About two-thirds of the way along the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and in the rear of one of the most imposing mansions in this rich neighborhood, where the various houses vie with each other for elegance of design and magnificence of construction, extended a large garden, where the wide-spreading chestnut-trees raised their heads high above the walls in a solid rampart, and with the coming of every spring scattered a shower of delicate pink and white blossoms into the large stone vases that stood upon the two square pilasters of a curiously wrought iron gate, that dated from the time of Louis XIII.
在法尔堡圣奥诺雷的两三分之处，在这个富裕的街区中最宏伟建筑的后面，有一个巨大的花园，各个房屋都竞相设计优雅、构造壮丽。宽广的马路旁，栗树高耸于墙上，形成了坚固的壁垒。每个春天来临时，他们会在两个方形柱子上的大石花瓶中撒下一阵娇艳的粉白花，这些铁门始建于路易十三时期，随着时间的推移，这个壮丽的入口却逐渐被遗弃。

This noble entrance, however, in spite of its striking appearance and the graceful effect of the geraniums planted in the two vases, as they waved their variegated leaves in the wind and charmed the eye with their scarlet bloom, had fallen into utter disuse. —
尽管这个宏伟的入口给人留下深刻的印象，两个花瓶中点缀的天竺葵在风中摇曳，翠绿的叶子和红红的花朵令人赏心悦目，但它已经完全废弃了。 —

The proprietors of the mansion had many years before thought it best to confine themselves to the possession of the house itself, with its thickly planted courtyard, opening into the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and to the garden shut in by this gate, which formerly communicated with a fine kitchen-garden of about an acre. —
过去多年来，大宅的业主们认为最好将自己的拥有限制在房子本身以及通往圣奥诺雷区的密集种植庭院，以及这个门所围起来的花园，曾经与一英亩大的菜园相连。 —

For the demon of speculation drew a line, or in other words projected a street, at the farther side of the kitchen-garden. —
然而，投机的魔鬼在菜园的另一边勾勒了一条街道，也就是他所谓的界线。 —

The street was laid out, a name was chosen and posted up on an iron plate, but before construction was begun, it occurred to the possessor of the property that a handsome sum might be obtained for the ground then devoted to fruits and vegetables, by building along the line of the proposed street, and so making it a branch of communication with the Faubourg Saint-Honoré itself, one of the most important thoroughfares in the city of Paris.
这条街道已经规划好了，还起了名字并在一块铁牌上张贴出来，但在建设开始之前，房产所有者突然想到，通过沿着这条规划好的街道建筑，把原本用于种水果和蔬菜的土地变成通向圣奥诺雷区的一个分支，从而可以获得一大笔钱，因为圣奥诺雷区是巴黎市最重要的街道之一。

In matters of speculation, however, though “man proposes,” yet “money disposes. —
然而，在投机方面，“人做计划，钱作主张”。 —

” From some such difficulty the newly named street died almost in birth, and the purchaser of the kitchen-garden, having paid a high price for it, and being quite unable to find anyone willing to take his bargain off his hands without a considerable loss, yet still clinging to the belief that at some future day he should obtain a sum for it that would repay him, not only for his past outlay, but also the interest upon the capital locked up in his new acquisition, contented himself with letting the ground temporarily to some market-gardeners, at a yearly rental of 500 francs.
“由于某些困难，这个新命名的街差不多在出生之初就夭折了。购买菜园的人为之付了高昂的价格，却找不到任何愿意以巨大损失从他手中接过这个交易的人。尽管如此，他仍坚信将来某一天他会得到一笔足以偿还他过去投入的资金以及新收购资产锁定的资本进程的金额，所以他满足于暂时将这块地租给了一些菜农，每年租金为500法郎。”

And so, as we have said, the iron gate leading into the kitchen-garden had been closed up and left to the rust, which bade fair before long to eat off its hinges, while to prevent the ignoble glances of the diggers and delvers of the ground from presuming to sully the aristocratic enclosure belonging to the mansion, the gate had been boarded up to a height of six feet. —
正如我们所说，通向菜园的铁门已被关上并被任其生锈，它的铰链很快就会腐蚀。为了防止那些挖掘土地的低贱眼光侵犯属于大厦的贵族围墙，铁门已被封堵至六英尺高处。 —

True, the planks were not so closely adjusted but that a hasty peep might be obtained through their interstices; —
不错，木板之间的间隙并未调整得太紧密，以至于可以通过它们偷偷窥视； —

but the strict decorum and rigid propriety of the inhabitants of the house left no grounds for apprehending that advantage would be taken of that circumstance.
但是，房屋居民之间的严格礼仪和严谨规矩使人们不必担心会被利用这种情况。

Horticulture seemed, however, to have been abandoned in the deserted kitchen-garden; —
然而，废弃的菜园中似乎已经放弃了园艺。 —

and where cabbages, carrots, radishes, peas, and melons had once flourished, a scanty crop of lucern alone bore evidence of its being deemed worthy of cultivation. —
曾经茁壮成长的卷心菜、胡萝卜、红萝卜、豌豆和甜瓜，现在只剩下稀少的苜蓿，这是唯一能证明其值得栽培的证据。 —

A small, low door gave egress from the walled space we have been describing into the projected street, the ground having been abandoned as unproductive by its various renters, and had now fallen so completely in general estimation as to return not even the one-half per cent it had originally paid. —
一个小小的低矮门通向我们刚才描述的围墙空地，由于各个租户都认为此处不值得开发，所以这片土地现在完全不被人们重视，甚至连最初的投资回报率的一半都无法实现。 —

Towards the house the chestnut-trees we have before mentioned rose high above the wall, without in any way affecting the growth of other luxuriant shrubs and flowers that eagerly dressed forward to fill up the vacant spaces, as though asserting their right to enjoy the boon of light and air. —
在房子前面，我们之前提到的栗树高高地耸立在墙上，却丝毫不影响其他蓬勃生长的灌木和花朵的发展，它们迫不及待地向前扩展，填补空缺的空间，仿佛在宣示它们享受光和空气的权利。 —

