A handsome stranger
英俊的陌生人
The Miss Dashwoods now began to feel really at home at Barton.
达什伍德小姐们现在开始在巴顿真正有了宾至如归的感觉。
They went walking, and practised their drawing and music with far greater enjoyment than at any time since the death of their father.
她们外出散步，练习绘画和音乐，享受的乐趣远超父亲去世后的任何时光。
They did not have many visitors, except for those from Barton Park, as there were few other houses within walking distance.
除了巴顿庄园的客人外，她们并没有多少访客，因为步行范围内几乎没有其他人家。
There was, in fact, a large, comfortable-looking house about a mile from the cottage, in the village of Allenham, but they heard that its owner, an old lady of good character called Mrs Smith, was unfortunately not well enough to mix in society.
事实上，在离乡舍约一英里远的艾伦汉姆村，有一座宽敞舒适的大房子，但她们听说房主是一位名叫史密斯太太的老妇人，虽然名声很好，可惜身体欠佳，无法参与社交活动。
There were beautiful walks all around them, in the green wooded valleys and on the hills behind the cottage.
她们周围景色宜人，无论是绿树成荫的山谷还是乡舍后面的山丘，都是绝佳的漫步之所。
One morning, Marianne and Margaret, taking no notice of their mother’s and Elinor’s warnings of rain, decided to walk on one of these hills.
一天早晨，玛丽安和玛格丽特不顾母亲和埃莉诺关于下雨的警告，决定去其中一座山上走走。
They climbed to the top, delighted to see blue sky between the clouds, and laughing at the wind that caught at their hair and clothes.
她们爬到山顶，欣喜地看到云层间露出的蓝天，风吹乱了她们的头发和衣裙，引得她们阵阵欢笑。
‘Nothing in the world could be better than this!’ called Marianne. ‘What a pity mama and Elinor did not come with us!’
“世上没有比这更美好的事了！”玛丽安喊道，“真可惜妈妈和埃莉诺没跟我们一起来！”
But in a few minutes the blue sky disappeared, the dark clouds gathered, and driving rain began to beat down on their faces.
但几分钟后，蓝天消失了，乌云密布，暴雨开始猛烈地打在她们脸上。
Surprised and disappointed, they were forced to turn back.
她们又惊又失望，不得不折返。
Fortunately, they were not far from home; it was just a matter of running with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill which led to their garden gate.
幸运的是，她们离家不远；只需沿着通往花园大门的陡峭山坡全速跑下去就行了。
At first Marianne was ahead, but a false step brought her suddenly to the ground, and Margaret, unable to stop herself, carried on down the hill and through the garden gate.
起初玛丽安跑在前面，但一脚踩空突然摔倒在地，而玛格丽特停不住脚步，径直冲下山坡穿过了花园大门。
A gentleman who was out shooting was walking up the hill when Marianne’s accident happened.
玛丽安发生意外时，一位正在打猎的绅士正走上山坡。
He put down his gun and ran to help her.
他放下枪跑过去帮她。
She had hurt her ankle, and could not stand.
她扭伤了脚踝，站不起来。
The gentleman offered his assistance, and in spite of Marianne’s protests, took her up in his arms and carried her down the hill.
这位绅士主动提出帮忙，尽管玛丽安表示反对，他还是将她抱起来带下了山。
He took her straight into the house and placed her carefully on a sofa in the sitting-room.
他直接把她抱进屋，小心翼翼地放在客厅的沙发上。
Elinor and her mother rose in astonishment as the stranger entered, carrying Marianne.
当这位陌生人抱着玛丽安进来时，埃莉诺和她母亲惊讶地站了起来。
While they both looked at him, secretly admiring his unusually handsome appearance, he apologized most politely for his rude entrance.
母女俩看着他，暗自赞叹他那非凡的英俊外表，而他则极为礼貌地为刚才的冒昧闯入道歉。
Even if he had been old, ugly and vulgar, Mrs Dashwood would have been extremely grateful to him for taking care of her child, but the influence of his looks and elegance touched her deepest feelings.
