁正在更愉快地从事着他们的事情,“艾玛叫道。”也许此刻，埃尔顿先生正在向他的母亲和姐妹展示你的照片，告诉他们原件更美丽，经过五六次要求后，让他们听到你的名字，你亲爱的名字。”

`My picture! - But he has left my picture in Bond-street.’
“我的照片！-但他已经把我的照片留在邦德街了。”

`Has he so! - Then I know nothing of Mr. Elton. No, my dear little modest Harriet, depend upon it the picture will not be in Bond-street till just before he mounts his horse to-morrow. —
“是吗！-那我对埃尔顿先生一无所知。不，我亲爱的谦虚的哈丽特，相信我，这张照片会在明早他骑上马之前才出现在邦德街。 —

It is his companion all this evening, his solace, his delight. —
它是他今晚的伙伴，他的安慰，他的快乐。 —

It opens his designs to his family, it introduces you among them, it diffuses through the party those pleasantest feelings of our nature, eager curiosity and warm prepossession. —
它向他的家人展示他的打算，把你介绍给他们，把我们的最愉快的本性中那种渴望的好奇和热情分散给聚会中的每个人。 —

How cheerful, how animated, how suspicious, how busy their imaginations all are!’
他们所有人是多么快乐，多么活跃，多么猜忌，多么忙碌的在他们的想象中！”

Harriet smiled again, and her smiles grew stronger.
哈丽特再次微笑，她的笑容变得更加灿烂。