Every body in and about Highbury who had ever visited Mr. Elton, was disposed to pay him attention on his marriage. —
哈特菲尔德及其周围的每个曾经拜访过埃尔顿先生的人都想在他结婚时表示关注。 —

Dinner-parties and evening-parties were made for him and his lady; —
有人为他和他的夫人举办了晚宴和晚会； —

and invitations flowed in so fast that she had soon the pleasure of apprehending they were never to have a disengaged day.
邀请函源源不断地涌入，以至于她很快就高兴地意识到他们可能永远也没有一天可以放松。

I see how it is,' said she.I see what a life I am to lead among you. —
“我明白了，”她说，“我看出了我将在你们中间过着什么样的生活。 —

Upon my word we shall be absolutely dissipated. We really seem quite the fashion. —
我保证我们绝对会被分散注意力。我们似乎真的很有风头。 —

If this is living in the country, it is nothing very formidable. —
如果这就是在乡村生活，那也没什么可怕的。 —

From Monday next to Saturday, I assure you we have not a disengaged day! —
从下周一到周六，我向你保证我们没有一个放松的日子！ —

• A woman with fewer resources than I have, need not have been at a loss.’
  我绝不会错过任何邀请。拥有比我更少资源的女人不会陷入困境。”
  

No invitation came amiss to her. Her Bath habits made evening-parties perfectly natural to her, and Maple Grove had given her a taste for dinners. —
她欢迎任何邀请。她在巴斯的生活习惯使她觉得参加晚会非常自然，而梅普尔格罗夫则培养了她对晚宴的品味。 —

She was a little shocked at the want of two drawing rooms, at the poor attempt at rout-cakes, and there being no ice in the Highbury card-parties. —
在海伯里的扑克晚会上没有放冰块，只有劣质的点心，两个客厅也有些不够，这些都让她有点震惊。 —

Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Goddard and others, were a good deal behind-hand in knowledge of the world, but she would soon shew them how every thing ought to be arranged. —
贝茨夫人、派里夫人、戈达德夫人和其他人在世故方面落后不少，但她很快会向他们展示一切应该如何安排。 —

In the course of the spring she must return their civilities by one very superior party - in which her card-tables should be set out with their separate candles and unbroken packs in the true style - and more waiters engaged for the evening than their own establishment could furnish, to carry round the refreshments at exactly the proper hour, and in the proper order.
在春季过后，她必须通过一场非常高级的聚会来回应他们的礼待 - 她的打牌桌要用分开的蜡烛和完整的牌副摆放在真正的风格中 - 晚上要登场的服务生比他们自己的人员更多，以在恰当的时刻和正确的顺序提供刷新饮品。

Emma, in the meanwhile, could not be satisfied without a dinner at Hartfield for the Eltons. —
与此同时，埃玛不满足于在哈特菲尔德为埃尔顿夫妇准备一次晚宴。 —

They must not do less than others, or she should be exposed to odious suspicions, and imagined capable of pitiful resentment. —
他们不能做得比别人少，否则她会受到可恶的怀疑，被认为有可能产生可怜的怨恨。 —

A dinner there must be. After Emma had talked about it for ten minutes, Mr. Woodhouse felt no unwillingness, and only made the usual stipulation of not sitting at the bottom of the table himself, with the usual regular difficulty of deciding who should do it for him.
一定要有一次晚宴。埃玛谈论了十分钟之后，伍德豪斯先生毫不勉强，只是像往常一样要求不要自己坐在桌子的最下头，并像往常一样难以确定谁应该为他这样做。

The persons to be invited, required little thought. —
要邀请的人选几乎不用费什么脑筋。 —

Besides the Eltons, it must be the Westons and Mr. Knightley; —
除了埃尔顿一家，当然还有韦斯顿一家和奈特利先生； —

so far it was all of course - and it was hardly less inevitable that poor little Harriet must be asked to make the eighth: —
所以这样的名单当然是这样的——穷可怜的小哈里特不可避免地也必须被邀请成为第八个人选； —

• but this invitation was not given with equal satisfaction, and on many accounts Emma was particularly pleased by Harriet’s begging to be allowed to decline it. —
  - 但这个邀请并没有获得同等的满足，对于许多方面，艾玛尤其高兴哈里特请求被允许拒绝。 —
  

She would rather not be in his company more than she could help. --- <span><tang1>她宁愿尽量不和他在一起。 —

