漂亮朋友(外研社双语读库)(txt+pdf+epub+mobi电子书下载)

作者：Guy de Maupassant 莫泊桑

出版社：外语教学与研究出版社

格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT

漂亮朋友(外研社双语读库)试读：

第一章贫穷

After changing his five-franc piece Georges Duroy left the restaurant. He twisted his mustache in military style and cast a rapid, sweeping glance upon the diners, among whom were three saleswomen, an untidy music-teacher of uncertain age, and two women with their husbands.

乔治·迪鲁瓦递给收银员五法郎硬币，接过找回的零钱，走出了饭馆。他以军人的方式捻着胡须，迅速地扫视了一下还在用餐的客人，这其中有三个女销售员，一位不修边幅、不确定年龄的音乐老师及两位陪同丈夫前来就餐的妇人。

When he reached the sidewalk, he paused to consider what route he should take. It was the twenty-eighth of June and he had only three francs in his pocket to last him the remainder of the month. That meant two dinners and no lunches, or two lunches and no dinners, according to choice. As he pondered upon this unpleasant state of affairs, he sauntered down Rue Notre Dame de Lorette, preserving his military air and carriage, and rudely jostled the people upon the streets in order to clear a path for himself. He appeared to be hostile to the passers-by, and even to the houses, the entire city.

走到人行道的时候，他停下了脚步，盘算着下一步该往哪儿走。今天是六月二十八号，他口袋里只有三法郎了，他得靠这点钱撑过这个月剩下的日子。这意味着剩下两天，要么吃晚餐不吃午餐，要么吃午餐不吃晚餐，两者只能选其一。他一边想着这令人不愉快的境况，一边沿着洛雷特圣母院街闲逛。他仍保留着军人的神态和举止；为了给自己开道，他粗鲁地推开街上的人群。他似乎对过路人，甚至对房屋、对整个城市都有敌意。

Tall, well-built, fair, with blue eyes, a curled mustache, hair naturally wavy and parted in the middle, he recalled the hero of the popular romances.

他身材修长、体型匀称、蓝眼睛、卷胡子、中分的金色头发自然卷曲，使人想起流行浪漫小说里的男主角。

It was one of those sultry, Parisian evenings when not a breath of air is stirring; the sewers exhaled poisonous gases and the restaurants the disagreeable odors of cooking and of kindred smells. Porters in their shirt-sleeves, astride their chairs, smoked their pipes at the carriage gates, and pedestrians strolled leisurely along, hats in hand.

这是巴黎一个闷热的夜晚，没有一丝风；下水道散发出恶臭，饭馆发出令人厌恶的油烟味及其他类似的气味。在客车厢门口，只穿着衬衫的看门人叼着烟斗，骑坐在椅子上。行人也都把帽子拿在手里，在街上闲逛。

When Georges Duroy reached the boulevard he halted again, undecided as to which road to choose. Finally he turned toward the Madeleine and followed the tide of people.

乔治·迪鲁瓦走到林阴大道时又停了下来，他还没决定该走哪条路。最后，他转身随着人潮向马德莱娜教堂走去。

The large, well-patronized cafes tempted Duroy, but were he to drink only two glasses of beer in an evening, farewell to the meager supper the following night! Yet he said to himself: "I will take a glass at the Americain. By Jove, I am thirsty."

一间间富丽堂皇的大咖啡馆引诱着迪鲁瓦，但今晚只要他喝两杯啤酒，他就要跟明晚简单的晚餐说再见了！然而他对自己说道：“我要到‘美洲人咖啡馆’喝一杯。他妈的，我渴了。”

He glanced at men seated at the tables, men who could afford to slake their thirst, and he scowled at them. "Rascals!" he muttered. If he could have caught one of them at a corner in the dark he would have choked him without a scruple! He recalled the two years spent in Africa, and the manner in which he had extorted money from the Arabs. A smile hovered about his lips at the recollection of an escapade which had cost three men their lives, a foray which had given his two comrades and himself seventy fowls, two sheep, money, and something to laugh about for six months. 、The culprits were never found; indeed, they were not sought for, the Arab being looked upon as the soldier's prey.

迪鲁瓦扫视着坐在桌子旁的人们——那些能买得起东西来解渴的人们，并对他们怒目而视。他咕哝着：“这些无赖！”要是他能在街角的暗处抓住他们当中的一个，他会毫不犹豫地掐住他的脖子、使他窒息的！他想起了在非洲度过的那两年时光，想起了他从阿拉伯人身上勒索钱财的方式。他想起了一次胡作非为的举动，唇角露出了一丝微笑。在那次突袭中，他和他的两个同伴杀了三个人，劫掠了七十只鸡、两头羊、一些钱财，还有足够乐上约摸六个月的笑料。犯事者始终没被抓住；其实也没有人追缉他们，阿拉伯人被看作是士兵的猎物。

But in Paris it was different; there one could not commit such deeds with impunity. He regretted that he had not remained where he was; but he had hoped to improve his condition—and for that reason he was in Paris!

但在巴黎，情况就不一样了；在这里，一个人不可能在犯下那样的罪行后不受惩罚。他后悔没有留在原来的地方；但他本希望改善他的境况——而正是因为这个原因，他才到了巴黎。

He passed the Vaudeville and stopped at the Cafe Americain, debating as to whether he should take that "glass."Before deciding, he glanced at a clock; it was a quarter past nine. He knew that when the beer was placed in front of him, he would drink it; and then what would he do at eleven o'clock? So he walked on, intending to go as far as the Madeleine and return.

他路过滑稽歌舞剧场，在“美洲人咖啡馆”门口停下来，心里挣扎着是否要喝那“一杯”。在下决定之前，他看了看时钟；现在是九点一刻。他明白，当啤酒摆在他面前时，他会一饮而尽；而后，十一点他又将做些什么呢？所以他继续走着，打算一直走到马德莱娜教堂，然后再返回来。

When he reached the Place de l'Opera, a tall, young man passed him, whose face he fancied was familiar. He followed him, repeating: "Where the deuce have I seen that fellow?"

正当他走到歌剧院广场时，一个高高的年轻男子和他擦肩而过，他觉得这张脸似曾相识。他跟着这个人，重复着：“我到底是在什么地方见过这个家伙呢？”

For a time he racked his brain in vain; then suddenly he saw the same man, but not so corpulent and more youthful, attired in the uniform of a Hussar. He exclaimed: "Wait, Forestier!" and hastening up to him, laid his hand upon the man's shoulder. The latter turned, looked at him, and said: "What do you want, sir?"

他绞尽脑汁想了一阵儿，但徒劳无功；然后，他突然看到一个一模一样的男人，但是没有这么胖，而且更年轻，穿着一身轻骑兵制服。他喊道：“等一下，福雷斯捷！”并急忙赶上他，把手放在那个人肩膀上。那个人转过身,看着他说：“您找我有什么事吗,先生？”

Duroy began to laugh: "Don't you remember me?”

迪鲁瓦笑了起来：“你不记得我了？”

"No."“不记得。”

"Not remember Georges Duroy of the Sixth Hussars."“不记得轻骑兵六营的乔治·迪鲁瓦了。”

Forestier extended both hands.

福雷斯捷伸出双手。

"Ah, my dear fellow, how are you?"“哎呀，老兄，你好吗？”

"Very well. And how are you?"“很好。那你呢，你好吗？”

"Oh, I am not very well. I cough six months out of the twelve as a result of bronchitis contracted at Bougival, about the time of my return to Paris four years ago."“嗯，我不太好。一年十二个月里我有六个月都在咳嗽，就因为四年前，大概在我回巴黎的时候，我在布吉瓦尔染上了支气管炎。”

"But you look well."“但你看起来不错。”

Forestier, taking his former comrade's arm, told him of his malady, of the consultations, the opinions and the advice of the doctors and of the difficulty of following their advice in his position. They ordered him to spend the winter in the south, but how could he? He was married and was a journalist in a responsible editorial position.

福雷斯捷挽起他老伙伴的胳膊，向他谈了谈自己的疾病，医生的诊断、意见和劝告，以及处在他的位置，听从医生劝告的困难。医生叫他在南方过冬，但他怎么能办得到呢？他结婚了，并且是一个新闻记者，处在责任重大的编辑的位置。

"I manage the political department on 'La Vie Francaise'; I report the doings of the Senate for 'Le Salut,' and from time to time I write for 'La Planete.'“我管理《法兰西生活报》的政治部门；我替《救世报》报道参议院的活动，并且有时我还给《行星报》写文章。

That is what I am doing.”

那就是我在做的工作。”

Duroy, in surprise, glanced at him. He was very much changed. Formerly Forestier had been thin, giddy, noisy, and always in good spirits. But three years of life in Paris had made another man of him; now he was stout and serious, and his hair was gray on his temples although he could not number more than twenty-seven years.

迪鲁瓦吃惊地看着他。他变化很大。从前，福雷斯捷瘦削、轻浮、爱吵爱闹，而且总是精神抖擞。但三年的巴黎生活已经使他变成了另外一个人；现在他肥胖、严肃，并且，尽管他还不可能超过二十七岁，但他两鬓的头发已经是灰白的了。

Forestier asked: "Where are you going?"

福雷斯捷问道：“你这是要去哪里啊？”

Duroy replied: "Nowhere in particular."

迪鲁瓦回答说：“没什么特别的地方要去。”

"Very well, will you accompany me to the 'Vie Francaise' where I have some proofs to correct; and afterward take a drink with me?”“太好了，你陪我去一下《法兰西生活报》好吗？我要在那儿改一些校样；然后和我喝一杯如何？”

"Yes, gladly."“好呀，非常乐意。”

They walked along arm-in-arm with that familiarity which exists between schoolmates and brother-officers.

他们手挽着手向前走去，带着那种存在于同校学生及同军营军官之间的亲密。

"What are you doing in Paris?" asked Forestier, Duroy shrugged his shoulders.“你现在在巴黎干什么差事？”福雷斯捷问道；迪鲁瓦耸了耸肩膀。

"Dying of hunger, simply. When my time was up, I came hither to make my fortune, or rather to live in Paris—and for six months I have been employed in a railroad office at fifteen hundred francs a year.”“简单说来，我快饿死了。服役期满时，我就来这里找发财的路子，或者不如说来巴黎讨生活——我已经在一个铁路局干了六个月了，年薪是一千五百法郎。”

Forestier murmured: "That is not very much."

福雷斯捷咕哝道：“那不是很多。”

"But what can I do?"answered Duroy. "I am alone, I know no one, I have no recommendations. The spirit is not lacking, but the means are."“但是我能干什么呢？”迪鲁瓦答道，“我孤身一人，什么人也不认识，也没有推荐信。我缺的不是志气，而是方法啊。”

His companion looked at him from head to foot like a practical man who is examining a subject; then he said, in a tone of conviction: "You see, my dear fellow, all depends on assurance, here. A shrewd, observing man can sometimes become a minister. You must obtrude yourself and yet not ask anything. But how is it you have not found anything better than a clerkship at the station?"

福雷斯捷像一个务实的人检查一个实验对象那样把他从头到脚打量了一番；然后，他用十分肯定的语气说：“你知道吧，老兄，在这里一切都看你有没有信心。一个头脑灵活、善于观察的人有时候可以成为一名部长。你必须自己去闯，而不是去求别人。不过你怎么没有找到比铁路局职员更好的差事呢？”

Duroy replied: "I hunted everywhere and found nothing else. But I know where I can get three thousand francs at least—as riding-master at the Pellerin school.”

迪鲁瓦回答：“我到处都找了，但找不到别的了。但是我知道在哪儿可以得到至少三千法郎——去佩勒兰驯马场当骑术教练。”

Forestier stopped him: "Don't do it, for you can earn ten thousand francs. You will ruin your prospects at once. In your office at least no one knows you; you can leave it if you wish to at any time. But when you are once a riding-master all will be over. You might as well be a butler in a house to which all Paris comes to dine. When you have given riding lessons to men of the world or to their sons, they will no longer consider you their equal.”

福雷斯捷阻止他说：“即使能赚一万法郎，你也别干。你会立即自毁前程。在你办公室里上班，至少没人认识你；假如你愿意，你随时可以离开。但你一旦成为骑术教练，一切都完了。你还不如在一家全巴黎人都去吃饭的饭馆里当领班呢。你只要给上流社会的人们或他们的子弟上了骑术课，他们就再也不会把你当作和他们平等的人了。”

He paused, reflected several seconds and then asked: "Are you a bachelor?"

他停下来，沉思了几秒，然后问道：“你是学士吗？”

"Yes, though I have been smitten several times."“是的，虽然我考失败过几次。”

"That makes no difference. If Cicero and Tiberius were mentioned would you know who they were?"“那没影响。要是有人提起西塞罗和泰比里厄斯，你会知道他们是谁吗？”

"Yes."“我知道。”

"Good, no one knows any more except about a score of fools. It is not difficult to pass for being learned. The secret is not to betray your ignorance. Just maneuver, avoid the quicksands and obstacles, and the rest can be found in a dictionary."“那就好，除了大约二十个傻瓜，谁也不会知道得更多。要被人认为知识渊博，不难。秘诀是不要显露出你的无知。只要用点计谋，避免陷阱和障碍，然后剩下的就可以在词典中找到了。”

He spoke like one who understood human nature, and he smiled as the crowd passed them by. Suddenly he began to cough and stopped to allow the paroxysm to spend itself; then he said in a discouraged tone: "Isn't it tiresome not to be able to get rid of this bronchitis? And here is midsummer! This winter I shall go to Mentone. Health before everything.”

他像个洞悉人类本性的人似的说着，同时他微笑着，人群从他们身边走过。忽然，他开始咳嗽，他停下来让这阵发作过去；随后他泄气地说：“摆脱不掉这支气管炎，是够烦人的吧？而且，现在是仲夏！今年冬天我要去芒通。健康第一嘛！”

They reached the Boulevarde Poissoniere; behind a large glass door an open paper was affixed; three people were reading it. Above the door was printed the legend, "La Vie Francaise."

他们到了普瓦索尼埃大街；一扇大玻璃门后贴着一张展开的报纸；有三个人正在读报。玻璃门上方刻印着几个字——“法兰西生活报”。

Forestier pushed open the door and said: "Come in."Duroy entered; they ascended the stairs, passed through an antechamber in which two clerks greeted their comrade, and then entered a kind of waiting-room.

福雷斯捷推开门，说道：“请进。”迪鲁瓦走了进去；他们登上楼梯，穿过一间大厅，在大厅里有两个职员向他们的同事打招呼，然后他们走进一个类似于等候室的地方。

"Sit down," said Forestier, "I shall be back in five minutes," and he disappeared.“请坐，”福雷斯捷说，“我五分钟后就回来。”然后他就走了。

Duroy remained where he was; from time to time men passed him by, entering by one door and going out by another before he had time to glance at them.

迪鲁瓦留在等候室里；时不时有人从他旁边经过，他们从一个门进来，在他还没来得及看一看他们时，就又从另一个门出去了。

Now they were young men, very young, with a busy air, holding sheets of paper in their hands; now compositors, their shirts spotted with ink—carefully carrying what were evidently fresh proofs. Occasionally a gentleman entered, fashionably dressed, some reporter bringing news.

有时是年轻的小伙子，非常年轻，忙忙碌碌的样子，手里拿着一些纸片；有时是排字工人，他们的衬衣墨迹斑斑——小心翼翼地捧着显然是刚印好的校样。偶尔进来一个穿着时尚的绅士，他是某个带来新闻的记者。

Forestier reappeared arm-in-arm with a tall, thin man of thirty or forty, dressed in a black coat, with a white cravat, a dark complexion, and an insolent, self-satisfied air. Forestier said to him: "Adieu, my dear sir," and the other pressed his hand with: "Au revoir, my friend."Then he descended the stairs whistling, his cane under his arm.

福雷斯捷回来了，和一个三四十岁的男人手挽着手；这个人又高又瘦，身着黑外套，打着白领带，肤色黝黑，带着一副傲慢、洋洋自得的神气。福雷斯捷对他说：“再会了，我亲爱的先生。”对方握着福雷斯捷的手说：“再见了，我的朋友。”然后，这个人把手杖夹在胳膊下面，吹着口哨下楼了。

Duroy asked his name.

迪鲁瓦问这个人叫什么名字。

"That is Jacques Rival, the celebrated writer and duelist. He came to correct his proofs. Garin, Montel and he are the best witty and realistic writers we have in Paris. He earns thirty thousand francs a year for two articles a week."“这就是著名的作家和决斗家雅克·里瓦尔。他来修改他的校样。他、加兰和蒙特尔是巴黎最好的诙谐现实主义作家。他每周写两篇文章，一年赚三万法郎。”

As they went downstairs, they met a stout, little man with long hair, who was ascending the stairs whistling. Forestier bowed low.

正当他们下楼时，他们遇到一个又矮又胖的人，这个人留着长头发，正吹着口哨上楼。福雷斯捷深深地鞠了一躬。

"Norbert de Varenne," said he, "the poet, the author of 'Les Soleils Morts,'—a very expensive man. Every poem he gives us costs three hundred francs and the longest has not two hundred lines. But let us go into the Napolitain, I am getting thirsty.”“诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳，”福雷斯捷说，“他是诗人，《死亡的太阳》的作者——是个拿很高报酬的人。他投给我们的每首诗都值三百法郎，而这些诗最长的也不到两百行。不过，我们到‘那不勒斯咖啡馆’里去吧，我渴了。”

When they were seated at a table, Forestier ordered two glasses of beer. He emptied his at a single draught, while Duroy sipped his beer slowly as if it were something rare and precious. Suddenly his companion asked, "Why don't you try journalism?”

他们在桌子前一坐下来，福雷斯捷就点了两杯啤酒。他一口气就喝完了他那杯啤酒，而迪鲁瓦则一小口一小口地慢慢啜饮，好像那是什么稀有而又珍贵的东西。忽然，他的同伴问道：“你为什么不试试新闻这一行？”

Duroy looked at him in surprise and said: "Because I have never written anything."

迪鲁瓦吃惊地看着他说道：“因为我从来没写过任何东西。”

"Bah, we all have to make a beginning. I could employ you myself by sending you to obtain information. At first you would only get two hundred and fifty francs a month but your cab fare would be paid. Shall I speak to the manager?"“呸，我们都得从头做起。我可以私人聘用你，让你去收集信息。刚开始，你每个月只会得到二百五十法郎，但车费可以报销。要我去跟经理说说吗？”

"If you will."“如果你愿意，我当然求之不得。”

"Well, then come and dine with me to-morrow; I will only ask five or six to meet you; the manager, M. Walter, his wife, with Jacques Rival, and Norbert de Varenne whom you have just seen, and also a friend of Mme.Forestier, Will you come?”“好的，那么明天来和我吃饭吧，我只会邀请五六个人，让他们见见你；我的经理瓦尔特先生和他的太太、你刚刚见过的雅克·里瓦尔和诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳，还有我妻子的一个朋友，你会来吗？”

Duroy hesitated, blushing and perplexed. Finally he, murmured: "I have no suitable clothes."

迪鲁瓦犹豫不决、红着脸、不知所措。最后，他低声说：“我没有合适的衣服。”

Forestier was amazed. "You have no dress suit? Egad, that is indispensable. In Paris, it is better to have no bed than no clothes."Then, fumbling in his vest-pocket, he drew from it two louis, placed them before his companion, and said kindly: "You can repay me when it is convenient. Buy yourself what you need and pay an installment on it. And come and dine with us at half past seven, at 17 Rue Fontaine.”

