書(shū)蟲(chóng)四級(jí)《華盛頓廣場(chǎng)》：8.最后的離別

8.The last parting

8．最后的離別

Catherine did not 'go off' with Morris Townsend when she arrived in New York, but she did hear news of him from her aunt during her first evening home. In fact, while she had been away, Morris had been a frequent visitor in Washington Square, taking tea with Mrs Penniman and sitting in Doctor Sloper's study to smoke cigars. Mrs Almond had told her sister that she was behaving foolishly.

凱瑟琳回到紐約后并沒(méi)有和莫里斯·湯森“私奔”，不過(guò)到家的第一個(gè)晚上她的確從姑姑那里聽(tīng)到了他的消息。實(shí)際上，在她離開(kāi)的那段時(shí)間里，莫里斯經(jīng)常到華盛頓廣場(chǎng)來(lái)拜訪，和彭尼曼夫人一起喝茶，坐在斯洛珀醫(yī)生的書(shū)房里抽雪茄。阿爾蒙德夫人告訴過(guò)她姐姐這么做很愚蠢。

You should not be so friendly with him, Lavinia,' she said. 'He will make Catherine a bad husband. If he marries her and she doesn't get Austin's money, he will hate her for his disappointment, and will be cruel to her. The poor girl will have a miserable life.'

“你不應(yīng)該對(duì)他這么好，拉維尼婭，”她說(shuō)，“他不會(huì)是凱瑟琳的好丈夫。如果他和她結(jié)婚，而她得不到奧斯汀的錢，他就會(huì)因?yàn)槭憛捤?，還會(huì)虐待她。這個(gè)可憐的女孩兒會(huì)生活得很凄慘?！?

But Mrs Penniman did not listen to her sister, and on Catherine's return she told her niece that she had taken good care of her lover while she had been away.

但彭尼曼夫人聽(tīng)不進(jìn)妹妹的話，凱瑟琳一回來(lái)她就告訴她侄女，在她離開(kāi)的那段時(shí)間里她把她的戀人照顧得很好。

And how is your father?' she asked. 'Has he changed his mind about disinheriting you?'

“你父親怎么樣？”她問(wèn)道，“他有沒(méi)有改變剝奪你繼承權(quán)的想法？”

No. In Europe I saw that I shall never change him,' said poor Catherine. 'I expect nothing from him now.'

“沒(méi)有。在歐洲的時(shí)候我明白我永遠(yuǎn)沒(méi)法改變他，”可憐的凱瑟琳說(shuō)，“我現(xiàn)在對(duì)他不抱任何期望了?！?

You have become very brave,' said Mrs Penniman, with a short laugh. 'I didn't advise you to give up your property.'

“你變得很勇敢了，”彭尼曼夫人笑了一聲，說(shuō)道，“我可不主張你放棄自己的財(cái)產(chǎn)?！?

Yes, I am braver than I was. I have changed in that way—I have changed very much. And it isn't my property. If Morris doesn't care about it, then I don't care either.'

“是的，我比以前勇敢了。我已經(jīng)朝那個(gè)方向轉(zhuǎn)變——我改變了很多。而且，那不是我的財(cái)產(chǎn)。如果莫里斯不在乎，我也不在乎。”

Mrs Penniman hesitated. 'Perhaps he does care about it.'

彭尼曼夫人猶豫了：“也許他在乎呢?！?

He cares about it because he doesn't want to injure me, but he knows that I am not afraid of that. Besides, I have my own money; we shall have enough to live well.'

“他在乎是因?yàn)樗幌雮ξ遥贿^(guò)他知道我不怕。而且，我有自己的錢；可以讓我們過(guò)得不錯(cuò)?！?

The next day Morris Townsend came to visit Catherine.

第二天莫里斯·湯森來(lái)看望凱瑟琳。

I am very glad you have come back,' he said. 'It makes me very happy to see you again.' He looked at her, smiling, from head to foot.

“我真高興你回來(lái)了，”他說(shuō)，“再次見(jiàn)到你真高興。”他微笑著，從頭到腳把她打量了一番。

When Catherine saw his handsome face again, she found it hard to believe that this beautiful young man was hers. She was very happy, and without waiting for him to ask, she told Morris about her father.

