A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told that not only your sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united to my nephew, my own nephew, Mr. Darcy. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, though I would not injure him so much as to suppose the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments known to you."
前两天我刚知晓一则令人震惊的消息。我听说不光是你姐姐将要攀上一门高亲,连你,伊丽莎白·班纳特小姐,也快要攀上我的姨侄,我的亲姨侄达西先生。虽然我明知这是无稽的流言,虽然我不会那样看不起他,相信他真会有这种事情,我还是当机立断,决定上这儿来一次,把我的意思说给你听。”
"If you believed it impossible to be true," said Elizabeth, colouring with astonishment and disdain, "I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far. What could your ladyship propose by it?"
伊丽莎白又是诧异,又是厌恶,满脸涨得通红。“我真奇怪,你既然认为不会有这种事情,何必还要自找麻烦,跑到这么远的地方来?请问你老人家究竟有何见教?”
"At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted."
“我一定要你立刻向大家去辟谣。”
"Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family," said Elizabeth coolly, "will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence."
伊丽莎白冷冷地说:“要是外界真有这种传说,那么你赶到浪搏恩来看我和我家里人,反而会弄假成真。”
"If! Do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a report is spread abroad?"
“要是真有这种传说!你难道存心要假痴假呆不成?这不全是你自己拚命传出去的吗?难道你不知道这个消息已经闹得满城风雨了吗?”
"I never heard that it was."
“我从来没有听见过。”
"And can you likewise declare, that there is no foundation for it?"
“你能不能说一声这是毫无根据?”
"I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer."
“我并不冒充我也象你老人家一样坦白。你尽管问好了,我可不想回答。”