即使他又老又丑又粗俗，达什伍德太太也会因他照顾自己的孩子而感激不尽，但他那俊美的容貌和优雅的风度更是深深打动了她的心。
She thanked him again and again, and asked the name of the person to whom she owed so much.
她再三向他道谢，并询问了这位恩人的姓名。
He replied that his name was Willoughby, his present home was at Allenham, and he sincerely hoped that she would allow him to call tomorrow to enquire after Miss Dashwood.
他回答说他叫威洛比，目前住在艾伦汉姆，并真诚希望她能允许他明天来探望达什伍德小姐。
Permission was immediately given, and he then departed, to make himself still more interesting, in the middle of a heavy shower of rain.
她立刻应允了，随后他便告辞离去，冒着倾盆大雨离开的身影让他显得更加迷人。
There was general admiration of his manly beauty.
大家都对他那阳刚之美赞不绝口。
Marianne had seen less of his person than the others, because of her natural confusion when he lifted her in his arms, but his appearance and behaviour seemed all that was perfect to her.
玛丽安比别人更少看清他的样貌，因为被他抱起时她自然感到慌乱，但他的外貌和举止在她看来简直完美无缺。
Her imagination was busy, her thoughts were pleasant, and the pain of a turned ankle went unnoticed.
她浮想联翩，心情愉悦，连脚踝的疼痛都感觉不到了。
When Sir John next visited them, he heard all about Marianne’s accident, and was eagerly asked whether he knew of any gentleman of the name of Willoughby at Allenham.
约翰爵士下次来访时，听说了玛丽安的意外，大家急切地问他是否认识艾伦汉姆一位名叫威洛比的先生。
‘Willoughby!’ cried Sir John. ‘Of course I do! He comes here every year. I shall invite him to dinner on Thursday.’
“威洛比！”约翰爵士叫道，“我当然认识！他每年都来这儿。周四我要请他来吃饭。”
‘What sort of young man is he?’
“他是个什么样的年轻人？”
‘A good man to know, I can tell you. He shoots well, and there isn’t a better rider in England.’
“我可以告诉你，他是个值得结交的好人。他枪法好，骑术在全英国也是数一数二的。”
‘And is that all you can say for him?’ cried Marianne. ‘But what does he think? What are the interests close to his heart?’
“你就只能说这些吗？”玛丽安嚷道，“但他有什么思想？他内心真正热爱的是什么？”
Sir John looked puzzled. ‘Well, I don’t know as much as that about him. But he’s pleasant, and sociable, and has got the nicest little gundog I ever saw. Did you see his dogs.’
约翰爵士一脸困惑。“嗯，我对他了解没那么深。但他为人随和、善于交际，还有一只我见过的最漂亮的小猎犬。你们看到他的狗了吗？”
‘But who is he?’ asked Elinor. ‘Where does he come from? Where does he live? Has he a house at Allenham?’
“可他到底是谁？”埃莉诺问，“他从哪里来？住在哪里？他在艾伦汉姆有房子吗？”
This time Sir John had more exact answers to give.
这次约翰爵士给出了更确切的回答。
He told them Mr Willoughby had no house of his own in Devonshire, but stayed there only while visiting the old lady, Mrs Smith, at Allenham.
他告诉她们，威洛比先生在德文郡没有自己的房子，只是在看望艾伦汉姆的老太太史密斯太太时才住在那里。
It appeared that he was related to her, and would inherit her fortune.
看来他是她的亲戚，并将继承她的财产。
‘Yes,’ Sir John added to Elinor, ‘he is well worth catching. He has a house and land in Somerset as well. And if I were you, I wouldn’t allow my younger sister to have him, in spite of all this falling down hills. Miss Marianne must not expect to have all the men to herself. Brandon will be jealous, if she does not take care.’
