No sooner had Villefort left the salon, than he assumed the grave air of a man who holds the balance of life and death in his hands. —
维尔福刚离开沙龙不久，就展示出了一个掌握生死天平的人严肃的神态。 —

Now, in spite of the nobility of his countenance, the command of which, like a finished actor, he had carefully studied before the glass, it was by no means easy for him to assume an air of judicial severity. —
尽管他的容貌威严高贵，像一个经过仔细琢磨的演员在镜子前练习后一样自然，但是要让他呈现出一种审判的严肃气氛并不容易。 —

Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be. —
除了父亲选择的政治路线会干扰他的个人发展，必须极为谨慎行事外，杰拉尔·德·维尔福过得非常幸福。 —

Already rich, he held a high official situation, though only twenty-seven. —
他已经相当富有，并担任了一份高级官职，尽管他只有二十七岁。 —

He was about to marry a young and charming woman, whom he loved, not passionately, but reasonably, as became a deputy attorney of the king; —
他即将和一位年轻迷人的女人结婚，他对她的感情不是热烈的，而是理智的，符合一个代理检察官的身份； —

and besides her personal attractions, which were very great, Mademoiselle de Saint-Méran’s family possessed considerable political influence, which they would, of course, exert in his favor. —
除了她本人的吸引力非常大之外，圣梅兰小姐的家族还拥有相当大的政治影响力，他们当然会为了他而施展影响力。 —

The dowry of his wife amounted to fifty thousand crowns, and he had, besides, the prospect of seeing her fortune increased to half a million at her father’s death. —
他妻子的嫁妆达到了五万金币，并且他还有机会在岳父去世后，看到她的财产增加到五十万金币。 —

These considerations naturally gave Villefort a feeling of such complete felicity that his mind was fairly dazzled in its contemplation.
这些考虑自然使维尔福感到如此幸福，以至于他的头脑在沉思中完全被迷住了。

At the door he met the commissary of police, who was waiting for him. —
在门口他碰到了正在等他的警察局长。 —

The sight of this officer recalled Villefort from the third heaven to earth; —
看到这名官员，维尔福从天堂回到了尘世； —

he composed his face, as we have before described, and said, “I have read the letter, sir, and you have acted rightly in arresting this man; —
他像我们之前所描述的那样安静下来，说：“先生，我已经看过那封信了，你拘捕了这个人是正确的； —

now inform me what you have discovered concerning him and the conspiracy.”
现在告诉我，你们对他和这场阴谋有什么发现。”

“We know nothing as yet of the conspiracy, monsieur; —
“目前我们对阴谋一无所知，先生； —

all the papers found have been sealed up and placed on your desk. —
所有找到的文件都已经封存，并且放在你的办公桌上了。 —

The prisoner himself is named Edmond Dantès, mate on board the three-master the Pharaon, trading in cotton with Alexandria and Smyrna, and belonging to Morrel & Son, of Marseilles.”
被拘留的人名叫埃德蒙·唐泰斯，是三桅帆船“法老号”的副船长，主要贸易对象是亚历山大和斯米尔纳的棉花，船属于马赛的莫勒尔父子公司。”

“Before he entered the merchant service, had he ever served in the marines?”
「他进入商船之前，他曾经在海军服役过吗？」

“Oh, no, monsieur, he is very young.”
「哦，不，先生，他还太年轻了。」

“How old?”
「多大年纪？」

“Nineteen or twenty at the most.”
「最多19或20岁。」

At this moment, and as Villefort had arrived at the corner of the Rue des Conseils, a man, who seemed to have been waiting for him, approached; it was M. Morrel.
就在这时，当维尔福抵达康塞伊街的拐角处时，一个看起来一直在等待他的男人走了过来，那个人就是莫雷尔先生。

“Ah, M. de Villefort,” cried he, “I am delighted to see you. —
「啊，维尔福先生，」他喊道，「见到你我很高兴。」 —

Some of your people have committed the strangest mistake—they have just arrested Edmond Dantès, mate of my vessel.”
「你的人犯下了最奇怪的错误——他们刚刚逮捕了我的船员埃德蒙·唐泰斯。」

“I know it, monsieur,” replied Villefort, “and I am now going to examine him.”
「我知道，先生，」维尔福回答道，「我现在正要审问他。」

“Oh,” said Morrel, carried away by his friendship, “you do not know him, and I do. —
「哦，」莫雷尔被友情激动了起来，「你不认识他，但我认识。」 —

