We will now relate what was passing in the house of the king’s attorney after the departure of Madame Danglars and her daughter, and during the time of the conversation between Maximilian and Valentine, which we have just detailed.
既然达尔布斯夫人和她的女儿离开了，我们现在就来讲述一下国王律师的家中发生了什么事情，以及马克西米利安和瓦伦丁之间的谈话，我们刚刚已经详细描述了这一点。

M. de Villefort entered his father’s room, followed by Madame de Villefort. —
维尔福先生带着维尔福夫人进入他父亲的房间。 —

Both of the visitors, after saluting the old man and speaking to Barrois, a faithful servant, who had been twenty-five years in his service, took their places on either side of the paralytic.
两位访客在向老人问好并与巴尔瓦，一个忠诚的仆人，交谈了之后，坐在瘫痪者两侧。

M. Noirtier was sitting in an armchair, which moved upon casters, in which he was wheeled into the room in the morning, and in the same way drawn out again at night. —
诺蒂尔先生坐在一把带有脚轮的扶手椅上，早晨被推进房间，晚上同样的方式推出房间。 —

He was placed before a large glass, which reflected the whole apartment, and so, without any attempt to move, which would have been impossible, he could see all who entered the room and everything which was going on around him. —
他坐在一个大镜子前，镜子反射了整个房间，所以他无需尝试移动（这是不可能的），他能看到进入房间的人和周围的一切。 —

M. Noirtier, although almost as immovable as a corpse, looked at the new-comers with a quick and intelligent expression, perceiving at once, by their ceremonious courtesy, that they were come on business of an unexpected and official character.
尽管几乎与尸体一样不动，M. Noirtier以敏锐而聪明的表情看着这些新来者，凭借他们的庄重礼节，他立刻意识到他们带着一种意外和官方的目的而来。

Sight and hearing were the only senses remaining, and they, like two solitary sparks, remained to animate the miserable body which seemed fit for nothing but the grave; —
视觉和听觉是唯一剩下的感觉，它们就像两个孤独的火花，唤醒了这个可怜的身体，似乎只适合进入坟墓。 —

it was only, however, by means of one of these senses that he could reveal the thoughts and feelings that still occupied his mind, and the look by which he gave expression to his inner life was like the distant gleam of a candle which a traveller sees by night across some desert place, and knows that a living being dwells beyond the silence and obscurity.
然而，只有通过其中一种感觉，他才能展示他的思想和情感。他的目光就像远处的烛光，在夜晚通过某个荒凉的地方被旅行者看见，他知道有一个活着的存在存在于寂静与幽暗之外。

Noirtier’s hair was long and white, and flowed over his shoulders; —
Noirtier的头发又长又白，流过他的肩膀。 —

while in his eyes, shaded by thick black lashes, was concentrated, as it often happens with an organ which is used to the exclusion of the others, all the activity, address, force, and intelligence which were formerly diffused over his whole body; —
在他的眼睛里，被浓密的黑色睫毛遮蔽，集中了以往分散在他整个身体上的所有活动、表达、力量和智慧。 —

and so although the movement of the arm, the sound of the voice, and the agility of the body, were wanting, the speaking eye sufficed for all. —
所以尽管缺乏手臂的动作、声音的发出和身体的灵活性，说话的眼睛足以胜任一切。 —

He commanded with it; it was the medium through which his thanks were conveyed. —
他用眼睛命令；它是传达他的感谢的媒介。 —

In short, his whole appearance produced on the mind the impression of a corpse with living eyes, and nothing could be more startling than to observe the expression of anger or joy suddenly lighting up these organs, while the rest of the rigid and marble-like features were utterly deprived of the power of participation. —
总之，他的整个外貌给人留下了尸体配着活着的眼睛的印象，而当这些器官的表情突然充满愤怒或喜悦时，呆板像大理石般僵硬的其他面部特征完全丧失了参与的力量，这是再惊人不过的了。 —

Three persons only could understand this language of the poor paralytic; —
只有三个人能理解这个可怜瘫痪者的语言； —

these were Villefort, Valentine, and the old servant of whom we have already spoken. —
他们是维勒福特、瓦伦丁和我们之前提到过的老仆人。 —