She was not yet quite able to see him and his charming happy wife together, without feeling uncomfortable. —
当看到他和他迷人、幸福的妻子在一起时，她还感到不自在。 —

If Miss Woodhouse would not be displeased, she would rather stay at home.’ —
如果伍德豪斯小姐不会生气的话，她宁愿呆在家里。’ —

It was precisely what Emma would have wished, had she deemed it possible enough for wishing. —
这正是艾玛希望的情况，如果她认为这种愿望是可能的话。 —

She was delighted with the fortitude of her little friend - for fortitude she knew it was in her to give up being in company and stay at home; —
她对她的小朋友的坚韧感到高兴——因为她知道她有坚韧的品质，可以放弃和别人在一起，留在家里； —

and she could now invite the very person whom she really wanted to make the eighth, Jane Fairfax. —
现在，她可以邀请那个她真正想让她成为第八个人选的人，简·费尔法克斯。 —

• Since her last conversation with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley, she was more conscience-stricken about Jane Fairfax than she had often been. —
  - 自从上次和韦斯顿夫人、奈特利先生的对话之后，简·费尔法克斯的事情比以往任何时候都让她觉得内疚。 —

• Mr. Knightley’s words dwelt with her. He had said that Jane Fairfax received attentions from Mrs. Elton which nobody else paid her.
  - 奈特利说的话一直在她心里。他说简·费尔法克斯接受埃尔顿夫人给予的关注，其他人都没注意到这点。

This is very true,' said she,at least as far as relates to me, which was all that was meant - and it is very shameful. —
这是很真实的，'她说，至少对我来说是这样，这就是意思，这太可耻了。 —

• Of the same age - and always knowing her - I ought to have been more her friend. —
  - 同龄人，一直认识她，我应该更当她的朋友。 —

• She will never like me now. I have neglected her too long. —
  - 她现在永远不会喜欢我了。我忽视她太久了。 —

But I will shew her greater attention than I have done.’
但我会对她表现出比以前更多的关注。

Every invitation was successful. They were all disengaged and all happy. —
每一次邀请都很成功。 他们都没有别的安排，也都很快乐。 —

• The preparatory interest of this dinner, however, was not yet over. —
  然而，这次晚宴的筹备兴趣还没有结束。 —
  

A circumstance rather unlucky occurred. The two eldest little Knightleys were engaged to pay their grandpapa and aunt a visit of some weeks in the spring, and their papa now proposed bringing them, and staying one whole day at Hartfield - which one day would be the very day of this party. —
不幸的是发生了一件事。 两个年龄最大的小Knightley已经计划在春天拜访他们的爷爷奶奶，并且他们的爸爸现在提议带他们来，在哈特菲尔德一整天 - 而那一天正好是这个聚会的日子。 —

• His professional engagements did not allow of his being put off, but both father and daughter were disturbed by its happening so. —
  他的职业安排不允许他推迟，但父女两人对这件事感到不安。 —
  

Mr. Woodhouse considered eight persons at dinner together as the utmost that his nerves could bear - and here would be a ninth - and Emma apprehended that it would be a ninth very much out of humour at not being able to come even to Hartfield for forty-eight hours without falling in with a dinner-party.
伍德豪斯先生认为八个人一起吃饭是他的神经所能承受的极限 - 而现在会变成九个人 - 艾玛担心，这九个人中有一个人肯定会很不高兴，因为48小时甚至不能来哈特菲尔德，就碰上了一个宴会。

She comforted her father better than she could comfort herself, by representing that though he certainly would make them nine, yet he always said so little, that the increase of noise would be very immaterial. —
她比自己更好地安慰了父亲，表示虽然他确实会让他们变成九个人，但他几乎不说话，噪音的增加会无关紧要。 —

She thought it in reality a sad exchange for herself, to have him with his grave looks and reluctant conversation opposed to her instead of his brother.
她觉得自己实际上是在与肃穆的样子和不情愿的对话交换为好，而不是与他的兄弟对立。

The event was more favourable to Mr. Woodhouse than to Emma. John Knightley came; —
这件事对伍德豪斯先生比对艾玛更有利。 约翰·奈特利来了； —

but Mr. Weston was unexpectedly summoned to town and must be absent on the very day. —
但韦斯顿先生却被突然召唤到了城里，必须在那天不在。 —

He might be able to join them in the evening, but certainly not to dinner. —
他或许能在晚上加入他们，但绝对不会一起吃饭。 —

