曼斯菲尔德庄园 Chapter 2
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CHAPTER II 
The little girl performed her long journey in safety; and at Northampton was met by Mrs. Norris, who thus regaled in the credit of being foremost to welcome her, and in the importance of leading her in to the others, and recommending her to their kindness. 
Fanny Price was at this time just ten years old, and though there might not be much in her first appearance to captivate, there was, at least, nothing to disgust her relations. She was small of her age, with no glow of complexion1, nor any other striking beauty; exceedingly timid and shy, and shrinking from notice; but her air, though awkward, was not vulgar, her voice was sweet, and when she spoke2 her countenance3 was pretty. Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram received her very kindly4; and Sir Thomas, seeing how much she needed encouragement, tried to be all that was conciliating: but he had to work against a most untoward5 gravity of deportment; and Lady Bertram, without taking half so much trouble, or speaking one word where he spoke ten, by the mere6 aid of a good-humoured smile, became immediately the less awful character of the two. 
The young people were all at home, and sustained their share in the introduction very well, with much good humour, and no embarrassment7, at least on the part of the sons, who, at seventeen and sixteen, and tall of their age, had all the grandeur8 of men in the eyes of their little cousin. The two girls were more at a loss from being younger and in greater awe9 of their father, who addressed them on the occasion with rather an injudicious particularity. But they were too much used to company and praise to have anything like natural shyness; and their confidence increasing from their cousin's total want of it, they were soon able to take a full survey of her face and her frock in easy indifference11
They were a remarkably12 fine family, the sons very well-looking, the daughters decidedly handsome, and all of them well-grown and forward of their age, which produced as striking a difference between the cousins in person, as education had given to their address; and no one would have supposed the girls so nearly of an age as they really were. There were in fact but two years between the youngest and Fanny. Julia Bertram was only twelve, and Maria but a year older. The little visitor meanwhile was as unhappy as possible. Afraid of everybody, ashamed of herself, and longing14 for the home she had left, she knew not how to look up, and could scarcely speak to be heard, or without crying. Mrs. Norris had been talking to her the whole way from Northampton of her wonderful good fortune, and the extraordinary degree of gratitude15 and good behaviour which it ought to produce, and her consciousness of misery16 was therefore increased by the idea of its being a wicked thing for her not to be happy. The fatigue17, too, of so long a journey, became soon no trifling18 evil. In vain were the well-meant condescensions of Sir Thomas, and all the officious prognostications of Mrs. Norris that she would be a good girl; in vain did Lady Bertram smile and make her sit on the sofa with herself and pug, and vain was even the sight of a gooseberry tart19 towards giving her comfort; she could scarcely swallow two mouthfuls before tears interrupted her, and sleep seeming to be her likeliest friend, she was taken to finish her sorrows in bed. 
"This is not a very promising20 beginning," said Mrs. Norris, when Fanny had left the room. "After all that I said to her as we came along, I thought she would have behaved better; I told her how much might depend upon her acquitting21 herself well at first. I wish there may not be a little sulkiness of temper--her poor mother had a good deal; but we must make allowances for such a child--and I do not know that her being sorry to leave her home is really against her, for, with all its faults, it _was_ her home, and she cannot as yet understand how much she has changed for the better; but then there is moderation in all things." 
It required a longer time, however, than Mrs. Norris was inclined to allow, to reconcile Fanny to the novelty of Mansfield Park, and the separation from everybody she had been used to. Her feelings were very acute, and too little understood to be properly attended to. Nobody meant to be unkind, but nobody put themselves out of their way to secure her comfort. 
The holiday allowed to the Miss Bertrams the next day, on purpose to afford leisure for getting acquainted with, and entertaining their young cousin, produced little union. They could not but hold her cheap on finding that she had but two sashes, and had never learned French; and when they perceived her to be little struck with the duet they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adjourned22 to whatever might be the favourite holiday sport of the moment, making artificial flowers or wasting gold paper. 
Fanny, whether near or from her cousins, whether in the schoolroom, the drawing-room, or the shrubbery, was equally forlorn, finding something to fear in every person and place. She was disheartened by Lady Bertram's silence, awed23 by Sir Thomas's grave looks, and quite overcome by Mrs. Norris's admonitions. Her elder cousins mortified24 her by reflections on her size, and abashed25 her by noticing her shyness: Miss Lee wondered at her ignorance, and the maid-servants sneered26 at her clothes; and when to these sorrows was added the idea of the brothers and sisters among whom she had always been important as playfellow, instructress, and nurse, the despondence that sunk her little heart was severe. 
The grandeur of the house astonished, but could not console her. The rooms were too large for her to move in with ease: whatever she touched she expected to injure, and she crept about in constant terror of something or other; often retreating towards her own chamber27 to cry; and the little girl who was spoken of in the drawing-room when she left it at night as seeming so desirably sensible of her peculiar28 good fortune, ended every day's sorrows by sobbing29 herself to sleep. A week had passed in this way, and no suspicion of it conveyed by her quiet passive manner, when she was found one morning by her cousin Edmund, the youngest of the sons, sitting crying on the attic30 stairs. 