At one corner, where the foliage became so thick as almost to shut out day, a large stone bench and sundry rustic seats indicated that this sheltered spot was either in general favor or particular use by some inhabitant of the house, which was faintly discernible through the dense mass of verdure that partially concealed it, though situated but a hundred paces off.
在一个角落，树叶变得浓密到几乎遮住了白天，一个大石凳和几个乡村风格的座位表明这个遮蔽的地方要么广受喜爱，要么是房子里某个居住者特别使用的场所，虽然房子只隐约可见，掩藏在部分遮蔽的绿色丛林中，尽管离这里只有一百步远。

Whoever had selected this retired portion of the grounds as the boundary of a walk, or as a place for meditation, was abundantly justified in the choice by the absence of all glare, the cool, refreshing shade, the screen it afforded from the scorching rays of the sun, that found no entrance there even during the burning days of hottest summer, the incessant and melodious warbling of birds, and the entire removal from either the noise of the street or the bustle of the mansion. —
选定这个已经退休的区域作为散步的边界或冥想的地方的人，可以充分证明这个选择的正确性，因为这里没有刺眼的光线，凉爽宜人的阴凉，可以在炎热的夏天中有效遮挡阳光，即使在最热的日子里，阳光也无法进入，这里还有不停的鸟儿欢快的歌唱声，以及远离喧嚣街道和繁忙宅邸的宁静。 —

On the evening of one of the warmest days spring had yet bestowed on the inhabitants of Paris, might be seen negligently thrown upon the stone bench, a book, a parasol, and a work-basket, from which hung a partly embroidered cambric handkerchief, while at a little distance from these articles was a young woman, standing close to the iron gate, endeavoring to discern something on the other side by means of the openings in the planks, —the earnestness of her attitude and the fixed gaze with which she seemed to seek the object of her wishes, proving how much her feelings were interested in the matter.
在巴黎居民们迄今为止最温暖的一天的晚上，可以看到一个书和一把阳伞随意地扔在石头长椅上，还有一个挂着部分绣花卡其布手帕的工作篮子。而离这些物品有一段距离的地方，站着一个年轻女人，紧紧靠在铁门旁，试图通过木板上的缝隙来辨认对方的事物。她专注的姿态和凝视着目标的表情表明她有多么在乎这件事情。

At that instant the little side-gate leading from the waste ground to the street was noiselessly opened, and a tall, powerful young man appeared. —
正在那一瞬间，通往街道的废弃场地的小侧门静静地被打开，一位高大强壮的年轻男子出现了。 —

He was dressed in a common gray blouse and velvet cap, but his carefully arranged hair, beard and moustache, all of the richest and glossiest black, ill accorded with his plebeian attire. —
他穿着普通的灰色罩衫和天鹅绒帽子，但他精心梳理过的黑色头发、胡须和小胡子与他的庸俗着装格格不入。 —

After casting a rapid glance around him, in order to assure himself that he was unobserved, he entered by the small gate, and, carefully closing and securing it after him, proceeded with a hurried step towards the barrier.
他迅速扫视四周，以确保没有人看到他，然后通过小门进入，并小心地关好并锁上门，匆匆快步朝着栅栏走去。

At the sight of him she expected, though probably not in such a costume, the young woman started in terror, and was about to make a hasty retreat. —
当她看到他时，她吓得几乎要逃跑，尽管可能没有料到他会穿这样的服装。 —

But the eye of love had already seen, even through the narrow chinks of the wooden palisades, the movement of the white robe, and observed the fluttering of the blue sash. —
然而，爱的眼睛已经透过木墙的狭缝看到了白色袍子的动作，观察到了蓝色腰带的颤动。 —

Pressing his lips close to the planks, he exclaimed:
他把嘴唇紧贴着木板，喊道：

“Don’t be alarmed, Valentine—it is I!”
“别害怕，瓦伦泰，是我！”

Again the timid girl found courage to return to the gate, saying, as she did so:
这位胆怯的女孩再次鼓起勇气回到门口，边走边说道：

“And why do you come so late today? It is almost dinner-time, and I had to use no little diplomacy to get rid of my watchful stepmother, my too-devoted maid, and my troublesome brother, who is always teasing me about coming to work at my embroidery, which I am in a fair way never to get done. —
“你今天为什么这么晚才来？现在都快吃晚饭时间了，我刚刚费了不少手脚才摆脱了我那警戒的继母、那过于热心的女仆和那个总是取笑我专注于刺绣工作的讨厌弟弟，我似乎永远也无法完成这个刺绣。” —

So pray excuse yourself as well as you can for having made me wait, and, after that, tell me why I see you in a dress so singular that at first I did not recognize you.”
“所以请尽量原谅自己让我等待的事情，并且在此之后，请告诉我为什么我看到你穿着那么奇特的服装以至于一开始我都没认出你。”

“Dearest Valentine,” said the young man, “the difference between our respective stations makes me fear to offend you by speaking of my love, but yet I cannot find myself in your presence without longing to pour forth my soul, and tell you how fondly I adore you. —
“最亲爱的瓦伦丁，”那个年轻人说，“我们身份上的差异使我担心会冒犯你而不敢谈论我的爱，但是当我身在你面前时，我无法控制自己内心的渴望，想要倾诉我对你的深深的爱意。” —

If it be but to carry away with me the recollection of such sweet moments, I could even thank you for chiding me, for it leaves me a gleam of hope, that if you did not expect me (and that indeed would be worse than vanity to suppose), at least I was in your thoughts. —
如果只是为了带走这些甜蜜时刻的回忆，我甚至可以感谢你责备我，因为这给了我一丝希望，即使你没有期待我（我认为这比虚荣更糟），至少我在你的思绪中。 —

You asked me the cause of my being late, and why I come disguised. —
你问我为什么迟到了，为什么打扮成这样。 —