Mr. Woodhouse was quite at ease; and the seeing him so, with the arrival of the little boys and the philosophic composure of her brother on hearing his fate, removed the chief of even Emma’s vexation.
伍德豪斯先生非常放心；看到他如此，孩子们的到来以及弟弟在听到他的命运时展现的哲学安详，甚至消除了艾玛的大部分恼火。

The day came, the party were punctually assembled, and Mr. John Knightley seemed early to devote himself to the business of being agreeable. —
这一天到了，客人们准时集合，约翰·奈特利先生似乎早早地致力于变得令人愉快的事情。 —

Instead of drawing his brother off to a window while they waited for dinner, he was talking to Miss Fairfax. —
他没有把他的兄弟拉到窗台那里等待晚餐，而是在和费尔法克斯小姐谈话。 —

Mrs. Elton, as elegant as lace and pearls could make her, he looked at in silence - wanting only to observe enough for Isabella’s information - but Miss Fairfax was an old acquaintance and a quiet girl, and he could talk to her. —
艾尔顿夫人，身着蕾丝和珍珠的优雅装，他默默地看着 - 只想观察够让伊莎贝拉知道的信息 - 但费尔法克斯小姐是一个老熟人，一个文静的女孩，他可以和她交谈。 —

He had met her before breakfast as he was returning from a walk with his little boys, when it had been just beginning to rain. —
他在早饭前曾在回家路上遇到她，当时他正在和他的小儿子散步，天刚开始下雨。 —

It was natural to have some civil hopes on the subject, and he said,
在这个问题上，抱有一些合理的希望是自然的。他说，

`I hope you did not venture far, Miss Fairfax, this morning, or I am sure you must have been wet. —
“费尔法克斯小姐，我希望你今早没有冒雨出门，否则你一定淋湿了。 —

• We scarcely got home in time. I hope you turned directly.’
  “我们几乎是及时赶到家的。我希望你是直接回家的。”
  

I went only to the post-office,' said she,and reached home before the rain was much. —
她说，“我只是去了邮局，雨还没有下得很大，我在雨前就回到家了。 —

It is my daily errand. I always fetch the letters when I am here. —
这是我的日常差事。我来这里时总是去取信件。 —

It saves trouble, and is a something to get me out. —
这样可以省事，也可以让我出去走走。 —

A walk before breakfast does me good.’
早饭前散步对我很有好处。”

`Not a walk in the rain, I should imagine.’
“不过不会是在雨中散步吧。”

`No, but it did not absolutely rain when I set out.’
“不，但我出门的时候雨还没有完全下起来。”

Mr. John Knightley smiled, and replied,
约翰·奈特利先生笑了笑，回答说，

`That is to say, you chose to have your walk, for you were not six yards from your own door when I had the pleasure of meeting you; —
“也就是说，你选择出去散步，因为当我碰巧遇见你的时候，你离自己的家门不到六码； —

and Henry and John had seen more drops than they could count long before. —
而亨利和约翰早在前面看到了比他们数得出来的雨滴多。 —

The post-office has a great charm at one period of our lives. —
邮局在我们一生中的某个时期有着很大的魅力。 —

When you have lived to my age, you will begin to think letters are never worth going through the rain for.’
等你活到我这个年龄，你会开始觉得信件不值得冒雨去取。”

There was a little blush, and then this answer,
有一点儿羞涩，然后给出了回答，

`I must not hope to be ever situated as you are, in the midst of every dearest connexion, and therefore I cannot expect that simply growing older should make me indifferent about letters.’
“我不能奢望永远处于你所处的中间位置，被最亲密的关系所包围，因此我不指望年龄增长会使我对书信变得漠不关心。”

`Indifferent! Oh! no - I never conceived you could become indifferent. —
“漠不关心！哦！不——我从未想过你会变得漠不关心。” —

Letters are no matter of indifference; they are generally a very positive curse.’
“书信并非无关紧要；它们通常是一种非常明显的祸害。”

`You are speaking of letters of business; mine are letters of friendship.’
“你说的是商务信件；我的是友情之信。”

`I have often thought them the worst of the two,’ replied he coolly. —
“我一直认为那两者中更糟的是书信，”他冷静地回答。 —

`Business, you know, may bring money, but friendship hardly ever does.’
“你知道，商务可能带来金钱，但友情几乎永远都不会。”