He is the most estimable, the most trustworthy creature in the world, and I will venture to say, there is not a better seaman in all the merchant service. —
「他是世界上最值得尊敬、最可靠的人，我敢说，在所有商船中没有一名更出色的海员了。」 —

Oh, M. de Villefort, I beseech your indulgence for him.”
「哦，维尔福先生，我请求您对他宽容一些。」

Villefort, as we have seen, belonged to the aristocratic party at Marseilles, Morrel to the plebeian; —
我们已经看到，维尔福属于马赛的贵族派系，莫雷尔属于平民派系； —

the first was a royalist, the other suspected of Bonapartism. —
前者是王党派，而后者则被怀疑支持波拿巴主义。 —

Villefort looked disdainfully at Morrel, and replied coldly:
维尔福不屑地看着莫雷尔，冷冷地回答道：

“You are aware, monsieur, that a man may be estimable and trustworthy in private life, and the best seaman in the merchant service, and yet be, politically speaking, a great criminal. Is it not true?”
“先生，您应该知道，一个人在私人生活中可能是可贵而值得信任的，也可能是商船服务中最好的水手，但在政治上却是个大罪犯。这是不是真的？”

The magistrate laid emphasis on these words, as if he wished to apply them to the owner himself, while his eyes seemed to plunge into the heart of one who, interceding for another, had himself need of indulgence. —
法官在这些话上加重语气，似乎他希望把它们应用在提出请求却自己也需要宽容的人身上。 —

Morrel reddened, for his own conscience was not quite clear on politics; —
莫雷尔脸红了，因为他自己对政治问题并不完全清楚； —

besides, what Dantès had told him of his interview with the grand-marshal, and what the emperor had said to him, embarrassed him. —
此外，丹特所告诉他关于他与大元帅的会谈以及皇帝对他所说的话使他感到尴尬。 —

He replied, however, in a tone of deep interest:
然而，他用深感兴趣的口吻回答道:

“I entreat you, M. de Villefort, be, as you always are, kind and equitable, and give him back to us soon. —
“请你，维勒福先生，像你一贯地善良和公正，尽快将他还给我们。” —

” This give us sounded revolutionary in the deputy’s ears.
这个“还给我们”在代表的耳朵里听起来有些革命味道。

“Ah, ah,” murmured he, “is Dantès then a member of some Carbonari society, that his protector thus employs the collective form? —
“啊，啊，”他嘀咕道，“难道唐泰斯是某个卡波拉党派的成员，以致他的护卫采用了集体形式？“ —

He was, if I recollect, arrested in a tavern, in company with a great many others. —
他是在一个酒馆里被逮捕的，当时还有很多其他人。 —

” Then he added, “Monsieur, you may rest assured I shall perform my duty impartially, and that if he be innocent you shall not have appealed to me in vain; —
“然后他补充道，“先生，你可以放心，我将公正地履行我的职责，如果他是无辜的，那你向我求援就不会是徒劳的； —

should he, however, be guilty, in this present epoch, impunity would furnish a dangerous example, and I must do my duty.”
然而，如果他在这个特定时期有罪，免罪将成为一个危险的榜样，我必须尽我的职责。”

As he had now arrived at the door of his own house, which adjoined the Palais de Justice, he entered, after having, coldly saluted the shipowner, who stood, as if petrified, on the spot where Villefort had left him. —
当他走到自己的房门口时，该门与法院相连，他冷冷地向那位船主致意后进入了房内，而船主像个石化的人一样站在维勒福离开的地方。 —

The antechamber was full of police agents and gendarmes, in the midst of whom, carefully watched, but calm and smiling, stood the prisoner. —
接待室里挤满了警察和宪兵，围在其中的囚犯被仔细监视，但却保持冷静而微笑的态度。 —

Villefort traversed the antechamber, cast a side glance at Dantès, and taking a packet which a gendarme offered him, disappeared, saying, “Bring in the prisoner.”
维尔福穿过接待室，瞥了达恩泰斯一眼，接过一个宪兵递给他的包裹，然后消失了。“带来囚犯。”

Rapid as had been Villefort’s glance, it had served to give him an idea of the man he was about to interrogate. —
尽管维尔福的目光很快，但足以让他对即将审问的人有了一个印象。 —

He had recognized intelligence in the high forehead, courage in the dark eye and bent brow, and frankness in the thick lips that showed a set of pearly teeth. —
他在高额头上看到了聪明，暗淡的眼神和弯曲的眉毛上看到了勇气，浓厚的嘴唇上看到了坦率，露出一排珍珠般的牙齿。 —