"My dear little cousin," said he, with all the gentleness of an excellent nature, "what can be the matter?" And sitting down by her, he was at great pains to overcome her shame in being so surprised, and persuade her to speak openly. "Was she ill? or was anybody angry with her? or had she quarrelled with Maria and Julia? or was she puzzled about anything in her lesson that he could explain? Did she, in short, want anything he could possibly get her, or do for her? For a long while no answer could be obtained beyond a "no, no--not at all--no, thank you"; but he still persevered31; and no sooner had he begun to revert32 to her own home, than her increased sobs33 explained to him where the grievance34 lay. He tried to console her. 
"You are sorry to leave Mama, my dear little Fanny," said he, "which shows you to be a very good girl; but you must remember that you are with relations and friends, who all love you, and wish to make you happy. Let us walk out in the park, and you shall tell me all about your brothers and sisters." 
On pursuing the subject, he found that, dear as all these brothers and sisters generally were, there was one among them who ran more in her thoughts than the rest. It was William whom she talked of most, and wanted most to see. William, the eldest35, a year older than herself, her constant companion and friend; her advocate with her mother (of whom he was the darling) in every distress36. "William did not like she should come away; he had told her he should miss her very much indeed." "But William will write to you, I dare say." "Yes, he had promised he would, but he had told _her_ to write first." "And when shall you do it?" She hung her head and answered hesitatingly, "she did not know; she had not any paper." 
"If that be all your difficulty, I will furnish you with paper and every other material, and you may write your letter whenever you choose. Would it make you happy to write to William?" 
"Yes, very." 
"Then let it be done now. Come with me into the breakfast-room, we shall find everything there, and be sure of having the room to ourselves." 
"But, cousin, will it go to the post?" 
"Yes, depend upon me it shall: it shall go with the other letters; and, as your uncle will frank it, it will cost William nothing." 
"My uncle!" repeated Fanny, with a frightened look. 
"Yes, when you have written the letter, I will take it to my father to frank." 
Fanny thought it a bold measure, but offered no further resistance; and they went together into the breakfast-room, where Edmund prepared her paper, and ruled her lines with all the goodwill37 that her brother could himself have felt, and probably with somewhat more exactness. He continued with her the whole time of her writing, to assist her with his penknife or his orthography38, as either were wanted; and added to these attentions, which she felt very much, a kindness to her brother which delighted her beyond all the rest. He wrote with his own hand his love to his cousin William, and sent him half a guinea under the seal. Fanny's feelings on the occasion were such as she believed herself incapable39 of expressing; but her countenance and a few artless words fully40 conveyed all their gratitude and delight, and her cousin began to find her an interesting object. He talked to her more, and, from all that she said, was convinced of her having an affectionate heart, and a strong desire of doing right; and he could perceive her to be farther entitled to attention by great sensibility of her situation, and great timidity. He had never knowingly given her pain, but he now felt that she required more positive kindness; and with that view endeavoured, in the first place, to lessen41 her fears of them all, and gave her especially a great deal of good advice as to playing with Maria and Julia, and being as merry as possible. 
From this day Fanny grew more comfortable. She felt that she had a friend, and the kindness of her cousin Edmund gave her better spirits with everybody else. The place became less strange, and the people less formidable; and if there were some amongst them whom she could not cease to fear, she began at least to know their ways, and to catch the best manner of conforming to them. The little rusticities and awkwardnesses which had at first made grievous inroads on the tranquillity42 of all, and not least of herself, necessarily wore away, and she was no longer materially afraid to appear before her uncle, nor did her aunt Norris's voice make her start very much. To her cousins she became occasionally an acceptable companion. Though unworthy, from inferiority of age and strength, to be their constant associate, their pleasures and schemes were sometimes of a nature to make a third very useful, especially when that third was of an obliging, yielding temper; and they could not but own, when their aunt inquired into her faults, or their brother Edmund urged her claims to their kindness, that "Fanny was good-natured enough." 
Edmund was uniformly kind himself; and she had nothing worse to endure on the part of Tom than that sort of merriment which a young man of seventeen will always think fair with a child of ten. He was just entering into life, full of spirits, and with all the liberal dispositions43 of an eldest son, who feels born only for expense and enjoyment45. His kindness to his little cousin was consistent with his situation and rights: he made her some very pretty presents, and laughed at her. 
As her appearance and spirits improved, Sir Thomas and Mrs. Norris thought with greater satisfaction of their benevolent46 plan; and it was pretty soon decided13 between them that, though far from clever, she showed a tractable47 disposition44, and seemed likely to give them little trouble. A mean opinion of her abilities was not confined to _them_. Fanny could read, work, and write, but she had been taught nothing more; and as her cousins found her ignorant of many things with which they had been long familiar, they thought her prodigiously48 stupid, and for the first two or three weeks were continually bringing some fresh report of it into the drawing-room. "Dear mama, only think, my cousin cannot put the map of Europe together-- or my cousin cannot tell the principal rivers in Russia-- or, she never heard of Asia Minor--or she does not know the difference between water-colours and crayons!-- How strange!--Did you ever hear anything so stupid?" 
"My dear," their considerate aunt would reply, "it is very bad, but you must not expect everybody to be as forward and quick at learning as yourself." 
"But, aunt, she is really so very ignorant!--Do you know, we asked her last night which way she would go to get to Ireland; and she said, she should cross to the Isle49 of Wight. She thinks of nothing but the Isle of Wight, and she calls it _the_ _Island_, as if there were no other island in the world. I am sure I should have been ashamed of myself, if I had not known better long before I was so old as she is. I cannot remember the time when I did not know a great deal that she has not the least notion of yet. How long ago it is, aunt, since we used to repeat the chronological50 order of the kings of England, with the dates of their accession, and most of the principal events of their reigns51!" 