`Ah! you are not serious now. I know Mr. John Knightley too well - I am very sure he understands the value of friendship as well as any body. —
“啊！你现在不是认真的。我太了解约翰·奈特利先生了——我非常确定他像任何人一样明白友情的价值。” —

I can easily believe that letters are very little to you, much less than to me, but it is not your being ten years older than myself which makes the difference, it is not age, but situation. —
“我很容易相信书信对你并不重要，比对我更不重要，但并不是你比我大十岁造成了差异，不是年龄，而是处境。” —

You have every body dearest to you always at hand, I, probably, never shall again; —
“你身边总是有最亲爱的人，而我，很可能再也不会有； —

and therefore till I have outlived all my affections, a post-office, I think, must always have power to draw me out, in worse weather than to-day.’
所以，直到我耗尽所有的感情时，我认为邮局始终会有能力吸引我出门，即使是比今天更糟的天气。”

When I talked of your being altered by time, by the progress of years,' said John Knightley,I meant to imply the change of situation which time usually brings. —
约翰·奈特利说：“当我说你被时间改变了，年岁增长带来的变化，我指的是通常伴随时间而来的变化。 —

I consider one as including the other. Time will generally lessen the interest of every attachment not within the daily circle - but that is not the change I had in view for you. —
我认为一个包含另一个。时间通常会减少每一份感情之外的每一种依恋的兴趣——但这并非我为你设想的变化。 —

As an old friend, you will allow me to hope, Miss Fairfax, that ten years hence you may have as many concentrated objects as I have.’
作为一位老朋友，你会允许我希望，费尔法克斯小姐，十年后你也能像我一样拥有就是专心的对象。”

It was kindly said, and very far from giving offence. —
这话说得很体贴，远非惹人厌烦。 —

A pleasant `thank you’ seemed meant to laugh it off, but a blush, a quivering lip, a tear in the eye, shewed that it was felt beyond a laugh. —
一个愉快的“谢谢”似乎是为了掩饰而笑出来的，但是一丝腼腆、嘴唇颤抖、眼中的泪水表明这种感觉超出了笑声。 —

Her attention was now claimed by Mr. Woodhouse, who being, according to his custom on such occasions, making the circle of his guests, and paying his particular compliments to the ladies, was ending with her - and with all his mildest urbanity, said,
现在她的注意力被伍德豪斯先生吸引了，他按照惯例在这种场合里绕着客人们转，对女士们说了特别的恭维，最后轮到了她——以他一贯的和蔼说道，

`I am very sorry to hear, Miss Fairfax, of your being out this morning in the rain. —
“听到费尔法克斯小姐今天早上在雨中出去，实在让人很遗憾。 —

Young ladies should take care of themselves. - Young ladies are delicate plants. —
年轻女士们应该保护自己。——年轻女士们都是娇嫩的小花。 —

They should take care of their health and their complexion. —
她们应该注意保护自己的健康和肤色。 —

My dear, did you change your stockings?’
亲爱的，你换了袜子吗？”

`Yes, sir, I did indeed; and I am very much obliged by your kind solicitude about me.’
“是的，先生，我确实换了；对您对我这么关心，我非常感激。”

`My dear Miss Fairfax, young ladies are very sure to be cared for. —
“亲爱的费尔法克斯小姐，年轻女士们自会受到照顾。 —

• I hope your good grand-mama and aunt are well. They are some of my very old friends. —
  - 我希望您那位好祖母和阿姨都很好。她们是我的老朋友之一。 —
  

I wish my health allowed me to be a better neighbour. —
很遗憾我的健康不允许我成为一个更好的邻居。 —

You do us a great deal of honour to-day, I am sure. —
今天您对我们如此殷勤，我肯定受宠若惊。 —

My daughter and I are both highly sensible of your goodness, and have the greatest satisfaction in seeing you at Hartfield.’
我女儿和我都对您的好意心怀感激，能在哈特菲尔德见到您我们感到非常满足。”

The kind-hearted, polite old man might then sit down and feel that he had done his duty, and made every fair lady welcome and easy.
这位善良、彬彬有礼的老人接着坐下，感到自己尽到了责任，让每位美丽的女士倍感受欢迎和舒适。

By this time, the walk in the rain had reached Mrs. Elton, and her remonstrances now opened upon Jane.
此时，雨中漫步的话题转到了埃尔顿夫人，她的抱怨现在针对简展开。

`My dear Jane, what is this I hear? - Going to the post-office in the rain! —
“亲爱的简，我听到了什么？-在雨中去邮局！” —

