狄更斯雙語小說:《董貝父子》第40章Part6

'There is no wealth,' she went on, turning paler as she watched him, while her eyes grew yet more lustrous in their earnestness, 'that could buy these words of me, and the meaning that belongs to them. Once cast away as idle breath, no wealth or power can bring them back. I mean them; I have weighed them; and I will be true to what I undertake. If you will promise to forbear on your part, I will promise to forbear on mine. We are a most unhappy pair, in whom, from different causes, every sentiment that blesses marriage, or justifies it, is rooted out; but in the course of time, some friendship, or some fitness for each other, may arise between us. I will try to hope so, if you will make the endeavour too; and I will look forward to a better and a happier use of age than I have made of youth or prime.
Throughout she had spoken in a low plain voice, that neither rose nor fell; ceasing, she dropped the hand with which she had enforced herself to be so passionless and distinct, but not the eyes with which she had so steadily observed him.
'Madam,' said Mr Dombey, with his utmost dignity, 'I cannot entertain any proposal of this extraordinary nature.
She looked at him yet, without the least change.
'I cannot,' said Mr Dombey, rising as he spoke, 'consent to temporise or treat with you, Mrs Dombey, upon a subject as to which you are in possession of my opinions and expectations. I have stated my ultimatum, Madam, and have only to request your very serious attention to it.'
To see the face change to its old expression, deepened in intensity! To see the eyes droop as from some mean and odious object! To see the lighting of the haughty brow! To see scorn, anger, indignation, and abhorrence starting into sight, and the pale blank earnestness vanish like a mist! He could not choose but look, although he looked to his dismay.

“世界上任何財富，”她繼續說道；當她望着他的時候，她的臉色比先前更蒼白一些，但由於她說得十分懇切，她的眼睛卻比先前更有光澤，”也不能把我的這些話和其中的含意收買走。如果一旦把它們當作無聊的閒話丟棄不理的話，那麼任何財富或權力也不能把它們取回來。我是正正經經說這些話，不是開玩笑；每一句話我都斟酌過；我答應要做的事，我將認真執行。如果您答應您在您那一方面容忍的話，那麼我就答應我在我這一方面容忍。我們是最不幸福的一對；在我們這裏，由於各種不同的原因，一切爲婚姻讚美或辯護的感情都已根本不存在了。可是，隨着時間的推移，我們相互間可能會產生一些友誼或能夠相互適應；如果您也同樣作出努力的話，那麼我將設法努力，希望能達到這個目的；我期望我今後的歲月將比我青年或壯年時代過得美好一些和幸福一些。”
她自始至終是用低沉的、平靜的聲調說的，既沒有升高，也沒有降低；她曾經把手按在胸前，以便竭力保持冷靜，把話說清楚；在停止說話的時候她把手放下，可是她那一直在注視着他的眼睛卻並沒有低垂下來。
“夫人，”董貝先生露出極爲尊嚴的神情，說道，”我不能接受這異乎尋常的建議。”
她依舊看着他，表情沒有任何變化。
“我的意見和願望您已經知道了，”董貝先生站起來，說道，”我不能在這個問題上跟您妥協或談判，董貝夫人。我已向您陳述了我的最後要求，夫人；我只請求您十分認真地注意它。”
他看到，她的臉上恢復了過去的、但更爲強烈的表情！他看到，她的眼睛低垂下去，像是要避開什麼卑劣的、討厭的東西似的！他看到，那高傲的前額又閃耀着亮光！他看到，輕蔑，氣惱，憤慨和憎惡的表情又呈現在眼前；那蒼白的、平靜的、懇切的表情已像霧一般地消散了！他不能做別的，只能看着這一切，雖然是驚愕地看着。