福雷斯捷吃了一惊。“你没有礼服吗？天哪，那是必不可少的。在巴黎，没床也比没衣服要强。”然后，福雷斯捷在他的背心口袋里摸了摸，从里面拿出两个路易，放到他同伴面前，亲切地说：“你可以等方便的时候还给我。给你自己买你需要的东西，以分期付款的形式支付它。然后，七点半来泉水街十七号和我们共进晚餐。”

In confusion Duroy picked up the money and stammered: "You are very kind—I am much obliged—be sure I shall not forget.”

迪鲁瓦心慌意乱地拿起钱，结结巴巴地说道：“你太好了——我得到了莫大的恩惠——我一定不会忘记的。”

Forestier interrupted him: "That's all right, take another glass of beer. Waiter, two more glasses!”When he had paid the score, the journalist asked: "Would you like a stroll for an hour?"

福雷斯捷打断他：“没关系，再喝一杯啤酒吧。服务员，再来两杯！”新闻记者付过账，问道：“你愿意散一小时步吗？”

"Certainly."“当然愿意。”

They turned toward the Madeleine. "What shall we do?" asked Forestier. "They say that in Paris an idler can always find amusement, but it is not true. A turn in the Bois is only enjoyable if you have a lady with you, and that is a rare occurrence. The cafe concerts may divert my tailor and his wife, but they do not interest me. So what can we do? Nothing! There ought to be a summer garden here, open at night, where a man could listen to good music while drinking beneath the trees. It would be a pleasant lounging place. You could walk in alleys bright with electric light and seat yourself where you pleased to hear the music. It would be charming. Where would you like to go?"

他们转身朝马德莱娜教堂走去。“咱们该干什么呢？”福雷斯捷问道，“有人说，在巴黎，游手好闲的人总可以找到乐子，但这种说法是不正确的。假如你身边有个女伴的话，在‘布瓦’转一圈还有点意思，但这种情况很少。咖啡厅音乐会可能会逗乐我的裁缝和他的太太，但我对它们并不感兴趣。所以我们能干什么呢？没有什么可干的！这儿应该有个夏季公园，夜间开放，人们在这儿可以一边在树下喝酒，一边听悦耳的音乐。它将会是个令人愉快的休闲之地。你可以走在被电灯照得亮堂堂的小巷里，想坐在哪里就坐在哪里听音乐。那将是多么迷人啊。你想去哪儿呢？”

Duroy did not know what to reply; finally he said: "I have never been to the Folies Bergeres. I should like to go there."

迪鲁瓦不知道要回答什么；最后，他说道：“我从来没去过‘风流牧羊女’娱乐场。我想去那里。”

His companion exclaimed: "The Folies Bergeres! Very well!"

他的同伴惊呼道：“‘风流牧羊女’娱乐场！太好了！”

They turned and walked toward the Faubourg Montmartre. The brilliantly illuminated building loomed up before them. Forestier entered, Duroy stopped him. "We forgot to pass through the gate."

他们转身，朝蒙马特尔关厢街走去。那座灯火辉煌的建筑物隐隐地呈现在他们面前。福雷斯捷走进去，迪鲁瓦阻止他。“我们忘了穿过大门了。”

The other replied in a consequential tone: "I never pay," and approached the box-office.

福雷斯捷神气活现地回答：“我从来不买票。”然后他走近售票处。

"Have you a good box?"“有没有好的包厢？”

"Certainly, M. Forestier."“当然有，福雷斯捷先生。”

He took the ticket handed him, pushed open the door, and they were within the hall. A cloud of tobacco smoke almost hid the stage and the opposite side of the theater. In the spacious foyer which led to the circular promenade, brilliantly dressed women mingled with black-coated men.

他拿了递给他的入场券，推开门，然后他们进了大厅。一片烟草的烟雾几乎遮蔽了舞台和剧场对面的部分。在通向圆形走廊的宽敞大厅里，衣着华丽的女人混杂在穿黑色外套的男士中。

Forestier forced his way rapidly through the throng and accosted an usher.

福雷斯捷迅速拨开人群挤了过去，并招呼了一个招待员。

"Box 17?”“十七包厢在哪里？”

"This way, sir."“请这边走，先生。”

The friends were shown into a tiny box, hung and carpeted in red, with four chairs upholstered in the same color. They seated themselves. To their right and left were similar boxes. On the stage three men were performing on trapezes. But Duroy paid no heed to them, his eyes finding more to interest them in the grand promenade. Forestier remarked upon the motley appearance of the throng, but Duroy did not listen to him. A woman, leaning her arms upon the edge of her loge, was staring at him. She was a tall, voluptuous brunette, her face whitened with enamel, her black eyes penciled, and her lips painted. With a movement of her head, she summoned a friend who was passing, a blonde with auburn hair, likewise inclined to embonpoint, and said to her in a whisper intended to be heard; "There is a nice fellow!"

他们被带进一个很小的包厢，包厢里挂着红色装饰物、铺着红色地毯，厢内还有四把装着红色软垫的椅子。他们坐了下来。他们左右两边都是类似的包厢。舞台上有三个人在高空秋千上表演。不过迪鲁瓦并没有注意他们，他的双眼在豪华的走廊上寻找着更多让它们感兴趣的东西。福雷斯捷对人群中形形色色的外表评头论足，但迪鲁瓦没有听他说。有一个女人将胳膊靠在她包厢的边缘上，正盯着他。她是一名身材高挑、深褐色头发、浅黑色皮肤的性感女郎，她的脸用化妆品抹白了，黑色的眼睛描了眼线，嘴唇涂了口红。她动了动头，召来一位经过她旁边的朋友——一位有着赤褐色头发、和她一样身材丰满的碧眼女郎；然后她以故意让人听见的声音对那个女郎耳语道：“那儿有个漂亮的小伙子！”

Forestier heard it, and said to Duroy with a smile: "You are lucky, my dear boy. My congratulations!"

福雷斯捷听见了，微笑着对迪鲁瓦说：“亲爱的伙计，你真幸运。请接受我的祝贺！”

The ci-devant soldier blushed and mechanically fingered the two pieces of gold in his pocket.

这个退役的军人脸红了，他呆板地用手指摸了摸了口袋里的两枚金币。

The curtain fell—the orchestra played a valse—and Duroy said: "Shall we walk around the gallery?"

帷幕落下来了，乐队奏起华尔兹舞曲。于是，迪鲁瓦说道：“咱们绕着走廊走走怎么样？”

"If you like."“如你所愿。”

Soon they were carried along in the current of promenaders. Duroy drank in with delight the air, vitiated as it was by tobacco and cheap perfume, but Forestier perspired, panted, and coughed.

不一会儿，他们就在走廊的人流中被推搡着走动了。迪鲁瓦欣然陶醉于被烟草和廉价香水弄得污浊不堪的空气中。但福雷斯捷大汗淋漓、气喘吁吁，并且咳嗽了。

"Let us go into the garden," he said. Turning to the left, they entered a kind of covered garden in which two large fountains were playing. Under the yews, men and women sat at tables drinking.“咱们去花园里吧。”他说。他们向左转，走进那种有屋顶的花园中，花园里两个大喷泉正在喷水。在紫杉下，男男女女们坐在桌子旁喝酒。

"Another glass of beer?" asked Forestier.“再来一杯啤酒？”福雷斯捷问道。

"Gladly."“非常乐意。”

They took their seats and watched the promenaders. Occasionally a woman would stop and ask with a coarse smile: "What have you to offer, sir?"

他们坐了下来，看着来往的人们。不时有女人停下来，粗俗地微笑着问：“先生，请我喝点什么？”

Forestier's invariable answer was: "A glass of water from the fountain."And the woman would mutter, "Go along," and walk away.

福雷斯捷的回答一成不变：“一杯来自喷泉里的水。”那女人则咕哝：“去你的。”然后走开去。

At last the brunette reappeared, arm-in-arm with the blonde. They made a handsome couple. The former smiled on perceiving Duroy, and taking a chair she calmly seated herself in front of him, and said in a clear voice: "Waiter, two glasses."

终于那个深褐色头发、浅黑色皮肤的女人又出现了，和那位金发碧眼的女郎手挽着手。她们是一对可人。褐发女子看到迪鲁瓦，微笑起来，然后她拉了把椅子，镇定地坐在他面前，用清脆的嗓音说：“服务员，来两杯。”

In astonishment, Forestier exclaimed: "You are not at all bashful!"

福雷斯捷吃惊地叫道：“你一点也不害羞！”

She replied: "Your friend has bewitched me; he is such a fine fellow. I believe he has turned my head."

她答道：“您的朋友令我着迷；他是个如此漂亮的小伙子。我相信他已经让我意乱情迷了。”

Duroy said nothing.

迪鲁瓦什么也没说。

The waiter brought the beer, which the women swallowed rapidly; then they rose, and the brunette, nodding her head and tapping Duroy's arm with her fan, said to him: "Thank you, my dear! However, you are not very talkative."

服务员把啤酒端了过来，两个女人很快就把它喝掉了；然后她们站起来，褐发女子点点头，用扇子轻拍了下迪鲁瓦的胳膊，对他说：“谢谢你，亲爱的！然而，你不是非常爱说话。”

As they disappeared, Forestier laughed and said: "Tell, me, old man, did you know that you had a charm for the weaker sex? You must be careful."

当她们消失不见时，福雷斯捷大笑道：“告诉我，老弟，你知道你对女人有种魅力吗？你一定要小心啊。”

Without replying, Duroy smiled. His friend asked: "Shall you remain any longer? I am going; I have had enough."

迪鲁瓦没回答，笑了笑。他的朋友问道：“你要再呆一会儿吗？我要走了；我已经呆够了。”

Georges murmured: "Yes, I will stay a little longer: it is not late.”

乔治低声说：“是的，我要再呆一小会儿，现在还不晚。”

Forestier arose: "Very well, then, good-bye until to-morrow. Do not forget: 17 Rue Fontaine at seven thirty.”

福雷斯捷站了起来：“好吧，那么，再见，明天见。别忘了，七点半，泉水街十七号。”

"I shall not forget. Thank you."“我不会忘的。谢谢你。”

The friends shook hands and the journalist left Duroy to his own devices.

两个朋友握了握手，然后那位新闻记者就走了，留下迪鲁瓦独自享乐。

Forestier once out of sight, Duroy felt free, and again he joyously touched the gold pieces in his pocket; then rising, he mingled with the crowd.

福雷斯捷一走出视野，迪鲁瓦就觉得自由了，他又一次愉快地摸了摸口袋里的金币；然后他站起来，混入了人群中。

He soon discovered the blonde and the brunette. He went toward them, but when near them dared not address them.

很快，他找到了那位深褐色头发的女人和那名金发女郎。他向她们走去，但当靠近她们时，他又不敢和她们说话了。

The brunette called out to him: "Have you found your tongue?"

那位褐发女人对他喊道：“你能说话了吗？”

He stammered: "Zounds!" too bashful to say another word. A pause ensued, during which the brunette took his arm and together they left the hall.

他结结巴巴地说：“哎！”他太害羞了，以至于再也说不出一个字来。接着，他们沉默了一会儿，在这期间，褐发女人挽起他的胳膊，然后他们一起离开了大厅。CHAPTER II. Madame Forestier

第二章福雷斯捷夫人

"Where does M. Forestier live?"“福雷斯捷先生住在哪里？”

"Third floor on the left," said the porter pleasantly, on learning Duroy's destination.“四楼左边。”门房亲切地说，在得知了迪鲁瓦的目的地后。

Georges ascended the staircase. He was somewhat embarrassed and ill-at-ease. He had on a new suit but he was uncomfortable. He felt that it was defective; his boots were not glossy, he had bought his shirt that same evening at the Louvre for four francs fifty, his trousers were too wide and betrayed their cheapness in their fit, or rather, misfit, and his coat was too tight.

乔治登上了楼梯。他有点尴尬和不自在。他穿着一套新礼服，但他忐忑不安。他觉得这身装扮有瑕疵；他的靴子没光泽，衬衫是他同天晚上在卢浮宫附近花四个半法郎买的，裤子太宽了，它的合身——更确切地说是它的不合身显露出它的廉价，而且他的外套太紧了。

Slowly he ascended the stairs, his heart beating, his mind anxious. Suddenly before him stood a well-dressed gentleman staring at him. The person resembled Duroy so close that the latter retreated, then stopped, and saw that it was his own image reflected in a pier-glass! Not having anything but a small mirror at home, he had not been able to see himself entirely, and had exaggerated the imperfections of his toilette. When he saw his reflection in the glass, he did not even recognize himself; he took himself for some one else, for a man-of-the-world, and was really satisfied with his general appearance. Smiling to himself, Duroy extended his hand and expressed his astonishment, pleasure, and approbation. A door opened on the staircase. He was afraid of being surprised and began to ascend more rapidly, fearing that he might have been seen posing there by some of his friend's invited guests.

他慢慢地上楼，心跳加快、忧心忡忡。突然，他面前站着一位穿着得体的绅士，那绅士正盯着他。这个人跟迪鲁瓦如此相似，以至于后者后退了几步，然后停下来，接着才知道那是他自己的身影反射在一面穿衣镜中。他家里除了一面小镜子，什么也没有，他没能看见过自己的全身，因此他夸大了自己礼服的不完美。当他看到自己在镜中的影像时，甚至认不出自己了；他把自己当成了另外一个人，当成了一个上流社会的人，他真的对自己的整体外表很满意。迪鲁瓦对镜中的自己微微一笑，伸了伸手，表达了自己的惊讶、快乐和认可。楼梯上的一扇门开了。他害怕被人撞见，开始更加迅速地向上爬，他担心他朋友邀请来的一些客人可能已经看见他在那里摆姿势了。

On reaching the second floor, he saw another mirror, and once more slackened his pace to look at himself. He likewise paused before the third glass, twirled his mustache, took off his hat to arrange his hair, and murmured half aloud, a habit of his: "Hall mirrors are most convenient."

一到三楼，他就看到了另一面镜子，于是他又一次放慢脚步来看看自己。到第三面镜子前，他同样停了一下，捻了捻他的胡髭，摘下帽子以整整头发，然后他习惯性地轻声嘀咕道：“大厅的镜子极其方便。”

Then he rang the bell. The door opened almost immediately, and before him stood a servant in a black coat, with a grave, shaven face, so perfect in his appearance that Duroy again became confused as he compared the cut of their garments.

接着，他按了门铃。门几乎立刻打开了，然后他面前站着一个身穿黑色礼服、刮过脸、神态严肃的仆人；这仆人的外表如此完美，以至于迪鲁瓦在对比自己和他服装的式样时又变得困惑了。

The lackey asked: "Whom shall I announce, Monsieur?"

那个仆人问道：“先生，我该通报谁来了？”

He raised a portiere and pronounced the name.

他掀起门帘，通报了那个名字。

Duroy lost his self-possession upon being ushered into a world as yet strange to him. However, he advanced. A young, fair woman received him alone in a large, well-lighted room. He paused, disconcerted. Who was that smiling lady? He remembered that Forestier was married, and the thought that the handsome blonde was his friend's wife rendered him awkward and ill-at-ease. He stammered out: "Madame, I am—”

迪鲁瓦一被引进这个对他而言依然陌生的世界，就失去冷静了。不过，他仍然向前走去。一个年轻的美丽女人独自在一个宽敞、明亮的房间里迎接他。他停下来，困惑不安。那个笑容可掬的女士是谁呢？他想起来福雷斯捷已经结婚；这个美丽的、金发碧眼的女郎是自己朋友的妻子，这一想法使他尴尬而局促不安。他结结巴巴地说：“夫人，我是——”

She held out her hand. "I know, Monsieur—Charles told me of your meeting last night, and I am very glad that he asked you to dine with us to-day.”

她伸出她的手。“我知道，先生——夏尔已经告诉我你们昨晚的会面了，并且我非常高兴他邀请您今天来跟我们共进晚餐。”

Duroy blushed to the roots of his hair, not knowing how to reply; he felt that he was being inspected from his head to his feet. He half thought of excusing himself, of inventing an explanation of the carelessness of his toilette, but he did not know how to touch upon that delicate subject.

迪鲁瓦脸红到发根，不知如何回答；他觉得他正被人从头到脚地审视着。他有些想给自己找借口，想为自己礼服的粗枝大叶编个理由，但他不知如何提及那个敏感的话题。

He seated himself upon a chair she pointed out to him, and as he sank into its luxurious depths, it seemed to him that he was entering a new and charming life, that he would make his mark in the world, that he was saved. He glanced at Mme. Forestier. She wore a gown of pale blue cashmere which clung gracefully to her supple form and rounded outlines; her arms and throat rose in, lily-white purity from the mass of lace which ornamented the corsage and short sleeves. Her hair was dressed high and curled on the nape of her neck.

他在她指给他的椅子上坐了下来，当他深深地陷进这奢华的椅子里时，他觉得自己似乎正在进入一种崭新而迷人的生活，觉得自己会在上流社会成名，觉得自己被拯救了。他看了一眼福雷斯捷夫人。她穿了件淡蓝色的开士米礼服，那礼服优雅地贴在她轻盈的体型和丰满的轮廓上；她纯白无瑕的胳膊和颈部从装饰前胸和短袖的那堆花边中露出来。她的头发高高梳起，在颈背上打着卷。

Duroy grew more at his ease under her glance, which recalled to him, he knew not why, that of the girl he had met the preceding evening at the Folies Bergeres. Mme. Forestier had gray eyes, a small nose, full lips, and a rather heavy chin, an irregular, attractive face, full of gentleness and yet of malice.

在她的注视下，迪鲁瓦渐渐变得自在了些；不知为什么，她的目光让他想起了他头天晚上在“风流牧羊女”娱乐场遇到的那个女孩的目光。福雷斯捷夫人有着灰色的眼睛、小小的鼻子、饱满的嘴唇，还有相当丰腴的下巴；她有张不规整但吸引人的脸，脸上满是温和，但又满是狡黠。

After a short silence, she asked: "Have you been in Paris a long time?"

沉默片刻后，她问道：“您在巴黎呆了很久了吗？”

Gradually regaining his self-possession, he replied: "a few months, Madame. I am in the railroad employ, but my friend Forestier has encouraged me to hope that, thanks to him, I can enter into journalism."

迪鲁瓦渐渐恢复了冷静，答道：“几个月了，夫人。我在铁路部门任职，但我的朋友福雷斯捷鼓励了我，多亏他，我才希望可以进入新闻界。”

She smiled kindly and murmured in a low voice: "I know."

她温和地一笑，轻声咕哝道：“我知道。”

The bell rang again and the servant announced: "Mme. de Marelle."

门铃又响了，仆人通报道：“德马雷勒夫人到！”

She was a dainty brunette, attired in a simple, dark robe; a red rose in her black tresses seemed to accentuate her special character, and a young girl, or rather a child, for such she was, followed her.

她是个秀丽的浅黑色皮肤的女郎，身着一套简单的深色礼服；她黑色长发里的一朵红玫瑰似乎使她那与众不同的性格更突出了。她身后跟着一个年轻女孩，更确切地说是一个孩子，因为她就是个孩子。

Mme. Forestier said: "Good evening, Clotilde."