Villefort’s first impression was favorable; —
维尔福对此留下了良好的第一印象。 —

but he had been so often warned to mistrust first impulses, that he applied the maxim to the impression, forgetting the difference between the two words. —
但他被反复告诫要警惕第一印象，对这一印象产生了怀疑，忘记了两个词之间的区别。 —

He stifled, therefore, the feelings of compassion that were rising, composed his features, and sat down, grim and sombre, at his desk. —
因此，他压制住正在上涌的同情之情，保持面容冷峻而阴沉地坐在他的桌前。 —

An instant after Dantès entered. He was pale, but calm and collected, and saluting his judge with easy politeness, looked round for a seat, as if he had been in M. Morrel’s salon. —
当达亨特进来的瞬间，他脸色苍白，但保持着冷静和镇定，向法官致意时表现得彬彬有礼，看起来就像是在莫雷尔先生的客厅里一样。 —

It was then that he encountered for the first time Villefort’s look, —that look peculiar to the magistrate, who, while seeming to read the thoughts of others, betrays nothing of his own.
就在那时，他第一次遇到了维尔福特的目光——那种特有于法官的目光，他似乎能读懂他人的想法，却一丝不露自己的内心。

“Who and what are you?” demanded Villefort, turning over a pile of papers, containing information relative to the prisoner, that a police agent had given to him on his entry, and that, already, in an hour’s time, had swelled to voluminous proportions, thanks to the corrupt espionage of which “the accused” is always made the victim.
“你是谁？你是干什么的？”维尔福特问道，他在说话的同时翻阅着一摞纸张，这些纸张上都是有关被告的信息，是一个警察特工在他进来时交给他的，而在不到一个小时的时间里，这些纸张已经变得庞大起来，多亏了对“被告”始终进行的腐败监视。

“My name is Edmond Dantès,” replied the young man calmly; —
“我的名字是埃德蒙·达亨特，”年轻人平静地回答道； —

“I am mate of the Pharaon, belonging to Messrs. Morrel & Son.”
“我是莫雷尔父子公司的费拉翁号的副船长。”

“Your age?” continued Villefort.
“你多大年纪？”维尔福特继续问道。

“Nineteen,” returned Dantès.
“十九岁，”达亨特回答道。

“What were you doing at the moment you were arrested?”
“你被逮捕的时候在做什么？”

“I was at the festival of my marriage, monsieur,” said the young man, his voice slightly tremulous, so great was the contrast between that happy moment and the painful ceremony he was now undergoing; —
“先生，我当时正在我的婚礼庆典上。”年轻人说道，声音微微颤抖，因为他正在经历幸福时刻和痛苦仪式之间的巨大反差； —

so great was the contrast between the sombre aspect of M. de Villefort and the radiant face of Mercédès.
如此之大的反差，德维尔福先生的阴沉面容和梅尔塞德斯灿烂的笑脸形成了鲜明对比。

“You were at the festival of your marriage?” said the deputy, shuddering in spite of himself.
“你当时在你的婚礼庆典上？”代理人说道，不由自主地打了个寒颤。

“Yes, monsieur; I am on the point of marrying a young girl I have been attached to for three years. —
“是的，先生，我即将与一个我已经爱了三年的年轻女子结婚。” —

” Villefort, impassive as he was, was struck with this coincidence; —
尽管德维尔福一如既往地面无表情，但这个巧合打动了他； —

and the tremulous voice of Dantès, surprised in the midst of his happiness, struck a sympathetic chord in his own bosom—he also was on the point of being married, and he was summoned from his own happiness to destroy that of another. —
当在他自己的幸福中被召唤出来摧毁别人的幸福时，达尔汀斯颤抖的声音，在他心中引起了共鸣。他自己也正要结婚。 —

“This philosophic reflection,” thought he, “will make a great sensation at M. de Saint-Méran’s; —
“这种哲学思考，”他想，“一定会在圣梅朗先生那里引起巨大轰动。” —

” and he arranged mentally, while Dantès awaited further questions, the antithesis by which orators often create a reputation for eloquence. —
“在达恩泰斯等待进一步问题时，他在心中安排了演说家常常用来赢得辩才名声的对立关系。 —

When this speech was arranged, Villefort turned to Dantès.
当这篇演讲准备好后，维尔福转向达恩泰斯。

“Go on, sir,” said he.
“请继续，先生，”他说道。

“What would you have me say?”
“你希望我说什么？”

“Give all the information in your power.”
“提供你所能提供的所有信息。”