I will candidly explain the reason of both, and I trust to your goodness to pardon me. —
我将坦诚地解释两者的原因，并且我相信你的善良会原谅我。 —

I have chosen a trade.”
我选择了一门行业。

“A trade? Oh, Maximilian, how can you jest at a time when we have such deep cause for uneasiness?”
“一门行业？哦，Maximilian，我们此刻有如此深切的不安，你怎么能开这样的玩笑？”

“Heaven keep me from jesting with that which is far dearer to me than life itself! —
愿天保佑我，不要和我如此亲爱的东西开玩笑！它对我来说比生命本身更重要！ —

But listen to me, Valentine, and I will tell you all about it. —
但请听我说，Valentine，我会告诉你一切。 —

I became weary of ranging fields and scaling walls, and seriously alarmed at the idea suggested by you, that if caught hovering about here your father would very likely have me sent to prison as a thief. —
我厌倦了漫游田野，攀爬墙壁，你的提醒使得我非常担忧，如果被抓到在这附近徘徊，你的父亲很可能会把我当成小偷送进监狱。 —

That would compromise the honor of the French army, to say nothing of the fact that the continual presence of a captain of Spahis in a place where no warlike projects could be supposed to account for it might well create surprise; —
那将损害法国军队的荣誉，更不用说在那里没有战争计划的情况下，一名斯巴希队长的持续存在可能会引起惊讶； —

so I have become a gardener, and, consequently, adopted the costume of my calling.”
所以我成为了一名园丁，因此采用了我这个职业的服装。

“What excessive nonsense you talk, Maximilian!”
“马克西米利安，你说的太荒谬了！”

“Nonsense? Pray do not call what I consider the wisest action of my life by such a name. —
“荒谬？拜托你别用这个词来形容我认为是我一生中最明智的行动。” —

Consider, by becoming a gardener I effectually screen our meetings from all suspicion or danger.”
想想看，通过成为一名园丁，我能够有效地避免我们的会面引起任何怀疑或危险。

“I beseech of you, Maximilian, to cease trifling, and tell me what you really mean.”
“我恳求你，马克西米利安，停止戏弄，告诉我你真正的意思。”

“Simply, that having ascertained that the piece of ground on which I stand was to let, I made application for it, was readily accepted by the proprietor, and am now master of this fine crop of lucern. —
“简单地说，我得知我站立的这块土地要出租，我向业主提出申请，很快就被接受了，现在我是这片美丽的苜蓿地的主人。” —

Think of that, Valentine! There is nothing now to prevent my building myself a little hut on my plantation, and residing not twenty yards from you. —
想想看，瓦伦丁！现在没有任何东西能阻止我在庄园上搭建一个小屋，离你只有二十码远的地方居住。 —

Only imagine what happiness that would afford me. —
想象一下这会给我带来多大的幸福。 —

I can scarcely contain myself at the bare idea. —
仅仅思考这个想法我就难以抑制自己。 —

Such felicity seems above all price—as a thing impossible and unattainable. —
这样的幸福似乎无价，既不可能也无法达到的事情。 —

But would you believe that I purchase all this delight, joy, and happiness, for which I would cheerfully have surrendered ten years of my life, at the small cost of 500 francs per annum, paid quarterly? —
但你会相信我以每年500法郎的小费购买这一切的快乐、喜悦和幸福吗？这个小费每季度支付。 —

Henceforth we have nothing to fear. I am on my own ground, and have an undoubted right to place a ladder against the wall, and to look over when I please, without having any apprehensions of being taken off by the police as a suspicious character. —
从现在开始我们无需担心。我在自己的领地上，有权在墙上放梯子，并随时看过去，而不必担心会被警察看作可疑人物带走。 —

I may also enjoy the precious privilege of assuring you of my fond, faithful, and unalterable affection, whenever you visit your favorite bower, unless, indeed, it offends your pride to listen to professions of love from the lips of a poor workingman, clad in a blouse and cap.”
每当你光临你钟爱的庭园时，我也可能享受到珍贵的特权，保证向你忠诚、深情，并且始终不变，除非，当然，听到一个穿着工装和帽子的贫穷工人的爱情宣言会让你自尊心受到冒犯。

A faint cry of mingled pleasure and surprise escaped from the lips of Valentine, who almost instantly said, in a saddened tone, as though some envious cloud darkened the joy which illumined her heart:
瓦伦丁几乎立刻发出了一声带有惊喜和喜悦的微弱呼喊，但随后以一种哀伤的口吻说道，仿佛有什么嫉妒的阴云遮蔽了她心中的喜悦：

“Alas, no, Maximilian, this must not be, for many reasons. —
唉，不，马克西米连，这是不能的，因为有很多原因。 —

We should presume too much on our own strength, and, like others, perhaps, be led astray by our blind confidence in each other’s prudence.”
我们应该对自己的力量过于自信，并且像其他人一样，可能被对方的谨慎蒙蔽。

“How can you for an instant entertain so unworthy a thought, dear Valentine? —
亲爱的瓦伦丁，你怎么会有这样一个不值一提的想法呢？ —

Have I not, from the first blessed hour of our acquaintance, schooled all my words and actions to your sentiments and ideas? —
从我们初次相识的那一刻起，我不是一直按照你的情操和想法来教导我的言行吗？ —

And you have, I am sure, the fullest confidence in my honor. —
而且我相信你对我的诚信有充分的信任。 —

When you spoke to me of experiencing a vague and indefinite sense of coming danger, I placed myself blindly and devotedly at your service, asking no other reward than the pleasure of being useful to you; —
当你向我提到曾经感受到一种模糊而无限的危险气息时，我毫不犹豫地全心全意地为你服务，不期望任何回报，只为了能对你有所帮助； —

and have I ever since, by word or look, given you cause of regret for having selected me from the numbers that would willingly have sacrificed their lives for you? —
而且自始至终，我从未通过言辞或眼神让你后悔选择我，从众多愿意为你牺牲生命的人中选择了我； —