福雷斯捷夫人说：“晚上好，克洛蒂尔德。”

"Good evening, Madeleine."“晚上好，马德莱娜。”

They embraced each other, then the child offered her forehead with the assurance of an adult, saying: "Good evening, cousin."

她们拥抱了彼此，然后那个小孩带着成年人的从容把前额伸过去说：“晚上好，姨妈。”

Mme. Forestier kissed her, and then made the introductions: "M. Georges Duroy, an old friend of Charles.

福雷斯捷夫人吻了她，然后进行了介绍：“乔治·迪鲁瓦先生，夏尔的一个老朋友。

Mme. de Marelle, my friend, a relative in fact.”She added: "Here, you know, we do not stand on ceremony."

德马雷勒夫人，我的朋友，实际上是我的一个亲戚。”她补充道：“你们知道，在这里，我们不必拘礼。”

Duroy bowed. The door opened again and a short man entered, upon his arm a tall, handsome woman, taller than he and much younger, with distinguished manners and a dignified carriage. It was M. Walter, deputy, financier, a moneyed man, and a man of business, manager of "La Vie Francaise," with his wife, nee Basile Ravalade, daughter of the banker of that name.

迪鲁瓦鞠了一躬。门又开了，一个矮个子的男人走了进来，他的胳膊上挽着一个身材高挑的漂亮女人；这女人比这个男人高，也比这个男人年轻得多，她举止高贵、姿态庄重。这就是众议员、金融家、富商、《法兰西生活报》的经理瓦尔特先生，以及他的妻子，银行家巴西勒·拉瓦洛的女儿。

Then came Jacques Rival, very elegant, followed by Norbert de Varenne. The latter advanced with the grace of the old school and taking Mme. Forestier's hand kissed it; his long hair falling upon his hostess's bare arm as he did so.

接着来的是风度翩翩的雅克·里瓦尔，随后诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳也来了。后者带着老派的优雅上前，握住福雷斯捷夫人的手亲吻了一下；当他这么做时，他的长发落在了女主人裸露的胳膊上。

Forestier now entered, apologizing for being late; he had been detained.

此时，福雷斯捷进来了，他为自己来晚了表示歉意；他被一些事耽搁了。

The servant announced dinner, and they entered the dining-room. Duroy was placed between Mme. de Marelle and her daughter.

仆人通报晚餐备好了，于是他们进入了餐厅。迪鲁瓦被安排在德马雷勒夫人和她的女儿中间。

He was again rendered uncomfortable for fear of committing some error in the conventional management of his fork, his spoon, or his glasses, of which he had four. Nothing was said during the soup; then Norbert de Varenne asked a general question: "Have you read the Gauthier case? How droll it was!"

他又感到不安起来，因为他害怕自己在合乎传统地使用叉、勺或他的四个杯子上犯下一些错误。喝汤的时候，他们什么话也没说；接着，诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳问了一个一般性的问题：“你们读过戈捷那个案子了么？那案子多好笑啊！”

Then followed a discussion of the subject in which the ladies joined. Then a duel was mentioned and Jacques Rival led the conversation; that was his province. Duroy did not venture a remark, but occasionally glanced at his neighbor. A diamond upon a slight, golden thread depended from her ear; from time to time she uttered a remark which evoked a smile upon his lips. Duroy sought vainly for some compliment to pay her; he busied himself with her daughter, filled her glass, waited upon her, and the child, more dignified than her mother, thanked him gravely saying, "You are very kind, Monsieur," while she listened to the conversation with a reflective air. The dinner was excellent and everyone was delighted with it.

接着是一场关于这一话题的讨论；在讨论中，女士们也参与进来了。然后他们提到了一次决斗，并且雅克·里瓦尔主导了谈话；那是他的专业领域。迪鲁瓦不敢冒险评论，但他时不时扫视一下他的邻座。一颗用细长的金线穿起的钻石从她耳朵上垂下；她间或发表一些评论，这些评论总会在他双唇上引起一丝微笑。迪鲁瓦想找些话来恭维她，但找不到；他便忙着去讨好她的女儿，在她杯里倒满饮料，照料她。这个小孩比她母亲还庄重，她一边若有所思地听着谈话，一边庄重地感谢他：“您太好了，先生。”晚餐很棒，每个人都对它很满意。

The conversation returned to the colonization of Algeria. M. Walter uttered several jocose remarks; Forestier alluded to the article he had prepared for the morrow; Jacques Rival declared himself in favor of a military government with grants of land to all the officers after thirty years of colonial service.

谈话回到了阿尔及利亚的殖民化问题上。瓦尔特先生说了几句打趣的话；福雷斯捷提了他为次日准备好的文章；雅克·里瓦尔声明，他本人支持成立军政府，把土地作为政府奖助分给所有在殖民地服役三十年以上的军人。

"In that way," said he, "you can establish a strong colony, familiar with and liking the country, knowing its language and able to cope with all those local yet grave questions which invariably confront newcomers."“用这种方式，”他说，“可以建立起一个强大的殖民地，这个殖民地熟悉且喜爱这个国家，了解它的语言，并能够应对所有那些新来者一律都会遇到的、地方性但重大的问题。”

Norbert de Varenne interrupted: "Yes, they would know everything, except agriculture. They would speak Arabic, but they would not know how to transplant beet-root, and how to sow wheat. They would be strong in fencing, but weak in the art of farming. On the contrary, the new country should be opened to everyone. Intelligent men would make positions for themselves; the others would succumb. It is a natural law.”

诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳打断道：“是的，他们了解一切事情，除了农业。他们会讲阿拉伯语，但他们不知道如何移植甜菜、怎样播种小麦。他们擅长于剑术，但对农耕的艺术知之甚少。相反，新国家应该是对所有人开放的。聪明的人会为自己谋得一席之地；其他人会被打垮。这是自然法则。”

A pause ensued. Everyone smiled. Georges Duroy, startled at the sound of his own voice, as if he had never heard it, said: "What is needed the most down there is good soil. Really fertile land costs as much as it does in France and is bought by wealthy Parisians. The real colonists, the poor, are generally cast out into the desert, where nothing grows for lack of water."

接着，谈话中止了。每个人都微笑着。乔治·迪鲁瓦被自己的声音吓到了，好像他从来没有听到过它，他说：“那里最需要的是好的土壤。真正肥沃的土地和在法国的土地一样贵，而且被富有的巴黎人买走了。真正的殖民地居民和穷人通常都被撵到沙漠里去了，那里因为缺水而寸草不生。”

All eyes turned upon him. He colored. M. Walter asked: "Do you know Algeria, sir?"

所有的目光都转到他身上。他脸红了。瓦尔特先生问道：“您了解阿尔及利亚吗，先生？”

He replied: "Yes, sir, I was there twenty-eight months.”Leaving the subject of colonization, Norbert de Varenne questioned him as to some of the Algerian customs. Georges spoke with animation; excited by the wine and the desire to please, he related anecdotes of the regiment, of Arabian life, and of the war.

他答道：“是的，先生，我在那里呆了二十八个月。”抛开这个殖民化的问题，诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳就阿尔及利亚的一些风俗向他提问。乔治兴奋地说了起来；因为喝了酒，且渴望取悦大家，他激动地叙述了军团中、阿拉伯人生活里、战争中的奇闻轶事。

Mme. Walter murmured to him in her soft tones: "You could write a series of charming articles."

瓦尔特夫人用她那温柔的语气对他低语道：“您可以写出一系列迷人的文章。”

Forestier took advantage of the situation to say to M. Walter: "My dear sir, I spoke to you a short while since of M. Georges Duroy and asked you to permit me to include him on the staff of political reporters. Since Marambot has left us, I have had no one to take urgent and confidential reports, and the paper is suffering by it."

福雷斯捷利用这个形势对瓦尔特先生说：“亲爱的先生，我之前跟您简单谈到过乔治·迪鲁瓦先生，并请您允许我让他加入政治报道记者职员的行列中。自从马朗波离开我们之后，就没人帮我收集紧急的机密报道了，报纸也因此蒙受损失。”

M. Walter put on his spectacles in order to examine Duroy. Then he said: "I am convinced that M. Duroy is original, and if he will call upon me tomorrow at three o'clock, we will arrange matters.”After a pause, turning to the young man, he said: "You may write us a short sketch on Algeria, M. Duroy. Simply relate your experiences; I am sure they will interest our readers. But you must do it quickly."

瓦尔特先生戴上眼镜，以便仔细观察迪鲁瓦。接着，他说：“我确信迪鲁瓦先生见解独到；并且，如果他愿意明天三点来找我的话，我们将协商此事。”他停顿了一下，转向那个年轻人说：“迪鲁瓦先生，您可以为我们写一篇关于阿尔及利亚的短篇随笔。简单地讲述您的经历；我相信它们会使我们的读者感兴趣的。但您必须迅速地做这件事。”

Mme. Walter added with her customary, serious grace: "You will have a charming title: 'Souvenirs of a Soldier in Africa.' Will he not, M. Norbert?”

瓦尔特夫人以她一贯的庄重风度补充道：“您可以用一个吸引人的标题——《一个士兵在非洲的服役记》，诺贝尔先生，您觉得如何？”

The old poet, who had attained renown late in life, disliked and mistrusted newcomers. He replied dryly: "Yes, excellent, provided that it is written in the right key, for there lies the great difficulty."

那位晚年成名的老诗人对新人既厌恶又怀疑。他冷淡地回答：“是的，很好，只要它是用正确的基调写的，因为大麻烦在那里。”

Mme. Forestier cast upon Duroy a protecting and smiling glance which seemed to say: "You shall succeed."The servant filled the glasses with wine, and Forestier proposed the toast: "To the long prosperity of 'La Vie Francaise.'”Duroy felt superhuman strength within him, infinite hope, and invincible resolution. He was at his ease now among these people; his eyes rested upon their faces with renewed assurance, and for the first time he ventured to address his neighbor: "You have the most beautiful earrings I have ever seen."

福雷斯捷夫人以保护者的姿态对迪鲁瓦投以微笑的一瞥，那目光好像在说：“您会成功的。”仆人给大家的杯子里满上了酒，于是福雷斯捷提议干杯：“愿《法兰西生活报》永远繁荣昌盛。”迪鲁瓦觉得他体内有着神奇的力量，有着无限的希望和坚定不移的的决心。他现在在这些人中舒适自如；他恢复了自信的目光落在他们的面孔上。而且，他第一次敢同他的邻座说话了：“您的这副耳环，是我见过的最漂亮的了。”

She turned toward him with a smile: "It is a fancy of mine to wear diamonds like this, simply on a thread."

她微笑着转过身朝向他：“像这样戴钻石，是我的一个爱好，简单地用一根线穿起来。”

He murmured in reply, trembling at his audacity: "It is charming—but the ear increases the beauty of the ornament.”

他低声回答，因自己的大胆而战栗：“它很迷人——但您的耳朵增加了这饰物的美丽。”

She thanked him with a glance.

她瞥了他一眼，以示感谢。

As he turned his head, he met Mme. Forestier's eyes, in which he fancied he saw a mingled expression of gaiety, malice, and encouragement. All the men were talking at the same time; their discussion was animated.

当他转过头时，他与福雷斯捷夫人的目光相遇，在她的目光里，他认为自己看到了一种混杂着快乐、狡黠和鼓励的表情。与此同时，所有的男人都在说话；他们的讨论很热烈。

When the party left the dining-room, Duroy offered his arm to the little girl. She thanked him gravely and stood upon tiptoe in order to lay her hand upon his arm. Upon entering the drawing-room, the young man carefully surveyed it. It was not a large room; but there were no bright colors, and one felt at ease; it was restful. The walls were draped with violet hangings covered with tiny embroidered flowers of yellow silk. The portieres were of a grayish blue and the chairs were of all shapes, of all sizes; scattered about the room were couches and large and small easy-chairs, all covered with Louis XVI. brocade, or Utrecht velvet, a cream colored ground with garnet flowers.

当这群人离开餐厅时，迪鲁瓦把胳膊向那个小女孩伸过去。她庄重地谢过他，然后踮起脚尖站着，以便把手放在他的胳膊上。一走进客厅，这个年轻的男人就仔细地审视起它来。这房间不大；不过没有鲜艳的颜色，人在里面觉得轻松；它有益于休息。墙上松散地垂挂着紫罗兰色的帷幔，帷幔上覆盖着用黄色丝线刺绣的微小花朵。门帘是灰蓝色的，椅子形状各异、大小不一；散布于房间各处的是长沙发和大大小小的安乐椅，全都覆盖着路易十六时代式样的织锦，或乌得勒支的天鹅绒，米色绒面上印着深红色花朵。

"Do you take coffee, M. Duroy?"Mme. Forestier offered him a cup, with the smile that was always upon her lips.“您喝咖啡吗，迪鲁瓦先生？”福雷斯捷夫人微笑着递给他一杯咖啡，她的双唇上总是浮着那丝微笑。

"Yes, Madame, thank you."He took the cup, and as he did so, the young woman whispered to him: "Pay Mme. Walter some attention."Then she vanished before he could reply.“是的，夫人，谢谢您。”他接过杯子，而正当他这么做时，那个年轻的女人对他耳语道：“关注一下瓦尔特夫人。”然后，他还未及回答，她就离开了。

First he drank his coffee, which he feared he should let fall upon the carpet; then he sought a pretext for approaching the manager's wife and commencing a conversation. Suddenly he perceived that she held an empty cup in her hand, and as she was not near a table, she did not know where to put it. He rushed toward her: "Allow me, Madame."

他先喝掉咖啡，他担心自己会把它洒落在地毯上；然后，他开始找借口接近经理的夫人并开始一段谈话。忽然，他察觉她手里拿着个空杯子；而且，由于她离桌子不近，她不知要把它放在哪儿。他急忙走向她：“让我来，夫人。”

"Thank you, sir."“谢谢您，先生。”

He took away the cup and returned: "If you, but knew, Madame, what pleasant moments 'La Vie Francaise' afforded me, when I was in the desert! It is indeed the only paper one cares to read outside of France; it contains everything.”

他取走了杯子，然后返回：“夫人，您知道吗，当我在沙漠里的时候，《法兰西生活报》给我带来多么愉快的时光！它确实是法国以外人们喜欢阅读的唯一报纸；它包罗万象。”

She smiled with amiable indifference as she replied: "M. Walter had a great deal of trouble in producing the kind of journal which was required."

她亲切地、漠不关心地微笑着，同时答道：“在创办这种符合时代要求的日报中，瓦尔特先生经历了许多麻烦。”

They talked of Paris, the suburbs, the Seine, the delights of summer, of everything they could think of. Finally M. Norbert de Varenne advanced, a glass of liqueur in his hand, and Duroy discreetly withdrew. Mme. de Marelle, who was chatting with her hostess, called him: "So, sir," she said bluntly, "you are going to try journalism?"That question led to a renewal of the interrupted conversation with Mme. Walter. In her turn Mme. de Marelle related anecdotes, and becoming familiar, laid her hand upon Duroy's arm. He felt that he would like to devote himself to her, to protect her—and the slowness with which he replied to her questions indicated his preoccupation. Suddenly, without any cause, Mme. de Marelle called: "Laurine!" and the girl came to her. "Sit down here, my child, you will be cold near the window."

他们聊到巴黎、郊区、塞纳河、夏季的乐事，聊到了他们可以想到的一切事情。最后，诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳先生手里拿着一杯利口酒走了过来，于是迪鲁瓦谨慎地走开了。刚刚在同女主人聊天的德马雷勒夫人喊他：“那么，先生，”她坦率地说，“您打算试试新闻业？”这个问题使他重新谈起了同瓦尔特夫人之间被打断的话题。轮到她说的时候，德马雷勒夫人讲了些奇闻轶事，而且变得亲近了——她把手搭在迪鲁瓦的手臂上。他觉得愿意将自己献给她，愿意保护她——他反应迟钝地回答她的问题，这迟钝表明了他的全神贯注。突然，没有任何来由地，德马雷勒夫人喊道：“洛琳娜！”然后那小女孩来到她身边。“在这儿坐下，我的孩子，在窗户附近你会冷的。”

Duroy was seized with an eager desire to embrace the child, as if part of that embrace would revert to the mother. He asked in a gallant, yet paternal tone: "Will you permit me to kiss you, Mademoiselle?"The child raised her eyes with an air of surprise. Mme. de Marelle said with a smile: "Reply."

迪鲁瓦被一种热切的渴望影响，想拥抱这个小孩，好像这个拥抱的一部分会传回到她母亲那里。他用一种殷勤但父亲般的语气问道：“小姐，你允许我亲亲你吗？”那个孩子带着惊讶的表情抬起双眼。德马雷勒夫人微笑着说：“回答啊。”

"I will allow you to-day, Monsieur, but not all the time.”“今天我同意，先生，但不是以后时时都可以。”

Seating himself, Duroy took Laurine upon his knee, and kissed her lips and her fine wavy hair. Her mother was surprised: "Well, that is strange! Ordinarily she only allows ladies to caress her. You are irresistible, Monsieur!"

迪鲁瓦坐下，把洛琳娜抱在自己膝盖上，然后吻了她的嘴唇和她波浪起伏的秀发。她母亲惊讶了：“哦，这真奇怪！通常她只允许女人亲她的。先生，您真有魅力，让人无法抗拒！”

Duroy colored, but did not reply.

迪鲁瓦脸红了，但没有回答。

When Mme. Forestier joined them, a cry of astonishment escaped her: "Well, Laurine has become sociable; what a miracle!"

当福雷斯捷夫人加入他们中时，她发出了一声惊叫：“哎呀，洛琳娜变得喜好交际了；真是个奇迹啊！”

The young man rose to take his leave, fearing he might spoil his conquest by some awkward word. He bowed to the ladies, clasped and gently pressed their hands, and then shook hands with the men. He observed that Jacques Rival's was dry and warm and responded cordially to his pressure; Norbert de Varenne's was moist and cold and slipped through his fingers; Walter's was cold and soft, without life, expressionless; Forestier's fat and warm.

这个年轻的男人起身告辞，他担心自己可能会因一言不慎而毁了刚赢得的青睐。他向女士们鞠了躬，握住她们的手并轻轻地按了按；然后他和男士们握手。他注意到，雅克·里瓦尔的手干燥而温暖，并且友好地回握了他；诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳的手又湿又凉，且从他的手指间溜走了；瓦尔特的手又冷又软，没有生命、没有感情；福雷斯捷的手厚实且温暖。

His friend whispered to him: "To-morrow at three o'clock; do not forget.”

他的朋友对他耳语道：“明天三点；别忘了。”

"Never fear!"“别担心！”

When he reached the staircase, he felt like running down, his joy was so great; he went down two steps at a time, but suddenly on the second floor, in the large mirror, he saw a gentleman hurrying on, and he slackened his pace, as much ashamed as if he had been surprised in a crime.

走到楼梯时，他太高兴了，真想跑下去；他一次下两个台阶，但突然在三楼那面大镜子里，他看到一个匆忙前行的绅士，于是他放慢脚步，好像犯罪被当场捉住似的羞愧难当。

He surveyed himself some time with a complacent smile; then taking leave of his image, he bowed low, ceremoniously, as if saluting some grand personage.

