A soft sound of rising now became audible.
这时响起了轻轻的起立声。
The curtain was swept back from the arch, through it appeared the dining-room,
帐幔被撩到了拱门背后，露出了餐室，
with its lit lustre pouring down light on the silver and glass of a magnificent dessert-service covering a long table.
只见长长的桌上摆满了盛甜点心的豪华餐具，烛光倾泻在银制的和玻璃的器皿上。
A band of ladies stood in the opening.
一群女士站在门口。
They entered, and the curtain fell behind them. There were but eight.
随后她们走了进来，门帘在身后落下。她们不过八位。
Yet, somehow, as they flocked in, they gave the impression of a much larger number.
可不知怎地，成群结队进来的时候，给人的印象远不止这个数目。
Some of them were very tall. Many were dressed in white;
有些个子很高。有些一身著白。
And all had a sweeping amplitude of array that seemed to magnify their persons as a mist magnifies the moon.
她们的服装都往外伸展得很阔，仿佛雾气放大了月亮一样，这些服装也把她们的人放大了。
I rose and curtseyed to them.
我站起来向她们行了屈膝礼。
One or two bent their heads in return, the others only stared at me.
有一两位点头回礼，而其余的不过盯着我看而已。
They dispersed about the room, reminding me, by the lightness and buoyancy of their movements, of a flock of white plumy birds.
她们在房间里散开，动作轻盈飘拂，令我想起了一群白色羽毛的鸟。
Some of them threw themselves in half-reclining positions on the sofas and ottomans.
有些人一下子坐下来，斜倚在沙发和卧榻上。
Some bent over the tables and examined the flowers and books.
有的俯身向着桌子，细细揣摩起花和书来。
The rest gathered in a group round the fire.
其余的人则团团围着火炉。
All talked in a low but clear tone which seemed habitual to them.
大家都用低沉而清晰的调子交谈着，似乎这已成了她们的习惯。
I knew their names afterwards, and may as well mention them now.
后来我知道了她们的大名，现在不妨来提一下。
First, there was Mrs. Eshton and two of her daughters.
首先是埃希顿太太和她的两个女儿。
She had evidently been a handsome woman, and was well preserved still.
她显然曾是位漂亮的女人，而且保养得很好。
Of her daughters, the eldest, Amy, was rather little, naive, and child-like in face and manner, and piquant in form.
她的大女儿艾米个头比较小，有些天真，脸部和举止都透出了孩子气，外表也显得很调皮。
her white muslin dress and blue sash became her well.
她那白色的薄纱礼服和蓝色的腰带很合身。