• This must not be, I assure you. - You sad girl, how could you do such a thing? —
  - 这绝对不可能，我向你保证。- 你这个可怜的女孩，你怎么能做出这样的事情？ —

• It is a sign I was not there to take care of you.’
  - 这是一个信号，说明我不在你身边照顾你。

Jane very patiently assured her that she had not caught any cold.
简很耐心地向她保证她没有感冒。

Oh! do not tell me. You really are a very sad girl, and do not know how to take care of yourself. --- <span><tang1>哦！别告诉我。你真是一个非常悲伤的女孩，不知道如何照顾自己。 —

• To the post-office indeed! Mrs. Weston, did you ever hear the like? —
  - 去邮局！韦斯顿夫人，你听说过这样的事吗？ —
  

You and I must positively exert our authority.’
你和我必须果断行使我们的权威。

My advice,' said Mrs. Weston kindly and persuasively,I certainly do feel tempted to give. —
我的建议，'温和而劝诱地说，我确实感到有些动心。 —

Miss Fairfax, you must not run such risks. —
费尔法克斯小姐，你不应该冒这种风险。 —

• Liable as you have been to severe colds, indeed you ought to be particularly careful, especially at this time of year. —
  - 你一直容易感冒，确实应该特别小心，尤其是在这个季节。 —
  

The spring I always think requires more than common care. —
我总觉得春天需要比平时更多的关爱。 —

Better wait an hour or two, or even half a day for your letters, than run the risk of bringing on your cough again. —
最好再等上一个小时或两个小时，甚至半天以获取你的信件，也不要冒再次引发咳嗽的风险。 —

Now do not you feel that you had? Yes, I am sure you are much too reasonable. You look as if you would not do such a thing again.’
你现在难道不觉得自己有吗？是的，我确信你太过理智。你看起来似乎不会再做这样的事。

Oh! she shall not do such a thing again,' eagerly rejoined Mrs. Elton.We will not allow her to do such a thing again:’ —
哦！她不会再做这样的事，'埃尔顿夫人急切地回答道。我们不会允许她再做这样的事：’ —

• and nodding significantly - there must be some arrangement made, there must indeed. --- <span><tang1>- 并且意味深长地点点头 -必须作出一些安排，确实必须如此。 —
  

I shall speak to Mr. E. The man who fetches our letters every morning (one of our men, I forget his name) shall inquire for yours too and bring them to you. —
我会和艾先生谈谈。每天早晨为我们取信的那位人（我们的其中之一，我忘了他的名字）将会打听你的信件并把它们送到你那里。 —

That will obviate all difficulties you know; —
这将消除你所知道的一切困难； —

and from us I really think, my dear Jane, you can have no scruple to accept such an accommodation.’
我真的认为，亲爱的简，你对这样的安排应该没有任何顾虑。

You are extremely kind,' said Jane;but I cannot give up my early walk. —
简说：“你真是太好了，但我不能放弃我的早晨散步。 —

I am advised to be out of doors as much as I can, I must walk somewhere, and the post-office is an object; —
我被建议尽可能多地待在室外，我必须去散步，而邮局是一个目标； —

and upon my word, I have scarcely ever had a bad morning before.’
我发誓，我几乎以前从来没有过糟糕的早晨。”

`My dear Jane, say no more about it. The thing is determined, that is (laughing affectedly) as far as I can presume to determine any thing without the concurrence of my lord and master. —
我亲爱的简，别再说了。决定好了，就是这样（假意笑着）我只能在没有我的首领同意的情况下确定任何事情。 —

You know, Mrs. Weston, you and I must be cautious how we express ourselves. —
你知道，韦斯顿夫人，我们必须小心表达自己。 —

But I do flatter myself, my dear Jane, that my influence is not entirely worn out. —
但我确信，我亲爱的简，我的影响力还没有完全消失。 —

If I meet with no insuperable difficulties therefore, consider that point as settled.’
因此，如果我没有遇到什么难以克服的困难，那就认为这一点已经解决了。

Excuse me,' said Jane earnestly,I cannot by any means consent to such an arrangement, so needlessly troublesome to your servant. —
简诚恳地说：“请原谅我，我无论如何都不能同意这样一个对你的仆人无端麻烦的安排。 —

If the errand were not a pleasure to me, it could be done, as it always is when I am not here, by my grandmama’s.’
如果这不是我的一大乐事，那么可以像我不在的时候一样，通过我外婆去办这个事。”