You told me, my dear Valentine, that you were engaged to M. d’Épinay, and that your father was resolved upon completing the match, and that from his will there was no appeal, as M. de Villefort was never known to change a determination once formed. —
你告诉我，亲爱的瓦伦泰妮，你已与德培尼先生订婚，而你的父亲决心实现这桩婚事，并且从他的意志中没有任何上诉的空间，因为维勒福先生从未被人认为会改变一旦形成的决定； —

I kept in the background, as you wished, and waited, not for the decision of your heart or my own, but hoping that Providence would graciously interpose in our behalf, and order events in our favor. —
按照你的意愿，我一直待在幕后等待，不仅仅是等待你的心与我的决定，更期望上苍显赫地干预我们的事情，使事件朝着我们的方向发展； —

But what cared I for delays or difficulties, Valentine, as long as you confessed that you loved me, and took pity on me? —
但是，只要你承认你爱我，同情我，我又何必在乎延迟或困难呢，瓦伦泰妮？ —

If you will only repeat that avowal now and then, I can endure anything.”
“如果你能每隔一段时间都重复一次那个承诺，我什么都能忍受。”

“Ah, Maximilian, that is the very thing that makes you so bold, and which renders me at once so happy and unhappy, that I frequently ask myself whether it is better for me to endure the harshness of my stepmother, and her blind preference for her own child, or to be, as I now am, insensible to any pleasure save such as I find in these meetings, so fraught with danger to both.”
“啊，马克西米连，正是这个让你如此大胆，也让我同时感到如此幸福和不幸的东西，以至于我经常问自己，对于我来说，忍受继母的苛刻和她对自己孩子的偏爱，还是像我现在这样，对除了这些充满危险的会面外一无所感，哪个更好。”

“I will not admit that word,” returned the young man; “it is at once cruel and unjust. —
“我不会承认那个词，”年轻人回答道，“它既残忍又不公平。” —

Is it possible to find a more submissive slave than myself? —
“能找到比我更顺从的奴隶吗？” —

You have permitted me to converse with you from time to time, Valentine, but forbidden my ever following you in your walks or elsewhere—have I not obeyed? —
“你允许我与你交谈，瓦伦蒂娜，但禁止我跟随你的散步或其他任何地方，我不是遵守了吗？” —

And since I found means to enter this enclosure to exchange a few words with you through this gate—to be close to you without really seeing you—have I ever asked so much as to touch the hem of your gown or tried to pass this barrier which is but a trifle to one of my youth and strength? —
而且既然我找到了一种方式可以通过这道门与你交谈——可以靠近你而不真正看到你——我是不是要求过你的袍子的褶边，或者试图突破这个对我这个年轻而强壮的人来说只是小事的屏障？ —

Never has a complaint or a murmur escaped me. —
从来没有一次我发出怨言或抱怨。 —

I have been bound by my promises as rigidly as any knight of olden times. —
我一直像古代的骑士一样严格遵守着我的承诺。 —

Come, come, dearest Valentine, confess that what I say is true, lest I be tempted to call you unjust.”
来吧，来吧，我亲爱的瓦伦蒂娜，承认我所说的是真的，否则我可能会被引诱称你是不公正的。

“It is true,” said Valentine, as she passed the end of her slender fingers through a small opening in the planks, and permitted Maximilian to press his lips to them, “and you are a true and faithful friend; —
“是的，”瓦伦蒂娜说着，她把修长的手指伸进木板上的一个小孔，让马克西米利安吻到它们，“你是一个真实而忠诚的朋友； —

but still you acted from motives of self-interest, my dear Maximilian, for you well knew that from the moment in which you had manifested an opposite spirit all would have been ended between us. —
但是你的行动仍然出于自利的动机，我亲爱的马克西米利安，因为你深知，一旦表现出相反的精神，我们之间的一切都会结束。 —

You promised to bestow on me the friendly affection of a brother. —
你答应给予我兄弟般友爱的情感。 —

For I have no friend but yourself upon earth, who am neglected and forgotten by my father, harassed and persecuted by my stepmother, and left to the sole companionship of a paralyzed and speechless old man, whose withered hand can no longer press mine, and who can speak to me with the eye alone, although there still lingers in his heart the warmest tenderness for his poor grandchild. —
因为在这个世上我没有别的朋友，除了你。我被父亲所忽视和遗忘，被继母所烦扰和迫害，只能与一个瘫痪而语无伦次的老人为伴。他已无力握住我的手，只能通过眼神和我交流，虽然他的心仍怀有对他的可怜孙女最热烈的深情。 —

Oh, how bitter a fate is mine, to serve either as a victim or an enemy to all who are stronger than myself, while my only friend and supporter is a living corpse! —
噢，我的命运多么痛苦，要么作为比我强大的人的牺牲品，要么作为他们的敌人，而我唯一的朋友和支持者是一个活生生的尸体！ —

Indeed, indeed, Maximilian, I am very miserable, and if you love me it must be out of pity.”
真的，真的，马克西米利安，我非常不幸，如果你爱我，那一定是出于怜悯之心。

“Valentine,” replied the young man, deeply affected, “I will not say you are all I love in the world, for I dearly prize my sister and brother-in-law; —
“瓦伦丁，”年轻人深受感动地回答道，“我不能说你是我在世上唯一所爱的人，因为我非常珍爱我的妹妹和姐夫；但是我对他们的感情是平静而宁静的，完全不同于我对你的感受。 —

but my affection for them is calm and tranquil, in no manner resembling what I feel for you. —
如果你只知道我对你的爱是何等深沉！” —

When I think of you my heart beats fast, the blood burns in my veins, and I can hardly breathe; —
当我想起你时，我的心跳加快，血液在我的血管中燃烧，我几乎无法呼吸； —

but I solemnly promise you to restrain all this ardor, this fervor and intensity of feeling, until you yourself shall require me to render them available in serving or assisting you. —
但我郑重承诺，我会克制所有这些激情、热情和强烈的感情，直到你要求我用它们来为你服务或帮助你； —