But as Villefort saw his father but seldom, and then only when absolutely obliged, and as he never took any pains to please or gratify him when he was there, all the old man’s happiness was centred in his granddaughter. —
但是由于维尔福很少见到他的父亲，而且只有在非常有必要的时候才会见到他，而且他从不费心去取悦或满足他，所以老人的全部幸福都集中在他的孙女身上。 —

Valentine, by means of her love, her patience, and her devotion, had learned to read in Noirtier’s look all the varied feelings which were passing in his mind. —
瓦伦丁通过她的爱，她的耐心和她的奉献，学会了从努尔地尔的眼神中读出他心中各种不同的感受。 —

To this dumb language, which was so unintelligible to others, she answered by throwing her whole soul into the expression of her countenance, and in this manner were the conversations sustained between the blooming girl and the helpless invalid, whose body could scarcely be called a living one, but who, nevertheless, possessed a fund of knowledge and penetration, united with a will as powerful as ever although clogged by a body rendered utterly incapable of obeying its impulses.
对于其他人来说无法理解的这种无声语言，她通过全身心地表情来回应，这样就在这位青春焕发的少女与那个无助的病人之间保持了对话。虽然他的身体几乎不能算是活着的，但他却拥有丰富的知识和洞察力，同时还拥有一种意志力，尽管被一个完全无法服从其冲动的身体所束缚。

Valentine had solved the problem, and was able easily to understand his thoughts, and to convey her own in return, and, through her untiring and devoted assiduity, it was seldom that, in the ordinary transactions of every-day life, she failed to anticipate the wishes of the living, thinking mind, or the wants of the almost inanimate body.
瓦伦丁解决了问题，并能轻易理解他的思想，也能回答自己的想法，通过她不知疲倦和无私的勤勉，她几乎从不在日常生活的普通事务中未能预料到有思考的心智或几乎没有生气的身体的愿望。

As to the servant, he had, as we have said, been with his master for five-and-twenty years, therefore he knew all his habits, and it was seldom that Noirtier found it necessary to ask for anything, so prompt was he in administering to all the necessities of the invalid.
至于仆人，正如我们所说，他已经和主人在一起二十五年了，因此他知道主人的一切习惯，诺蒂埃很少需要向他求助，因为他在满足病人的一切需求上非常迅速。

Villefort did not need the help of either Valentine or the domestic in order to carry on with his father the strange conversation which he was about to begin. —
威尔福不需要瓦伦丁或佣人的帮助来与他的父亲进行即将开始的奇怪对话。 —

As we have said, he perfectly understood the old man’s vocabulary, and if he did not use it more often, it was only indifference and ennui which prevented him from so doing. —
正如我们所说，他完全理解老人的词汇，如果他不经常使用，那只是因为他对此不感兴趣和厌倦。 —

He therefore allowed Valentine to go into the garden, sent away Barrois, and after having seated himself at his father’s right hand, while Madame de Villefort placed herself on the left, he addressed him thus:
他于是允许瓦伦丁去花园，打发巴罗瓦斯走开了，然后他坐在父亲右手边，维勒福夫人坐在左手边，他这样对他说：

“I trust you will not be displeased, sir, that Valentine has not come with us, or that I dismissed Barrois, for our conference will be one which could not with propriety be carried on in the presence of either. —
“先生，请您不要介意瓦伦丁没有和我们一起来，或者我打发巴罗瓦斯走开，因为我们的谈话不适合在他们面前进行。 —

Madame de Villefort and I have a communication to make to you.”
维勒福夫人和我有一件事要告诉您。”

Noirtier’s face remained perfectly passive during this long preamble, while, on the contrary, Villefort’s eye was endeavoring to penetrate into the inmost recesses of the old man’s heart.
在这长篇大论的开场白中，诺尔蒂埃的脸保持着完全的冷静，而相反，维勒福的眼神却试图洞悉这位老人内心最深处的秘密。