“Tell me on which point you desire information, and I will tell all I know; —
“告诉我你希望了解哪个方面的信息，我会告诉你我所知道的一切； —

only,” added he, with a smile, “I warn you I know very little.”
只是，”他微笑着补充道，“我提醒你我知道的很少。”

“Have you served under the usurper?”
“你曾在篡位者统治下服役吗？”

“I was about to be mustered into the Royal Marines when he fell.”
“我正准备加入皇家海军陆战队，他就倒台了。”

“It is reported your political opinions are extreme,” said Villefort, who had never heard anything of the kind, but was not sorry to make this inquiry, as if it were an accusation.
“据报道，你的政治观点非常极端”，维尔福特说道，他从未听说过这样的事情，但对于这个问题，他不介意进行询问，好像这是一项指控。

“My political opinions!” replied Dantès. “Alas, sir, I never had any opinions. —
“我的政治观点！”唐泰斯回答道。“唉，先生，我从来没有任何观点。 —

I am hardly nineteen; I know nothing; I have no part to play. —
我还不到19岁；我什么也不懂；我没有什么角色要扮演。 —

If I obtain the situation I desire, I shall owe it to M. Morrel. —
如果我获得我所期望的职位，那将归功于莫雷尔先生。 —

Thus all my opinions—I will not say public, but private—are confined to these three sentiments, —I love my father, I respect M. Morrel, and I adore Mercédès. —
因此，我所有的观点——我不想说公开的，而是私人的——都限于这三个情感——我爱我父亲，我尊重莫雷尔先生，我崇拜梅尔塞德斯。 —

This, sir, is all I can tell you, and you see how uninteresting it is. —
这就是，先生，我能告诉你的一切，你可以看到它是多么无趣。 —

” As Dantès spoke, Villefort gazed at his ingenuous and open countenance, and recollected the words of Renée, who, without knowing who the culprit was, had besought his indulgence for him. —
当唐泰斯说话时，维尔福特凝视着他朴实无华、坦率的面容，回想起了雷内的话，雷内在不知道罪犯是谁的情况下，曾恳求他对他的宽容。 —

With the deputy’s knowledge of crime and criminals, every word the young man uttered convinced him more and more of his innocence. —
副县长对犯罪和罪犯有着丰富的知识，年轻人说的每个字都让他更加相信他的清白。 —

This lad, for he was scarcely a man,—simple, natural, eloquent with that eloquence of the heart never found when sought for; —
这个小伙子几乎还不算是个男人，朴实、自然、用那种不经索取就能拥有的心灵辞藻演讲。 —

full of affection for everybody, because he was happy, and because happiness renders even the wicked good—extended his affection even to his judge, spite of Villefort’s severe look and stern accent. —
他对每个人都充满了爱，因为他很幸福，而幸福使得邪恶的人们也变得善良，他甚至对他的法官充满了爱，尽管维尔福特的眼神严厉，口气严峻。 —

Dantès seemed full of kindness.
达尔特斯仿佛充满着善意。

“Pardieu!” said Villefort, “he is a noble fellow. —
“当然！”维尔福特说，“他是个高贵的人。 —

I hope I shall gain Renée’s favor easily by obeying the first command she ever imposed on me. —
我希望通过遵守伦纳的第一个命令，我能轻易获得她的青睐。 —

I shall have at least a pressure of the hand in public, and a sweet kiss in private. —
至少在公共场合，我会得到她的握手，而在私下里，我会得到一个甜蜜的吻。 —

” Full of this idea, Villefort’s face became so joyous, that when he turned to Dantès, the latter, who had watched the change on his physiognomy, was smiling also.
充满了这个想法，维尔福特的脸上变得如此喜悦，以至于当他转向达尔特斯时，后者注意到了他脸上的变化，也微笑着。

“Sir,” said Villefort, “have you any enemies, at least, that you know.”
“先生，”维尔福特说道，“您有任何敌人，至少是您所知道的。”

“I have enemies?” replied Dantès; “my position is not sufficiently elevated for that. —
“我有敌人？”但唐泰斯回答道，“我的地位还不够高。” —

As for my disposition, that is, perhaps, somewhat too hasty; but I have striven to repress it. —
至于我的脾气，或许有点急躁；但我一直努力保持克制。 —

I have had ten or twelve sailors under me, and if you question them, they will tell you that they love and respect me, not as a father, for I am too young, but as an elder brother.”
我曾有十二名水手在我麾下，如果你问问他们，他们会告诉你，他们爱戴我并尊敬我，不是作为父亲，因为我还太年轻，而是作为哥哥。

