名著精讀《理智與情感》第三章 第2節

This circumstance was a growing attachment between her eldest girl and the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood, a gentleman-like and pleasing young man, who was introduced to their acquaintance soon after his sister's establishment at Norland, and who had since spent the greatest part of his time there.

這樁事就出在她大女兒和約翰．達什伍德夫人的弟弟之間，兩人漸漸萌發了愛慕之情。那位弟弟是個很有紳士派頭的逗人喜愛的年輕人，他姐姐住進諾蘭莊園不久，就介紹他與她們母女結識了。從那以後，他將大部分時間都消磨在那裏。

Some mothers might have encouraged the intimacy from motives of interest, for Edward Ferrars was the eldest son of a man who had died very rich; and some might have repressed it from motives of prudence, for, except a trifling sum, the whole of his fortune depended on the will of his mother. But Mrs. Dashwood was alike uninfluenced by either consideration. It was enough for her that he appeared to be amiable, that he loved her daughter, and that Elinor returned the partiality. It was contrary to every doctrine of her's that difference of fortune should keep any couple asunder who were attracted by resemblance of disposition; and that Elinor's merit should not be acknowledged by every one who knew her, was to her comprehension impossible.

有些做母親的從利害關係出發，或許會進一步撮合這種密切的感情，因爲愛德華．費拉斯乃是一位已故財主的長子；不過，有些做母親的爲了慎重起見，也許還會遏制這種感情，因爲愛德華除了一筆微不足道的資產之外，他的整個家產將取決於母親的遺囑。可是達什伍德太太對這兩種情況都不予考慮。對她來說，只要愛德華看上去和藹可親，對她女兒一片鍾情，而埃麗諾反過來又鍾情於他，那就足夠了。因爲財產不等而拆散一對志趣相投的戀人，這與她的倫理觀念是格格不入的。埃麗諾的優點竟然不被所有認識她的人所公認，簡直叫她不可思議。

Edward Ferrars was not recommended to their good opinion by any peculiar graces of person or address. He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing. He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart. His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement. But he was neither fitted by abilities nor disposition to answer the wishes of his mother and sister, who longed to see him distinguished--as--they hardly knew what. They wanted him to make a fine figure in the world in some manner or other. His mother wished to interest him in political concerns, to get him into parliament, or to see him connected with some of the great men of the day. Mrs. John Dashwood wished it likewise; but in the mean while, till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche. But Edward had no turn for great men or barouches. All his wishes centered in domestic comfort and the quiet of private life. Fortunately he had a younger brother who was more promising.
　　
她們之所以賞識愛德華．費拉斯，倒不是因爲他人品出衆，風度翩翩，他並不漂亮，那副儀態嘛，只有和他熟悉了才覺得逗人喜愛。他過於靦腆，這就使他越發不能顯現本色了。不過，一旦消除了這種天生的羞怯，他的一舉一動都表明他胸懷坦率，待人親切。他頭腦機靈，受教育後就更加聰明。但是，無論從才智還是從意向上看，他都不能使他母親和姐姐稱心如意，她們期望看到他出人頭地－比如當個－她們也說不上當個啥。她們想讓他在世界上出出這樣或那樣的風頭。他母親希望他對政治發生興趣，以便能躋身於議會，或者結攀一些當今的大人物。約翰，達什伍德夫人抱有同樣的願望，不過，在這崇高理想實現之前，能先看到弟弟駕着一輛四輪馬車，她也就會心滿意足了。誰想，愛德華偏偏不稀罕大人物和四輪馬車，他一心追求的是家庭的樂趣和生活的安逸。幸運的是，他有個弟弟比他有出息。

chment n. 附件, 附著, 附屬物, 依戀, 忠誠, 依賴

He has a sentimental attachment to his birthplace.
他對他的出生地有眷戀之情。

macy n. 親密, 隱私

He exchanged intimacies with his bosom friend at the party.
在晚會上, 他和他的密友親密交談。

ence n. 審慎, 慎重, 精心明辨

Fear is one part of prudence.
恐懼是慎重的一部分。

ling adj. 些許的, 不足道的, 不足取的

Don't let this trifling matter affect our harmonious relations.
別爲小事傷了和氣。

der adj. 分開地, 零散地 adv. 分離, 化爲碎片

The missile had blown the battleship asunder.
炮彈把戰艦炸碎了。

liar adj. 奇怪的, 古怪的, 特殊的, 獨特的

This style of cooking is peculiar to the country.
這種烹調方法是那個國家的特色。

ident adj. 無自信的, 客客氣氣的, 羞怯的

He is diffident about expressing his opinions.
他對於表達自己的意見感到膽怯。

ctionate adj. 情深的, 充滿情愛的

She gave her mother an affectionate hug.
她緊緊擁抱著她的母親。

inguished adj. 卓著的

The scientist is distinguished in many spheres of knowledge.
這位科學家在許多知識領域中都是傑出的。

uche n. 一種四輪大馬車

ising adj. 有希望的, 有前途的

Promising is a diligent student.
用功的學生有前途。

circumstance was a growing attachment between her eldest girl and the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood, a gentleman-like and pleasing young man, who was introduced to their acquaintance soon after his sister's establishment at Norland, and who had since spent the greatest part of his time there.

【難句解析】attachment這裏的意思是“戀愛關係”；a his time there這部分做定語修飾the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood；

【句子翻譯】這樁事就出在她大女兒和約翰．達什伍德夫人的弟弟之間，兩人漸漸萌發了愛慕之情。那位弟弟是個很有紳士派頭的逗人喜愛的年輕人，他姐姐住進諾蘭莊園不久，就介紹他與她們母女結識了。從那以後，他將大部分時間都消磨在那裏。

was contrary to every doctrine of her's that difference of fortune should keep any couple asunder who were attracted by resemblance of disposition; and that Elinor's merit should not be acknowledged by every one who knew her, was to her comprehension impossible.

【難句解析】it指的是difference of osition；第二句的邏輯主語是句子Elinor's merit should not be acknowledged by every one who knew her；

【句子翻譯】因爲財產不等而拆散一對志趣相投的戀人，這與她的倫理觀念是格格不入的。埃麗諾的優點竟然不被所有認識她的人所公認，簡直叫她不可思議。