"Yes," added the other; "and of the Roman emperors as low as Severus; besides a great deal of the heathen mythology52, and all the metals, semi-metals, planets, and distinguished53 philosophers." 
"Very true indeed, my dears, but you are blessed with wonderful memories, and your poor cousin has probably none at all. There is a vast deal of difference in memories, as well as in everything else, and therefore you must make allowance for your cousin, and pity her deficiency. And remember that, if you are ever so forward and clever yourselves, you should always be modest; for, much as you know already, there is a great deal more for you to learn." 
"Yes, I know there is, till I am seventeen. But I must tell you another thing of Fanny, so odd and so stupid. Do you know, she says she does not want to learn either music or drawing." 
"To be sure, my dear, that is very stupid indeed, and shows a great want of genius and emulation54. But, all things considered, I do not know whether it is not as well that it should be so, for, though you know (owing to me) your papa and mama are so good as to bring her up with you, it is not at all necessary that she should be as accomplished55 as you are;--on the contrary, it is much more desirable that there should be a difference." 
Such were the counsels by which Mrs. Norris assisted to form her nieces' minds; and it is not very wonderful that, with all their promising talents and early information, they should be entirely56 deficient57 in the less common acquirements of self-knowledge, generosity58 and humility59. In everything but disposition they were admirably taught. Sir Thomas did not know what was wanting, because, though a truly anxious father, he was not outwardly affectionate, and the reserve of his manner repressed all the flow of their spirits before him. 
To the education of her daughters Lady Bertram paid not the smallest attention. She had not time for such cares. She was a woman who spent her days in sitting, nicely dressed, on a sofa, doing some long piece of needlework, of little use and no beauty, thinking more of her pug than her children, but very indulgent to the latter when it did not put herself to inconvenience, guided in everything important by Sir Thomas, and in smaller concerns by her sister. Had she possessed60 greater leisure for the service of her girls, she would probably have supposed it unnecessary, for they were under the care of a governess, with proper masters, and could want nothing more. As for Fanny's being stupid at learning, "she could only say it was very unlucky, but some people _were_ stupid, and Fanny must take more pains: she did not know what else was to be done; and, except her being so dull, she must add she saw no harm in the poor little thing, and always found her very handy and quick in carrying messages, and fetching, what she wanted." 
Fanny, with all her faults of ignorance and timidity, was fixed61 at Mansfield Park, and learning to transfer in its favour much of her attachment62 to her former home, grew up there not unhappily among her cousins. There was no positive ill-nature in Maria or Julia; and though Fanny was often mortified by their treatment of her, she thought too lowly of her own claims to feel injured by it. 
From about the time of her entering the family, Lady Bertram, in consequence of a little ill-health, and a great deal of indolence, gave up the house in town, which she had been used to occupy every spring, and remained wholly in the country, leaving Sir Thomas to attend his duty in Parliament, with whatever increase or diminution63 of comfort might arise from her absence. In the country, therefore, the Miss Bertrams continued to exercise their memories, practise their duets, and grow tall and womanly: and their father saw them becoming in person, manner, and accomplishments64, everything that could satisfy his anxiety. His eldest son was careless and extravagant65, and had already given him much uneasiness; but his other children promised him nothing but good. His daughters, he felt, while they retained the name of Bertram, must be giving it new grace, and in quitting it, he trusted, would extend its respectable alliances; and the character of Edmund, his strong good sense and uprightness of mind, bid most fairly for utility, honour, and happiness to himself and all his connexions. He was to be a clergyman. 
Amid the cares and the complacency which his own children suggested, Sir Thomas did not forget to do what he could for the children of Mrs. Price: he assisted her liberally in the education and disposal of her sons as they became old enough for a determinate pursuit; and Fanny, though almost totally separated from her family, was sensible of the truest satisfaction in hearing of any kindness towards them, or of anything at all promising in their situation or conduct. Once, and once only, in the course of many years, had she the happiness of being with William. Of the rest she saw nothing: nobody seemed to think of her ever going amongst them again, even for a visit, nobody at home seemed to want her; but William determining, soon after her removal, to be a sailor, was invited to spend a week with his sister in Northamptonshire before he went to sea. Their eager affection in meeting, their exquisite66 delight in being together, their hours of happy mirth, and moments of serious conference, may be imagined; as well as the sanguine67 views and spirits of the boy even to the last, and the misery of the girl when he left her. Luckily the visit happened in the Christmas holidays, when she could directly look for comfort to her cousin Edmund; and he told her such charming things of what William was to do, and be hereafter, in consequence of his profession, as made her gradually admit that the separation might have some use. Edmund's friendship never failed her: his leaving Eton for Oxford68 made no change in his kind dispositions, and only afforded more frequent opportunities of proving them. Without any display of doing more than the rest, or any fear of doing too much, he was always true to her interests, and considerate of her feelings, trying to make her good qualities understood, and to conquer the diffidence which prevented their being more apparent; giving her advice, consolation69, and encouragement. 
