"I must think your language too strong in speaking of both," replied Jane, "and I hope you will be convinced of it, by seeing them happy together. But enough of this. You alluded to something else. You mentioned two instances. I cannot misunderstand you, but I intreat you, dear Lizzy, not to pain me by thinking that person to blame, and saying your opinion of him is sunk. We must not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally injured. We must not expect a lively young man to be always so guarded and circumspect. It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us. Women fancy admiration means more than it does."
“讲到这两个人,我以为你的话说得太过火,”吉英说。“但愿你日后看到他们俩幸福相处的时候,就会相信我的话不假。这件事可也谈够了,你且谈另外一件吧。你不是举出了两件事吗?我不会误解你,可是,亲爱的丽萃,我求求你千万不要以为错是错在那个人身上,千万不要说你瞧不起他,免得我感到痛苦。我们决不能随随便便就以为人家在有意伤害我们。我们决不可能指望一个生龙活虎的青年会始终小心周到。我们往往会因为我们自己的虚荣心,而给弄迷了心窍。女人们往往会把爱情这种东西幻想得太不切合实际。”
"And men take care that they should."
“因此男人们就故意逗她们那么幻想。”
"If it is designedly done, they cannot be justified; but I have no idea of there being so much design in the world as some persons imagine."
“如果这桩事当真是存心安排好了的,那实在是他们不应该;可是世界上是否真如某些人所想象的那样,到处都是计谋,我可不知道。”
"I am far from attributing any part of Mr. Bingley's conduct to design," said Elizabeth; "but without scheming to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there may be error, and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness, want of attention to other people's feelings, and want of resolution, will do the business,"
“我决不是说彬格莱先生的行为是事先有了计谋的,”伊丽莎白说。“可是,即使没有存心做坏事,或者说,没有存心叫别人伤心,事实上仍然会做错事情,引起不幸的后果。凡是粗心大意、看不出别人的好心好意,而且缺乏果断,都一样能害人。”
"And do you impute it to either of those?"
“你看这桩事也得归到这类原因吗?”
"Yes; to the last. But if I go on, I shall displease you by saying what I think of persons you esteem. Stop me whilst you can."
“当然───应该归于最后一种原因。可是,如果叫我再说下去,说出我对于你所器重的那些人是怎么看法,那也会叫你不高兴的。趁着现在我能够住嘴的时候,且让我住嘴吧。”
"You persist, then, in supposing his sisters influence him."
“那么说,你断定是他的姐妹们操纵了他啦。”
"Yes, in conjunction with his friend."
“是的,还有他的朋友。”
"I cannot believe it. Why should they try to influence him? They can only wish his happiness, and if he is attached to me, no other woman can secure it."
“我不相信。她们为什么要操纵他?她们只有希望他幸福;要是他果真爱我,别的女人便无从使他幸福。”
"Your first position is false. They may wish many things besides his happiness; they may wish his increase of wealth and consequence; they may wish him to marry a girl who has all the importance of money, great connections, and pride."
“你头一个想法就错了。她们除了希望他幸福以外,还有许多别的打算;她们会希望他更有钱有势;她们会希望他跟一个出身高贵、亲朋显赫的阔女人结婚。”