“是啊，”约翰爵士对埃莉诺补充道，“他可是个值得争取的好对象。他在萨默塞特也有房产和土地。如果我是你，哪怕妹妹摔下山坡，我也不会让她独占此人。玛丽安小姐别指望把所有男人都据为己有。如果不注意的话，布兰登上校可是会吃醋的。”
‘I do not believe,’ said Mrs Dashwood, smiling, ‘that either of my daughters will make any attempts at what you call catching him. It is not an employment to which they have been brought up. Men are very safe with us, however rich they are. I am glad to hear, however, that he is a respectable young man, whom we can meet socially.’
“我不认为，”达什伍德太太微笑着说，“我的女儿们会去尝试你所说的‘争取’他。她们受的教育不允许她们做这种事。无论男人多富有，在我们这里都是安全的。不过，很高兴听说他是个体面的年轻人，我们可以在社交场合与他往来。”
‘I remember last Christmas,’ said Sir John, ‘at a little dance at the Park, he danced from eight till four without once sitting down. And he was up again at eight to go shooting.’
“我记得去年圣诞节，”约翰爵士说，“在庄园的一个小型舞会上，他从八点跳到四点，一次都没坐下休息过。而且早上八点他又起来去打猎了。”
‘Was he?’ cried Marianne, with shining eyes. ‘That is what I like, a young man who is enthusiastic and eager in all he does, who never gets tired.’
“真的吗？”玛丽安眼里闪着光叫道，“我就喜欢这样，一个做任何事都充满热情和活力、从不疲倦的年轻人。”
‘I see how it will be,’ said Sir John. ‘You will be interested in him now, and never think of poor Brandon.’
“我看事情要这样发展了，”约翰爵士说，“你现在会对他感兴趣，再也不会想到可怜的布兰登了。”
Marianne’s rescuer, as Margaret called him, arrived at the cottage early next morning, and was received by Mrs Dashwood with more than politeness.
第二天一早，被玛格丽特称为玛丽安“救命恩人”的那位先生来到了乡舍，受到了达什伍德太太超乎寻常的热情接待。
During his visit, Willoughby rapidly became aware of the sense, elegance, affection and domestic comfort of the family to whom an accident had introduced him.
在拜访期间，威洛比很快便感受到这个因意外而结识的家庭所具备的理智、优雅、深情与温馨舒适。
Both Elinor and Marianne had pretty faces and lovely figures, but in Marianne’s beautiful dark eyes burned an eager fire which drew Willoughby to her.
埃莉诺和玛丽安都面容姣好、身姿动人，但玛丽安那双美丽的黑眸中燃烧着热切的光芒，深深吸引了威洛比。
She could not be silent when he spoke of music and dancing, and showed no shyness in their discussion.
当他谈论音乐和舞蹈时，她无法保持沉默，在讨论中也毫无羞怯之态。
They soon discovered how many interests and opinions they shared, and long before his visit came to an end, they were talking and laughing together like old friends.
他们很快发现彼此有多少共同的兴趣和观点，还没等拜访结束，他们就已经像老朋友一样谈笑风生了。
Willoughby visited Barton Cottage every day after that.
从那以后，威洛比每天都来巴顿乡舍拜访。
At first, his intention was supposedly to enquire politely after Marianne’s health, but soon he pretended no longer, and came to spend the whole day at her side, in complete enjoyment of her company.
起初，据说他的目的是礼貌地问候玛丽安的身体状况，但很快他就不再掩饰，整天陪在她身边，尽情享受着她的陪伴。
They read, they talked, they sang together, and Marianne found in Willoughby all the taste and sensibility which Edward Ferrars unfortunately lacked.
他们一起读书、交谈、唱歌，玛丽安在威洛比身上找到了爱德华·费拉斯不幸缺乏的所有品味和情感共鸣。
Mrs Dashwood considered him as faultless as Marianne did.
达什伍德太太也和玛丽安一样，认为他完美无瑕。
Even Elinor saw nothing wrong in him, except for the habit, which Marianne shared, of being too ready to express an opinion about other people, and of putting his personal pleasure above social correctness.