M. Franz is not expected to return home for a year to come, I am told; —
我听说，弗朗茨先生预计一年内不会回家； —

in that time many favorable and unforeseen chances may befriend us. —
在那段时间里，许多有利的、意想不到的机会可能会帮助我们； —

Let us, then, hope for the best; hope is so sweet a comforter. —
所以，让我们抱着最美好的希望；希望是如此甜美的安慰者； —

Meanwhile, Valentine, while reproaching me with selfishness, think a little what you have been to me—the beautiful but cold resemblance of a marble Venus. What promise of future reward have you made me for all the submission and obedience I have evinced? —
同时，瓦伦蒂娜，在你指责我自私的同时，请思考一下你对我来说意味着什么——美丽但冷漠的大理石维纳斯的模样。你为我对你的顺从和忠诚做出了什么承诺？ —

—none whatever. What granted me?—scarcely more. —
——根本没有。你给予了我什么？——几乎没有。 —

You tell me of M. Franz d’Épinay, your betrothed lover, and you shrink from the idea of being his wife; —
你告诉我，你未婚夫弗朗茨·德埃皮内是你订婚的情人，并且你对成为他的妻子的想法感到不安； —

but tell me, Valentine, is there no other sorrow in your heart? —
但告诉我，瓦伦蒂娜，你的心中是否还有其他的悲伤？ —

You see me devoted to you, body and soul, my life and each warm drop that circles round my heart are consecrated to your service; —
你看到我全心全意地奉献给你，生命和每一滴温暖的血液都为了你的事业而奉献； —

you know full well that my existence is bound up in yours—that were I to lose you I would not outlive the hour of such crushing misery; —
你很清楚我的存在与你紧密相连，如果失去你，我将无法在如此沉重的痛苦中活下去； —

yet you speak with calmness of the prospect of your being the wife of another! —
然而，你却平静地谈论着成为另一个人的妻子的前景！ —

Oh, Valentine, were I in your place, and did I feel conscious, as you do, of being worshipped, adored, with such a love as mine, a hundred times at least should I have passed my hand between these iron bars, and said, ‘Take this hand, dearest Maximilian, and believe that, living or dead, I am yours—yours only, and forever!’”
哦，瓦伦蒂娜，如果我处在你的位置，并且像你一样意识到有如此深爱着、崇拜着我的爱情，我至少会将手伸进这些铁栏杆之间，说：“亲爱的马克西米连，接受这只手，相信无论活着还是死去，我都是你的，只属于你，永远！”

The poor girl made no reply, but her lover could plainly hear her sobs and tears. —
可怜的女孩没有回答，但她的爱人可以清楚地听到她的啜泣和眼泪。 —

A rapid change took place in the young man’s feelings.
年轻人的感觉迅速发生变化。

“Dearest, dearest Valentine,” exclaimed he, “forgive me if I have offended you, and forget the words I spoke if they have unwittingly caused you pain.”
他大声说：“最亲爱的，最亲爱的瓦伦蒂娜，如果我冒犯了你，请原谅我，如果我的话无意中给你带来了痛苦，请忘记我说过的话。”

“No, Maximilian, I am not offended,” answered she, “but do you not see what a poor, helpless being I am, almost a stranger and an outcast in my father’s house, where even he is seldom seen; —
“不，Maximilian，我并没有生气，”她回答道，“但你难道没有看出我是一个可怜、无助的人吗？我几乎是一个陌生人和被放逐者在我父亲的家里，甚至他也很少出现； —

whose will has been thwarted, and spirits broken, from the age of ten years, beneath the iron rod so sternly held over me; —
从十岁开始，在那铁腕之下，我的意愿被阻挠，我的精神被压垮； —

oppressed, mortified, and persecuted, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, no person has cared for, even observed my sufferings, nor have I ever breathed one word on the subject save to yourself. —
每一天，每一小时，每一分钟，我都被压迫、羞辱和迫害，没有人关心，甚至没有人注意到我的痛苦，我也从未对任何人提起过这件事，除了你； —

Outwardly and in the eyes of the world, I am surrounded by kindness and affection; —
从外表上看，在世人眼中，我被关爱和喜爱包围着； —

but the reverse is the case. The general remark is, ‘Oh, it cannot be expected that one of so stern a character as M. Villefort could lavish the tenderness some fathers do on their daughters. —
但事实恰恰相反。人们普遍认为，‘哦，难以期望像Villefort先生这样冷酷的人会像其他父亲那样疼爱自己的女儿。 —

What though she has lost her own mother at a tender age, she has had the happiness to find a second mother in Madame de Villefort. —
虽然她在很小的时候失去了自己的母亲，但她在Madame de Villefort身上找到了第二个母亲的幸福。” —

’ The world, however, is mistaken; my father abandons me from utter indifference, while my stepmother detests me with a hatred so much the more terrible because it is veiled beneath a continual smile.”
“然而，世界是错误的；我的父亲出于完全的漠不关心将我抛弃，而我的继母却用一个持续的微笑遮掩着对我深恶痛绝的憎恨，这种憎恨更加可怕。”

“Hate you, sweet Valentine,” exclaimed the young man; —
“讨厌你，亲爱的瓦伦丁，”年轻人叫道； —

“how is it possible for anyone to do that?”
“有谁会这样做呢？”

“Alas,” replied the weeping girl, “I am obliged to own that my stepmother’s aversion to me arises from a very natural source—her overweening love for her own child, my brother Edward.”
“唉，”那个哭泣的女孩回答说，“我不得不承认，我继母对我的厌恶源于一个非常自然的原因——她对自己的孩子，也就是我哥哥爱德华的过分疼爱。”

“But why should it?”
“但为什么呢？”