Kept back as she was by everybody else, his single support could not bring her forward; but his attentions were otherwise of the highest importance in assisting the improvement of her mind, and extending its pleasures. He knew her to be clever, to have a quick apprehension70 as well as good sense, and a fondness for reading, which, properly directed, must be an education in itself. Miss Lee taught her French, and heard her read the daily portion of history; but he recommended the books which charmed her leisure hours, he encouraged her taste, and corrected her judgment71: he made reading useful by talking to her of what she read, and heightened its attraction by judicious10 praise. In return for such services she loved him better than anybody in the world except William: her heart was divided between the two.

第一卷 第二章
小姑娘一路平安地完成了长途旅行,到了北安普郭受到诺里斯太太的迎接。这位太太觉得自己既有最先来欢迎她的功劳,又有领着她去见众人,让众人关照她的脸面,心里不禁乐滋滋的。
范妮·普莱斯这时才刚刚十岁,初来乍到虽然看不出多少媚人之处,但至少没有什么地方令亲戚们生厌。她人比实际年龄长得小了些,脸上没有光彩,也没有其他引人注目的丽质;极其胆怯羞涩,不愿引人注意;不过,她的仪态虽说有些笨拙,却并不粗俗,声音还挺动听,一说起话来,小脸还挺好看。托马斯爵士夫妇非常热情地接待了她。托马斯爵士见她需要鼓励,便尽量和和气气的,不过他生就一副不苟方笑的样子,要做到这一点并不容易——而伯特伦夫人用不着费他那一半的力气,用不着说他十分之一的话,只要和颜悦色地笑一笑,便马上能让那孩子觉得她没有托马斯爵士那么可畏。
几个孩子都在家,见面的时候始终表现得十分得体,一个个高高兴兴,毫不拘谨,至少两个男孩是这样,他们一个十七,一个十六,个子比一般同龄的人要高,在小表妹的眼里,都俨然已是大人了。两个姑娘由于年纪小,加上当时父亲对她们太过于挑剔,心里难免有些畏怯,因而不像两个哥哥那样泰然自若。不过,她们常和客人应酬,也听惯了表扬,已不可能再有那种天生的羞怯。眼见表妹毫无自信,她们反倒越来越有信心,很快就能从容地,若无其事地把她的面庞和上衣仔细打量了一番。
这是令人极其欣羡的一家人,两个儿子英俊,两个女儿也十分漂亮,四个人个个发育良好,比实际年龄要早熟一些。如果说所受教育使他们与表妹在谈吐上形成了显著差别的话,以上特征则使他们与表妹在外观上形成了显著差别。谁也猜想不到,表姐妹之间年龄相距如此之近。实际上,二表姐比范妮只不过大两岁,朱莉娅·伯特伦才十二岁,玛丽亚仅仅年长一岁。小客人这时候要多难受有多难受。她人人都怕,自惭形秽,怀念自己刚刚离开的家,她不敢抬头看人,不敢大声说话,一说话就要流眼泪。从北安普郭家到曼斯菲尔德的路上,诺里斯太太一直在开导她,说她真是鸿运高照,她应该万分感激,好好表现才是。于是,那孩子便觉得自己不快活乃是以怨报德的行径,不由得心里越发悲伤。漫长旅途的劳顿也很快成了非同小可的弊端。托马斯爵士屈尊隆贵地好心关怀她,无济于事;诺里斯太太苦心孤诣地一再预言她会做个乖孩子,也无济于事;伯特伦夫人笑容可掬,让她跟自己和哈巴狗一起坐在沙发上,还是无济于事;就连看到草莓馅饼,也仍然没能让她开心。她还没吃两口,就泪汪汪地再也吃不下去了,这时睡眠似乎成了她最需要的朋友,于是她给送到床上去排解忧伤。
“一开始就这样,可不是个好苗头啊,”范妮走出屋之后,诺里斯太太说道。“我一路上跟她说了那么多,满以为她会表现得好一些。我跟她说过,一开始就表现好有多重要。我但愿她不要有小脾气——她那可怜的妈妈脾气可不小啊。不过,我们要体谅这样的孩子——依我看,这孩子因为离开家而伤心也没有什么不好的,她的家虽然不怎么样,但总还是她的家啊,她现在还闹不清楚她的境况比在家时好了多少。不过,以后一切会有所好转的。”
然而,范妮适应曼斯菲尔德庄园的新奇环境,适应与所有亲友的分离,用的时候比诺里斯太太预想的要长。她的情绪太低沉了,别人无法理解,因而也难以好生关照。谁也不想亏待她,可是谁也不特意去安慰她。