`Oh! my dear; but so much as Patty has to do! - And it is a kindness to employ our men.’
“哦！亲爱的；但帕蒂要做这么多事情！而且让我们的男仆去做也是一种善意。”

Jane looked as if she did not mean to be conquered; —
简看起来并不打算屈服； —

but instead of answering, she began speaking again to Mr. John Knightley.
但她没有回答，而是又开始和约翰·奈特利先生说话。

The post-office is a wonderful establishment!' said she. -The regularity and despatch of it! —
简说：“邮局真是一个了不起的机构！它的规律和速度！ —

If one thinks of all that it has to do, and all that it does so well, it is really astonishing!’
如果一个人考虑到所有它所要做的事情，以及它所做的一切，真的是令人惊讶！

It is certainly very well regulated.' <span><tang1>它确实管理得很好。

So seldom that any negligence or blunder appears! --- <span><tang1>几乎没有出现疏忽或错误！ —

So seldom that a letter, among the thousands that are constantly passing about the kingdom, is even carried wrong - and not one in a million, I suppose, actually lost! —
在王国里不停地传递的成千上万封信中，很少有信件被送错 - 我想实际上一百万封信里也才丢失一封！ —

And when one considers the variety of hands, and of bad hands too, that are to be deciphered, it increases the wonder.’
当考虑到需要解读的各种字迹，甚至有糟糕的字迹时，这种情况更加令人惊奇。

The clerks grow expert from habit. - They must begin with some quickness of sight and hand, and exercise improves them. --- <span><tang1>职员们通过习惯变得熟练。 - 他们必须从一开始就有一定的视力和手感，锻炼使他们变得更加娴熟。 —

If you want any farther explanation,’ continued he, smiling, they are paid for it. --- <span><tang1>如果你需要进一步解释，’他笑着说，`他们是为此付费的。 —

That is the key to a great deal of capacity. —
这是很大程度上的关键。 —

The public pays and must be served well.’
公众出钱，自然要得到良好的服务。

The varieties of handwriting were farther talked of, and the usual observations made.
各种字迹进一步讨论，一如往常。

I have heard it asserted,' said John Knightley,that the same sort of handwriting often prevails in a family; —
我听说过，'约翰·奈特利说，在一个家庭中，经常会出现相同类型的字迹； —

and where the same master teaches, it is natural enough. —
并且在同一位教师指导下，这是很自然的。 —

But for that reason, I should imagine the likeness must be chiefly confined to the females, for boys have very little teaching after an early age, and scramble into any hand they can get. —
但因此，我想相似之处主要应该局限于女性，因为男孩在早年后很少有指导，随后随意学习任何样的字迹。 —

Isabella and Emma, I think, do write very much alike. —
伊莎贝拉和爱玛，我觉得，写得非常相似。 —

I have not always known their writing apart.’
我并不总是能分辨出她们的字迹。

Yes,' said his brother hesitatingly,there is a likeness. —
“是的，”他的哥哥犹豫地说，“有几分相似。” —

I know what you mean - but Emma’s hand is the strongest.’
“我知道你在说什么，但是艾玛的字迹最为工整。”

Isabella and Emma both write beautifully,' said Mr. Woodhouse;and always did. —
伍德豪斯先生说：“伊莎贝拉和艾玛都写得漂亮，一直都这样。” —

And so does poor Mrs. Weston’ - with half a sigh and half a smile at her.
“卫斯顿太太也很不错。”带着一半叹息一半微笑说。

`I never saw any gentleman’s handwriting’ - Emma began, looking also at Mrs. Weston; —
“我从未见过绅士的字迹，” 艾玛开始说。她同时看着卫斯顿太太； —

but stopped, on perceiving that Mrs. Weston was attending to some one else - and the pause gave her time to reflect, `Now, how am I going to introduce him? —
但她发现卫斯顿太太正在听别人说话，并停了下来。这个瞬间让她有时间思考，“现在，我该怎么介绍他呢？ —

• Am I unequal to speaking his name at once before all these people? —
  - 我能不能直接在所有人面前说出他的名字？ —
  

Is it necessary for me to use any roundabout phrase? —
我是否需要用含糊其辞的措辞？ —

• Your Yorkshire friend - your correspondent in Yorkshire; —
  - 你在约克郡的朋友 - 你在约克郡的通信者； —