凱瑟琳再次看到他那英俊的臉龐時(shí)，覺(jué)得很難相信這個(gè)俊朗的年輕人是她的。她很高興，沒(méi)等他問(wèn)，她就跟莫里斯講了父親的事。

We must not expect his money now,' she said, 'and we must live without it.'

“我們現(xiàn)在不要指望他的錢了，”她說(shuō)，“而且我們必須不靠它來(lái)生活?！?

Morris sat looking and smiling. 'My poor, dear girl!' he cried.

莫里斯坐在那兒，望著她微笑?！拔铱蓱z的寶貝兒！”他叫道。

You must not be sad for me,' said Catherine.

“你不必為我難過(guò)。”凱瑟琳說(shuō)。

Morris continued to smile, and then he got up and walked around the room. 'Let me talk to him,' he said. 'I want to prove to your father that he is wrong about me.'

莫里斯依然微笑著，然后站起來(lái)在屋中踱步?！白屛腋?wù)?，”他說(shuō)，“我想向你父親證明他對(duì)我的看法是錯(cuò)的?！?

Please don't, Morris,' said Catherine sadly. 'We must ask nothing from him. I know he will never change.'

“請(qǐng)不要這樣，莫里斯，”凱瑟琳悲傷地說(shuō)，“我們不要向他祈求任何東西。我知道他永遠(yuǎn)也不會(huì)改變的?！?

Why not?'

“為什么不會(huì)？”

She hesitated for a moment. 'He is not very fond of me,' she said slowly. 'And I think he despises me. I saw it, I felt it, in England, just before we left. It is because he is so fond of my mother, who died so many years ago. She was beautiful and very, very clever—he is always thinking of her. I am not at all like her; Aunt Penniman has told me that. Of course it isn't my fault, but neither is it his fault.'

她遲疑了片刻?！八惶矚g我，”她慢慢地說(shuō)道，“我想他瞧不起我。我明白這一點(diǎn)，我們離開(kāi)英國(guó)之前我就感覺(jué)到了。因?yàn)樗矚g我母親，可惜她許多年前就過(guò)世了。她美麗而且非常、非常聰明——他一直懷念著她。我和她一點(diǎn)兒也不像；彭尼曼姑姑跟我說(shuō)過(guò)。這當(dāng)然不是我的錯(cuò)，但也不是他的錯(cuò)。”

You are a strange family,' said Morris.

“你們一家人可真怪?！蹦锼拐f(shuō)。

Don't say that—don't say anything unkind,' Catherine said. 'You must be very kind to me now, because, Morris,' —here she hesitated— 'because I have done a lot for you.'

“別那么說(shuō)——?jiǎng)e說(shuō)刻薄話?！眲P瑟琳說(shuō)，“你現(xiàn)在一定要好好待我，因?yàn)椋锼?，”——說(shuō)到這兒她遲疑了一下——“因?yàn)槲乙呀?jīng)為你做了那么多。”

Oh, I know that, my dear.'

“噢，我知道，親愛(ài)的?！?

It has been terrible for me to feel so distant from my father—to feel that he despises me. I would be so miserable if I didn't love you. We must be very happy together! And, Morris, Morris, you must never despise me!'

“感覺(jué)和父親那么疏遠(yuǎn)真讓我難受——我覺(jué)得他瞧不起我。如果我不愛(ài)你，我會(huì)很痛苦。我們?cè)谝黄鹨欢ㄒ炜鞓?lè)樂(lè)的！還有，莫里斯，莫里斯，你千萬(wàn)不要瞧不起我！”

This was an easy promise to make, and Morris made it. But for the moment he made no further promises.

作這樣的承諾很容易，所以莫里斯答應(yīng)了。但他暫時(shí)沒(méi)有作進(jìn)一步的承諾。

Doctor Sloper spoke to both his sisters soon after his return. He told Mrs Penniman that he would never accept Morris Townsend as a son-in-law, and he told Mrs Almond that he was now no longer amused by Catherine, only annoyed.

斯洛珀醫(yī)生回來(lái)之后不久就分別找他的兩位姐妹談話。他告訴彭尼曼夫人他決不會(huì)接受莫里斯·湯森做他的女婿，他又告訴阿爾蒙德夫人他現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)不再喜歡凱瑟琳了，只是很生她的氣。

She will never give Mr Townsend up.' said Mrs Almond.