第二天,伯特伦家给两位小姐放了假,好给她们闲暇跟小表妹相熟,陪她玩耍,可结果并不怎么融洽。两人发现她只有两条彩带,而且从来没有学过法语,不禁有些瞧不起她。她们把拿手的二重奏表演给她听,见她没有什么反应,便只好把自己最不想要的玩具慨然送给了她,由她自己玩去,而她们却去玩当时最时兴的假日游戏;做假花,或者说糟蹋金纸。范妮不管是在表姐身旁还是不在表姐身旁,不管是在课堂、客厅还是在灌木林,都同样孤苦伶仃,见到什么人、什么地方,都觉得有点惧怕。伯特伦夫人的沉默不语使她气馁,托马斯爵士的正颜厉色使她敬畏,诺里斯太太的谆谆告诫使她惶恐。两个表姐言论她的身材使她觉得羞愧,说她羞羞答答使她为之窘迫。李小姐奇怪她怎么什么都不知道,女仆讥笑她衣服寒酸。面对着这些伤心事,再联想到以前和兄弟妹妹们在一起的时候,她作为玩伴、老师和保姆,总是被大家所看重,她那小小的心灵便越发感到沮丧。房屋的富丽堂皇使她为之惊愕,但却不能给她带来安慰。一个个房间都太大,她待在里面有些紧张,每碰到一样东西,都觉得会碰坏似的,走动起来蹑手蹑脚,总是生怕出点会什么事,常常回到自己房里去哭泣。这小姑娘夜晚离开客厅时,大家都说她好像正如大家希望的那样,认识到自己交了好运岂料她是啜泣着进入梦乡,以此来结束自己一天的悲哀。一个星期就这样过去了,从她那文静随顺的仪态中,谁也看不出她在伤心。然而,有一天早晨,她的二表哥埃德蒙发现她坐在阁楼的楼梯上哭泣。
“亲爱的小表妹”,他出于善良的天性,温存备至地说,“你怎么啦?说着在她身边坐下,煞费苦心地安慰她,让她不要因为被人发现哭鼻子而感到难为情,还劝她痛痛快快地把心里话都说出来。“你是否生病了?有人对你发火了吗?跟玛丽亚,朱莉娅吵嘴了吗?功课中有没有什么搞不懂,我可以为你解释的?总而言之,你是否需要什么东西我可以帮你弄来,是否有什么事我可以帮你办?”问了许久,得到的答复只是:“没,没——绝对没有——没,谢谢你。“可是表哥依然问个不停,他刚一提到她原先的家,表妹越发泣不成声了,于是他明白了她伤心的缘由,便昼安慰她。
“亲爱的小范妮,你离开妈妈感到难过,”他说道,“这说明你是个好孩子。不过,你要记住,你和亲戚朋友们在一起,他们都爱你,都想使你快活。我们到庭园里散散步吧,把你兄弟妹妹们的情况讲给我听听。”
经过追问,他发现表妹虽说跟她所有的兄弟妹妹都很亲密,但其中有一个最让她思念。她谈得最多、最想见到的是威廉。威廉是家中最大的孩子,比她大一岁,是她形影不离的伙伴和朋友。他还是妈妈的宠儿,她每逢闯了什么祸,他总是护着她。“威廉不愿让我离开家——他跟我说他真得会非常想我。”“不过,我想威廉会给你写信的。”“是的,他答应过给我写信,不过他叫我先写。”“那你什么时候写呢?”表妹低下头来,迟迟疑疑地说:“我也不知道。我没有信纸。”
“如果你就是为这犯难,我来给你提供纸什么的好啦,你想什么时候写就什么时候写吧。给威廉写信能使你快乐吗?”
“是的,非常快乐。”
“那就说写就写吧。跟我到早餐厅去,那里笔墨纸张什么都有,而且肯定不会有什么人。”
“不过,表哥,能送到邮局吗?”
“是的,肯定能,和别的信一起送到。你姨父盖上免费邮递的戳记,威廉就不用再交费了。”
“我姨父!”范妮满面惶恐地重复了一声。
“是呀,你把信写好了,我拿到我父亲那里盖免费戳。”范妮觉得这样做有点冒昧,不过并没有表示反对。于是,两人来到了早餐室,埃德蒙给她备好了纸,打上了横格,那副热心肠并不亚于她哥哥,而那一丝不苟的劲头或许还能胜过她哥哥。表妹写信的时候,他一直守在旁边,要削笔时就帮她削笔,遇到不会拼写的字就教她如何拼写。这些关照已经让表妹颇为感动了,而他对她哥哥的一番好意,使她越发高兴得不得了。他亲笔附言向威廉表弟问好,并随信寄给他半个几尼。范妮当时心情激动得无以言表。不过,她的神情和几句质朴无华的言语充分表达了她的喜幸和感激之情,表哥从而看出她是一个讨人喜欢的姑娘。表哥跟她又谈了谈,从她的话里可以断定,她有一颗温柔亲切的心,想要表现得体的强烈愿望。他发觉她对自己的处境非常敏感,总是非常羞怯,因而更应得到大家的关照。他从来不曾有意地惹她痛苦过,但他现在意识到她需要的是更多的正爱爱护,因此便首先设法减少她对众从的惧怕,特别是不厌其烦地劝她跟玛丽亚和朱莉娅一起玩,尽可能地快活起来。
从这天起,范妮就感到比较自在了。她觉得自己有了一个朋友,表哥埃德蒙对她那么关心,她跟别人在一起时心情也好起来了。这地方不再那么陌生了,这里的人们也不再那么可怕了。即便有些人还没法让她不害怕,她至少开始了解他们的脾性,知道如何顺应他们。她起初惹得众人忐忑不安、特别是惹得自己忐忑不安的那些小小的无知、笨拙之处,都自然而然地消失了,她已不再非常初见二姨父,听到大姨妈的声音也不再胆战心惊。两个表姐有时也愿意和她一起玩了。虽然由于年幼体弱的缘故,她还不能有跟她们形影相伴,但她们玩的娱乐游戏有时必须有个第三者参加,尤其需要一个和和气气、百依百顺的第三者。当大姨妈查问她有什么缺点,或二哥埃德蒙要她们好好照顾她的时候,她们不得不承认:“范妮倒是个好性子。”
埃德蒙总是待她很好,汤姆也没给她气受,大不了拿她逗逗趣儿,而一个十七岁青年对一个十岁孩子做这样的事,总觉得不为过的。他刚刚踏入社会,生气勃勃,具有长子常有的那种洒脱大度,以为自己生来就是为了花钱和享受的。他对小表妹的关切倒也符合他的身份和权利,一边给她送些漂亮的小礼物,一边又取笑她。
随着范妮情绪好转,眉开颜展,托马斯爵士和诺里斯太太对自己的慈善计划越发感到得意。两人很快得出一致的看法:这孩子虽然谈不上聪明,但是性情温顺,看来不会给他们增添多少麻烦。而觉得她天资愚钝的还不只是他们俩。范妮能读书,做活,写字,但别的事就没有教给她。两个表姐发现,有许多东西她们早就熟悉了,范妮却一无所知,觉得她真是愚不可及,头两三个星期,她们不停地把这方面的新发现带到客厅里去汇报。“亲爱的妈妈,你想想看,表妹连欧洲地图都拼不到一起——她说不出来俄国有哪些主要河流——她从没听说过小亚细亚——她分不清蜡笔画和水彩画!多奇怪呀!你听说过有这么蠢的吗?”