“I do not know; but, though unwilling to introduce money matters into our present conversation, I will just say this much—that her extreme dislike to me has its origin there; —
“我不知道；虽然我不愿在我们现在的谈话中提及金钱问题，但我只想说这么多——她对我极度的反感起源于此； —

and I much fear she envies me the fortune I enjoy in right of my mother, and which will be more than doubled at the death of M. and Mme. de Saint-Méran, whose sole heiress I am. —
我非常担心她嫉妒我以我母亲的名义享有的财产，而且在圣梅朗夫人夫妇去世后，这笔财产将翻倍成为我的。 —

Madame de Villefort has nothing of her own, and hates me for being so richly endowed. —
维尔福夫人自己一无所有，而且因为我拥有这样的财富而恨我。 —

Alas, how gladly would I exchange the half of this wealth for the happiness of at least sharing my father’s love. —
唉，我多么愿意拿出一半的财富来换取至少分享我父亲的爱的幸福。 —

God knows, I would prefer sacrificing the whole, so that it would obtain me a happy and affectionate home.”
天知道，我更愿意牺牲整个财富，以换取一个快乐和充满爱的家庭。

“Poor Valentine!”
可怜的瓦伦丁！

“I seem to myself as though living a life of bondage, yet at the same time am so conscious of my own weakness that I fear to break the restraint in which I am held, lest I fall utterly helpless. —
我觉得自己像是过着一种束缚的生活，但同时我也非常清楚自己的软弱，害怕打破我所受的限制，以免彻底无助。 —

Then, too, my father is not a person whose orders may be infringed with impunity; —
而且，我父亲并非一个可以无视命令的人； —

protected as he is by his high position and firmly established reputation for talent and unswerving integrity, no one could oppose him; —
他身处高位，以才华和坚定不移的正直建立了声望，无人能对抗他； —

he is all-powerful even with the king; he would crush you at a word. —
即使对国王而言，他也拥有无比的权力；他会用一句话把你摧毁。 —

Dear Maximilian, believe me when I assure you that if I do not attempt to resist my father’s commands it is more on your account than my own.”
亲爱的马克西米利安，相信我，如果我不试图抵抗我父亲的命令，更多的是为了你而不是我自己。

“But why, Valentine, do you persist in anticipating the worst, —why picture so gloomy a future?”
可是，瓦伦丁，你为什么坚持预期最坏的情况，为什么描绘如此阴暗的未来？

“Because I judge it from the past.”
“因为我从过去的判断来看。”

“Still, consider that although I may not be, strictly speaking, what is termed an illustrious match for you, I am, for many reasons, not altogether so much beneath your alliance. —
“但是，请考虑虽然严格来说，我可能不是您所谓的杰出的配偶，但出于许多原因，我并不完全低于您的联姻。” —

The days when such distinctions were so nicely weighed and considered no longer exist in France, and the first families of the monarchy have intermarried with those of the empire. —
“在法国，这些细微的差别和考量已不再存在，王室的第一家族与帝国的家族已经通婚。” —

The aristocracy of the lance has allied itself with the nobility of the cannon. —
“长矛的贵族与大炮的贵族结盟。” —

Now I belong to this last-named class; and certainly my prospects of military preferment are most encouraging as well as certain. —
“我现在属于这个后者的阶级；我的军事晋升前景非常令人鼓舞且确保。” —

My fortune, though small, is free and unfettered, and the memory of my late father is respected in our country, Valentine, as that of the most upright and honorable merchant of the city; —
“虽然我的财富不多，但是自由而无拘束，并且我已故父亲的声誉在我们的国家中备受尊敬，瓦伦蒂娜；因为你出生在马赛附近。” —

I say our country, because you were born not far from Marseilles.”
“请不要提起马赛，我请求你，马克西米利安；

“Don’t speak of Marseilles, I beg of you, Maximilian; —
“因为那里会让我想起一段伤心的往事。” —

that one word brings back my mother to my recollection—my angel mother, who died too soon for myself and all who knew her; —
这个词让我想起我的母亲——我的天使般的母亲，她离开得对我和所有认识她的人来说都太早了； —

but who, after watching over her child during the brief period allotted to her in this world, now, I fondly hope, watches from her home in heaven. —
但在她在这个世界上短暂存在的时候，她一直守护着她的孩子，现在，我深深地希望，她从天堂的家中守护着我们。 —

Oh, if my mother were still living, there would be nothing to fear, Maximilian, for I would tell her that I loved you, and she would protect us.”
哦，如果我的母亲还活着，我将不再害怕，马克西米利安，因为我会告诉她我爱你，她会保护我们。”

“I fear, Valentine,” replied the lover, “that were she living I should never have had the happiness of knowing you; —
“我担心，瓦伦丁，”情人回答道，“如果她还活着，我将永远没有幸福地认识你； —

you would then have been too happy to have stooped from your grandeur to bestow a thought on me.”
你会太幸福以至于不屑于想起我。”

“Now it is you who are unjust, Maximilian,” cried Valentine; —
“现在是你不公平了，马克西米利安，”瓦伦丁喊道； —

“but there is one thing I wish to know.”
“但有一件事我想知道。”

“And what is that?” inquired the young man, perceiving that Valentine hesitated.
“那是什么？”年轻人问道，察觉到瓦伦丁的犹豫。

“Tell me truly, Maximilian, whether in former days, when our fathers dwelt at Marseilles, there was ever any misunderstanding between them?”
“告诉我真相，马克西米利安，在过去的日子里，当我们的父亲在马赛居住时，他们之间是否曾经有过误解？”

“Not that I am aware of,” replied the young man, “unless, indeed, any ill-feeling might have arisen from their being of opposite parties—your father was, as you know, a zealous partisan of the Bourbons, while mine was wholly devoted to the emperor; —
“在我所知道的范围内，没有任何特别的原因，”年轻人回答道，“除非他们因为身属不同的政党而产生了一些不满—您父亲是绝对效忠波旁王朝的忠诚党员，而我父亲则完全忠于皇帝； —

there could not possibly be any other difference between them. —
但我想除此之外应该没有其他差异。 —