他自满地微笑着审视了一会儿自己；然后向自己的影像告别，他郑重其事地深深鞠了一躬，像是向某个大人物致敬似的。CHAPTER III. First Attempts

第三章初次尝试

When Georges Duroy reached the street, he hesitated as to what he should do. He felt inclined to stroll along, dreaming of the future and inhaling the soft night air; but the thought of the series of articles ordered by M. Walter occurred to him, and he decided to return home at once and begin work. He walked rapidly along until he came to Rue Boursault. The tenement in which he lived was occupied by twenty families—families of workingmen—and as he mounted the staircase he experienced a sensation of disgust and a desire to live as wealthy men do. Duroy's room was on the fifth floor. He entered it, opened his window, and looked out: the view was anything but prepossessing.

当乔治·迪鲁瓦到街上的时候，他犹豫着该做些什么。他想一边幻想未来、吸入夜晚温和的空气，一边向前走走、散散步；但他想起了瓦尔特先生要他写的那一系列文章，于是他决定马上回家并开始工作。他迅速向前走去，直到来到布尔索街。他住的这个房屋被二十户人家占用着——工人家庭——而且，爬上楼梯的时候，他体验到一种恶心的感觉和一种像富人那样生活的渴望。迪鲁瓦的房间在六楼。他进入房间，打开窗户，然后向外看：那风景根本不能让人有好感。

He turned away, thinking: "This won't do. I must go to work.”So he placed his light upon the table and began to write. He dipped his pen into the ink and wrote at the head of his paper in a bold hand: "Souvenirs of a Soldier in Africa". Then he cast about for the first phrase. He rested his head upon his hand and stared at the blank sheet before him. What should he say? Suddenly he thought: "I must begin with my departure," and he wrote: "In 1874, about the fifteenth of May, when exhausted France was recruiting after the catastrophe of the terrible years—”Here he stopped short, not knowing how to introduce his subject. After a few minutes' reflection, he decided to lay aside that page until the following day, and to write a description of Algiers. He began: "Algiers is a very clean city—” but he could not continue. After an effort he added: "It is inhabited partly by Arabs."Then he threw his pen upon the table and arose. He glanced around his miserable room; mentally he rebelled against his poverty and resolved to leave the next day.

他走开去，想着：“这样不成。我必须开始工作。”所以，他把他的灯放在桌子上，并开始写了。他把钢笔浸入墨水中，然后在纸上方用黑体字写道：“一个士兵在非洲的服役记”。接着他考虑第一个短语。他用手托着头，盯着面前空白的纸张。他该讲述些什么呢？忽然他想：“我可以从出发开始写。”于是他写道：“在1874年，大约5月15日，在那可怕岁月中的大灾难过后，当精疲力竭的法国正在征募新兵之时——”在这儿他突然停下，不知道如何引入主题。沉思了几分钟后，他决定把这一页搁到一旁，等明天再写；并决定描写阿尔及尔。他开始了：“阿尔及尔是一座非常干净的城市——”但他没办法继续。一番努力后，他加上：“它的一部分被阿拉伯人占据。”然后，他把钢笔丢到桌子上，并站了起来。他环顾了他蹩脚的房间；在心理上，他反抗他的贫困，并下决心第二天离开。

Suddenly the desire to work came on him, and he tried to begin the article again; he had vague ideas of what he wanted to say, but he could not express his thoughts in words. Convinced of his inability he arose once more, his blood coursing rapidly through his veins. He turned to the window just as the train was coming out of the tunnel, and his thoughts reverted to his parents. He saw their tiny home on the heights overlooking Rouen and the valley of the Seine. His father and mother kept an inn, La Belle-Vue, at which the citizens of the faubourgs took their lunches on Sundays. They had wished to make a "gentleman" of their son and had sent him to college. His studies completed, he had entered the army with the intention of becoming an officer, a colonel, or a general. But becoming disgusted with military life, he determined to try his fortune in Paris. When his time of service had expired, he went thither, with what results we have seen. He awoke from his reflections as the locomotive whistled shrilly, closed his window, and began to disrobe, muttering: "Bah, I shall be able to work better to-morrow morning. My brain is not clear to-night. I have drunk a little too much. I can't work well under such circumstances.”He extinguished his light and fell asleep.

突然，他产生了工作的渴望，于是他再次试着开始写那篇文章；他对自己想讲述的东西有些模糊的想法，但他无法用语言表达自己的想法。他确信自己无能为力了，再次站了起来；他的血液快速地通过血管流动着。他转向窗户，正当此时，那列火车从隧道里出来，他的思绪回到了他父母那儿。他看见他们在高地上的小小的家，它俯瞰着鲁昂和塞纳河流域。他父母开着一家旅馆——“风光酒店”，郊外的市民星期天在那里吃午餐。他们希望使他们的儿子成为一位“绅士”，因此送他上了大学。他学业完成后，带着成为军官、上校，或将军的目的进入了军队。但他对军队生活变得反感了，决定在巴黎碰碰运气。服役期满时，他去了那儿，结果如何我们已经看到了。当机车尖声地鸣响汽笛时，他从深思中醒了过来。他关上窗户，并开始脱衣服，同时咕哝道：“呸，明天早上，我将能更好地工作。今晚我的脑子不清醒。我喝得有点太多了。在这种情况下，我没办法好好工作。”他熄灭了灯，然后就睡着了。

He awoke early, and, rising, opened his window to inhale the fresh air. In a few moments he seated himself at his table, dipped his pen in the ink, rested his head upon his hand and thought—but in vain! However, he was not discouraged, but in thought reassured himself: "Bah, I am not accustomed to it! It is a profession that must be learned like all professions. Some one must help me the first time. I'll go to Forestier. He'll start my article for me in ten minutes.”

他醒得早，而后，他起床把窗户打开，以吸吸新鲜空气。过了一会儿，他在桌边坐了下来，把钢笔在墨水里蘸了蘸，用手托着头思考起来——但徒劳无功！然而，他没有气馁；而是在心里再次向自己保证道：“呸，我对这个不习惯！像所有行业一样，这是个必须得学习的行业。第一次，有人得帮帮我。我要去找福雷斯捷。他十分钟以内就能替我给我的文章开个头。”

When he reached the street, Duroy decided that it was rather early to present himself at his friend's house, so he strolled along under the trees on one of the boulevards for a time. On arriving at Forestier's door, he found his friend going out.

当他到街上的时候，迪鲁瓦决定，现在去他的朋友家太早了，所以他在一条林阴大道上的树下向前走走，散了一会儿步。刚到福雷斯捷家门口时，他就发现他的朋友正要出去。

"You here—at this hour! Can I do anything for you?”“你在这儿——在这个时间！我能为你做些什么吗？”

Duroy stammered in confusion: "I—I—cannot write that article on Algeria that M. Walter wants. It is not very surprising, seeing that I have never written anything. It requires practice. I could write very rapidly, I am sure, if I could make a beginning. I have the ideas but I cannot express them.”He paused and hesitated.

迪鲁瓦迷迷糊糊结结巴巴地说：“我——我——写不出瓦尔特先生想要的那篇关于阿尔及利亚的文章。这不是很意外，因为我从未写过任何东西。它需要练习。我能写得很快，我确定，如果我能开个头的话。我有想法，但我无法把它们表达出来。”他停下来，犹豫着。

Forestier smiled maliciously: "I understand that."

福雷斯捷狡黠地微笑着：“这个我了解。”

Duroy continued: "Yes, anyone is liable to have that trouble at the beginning; and, well—I have come to ask you to help me. In ten minutes you can set me right. You can give me a lesson in style; without you I can do nothing.”

迪鲁瓦继续说：“是的，任何人在一开始都可能有这种烦恼；而且，嗯——我来是请你帮帮我的。你可以在十分钟内把我引入正轨。你可以在风格方面教导教导我；没有你我什么也做不成。”

The other smiled gaily. He patted his companion's arm and said to him: "Go to my wife; she will help you better than I can. I have trained her for that work. I have not time this morning or I would do it willingly."

福雷斯捷快乐地微笑着。他轻轻拍了拍他朋友的胳膊并对他说：“去找我妻子吧，她能比我更好地帮助你。我训练过她做这个工作。今天上午我没有时间，不然我会乐意做这件事的。”

But Duroy hesitated: "At this hour I cannot inquire for her."

但迪鲁瓦犹豫着：“这个时间我不能去找她吧。”

"Oh, yes, you can; she has risen. You will find her in my study."“哦，不，你可以的；她已经起床了。你会在我的书房里找到她。”

"I will go, but I shall tell her you sent me!"“我会去的，但我会告诉她是你让我去的！”

Forestier walked away, and Duroy slowly ascended the stairs, wondering what he should say and what kind of a reception he would receive.

福雷斯捷离开了，于是迪鲁瓦慢慢地爬上了楼梯，不知道自己该说些什么、自己会得到怎样的接待。

The servant who opened the door said: "Monsieur has gone out."

开门的仆人说：“先生出去了。”

Duroy replied: "Ask Mme.Forestier if she will see me, and tell her that M. Forestier, whom I met on the street, sent me."

迪鲁瓦答道：“问一下福雷斯捷夫人是否愿意接见我，并告诉她，我在街上遇见福雷斯捷先生，他让我来的。”

The lackey soon returned and ushered Duroy into Madame's presence. She was seated at a table and extended her hand to him.

仆人很快回来了，并把迪鲁瓦引进夫人在的地方。她坐在桌子旁边，向他伸出手。

"So soon?" said she. It was not a reproach, but a simple question.“这么早？”她说。这并不是责备，只是一个简单的问题。

He stammered: "I did not want to come up, Madame, but your husband, whom I met below, insisted—I dare scarcely tell you my errand—I worked late last night and early this morning, to write the article on Algeria which M. Walter wants—and I did not succeed—I destroyed all my attempts—I am not accustomed to the work—and I came to ask Forestier to assist me—his once.”

他结结巴巴地说：“我不想上来的，夫人，但您的丈夫，我在楼下遇到他，坚持——我简直不敢告诉您我来的任务——我昨晚工作到很晚，今天一大早也在工作，为了写瓦尔特先生想要的那篇关于阿尔及利亚的文章——但我没有成功——我把我所有的尝试都毁掉了——我不习惯这个工作——因此我来请福雷斯捷帮帮我——就这一次。”

She interrupted with a laugh: "And he sent you to me?"

她笑着打断他：“所以他让您来找我？”

"Yes, Madame. He said you could help me better than he—but—I dared not—I did not like to.”“是的，夫人。他说您能比他更好地帮助我——但是——我不敢——我不喜欢。”

She rose.

她站起来。

"It will be delightful to work together that way. I am charmed with your idea. Wait, take my chair, for they know my handwriting on the paper—we will write a successful article.”“这样一起工作会令人愉快的。我被你们的主意迷住了。等等，坐我的椅子，因为他们认识我在纸上的笔迹——我们将会写出一篇成功的文章。”

She took a cigarette from the mantelpiece and lighted it. "I cannot work without smoking," she said; "what are you going to say?"

她从壁炉架上拿出一根香烟并点燃了它。“不抽烟我没法工作，”她说，“您打算讲述些什么？”

He looked at her in astonishment. "I do not know; I came here to find that out."

他惊讶地看着她。“我不知道；我来这儿就是为了弄明白这个的。”

She replied: "I will manage it all right. I will make the sauce but I must have the dish."She questioned him in detail and finally said: "Now, we will begin. First of all we will suppose that you are addressing a friend, which will allow us scope for remarks of all kinds. Begin this way: 'My dear Henry, you wish to know something about Algeria; you shall.'”

她答道：“我会好好地处理这篇文章的。我将做酱汁，但我必须得有菜呀。”她详细地问了他一些问题，最后说：“现在，咱们开始。首先，我们将假设您在和一个朋友讲话，这样将给我们留出各种评论的余地。以这种方式开始：‘我亲爱的亨利，你希望知道一些有关阿尔及利亚的事情；你将知晓。’”

Then followed a brilliantly worded description of Algeria and of the port of Algiers, an excursion to the province of Oran, a visit to Saida, and an adventure with a pretty Spanish maid employed in a factory.

接着是对阿尔及利亚和阿尔及尔港口的词藻华丽的描写、到奥兰省的一次短途旅行、去赛伊达的一次旅行，以及和一个漂亮的受聘于工厂的西班牙女仆的冒险经历。

When the article was concluded, he could find no words of thanks; he was happy to be near her, grateful for and delighted with their growing intimacy. It seemed to him that everything about him was a part of her, even to the books upon the shelves. The chairs, the furniture, the air—all were permeated with that delightful fragrance peculiar to her.

文章写完时，他找不出一个字来表达他的谢意；在她旁边让他快乐，他为他们之间发展着的亲密而心存感激、感到高兴。对他来说，似乎他周围的一切——甚至直至书架上的书，都是她的一部分。椅子、家具、空气——一切都洋溢着她独有的那令人愉快的香味。

She asked bluntly: "What do you think of my friend Mme. de Marelle?"

她坦率地问道：“您觉得我的朋友德马雷勒夫人怎么样？”

"I think her very fascinating," he said; and he would have liked to add: "But not as much so as you."He had not the courage to do so.“我觉得她非常迷人。”他说；而且，他本想加一句：“但没有您这么迷人。”他没有勇气这么做。

She continued: "If you only knew how comical, original, and intelligent she is! She is a true Bohemian. It is for that reason that her husband no longer loves her. He only sees her defects and none of her good qualities."

她继续说：“要是您知道她是多么滑稽、聪明、有独创性就好了！她是个真正放荡不羁的文化人。正是因为这个原因，她的丈夫才不再爱她。他只看到她的缺点，却看不到她的优点。”

Duroy was surprised to hear that Mme. de Marelle was married.

迪鲁瓦听到德马雷勒夫人已婚的时候有些惊讶。

"What," he asked, "is she married? What does her husband do?"“什么，”他问道，“她结婚了？她的丈夫是做什么的？”

Mme. Forestier shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, he is superintendent of a railroad. He is in Paris a week out of each month. His wife calls it 'Holy Week.' or 'The week of duty.'When you get better acquainted with her, you will see how witty she is! Come here and see her some day.”

福雷斯捷夫人耸耸肩。“哦，他是一个铁路部门的负责人。他每个月里有一个星期在巴黎。他妻子称之为‘神圣的一周’或‘责任的一周。’当您更好地了解她时，您会知道她是多么机智。改天来这儿看看她。”

As she spoke, the door opened noiselessly, and a gentleman entered unannounced. He halted on seeing a man. For a moment Mme. Forestier seemed confused; then she said in a natural voice, though her cheeks were tinged with a blush: "Come in, my dear sir; allow me to present to you an old comrade of Charles, M. Georges Duroy, a future journalist."

她说话的时候，门被轻轻地打开了，然后一个绅士未经通报进来了。他一看到有个男人，就停了下来。有一会儿，福雷斯捷夫人似乎有些混乱；接着，虽然她的双颊染着红晕，她仍用自然的声音说道：“进来吧，我亲爱的先生；请允许我向您介绍夏尔的一个老朋友，乔治·迪鲁瓦先生，一个未来的新闻记者。”

Then in a different tone, she said: "Our best and dearest friend, Count de Vaudrec."

然后她以一种不同的腔调说道：“我们最好而且最亲爱的朋友，德沃德雷克伯爵。”

The two men bowed, gazed into one another's eyes, and then Duroy took his leave. Neither tried to detain him.

这两位男士鞠了躬，注视着彼此的眼睛，接着迪鲁瓦就告辞了。他们俩都没试图挽留他。

On reaching the street he felt sad and uncomfortable. Count de Vaudrec's face was constantly before him. It seemed to him that the man was displeased at finding him tete-a-tete with Mme. Forestier, though why he should be, he could not divine.

一到街上，他就觉得悲伤、不舒服。德沃德雷克伯爵的面容始终在他面前。他觉得似乎这个男人不高兴碰见他和福雷斯捷夫人私下在一起，尽管他猜不出为什么他会这样。

To while away the time until three o'clock, he lunched at Duval's, and then lounged along the boulevard. When the clock chimed the hour of his appointment, he climbed the stairs leading to the office of "La Vie Francaise."

为了打发三点前的时间，他在“迪瓦尔”餐厅吃了午餐，然后沿着林阴大道闲逛。当时钟敲响他约定的时间时，他登上了通向《法兰西生活报》办公室的楼梯。

Duroy asked: "Is M. Walter in?"

迪鲁瓦问：“瓦尔特先生在里面吗？”

"M. Walter is engaged," was the reply. "Will you please take a seat?"

回答是：“瓦尔特先生现在正忙。您请坐下吧？”

Duroy waited twenty minutes, then he turned to the clerk and said: "M. Walter had an appointment with me at three o'clock. At any rate, see if my friend M. Forestier is here.”

迪鲁瓦等了二十分钟，然后他转向那位职员说：“瓦尔特先生三点钟和我有个约会。不管怎样，请您看看我的朋友福雷斯捷先生是否在这儿。”

He was conducted along a corridor and ushered into a large room in which four men were writing at a table. Forestier was standing before the fireplace, smoking a cigarette. After listening to Duroy's story he said: "Come with me; I will take you to M. Walter, or else you might remain here until seven o'clock.”

他被引导着沿一条走廊前行，然后被引进了一个大房间，房间里有四个人正在一张桌子旁写字。福雷斯捷正站在壁炉前，抽着一支香烟。听了迪鲁瓦说的事后，他说：“跟我来；我带你去找瓦尔特先生，否则你可能留在这里等到七点。”

They entered the manager's room. Norbert de Varenne was writing an article, seated in an easy chair; Jacques Rival, stretched upon a divan, was smoking a cigar. The room had the peculiar odor familiar to all journalists. When they approached M. Walter, Forestier said: "Here is my friend Duroy."

他们进了经理的办公室。诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳正坐在一把安乐椅里写文章；雅克·里瓦尔正伸展开肢体躺在一把长沙发椅上抽雪茄。这房间有着那种所有新闻工作者都熟悉的特殊气味。当他们走近瓦尔特先生时，福雷斯捷说：“这是我的朋友迪鲁瓦。”

The manager looked keenly at the young man and asked: "Have you brought my article?"

那位经理敏锐地看着这个年轻人，问道：“您带来我要的文章了吗？”

Duroy drew the sheets of manuscript from his pocket.

迪鲁瓦从他的口袋里拿出那几页手稿。

"Here they are, Monsieur."“给您，先生。”

The manager seemed delighted and said with a smile: "Very good. You are a man of your word. Need I look over it, Forestier?"

这位经理似乎很高兴，他微笑着说：“很好。您是个守信用的人。福雷斯捷，我需要检查它吗？”

But Forestier hastened to reply: "It is not necessary, M. Walter; I helped him in order to initiate him into the profession. It is very good."Then bending toward him, he whispered: "You know you promised to engage Duroy to replace Marambot. Will you allow me to retain him on the same terms?"

但福雷斯捷急忙回答：“这没必要，瓦尔特先生；为了使他初步了解这个行业，我帮了他。这篇文章很好。”然后，福雷斯捷向他俯下身，低声说道：“您知道，您允诺过聘用迪鲁瓦来代替马朗波。您允许我以相同的地位来聘用他吗？”

"Certainly."“当然。”

Taking his friend's arm, the journalist drew him away, while M. Walter returned to the game of ecarte he had been engaged in when they entered. Forestier and Duroy returned to the room in which Georges had found his friend. The latter said to his new reporter: "You must come here every day at three o'clock, and I will tell you what places to go to. First of all, I shall give you a letter of introduction to the chief of the police, who will in turn introduce you to one of his employees. You can arrange with him for all important news, official and semiofficial. For details you can apply to Saint-Potin, who is posted; you will see him to-morrow. Above all, you must learn to make your way everywhere in spite of closed doors. You will receive two hundred francs a months, two sous a line for original matter, and two sous a line for articles you are ordered to write on different subjects.”