“This communication,” continued the procureur, in that cold and decisive tone which seemed at once to preclude all discussion, “will, we are sure, meet with your approbation.”
“这件事情，”检察官继续以那种冷冰冰而果断的口吻说道，这种口吻一下子把所有的讨论都排除在外，“我们确信，会得到您的赞同。”

The eye of the invalid still retained that vacancy of expression which prevented his son from obtaining any knowledge of the feelings which were passing in his mind; —
这个病人的眼睛仍然保持着一种空洞的表情，使他的儿子无法知晓他内心的感受； —

he listened, nothing more.
他仅仅听着，没有更多的动作。

“Sir,” resumed Villefort, “we are thinking of marrying Valentine. —
“先生，”维尔福继续说道，“我们在考虑给瓦伦丁找个婚配对象。” —

” Had the old man’s face been moulded in wax it could not have shown less emotion at this news than was now to be traced there. —
如果这个老人的脸是用蜡塑成的，那么在听到这个消息时他的表情也不会比现在少出任何情感。 —

“The marriage will take place in less than three months,” said Villefort.
“婚礼将在不到三个月内举行，”维尔福说道。

Noirtier’s eye still retained its inanimate expression.
诺蒂耶的眼睛仍然保持着无生气的表情。

Madame de Villefort now took her part in the conversation and added:
维尔福夫人此时也加入了对话，并补充道：

“We thought this news would possess an interest for you, sir, who have always entertained a great affection for Valentine; —
“我们认为这个消息对您来说应该很有兴趣，先生，毕竟您一直对瓦伦丁怀有深厚的感情； —

it therefore only now remains for us to tell you the name of the young man for whom she is destined. —
因此，只剩下一个任务给我们了，那就是告诉您她命中注定要嫁给的年轻人的名字。 —

It is one of the most desirable connections which could possibly be formed; —
这是一个非常理想的联姻，几乎无法找到更好的对象了。 —

he possesses fortune, a high rank in society, and every personal qualification likely to render Valentine supremely happy, —his name, moreover, cannot be wholly unknown to you. —
他拥有财富、社会地位高以及使瓦伦丁极其幸福的各项个人素质，而且他的名字对你来说可能并不完全陌生。 —

It is M. Franz de Quesnel, Baron d’Épinay.”
他就是弗朗茨·德·克内尔男爵，爱皮奈。

While his wife was speaking, Villefort had narrowly watched the old man’s countenance. —
在他的妻子说话的时候，维勒福特密切地观察着老人的表情。 —

When Madame de Villefort pronounced the name of Franz, the pupil of M. Noirtier’s eye began to dilate, and his eyelids trembled with the same movement that may be perceived on the lips of an individual about to speak, and he darted a lightning glance at Madame de Villefort and his son. —
当维尔福夫人提到弗朗茨的名字时，M·努瓦提耶先生的瞳孔开始扩张，眼皮颤动的动作与一个即将开口说话的人的嘴唇上可见的动作相同，他瞥了一眼维尔福夫人和他的儿子，就像闪电一样。 —

The procureur, who knew the political hatred which had formerly existed between M. Noirtier and the elder d’Épinay, well understood the agitation and anger which the announcement had produced; —
办事员知道昔日努瓦提耶先生和年长的爱皮奈之间存在的政治上的仇恨，他很明白这个宣布产生的激动和愤怒。 —

but, feigning not to perceive either, he immediately resumed the narrative begun by his wife.
但他装作没有察觉任何事情，马上接着他妻子开始的叙述。

“Sir,” said he, “you are aware that Valentine is about to enter her nineteenth year, which renders it important that she should lose no time in forming a suitable alliance. —
“先生，”他说，“您应该知道瓦伦丁即将进入她十九岁的年龄，这使得她尽快找到合适的伴侣变得重要。” —