“But you may have excited jealousy. You are about to become captain at nineteen—an elevated post; —
“但你可能引起了嫉妒。你将在19岁时成为船长，一个高职位； —

you are about to marry a pretty girl, who loves you; —
你将娶一个漂亮的女孩，她爱你； —

and these two pieces of good fortune may have excited the envy of someone.”
这两件幸事可能引起了某人的嫉妒。”

“You are right; you know men better than I do, and what you say may possibly be the case, I confess; —
“你说得对；你比我更了解人心，你说的可能是真的，我承认； —

but if such persons are among my acquaintances I prefer not to know it, because then I should be forced to hate them.”
但如果这些人是我的熟人，我宁愿不知道，因为那样我就不得不恨他们。”

“You are wrong; you should always strive to see clearly around you. —
“你错了；你应该时刻努力看清周围的一切。 —

You seem a worthy young man; —
你似乎是个值得尊敬的年轻人； —

I will depart from the strict line of my duty to aid you in discovering the author of this accusation. —
我将违背我严格的职责，帮助你找出这个指控的作者。 —

Here is the paper; do you know the writing? —
这是一张纸，你认识这个字迹吗？ —

” As he spoke, Villefort drew the letter from his pocket, and presented it to Dantès. —
“说着，维尔福从口袋里掏出信件，递给但丁。 —

Dantès read it. A cloud passed over his brow as he said:
但丁读了它。他的眉头阴沉下来，他说道：

“No, monsieur, I do not know the writing, and yet it is tolerably plain. —
“不，先生，我不认识这字迹，不过还是相当清晰。 —

Whoever did it writes well. I am very fortunate,” added he, looking gratefully at Villefort, “to be examined by such a man as you; —
无论是谁写的，写得相当好。我很幸运，“他感激地看着维尔福说，“能够被像你这样的人审问； —

for this envious person is a real enemy. —
因为这个嫉妒的人是个真正的敌人。 —

” And by the rapid glance that the young man’s eyes shot forth, Villefort saw how much energy lay hid beneath this mildness.
”年轻人眼中那迅疾的目光使维尔福看出，在这温和之下隐藏着多少能量。

“Now,” said the deputy, “answer me frankly, not as a prisoner to a judge, but as one man to another who takes an interest in him, what truth is there in the accusation contained in this anonymous letter? —
“现在，”代理人说，“坦率地回答我，不是作为一个囚犯对法官，而是作为一个对他产生兴趣的人对另一个人的回答，这封匿名信中的指控有多少真实性？ —

” And Villefort threw disdainfully on his desk the letter Dantès had just given back to him.
”维尔福不屑地把但丁刚刚还给他的信丢在桌上。

“None at all. I will tell you the real facts. —
“完全没有。我会告诉你真实的事实。 —

I swear by my honor as a sailor, by my love for Mercédès, by the life of my father——”
我以一个水手的尊严发誓，以我对梅赛德斯的爱发誓，以我父亲的生命发誓——”

“Speak, monsieur,” said Villefort. Then, internally, “If Renée could see me, I hope she would be satisfied, and would no longer call me a decapitator.”
“说吧，先生，”维尔福说。然后内心想道，“如果Renée能看到我，我希望她满意了，不再称呼我为一个斩首者。”

“Well, when we quitted Naples, Captain Leclere was attacked with a brain fever. —
“好吧，当我们离开那不勒斯时，莱克莱尔船长得了脑热。 —

As we had no doctor on board, and he was so anxious to arrive at Elba, that he would not touch at any other port, his disorder rose to such a height, that at the end of the third day, feeling he was dying, he called me to him. —
因为我们船上没有医生，而他急着要到厄尔巴岛，不愿停靠其他港口，他的病情恶化到第三天结束时，感到自己快要死了，他叫我过去。 —

‘My dear Dantès,’ said he, ‘swear to perform what I am going to tell you, for it is a matter of the deepest importance.’
‘我亲爱的唐泰斯，’他说，‘发誓要执行我即将告诉你的事情，因为这是至关重要的事情。”

“‘I swear, captain,’ replied I.
“‘船长，我发誓，’我回答道。

“‘Well, as after my death the command devolves on you as mate, assume the command, and bear up for the Island of Elba, disembark at Porto-Ferrajo, ask for the grand-marshal, give him this letter—perhaps they will give you another letter, and charge you with a commission. —
“‘嗯，由于我去世后，指挥权将转交给你作为副官，你要承担指挥责任，驶向埃尔巴岛，在波尔图费拉约登陆，去找总参谋长，给他这封信——也许他们还会给你另一封信，并交付给你一个任务。 —