拉着他朋友的胳膊，那位新闻记者把他拉走了，与此同时，瓦尔特先生回到了他们进来时他正在玩的埃卡泰牌游戏中。福雷斯捷和迪鲁瓦回到了乔治找到他朋友的那个房间。福雷斯捷对他的新记者说道：“你每天三点必须来这儿，然后我会告诉你去什么地方。首先，我会给你一封给警察局局长的介绍信，他会转而把你介绍给他的一个雇员。你可以跟他安排所有重要的新闻，官方的和半官方的。至于细节，你可以请教圣波坦，他很了解；明天你会见到他。最重要的是，你必须学会，任何地方，即使关着门，你也进得去。你一个月将得到二百法郎，原材料一行两个苏，要求你写的关于不同主题的文章也是一行两个苏。”

"What shall I do to-day?" asked Duroy.“我今天该做些什么？”迪鲁瓦问。

"I have no work for you to-day; you can go if you wish to.”“今天我没有工作让你做了；如果你想走，你可以走了。”

"And our—our article?”“但我们——我们的文章呢？”

"Oh, do not worry about it; I will correct the proofs. Do the rest to-morrow and come here at three o'clock as you did to-day.”“哦，不用担心它了；我会改校样的。明天做剩下的，并且和今天一样，三点来这儿。”

And after shaking hands, Duroy descended the staircase with a light heart.

然后，握完手后，迪鲁瓦带着轻松的心情走下了楼梯。CHAPTER IV. Duroy Learns Something

第四章迪鲁瓦学到了些东西

Georges Duroy did not sleep well, so anxious was he to see his article in print. He rose at daybreak, and was on the street long before the newsboys. When he secured a paper and saw his name at the end of a column in large letters, he became very much excited. He felt inclined to enact the part of a newsboy and cry out to the hurrying throng: "Buy this! It contains an article by me!"He strolled along to a cafe and seated himself in order to read the article through; that done he decided to go to the railroad office, draw his salary, and hand in his resignation.

乔治·迪鲁瓦睡得不好，他太渴望看到自己的文章发表了。他破晓时分就起了床，并且，在报童来之前很久，他就在街上了。当他弄到一张报纸，并看到自己的名字用大号字体印在一个专栏的末尾时，他变得非常兴奋。他想扮演一个报童的角色，并对匆忙的人群大喊：“买这个！这里面有一篇我写的文章！”他向前闲逛到一家小餐馆并坐了下来，以便从头到尾读读那篇文章；做完这件事后，他决定去铁路局领出薪水，然后递交辞职信。

With great pomposity he informed the chief clerk that he was on the staff of "La Vie Francaise," and by that means was avenged for many petty insults which had been offered him. He then had some cards written with his new calling beneath his name, made several purchases, and repaired to the office of "La Vie Francaise."Forestier received him loftily as one would an inferior.

他极炫耀地告诉科长自己是《法兰西生活报》的工作人员了，并以那种方式对自己受到过的许多小小侮辱进行了报复。接着，他弄了些名片，名片上他的名字下方写着他新的职业头衔，他买了几样东西，然后去了《法兰西生活报》的办公室。福雷斯捷傲慢地接见了他，就像接见下级一样。

"Ah, here you are! Very well; I have several things for you to do. Just wait ten minutes till I finish this work."He continued writing.“啊，你在这儿呢！很好；我有几件事让你去办。就等十分钟，直到我做完这个工作。”他继续写。

At the other end of the table sat a short, pale man, very stout and bald. Forestier asked him, when his letter was completed, "Saint-Potin, at what time shall you interview those people?”

在桌子的另一头坐着个矮个子的秃头男子，他脸色苍白、非常肥胖。信写完时，福雷斯捷问他：“圣波坦，你什么时候会采访那些人？”

"At four o'clock.”“四点钟。”

"Take Duroy, who is here, with you and initiate him into the business."“带这里的这位迪鲁瓦和你去，并让他初步了解这个工作。”

"Very well."“好的。”

Then turning to his friend, Forestier added: "Have you brought the other paper on Algeria? The article this morning was very successful."

然后，福雷斯捷转向他的朋友，补充道：“关于阿尔及利亚的其他文章，你带来了吗？今天早上的那篇文章非常成功。”

Duroy stammered: "No, I thought I should have time this afternoon. I had so much to do—I could not.”

迪鲁瓦结结巴巴地说：“没有，我原以为我今天下午会有时间。我有太多事情要做了——我没能。”

The other shrugged his shoulders. "If you are not more careful, you will spoil your future. M. Walter counted on your copy. I will tell him it will be ready to-morrow. If you think you will be paid for doing nothing, you are mistaken.”After a pause, he added: "You should strike while the iron is hot."

对方耸耸肩。“如果你不更小心些的话，你会把自己的前途给糟蹋了的。瓦尔特先生指望着你的稿子呢。我会告诉他，稿子将在明天准备好。如果你认为什么事都不做也会有人付你工资，你就错了。”停了一会儿后，他补充道：“你应该趁热打铁。”

Saint-Potin rose: "I am ready," said he.

圣波坦站起来说：“我准备好了。”

Forestier turned around in his chair and said, to Duroy: "Listen. The Chinese general Li-Theng-Fao, stopping at the Continental, and Rajah Taposahib Ramaderao Pali, stopping at Hotel Bishop, have been in Paris two days. You must interview them.”Addressing Saint-Potin, he said: "Do not forget the principal points I indicated to you. Ask the general and the rajah their opinions on the dealings of England in the extreme East, their ideas of their system of colonization and government, their hopes relative to the intervention of Europe and of France in particular."To Duroy he said: "Observe what Saint-Potin says; he is an excellent reporter, and try to learn how to draw out a man in five minutes.”Then he resumed his work.

福雷斯捷坐在椅子里转过身来，并对迪鲁瓦说：“听着。中国将军李登发在大陆饭店下榻，讲巴利语的王侯塔波萨希卜·拉马德拉奥住在主教饭店，他们已经在巴黎呆了两天了。你们得采访他们。”他对圣波坦说：“别忘了我跟你提到过的那些要点。问问将军和王侯关于英国在远东的交易的意见，问问他们对他们的殖民体制、政府制度的看法，问问他们关于欧洲，特别是法国介入的期许。”对迪鲁瓦，他说：“留意圣波坦说的话；他是个出色的采访记者，试着学学怎样在五分钟内使一个人开口畅谈。”接着，他重新开始他的工作。

The two men walked down the boulevard together, while Saint-Potin gave Duroy a sketch of all the officials connected with the paper, sparing no one in his criticism. When he mentioned Forestier, he said: "As for him, he was fortunate in marrying his wife."

这两个人一边一起走下林阴大道，圣波坦一边向迪鲁瓦简要介绍所有与这个报纸有联系的行政人员，没人幸免于他的批评。提到福雷斯捷时，他说：“至于他，他有幸娶到了他的妻子。”

Duroy asked: "What about his wife?"

迪鲁瓦问：“他妻子怎么了？”

Saint-Potin rubbed his hands. "Oh, she is beloved by an old fellow named Vaudrec—he dotes upon her.”

圣波坦搓着双手。“哦，她被一个名叫沃德雷克的老家伙所钟爱——他溺爱她。”

Duroy felt as if he would like to box Saint-Potin's ears. To change the subject he said: "It seems to me that it is late, and we have two noble lords to call upon!"

迪鲁瓦觉得，自己似乎想打圣波坦耳光。为了改变话题，他说：“在我看来，时候不早了，而我们还有两位尊贵的大人要拜访呢！”

Saint-Potin laughed: "You are very innocent! Do you think that I am going to interview that Chinese and that Indian? As if I did not know better than they do what they should think to please the readers of 'La Vie Francaise'! I have interviewed five hundred Chinese, Prussians, Hindoos, Chilians, and Japanese. They all say the same thing. I need only copy my article on the last comer, word for word, changing the heading, names, titles, and ages: in that there must be no error, or I shall be hauled over the coals by the 'Figaro' or 'Gaulois.'But on that subject the porter of the hotels will post me in five minutes. We will smoke our cigars and stroll in that direction. Total—one hundred sous for cabfare. That is the way, my dear fellow.”

圣波坦大笑说：“你太天真了！你以为我要去采访那个中国人和那个印度人吗？好像我不比他们知道得更清楚他们该想什么以迎合《法兰西生活报》的读者似的！我采访过五百个中国人、普鲁士人、印度人、智利人和日本人。他们说的东西都一样。我只需要把我关于上一个来访者的文章逐字抄下来，改变一下标题、姓名、头衔和年龄：在那方面不能有任何差错，否则我会被《菲加罗报》或《高卢人报》严厉斥责的。但是，关于那个问题，酒店的门房在五分钟内就会使我充分了解。我们可以一边抽着雪茄，一边朝那个方向溜达。总共——一百苏的马车费。就是这种方法，我亲爱的朋友。”

When they arrived at the Madeleine, Saint-Potin said to his companion: "If you have anything to do, I do not need you."

当他们走到马德莱娜教堂时，圣波坦对他的同伴说：“如果你有任何事要做，我就不需要你陪着了。”

Duroy shook hands with him and walked away. The thought of the article he had to write that evening haunted him. Mentally he collected the material as he wended his way to the cafe at which he dined. Then he returned home and seated himself at his table to work. Before his eyes was the sheet of blank paper, but all the material he had amassed had escaped him. After trying for an hour, and after filling five pages with sentences which had no connection one with the other, he said: "I am not yet familiar with the work. I must take another lesson."

迪鲁瓦与他握了手，而后离开了。晚上要写的那篇文章萦绕在他的心头，令他苦恼。他一边朝一家小餐厅走去，一边在脑中收集素材，他在那家餐厅吃了饭。然后他回到家，并在桌旁坐下，开始工作。他眼前是空白的纸张，但他收集的所有素材都从他脑中消失了。努力了一个小时、在五页纸上写满了彼此间没有关联的句子后，他说：“我还不熟悉这个工作。我必须再去请教一下。”

At ten o'clock the following morning he rang the bell, at his friend's house. The servant who opened the door, said: "Monsieur is busy."

第二天早上十点钟，他按响了他朋友家的门铃。开门的仆人说：“先生在忙。”

Duroy had not expected to find Forestier at home. However he said: "Tell him it is M. Duroy on important business."

迪鲁瓦没料到会在家里碰到福雷斯捷。但他说道：“告诉他是迪鲁瓦先生来访，有重要的事情找他。”

In the course of five minutes he was ushered into the room in which he had spent so happy a morning. In the place Mme. Forestier had occupied, her husband was seated writing, while Mme. Forestier stood by the mantelpiece and dictated to him, a cigarette between her lips.

五分钟后，他被带进一个房间，他曾在那个房间里度过了那么愉快的一个上午。在福雷斯捷夫人坐过的那个座位上，正坐着她的丈夫，他在写字；与此同时，福雷斯捷夫人站在壁炉架旁，嘴唇间叼着支烟，向他口授着。

Duroy paused upon the threshold and murmured: "I beg your pardon, I am interrupting you."

迪鲁瓦在门槛上停了下来，低声说：“对不起，我打扰你们了。”

His friend growled angrily: "What do you want again? Make haste; we are busy."

他的朋友生气地吼道：“你又想干什么？赶紧的，我们正忙着呢。”

Georges stammered: "It is nothing."

乔治结结巴巴地说：“没什么事。”

But Forestier persisted: "Come, we are losing time; you did not force your way into the house for the pleasure of bidding us good morning."

但福雷斯捷追问道：“快说，我们在浪费时间；你闯进这房子里来，不是为了想要跟我们说声早上好吧。”

Duroy, in confusion, replied: "No, it is this: I cannot complete my article, and you were—so—so kind the last time that I hoped—that I dared to come—”

迪鲁瓦窘迫地回答说：“不是，是这样的：我完不成我的文章，而你们……那么……上次那么好，所以我希望……我斗胆前来……”

Forestier interrupted with: "So you think I will do your work and that you have only to take the money. Well, that is fine!"His wife smoked on without interfering.

福雷斯捷打断道：“所以你以为，我会替你做工作，而你只需要领钱就行了。好，那很好！”他妻子继续抽着烟，不加干涉。

Duroy hesitated: "Excuse me. I believed—I—thought—”Then, in a clear voice, he said: "I beg a thousand pardons, Madame, and thank you very much for the charming article you wrote for me yesterday."Then he bowed, and said to Charles: "I will be at the office at three o'clock.”

迪鲁瓦支支吾吾地说：“对不起。我原以为……我……原本想……”然后，他用清亮的嗓音说道：“夫人，我非常抱歉；对于您昨天帮我写的那篇精彩的文章，我深表感谢。”然后他鞠了一躬，并对夏尔说：“我三点钟会在报社。”

He returned home saying to himself: "Very well, I will write it alone and they shall see."Scarcely had he entered than he began to write, anger spurring him on. In an hour he had finished an article, which was a chaos of absurd matter, and took it boldly to the office. Duroy handed Forestier his manuscript. "Here is the rest of Algeria."

回家时，他对自己说：“很好，我会自己一个人把它写出来，让他们瞧瞧。”刚进家门，他就被愤怒驱策着，立刻开始写作。不到一个小时，他就写完了一篇文章，这篇文章就是把荒谬的事杂乱地堆在一起；然后，他大胆地把它带去了报社。迪鲁瓦把他的手稿递给福雷斯捷。“这是有关阿尔及利亚的剩余部分。”

"Very well, I will hand it to the manager. That will do."“很好，我会把它交给经理的。这样就行了。”

When Duroy and Saint-Potin, who had some political information to look up, were in the hall, the latter asked: "Have you been to the cashier's room?”

圣波坦有一些政治信息要查阅，当他和迪鲁瓦在大厅里时，他问迪鲁瓦：“你去过出纳室没？”

"No, why?"“没有，为什么要去？”

"Why? To get your pay? You should always get your salary a month in advance. One cannot tell what might happen. I will introduce you to the cashier."“为什么？去取你的薪水啊。你总得提前一个月预支你的薪水。你不知道可能会发生什么。我会把你介绍给出纳员。”

Duroy drew his two hundred francs together with twenty-eight francs for his article of the preceding day, which, in addition to what remained to him of his salary from the railroad office, left him three hundred and forty francs. He had never had so much, and he thought himself rich for an indefinite time. Saint-Potin took him to the offices of four or five rival papers, hoping that the news he had been commissioned to obtain had been already received by them and that he could obtain it by means of his diplomacy.

迪鲁瓦把他的二百法郎薪水连同昨天那篇文章的二十八法郎稿费取了出来；这些钱加上剩余的从铁路局领出的薪水，他身上共留有三百四十法郎。他从来没有过这么多钱，他认为自己会无限期地富有下去。圣波坦带他去了四五家与他们竞争的报社，希望自己被任命搜集的新闻已经被他们收集到了，并希望能利用自己的交际手腕把它弄到手。

When evening came, Duroy, who had nothing more to do, turned toward the Folies-Bergeres, and walking up to the office, he said: "My name is Georges Duroy. I am on the staff of 'La Vie Francaise.'I was here the other night with M. Forestier, who promised to get me a pass. I do not know if he remembered it.”

当夜晚来临时，迪鲁瓦没有别的事做，便转到“风流牧羊女”娱乐场去了。他走向售票处，说：“我的名字是乔治·迪鲁瓦。我是《法兰西生活报》的员工。前些天晚上，我和福雷斯捷先生来过这里，他允诺过我不用买票。我不知道他是否记得告诉你们。”

The register was consulted, but his name was not inscribed upon it. However, the cashier, a very affable man, said to him: "Come in, M. Duroy, and speak to the manager yourself; he will see that everything is all right."

收银员查阅了登记册，但他的名字没有记在册子上。然而，那个收银员——一个非常友善的男人，对他说：“请进，迪鲁瓦先生，您自己和经理谈谈，他会保证一切顺利的。”

He entered and almost at once came upon Rachel, the woman he had seen there before. She approached him: "Good evening, my dear; are you well?"

他走了进去，然后几乎立刻遇到了拉谢尔——他以前在这里见过的那个女人。她走近他说：“晚上好，亲爱的，你好吗？”

"Very well; how are you?"“很好，你怎么样？”

"I am not ill. I have dreamed of you twice since the other night."“我不坏。自从那天晚上之后，我梦到过你两次。”

Duroy smiled. "What does that mean?"

迪鲁瓦微笑起来。“那意味着什么呢？”

"That means that I like you"; she raised her eyes to the young man's face, took his arm and leaning upon it, said: "Let us drink a glass of wine and then take a walk. I should like to go to the opera like this, with you, to show you off."“那意味着我喜欢你啊。”她抬起眼睛看着这年轻人的脸，挽起他的胳膊，并靠在他的胳膊上，说道：“我们去喝杯酒，然后散散步吧。我要像这样和你去看歌剧，我要让他们看看你。”

At daybreak he again sallied forth to obtain a "Vie Francaise."He opened the paper feverishly; his article was not there. On entering the office several hours later, he said to M. Walter: "I was very much surprised this morning not to see my second article on Algeria."

黎明时分，他又出门买了份《法兰西生活报》。他兴奋地打开报纸；他的文章没在上面。几小时后，他一进报馆，就对瓦尔特先生说：“今天早上我非常惊奇，我没看到我关于阿尔及利亚的第二篇文章。”

The manager raised his head and said sharply: "I gave it to your friend, Forestier, and asked him to read it; he was dissatisfied with it; it will have to be done over."

经理抬起头严厉地说：“我把它给你的朋友福雷斯捷了，我让他看一下；他对文章不满意；这篇文章得重写。”

Without a word, Duroy left the room, and entering his friend's office, brusquely asked: "Why did not my article appear this morning?"

迪鲁瓦一声不吭地离开了房间，走进他朋友的办公室，唐突地问道：“为什么我的文章今早没出现在报纸上？”

The journalist, who was smoking a cigar, said calmly: "The manager did not consider it good, and bade me return it to you to be revised. There it is."Duroy revised it several times, only to have it rejected. He said nothing more of his "souvenirs," but gave his whole attention to reporting. He became acquainted behind the scenes at the theaters, and in the halls and corridors of the chamber of deputies; he knew all the cabinet ministers, generals, police agents, princes, ambassadors, men of the world, Greeks, cabmen, waiters at cafes, and many others. In short he soon became a remarkable reporter, of great value to the paper, so M. Walter said. But as he only received ten centimes a line in addition to his fixed salary of two hundred francs and as his expenses were large, he never had a sou. When he saw certain of his associates with their pockets full of money, he wondered what secret means they employed in order to obtain it. He determined to penetrate that mystery, to enter into the association, to obtrude himself upon his comrades, and make them share with him. Often at evening, as he watched the trains pass his window, he dreamed of the conduct he might pursue.