“她決不會(huì)放棄湯森先生的?！卑柮傻路蛉苏f(shuō)。

Then she will be very unhappy, and I can't prevent it.'

“那么她會(huì)很不幸，可我卻無(wú)法阻止。”

Poor Catherine!' said Mrs Almond. 'We must be as kind to her as we can.'

“可憐的凱瑟琳！”阿爾蒙德夫人說(shuō)，“我們應(yīng)該盡量對(duì)她好些?！?

Mrs Penniman arranged another secret meeting with Morris. They went for a long walk together, and she told him what the Doctor had said.

彭尼曼夫人和莫里斯又安排了另外一次秘密會(huì)面。他們一起散步，走了很長(zhǎng)時(shí)間，她把醫(yī)生的話告訴了他。

He will never give us a penny,' said Morris angrily. After a pause, he added, 'I must give her up!'

“他決不會(huì)給我們一分錢?！蹦锼股鷼獾卣f(shuō)。停了一下，他又繼續(xù)說(shuō)：“我必須放棄她！”

Mrs Penniman was silent for a moment. Though she thought of Morris as a son, she was also a little afraid of him. 'I think I understand you,' she said, gently. 'But my poor Morris, do you know how much she loves you?'

彭尼曼夫人沉默了一會(huì)兒。雖然她把莫里斯看作兒子一般，她也有些怕他?！拔蚁胛依斫饽悖彼p聲說(shuō)道，“不過(guò)，可憐的莫里斯，你知道她有多愛(ài)你嗎？”

No, I don't. I don't want to know.'

“不，我不知道。也不想知道?！?

It will be very hard for Catherine,' said Mrs Penniman.

“這對(duì)凱瑟琳來(lái)說(shuō)太難了?！迸砟崧蛉苏f(shuō)。

You must help her. The Doctor will help you; he will be delighted with the news.'

“你必須幫她。醫(yī)生會(huì)幫你；他聽(tīng)到這個(gè)消息會(huì)高興的?！?

He will say, "I always told you so!"'

“他會(huì)說(shuō)：‘我早就告訴過(guò)你！’”

Morris blushed bright red. 'I find this all very unpleasant,' he said. 'A true friend would try and make it easier for me.'

莫里斯的臉漲得通紅。“我覺(jué)得這一切太討厭了，”他說(shuō)，“真正的朋友會(huì)設(shè)法讓情況變得對(duì)我容易些?！?

Would you like me to tell her?' Mrs Penniman asked.

“要我告訴她嗎？”彭尼曼夫人問(wèn)道。

You mustn't tell her, but you can—' He hesitated, trying to think what Mrs Penniman could do. 'You can explain that I don't want to come between her and her father.'

“千萬(wàn)別告訴她，不過(guò)你可以——”他猶豫了一下，拿不定主意彭尼曼夫人能做什么，“你可以跟她解釋，說(shuō)我不想影響他們父女的關(guān)系?！?

Are you not going to come and see her again?'

“你不再來(lái)見(jiàn)她了嗎？”

Oh no, I shall come again, but I want this business to end soon. I have been four times since she came back, and it's very hard work.'

“哦，不，我還會(huì)再來(lái)，不過(guò)我想早點(diǎn)兒把這件事了結(jié)了。她回來(lái)后我已經(jīng)來(lái)過(guò)四次了，這很不容易?！?

But you must have your last parting!' his companion cried. For Mrs Penniman the last parting between lovers was almost as romantic as the first meeting.

“但你一定要最后道別一下！”他的同伴大聲說(shuō)道。對(duì)于彭尼曼夫人來(lái)說(shuō)，戀人之間最后的離別幾乎和初會(huì)一樣浪漫。

Morris came to Washington Square again, without managing the last parting; and again and again. Catherine did not suspect anything was wrong, and Mrs Penniman was too frightened to say anything to her. During each visit the poor girl waited for Morris to name the day of their wedding. But he never stayed more than a few minutes, and seemed so uncomfortable that at last she became worried.