Nevertheless, you have not been forgotten in our plans, and we have fully ascertained beforehand that Valentine’s future husband will consent, not to live in this house, for that might not be pleasant for the young people, but that you should live with them; —
但是，我们在计划中没有忘记您，我们事先已经完全确定瓦伦丁的未来丈夫将会同意，不住在这个房子里，因为对年轻人来说可能不太愉快，而是您将与他们住在一起； —

so that you and Valentine, who are so attached to each other, would not be separated, and you would be able to pursue exactly the same course of life which you have hitherto done, and thus, instead of losing, you will be a gainer by the change, as it will secure to you two children instead of one, to watch over and comfort you.”
这样，您和瓦伦丁，因为你们彼此非常亲密，就不会分离，您将能够继续原来的生活方式，因此，不仅不会失去，反而会通过这个改变获益，因为这将给您带来两个孩子而不只是一个，他们将会照顾和安慰您。”

Noirtier’s look was furious; it was very evident that something desperate was passing in the old man’s mind, for a cry of anger and grief rose in his throat, and not being able to find vent in utterance, appeared almost to choke him, for his face and lips turned quite purple with the struggle. —
诺尔蒂埃的表情愤怒，很明显，他的老人脑中正在发生什么绝望的事情，因为他喉咙中传出一声愤怒和悲伤的叫声，由于无法通过言语发泄，他似乎几乎被呛住，因为他的脸和嘴唇变得完全紫色，为了应对这种挣扎。 —

Villefort quietly opened a window, saying, “It is very warm, and the heat affects M. Noirtier. —
维尔福轻轻打开一扇窗户，说：“天气很热，热气会影响到诺尔蒂埃先生。” —

” He then returned to his place, but did not sit down.
然后他回到自己的位置，但没有坐下。

“This marriage,” added Madame de Villefort, “is quite agreeable to the wishes of M. d’Épinay and his family; —
维尔福夫人补充道：“这次婚姻完全符合埃平奈先生和他的家人的意愿； —

besides, he had no relations nearer than an uncle and aunt, his mother having died at his birth, and his father having been assassinated in 1815, that is to say, when he was but two years old; —
而且他没有比叔叔和姑姑更亲近的亲戚，他的母亲在他出生时就去世了，他的父亲在1815年被暗杀，也就是说，他只有两岁； —

it naturally followed that the child was permitted to choose his own pursuits, and he has, therefore, seldom acknowledged any other authority but that of his own will.”
自然而然地，孩子被允许选择自己的追求，因此他很少承认除了自己的意志之外的任何权威。”

“That assassination was a mysterious affair,” said Villefort, “and the perpetrators have hitherto escaped detection, although suspicion has fallen on the head of more than one person.”
“那次暗杀是一个神秘的事件，”维尔福说道，“凶手至今未能被发现，虽然有人怀疑过不止一个人。”

Noirtier made such an effort that his lips expanded into a smile.
努尔捷尔竭力使自己的嘴唇展开了一丝笑容。

“Now,” continued Villefort, “those to whom the guilt really belongs, by whom the crime was committed, on whose heads the justice of man may probably descend here, and the certain judgment of God hereafter, would rejoice in the opportunity thus afforded of bestowing such a peace-offering as Valentine on the son of him whose life they so ruthlessly destroyed. —
“现在，”维尔福继续说道，“真正该负罪责的人，犯下这个罪行的人，他们可能会被人类的正义追究，来世则会受到上帝的审判。他们会乐于有机会用瓦伦丁这样的和平祭品来赎罪，奉献给那位无情地夺去他们生命的人的儿子。 —

” Noirtier had succeeded in mastering his emotion more than could have been deemed possible with such an enfeebled and shattered frame.
努尔捷尔在掌控自己的情绪方面取得了成功，这在一个虚弱而破碎的身体上似乎是不可能的。

“Yes, I understand,” was the reply contained in his look; —
“是的，我理解了。”他的表情回答道； —

and this look expressed a feeling of strong indignation, mixed with profound contempt. —
而这个表情表达出了强烈的愤怒和深深的鄙视。 —

Villefort fully understood his father’s meaning, and answered by a slight shrug of his shoulders. —
维勒福特完全理解了他父亲的意思，只是轻轻耸了耸肩。 —

He then motioned to his wife to take leave.
然后他示意妻子告辞。

“Now sir,” said Madame de Villefort, “I must bid you farewell. —
“现在，先生，” 维勒福特夫人说道， “我必须向您告别。 —

