AND LAST
在这个故事中出现的人物即将走向厄运。

The fortunes of those who have figured in this tale are nearly closed. —
这位历史学家要讲述的仅剩下的一点内容，用简洁的语言来叙述。 —

The little that remains to their historian to relate, is told in few and simple words.
不到三个月的时间，罗丝·弗莱明和哈里·梅利在村庄教堂举行了婚礼，这个教堂从此成为这位年轻牧师的工作场所；

Before three months had passed, Rose Fleming and Harry Maylie were married in the village church which was henceforth to be the scene of the young clergyman’s labours; —
同一天，他们开始享有新居的幸福生活。 —

on the same day they entered into possession of their new and happy home.
梅利太太和她的儿子、儿媳一起居住，享受着余生的宁静，这是年老与善良所能享有的最大幸福—那就是看着生命中全心全意付出的人获得幸福。

Mrs. Maylie took up her abode with her son and daughter-in-law, to enjoy, during the tranquil remainder of her days, the greatest felicity that age and worth can know–the contemplation of the happiness of those on whom the warmest affections and tenderest cares of a well-spent life, have been unceasingly bestowed.
经过充分慎重的调查，发现如果墨克斯手中所剩的财产（无论是他自己的还是他母亲的）均分给他和奥利弗，每人将获得不到三千英镑。

It appeared, on full and careful investigation, that if the wreck of property remaining in the custody of Monks (which had never prospered either in his hands or in those of his mother) were equally divided between himself and Oliver, it would yield, to each, little more than three thousand pounds. —
根据他父亲的遗嘱，奥利弗本应享有全部财产； —

By the provisions of his father’s will, Oliver would have been entitled to the whole; —
但是布朗洛先生不愿剥夺长子重新改过自新并追求诚实生活的机会，因此建议这种分配方式，这个年轻的受监护人欣然同意。 —

but Mr. Brownlow, unwilling to deprive the elder son of the opportunity of retrieving his former vices and pursuing an honest career, proposed this mode of distribution, to which his young charge joyfully acceded.
墨克斯仍以那个假名退隐到遥远的新大陆；

Monks, still bearing that assumed name, retired with his portion to a distant part of the New World; —
在那里，他很快就挥霍一空，重新堕入老路，最终因一桩新的欺诈和诈骗行为而遭长期监禁，最终在狱中死去。 —

where, having quickly squandered it, he once more fell into his old courses, and, after undergoing a long confinement for some fresh act of fraud and knavery, at length sunk under an attack of his old disorder, and died in prison. —
与他走得很远的，是他朋友费金的团伙中仅存的主要成员。 —

As far from home, died the chief remaining members of his friend Fagin’s gang.
布朗洛先生收养了奥利弗为儿子。他和老管家搬到距离牧师宅邸一英里的地方，那里住着他亲爱的朋友们，他满足了奥利弗真诚热切的心愿，因此，他们这个小社团所处的状况几乎达到了完美幸福的境界，这在这个瞬息万变的世界里，几乎是很难得的。

Mr. Brownlow adopted Oliver as his son. Removing with him and the old housekeeper to within a mile of the parsonage-house, where his dear friends resided, he gratified the only remaining wish of Oliver’s warm and earnest heart, and thus linked together a little society, whose condition approached as nearly to one of perfect happiness as can ever be known in this changing world.
年轻人结婚后不久，值得尊敬的医生回到了切尔西，失去了老朋友们的陪伴，如果他的性情容许的话，就会感到不满；

Soon after the marriage of the young people, the worthy doctor returned to Chertsey, where, bereft of the presence of his old friends, he would have been discontented if his temperament had admitted of such a feeling; —
如果他知道了便会变得相当易怒。 —

and would have turned quite peevish if he had known how. —
Soon after the marriage of the young people, the worthy doctor returned to Chertsey, where, bereft of the presence of his old friends, he would have been discontented if his temperament had admitted of such a feeling; —

For two or three months, he contented himself with hinting that he feared the air began to disagree with him; —
他在两三个月里一直在暗示他担心空气对他的影响开始变得不好; —

then, finding that the place really no longer was, to him, what it had been, he settled his business on his assistant, took a bachelor’s cottage outside the village of which his young friend was pastor, and instantaneously recovered. —
然后，他发现这个地方对他来说不再是以前的样子，于是把生意交给他的助手，搬到了一个靠近他年轻朋友担任牧师的村庄外的单身小屋，并立刻康复了。 —

Here he took to gardening, planting, fishing, carpentering, and various other pursuits of a similar kind: —
在那里，他开始从事园艺、种植、钓鱼、木工等各种类似的活动; —

all undertaken with his characteristic impetuosity. —
所有这一切都是他典型的急躁风格。 —

In each and all he has since become famous throughout the neighborhood, as a most profound authority.
在各个方面，他此后便在周围地区声名远扬，成为最杰出的专家。