莫里斯又來(lái)到了華盛頓廣場(chǎng)，不過(guò)并沒(méi)有做到最后分手，而是一再光顧。凱瑟琳還沒(méi)有覺(jué)察出任何異樣，而彭尼曼夫人太擔(dān)心了，什么也沒(méi)跟她說(shuō)。每次會(huì)面，可憐的女孩兒都等著莫里斯定下他們婚禮的日子?？墒撬偸谴簧蠋追昼娋妥撸绎@得心神不寧，最后她開(kāi)始擔(dān)心了。

Are you sick?' she asked him.

“你病了嗎？”她問(wèn)他。

I am not at all well,' he said. 'And I have to go away.'

“我不太舒服，”他說(shuō)，“我要走了?！?

Go away? Where are you going, Morris?'

“走？去哪里，莫里斯？”

He looked at her, and for a second or two she was afraid of him. 'Will you promise not to be angry?' he said.

他看著她，有那么一兩秒種她覺(jué)得有些怕他?！按饝?yīng)我不要生氣好嗎？”他說(shuō)。

Angry! —do I get angry?'

“生氣！——我生氣了嗎？”

I have to go away on business—to New Orleans.'

“我要離開(kāi)去辦點(diǎn)兒事——去新奧爾良?！?

What is your business? Your business is to be with me.'

“辦什么事？你要辦的事就是和我在一起。”

He told her a long story about a chance he had to make a lot of money buying cotton, but Catherine took his arm in her two hands and spoke more violently than he had ever heard her speak before.

他給她講了一個(gè)很長(zhǎng)的故事，說(shuō)有個(gè)好機(jī)會(huì)可以買棉花掙很多錢，可是凱瑟琳兩手拉住他的胳膊，他從未聽(tīng)她說(shuō)話那么激烈過(guò)。

You can go to New Orleans some other time. This isn't the moment to choose. We have waited too long already.'

“你可以改天再去新奧爾良，不該挑這個(gè)時(shí)候去。我們已經(jīng)等得夠久了?！?

You said you would not be angry!' cried Morris. He got up to leave. 'Very well; we won't talk about it any more. I will do the business by letter.'

“你說(shuō)過(guò)不會(huì)生氣的！”莫里斯大聲說(shuō)道。他起身要走，“好吧；我們別再談這個(gè)了。我寫信來(lái)做這筆生意?！?

You won't go?' said Catherine, looking at him.

“你不會(huì)走了？”凱瑟琳看著他說(shuō)道。

Morris wanted to argue with her; it would make it easier for him to break away. 'You mustn't tell me what to do,' he said. 'Try and be calmer the next time I come.'

莫里斯想和她吵上一架，這樣分手就會(huì)容易些?！澳銊e對(duì)我指手畫(huà)腳，”他說(shuō)，“下次我來(lái)的時(shí)候你冷靜一點(diǎn)兒?！?

When will you come again?'

“你什么時(shí)候再來(lái)？”

I will come next Saturday,' said Morris.

“下周六我會(huì)再來(lái)。”莫里斯說(shuō)。

Come tomorrow,' Catherine begged; 'I want you to come tomorrow. I will be very quiet.' Suddenly she felt very frightened, and did not want him to leave the room.

“明天就來(lái)吧，”凱瑟琳懇求道，“我想讓你明天來(lái)。我會(huì)很安靜的?！蓖蝗凰械胶芎ε?，不想讓他離開(kāi)這個(gè)房間。

Morris kissed the top of her head. Catherine felt her heart beat very fast. 'Will you promise to come tomorrow?'

莫里斯吻了一下她的額頭。凱瑟琳覺(jué)得心跳得很快?！按饝?yīng)我明天就來(lái)好嗎？”

I said Saturday!' Morris answered, smiling. He tried to be angry at one moment, and smile at the next; it was all very difficult and unpleasant.

“我說(shuō)了星期六！”莫里斯微笑著答道。他想要發(fā)火，但臉上立刻又掛滿了笑容；這樣做實(shí)在困難而且不舒服。

Yes, Saturday, too,' she answered, trying to smile. 'But tomorrow first.' He was going to the door, and she went with him quickly.

“是的，星期六也來(lái)，”她答道，擠出一絲笑容，“但明天先來(lái)?！彼T口走去，她趕緊跟上他。

I am a busy man!' cried Morris.