那位正抽着雪茄的新闻记者平静地说：“经理认为文章不好，吩咐我把它退给你修改。文章在那里。”迪鲁瓦把它修改了好几遍，却都被退回了。他不再提他的旅行纪念，而把他的全部注意力放在报道上了。他对剧院的后台、众议院的前厅和走廊，都变得熟悉了；他认识了所有内阁大臣、将军、警察、王公贵族、大使、上流社会的人、希腊人、马车夫、咖啡馆的服务员和许多其他的人。总之，他很快成了一名出色的记者，正如瓦尔特先生所说的那样，对报社极有价值了。但是，因为除了他二百法郎的固定薪水外，他每写一行字只能得到十分钱，并且因为他的花销很大，他从未结余一苏钱。当他看到他的某些同事口袋里塞满了钱时，他就想知道他们是用了什么秘密方法来弄到钱的。他决心解开这个谜，深入到这个团体中去，闯入他同事们当中，并让他们和他分享挣钱之道。他常常在晚上一边看着经过他窗前的火车，一边幻想自己可能采取的行动。CHAPTER V. The First Intrigue

第五章第一次偷情

Two months elapsed. It was September. The fortune which Duroy had hoped to make so rapidly seemed to him slow in coming. Above all he was dissatisfied with the mediocrity of his position; he was appreciated, but was treated according to his rank. Forestier himself no longer invited him to dinner, and treated him as an inferior. Often he had thought of making Mme. Forestier a visit, but the remembrance of their last meeting restrained him. Mme. de Marelle had invited him to call, saying: "I am always at home about three o'clock.”So one afternoon, when he had nothing to do, he proceeded toward her house. She lived on Rue Verneuil, on the fourth floor. A maid answered his summons, and said: "Yes, Madame is at home, but I do not know whether she has risen."She conducted Duroy into the drawing-room, which was large, poorly furnished, and somewhat untidy. The shabby, threadbare chairs were ranged along the walls according to the servant's fancy, for there was not a trace visible of the care of a woman who loves her home. Duroy took a seat and waited some time. Then a door opened and Mme. de Marelle entered hastily, clad in a Japanese dressing-gown. She exclaimed: "How kind of you to come to see me. I was positive you had forgotten me."She held out her hand to him with a gesture of delight; and Duroy, quite at his ease in that shabby apartment, kissed it as he had seen Norbert de Varenne do.

两个月过去了。现在是九月。迪鲁瓦期待自己迅速发财，对他来说，发迹似乎姗姗来迟。他尤其对自己地位的平凡感到不满；他受到了赏识，但别人仍根据他的地位对待他。福雷斯捷本人不再邀请他去吃饭了，还把他当成下级对待。他经常想去拜访福雷斯捷夫人，但回想起他们上次的见面，他便不想去了。德马雷勒夫人曾邀请他去她家拜访，她说：“我三点左右总在家里。”所以，一天下午，当他无事可做时，就朝她家走去。她住在韦纳伊街，在五楼。迪鲁瓦叫门后，一个女仆开了门，她说：“是的，夫人在家呢，但我不知道她起床了没有。”她把迪鲁瓦领进客厅，客厅很大，有点不整洁，且家具陈设不够得体。破烂、陈旧的椅子被仆人按照自己的喜好沿着墙排列着，因为丝毫看不出一个热爱家庭的女人的关心。迪鲁瓦坐下来，等了一段时间。然后，一扇门开了，德马雷勒夫人穿着一件日本晨衣匆匆走了进来。她叫道：“您来看我真是太好了。我以为您把我忘了呢。”她高兴地向他伸出手；而在那破旧的房间里觉得很自在的迪鲁瓦也像他看诺贝尔·德瓦雷纳做过的那样，亲了亲她的手。

Examining him from head to foot, she cried: "How you have changed! Well; tell me the news."

她把他从头到脚打量了一番，叫道：“您变化好大啊！那么，告诉我您的新情况吧。”

They began to chat at once as if they were old acquaintances, and in five minutes an intimacy, a mutual understanding, was established between those two beings alike in character and kind. Suddenly the young woman said in surprise: "It is astonishing how I feel with you. It seems to me as if I had known you ten years. We shall undoubtedly become good friends; would that please you?"

他们立即开始聊起来，好像他们本是老相识一样；然后，五分钟后，这两个性格相似、意气相投的人之间就建立起了一种亲密无间、相互理解的关系。突然，这位年轻的女人惊讶地说：“我和您在一起的感觉，多么令人吃惊啊。我觉得自己似乎已经认识您十年了。毋庸置疑，我们会成为好朋友的；您会愿意那么做吗？”

He replied: "Certainly," with a smile more expressive than words. He thought her very bewitching in her pretty gown. When near Mme. Forestier, whose impassive, gracious smile attracted yet held at a distance, and seemed to say: "I like you, yet take care," he felt a desire to cast himself at her feet, or to kiss the hem of her garment. When near Mme. de Marelle, he felt a more passionate desire.

他微笑着回答说：“当然了。”他的微笑比语言更加意味深长。他觉得穿着漂亮睡袍的她非常迷人。福雷斯捷夫人缺乏热情、亲切有礼的微笑让人心醉却又遥不可及，而且那微笑仿佛在说：“我喜欢你，但请当心。”迪鲁瓦靠近她时，有种想扑倒在她脚下，或吻一吻她衣服上的褶边的冲动。靠近德马雷勒夫人时，他感觉到一种更强烈的欲望。

A gentle rap came at the door through which Mme. de Marelle had entered, and she cried: "You may come in, my darling."

从德马雷勒夫人进来的房门处传来一声轻轻的敲门声，她随即喊道：“你可以进来，我的宝贝。”

The child entered, advanced to Duroy and offered him her hand. The astonished mother murmured: "That is a conquest."The young man, having kissed the child, seated her by his side, and with a serious air questioned her as to what she had done since they last met. She replied in a flute-like voice and with the manner of a woman. The clock struck three; the journalist rose.

那孩子进来了，走向迪鲁瓦，并把手伸给他。吃惊的母亲低声说：“您征服了我女儿。”那个年轻人亲了亲小孩，让她坐在自己身边，然后郑重其事地问她自从他们上次见面后她都做了什么。她以长笛般的嗓音回答他，她的举止像个成年女子。钟敲了三下，这位记者站起身来。

"Come often," said Mme. de Marelle; "it has been a pleasant causerie. I shall always be glad to welcome you. Why do I never meet you at the Forestiers?"“常来啊，”德马雷勒夫人说，“这种谈话令人愉快。我会永远乐于接待您的。为什么我从没在福雷斯捷家见过您？”

"For no particular reason. I am very busy. I hope, however, that we shall meet there one of these days."“没什么特别的原因。我很忙。但是，我希望过些天我们能在那里见面。”

In the course of a few days he paid another visit to the enchantress. The maid ushered him into the drawing-room and Laurine soon entered; she offered him not her hand but her forehead, and said: "Mamma wishes me to ask you to wait for her about fifteen minutes, for she is not dressed. I will keep you company."

几天后，他又去拜访那个迷人的女子。女仆把他领进客厅，然后洛琳娜很快就进来了；她不是把手伸给迪鲁瓦，而是把前额伸给他，并说道：“妈妈要我让您等她大概十五分钟，因为她还没穿好衣服。我陪着您吧。”

Duroy, who was amused at the child's ceremonious manner, replied: "Indeed, Mademoiselle, I shall be enchanted to spend a quarter of an hour with you."When the mother entered they were in the midst of an exciting game, and Mme. de Marelle paused in amazement, crying: "Laurine playing? You are a sorcerer, sir!"He placed the child, whom he had caught in his arms, upon the floor, kissed the lady's hand, and they seated themselves, the child between them. They tried to converse, but Laurine, usually so silent, monopolized the conversation, and her mother was compelled to send her to her room.

迪鲁瓦被这孩子一本正经的态度逗乐了，他答道：“实际上，小姐，和您呆上十五分钟，我会很陶醉的。”当母亲进来时，他们正在玩一个令人兴奋的游戏，德马雷勒夫人惊讶地停住脚步叫道：“洛琳娜在玩了？先生，您真是个魔术师！”他把捉在怀里的小孩放在地上，吻了那位夫人的手，然后他们坐下来，那孩子坐在他们中间。他们设法谈话，但一向很沉默的洛琳娜却一个人说个不停，于是她母亲只好让她回自己的房间去。

When they were alone, Mme. de Marelle lowered her voice and said: "I have a great project. It is this: As I dine every week at the Foresters’, I return it from time to time by inviting them to a restaurant. I do not like to have company at home; I am not so situated that I can have any. I know nothing about housekeeping or cooking. I prefer a life free from care; therefore I invite them to the cafe occasionally; but it is not lively when we are only three. I am telling you this in order to explain such an informal gathering. I should like you to be present at our Saturdays at the Cafe Riche at seven-thirty. Do you know the house?”

当他们俩单独在一起时，德马雷勒夫人压低声音说：“我有个很好的计划。是这样的：因为我每周都在福雷斯捷家吃饭，我有时会请他们去餐馆里，以回请他们。我不喜欢在家里招待客人；我很不擅长这个，因此我不能在家招待他们。我对家务料理或烹饪一窍不通。我更喜欢不用操心的生活；因此我偶尔请他们去餐馆；但只有我们三个的时候却不热闹。我告诉您这些是为了解释我们这种非正式聚会。我们周六七点半在里什餐馆，我希望您到场。您知道那个餐馆吗？”

Duroy accepted gladly. He left her in a transport of delight and impatiently awaited the day of the dinner. He was the first to arrive at the place appointed and was shown into a small private room, in which the table was laid for four; that table looked very inviting with its colored glasses, silver, and candelabra.

迪鲁瓦愉快地答应了。他欣喜若狂地离开了她，然后焦急地等待着晚宴那天的到来。他第一个来到约定地点，而后被带进一个小包间，包间里的桌子上摆好了四个人的餐具；那摆放着彩色玻璃器具、银器和枝状大烛台的桌子看起来非常诱人。

Duroy seated himself upon a low bench. Forestier entered and shook hands with him with a cordiality he never evinced at the office.

迪鲁瓦在一张低矮的长凳上坐下。福雷斯捷进来了，并热诚地和他握手，在报社他从未表现得这般热情友好。

"The two ladies will come together," said he. "These dinners are truly delightful."“两位女士将一同过来，”他说，“这样的晚宴真令人高兴。”

Very soon the door opened and Mesdames Forestier and De Marelle appeared, heavily veiled, surrounded by the charming mystery necessary to a rendezvous in a place so public. As Duroy greeted the former, she took him to task for not having been to see her; then she added with a smile: "Ah, you prefer Mme. de Marelle; the time passes more pleasantly with her."

很快，门开了，然后福雷斯捷夫人和德马雷勒夫人戴着严严实实的面纱出现了，她们周身散发出一种迷人的神秘感——在一个如此公开的场合约会，这种神秘感是必需的。迪鲁瓦与福雷斯捷夫人打招呼时，她责怪他没有去看她；然后她微笑着补充道：“啊，您更喜欢德马雷勒夫人；和她在一起的时光过得更愉快呢。”

When the waiter handed the wine-list to Forestier, Mme. de Marelle exclaimed: "Bring the gentle-men whatever they want; as for us, we want nothing but champagne.”

服务员把酒水单递给福雷斯捷时，德马雷勒夫人喊道：“两位先生要什么就给他们拿什么，至于我们俩，我们只要香槟。”

Forestier, who seemed not to have heard her, asked: "Do you object to my closing the window? My cough has troubled me for several days."

福雷斯捷似乎没有听到她说话，问道：“我把窗户关上，您不反对吧？我的咳嗽已经折磨我好几天了。”

"Not at all."“当然可以。”

His wife did not speak. The various courses were duly served and then the guests began to chat. They discussed a scandal which was being circulated about a society belle. Forestier was very much amused by it. Duroy said with a smile: "How many would abandon themselves to a caprice, a dream of love, if they did not fear that they would pay for a brief happiness with tears and an irremediable scandal?"

他的妻子没说什么。各种各样的菜肴被适时地端上了餐桌，然后客人们开始聊起来。他们谈论起一个正在被散布的、关于一位上流社会美女的绯闻。这绯闻让福雷斯捷大笑起来。迪鲁瓦微笑着说：“如果不是因为害怕短暂的快乐会让她们付出泪水和名誉扫地的代价，不知会有多少人放任自己迷失在反复无常的想法和对爱情的幻想中呢？”

Both women glanced at him approvingly. Forestier cried with a sceptical laugh: "The poor husbands!"Then they talked of love. Duroy said: "When I love a woman, everything else in the world is forgotten."

两位女士都赞许地看着他。福雷斯捷怀疑地笑着叫道：“可怜的丈夫们啊！”接着，他们谈论起爱情。迪鲁瓦说：“当我爱一个女人时，我会忘记世界上的其他一切事物。”

Mme. Forestier murmured: "There is no happiness comparable to that first clasp of the hand, when one asks: 'Do you love me?' and the other replies: 'Yes, I love you.'”Mme.de Marelle cried gaily as she drank a glass of champagne: "I am less Platonic."

福雷斯捷夫人低声说：“假如两个人第一次握手，一个问‘你爱我吗？’而另一个回答‘是的，我爱你。’这将是最幸福的事了。”德马雷勒夫人喝着一杯香槟，同时欢快地喊道：“我可没这么注重精神层面的东西。”

Forestier, lying upon the couch, said in serious tone: "That frankness does you honor and proves you to be a practical woman. But might one ask, what is M. de Marelle's opinion?”

福雷斯捷躺在长沙发上，用严肃的语气说：“您的坦诚令人敬服，这表明您是个务实的女人。但能问一下德马雷勒先生的意见吗？”

She shrugged her shoulders disdainfully and said: "M. de Marelle has no opinion on that subject."

她不屑地耸耸肩说：“对于这个问题，德马雷勒先生没有意见。”

The conversation grew slow. Mme. de Marelle seemed to offer provocation by her remarks, while Mme. Forestier's charming reserve, the modesty in her voice, in her smile, all seemed to extenuate the bold sallies which issued from her lips. The dessert came and then followed the coffee. The hostess and her guests lighted cigarettes, but Forestier suddenly began to cough. When the attack was over, he growled angrily: "These parties are not good for me; they are stupid. Let us go home."

谈话变得慢下来。德马雷勒夫人似乎在通过她的话进行着挑逗；而福雷斯捷夫人迷人的矜持，她嗓音里、微笑中的稳重似乎都使她双唇间说出的大胆俏皮话不那么露骨。甜点被端上来了，随后上了咖啡。女主人和客人们点起香烟，但福雷斯捷突然开始咳嗽。这阵咳嗽结束后，他生气地吼道：“这种聚会没意思，对我没好处。我们回家吧。”

Mme. de Marelle summoned the waiter and asked for her bill. She tried to read it, but the figures danced before her eyes; she handed the paper to Duroy.

德马雷勒夫人叫来服务员，并向他要账单。她试图看看它，但数字在她眼前跳跃着；她把那张纸递给了迪鲁瓦。

"Here, pay it for me; I cannot see."At the same time, she put her purse in his hand.“给你，替我付账吧；我看不清。”同时，她把她的钱包放进他手里。

The total was one hundred and thirty francs. Duroy glanced at the bill and when it was settled, whispered: "How much shall I give the waiter?"

总共是一百三十法郎。迪鲁瓦看了眼账单、付过钱后悄声问德马雷勒夫人：“我该给服务员多少小费？”

"Whatever you like; I do not know."“我不知道，凭你喜欢。”

He laid five francs upon the plate and handed the purse to its owner, saying: "Shall I escort you home?"

他把五法郎放在盘子上，然后把钱包递给它的主人，说道：“要我护送您回家吗？”

"Certainly; I am unable to find the house."“当然，我找不着家了。”

They shook hands with the Forestiers and were soon rolling along in a cab side by side. Duroy could think of nothing to say; he felt impelled to clasp her in his arms. "If I should dare, what would she do?" thought he. The recollection of their conversation at dinner emboldened, but the fear of scandal restrained him. Mme. de Marelle reclined silently in her corner. He would have thought her asleep, had he not seen her eyes glisten whenever a ray of light penetrated the dark recesses of the carriage. Of what was she thinking? Suddenly she moved her foot, nervously, impatiently. That movement caused him to tremble, and turning quickly, he cast himself upon her, seeking her lips with his. She uttered a cry, attempted to repulse him and then yielded to his caresses as if she had not the strength to resist.

他们和福雷斯捷夫妇握了手，然后，他俩很快就肩并肩坐在一辆马车里向前行去了。迪鲁瓦想不出该说什么；他忍不住想把她紧紧搂在怀里。“如果我敢的话，她会怎么做？”他想着。回忆起他们晚饭时的谈话，他有了勇气，但对丑闻的恐惧又阻止了他。德马雷勒夫人安静地斜靠在马车的角落里。如果不是每当光线射进黑暗的车厢里时，他就看到她的双眼闪着光的话，他本会以为她睡着了。她在想什么呢？突然，她神经质地、急躁地动了动脚。这个动作使他颤抖起来，于是他迅速转过身，扑到她身上，将嘴唇凑近她的嘴唇。她叫了一声，试图推开他，然后她好像没有力气反抗似的屈服于他的爱抚中。

The carriage stopped at her door, but she did not rise; she did not move, stunned by what had just taken place. Fearing that the cabman would mistrust something, Duroy alighted from the cab first and offered his hand to the young woman. Finally she got out, but in silence. Georges rang the bell, and when the door was opened, he asked timidly: "When shall I see you again?"

马车在她家门口停了下来，但她没有起身；她一动不动，刚刚发生的事让她震惊了。迪鲁瓦害怕马车夫会怀疑什么，就先从马车上跳下来，然后把手伸给那个年轻的女人。终于，她出来了，但一言不发。乔治按了门铃，然后，当门被打开时，他提心吊胆地问道：“我什么时候能再见您？”

She whispered so low that he could barely hear her: "Come and lunch with me to-morrow.”With those words she disappeared.

她极低声地向他耳语，声音小得几乎听不到：“明天来和我吃午饭。”说完这话，她就离开了。

Duroy gave the cabman a five-franc piece, and turned away with a triumphant, joyful air. He had at last conquered a married woman! A woman of the world! A Parisian! How easy it had been!

迪鲁瓦给了车夫一枚五法郎的硬币，然后带着得意洋洋、兴高采烈的神情转身离开了。他终于征服了一个已婚女子！一个上流社会的女人！一个巴黎人！这多么容易啊！

He was somewhat nervous the following day as he ascended Mme. de Marelle's staircase. How would she receive him? Suppose she forbade him to enter her house? If she had told—but no, she could not tell anything without telling the whole truth! He was master of the situation!

第二天，当他爬上德马雷勒夫人家的楼梯时，他有点紧张。她会怎样接待他呢？假如她不让他进她家怎么办？如果她告诉——但是不可能，她要么全说出来，要么什么也不可能说。他是局势的掌控者！

The little maid-servant opened the door. She was as pleasant as usual. Duroy felt reassured and asked: "Is Madame well?"