Before his removal, he had managed to contract a strong friendship for Mr. Grimwig, which that eccentric gentleman cordially reciprocated. —
搬走前，他成功地与格林威克先生结交了深厚的友谊，而那位古怪的绅士则大力回报。 —

He is accordingly visited by Mr. Grimwig a great many times in the course of the year. —
因此，格林威克先生一年中到访他很多次。 —

On all such occasions, Mr. Grimwig plants, fishes, and carpenters, with great ardour; —
在这些场合，格林威克先生总是怀着极大的热情种植、钓鱼和做木工; —

doing everything in a very singular and unprecedented manner, but always maintaining with his favourite asseveration, that his mode is the right one. —
以一种非常奇特和前所未有的方式做每一件事，但始终坚持他最喜欢的断言，即他的方法才是正确的。 —

On Sundays, he never fails to criticise the sermon to the young clergyman’s face: —
每个星期天，他都不会放过当面批评年轻牧师的布道; —

always informing Mr. Losberne, in strict confidence afterwards, that he considers it an excellent performance, but deems it as well not to say so. —
每次事后都会以严格的保密形式告诉洛斯伯恩先生，他认为那是出色的表现，但最好不说出来。 —

It is a standing and very favourite joke, for Mr. Brownlow to rally him on his old prophecy concerning Oliver, and to remind him of the night on which they sat with the watch between them, waiting his return; —
布朗洛先生总是拿他过去关于奥利弗的预言开玩笑，提醒他们当时一起坐着等他回来的那个夜晚; —

but Mr. Grimwig contends that he was right in the main, and, in proof thereof, remarks that Oliver did not come back after all; —
但格林威克先生坚称他主要的预言是正确的，为此他指出，奥利弗毕竟没有回来; —

which always calls forth a laugh on his side, and increases his good humour.
这总是引起他一方的笑声，增进他的好心情。

Mr. Noah Claypole: receiving a free pardon from the Crown in consequence of being admitted approver against Fagin: —
诺亚·克莱波尔先生：因作为告密者供认费金而获得了皇室的自由赦免。 —

and considering his profession not altogether as safe a one as he could wish: —
考虑到他的职业并不像他希望的那样安全： —

was, for some little time, at a loss for the means of a livelihood, not burdened with too much work. After some consideration, he went into business as an Informer, in which calling he realises a genteel subsistence. —
有一段时间，他不知道怎样谋生，也没有太多的工作。在深思熟虑后，他决定当一名告密者，通过这种方式谋得体面的生活。 —

His plan is, to walk out once a week during church time attended by Charlotte in respectable attire. The lady faints away at the doors of charitable publicans, and the gentleman being accommodated with three-penny worth of brandy to restore her, lays an information next day, and pockets half the penalty. —
他的计划是，每周一次在教堂时间与身着体面服装的夏洛特一起外出散步。夫人在慈善酒馆门口晕倒，先生得到三便士的白兰地帮助她恢复意识，第二天向政府举报，将罚金的一半收入囊中。 —

Sometimes Mr. Claypole faints himself, but the result is the same.
有时候克莱波尔先生也会晕倒，但结果是一样的。

Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, deprived of their situations, were gradually reduced to great indigence and misery, and finally became paupers in that very same workhouse in which they had once lorded it over others. —
失去了工作岗位的邦布尔夫妇逐渐陷入极度的贫困和痛苦，最终成为了那座他们曾在其中为别人操心的救济院的贫民。 —

Mr. Bumble has been heard to say, that in this reverse and degradation, he has not even spirits to be thankful for being separated from his wife.
邦布尔先生曾说，在这种颠倒和堕落中，他甚至没有精神去感激与妻子分离。

As to Mr. Giles and Brittles, they still remain in their old posts, although the former is bald, and the last-named boy quite grey. —
至于吉尔斯先生和布里特尔斯，他们仍然留在他们原来的职位上，尽管前者已秃顶，后者已经花白了。 —

They sleep at the parsonage, but divide their attentions so equally among its inmates, and Oliver and Mr. Brownlow, and Mr. Losberne, that to this day the villagers have never been able to discover to which establishment they properly belong.
他们住在牧师宅邸，但他们把注意力平均分配给那里的居民，奥利弗，布朗洛先生和洛斯本先生，以至于满村的村民至今也无法确认他们究竟属于哪个机构。

Master Charles Bates, appalled by Sikes’s crime, fell into a train of reflection whether an honest life was not, after all, the best. —
受到赛克斯罪行的震惊，查尔斯·贝茨大师开始反思，诚实的生活毕竟是最好的。 —

Arriving at the conclusion that it certainly was, he turned his back upon the scenes of the past, resolved to amend it in some new sphere of action. —
得出结论，那确实是最好的，他背上过去的一切，决心通过一种新的行动领域来改善。 —