“亲爱的,”能体谅人的大姨妈说,“这是很糟糕的,不过你们不能指望人人都像你们那样早懂事,那样聪明呀。”
“可是,姨妈,她真是什么都不懂呀!你知道吗?昨天晚上我们问她,她要是去爱尔兰,愿意走哪条路。她说,她渡海到怀特岛。她心里只有一个怀特岛,把它称做‘岛子’,好像世界上再没有别的岛子似的。我敢说,我远远没有她这么大的时候就比她知道得多,不然我会觉得害臊。我不记得从什么时候起,她现在还一无所知的东西,我已经知道许许多多了。姨妈,我们按照先后次序背诵英国国王的名字,他们登基的日期,以及他们在位期间发生的主要事件,那是多久以前的事情啊!”



点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 complexion IOsz4     
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格
参考例句:
  • Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
  • Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。
2 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
3 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
4 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
5 untoward Hjvw1     
adj.不利的,不幸的,困难重重的
参考例句:
  • Untoward circumstances prevent me from being with you on this festive occasion.有些不幸的事件使我不能在这欢庆的时刻和你在一起。
  • I'll come if nothing untoward happens.我要是没有特殊情况一定来。
6 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
7 embarrassment fj9z8     
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫
参考例句:
  • She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
  • Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。
8 grandeur hejz9     
n.伟大,崇高,宏伟,庄严,豪华
参考例句:
  • The grandeur of the Great Wall is unmatched.长城的壮观是独一无二的。
  • These ruins sufficiently attest the former grandeur of the place.这些遗迹充分证明此处昔日的宏伟。
9 awe WNqzC     
n.敬畏,惊惧;vt.使敬畏,使惊惧
参考例句:
  • The sight filled us with awe.这景色使我们大为惊叹。
  • The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。
10 judicious V3LxE     
adj.明智的,明断的,能作出明智决定的
参考例句:
  • We should listen to the judicious opinion of that old man.我们应该听取那位老人明智的意见。
  • A judicious parent encourages his children to make their own decisions.贤明的父亲鼓励儿女自作抉择。
11 indifference k8DxO     
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎
参考例句:
  • I was disappointed by his indifference more than somewhat.他的漠不关心使我很失望。
  • He feigned indifference to criticism of his work.他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。
12 remarkably EkPzTW     
ad.不同寻常地,相当地
参考例句:
  • I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。
  • He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。
13 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
14 longing 98bzd     
n.(for)渴望
参考例句:
  • Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
  • His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。
15 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激,感谢
参考例句:
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
16 misery G10yi     
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦
参考例句:
  • Business depression usually causes misery among the working class.商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。
  • He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。
17 fatigue PhVzV     
n.疲劳,劳累
参考例句:
  • The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
  • I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。
18 trifling SJwzX     
adj.微不足道的;没什么价值的
参考例句:
  • They quarreled over a trifling matter.他们为这种微不足道的事情争吵。
  • So far Europe has no doubt, gained a real conveniency,though surely a very trifling one.直到现在为止,欧洲无疑地已经获得了实在的便利,不过那确是一种微不足道的便利。
19 tart 0qIwH     
adj.酸的;尖酸的,刻薄的;n.果馅饼;淫妇
参考例句:
  • She was learning how to make a fruit tart in class.她正在课上学习如何制作水果馅饼。
  • She replied in her usual tart and offhand way.她开口回答了,用她平常那种尖酸刻薄的声调随口说道。
20 promising BkQzsk     
adj.有希望的,有前途的
参考例句:
  • The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
  • We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。
21 acquitting 1cb70ef7c3e36e8b08e20b8fa2f613c8     
宣判…无罪( acquit的现在分词 ); 使(自己)作出某种表现
参考例句:
  • Meanwhile Ms Sotomayor is acquitting herself well enough. 另一方面,Sotomayor女士正在完成自己的任务。
  • It has the following characteristics: high speed of data acquitting and data processing. 固件程序具有较高的采集响应速度和数据处理速度。
22 adjourned 1e5a5e61da11d317191a820abad1664d     
(使)休会, (使)休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The court adjourned for lunch. 午餐时间法庭休庭。
  • The trial was adjourned following the presentation of new evidence to the court. 新证据呈到庭上后,审讯就宣告暂停。
23 awed a0ab9008d911a954b6ce264ddc63f5c8     
adj.充满敬畏的,表示敬畏的v.使敬畏,使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The audience was awed into silence by her stunning performance. 观众席上鸦雀无声,人们对他出色的表演感到惊叹。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I was awed by the huge gorilla. 那只大猩猩使我惊惧。 来自《简明英汉词典》
24 mortified 0270b705ee76206d7730e7559f53ea31     
v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 );伤害(人的感情);克制;抑制(肉体、情感等)
参考例句:
  • She was mortified to realize he had heard every word she said. 她意识到自己的每句话都被他听到了,直羞得无地自容。