矮小的女仆开了门。她像往常一样和气。迪鲁瓦放心了，他问道：“夫人好吗？”

"Yes, sir; as well as she always is," was the reply, and he was ushered into the salon. He walked to the mantelpiece to see what kind of an appearance he presented: he was readjusting his cravat when he saw in the mirror the young woman standing on the threshold looking at him. He pretended not to have seen her, and for several moments they gazed at one another in the mirror. Then he turned. She had not moved; she seemed to be waiting. He rushed toward her crying: "How I love you!"He clasped her to his breast. He thought: "It is easier than I thought it would be. All is well."He looked at her with a smile, without uttering a word, trying to put into his glance a wealth of love. She too smiled and murmured: "We are alone. I sent Laurine to lunch with a friend."“很好，先生，她和往常一样好。”她答道，然后把他领进了客厅。他走向壁炉架，以便看看自己的外表怎么样；正当他重新调整领带时，他从镜子里看到那个年轻的女人正站在门口看着他。他假装没看到她，他们在镜子里彼此注视了一会儿。然后他转过身。她没有动，似乎在等待着。他快步走向她，喊道：“我多么爱你啊！”他把她紧紧抱在胸前。他想：“这比我想的更容易些。一切顺利。”他一言不发，微笑着看着她，设法使自己的眼神充满深情。她也微笑着，并低声说：“家里就我们俩了。我让洛琳娜和一个朋友吃午饭去了。”

He sighed, and kissing her wrists said: "Thanks; I adore you."She took his arm as if he had been her husband, and led him to a couch, upon which they seated themselves side by side. Duroy stammered, incoherently: "You do not care for me."

他松了口气，吻着她的手腕说：“谢谢，我好爱你啊。”她挽起他的胳膊，仿佛他是自己的丈夫一样，然后她引他到一张长沙发边，他们在上面并肩坐了下来。迪鲁瓦支支吾吾、语无伦次地说：“你不喜欢我。”

She laid her hand upon his lips. "Be silent!"

她把手捂在他的双唇上。“别说话！”

"How I love you!"said he.“我多么爱你啊！”他说。

She repeated: "Be silent!"

她重复道：“别出声！”

They could hear the servant laying the table in the dining-room. He rose: "I cannot sit so near you. I shall lose my head."

他们能听到仆人在餐厅摆设餐具的声音。他起身说：“我不能坐得离你这么近。我会失去理智的。”

The door opened: "Madame is served!"

门开了：“夫人，午饭准备好了。”

He offered her his arm gravely. They lunched without knowing what they were eating. The servant came and went without seeming to notice anything. When the meal was finished, they returned to the drawing-room and resumed their seats on the couch side by side. Gradually he drew nearer her and tried to embrace her.

他郑重其事地向她伸出胳膊。他们吃着午饭，却不知在吃些什么。仆人进进出出，似乎什么也没有注意到。吃完饭后，他们回到客厅，然后又并肩坐到长沙发他们坐过的位置上。他逐渐向她靠近，并试着拥抱她。

"Be careful, some one might come in."“当心，有人可能会进来。”

He whispered: "When can I see you alone to tell you how I love you?"

他耳语道：“我什么时候能单独见见你，告诉你我有多么爱你？”

She leaned toward him and said softly: "I will pay you a visit one of these days."

她向他倾身过去，并柔声说：“过几天我会去看你。”

He colored. "My rooms—are—are—very modest.”

他脸红了。“我的房间……非常简陋。”

She smiled: "That makes no difference. I shall come to see you and not your rooms."

她微笑着说：“那没影响。我去看你，又不是你的房间。”

He urged her to tell him when she would come. She fixed a day in the following week, while he besought her with glowing eyes to hasten the day. She was amused to see him implore so ardently and yielded a day at a time. He repeated: "To-morrow, say—to-morrow.”Finally she consented. "Yes, to-morrow at five o'clock.”

他要求她告诉他她什么时候会去。当她定了下周的某一天时，他用热切的目光恳求她把那一天提前。她很高兴见他这样热切地恳求，于是她一天天地让步。他重复说：“明天，比方说——明天。”她终于答应了。“好吧，明天五点钟。”

He drew a deep breath; then they chatted together as calmly as if they had known one another for twenty years. A ring caused them to start; they separated. She murmured: "It is Laurine."

他深深地舒了口气；接着他们一起平静地聊天，仿佛他们已经认识彼此二十年了一般。一阵门铃声使他们吃了一惊；他们分开来。她低声说：“是洛琳娜。”

The child entered, paused in surprise, then ran toward Duroy clapping her hands, delighted to see him, and crying: "Ah, 'Bel-Ami!’“

那孩子走进来，吃惊地停住了脚步，然后她拍着手跑向迪鲁瓦，看到他很高兴，叫道：“噢，‘漂亮朋友’!"

Mme. de Marelle laughed. "Bel-Ami! Laurine has christened you. It is a pretty name. I shall call you Bel-Ami, too!”

德马雷勒夫人大笑起来。“漂亮朋友！洛琳娜给你起了个名字。这名字多好听啊。我也叫你漂亮朋友吧！”

He took the child upon his knee. At twenty minutes of three he rose to go to the office; at the half-open door he whispered: "To-morrow, five o'clock.”The young woman replied: "Yes," with a smile and disappeared.

他把那孩子抱在自己膝盖上。两点四十分时，他起身去报馆；在半掩的门边，他低声说：“明天，五点。”那位年轻的女士微笑着回答：“好的。”然后便离开了。

After he had finished his journalistic work, he tried to render his apartments more fit to receive his expected visitor. He was well satisfied with the results of his efforts and retired, lulled to rest by the whistling of the trains. Early the next morning he bought a cake and a bottle of Madeira. He spread the collation on his dressing-table which was covered with a napkin. Then he waited. She came at a quarter past five and exclaimed as she entered: "Why, it is nice here. But there were a great many people on the stairs."

做完他的新闻工作后，他设法使自己的公寓更适合接待他期待的客人。他对自己努力的成果很满意，便停下来休息，在火车的汽笛声中睡去。第二天一大早，他买了一个蛋糕和一瓶马德拉白葡萄酒。他把这些小吃摆放到盖着块餐巾的梳妆台上。然后他等待着。五点十五分，她来了，她一边进房，一边喊道：“哎呀，这里很好嘛。但是，楼梯里有好多人。”

He took her in his arms and kissed her hair. An hour and a half later he escorted her to a cab-stand on the Rue de Rome. When she was seated in the cab, he whispered: "Tuesday, at the same hour."

他把她抱在怀里，亲吻她的头发。一个半小时后，他把她送到罗马路上的一个出租马车站。她坐在马车里时，他悄声说：“周二，同一时间。”

She repeated his words, and as it was night, she kissed him. Then as the cabman started up his horse, she cried:” Adieu, Bel-Ami!" and the old coupe rumbled off.

她重复他的话，因为天色已黑，她吻了吻他。然后，当车夫驱动他的马时，她喊道：“再见，漂亮朋友！”那老马车便隆隆地离开了。

For three weeks Duroy received Mme. de Marelle every two or three days, sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the evening.

连续三个星期，迪鲁瓦每两三天接待一次德马雷勒夫人，有时在上午，有时在晚上。

As he was awaiting her one afternoon, a noise on the staircase drew him to his door. A child screamed. A man's angry voice cried: "What is the brat howling about?"

一天下午，当他正等着她时，楼道里的一阵吵闹把他引到了门口。一个孩子尖叫着。一个男人的声音生气地喊道：“这孩子在哭叫什么？”

A woman's voice replied: "Nicolas has been tripped up on the landing-place by the journalist's sweetheart.”

一个女人的声音回答说：“尼古拉被那记者的情妇绊倒在楼梯平台上了。”

Duroy retreated, for he heard the rustling of skirts. Soon there was a knock at his door, which he opened, and Mme. de Marelle rushed in, crying: "Did you hear?"Georges feigned ignorance of the matter.

迪鲁瓦退回屋里，因为他听到了裙子的窸窣声。很快，他门上响起了一阵敲门声，他打开门，德马雷勒夫人冲进来喊道：“你听到了吗？”乔治假装不知道这件事。

"No; what?"“没有啊，什么事？”

"How they insulted me?"“他们怎么侮辱我的？”

"Who?"“谁？”

"Those miserable people below."“下面那些卑鄙的人。”

"Why, no; what is it? Tell me."“为什么，我没听到；怎么回事？告诉我。”

She sobbed and could not speak. He was forced to place her upon his bed and to lay a damp cloth upon her temples. When she grew calmer, anger succeeded her agitation. She wanted Duroy to go downstairs at once, to fight them, to kill them.

她呜咽着，说不出话来。他只得让她躺在自己床上，并把一块湿布放到她太阳穴上。她变得平静些后，愤怒就紧随烦乱而来了。她要迪鲁瓦立刻下楼去，去同他们打架，去杀死他们。

He replied: "They are working-people. Just think, it would be necessary to go to court where you would be recognized; one must not compromise oneself with such people.”

他回答说：“他们是工人。你只要想想，真闹起来就得上法庭了，在法庭上你会被认出来的；我们不能为这种人连累自己。”

She said: "What shall we do? I cannot come here again."

她说：“我们该怎么办呢？我不能再来这里了。”

He replied: "That is very simple. I will move."

他回答说：“这很简单。我搬家。”

She murmured: "Yes, but that will take some time."

她低声说：“好，但那得花些时间。”

Suddenly she said: "Listen to me, I have found a means; do not worry about it. I will send you a 'little blue' to-morrow morning.”She called a telegram a "little blue."

突然，她说：“听我说，我已经找到一个办法了；别为此担心了。明天早上我会让人送一个‘小蓝条’给你。”她称电报为“小蓝条”。

She smiled with delight at her plans, which she would not reveal. She was, however, very much affected as she descended the staircase and leaned with all her strength upon her lover's arm. They met no one.

她微笑着，为自己的计划而高兴，她不愿透露是什么办法。然而下楼时，她却很不自然，她用尽全身力气倚靠在她情人的胳膊上。他们没碰到任何人。

He was still in bed the following morning when the promised telegram was handed him. Duroy opened it and read: "Come at five o'clock to Rue de Constantinople, No.127. Ask for the room rented by Mme. Duroy. CLO.”

第二天早上，当他还在床上时，德马雷勒夫人许诺的那封电报就被送到他手里了。迪鲁瓦打开它，读道：“五点钟来君士坦丁堡街127号。找迪鲁瓦夫人租的房间。克洛。”

At five o'clock precisely he entered a large furnished house and asked the janitor: "Has Mme. Duroy hired a room here?"

五点钟，他准时走进一幢带家具的大房子，并问门房：“迪鲁瓦夫人是不是在这里租了一个房间？”

"Yes, sir."“是的，先生。”

"Will you show me to it, if you please?"“如果您愿意的话，带我去那里好吗？”

The man, accustomed no doubt to situations in which it was necessary to be prudent, looked him straight in the eyes; then selecting a key, he asked: "Are you M. Duroy?"

那个人对这种必须谨慎的情况无疑已习惯了，他直直地看着他的双眼；然后挑出一把钥匙问道：“您是迪鲁瓦先生吗？”

"Certainly."“当然。”

He opened a small suite, comprising two rooms on the ground floor.

他打开一个小套房，这套房由两个房间组成，在一楼。

Duroy thought uneasily: "This will cost a fortune. I shall have to run into debt. She has done a very foolish thing."

迪鲁瓦不安地想：“这要花一大笔钱。我得欠债了。她办了件非常愚蠢的事。”

The door opened and Clotilde rushed in. She was enchanted. "Is it not fine? There are no stairs to climb; it is on the ground floor! One could come and go through the window without the porter seeing one."

门开了，克洛蒂尔德冲了进来。她被迷住了。“这房间不错吧？没有楼梯要爬，它在一楼！可以从窗户进出，而不被门房看见。”

He embraced her nervously, not daring to ask the question that hovered upon his lips. She had placed a large package on the stand in the center of the room. Opening it she took out a tablet of soap, a bottle of Lubin's extract, a sponge, a box of hairpins, a button-hook, and curling-tongs. Then she amused herself by finding places in which to put them.

他紧张地抱着她，不敢问悬在他嘴边的那个问题。她把一个大包放到房间中央的架子上。她打开它，拿出一小块香皂、一瓶吕班精华香水、一块海绵、一盒发夹、一个纽扣钩和一些卷发夹。然后，她为自己找到摆放它们的地方而高兴。

She talked incessantly as she opened the drawers: "I must bring some linen in order to have a change. We shall each have a key, besides the one at the lodge, in case we should forget ours. I rented the apartments for three months—in your name, of course, for I could not give mine.”

她打开抽屉时不停地说：“我得带些衬衣裤来，以便更换。我们各自有一把钥匙，此外还有一把在门房那里，以防我们忘了钥匙。这套间我租了三个月——当然是用你的名字，因为我不能给出我的名字。”

Then he asked: "Will you tell me when to pay?"

接着他问道：“你能告诉我什么时候付房租吗？”

She replied simply: "It is paid, my dear."

她若无其事地答道：“亲爱的，我已经付过了。”

He made a pretense of being angry: "I cannot permit that."

他假装生气地说：“我不能允许你付房租。”

She laid her hand upon his shoulder and said in a supplicatory tone: "Georges, it will give me pleasure to have the nest mine. Say that you do not care, dear Georges," and he yielded. When she had left him, he murmured: "She is kind-hearted, anyway.”

她把手搭在他的肩上，并用恳求的语气说：“乔治，有自己的窝，能让我高兴。说你不介意嘛，亲爱的乔治。”于是，他让步了。她离开他后，他低声说：“不管怎样，她是好心的。”

Several days later he received a telegram which read: "My husband is coming home this evening. We shall therefore not meet for a week. What a bore, my dearest!"

几天后，他收到了封电报，上面写着：“我丈夫今晚要回家。因此，我们得一个星期不见面了。多么令人讨厌的一件事啊，我最亲爱的人！”

"YOUR CLO."“你的克洛。”

Duroy was startled; he had not realized the fact that Mme. de Marelle was married. He impatiently awaited her husband's departure. One morning he received the following telegram: "Five o'clock.—CLO.”

迪鲁瓦吃了一惊，他没有意识到德马雷勒夫人已婚这个事实。他焦急地等待着她丈夫的离开。一天早上，他收到了下面这封电报：“五点见。——克洛。”

When they met, she rushed into his arms, kissed him passionately, and asked: "After a while will you take me to dine?"

他们见面时，她冲进他怀里，热情地吻他，然后问：“一会儿你带我去吃晚饭好吗？”

"Certainly, my darling, wherever you wish to go."“当然好啊，亲爱的，你想去哪里都行。”

"I should like to go to some restaurant frequented by the working-classes.”“我想去某个工人阶级常去的餐厅。”

They repaired to a wine merchant's where meals were also served. Clotilde's entrance caused a sensation on account of the elegance of her dress. They partook of a ragout of mutton and left that place to enter a ball-room in which she pressed more closely to his side. In fifteen minutes her curiosity was satisfied and he conducted her home. Then followed a series of visits to all sorts of places of amusement. Duroy soon began to tire of those expeditions, for he had exhausted all his resources and all means of obtaining money. In addition to that he owed Forestier a hundred francs, Jacques Rival three hundred, and he was hampered with innumerable petty debts ranging from twenty francs to one hundred sous.

他们去了一家酒馆，那里也供应饭食。克洛蒂尔德衣着优雅，因此，她走进酒馆就引起了轰动。他们吃光了一份蔬菜炖羊肉，然后离开了那个地方，进入一个舞厅；在那里，她更亲密地紧贴在他身边。十五分钟后，她的好奇心得到了满足，于是他把她带回她家去。接着的是一连串到各种娱乐场所的游玩。很快，迪鲁瓦开始厌倦了这种出行，因为他已经用尽了他所有的资财和所有弄到钱的方法。除此之外，他欠了福雷斯捷一百法郎，欠雅克·里瓦尔三百法郎，而且他还被数不清的从二十法郎到一百苏的小额债务束缚着。

On the fourteenth of December, he was left without a sou in his pocket. As he had often done before, he did not lunch, and spent the afternoon working at the office. At four o'clock he received a telegram from Mme. de Marelle, saying: "Shall we dine together and afterward have a frolic?"

十二月十四号，他口袋里一苏钱都不剩了。像他以前经常干的一样，他不吃午饭，并且下午在报社工作。四点时，他收到了一封来自德马雷勒夫人的电报，上面说：“我们一起吃晚饭，然后嬉闹一番，好吗？”

He replied at once: "Impossible to dine," then he added: "But I will expect you at our apartments at nine o'clock.”Having sent a boy with the note in order to save the money for a telegram, he tried to think of some way by which he could obtain his evening meal. He waited until all of his associates had gone and when he was alone, he rang for the porter, put his hand in his pocket and said: "Foucart, I have left my purse at home and I have to dine at the Luxembourg. Lend me fifty sous to pay for my cab."

他立即答复说：“不能和你吃晚饭。”接着他补充道：“但我九点会在我们的公寓等你。”为了省下发电报的钱，他让一个男孩把纸条送去，然后他试着想出一些能吃到晚饭的方法。他等着，直到他所有同事都走了、他独自一人时，他按铃叫来门房，把手放进口袋里说：“富卡尔，我把钱包落在家里了，而我得去卢森堡参加晚宴。借给我五十苏来付马车费吧。”

The man handed him three francs and asked: "Is that enough?"

那个人递给他三法郎问：“这些够吗？”

"Yes, thank you."Taking the coins, Duroy rushed down the staircase and dined at a cookshop.“够了，谢谢你。”迪鲁瓦拿起那些硬币，冲下楼梯，在一家小餐馆吃了晚饭。

At nine o'clock, Mme. de Marelle, whom he awaited in the tiny salon, arrived. She wished to take a walk and he objected. His opposition irritated her.

九点钟，他在小客厅里等着的德马雷勒夫人到了。她想去散散步，但他反对了。他的反对激怒了她。

"I shall go alone, then. Adieu!"“那么，我一个人去。再见！”

Seeing that the situation was becoming grave, he seized her hands and kissed them, saying: "Pardon me, darling; I am nervous and out of sorts this evening. I have been annoyed by business matters."

看到情况正变得严重起来，他抓住她的双手吻了吻，说：“对不起，亲爱的；今晚我神经紧张、心情不好。我一直在为工作的事烦恼。”

Somewhat appeased but still, vexed, she replied: "That does not concern me; I will not be the butt for your ill humor."

她的怒气稍微平息了些，但仍恼火，她答道：“那和我没关系，我才不会做你的出气筒。”

He clasped her in his arms and murmured his apologies. Still she persisted in her desire to go out.

他把她抱在怀里，并低声道歉。她仍然坚持想出去。

"I beseech you, remain here by the fire with me. Say yes."“我求求你，留在这里，和我呆在炉火边吧。答应我。”

"No," she replied, "I will not yield to your caprices."“不，”她回答说，“我不会迁就你那些反复无常的想法。”

He insisted: "I have a reason, a serious reason—”

他坚持道：“我是有原因的，一个重要的原因——”

"If you will not go with me, I shall go alone. Adieu!"“如果你不跟我去的话，我就自己一个人去。再见！”

She disengaged herself from his embrace and fled to the door. He followed her: "Listen Clo, my little Clo, listen to me—”

她从他的拥抱中挣脱出来，并跑到门口。他跟上她：“听着，克洛，我的小克洛，听我说——”

She shook her head, evaded his caresses and tried to escape from his encircling arms.

她摇摇头，避开他的吻，并试着从他拥过来的双臂中逃脱出来。

"I have a reason—”“我是有原因的——”

Looking him in the face, she said: "You lie! What is it?"

她看着他的脸说：“你撒谎！什么原因？”

He colored, and in order to avoid a rupture, confessed in accents of despair: "I have no money!"

他脸红了，为了避免关系破裂，他绝望地坦白道：“我没钱了！”

She would not believe him until he had turned all his pockets inside out, to prove his words. Then she fell upon his breast: "Oh, my poor darling! Had I known! How did it happen?"