Would you like me to send Edward to you for a short time?”
您想让我把爱德华送到您这里一段时间吗？”

It had been agreed that the old man should express his approbation by closing his eyes, his refusal by winking them several times, and if he had some desire or feeling to express, he raised them to heaven. —
他们事先约定，老人通过闭上双眼表示赞成，眨眼数次表示拒绝，如果有什么愿望或感受要表达，他会抬眼望向天空。 —

If he wanted Valentine, he closed his right eye only, and if Barrois, the left. —
如果他想要瓦伦泰娜，他只闭右眼，如果是巴卢瓦，他闭左眼。 —

At Madame de Villefort’s proposition he instantly winked his eyes.
在维勒福特夫人的提议下，他立刻眨了眨眼。

Provoked by a complete refusal, she bit her lip and said, “Then shall I send Valentine to you? —
被完全拒绝激怒了，她咬了咬嘴唇，说道， “那我把瓦伦泰娜送给您好吗？” —

” The old man closed his eyes eagerly, thereby intimating that such was his wish.
老人急切地闭上了眼睛，表明他希望如此。

M. and Madame de Villefort bowed and left the room, giving orders that Valentine should be summoned to her grandfather’s presence, and feeling sure that she would have much to do to restore calmness to the perturbed spirit of the invalid. —
夫人和维勒福夫人鞠了个躬，离开了房间，命令将瓦伦丁召到祖父的面前，并确信她将需要做很多来恢复病人内心的平静。 —

Valentine, with a color still heightened by emotion, entered the room just after her parents had quitted it. —
瓦伦丁情绪激动，脸上依然带着一抹红晕，她在父母离开后进入房间。 —

One look was sufficient to tell her that her grandfather was suffering, and that there was much on his mind which he was wishing to communicate to her.
只需一眼，她就知道她的祖父在受苦，他有许多心事想要向她倾诉。

“Dear grandpapa,” cried she, “what has happened? They have vexed you, and you are angry?”
“亲爱的祖父，”她大声说，“发生了什么事？他们在惹你生气吗？”

The paralytic closed his eyes in token of assent.
瘫痪的祖父闭上眼睛表示同意。

“Who has displeased you? Is it my father?”
“是谁让你不高兴？是我父亲吗？”

“No.”
“不是。”

“Madame de Villefort?”
“维勒福夫人？”

“No.”
“不是。”

“Me?” The former sign was repeated.
“是我吗？”之前的手势又被重复了一次。

“Are you displeased with me?” cried Valentine in astonishment. —
“你对我不满意吗？”瓦伦丁惊讶地问道。 —

M. Noirtier again closed his eyes.
诺蒂埃先生再次闭上了眼睛。

“And what have I done, dear grandpapa, that you should be angry with me?” cried Valentine.
“亲爱的祖父，我做了什么让你对我生气？”瓦伦丁大声说道。

There was no answer, and she continued:
“没有回答，她继续说：”

“I have not seen you all day. Has anyone been speaking to you against me?”
“我整天都没见到你。有人对你说了什么坏话吗？”

“Yes,” said the old man’s look, with eagerness.
“是的，”老人的目光急切地回答。

“Let me think a moment. I do assure you, grandpapa—Ah—M. and Madame de Villefort have just left this room, have they not?”
“让我想一下。我向你保证，爷爷，阿-维尔福夫人和维尔福先生刚刚离开这个房间了，不是吗？”

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“And it was they who told you something which made you angry? What was it then? —
“是他们告诉你一些让你生气的事情吗？那是什么？” —

May I go and ask them, that I may have the opportunity of making my peace with you?”
“我可以去问问他们，这样我就有机会和你和好了。”

“No, no,” said Noirtier’s look.
“不，不，”诺尔缇尔的眼神说。

“Ah, you frighten me. What can they have said?” and she again tried to think what it could be.
“啊，你吓到我了。他们可能说了什么？”她再次设法想起那是什么。

“Ah, I know,” said she, lowering her voice and going close to the old man. —
“啊，我知道了，”她声音低沉地接近老人。 —

“They have been speaking of my marriage,—have they not?”
“他们在谈论我的婚姻，是吗？”