He struggled hard, and suffered much, for some time; —
他努力奋斗，遭受了许多磨难一段时间； —

but, having a contented disposition, and a good purpose, succeeded in the end; —
不过，由于他性情满足，目的良善，最终取得了成功； —

and, from being a farmer’s drudge, and a carrier’s lad, he is now the merriest young grazier in all Northamptonshire.
从一个农夫的苦工和运输者的小伙计，他现在是诺桑普顿郡最快乐的年轻畜牧业者。

And now, the hand that traces these words, falters, as it approaches the conclusion of its task; —
现在，记录这些文字的手在接近任务结束时有些颤抖； —

and would weave, for a little longer space, the thread of these adventures.
并且想再织一个稍长一点的时间，继续这些历险。

I would fain linger yet with a few of those among whom I have so long moved, and share their happiness by endeavouring to depict it. —
我宁愿与那些我长久以来相处的一些人一起停留，通过努力描绘他们的幸福来分享他们的快乐。 —

I would show Rose Maylie in all the bloom and grace of early womanhood, shedding on her secluded path in life soft and gentle light, that fell on all who trod it with her, and shone into their hearts. —
我要展示罗斯·梅利以早期的女性之美和优雅，为她人生中的幽静道路投下柔和温和的光芒，照耀着与她同行的人们，并照亮他们的心灵。 —

I would paint her the life and joy of the fire-side circle and the lively summer group; —
我要描绘她成为家庭火炉周围和活泼的夏日群体的生命和快乐； —

I would follow her through the sultry fields at noon, and hear the low tones of her sweet voice in the moonlit evening walk; —
我要追随她在中午骄阳下穿过麦田，听到她的甜美声音在月光下的夜间散步中低语； —

I would watch her in all her goodness and charity abroad, and the smiling untiring discharge of domestic duties at home; —
我要看她在外面的善良和仁爱，以及在家中无怨无悔地履行家务； —

I would paint her and her dead sister’s child happy in their love for one another, and passing whole hours together in picturing the friends whom they had so sadly lost; —
我要描绘她和她已故姐妹的孩子在彼此相爱的快乐中，一起度过整整几个小时描绘着他们所悲伤失去的朋友； —

I would summon before me, once again, those joyous little faces that clustered round her knee, and listen to their merry prattle; —
我要再次召唤在她膝前聚集的那些欢乐的小脸庞，并倾听他们的欢声笑语； —

I would recall the tones of that clear laugh, and conjure up the sympathising tear that glistened in the soft blue eye. —
我要回忆起那清脆笑声的音调，想象出在柔软的蓝眼中闪烁的同情泪珠。 —

These, and a thousand looks and smiles, and turns of thought and speech–I would fain recall them every one.
这些，和千百个眼神和微笑，思维和言谈的转折–我都想一一回忆起来。

How Mr. Brownlow went on, from day to day, filling the mind of his adopted child with stores of knowledge, and becoming attached to him, more and more, as his nature developed itself, and showed the thriving seeds of all he wished him to become–how he traced in him new traits of his early friend, that awakened in his own bosom old remembrances, melancholy and yet sweet and soothing–how the two orphans, tried by adversity, remembered its lessons in mercy to others, and mutual love, and fervent thanks to Him who had protected and preserved them–these are all matters which need not to be told. —
从一天到另一天，布朗罗先生如何填充他领养的孩子的心灵，为他灌输知识，以及如同所求使其成长的新特质，越发对他情有独钟，将他视为自己的早亡朋友所展现的新特质的延续，唤起他心中旧时回忆，忧伤而甜蜜且抚慰–这两位孤儿在经历逆境后，如何铭记其中的怜悯与相互之间的爱，以及对那位守护和保佑他们的上帝的热烈感谢–这些都是不需叙述的内容。 —

I have said that they were truly happy; and without strong affection and humanity of heart, and gratitude to that Being whose code is Mercy, and whose great attribute is Benevolence to all things that breathe, happiness can never be attained.
我曾说他们是真正幸福的；没有坚定的情感和善心，以及对那位慈悲为怀，其伦规是仁慈，其伟大特质是对一切呼吸的事物仁慈的存在，幸福永远无法获得。

Within the altar of the old village church there stands a white marble tablet, which bears as yet but one word: —
在古老村庄教堂的祭坛内，立着一块白色大理石墓碑，上面只刻着一个词： —

‘AGNES.’ There is no coffin in that tomb; —
‘AGNES.’ 那里没有棺椁； —

and may it be many, many years, before another name is placed above it! —
愿它多多少少还有很多年才会再添他人的名字！ —

But, if the spirits of the Dead ever come back to earth, to visit spots hallowed by the love–the love beyond the grave–of those whom they knew in life, I believe that the shade of Agnes sometimes hovers round that solemn nook. —
但如果逝者的灵魂有时回到人间，去参观被爱所祝圣的地方–超越墓地的爱–我相信阿格尼丝的幽灵有时会盘旋在那个庄严的角落周围。 —

I believe it none the less because that nook is in a Church, and she was weak and erring.
我仍然相信这一点，因为那个角落是在一座教堂里，她当时软弱和犯错。