But why do you ask?”
但是您为何问这个问题？”

“I will tell you,” replied the young girl, “for it is but right you should know. —
“我会告诉您的，”年轻女孩回答道，“因为您有权知道。 —

Well, on the day when your appointment as an officer of the Legion of Honor was announced in the papers, we were all sitting with my grandfather, M. Noirtier; —
嗯，在您被任命为荣誉军团军官的消息在报纸上宣布的那天，我们都在和我祖父，诺尔缇耶先生一起； —

M. Danglars was there also—you recollect M. Danglars, do you not, Maximilian, the banker, whose horses ran away with my stepmother and little brother, and very nearly killed them? —
当时那里也有当格拉尔先生—您还记得那位银行家当格拉尔，驾驶的马匹失控撞上了我的继母和小弟弟，差点让他们丧命？ —

While the rest of the company were discussing the approaching marriage of Mademoiselle Danglars, I was reading the paper to my grandfather; —
当其他人在讨论当格拉尔小姐即将到来的婚礼时，我正给我祖父读报纸； —

but when I came to the paragraph about you, although I had done nothing else but read it over to myself all the morning (you know you had told me all about it the previous evening), I felt so happy, and yet so nervous, at the idea of speaking your name aloud, and before so many people, that I really think I should have passed it over, but for the fear that my doing so might create suspicions as to the cause of my silence; —
但是当我看到关于你的那一段时，尽管早上我除了默默读过之外没有做任何其他事情（你知道前一天晚上你告诉过我所有的事），我感到非常高兴，但同时又很紧张，想到要在这么多人面前大声说出你的名字，我真的觉得我可能会跳过这一段，但是担心这样做会引起人们对我沉默原因的怀疑。 —

so I summoned up all my courage, and read it as firmly and as steadily as I could.”
所以我鼓起了所有的勇气，尽可能坚定而稳定地读了出来。”

“Dear Valentine!”
“亲爱的瓦伦泰！”

“Well, would you believe it? directly my father caught the sound of your name he turned round quite hastily, and, like a poor silly thing, I was so persuaded that everyone must be as much affected as myself by the utterance of your name, that I was not surprised to see my father start, and almost tremble; —
“嗯，你相信吗？我父亲一听到你的名字就转身匆忙地转过来，而且，像个可怜的傻瓜一样，我深信每个人听到你的名字都会像我一样受到感动，所以当我看到我父亲惊讶地颤抖时，我并不感到意外，并且甚至还以为（虽然那肯定是个错误）邓格拉先生也在颤抖。” —

but I even thought (though that surely must have been a mistake) that M. Danglars trembled too.”
但是我确信邓格拉先生也在颤抖。”

“‘Morrel, Morrel,’ cried my father, ‘stop a bit; —
“‘莫雷尔，莫雷尔，’我父亲喊道，‘等一下；’ —

’ then knitting his brows into a deep frown, he added, ‘surely this cannot be one of the Morrel family who lived at Marseilles, and gave us so much trouble from their violent Bonapartism—I mean about the year 1815.’
然后他皱起眉头，加重了一道深深的愁眉，接着说道，‘这肯定不是马赛的莫雷尔家族，他们因为他们的激进波拿巴主义给我们带来了很多麻烦——我是说大约是在1815年的时候。’

“‘Yes,’ replied M. Danglars, ‘I believe he is the son of the old shipowner.’”
“‘是的，’当时的当拉尔先生答道，‘我相信他是那位老船主的儿子。’”

“Indeed,” answered Maximilian; “and what did your father say then, Valentine?”
“的确，”马克西米利安回答；“那么你父亲当时说了什么，瓦伦蒂娜？”

“Oh, such a dreadful thing, that I don’t dare to tell you.”
“哦，那是一件可怕的事情，我不敢告诉你。”

“Always tell me everything,” said Maximilian with a smile.
“永远都要告诉我一切，”马克西米利安微笑着说道。

“‘Ah,’ continued my father, still frowning, ‘their idolized emperor treated these madmen as they deserved; —
“‘啊，’我父亲继续说道，眉头紧皱着，‘他们那些疯子的崇拜者，他们得到了他们应得的待遇； —

he called them ‘food for cannon,’ which was precisely all they were good for; —
称他们为‘大炮的食物’，这正是他们的全部价值所在； —

and I am delighted to see that the present government have adopted this salutary principle with all its pristine vigor; —
我很高兴看到现在的政府也采纳了这个有益的原则，并发挥了它所有的初衷和活力； —

if Algiers were good for nothing but to furnish the means of carrying so admirable an idea into practice, it would be an acquisition well worthy of struggling to obtain. —
如果阿尔及尔仅仅是为了实现这个如此出色的想法而提供手段的话，那么争取获取它将是一个非常值得的收获。 —

Though it certainly does cost France somewhat dear to assert her rights in that uncivilized country.’”
尽管法国确实花费了很多来维护她在那个未开化的国家的权利。”

“Brutal politics, I must confess.” said Maximilian; —
“粗暴的政治，我必须承认。”马克西米连说道； —

“but don’t attach any serious importance, dear, to what your father said. —
“但亲爱的，不要把你父亲说的话太当真。 —

My father was not a bit behind yours in that sort of talk. —
在那种谈话方面，我父亲可比你父亲差不了多少。 —

‘Why,’ said he, ‘does not the emperor, who has devised so many clever and efficient modes of improving the art of war, organize a regiment of lawyers, judges and legal practitioners, sending them in the hottest fire the enemy could maintain, and using them to save better men? —
“他说，‘皇帝既然发明了如此多聪明有效的方法来改进战争艺术，为什么不组织一支由律师、法官和法律从业者组成的团队，将他们送到敌人可能会发起的热火朝天之中，并利用他们来拯救更优秀的人？ —

’ You see, my dear, that for picturesque expression and generosity of spirit there is not much to choose between the language of either party. —
“你看，亲爱的，不论是哪一方的言辞，从画面表达和慷慨精神方面来说，都没有太大的区别。 —