“Yes,” replied the angry look.
“是的，”生气的目光回答。

“I understand; you are displeased at the silence I have preserved on the subject. —
“我明白了；你对我一直保持沉默感到不悦。” —

The reason of it was, that they had insisted on my keeping the matter a secret, and begged me not to tell you anything of it. —
原因是他们坚持让我保守这个事情的秘密，并恳求我不要告诉您任何事情。 —

They did not even acquaint me with their intentions, and I only discovered them by chance, that is why I have been so reserved with you, dear grandpapa. —
他们甚至没有告诉我他们的意图，我只是偶然发现，所以我一直对您保持沉默，亲爱的爷爷。 —

Pray forgive me.”
请原谅我。

But there was no look calculated to reassure her; —
但没有一个表情能够让她恢复信心； —

all it seemed to say was, “It is not only your reserve which afflicts me.”
似乎它所表达的只是：“不仅是你的保留让我痛苦。”

“What is it, then?” asked the young girl. —
“那么是什么呢？”年轻女孩问道。 —

“Perhaps you think I shall abandon you, dear grandpapa, and that I shall forget you when I am married?”
“也许你认为当我结婚后，我会放弃你，忘记你？”

“No.”
“不会。”

“They told you, then, that M. d’Épinay consented to our all living together?”
“他们告诉你，d’Épinay先生同意我们一起生活？”

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“Then why are you still vexed and grieved? —
“那么为什么你还是生气和伤心？” —

” The old man’s eyes beamed with an expression of gentle affection.
老人的眼睛闪烁着温柔的情感。

“Yes, I understand,” said Valentine; “it is because you love me.” The old man assented.
“是的，我明白了，”瓦伦蒂娜说，“这是因为你爱我。”老人点头。

“And you are afraid I shall be unhappy?”
“你担心我会不幸福？”

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“You do not like M. Franz?” The eyes repeated several times, “No, no, no.”
“你不喜欢弗朗茨先生？” 眼睛重复了好几次，“不，不，不。”

“Then you are vexed with the engagement?”
“那你对这段婚约感到烦恼吗？”

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“Well, listen,” said Valentine, throwing herself on her knees, and putting her arm round her grandfather’s neck, “I am vexed, too, for I do not love M. Franz d’Épinay.”
“好吧，听着，”瓦伦丁跪下，抱着祖父的脖子，“我也感到烦恼，因为我不爱弗朗茨·迪埃皮内。”

An expression of intense joy illumined the old man’s eyes.
老人的眼睛里闪烁着强烈的喜悦。

“When I wished to retire into a convent, you remember how angry you were with me? —
“当我想要进修道院的时候，你还记得你有多生气吗？ —

” A tear trembled in the eye of the invalid. —
”病人的眼睛里闪动着一滴泪。 —

“Well,” continued Valentine, “the reason of my proposing it was that I might escape this hateful marriage, which drives me to despair. —
“嗯，”瓦伦丁接着说，“我提出这个建议的原因是为了逃避这场令我绝望的可恶婚姻。 —

” Noirtier’s breathing came thick and short.
诺提尔的呼吸变得急促而困难。

“Then the idea of this marriage really grieves you too? —
“那么这次婚姻的想法确实也让你感到悲伤？ —

Ah, if you could but help me—if we could both together defeat their plan! —
啊，如果你能帮助我，如果我们能一起击败他们的计划！ —

But you are unable to oppose them,—you, whose mind is so quick, and whose will is so firm are nevertheless, as weak and unequal to the contest as I am myself. —
但你无能为力，你的思维敏捷，意志坚定，却和我一样在这场争斗中弱小不堪。 —

Alas, you, who would have been such a powerful protector to me in the days of your health and strength, can now only sympathize in my joys and sorrows, without being able to take any active part in them. —
唉，你本来会是我在你健康强壮时最强大的庇护者，现在却只能对我的喜悦和悲伤表示同情，无法积极参与其中。 —

However, this is much, and calls for gratitude and Heaven has not taken away all my blessings when it leaves me your sympathy and kindness.”
然而，这已经很多了，需感恩的是，上天没有将我所有的祝福都剥夺，它让我拥有了你的同情和善意。