“我很忙！”莫里斯大聲說(shuō)道。

His voice was so hard and unnatural that she turned away. He quickly put his hand on the door. But in a moment she was close to him again, murmuring, 'Morris, you are going to leave me.'

他的聲音是那么刺耳而且做作，她轉(zhuǎn)過(guò)頭去。他迅速把手放在了門上。可是她立刻又靠近他，低聲說(shuō)道：“莫里斯，你要離開(kāi)我了。”

Yes, for a little while. Until you are reasonable again.'

“是的，離開(kāi)一陣。直到你恢復(fù)理智?！?

I shall never be reasonable, in that way.' She tried to keep him longer. 'Think of what I have done!' she cried. 'Morris, I have given up everything.'

“那樣的話我永遠(yuǎn)也不會(huì)理智的。”她努力想讓他多待一會(huì)兒，“想一想我所做的一切！”她哭道，“莫里斯，我放棄了一切?！?

You shall have everything back.'

“你會(huì)重新得到那一切的?！?

You wouldn't say that if you didn't mean something. What is it? What has happened? What have I done? What has changed you?'

“要不是你有什么想法，你不會(huì)這么說(shuō)的。怎么了？發(fā)生什么事了？我做了什么？是什么改變了你？”

I will write to you—that is better.'

“我會(huì)給你寫信的——那樣更好?！?

You won't come back!' she cried, tears running down her face.

“你不會(huì)回來(lái)了！”她哭道，淚水從臉龐上滑落。

Dear Catherine,' he said, 'don't believe that. I promise you that you shall see me again.' And he managed to get away, and to close the door behind him.

“親愛(ài)的凱瑟琳，”他說(shuō)，“別那么想。我保證我們還會(huì)再見(jiàn)面的?！彼麙昝摿怂S手關(guān)上了門。

For many hours Catherine lay crying on the sofa. He had said he would return, but she had seen an expression on his face that she had never seen before. He had wanted to get away from her; he had been angry and cruel, and said strange things, with strange looks. She tried to believe that he would come back; she listened, hoping to hear his ring at the door, but he did not return, nor did he call or write the next day. On Saturday Catherine sent him a note. 'I don't understand,' she wrote. 'Morris, you are killing me!'

凱瑟琳躺在沙發(fā)上哭了好幾個(gè)小時(shí)。他說(shuō)過(guò)他會(huì)回來(lái)，可是她在他臉上看到了一種從未見(jiàn)過(guò)的表情。他已經(jīng)想好了要離開(kāi)她；他沖她發(fā)火，粗暴地對(duì)待她，還說(shuō)一些奇怪的話，臉上的表情很陌生。她試著相信他會(huì)回來(lái)；她側(cè)耳傾聽(tīng)，希望能聽(tīng)到他按門鈴的聲音，可是他卻沒(méi)回頭，第二天他既沒(méi)來(lái)看她也沒(méi)寫信。星期六，凱瑟琳給他寫了一張便條。“我不明白，”她寫道，“莫里斯，你傷透了我的心！”

The pain in Catherine's heart was terrible, but she was desperate to hide from her father what had happened, so she tried very hard to be brave. She ate her meals, went on with her daily life as usual, and said nothing to anybody.

凱瑟琳內(nèi)心痛苦極了，可是她卻竭力不讓父親看出有什么異樣，所以她努力地堅(jiān)強(qiáng)起來(lái)。她照常吃飯，每天的生活也一如既往，對(duì)別人只字不提這件事。

I am afraid you are in trouble, my dear,' Mrs Penniman said to her. 'Can I do anything to help you?'

“我擔(dān)心你有麻煩，親愛(ài)的，”彭尼曼夫人對(duì)她說(shuō)，“我能為你做什么嗎？”

I am not in any trouble, and do not need any help,' said Catherine.

“我什么麻煩都沒(méi)有，也不需要任何幫助?！眲P瑟琳說(shuō)。

After a few days the Doctor, who had been watching in silence, spoke to his sister Lavinia.

幾天之后，一直在默默關(guān)注這件事的醫(yī)生對(duì)姐姐拉維尼婭說(shuō)：

The thing has happened—he has left her!'