就连埃莉诺也看不出他有什么缺点，除了他和玛丽安共有的一个习惯：过于轻易地对他人发表意见，以及将个人享乐置于社会规范之上。
Marianne now began to realize she had been wrong to believe there was no such creature as the perfect man.
玛丽安现在开始意识到，自己曾经认为世上不存在完美男人的想法是错误的。
Willoughby met her idea of perfection exactly, and his behaviour showed that he shared her wishes for their future.
威洛比完全符合她对完美的设想，他的行为也表明他对两人未来的期望与她一致。
Her mother, too, had thoughts of their marriage, and secretly congratulated herself on having two such sons-in-law as Edward and Willoughby.
她母亲也在考虑他们的婚事，并暗自庆幸能有爱德华和威洛比这样两位女婿。
Elinor, however, was concerned to see that Mrs Jennings had been right, and Colonel Brandon appeared to be deeply in love with Marianne.
然而，埃莉诺担忧地发现詹宁斯太太说得没错，布兰登上校似乎深深地爱上了玛丽安。
What hope could there be for a silent man of thirty-five, against a sociable one of twenty-five?
一个三十五岁的沉默男人，怎么能争得过一个二十五岁善于交际的男人呢？
Perhaps she pitied him even more, because Willoughby and Marianne seemed determined to laugh at him for being old and dull.
也许她更加同情他了，因为威洛比和玛丽安似乎铁了心要嘲笑他年老乏味。
‘Brandon is just the kind of man,’ said Willoughby one day, ‘whom everybody speaks well of, and nobody cares for.’
“布兰登就是那种人，”威洛比有一天说道，“人人都说他好，却没人真正在乎他。”
‘He is respected by all the family at the Park, however,’ said Elinor sharply, ‘and his conversation is always pleasant.’
“然而，庄园里的全家都很尊敬他，”埃莉诺尖锐地说，“而且他的谈吐总是令人愉快。”
‘But he has nothing of interest to say!’ cried Marianne.
“可他说的话一点意思都没有！”玛丽安嚷道。
‘He has common sense, that is what I like about him. He is perfectly respectable, well informed, and, I believe, sincere.’
“他有常识，这就是我喜欢他的地方。他非常体面、见多识广，而且我相信他很真诚。”
‘Well, Miss Dashwood,’ said Willoughby, laughing, ‘I have three unanswerable reasons for disliking Colonel Brandon. He told me it would rain when I wanted it to be fine, he does not approve of my new carriage, and I cannot persuade him to buy my horse. So in spite of your very sensible opinion, I shall go on disliking him for ever!’
“好吧，达什伍德小姐，”威洛比笑着说，“我有三个无可辩驳的理由讨厌布兰登上校。我想天晴的时候他说会下雨，他不赞成我的新马车，我也没法说服他买我的马。所以，尽管你的看法很有道理，我还是会永远讨厌他！”
When they moved to Barton, the Dashwoods never imagined that their days would be so completely filled with parties, visits and excursions.
搬到达顿后，达什伍德一家从未想过日子会被聚会、拜访和短途旅行填得满满当当。
Sir John could not rest if there were young people to amuse, and every day there was a boat trip, or a supper party, or a drive in the countryside, or a dance at the Park.
只要有年轻人需要娱乐，约翰爵士就闲不住，每天都有乘船游览、晚宴、乡间兜风或庄园舞会。
In every meeting of the kind Willoughby was included, which gave him the opportunity to develop his connection with the Dashwood family, to show his deep admiration for Marianne, and to receive, in her behaviour to himself, the clearest possible proof of her affection.
威洛比参加了每一次这样的聚会，这让他有机会加深与达什伍德家的联系，表达他对玛丽安的深切爱慕，并从她对自己的态度中得到她深情的最明确证明。
Elinor could not be surprised at their attachment.
埃莉诺对他们的依恋并不感到惊讶。
She only wished it could be less openly shown, and once or twice tried to suggest to Marianne that she should have more self-control.