At these words there appeared in Noirtier’s eye an expression of such deep meaning that the young girl thought she could read these words there: —
听到这些话，诺尔缇尔的眼中闪现出深深的意味，年轻的女孩觉得她能在那里读到这样的话： —

“You are mistaken; I can still do much for you.”
“你误会了，我还能为你做很多事情。”

“Do you think you can help me, dear grandpapa?” said Valentine.
“你觉得你能帮助我，亲爱的爷爷？”瓦伦泰问道。

“Yes.” Noirtier raised his eyes, it was the sign agreed on between him and Valentine when he wanted anything.
“是的。”诺尔缇尔抬起眼睛，这是他和瓦伦泰约定的一个暗示，表示他需要些什么。

“What is it you want, dear grandpapa?” said Valentine, and she endeavored to recall to mind all the things which he would be likely to need; —
“亲爱的爷爷，你想要什么？”瓦伦丁问道，她竭尽全力回想起他可能需要的一切； —

and as the ideas presented themselves to her mind, she repeated them aloud, then, —finding that all her efforts elicited nothing but a constant “No,”—she said, “Come, since this plan does not answer, I will have recourse to another.”
她思索着的主意，她都大声地说出来，然而却只得到了一个持续不变的“不”，她说道：“好吧，既然这个方法行不通，我会试试别的办法。”

She then recited all the letters of the alphabet from A down to N. When she arrived at that letter the paralytic made her understand that she had spoken the initial letter of the thing he wanted.
然后她从A到N依次念出字母表中所有的字母。当她念到N这个字母时，瘫痪的老人让她明白他想要的事物的首字母就是这个字母。

“Ah,” said Valentine, “the thing you desire begins with the letter N; —
“啊”，瓦伦丁说道，“你要的东西以字母N开头； —

it is with N that we have to do, then. Well, let me see, what can you want that begins with N? —
那么，我们要处理的就是N。好，让我想想，以字母N开头的你可能需要什么呢？ —

Na—Ne—Ni—No——”
Na——Ne——Ni——No——”

“Yes, yes, yes,” said the old man’s eye.
“是的，是的，是的”，老人的眼睛眨了一下。

“Ah, it is No, then?”
“啊，那是No吗？”

“Yes.”
“是的。”

Valentine fetched a dictionary, which she placed on a desk before Noirtier; —
瓦伦丁取了一本字典，放在诺蒂埃面前的书桌上； —

she opened it, and, seeing that the old man’s eye was thoroughly fixed on its pages, she ran her finger quickly up and down the columns. —
她把它打开，看到老人的眼睛完全盯着书页，她迅速地在栏目中来回划动她的手指。 —

During the six years which had passed since Noirtier first fell into this sad state, Valentine’s powers of invention had been too often put to the test not to render her expert in devising expedients for gaining a knowledge of his wishes, and the constant practice had so perfected her in the art that she guessed the old man’s meaning as quickly as if he himself had been able to seek for what he wanted. —
自从诺蒂尔第一次陷入这种悲伤的状态以来已经过去了六年，瓦伦丁的创造力经常被考验得太多，以至于她在设计获取他的意愿的方法上已经熟练起来，这种持续的实践已经使她在这门技巧上变得如此完美，她可以像诺蒂尔自己一样迅速地猜到老人的意思。 —

At the word Notary, Noirtier made a sign to her to stop.
诺蒂尔示意她停下，当她说到“公证人”这个词时。

“Notary,” said she, “do you want a notary, dear grandpapa? —
她说：“公证人，亲爱的爷爷，你想要公证人吗？ —

” The old man again signified that it was a notary he desired.
老人再次表示他想要一个公证人。

“You would wish a notary to be sent for then?” said Valentine.
瓦伦丁说：“那么你希望派人去找公证人吗？”

“Yes.”
他回答：“是的。”

“Shall my father be informed of your wish?”
她问：“应该告诉爸爸你的意愿吗？”

“Yes.”
他回答：“是的。”

“Do you wish the notary to be sent for immediately?”
她问：“你想立即派人去找公证人吗？”