You will accomplish what I was to have done, and derive all the honor and profit from it.’
你将完成原本我应该做的事情，并从中获得所有的荣誉和利益。’

“‘I will do it, captain; but perhaps I shall not be admitted to the grand-marshal’s presence as easily as you expect?’
“‘船长，我会去做的，但也许我不会像你期望的那样容易进入总参谋长的面前？’

“‘Here is a ring that will obtain audience of him, and remove every difficulty,’ said the captain. —
“‘这是一枚可以让你见到他并解决一切困难的戒指，’船长说道。 —

At these words he gave me a ring. It was time—two hours after he was delirious; —
说完这些话后，他将一个戒指交给了我。正好，两小时后他就开始狂言乱语； —

the next day he died.”
第二天，他就去世了。”

“And what did you do then?”
“那你接下来做了什么？”

“What I ought to have done, and what everyone would have done in my place. —
“我做了我应该做的，也是每个人在我位置上都会做的事。 —

Everywhere the last requests of a dying man are sacred; —
在任何地方，一个垂死人的遗愿都是神圣的； —

but with a sailor the last requests of his superior are commands. —
但对于一个水手来说，上级的遗愿就是命令。” —

I sailed for the Island of Elba, where I arrived the next day; —
我航行到了厄尔巴岛，在第二天抵达； —

I ordered everybody to remain on board, and went on shore alone. —
我命令大家都待在船上，独自上岸了。 —

As I had expected, I found some difficulty in obtaining access to the grand-marshal; —
正如我预料的，我在见到大帅之前遇到了一些困难； —

but I sent the ring I had received from the captain to him, and was instantly admitted. —
但是我把船长给我的戒指送给了他，立刻就被允许进去了。 —

He questioned me concerning Captain Leclere’s death; —
他询问我关于勒克莱尔船长的死因； —

and, as the latter had told me, gave me a letter to carry on to a person in Paris. I undertook it because it was what my captain had bade me do. —
和我船长告诉我的一样，他给了我一封信要带给巴黎某个人。我接受了这个任务，因为这是我船长吩咐我的。 —

I landed here, regulated the affairs of the vessel, and hastened to visit my affianced bride, whom I found more lovely than ever. —
我在这里登陆了，整理好船上的事情，赶紧去看望我未婚妻，她比以往任何时候都更美丽。 —

Thanks to M. Morrel, all the forms were got over; —
多亏了莫雷尔先生，一切手续都办妥了； —

in a word I was, as I told you, at my marriage feast; —
总之，正如我告诉过你的那样，我正在举行婚宴； —

and I should have been married in an hour, and tomorrow I intended to start for Paris, had I not been arrested on this charge which you as well as I now see to be unjust.”
如果不是因为被以你我都认为是不公正的罪名逮捕，我将在一个小时内结婚，明天我本来打算去巴黎。

“Ah,” said Villefort, “this seems to me the truth. —
“啊”，维尔福说，“这对我来说似乎是真的。” —

If you have been culpable, it was imprudence, and this imprudence was in obedience to the orders of your captain. —
如果你有罪责，那是因为不谨慎，而这种不谨慎是为了服从你的上级的命令。 —

Give up this letter you have brought from Elba, and pass your word you will appear should you be required, and go and rejoin your friends.
放下你从埃尔巴岛带来的信，保证你会在需要的时候露面，并和你的朋友们会合。

“I am free, then, sir?” cried Dantès joyfully.
“那么，先生，我自由了？”邓蒂欢呼道。

“Yes; but first give me this letter.”
“是的，但是请先把这封信给我。”

“You have it already, for it was taken from me with some others which I see in that packet.”
“你已经有了，因为它连同其他信件一起被拿走了，我看到它们在那个包裹里。”

“Stop a moment,” said the deputy, as Dantès took his hat and gloves. —
“等一下，”代表说，当邓蒂戴上帽子和手套时。 —

“To whom is it addressed?”
“它写给谁的？”

“To Monsieur Noirtier, Rue Coq-Héron, Paris.” Had a thunderbolt fallen into the room, Villefort could not have been more stupefied. —
“写给巷子鸡鹤路13号的诺提尔先生。”维尔福突然间变得更加茫然，仿佛一道霹雳劈中了房间。 —

He sank into his seat, and hastily turning over the packet, drew forth the fatal letter, at which he glanced with an expression of terror.
他坐回座位，匆忙地翻看着包裹，拿出那封致命的信，他目光惊恐地瞥了一眼。