她只是希望他们能不那么公开表露感情，也曾一两次试图建议玛丽安应该更有自制力。
But Marianne, and Willoughby too, believed that real feelings should never be hidden, and that it would be false to do so.
但玛丽安和威洛比都认为，真实的情感不应被隐藏，隐藏情感是虚伪的表现。
When Willoughby was present, Marianne had eyes for no one else.
只要威洛比在场，玛丽安的眼里就没有其他人。
Elinor’s happiness was not as great as her sister’s.
埃莉诺的幸福不及妹妹那般强烈。
In Devonshire she had found no companion who could make her forget the delights of her former home and Sussex friends.
在德文郡，她没有找到能让其忘却昔日家园之乐和苏塞克斯朋友的伴侣。
Only Colonel Brandon came closest to being the kind of friend she needed.
只有布兰登上校最接近她所需要的那种朋友。
He often fell into conversation with her, as he seemed to find some relief in talking to her about Marianne.
他经常与她攀谈，似乎在与她谈论玛丽安时能得到些许慰藉。
‘Your sister, I understand, does not approve of second attachments,’ he said one evening, his eyes fixed on Marianne, who was dancing with Willoughby.
“据我所知，令妹不赞成第二次恋爱，”一天晚上他说道，目光紧盯着正与威洛比跳舞的玛丽安。
‘No,’ replied Elinor. ‘Her opinions are all romantic. She believes that we fall in love once only in our lives. But I hope that in a few years she will become more sensible.’
“是的，”埃莉诺回答，“她的观念都很浪漫。她认为人一生只能恋爱一次。但我希望几年后她会变得更理智些。”
‘That may happen. But when a romantic young mind is forced to change, what serious results there can be! I speak from experience. I knew a young lady once who—’
“那可能会发生。但当一颗浪漫的年轻心灵被迫改变时，后果会有多严重啊！我是凭经验说的。我曾认识一位年轻女士，她——”
Here he stopped suddenly and appeared to think he had said too much.
说到这里他突然停住了，似乎觉得自己说得太多了。
Elinor felt almost sure that his was a story of disappointed love, and her pity for him grew.
埃莉诺几乎可以肯定这是一段失恋的故事，对他的同情也随之加深。
The next morning, Elinor heard a piece of news that astonished her.
第二天早上，埃莉诺听到了一条令她震惊的消息。
Marianne told her with the greatest delight that Willoughby had promised to give her a horse, so that he and she could go riding together.
玛丽安无比高兴地告诉她，威洛比答应送她一匹马，这样他们就可以一起去骑马了。
She had not given a moment’s thought to the cost of keeping the animal, or to what society might think of her receiving such an expensive present from a young man who was not a relation.
她丝毫没有考虑过饲养这匹马的费用，也没想过别人会如何看待她接受一位非亲非故的年轻男子如此昂贵的礼物。
It took Elinor some time to make her understand that she could not possibly accept the gift, but finally Marianne agreed, although unwillingly.
埃莉诺花了好一番功夫才让她明白绝不能接受这份礼物，最终玛丽安虽不情愿但还是同意了。
The next day Elinor gained a still clearer picture of Marianne’s attachment to Willoughby.
第二天，埃莉诺对玛丽安与威洛比的恋情有了更清晰的了解。
Margaret came excitedly to tell her that she was sure Marianne would marry Willoughby very soon.
玛格丽特兴奋地跑来告诉她，她确信玛丽安很快就会嫁给威洛比。
‘Oh, Elinor!’ she cried. ‘I have such a secret to tell you. I saw them last night after tea. Mr Willoughby was begging Marianne for something, and then he cut off a long lock of her hair, kissed it, and put it in his pocket.’
“哦，埃莉诺！”她叫道，“我有个大秘密要告诉你。昨晚喝茶后我看见他们了。威洛比先生恳求玛丽安给他什么东西，然后他剪下她的一缕长发，亲吻了一下，放进了口袋里。”
Elinor now felt sure they were engaged, and was only surprised that they had not told their relations and friends.
