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After a song or two, and before she could reply to the entreaties of several that she would sing again, she was eagerly succeeded at the instrument by her sister Mary, who having, in consequence of being the only plain one in the family, worked hard for knowledge and accomplishments, was always impatient for display.
唱了一两支歌以后，大家要求她再唱几支。她还没来得及回答，她的妹妹玛丽早就急切地接替她坐到钢琴跟前去了。玛丽是她们家中唯一长得相貌平平的女子，为此她只得刻苦求知和锻炼才情，遇到露脸儿的场合，她总想显摆显摆她的本事。
Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached.
玛丽既没有天分，也没有鉴赏力。虽说虚荣心促使她刻苦用功，可这却也给予她一种学究气和自负的做派，有了这种气派，即使她的修养再好些也无补于事，何况她不过如此而已。
Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with much more pleasure, though not playing half so well; and Mary, at the end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, at the request of her younger sisters, who, with some of the Lucases and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room.
虽说伊丽莎白的琴弹得还不及玛丽的一半，可是由于她平易大方、毫无造作，听起来倒让人觉得更加惬意一些。玛丽在弹完一首长长的协奏曲之后，又应她的几个妹妹的请求弹起了苏格兰和爱尔兰的小曲，她高兴博得人们的赞扬和羡慕，而她的那几个妹妹们呢，正和卢卡斯家的几个女儿，以及两三个军官在舞厅的另一侧尽情地跳舞。
Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation, and was too much engrossed by his own thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas was his neighbour, till Sir William thus began.
达西先生就站在她们附近。正为没有任何攀谈的机会就这样度过一个晚会，生着闷气。他自己心事重重，竟没有察觉威廉·卢卡斯爵士站在他的旁边，直到威廉爵士跟他说话，他才抬起了头。
"What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. — I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies."
“对于年轻人来说，跳舞真是一项迷人的活动，达西先生！说来说去，什么都比不上跳舞，我认为这是上流社会里最优雅的娱乐之一了。”
"Certainly, Sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. — Every savage can dance."
“的确如此，爵士；不过，跳舞的优点还不止于此，它现在在并不高雅的社会中也很流行。每个野蛮人都会跳舞。”
Sir William only smiled. "Your friend performs delightfully;" he continued after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group; "and I doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. Darcy."
威廉先生笑了笑没作声。接下来他看见宾格莱也来参加跳舞，便对达西说：“你的朋友跳得很不错，我相信你对此也是驾轻就熟吧，达西先生。”
"You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, Sir."
“你大概在麦里屯看见过我跳舞的吧，爵士。”
"Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?"
“见过，不错，而且看得非常高兴。你常到宫里去跳舞吗？”
"Never, sir."
“从来没去过，爵士。”
"Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?"
“你连在宫里都不肯赏脸吗？”
"It is a compliment which I never pay to any place, if I can avoid it."
“无论在什么地方，我也不愿意赏这种脸，能避免总是避免。”
"You have a house in town, I conclude?"
“你在伦敦城里有房子吧？”
Mr. Darcy bowed.
达西先生点头表示承认。
"I had once some thoughts of fixing in town myself — for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas."
“我一度想在伦敦城里安家，因为我喜欢上流社会；只是我担心卢卡斯太太会不适应伦敦的气候。”
He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not disposed to make any; and Elizabeth at that instant moving towards them, he was struck with the notion of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her,
他停了一会儿，指望对方回答；可是对方根本就懒得回答。不久伊丽莎白朝他们跟前走来，他灵机一动，想乘此献一下殷勤，便对她叫道：
"My dear Miss Eliza, why are not you dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you."
“亲爱的伊丽莎小姐，你干吗不跳舞呀？达西先生，让我把这位年轻的小姐介绍给你，她是一位非常理想的舞伴。有了这样一个美人儿做你的舞伴，我想你总不会不跳了吧。”
And taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy, who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William,
他拉住了伊丽莎白的手，预备往达西面前送，达西虽然极为惊奇，可并非不愿意接住伊丽莎白，却不料伊丽莎白立刻把手缩了回去，好像还有些神色仓皇地对威廉爵士说：
"Indeed, Sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner."
“爵士，我的确一点儿也不想跳舞。你可千万别以为我是跑到这边来找舞伴的。”
Mr. Darcy with grave propriety requested to be allowed the honour of her hand; but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.
达西先生非常有礼貌地要求她赏光，跟他跳一场，却也是白求了。伊丽莎白下定了决心就不动摇，任凭威廉爵士怎么劝说也没有用。
"You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half hour."
“伊丽莎小姐，你跳舞跳得那么高明，可是却不肯让我享享眼福，看你跳一场，这未免太说不过去了吧。再说，这位先生虽说平常并不喜欢这种娱乐，可是要他赏我们半个钟头的脸，我相信他也不会不肯的。”
"Mr. Darcy is all politeness," said Elizabeth, smiling.
伊丽莎笑着说：“达西先生未免太客气了。”
"He is indeed — but considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance; for who would object to such a partner?"
“的确是这样——不过，考虑一下你的美貌给人的诱惑，对达西先生现在表示出的这一殷勤，我们也就不足为奇了；因为谁会舍下这样的一个舞伴呢？”
Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley.
伊丽莎白笑盈盈地瞟了一眼就转身走开了。她的拒绝并没有使达西觉得难过。达西正在相当高兴地想念着她，恰巧宾格莱小姐走过来招呼他：
"I can guess the subject of your reverie."
“我能猜中你现在在幻想些什么。”
"I should imagine not."
“谅你也猜不中。”
"You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner — in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"
“你心里正在想，许多个晚上都是跟这些人在一起无聊度过的，这实在叫人受不了，我跟你颇有同感。我从来不曾这样烦闷过！既枯燥乏味，又吵闹不堪，无聊到了极点。这帮人又一个个都自以为了不起！我就想听听你指责他们几句。”
"Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."
“老实对你说吧，你完全猜错了。我心里想的东西要妙得多呢。我刚才一直在回味着，一个漂亮女人的脸蛋和她那双充满灵气的眼睛，所能给人的那份快乐。”
Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity,
宾格莱小姐立刻把眼睛盯在他的脸上，要他告诉她，究竟是哪位小姐有这种妙处使他这样想入非非。达西先生鼓起极大的勇气回答道：
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
“伊丽莎白·班纳特小姐。”
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" repeated Miss Bingley. "I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite? — and pray when am I to wish you joy?"
“伊丽莎白·班纳特小姐！”宾格莱小姐重复了一遍。“我真感到惊奇。你看中她多久啦？——请你告诉我，我几时可以向你道喜啊？”
"That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy."
“我料到你会问出这样的话来的。女人的想象力真敏捷；它一下子便能从倾慕跳跃到爱情，从爱情跳到结婚。我早就知道你会向我道喜的。”
"Nay, if you are so serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law, indeed, and of course she will be always at Pemberley with you."
“唔，要是你这么一本正经，我就认为这件事百分之百地决定啦。你一定会得到一位有趣的岳母大人，而且当然啦，她会永远在彭伯里跟你待在一起。”
He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner, and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long.
她说得那么得意，他却完全似听非听，她看到他那般镇定自若，便放了心，于是那张利嘴越发滔滔不绝了。