“M. Noirtier, Rue Coq-Héron, No. 13,” murmured he, growing still paler.
“鸡鹤路13号的诺提尔先生，”他喃喃道，变得更加苍白。

“Yes,” said Dantès; “do you know him?”
“是的，”邓蒂说，“你认识他吗？”

“No,” replied Villefort; “a faithful servant of the king does not know conspirators.”
“不，”维勒福回答道，“国王的忠诚仆人不会知道谋反者。”

“It is a conspiracy, then?” asked Dantès, who after believing himself free, now began to feel a tenfold alarm. —
“那么这是一场阴谋？”但坦斯问道，之前他以为自己已经自由了，现在却感到十倍的惊慌。 —

“I have, however, already told you, sir, I was entirely ignorant of the contents of the letter.”
“然而，先生，我已经告诉过你，我完全不知道信的内容。”

“Yes; but you knew the name of the person to whom it was addressed,” said Villefort.
“是的，但你知道它寄给了谁。”维勒福说。

“I was forced to read the address to know to whom to give it.”
“我被迫读取地址以知道该给谁。”

“Have you shown this letter to anyone?” asked Villefort, becoming still more pale.
“你给其他人看过这封信吗？”维勒福问道，脸色变得更加苍白。

“To no one, on my honor.”
“你把这封信给别人看过吗？”维勒福问道，脸色变得更苍白了。

“Everybody is ignorant that you are the bearer of a letter from the Island of Elba, and addressed to M. Noirtier?”
“对不起，我向你发誓没有给任何人看过。”

“Everybody, except the person who gave it to me.”
“除了给我这封信的人之外，每个人都不知道你是从埃尔巴岛带来的一封信，寄给了诺提尔先生？”

“And that was too much, far too much,” murmured Villefort. —
“每个人都不知道，除了给我信的那个人。” —

Villefort’s brow darkened more and more, his white lips and clenched teeth filled Dantès with apprehension. —
“这已经太多了，远远太多了。”维勒福嘀咕道。 —

After reading the letter, Villefort covered his face with his hands.
维勒福的眉头越来越阴沉，他白色的嘴唇和紧咬的牙齿让但坦斯感到不安。

“Oh,” said Dantès timidly, “what is the matter? —
“哦，”旦底乌害羞地说，“发生了什么事？ —

” Villefort made no answer, but raised his head at the expiration of a few seconds, and again perused the letter.
“维尔福没有回答，但过了几秒钟，他抬起头，再次阅读那封信。

“And you say that you are ignorant of the contents of this letter?”
“你说你对这封信的内容一无所知？”

“I give you my word of honor, sir,” said Dantès; “but what is the matter? —
“先生，我向您保证，”旦底乌说，“但是出了什么事？” —

You are ill—shall I ring for assistance?—shall I call?”
“你病了吗？我要不要按铃寻求帮助？我要不要叫人？”

“No,” said Villefort, rising hastily; “stay where you are. —
“不，”维尔福匆匆站起来，“你在这里待着。 —

It is for me to give orders here, and not you.”
在这里由我下命令，而不是你。”

“Monsieur,” replied Dantès proudly, “it was only to summon assistance for you.”
“先生，”旦底乌傲然回答，“我只是为了召唤帮助而已。”

“I want none; it was a temporary indisposition. Attend to yourself; answer me. —
“我不需要，这只是暂时的不适。关心自己;回答我。” —

” Dantès waited, expecting a question, but in vain. —
旦底乌等着，期望着一个问题，但是徒劳无果。 —

Villefort fell back on his chair, passed his hand over his brow, moist with perspiration, and, for the third time, read the letter.
维尔福退回到椅子上，用手抚摸着满是汗水的额头，第三次阅读那封信。

“Oh, if he knows the contents of this!” murmured he, “and that Noirtier is the father of Villefort, I am lost! —
“哦，如果他知道这封信的内容！”他喃喃自语，“诺堤尔是维尔福的父亲，我就完蛋了！ —

” And he fixed his eyes upon Edmond as if he would have penetrated his thoughts.
他紧盯着爱德蒙，仿佛要洞悉他的思绪。

“Oh, it is impossible to doubt it,” cried he, suddenly.
“噢，这是不容置疑的，”他突然喊道。

“In heaven’s name!” cried the unhappy young man, “if you doubt me, question me; —
“天啊！”不幸的年轻人喊道，“如果你怀疑我，就质问我吧； —