埃莉诺现在确信他们已经订婚了，只是惊讶于他们为何没有告知亲友。
Sir John’s latest plan for their amusement was to visit a very fine house and garden, called Whitwell, the following day.
约翰爵士最新的娱乐计划是第二天带大家去参观一座名为惠特韦尔的精美宅邸和花园。
A large group of them would go in carriages, taking food and drink with them in baskets, and a most enjoyable day was expected.
一大群人将乘坐马车前往，篮子里装着食物和饮料，预计这将是非常愉快的一天。
As Whitwell belonged to Colonel Brandon’s brother-in-law, the colonel would go with them; it appeared that he alone could arrange for them to visit the house.
由于惠特韦尔属于布兰登上校的姐夫，上校也将同行；似乎只有他能安排大家参观这座宅邸。
Unfortunately, however, while they were at breakfast at the Park, where the whole party had gathered, a letter was delivered to the colonel.
然而不幸的是，当大家在庄园共进早餐、全员到齐时，有人给上校送来了一封信。
He looked quickly at it, and hurried out of the room without a word.
他匆匆看了一眼信，一言不发地急忙走出了房间。
In a few moments he returned, looking more serious than usual, and explained that urgent business called him to London, and he would not, therefore, be able to join the party visiting Whitwell.
片刻之后他回来了，神情比往常更加严肃，解释说有紧急事务需要他去伦敦处理，因此无法加入去惠特韦尔的行列了。
He would not explain further, in spite of Mrs Jennings’ insistent questioning.
尽管詹宁斯太太一再追问，他也不愿多做解释。
Everybody except Elinor tried hard to persuade him to put off his business, so that the excursion could take place, but he could not be influenced, and left the house, after wishing them a good day.
除了埃莉诺之外，所有人都极力劝他推迟事务以便郊游能成行，但他不为所动，祝大家度过愉快的一天后便离开了。
As the excursion was no longer possible, it was decided that the party would drive around the countryside instead, and the carriages were ordered.
既然郊游已不可能，大家决定改为乘车在乡间兜风，于是吩咐备车。
Willoughby’s was first, and Marianne never looked happier than when she got into it.
威洛比的马车排在第一位，玛丽安上车时显得比以往任何时候都快乐。
He drove away very fast, and they were soon out of sight.
他驾车疾驰而去，很快就消失在视线中。
Nothing more was seen of them until their return in the afternoon.
直到下午他们回来之前，再也没人见过他们的踪影。
That evening, as they all sat down to dinner, Mrs Jennings spoke quietly to Marianne, but loud enough for Elinor to hear.
那天晚上，当大家坐下来吃晚饭时，詹宁斯太太低声对玛丽安说话，声音却大到足以让埃莉诺听见。
‘I have found you out, Miss, in spite of your cleverness. I know where you spent the morning.’
“小姐，不管你多聪明，我还是发现了。我知道你上午去哪儿了。”
Marianne blushed, and said quickly, ‘Where?’
玛丽安脸红了，急忙问道：“哪儿？”
Mrs Jennings smiled knowingly. ‘I hope you like your house, Miss Marianne. It is certainly very large, and when I come to see you in it, I hope you will have refurnished it. It badly needed new furniture when I was last there.’
詹宁斯太太意味深长地笑了笑。“希望你喜欢你的房子，玛丽安小姐。那房子确实很大，等我以后去看你时，希望你已经重新装修过了。我上次去那儿时，那里急需换新家具。”
Marianne turned away in confusion. Mrs Jennings laughed loudly, and explained that she had discovered from the servants that Marianne and Willoughby had gone to Allenham and spent a considerable time going all over Mrs Smith’s house.
玛丽安窘迫地转过身去。詹宁斯太太大声笑着解释说，她从仆人那里得知，玛丽安和威洛比去了艾伦汉姆，花了相当长的时间把史密斯太太的房子逛了个遍。
Elinor found this difficult to believe.