  • The knowledge of future evils mortified the present felicities. 对未来苦难的了解压抑了目前的喜悦。 来自《简明英汉词典》
25 abashed szJzyQ     
adj.窘迫的,尴尬的v.使羞愧,使局促,使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He glanced at Juliet accusingly and she looked suitably abashed. 他怪罪的一瞥,朱丽叶自然显得很窘。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The girl was abashed by the laughter of her classmates. 那小姑娘因同学的哄笑而局促不安。 来自《简明英汉词典》
26 sneered 0e3b5b35e54fb2ad006040792a867d9f     
讥笑,冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sneered at people who liked pop music. 他嘲笑喜欢流行音乐的人。
  • It's very discouraging to be sneered at all the time. 成天受嘲讽是很令人泄气的。
27 chamber wnky9     
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所
参考例句:
  • For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说,牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
  • The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。
28 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
29 sobbing df75b14f92e64fc9e1d7eaf6dcfc083a     
<主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的
参考例句:
  • I heard a child sobbing loudly. 我听见有个孩子在呜呜地哭。
  • Her eyes were red with recent sobbing. 她的眼睛因刚哭过而发红。
30 attic Hv4zZ     
n.顶楼,屋顶室
参考例句:
  • Leakiness in the roof caused a damp attic.屋漏使顶楼潮湿。
  • What's to be done with all this stuff in the attic?顶楼上的材料怎么处理?
31 persevered b3246393c709e55e93de64dc63360d37     
v.坚忍,坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She persevered with her violin lessons. 她孜孜不倦地学习小提琴。
  • Hard as the conditions were, he persevered in his studies. 虽然条件艰苦,但他仍坚持学习。 来自辞典例句
32 revert OBwzV     
v.恢复,复归,回到
参考例句:
  • Let us revert to the earlier part of the chapter.让我们回到本章的前面部分。
  • Shall we revert to the matter we talked about yesterday?我们接着昨天谈过的问题谈,好吗?
33 sobs d4349f86cad43cb1a5579b1ef269d0cb     
啜泣(声),呜咽(声)( sob的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • She was struggling to suppress her sobs. 她拼命不让自己哭出来。
  • She burst into a convulsive sobs. 她突然抽泣起来。
34 grievance J6ayX     
n.怨愤,气恼,委屈
参考例句:
  • He will not easily forget his grievance.他不会轻易忘掉他的委屈。
  • He had been nursing a grievance against his boss for months.几个月来他对老板一直心怀不满。
35 eldest bqkx6     
adj.最年长的,最年老的
参考例句:
  • The King's eldest son is the heir to the throne.国王的长子是王位的继承人。
  • The castle and the land are entailed on the eldest son.城堡和土地限定由长子继承。
36 distress 3llzX     
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛
参考例句:
  • Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
  • Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。
37 goodwill 4fuxm     
n.善意,亲善,信誉,声誉
参考例句:
  • His heart is full of goodwill to all men.他心里对所有人都充满着爱心。
  • We paid £10,000 for the shop,and £2000 for its goodwill.我们用一万英镑买下了这家商店,两千英镑买下了它的信誉。
38 orthography MvzyD     
n.拼字法,拼字式
参考例句:
  • In dictionaries,words are listed according to their orthography.在词典中,词是按照字母拼写顺序排列的。
  • American and English orthography are very much alike.美语与英语的拼字方法非常相像。
39 incapable w9ZxK     
adj.无能力的,不能做某事的
参考例句:
  • He would be incapable of committing such a cruel deed.他不会做出这么残忍的事。
  • Computers are incapable of creative thought.计算机不会创造性地思维。
40 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
41 lessen 01gx4     
vt.减少,减轻;缩小
参考例句:
  • Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.经常运动有助于减轻痛感。
  • They've made great effort to lessen the noise of planes.他们尽力减小飞机的噪音。
42 tranquillity 93810b1103b798d7e55e2b944bcb2f2b     
n. 平静, 安静
参考例句:
  • The phenomenon was so striking and disturbing that his philosophical tranquillity vanished. 这个令人惶惑不安的现象,扰乱了他的旷达宁静的心境。
  • My value for domestic tranquillity should much exceed theirs. 我应该远比他们重视家庭的平静生活。
43 dispositions eee819c0d17bf04feb01fd4dcaa8fe35     
安排( disposition的名词复数 ); 倾向; (财产、金钱的)处置; 气质
参考例句:
  • We got out some information about the enemy's dispositions from the captured enemy officer. 我们从捕获的敌军官那里问出一些有关敌军部署的情况。
  • Elasticity, solubility, inflammability are paradigm cases of dispositions in natural objects. 伸缩性、可缩性、易燃性是天然物体倾向性的范例。
44 disposition GljzO     
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署
参考例句:
  • He has made a good disposition of his property.他已对财产作了妥善处理。
  • He has a cheerful disposition.他性情开朗。
45 enjoyment opaxV     
n.乐趣;享有;享用
参考例句:
  • Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同,我们这次访问更加愉快了。
  • After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话,这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。
46 benevolent Wtfzx     
adj.仁慈的,乐善好施的
参考例句:
  • His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him.他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。
  • He was a benevolent old man and he wouldn't hurt a fly.他是一个仁慈的老人,连只苍蝇都不愿伤害。