I will answer you.” Villefort made a violent effort, and in a tone he strove to render firm:
我会回答你的。”维尔福竭力使自己镇定下来，用一种他努力让其坚定的语调说道：

“Sir,” said he, “I am no longer able, as I had hoped, to restore you immediately to liberty; —
“先生，”他说，“我不能如我本来希望的那样立即将你释放； —

before doing so, I must consult the trial justice; —
在这之前，我必须咨询审判法官； —

what my own feeling is you already know.”
你已经知道我的真实感情。”

“Oh, monsieur,” cried Dantès, “you have been rather a friend than a judge.”
“哦，先生，”但丁喊道，“你一直是我的朋友，而不是我的法官。”

“Well, I must detain you some time longer, but I will strive to make it as short as possible. —
“嗯，我必须再拘留你一段时间，但我会尽量缩短这段时间。 —

The principal charge against you is this letter, and you see——” Villefort approached the fire, cast it in, and waited until it was entirely consumed.
对你主要的指控就是这封信，你看——”维尔福走近火炉，将信投进去，等待它完全燃烧。

“You see, I destroy it?”
“你看，我毁了它？”

“Oh,” exclaimed Dantès, “you are goodness itself.”
“哦，”但丁惊呼道，“你真是善良至极。”

“Listen,” continued Villefort; “you can now have confidence in me after what I have done.”
“听着，”维尔福继续说道，“在我所做的事之后，你现在可以对我有信心。”

“Oh, command, and I will obey.”
“哦，下命令吧，我会服从。”

“Listen; this is not a command, but advice I give you.”
“听着，这不是一条命令，而是我给你的建议。”

“Speak, and I will follow your advice.”
“说吧，我会听从你的建议。”

“I shall detain you until this evening in the Palais de Justice. —
“我将会把你拘留到今晚在司法宫里。 —

Should anyone else interrogate you, say to him what you have said to me, but do not breathe a word of this letter.”
如果还有其他人来询问你，告诉他们你对我说的话，但不要透露这封信的事情。”

“I promise.” It was Villefort who seemed to entreat, and the prisoner who reassured him.
“我保证。”似乎是维尔福恳求，而囚犯则安抚了他。

“You see,” continued he, glancing toward the grate, where fragments of burnt paper fluttered in the flames, “the letter is destroyed; —
“你看，”他继续说道，向着炉子里飘动的烧焦纸碎片瞥了一眼，“这封信被销毁了； —

you and I alone know of its existence; should you, therefore, be questioned, deny all knowledge of it—deny it boldly, and you are saved.”
只有你和我知道它的存在；因此，如果你受到询问，绝对否认知道它——大胆地否认，你就会被救赎。”

“Be satisfied; I will deny it.”
“放心，我会否认的。”

“It was the only letter you had?”
“那是你唯一的一封信吗？”

“It was.”
“是的。”

“Swear it.”
“发誓。”

“I swear it.”
“我发誓。”

Villefort rang. A police agent entered. Villefort whispered some words in his ear, to which the officer replied by a motion of his head.
维尔福特低声喊了一声。一个警察进来了，维尔福特对他耳语了几句话，警察点了点头回应。

“Follow him,” said Villefort to Dantès. Dantès saluted Villefort and retired. —
“跟着他去吧，”维尔福特对但泰斯说。但泰斯向维尔福特敬礼后离开了。 —

Hardly had the door closed when Villefort threw himself half-fainting into a chair.
门刚关上，维尔福特便倒在椅子上，半昏迷状态。

“Alas, alas,” murmured he, “if the procureur himself had been at Marseilles I should have been ruined. —
“唉，唉，”他喃喃自语道，”如果检察官亲自在马赛我就完蛋了。 —

This accursed letter would have destroyed all my hopes. —
这该死的信函会毁掉我所有的希望。 —

Oh, my father, must your past career always interfere with my successes? —
哦，父亲啊，你过去的事业总是妨碍我取得成功吗？ —

” Suddenly a light passed over his face, a smile played round his set mouth, and his haggard eyes were fixed in thought.
“突然，他脸上一道光明闪过，嘴角浮现出一抹微笑，他那病态的眼睛陷入思考。

“This will do,” said he, “and from this letter, which might have ruined me, I will make my fortune. —
“行了，”他说道，” 我将从这封本来会毁灭我的信函中获得成功。 —

Now to the work I have in hand.” And after having assured himself that the prisoner was gone, the deputy procureur hastened to the house of his betrothed.
现在开始我的工作吧。”确认囚犯已经离开后，副检察官匆匆赶往他未婚妻的家。