“事情發(fā)生了——他甩了她！”

It seems to make you happy to see your daughter upset!'

“好像你見(jiàn)到自己女兒難受倒挺開(kāi)心的！”

It does,' said the Doctor; 'because it shows I was right.'

“的確，”醫(yī)生說(shuō)，“這說(shuō)明我猜得沒(méi)錯(cuò)?！?

The following afternoon Catherine went for a walk, and returned to find Mrs Penniman waiting for her.

第二天下午凱瑟琳出去散步，回來(lái)的時(shí)候發(fā)現(xiàn)彭尼曼夫人正在等她。

Dear Catherine, you cannot pretend with me,' said her aunt. 'I know everything. And it is better that you should separate.'

“親愛(ài)的凱瑟琳，別瞞著我了，”她姑姑說(shuō)道，“我都知道了。你們分手更好?！?

Separate? Who said we were going to separate?'

“分手？誰(shuí)說(shuō)我們要分手？”

Isn't it broken off?' asked Mrs Penniman.

“不是已經(jīng)解除婚約了嗎？”彭尼曼夫人問(wèn)道。

My engagement? Not at all!'

“我的婚約？根本沒(méi)有！”

I am sorry then. I have spoken too soon! But what has happened between you?' said Mrs Penniman; 'because something has certainly happened.'

“那真抱歉。我這話說(shuō)得太早了！可是你們倆之間發(fā)生了什么事？”彭尼曼夫人說(shuō)，“因?yàn)橐欢ㄓ惺虑榘l(fā)生。”

Nothing has happened. I love him more and more!'

“什么也沒(méi)發(fā)生。我越來(lái)越愛(ài)他了！”

Mrs Penniman was silent. 'I suppose that's why you went to see him this afternoon.'

彭尼曼夫人沉默了：“我猜你今天下午去見(jiàn)他就是為了這個(gè)。”

Catherine blushed. 'Yes, I did go to see him!' she cried. 'But that's my own business!'

凱瑟琳臉紅了。“是的，我確實(shí)去見(jiàn)他了！”她大聲說(shuō)，“可那是我自己的事！”

Then we won't talk about it.' Mrs Penniman moved towards the door, but stopped when Catherine cried out:

“那我們就別談這個(gè)了?！迸砟崧蛉讼蜷T口走去，可聽(tīng)到凱瑟琳的喊聲，她又止住了腳步。

Aunt Lavinia, where has he gone? At his house they said he had left town. I asked no more questions; I was ashamed. Has he gone to New Orleans?'

“拉維尼婭姑姑，他去哪里了？他家里人說(shuō)他已經(jīng)走了。我不好意思再追問(wèn)下去了。他去新奧爾良了嗎？”

Mrs Penniman had not heard of the New Orleans plan, but she did not tell Catherine this. 'If you have agreed to separate,' she said, 'the further he goes away, the better.'

彭尼曼夫人沒(méi)聽(tīng)說(shuō)過(guò)什么新奧爾良計(jì)劃，不過(guò)她沒(méi)告訴凱瑟琳這個(gè)?！叭绻銈兺夥质郑彼f(shuō)，“那他走得越遠(yuǎn)越好。”

Catherine stared. 'Agreed? Has he agreed it with you?'

凱瑟琳盯著她：“同意？你們都同意這件事了？”

He has sometimes asked for my advice.'

“他征求過(guò)我的意見(jiàn)?！?

Is it you, then, that has changed him?' Catherine cried. 'Is it you that has taken him from me? How could you be so cruel? What have I ever done to you?'

“那么是您改變了他的想法了？”凱瑟琳大聲說(shuō)道，“是您把他從我身邊奪走的嗎？您怎么能這么無(wú)情？我對(duì)您做過(guò)什么？”

You are a most ungrateful girl,' said Mrs Penniman. 'It was me who helped bring you together.'

“你真太沒(méi)良心了，”彭尼曼夫人說(shuō)，“是我撮合你們倆的?！?

I wish he had never come to the house! That's better than this,' said poor Catherine. She was silent for a few minutes, then got up and walked around the room.

“我希望他從沒(méi)來(lái)過(guò)家里！那樣也比現(xiàn)在這樣好。”可憐的凱瑟琳說(shuō)。她沉默了幾分鐘，然后站起身在屋里來(lái)回踱步。

Will you please tell me where he is?'