• that would be the way, I suppose, if I were very bad. —
  - 我想这可能是方式，如果我的表现很差的话。 —

• No, I can pronounce his name without the smallest distress. —
  - 不，我可以毫不费力地念出他的名字。 —

I certainly get better and better. - Now for it.’
我确实越来越游刃有余了。- 现在开始吧。”

Mrs. Weston was disengaged and Emma began again - `Mr. Frank Churchill writes one of the best gentleman’s hands I ever saw.’
卫斯顿太太有空了，艾玛重新开始说：“弗兰克·丘吉尔先生写的是我见过最漂亮的绅士字迹之一。”

`I do not admire it,’ said Mr. Knightley. —
“我不欣赏。” 奈特利先生说。 —

`It is too small - wants strength. It is like a woman’s writing.’
“太小了 - 缺乏力度。像女人的字迹一样。”

This was not submitted to by either lady. They vindicated him against the base aspersion. —
两位女士都没有屈服。她们为他辩护，反驳了那不堪的指责。 —

`No, it by no means wanted strength - it was not a large hand, but very clear and certainly strong. —
“不，它绝对不缺乏力量 - 它并不是一只大手，但非常清晰，当然有力量。” —

Had not Mrs. Weston any letter about her to produce?’ —
韦斯顿夫人有没有带着他的信在身边？ —

No, she had heard from him very lately, but having answered the letter, had put it away.
没有，她最近收到过他的来信，但回复后就把信放到一边了。

If we were in the other room,' said Emma,if I had my writing-desk, I am sure I could produce a specimen. —
“如果我们在另一个房间，”艾玛说，“如果我有我的写字台，我肯定能展示一个样本。” —

I have a note of his. - Do not you remember, Mrs. Weston, employing him to write for you one day?’
我有他的一封便条。- 你不记得吗，韦斯顿夫人，有一天让他帮你写信吗？

`He chose to say he was employed’ -
“他选择说他受雇于” -

`Well, well, I have that note; and can shew it after dinner to convince Mr. Knightley.’
“好了，好了，我有那封信；晚饭后可以展示给坎特利先生看看。”

Oh! when a gallant young man, like Mr. Frank Churchill,' said Mr. Knightley dryly,writes to a fair lady like Miss Woodhouse, he will, of course, put forth his best.’
“哦！当像富兰克·邱吉尔这样的绅士年轻人写信给像伍德豪斯小姐这样的美丽女士时，他当然会发挥出最好的。”

Dinner was on table. - Mrs. Elton, before she could be spoken to, was ready; —
餐桌已备好。埃尔顿夫人在还没被搭话之前就已经准备好了； —

and before Mr. Woodhouse had reached her with his request to be allowed to hand her into the dining-parlour, was saying -
在伍德豪斯先生走过去请示能否搀扶她进餐厅之前，她就说着 -

`Must I go first? I really am ashamed of always leading the way.’
“我必须先走吗？我真的很羞于一直走在最前面。”

Jane’s solicitude about fetching her own letters had not escaped Emma. She had heard and seen it all; and felt some curiosity to know whether the wet walk of this morning had produced any. —
简关于自己去拿信的关切并没有逃过艾玛的注意。她听到并看到了所有这一切；并有些好奇是否今天早上的湿漫步带来了一些结果。 —

She suspected that it had; that it would not have been so resolutely encountered but in full expectation of hearing from some one very dear, and that it had not been in vain. —
她怀疑肯定有结果；否则今早是不会如此坚决地迎难而上的，除非是满怀对某个非常亲爱的人来信的期待，而这样的期待并不会白费。 —

She thought there was an air of greater happiness than usual - a glow both of complexion and spirits.
她觉得比平时更加幸福，肤色和精神都带着一种亮丽的光芒。

She could have made an inquiry or two, as to the expedition and the expense of the Irish mails; —
她本可以稍微询问一下，关于爱尔兰邮件的远征和费用； —

• it was at her tongue’s end - but she abstained. —
  - 她几乎要开口了 - 但她克制住了。 —
  

She was quite determined not to utter a word that should hurt Jane Fairfax’s feelings; —
她决心不说一句会伤害简·费尔法克斯感情的话； —

and they followed the other ladies out of the room, arm in arm, with an appearance of good-will highly becoming to the beauty and grace of each.
于是她们肩并肩地跟着其他女士们走出房间，表现出互相的好意，与她们各自的美丽和优雅相称。