But what did M. Danglars say to this outburst on the part of the procureur?”
“但当检察官爆发出这番话时，当时的当古拉先生对此有何反应？”

“Oh, he laughed, and in that singular manner so peculiar to himself—half-malicious, half-ferocious; —
“噢，他笑了，以那种只有他自己独特的方式笑了—既有一半恶意，又有一半凶残； —

he almost immediately got up and took his leave; —
他几乎立刻站起来告辞； —

then, for the first time, I observed the agitation of my grandfather, and I must tell you, Maximilian, that I am the only person capable of discerning emotion in his paralyzed frame. —
那时，我第一次注意到我祖父的激动，我必须告诉你，马克西米利安，我是唯一能够察觉到他瘫痪身躯中的情感的人。 —

And I suspected that the conversation that had been carried on in his presence (for they always say and do what they like before the dear old man, without the smallest regard for his feelings) had made a strong impression on his mind; —
我怀疑他们在他面前进行的交谈（因为他们总是为了自己的喜好说和做一切，对他的感受毫不顾忌）已经在他心中留下了深刻印象； —

for, naturally enough, it must have pained him to hear the emperor he so devotedly loved and served spoken of in that depreciating manner.”
因为，自然而然，听到他如此疼爱和服务的皇帝以那种贬低的方式被谈论肯定会让他感到痛苦。”

“The name of M. Noirtier,” interposed Maximilian, “is celebrated throughout Europe; —
“M. Noirtier这个名字在整个欧洲都有声誉。”马克西米利安插话道。 —

he was a statesman of high standing, and you may or may not know, Valentine, that he took a leading part in every Bonapartist conspiracy set on foot during the restoration of the Bourbons.”
他是一位声望很高的政治家，不知道你是否知道，瓦伦丁，他在波旁复辟期间的每次波拿巴阴谋中都发挥了主导作用。

“Oh, I have often heard whispers of things that seem to me most strange—the father a Bonapartist, the son a Royalist; —
哦，我经常听到一些我觉得很奇怪的传闻 - 父亲是波拿巴主义者，儿子是王党派。 —

what can have been the reason of so singular a difference in parties and politics? —
这种在政治立场和政党上如此明显的差异是什么原因呢？ —

But to resume my story; I turned towards my grandfather, as though to question him as to the cause of his emotion; —
但是，让我继续我的故事；我转向我的祖父，仿佛想问问他激动的原因。 —

he looked expressively at the newspaper I had been reading. —
他有意地看着我之前读的报纸。 —

‘What is the matter, dear grandfather?’ said I, ‘are you pleased? —
“怎么了，亲爱的祖父？”我说，“你高兴吗？” —

’ He gave me a sign in the affirmative. ‘With what my father said just now? —
他向我示意肯定的答案。“是因为我父亲刚才说的话吗？” —

’ He returned a sign in the negative. ‘Perhaps you liked what M. Danglars said? —
他返回了否定的答案。“也许是因为你喜欢当拉尔先生说的话？” —

’ Another sign in the negative. ‘Oh, then, you were glad to hear that M. Morrel (I didn’t dare to say Maximilian) had been made an officer of the Legion of Honor? —
又一次否定的答案。“哦，那你一定很高兴听说莫雷尔先生（我不敢说出马克西米利安）被授予荣誉军团军官的事吧。” —

’ He signified assent; only think of the poor old man’s being so pleased to think that you, who were a perfect stranger to him, had been made an officer of the Legion of Honor! —
“他表示同意；想想那位可怜的老人是多么高兴，想到你这个他完全陌生的人竟然成为荣誉军团的军官！” —

Perhaps it was a mere whim on his part, for he is falling, they say, into second childhood, but I love him for showing so much interest in you.”
“也许这只是他一时的异想天开，因为人们说他正在变得老迈衰弱，但是我很喜欢他对你如此感兴趣。”

“How singular,” murmured Maximilian; “your father hates me, while your grandfather, on the contrary—What strange feelings are aroused by politics.”
“多么奇特啊，”麦克斯米连低声说道，“你父亲憎恨我，而你祖父却正好相反…政治真是引发人奇特情感的东西。”

“Hush,” cried Valentine, suddenly; “someone is coming! —
“嘘”，瓦伦丁突然喊道，“有人来了！” —

” Maximilian leaped at one bound into his crop of lucern, which he began to pull up in the most ruthless way, under the pretext of being occupied in weeding it.
麦克斯米连一跃跳进他的苜蓿地，开始残酷无情地拔起苜蓿，借口忙于除草。

“Mademoiselle, mademoiselle!” exclaimed a voice from behind the trees. —
“小姐，小姐！”树后传来一个声音。 —

“Madame is searching for you everywhere; —
“夫人到处找你呢；客厅里有位访客。” —

there is a visitor in the drawing-room.”
“有位访客？”瓦伦丁紧张地问道，“是谁？”

“A visitor?” inquired Valentine, much agitated; “who is it?”
“Valentine Valentine，这里！” Max ironiquement répond.

“Some grand personage—a prince I believe they said—the Count of Monte Cristo.”
“有一位重要人物——据说是王子——蒙特克里斯托伯爵。”

“I will come directly,” cried Valentine aloud.
“我马上就来，”瓦伦丁大声喊道。

The name of Monte Cristo sent an electric shock through the young man on the other side of the iron gate, to whom Valentine’s “I am coming” was the customary signal of farewell.
蒙特克里斯托这个名字让另一边铁门外的年轻人激动不已，对他来说，瓦伦丁的“我来了”是他们告别的惯用信号。

“Now, then,” said Maximilian, leaning on the handle of his spade, “I would give a good deal to know how it comes about that the Count of Monte Cristo is acquainted with M. de Villefort.”
“那么，”马克西米利安顶着铁锹把把手说，“我很想知道蒙特克里斯托伯爵怎么认识维勒福爵士。”