“能告訴我他在哪兒?jiǎn)?？?

I have no idea,' said Mrs Penniman.

“我不知道?！迸砟崧蛉苏f(shuō)。

Will he stay away for ever?'

“他永遠(yuǎn)也不來(lái)見(jiàn)我了嗎？”

Oh, for ever is a long time. Your father, perhaps, won't live for ever.'

“噢，永遠(yuǎn)可是很長(zhǎng)的時(shí)間。你父親也許不會(huì)永遠(yuǎn)活著。”

Catherine stared at her aunt. 'He has planned it, then. He has broken it off, and given me up.'

凱瑟琳盯著她姑姑：“那么他早有打算了。他已經(jīng)結(jié)束這段感情，放棄我了?！?

Only for the present, dear Catherine.'

“只是權(quán)宜之計(jì)，親愛(ài)的凱瑟琳?！?

He has left me alone,' said Catherine, shaking her head slowly. 'I don't believe it!'

“他撇下我一個(gè)人，”凱瑟琳說(shuō)道，又慢慢地?fù)u了搖頭，“我不相信！”

Two days later Catherine received a long letter from Morris. It explained that he was in Philadelphia, and that he would be away on business for a long time. He said he would find it impossible to forget her, but he did not want to come between her and her rightful fortune. It was his dearest wish that she should have a happy and peaceful life, and he hoped that they would one day meet as friends.

兩天后凱瑟琳收到了莫里斯的一封長(zhǎng)信。信中說(shuō)他在費(fèi)城，因?yàn)橛惺乱吆荛L(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間。他還說(shuō)自己對(duì)她難以忘情，可是不愿意她因?yàn)樗木壒识?yīng)得的財(cái)產(chǎn)。他最大的心愿就是她能過(guò)上幸福平靜的生活，希望他們以后能像朋友一樣相見(jiàn)。

The pain that this letter gave Catherine lasted for a long time, but she was too proud to say anything about it to her aunt or her father. Doctor Sloper waited a week, before coming one morning into the back parlour, where he found his daughter alone. She was sitting with some sewing work, and he came and stood in front of her. He was going out, and had his hat on.

這封信讓凱瑟琳痛苦了很長(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間，但她很愛(ài)面子，從未向姑姑或父親提起過(guò)此事。斯洛珀醫(yī)生等了一個(gè)星期，才在一天早晨來(lái)到后廳，他發(fā)現(xiàn)女兒獨(dú)自待在那里。她坐在那里做著針線，他走過(guò)去站到她面前。他戴著帽子，正打算出門。

I would be grateful if you would tell me when you plan to leave my house,' he said.

“要是你告訴我你打算什么時(shí)候離開(kāi)我的家我會(huì)很感激的。”他說(shuō)。

Catherine looked at him, with a long silent stare. 'I shall not go away!' she said.

凱瑟琳默默地盯了他很久?！拔也粫?huì)離開(kāi)的！”她說(shuō)。

The Doctor looked surprised. 'Has he left you?'

醫(yī)生顯得很驚訝：“他已經(jīng)離開(kāi)你了？”

I have broken off my engagement.'

“我已經(jīng)退婚了?！?

Broken it off?'

“退婚？”

I have asked him to leave New York, and he has gone away for a long time.'

“我讓他離開(kāi)紐約，他已經(jīng)走了很長(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間了?！?

The Doctor did not believe this, and he was disappointed at losing the chance to say that he had been right.

醫(yī)生不相信這話，因?yàn)闆](méi)有機(jī)會(huì)表明自己的遠(yuǎn)見(jiàn)卓識(shí)，他覺(jué)得有些失望。

How does he like your sending him away?' he asked.

“你讓他走，他怎么想？”他問(wèn)道。

I don't know!' said Catherine.

“我不知道！”凱瑟琳說(shuō)。

You mean you don't care? You are rather cruel, after playing with him for so long.'

“你是說(shuō)你不在乎嗎？你可真無(wú)情，跟他玩了這么久?！?

The Doctor had his revenge, after all.

醫(yī)生總算嘗到了報(bào)復(fù)的滋味。