“Yes.”
他回答：“是的。”

“Then they shall go for him directly, dear grandpapa. Is that all you want?”
“然后他们直接去找他，亲爱的外公。这就是你想要的吗？”

“Yes.” Valentine rang the bell, and ordered the servant to tell Monsieur or Madame de Villefort that they were requested to come to M. Noirtier’s room.
“是的。”瓦伦泰恩按响了铃，吩咐仆人告诉维尔福先生或夫人，他们被要求到诺翁蒂耶先生的房间。

“Are you satisfied now?” inquired Valentine.
“现在你满意了吗？”瓦伦泰恩问道。

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“I am sure you are; it is not very difficult to discover that. —
“我相信你是满意的；发现这点并不难。” —

” And the young girl smiled on her grandfather, as if he had been a child. —
年轻姑娘对着外公笑了笑，就像他是个孩子一样。 —

M. de Villefort entered, followed by Barrois.
维尔福先生进来了，后面跟着巴鲁瓦。

“What do you want me for, sir?” demanded he of the paralytic.
“先生，你找我有什么事？”瘫痪者问道。

“Sir,” said Valentine, “my grandfather wishes for a notary. —
“先生，”瓦伦泰恩说，“我外公想要一位公证人。” —

” At this strange and unexpected demand M. de Villefort and his father exchanged looks.
面对这个奇怪而意想不到的要求，维尔福先生和他的父亲交换了眼神。

“Yes,” motioned the latter, with a firmness which seemed to declare that with the help of Valentine and his old servant, who both knew what his wishes were, he was quite prepared to maintain the contest.
“是的，”后者示意道，用坚定的语气似乎在宣告，凭借瓦伦泰恩和他的老仆人的帮助，他完全准备好维持这场争斗。

“Do you wish for a notary?” asked Villefort.
“你需要公证人吗？”维尔福问道。

“Yes.”
“是的。”

“What to do?”
“干什么？”

Noirtier made no answer.
诺蒂埃没有回答。

“What do you want with a notary?” again repeated Villefort. —
“你要找公证人做什么？”维尔福再次问道。 —

The invalid’s eye remained fixed, by which expression he intended to intimate that his resolution was unalterable.
肢体残疾的老人双眼一直紧盯着，这种表情表明他的决心是不可改变的。

“Is it to do us some ill turn? Do you think it is worth while?” said Villefort.
“你想对我们做什么坏事吗？你觉得值得吗？”维尔福说道。

“Still,” said Barrois, with the freedom and fidelity of an old servant, “if M. Noirtier asks for a notary, I suppose he really wishes for a notary; —
“不过，”巴罗伊斯以一个老仆人的心腹向性和忠诚性说道，“如果诺蒂埃先生要找公证人，我想他真的希望找一个公证人； —

therefore I shall go at once and fetch one. —
所以我将立即去找一个。 —

” Barrois acknowledged no master but Noirtier, and never allowed his desires in any way to be contradicted.
”巴罗伊斯只承认诺蒂埃先生是他的主人，并且从不允许任何方式上违背他的愿望。

“Yes, I do want a notary,” motioned the old man, shutting his eyes with a look of defiance, which seemed to say, “and I should like to see the person who dares to refuse my request.”
“是的，我想要一个公证人，”老人示意道，闭上眼睛，带着一种挑衅的神色，似乎在说：“我想看看谁敢拒绝我的要求。”

“You shall have a notary, as you absolutely wish for one, sir,” said Villefort; —
“既然您坚持要一个公证人，那您就会得到一个公证人，先生，”维尔福说道。 —

“but I shall explain to him your state of health, and make excuses for you, for the scene cannot fail of being a most ridiculous one.”
“但我会向他解释你的健康状况，并为你找借口，因为这场景一定会非常荒谬。”

“Never mind that,” said Barrois; “I shall go and fetch a notary, nevertheless. —
“不要紧，”巴罗瓦斯说道，“尽管如此，我还是将去找一个公证人。” —

” And the old servant departed triumphantly on his mission.
于是老仆人得意洋洋地离开执行他的任务。