埃莉诺觉得难以置信。
Marianne had never been introduced to Mrs Smith, and it would have been very bad manners for her to enter the house while Mrs Smith was in it.
玛丽安从未被引荐给史密斯太太，趁女主人在家时擅自进入房子是非常失礼的行为。
However, when she asked her sister, she found that the story was true, and Marianne was quite angry with her for doubting it.
然而，当她询问妹妹时，却发现确有其事，玛丽安还因为她怀疑此事而十分生气。
‘Why should I not visit the house?’ cried Marianne. ‘I never spent a pleasanter morning in my life!’
“我为什么不能参观那座房子？”玛丽安嚷道，“我这辈子从没度过这么愉快的上午！”
‘I am afraid,’ replied Elinor, quietly but firmly, ‘that whatever is pleasant is not always correct.’
“恐怕，”埃莉诺平静而坚定地回答，“令人愉快的事并不总是合乎礼仪的。”
After some minutes of serious thought, Marianne said, ‘Perhaps, Elinor, you may be right. I should not have gone. But the rooms are lovely! There is a beautiful little sitting-room which would be delightful with modern furniture.’ She would have described every room in the house if Elinor had let her.
经过几分钟的认真思考，玛丽安说：“也许你是对的，埃莉诺。我不该去的。但是那些房间太可爱了！有一个漂亮的小客厅，配上现代家具一定会很棒。”如果不是埃莉诺阻止，她恨不得把房子里每个房间都描述一遍。
Elinor had no time to wonder why Colonel Brandon had been so suddenly called away.
埃莉诺无暇去想布兰登上校为何突然被叫走。
All her thoughts now centred on Marianne and Willoughby’s extraordinary silence about their engagement.
她现在满脑子都是玛丽安和威洛比对订婚一事异乎寻常的缄默。
There seemed no reason why they should not openly tell her mother and herself, even if they did not plan to marry very soon.
即使他们不打算很快结婚，似乎也没有理由不对她和母亲坦白。
Willoughby was not rich; indeed, he often complained he was poor, so he might have to wait for his inheritance before marrying.
威洛比并不富有；事实上，他常抱怨自己穷，所以可能要等到继承遗产后才能结婚。
But this secrecy was so opposed to their general ideas of openness and honesty that Elinor began to doubt whether they were really engaged.
但这种保密行为与他们一贯主张的坦诚相待截然相反，以至于埃莉诺开始怀疑他们是否真的订婚了。
Nothing could express more affection for them all than Willoughby’s behaviour.
没有什么比威洛比的行为更能表达他对全家的深情了。
He seemed to consider the cottage his home, and when Mrs Dashwood mentioned the future building work she was planning, he appeared almost horrified, and begged her not to change even one stone.
他似乎把这座乡舍当成了自己的家，当达什伍德太太提到她计划中的未来修缮工程时，他几乎惊恐万分，恳求她连一块石头都不要改动。
‘No, Mrs Dashwood!’ he cried. ‘Do not spoil this house! It is perfect as it is! Remember what happiness I have known here! Promise me you will change nothing, nothing at all!’
“不，达什伍德太太！”他叫道，“不要破坏这座房子！它现在就很完美！请记住我在这里感受到的幸福！答应我什么都不要改，一点都不改！”
To please him, Mrs Dashwood dutifully promised.
为了让他高兴，达什伍德太太顺从地答应了。
‘I am glad of your promise. Now I would ask you one more thing. Tell me that not only your home will remain the same, but that I shall always find you and your family unchanged, and that you will always consider me with the kindness which has made you all so dear to me.’
“我很高兴您能答应。现在我还想请求一件事。请告诉我，不仅您的家会保持不变，而且我永远会发现您和家人一如既往，并且永远以那份让我倍感亲切的善意对待我。”
The promise was given, and Willoughby’s behaviour that evening was a proof of his happiness in their society.
她许下了承诺，而威洛比当晚的表现也证明了他在她们中间是多么快乐。
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