47 tractable GJ8z4     
adj.易驾驭的;温顺的
参考例句:
  • He was always tractable and quiet.他总是温顺、恬静。
  • Gold and silver are tractable metals.金和银是容易加工的金属。
48 prodigiously 4e0b03f07b2839c82ba0338722dd0721     
adv.异常地,惊人地,巨大地
参考例句:
  • Such remarks, though, hardly begin to explain that prodigiously gifted author Henry James. 然而这样的说法,一点也不能解释这个得天独厚的作家亨利·詹姆斯的情况。 来自辞典例句
  • The prices of farms rose prodigiously. 农场的价格飞快上涨。 来自互联网
49 isle fatze     
n.小岛,岛
参考例句:
  • He is from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea.他来自爱尔兰海的马恩岛。
  • The boat left for the paradise isle of Bali.小船驶向天堂一般的巴厘岛。
50 chronological 8Ofzi     
adj.按年月顺序排列的,年代学的
参考例句:
  • The paintings are exhibited in chronological sequence.这些画是按创作的时间顺序展出的。
  • Give me the dates in chronological order.把日期按年月顺序给我。
51 reigns 0158e1638fbbfb79c26a2ce8b24966d2     
n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 );君主统治时期;任期;当政期
参考例句:
  • In these valleys night reigns. 夜色笼罩着那些山谷。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The Queen of Britain reigns, but she does not rule or govern. 英国女王是国家元首,但不治国事。 来自辞典例句
52 mythology I6zzV     
n.神话,神话学,神话集
参考例句:
  • In Greek mythology,Zeus was the ruler of Gods and men.在希腊神话中,宙斯是众神和人类的统治者。
  • He is the hero of Greek mythology.他是希腊民间传说中的英雄。
53 distinguished wu9z3v     
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的
参考例句:
  • Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
  • A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。
54 emulation 4p1x9     
n.竞争;仿效
参考例句:
  • The young man worked hard in emulation of his famous father.这位年轻人努力工作,要迎头赶上他出名的父亲。
  • His spirit of assiduous study is worthy of emulation.他刻苦钻研的精神,值得效法。
55 accomplished UzwztZ     
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的
参考例句:
  • Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
  • Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。
56 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
57 deficient Cmszv     
adj.不足的,不充份的,有缺陷的
参考例句:
  • The crops are suffering from deficient rain.庄稼因雨量不足而遭受损害。
  • I always have been deficient in selfconfidence and decision.我向来缺乏自信和果断。
58 generosity Jf8zS     
n.大度,慷慨,慷慨的行为
参考例句:
  • We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。
  • We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。
59 humility 8d6zX     
n.谦逊,谦恭
参考例句:
  • Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
  • His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和,甚至有点谦卑。
60 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
61 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
62 attachment POpy1     
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附
参考例句:
  • She has a great attachment to her sister.她十分依恋她的姐姐。
  • She's on attachment to the Ministry of Defense.她现在隶属于国防部。
63 diminution 2l9zc     
n.减少;变小
参考例句:
  • They hope for a small diminution in taxes.他们希望捐税能稍有减少。
  • He experienced no diminution of his physical strength.他并未感觉体力衰落。
64 accomplishments 1c15077db46e4d6425b6f78720939d54     
n.造诣;完成( accomplishment的名词复数 );技能;成绩;成就
参考例句:
  • It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
  • Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
65 extravagant M7zya     
adj.奢侈的;过分的;(言行等)放肆的
参考例句:
  • They tried to please him with fulsome compliments and extravagant gifts.他们想用溢美之词和奢华的礼品来取悦他。
  • He is extravagant in behaviour.他行为放肆。
66 exquisite zhez1     
adj.精美的;敏锐的;剧烈的,感觉强烈的
参考例句:
  • I was admiring the exquisite workmanship in the mosaic.我当时正在欣赏镶嵌画的精致做工。
  • I still remember the exquisite pleasure I experienced in Bali.我依然记得在巴厘岛所经历的那种剧烈的快感。
67 sanguine dCOzF     
adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的
参考例句:
  • He has a sanguine attitude to life.他对于人生有乐观的看法。
  • He is not very sanguine about our chances of success.他对我们成功的机会不太乐观。
68 Oxford Wmmz0a     
n.牛津(英国城市)
参考例句:
  • At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
  • This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。
69 consolation WpbzC     
n.安慰,慰问
参考例句:
  • The children were a great consolation to me at that time.那时孩子们成了我的莫大安慰。
  • This news was of little consolation to us.这个消息对我们来说没有什么安慰。
70 apprehension bNayw     
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑
参考例句:
  • There were still areas of doubt and her apprehension grew.有些地方仍然存疑,于是她越来越担心。
  • She is a girl of weak apprehension.她是一个理解力很差的女孩。
71 judgment e3xxC     
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见
参考例句:
  • The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
  • He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。
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