她不相信他，直到他把所有的口袋翻出来以证明自己的话，她才相信了。然后，她扑在他胸膛上说：“啊，我可怜的宝贝！我早知道就好了！怎么会这样的？”

He invented a touching story to this effect: That his father was in straitened circumstances, that he had given him not only his savings, but had run himself into debt.

他虚构了一个动人的故事，大意是这样的：他父亲境况窘迫，他不仅把自己的积蓄给了他，而且还欠了债。

"I shall have to starve for the next six months."“接下来的六个月，我得挨饿了。”

"Shall I lend you some?" she whispered.“我借你些钱吧？”她耳语道。

He replied with dignity: "You are very kind, dearest; but do not mention that again; it wounds me."

他不失尊严地回答：“你太好了，亲爱的；但不要再提这件事了；那会伤害我。”

She murmured: "You will never know how much I love you."On taking leave of him, she asked: "Shall we meet again the day after to-morrow?”

她低声说：“你永远不会了解我有多么爱你。”向他告别时，她问道：“我们后天再见面吧？”

"Certainly."“当然好啊。”

"At the same time?"“还是这个时间？”

"Yes, my darling."“好的，亲爱的。”

They parted.

他们分开了。

When Duroy opened his bedroom door and fumbled in his vest pocket for a match, he was amazed to find in it a piece of money—a twenty-franc piece! At first he wondered by what miracle it had got there; suddenly it occurred to him that Mme. de Marelle had given him alms! Angry and humiliated, he determined to return it when next they met. The next morning it was late when he awoke; he tried to overcome his hunger. He went out and as he passed the restaurants he could scarcely resist their temptations. At noon he said: "Bah, I shall lunch upon Clotilde's twenty francs; that will not hinder me from returning the money to-morrow.”

当迪鲁瓦打开卧室房门、在背心口袋里摸索火柴时，他吃惊地在里面找了一枚硬币——一枚二十法郎的硬币！开始，他还想，是什么奇迹让它到自己口袋里去的；突然，他想到，这是德马雷勒夫人给他的施舍！他又愤怒又屈辱，决定在他们下次见面时把它还回去。第二天早上，他醒来时已经很晚了；他试图战胜饥饿。他出门去了，当他路过餐馆时，简直无法抵挡它们的诱惑。中午时，他说：“呸，我用克洛蒂尔德的二十法郎吃午饭吧；那也不妨碍我明天把钱还给她。”

He ate his lunch, for which he paid two francs fifty, and on entering the office of "La Vie Francaise" he repaid the porter the three francs he had borrowed from him. He worked until seven o'clock, then he dined, and he continued to draw upon the twenty francs until only four francs twenty remained. He decided to say to Mme. de Marelle upon her arrival: "I found the twenty-franc piece you slipped into my pocket. I will not return the money to-day, but I will repay you when we next meet.”

他花了两个半法郎吃了午饭，然后，在走进《法兰西生活报》的办公室时，他把从门房那里借的三法郎还给了他。他一直工作到七点下班，然后吃了晚饭；接着，他继续花着那二十法郎，一直花到只剩四法郎二十生丁。他决定在德马雷勒夫人到来时对她说：“我发现了你偷偷放进我口袋里的那枚二十法郎硬币。我今天没法把钱还给你，但我会在下次我们见面时还给你。”

When Madame came, he dared not broach the delicate subject. They spent the evening together and appointed their next meeting for Wednesday of the following week, for Mme. de Marelle had a number of engagements. Duroy continued to accept money from Clotilde and quieted his conscience by assuring himself: "I will give it back in a lump. It is nothing but borrowed money anyway."So he kept account of all that he received in order to pay it back some day.

夫人来到时，他不敢提起这个敏感的话题。他们一起度过了那个晚上，并且，由于德马雷勒夫人有好几个约会，他们把下次会面定在下周三。迪鲁瓦继续接受着克洛蒂尔德给的钱，并且，为了安慰自己的良心，他向自己保证道：“我会把钱一并还给她。不管怎样，这只是借的钱而已。”所以，他把收到的所有钱都记录下来，以便来日将它奉还。

One evening, Mme. de Marelle said to him: "Would you believe that I have never been to the Folies-Bergeres; will you take me there?”

一天晚上，德马雷勒夫人对他说：“你相信我从来没有去过‘风流牧羊女’娱乐场吗？你愿意带我去那里吗？”

He hesitated, fearing a meeting with Rachel. Then he thought: "Bah, I am not married after all. If she should see me, she would take in the situation and not accost me. Moreover, we would have a box."

他犹豫了，害怕碰到拉谢尔。然后他想：“呸，毕竟我还没结婚呢。如果她看到我，她会理解这个情况，并且不和我说话的。此外，我们会有个包厢的。”

When they entered the hall, it was crowded; with difficulty they made their way to their seats. Mme. de Marelle did not look at the stage; she was interested in watching the women who were promenading, and she felt an irresistible desire to touch them, to see of what those beings were made. Suddenly she said: "There is a large brunette who stares at us all the time. I think every minute she will speak to us. Have you seen her?"

他们进入大厅时，里面很拥挤；他们吃力地向座位走去。德马雷勒夫人没有看舞台；她感兴趣地看着那些漫步着的女人，她有种无法抗拒的欲望，想摸摸她们，想看看这些人是用什么做的。突然，她说道：“那里有个深褐色头发的胖女人，她一直盯着我们。我想，她随时会和我们说话。你看到她了吗？”

He replied: "No, you are mistaken."

他答道：“没呀，你看错了。”

He told an untruth, for he had noticed the woman, who was no other than Rachel, with anger in her eyes and violent words upon her lips.

他撒了个谎，因为他已经注意到那个女人了，她正是拉谢尔；她眼里透着怒气，嘴上言辞激烈。

Duroy had passed her when he and Mme. de Marelle entered and she had said to him: "Good evening," in a low voice and with a wink which said "I understand."But he had not replied; for fear of being seen by his sweetheart he passed her coldly, disdainfully. The woman, her jealousy aroused, followed the couple and said in a louder key: "Good evening, Georges."He paid no heed to her. Then she was determined to be recognized and she remained near their box, awaiting a favorable moment. When she saw that she was observed by Mme. de Marelle, she touched Duroy's shoulder with the tip of her finger, and said: "Good evening. How are you?"

迪鲁瓦和德马雷勒夫人进来时，他曾从她身边经过，她低声对他说：“晚上好”，同时使了个眼色，意思是说：“我明白。”但他没有回答；因为害怕被他的情人看见，他冷淡地、轻蔑地从她身边走过去了。那个女人的妒意被激发了，她跟着这对情侣，并更大声地说：“晚上好，乔治。”他没有理她。然后，她决心要迪鲁瓦认出她，她在他们的包厢附近逗留，等待有利的时机。当她看到德马雷勒夫人正在观察她时，她用指尖碰了碰迪鲁瓦的肩膀说：“晚上好啊。你好吗？”

But Georges did not turn his head.

但是乔治没有回头。

She continued: "Have you grown deaf since Thursday?"

她接着说：“自星期四之后，你就变聋了？”

Still he did not reply. She laughed angrily and cried: "Are you dumb, too? Perhaps Madame has your tongue?"

他仍然不回答。她生气地大笑着喊道：“你也哑了么？也许这位夫人把你的舌头拿走了？”

With a furious glance, Duroy then exclaimed: "How dare you accost me? Go along or I will have you arrested."

于是，迪鲁瓦非常生气地看了她一眼，喊道：“你怎么敢和我搭讪？走开，否则我会叫人逮捕你。”

With flaming eyes, she cried: "Ah, is that so! Because you are with another is no reason that you cannot recognize me. If you had made the least sign of recognition when you passed me, I would not have molested you. You did not even say good evening to me when you met me."

她两眼冒着火，喊道：“啊，是这样的啊！不能因为你跟另一个女人在一起，就认不出我了。你从我身边走过时，如果你稍稍表示一下你认识我，我就不会干扰你了。你碰见我时，甚至都没和我说声晚上好。”

During that tirade Mme. de Marelle in affright opened the door of the box and fled through the crowd seeking an exit. Duroy rushed after her. Rachel, seeing him disappear, cried: "Stop her! she has stolen my lover!"

在那滔滔不绝的责骂中，德马雷勒夫人惊恐地打开包厢门跑了出去，她穿过人群，寻找着出口。迪鲁瓦追着她冲了出去。看到他跑出去，拉谢尔喊道：“拦住她！她偷走了我的情人！”

Two men seized the fugitive by the shoulder, but Duroy, who had caught up with her, bade them desist, and together he and Clotilde reached the street.

两个男人抓住了逃跑的德马雷勒夫人的肩膀，但迪鲁瓦追上了她，让他们住手，并和克洛蒂尔德一起到了街上。

They entered a cab. The cabman asked: "Where shall I drive to?"Duroy replied: "Where you will!"

他们进了一辆马车。马车夫问：“你们要去哪里？”迪鲁瓦回答道：“随你的便！”

Clotilde sobbed hysterically. Duroy did not know what to say or do. At length he stammered: "Listen Clo—my dearest Clo, let me explain. It is not my fault. I knew that woman—long ago—”

克洛蒂尔德歇斯底里地啜泣着。迪鲁瓦不知道该说什么，或做什么。终于，他结结巴巴地说：“听着，克洛……我最亲爱的克洛，让我解释。这不是我的错。我认识那个女人……是在很久以前……”

She raised her head and with the fury of a betrayed woman, she cried disconnectedly: "Ah, you miserable fellow—what a rascal you are! Is it possible? What disgrace, oh, my God! You gave her my money—did you not? I gave him the money—for that woman—oh, the wretch!”

她抬起头，非常生气自己被背叛了，她断断续续地喊道：“啊，你这个卑鄙的家伙……你真是个无赖！这是真的吗？多丢人啊，哦，天哪！你把我的钱给她了……是不是？我给他钱……他给了那个女人……啊，无耻之徒！”

For several moments she seemed to be vainly seeking an epithet more forcible. Suddenly leaning forward she grasped the cabman's sleeve. "Stop!" she cried, and opening the door, she alighted. Georges was about to follow her but she commanded: "I forbid you to follow me," in a voice so loud that the passers-by crowded around her, and Duroy dared not stir for fear of a scandal.

有一会儿，她似乎在找更强有力的表述词，却没有找到。突然，她倾身向前，抓住车夫的袖子。“停下！”她喊道，然后打开车门，跳下车。乔治正打算跟着她，但她命令道：“不许跟着我！”她的声音很大，以至于路人都围在了她身边，迪鲁瓦担心传出丑闻，一动都不敢动。

She drew out her purse, and taking two francs fifty from it, she handed it to the cabman, saying aloud: "Here is the money for your hour. Take that rascal to Rue Boursault at Batignolles!"

她拿出钱包，从里面取出两个半法郎，把它递给车夫，大声说：“这是给你的车钱。把这个流氓带到巴蒂尼奥勒的布尔索街！”

The crowd applauded; one man said: "Bravo, little one!" and the cab moved on, followed by the jeers of the bystanders.

人群发出喝彩声；一个男人说：“好样的，小宝贝！”然后，马车继续前进，后面传来旁观者的嘲笑声。CHAPTER VI. A Step Upward

第六章更进一步

The next morning Georges Duroy arose, dressed himself, and determined to have money; he sought Forestier. His friend received him in his study.

第二天早上，乔治·迪鲁瓦起床穿好衣服，决定弄些钱；他去找福雷斯捷。他的朋友在书房接待了他。

"What made you rise so early?" he asked.“你怎么起得这么早？”他问。

"A very serious matter. I have a debt of honor."“一件非常重要的事。我欠了笔信用上的债。”

"A gaming debt?"“一笔赌债？”

He hesitated, then repeated: "A gaming debt."

他犹豫了，然后重复道：“一笔赌债。”

"Is it large?"“金额大吗？”

"Five hundred francs."He only needed two hundred and eighty.“五百法郎。”他只需要二百八十法郎。

Forestier asked sceptically: "To whom do you owe that amount?"

福雷斯捷怀疑地问：“你欠谁那些钱？”

Duroy did not reply at once. "To—to—a—M. de Carleville.”

迪鲁瓦没有立刻回答。“欠……欠……一位……德卡勒维尔先生。”

"Ah, where does he live?"“啊，他住在哪里？”

"Rue—Rue—”“在……在……”

Forestier laughed. "I know the gentleman! If you want twenty francs you can have them, but no more."

福雷斯捷笑起来。“我认识这位先生！如果你想要二十法郎，我可以给你，但再多就不行了。”

Duroy took the gold-piece, called upon more friends, and by five o'clock had collected eighty francs. As he required two hundred more, he kept what he had begged and muttered: "I shall not worry about it. I will pay it when I can."

迪鲁瓦收下了这枚金币，拜访了其他朋友，五点前，他凑到了八十法郎。因为他还需要二百法郎，他就把讨来的钱留下，咕哝道：“我不必为此担心。等我能还时，我会还回去的。”

For two weeks he lived economically, but at the end of that time, the good resolutions he had formed vanished, and one evening he returned to the Folies Bergeres in search of Rachel; but the woman was implacable and heaped coarse insults upon him, until he felt his cheeks tingle and he left the hall.

他省吃俭用地过了两周，但最终，他下的好决心却消失得无影无踪了。于是，一天晚上，他回到“风流牧羊女”娱乐场找拉谢尔；但他安抚不好那个女人，她说了许多粗俗的话来辱骂他，直到他觉得双颊刺痛并离开了大厅。

Forestier, out of health and feeble, made Duroy's existence at the office insupportable. The latter did not reply to his rude remarks, but determined to be avenged. He called upon Mme. Forestier. He found her reclining upon a couch, reading. She held out her hand without rising and said: "Good morning, Bel-Ami!”

健康不佳、身体虚弱的福雷斯捷使迪鲁瓦在报社里忍无可忍。后者对他粗鲁的言语不予回击，却下决心报复。他拜访了福雷斯捷夫人。他看到她斜倚在一张长沙发上看书。她没有起身，伸出她的手说：“早上好，漂亮朋友！”

"Why do you call me by that name?"“您为什么叫我那个名字？”

She replied with a smile: "I saw Mme. de Marelle last week and I know what they have christened you at her house."

她微笑着回答说：“上周我见到德马雷勒夫人，我就知道她们在家给您起的名字了。”

He took a seat near his hostess and glanced at her curiously; she was a charming blonde, fair and plump, made for caresses, and he thought: "She is certainly nicer than the other one."He did not doubt that he would only have to extend his hand in order to gather the fruit. As he gazed upon her she chided him for his neglect of her.

他在女主人身边坐下，好奇地看着她；她金发碧眼、漂亮迷人、白皙丰满，是为爱抚而生的，于是他想：“她确实比另一位好看。”他相信，要收获这果实，他只需要伸出手。当他注视着她时，她责备他忽视了她。

He replied: "I did not come because it was for the best—”

他答道：“我不来是因为这样最好——”

"How? Why?"“怎么这么说？为什么？”

"Why? Can you not guess?"“为什么？您猜不到么？”

"No!"“猜不到！”

"Because I loved you; a little, only a little, and I did not wish to love you any more."“因为我爱您；一点，只有一点，而我不愿再更加爱您了。”

She did not seem surprised, nor flattered; she smiled indifferently and replied calmly: "Oh, you can come just the same; no one loves me long."

她似乎并不吃惊，也不觉得荣幸，她冷淡地笑笑，平静地回答道：“哦，您可以照常来；任何人爱我的时间都不长。”

"Why not?"“为什么不长呢？”

"Because it is useless, and I tell them so at once. If you had confessed your fears to me sooner, I would have reassured you. My dear friend, a man in love is not only foolish but dangerous. I cease all intercourse with people who love me or pretend to; firstly, because they bore me, and secondly, because I look upon them with dread, as I would upon a mad dog. I know that your love is only a kind of appetite; while with me it would be a communion of souls. Now, look me in the face—” she no longer smiled. "I will never be your sweetheart; it is therefore useless for you to persist in your efforts. And now that I have explained, shall we be friends?"“因为这是枉费心机，我会立刻这么告诉他们。假如您早些对我坦白您的担心，我会让您安心的。我亲爱的朋友，一个陷入爱河的男人不仅是愚蠢的，而且是危险的。我与爱我、或自称爱我的人都断绝了来往；首先，因为他们令我厌烦；而其次，因为我带着惧怕看待他们，我看他们就像看疯狗一样。我知道你们的爱情只是一种欲望，而对于我来说，它是一种灵魂的交流。现在，看着我的脸——”她不再微笑，“我永远不会做您的情人；所以，您一意孤行是无用的。既然现在我已经解释过了，我们能做朋友吗？”

He knew that that sentence was irrevocable, and delighted to be able to form such an alliance as she proposed, he extended both hands, saying: "I am yours, Madame, to do with as you will."

他知道说过的话无法改变，而他也高兴能像她提议的那样，建立这样一种关系，他伸出双手说：“我是您的，夫人，按您的意愿来办。”

He kissed her hands and raising his head said: "If I had found a woman like you, how gladly would I have married her."

他吻了吻她的双手，抬起头说：“假如我找到了一位像您这样的女人，我会多么乐意同她结婚啊。”

She was touched by those words, and in a soft voice, placing her hand upon his arm, she said: "I am going to begin my offices at once. You are not diplomatic—” she hesitated. "May I speak freely?"

她被这些话感动了，于是把手放在他手臂上，温柔地说：“我要马上开始尽我的职责了。您不老练——”她犹豫道，“我能直率地说吗？”

"Yes."“可以。”

"Call upon Mme. Walter who has taken a fancy to you. But be guarded as to your compliments, for she is virtuous. You will make a better impression there by being careful in your remarks. I know that your position at the office is unsatisfactory, but do not worry; all their employees are treated alike."“去拜访瓦尔特夫人，她喜欢您。但注意您的恭维话，因为她品性正直。注意您的言论，您就会在那里留下更好的印象。我知道您在报馆的职位不令人满意，但是不用担心；他们的所有员工都被以同样的方式对待。”

He said: "Thanks; you are an angel—a guardian angel.”

他说：“谢谢；您是天使——一位守护天使。”

As he took his leave, he asked again: "Are we friends—is it settled?”

临走时，他又问道：“我们是朋友了么——就这么定了？”

"It is."“是的。”

Having observed the effect of his last compliment, he said: "If you ever become a widow, I have put in my application!"Then he left the room hastily in order not to allow her time to be angry.

他注意到了自己上次恭维话的效果，说道：“如果您什么时候成了寡妇，我提出过申请了！”然后，他匆忙离开房间，不容她有时间生气。

Duroy did not like to call on Mme. Walter, for he had never been invited, and he did not wish to commit a breach of etiquette. The manager had been kind to him, appreciated his services, employed him to do difficult work, why should he not profit by that show of favor to call at his house? One day, therefore, he repaired to the market and bought twenty-five pears. Having carefully arranged them in a basket to make them appear as if they came from a distance he took them to Mme. Walter's door with his card on which was inscribed: "Georges Duroy begs Mme. Walter to accept the fruit which he received this morning from Normandy."

迪鲁瓦不愿去拜访瓦尔特夫人，因为他从未被邀请过，不愿做出违反礼节的事。老板对他还不错，欣赏他的工作，让他做困难的工作；为什么他不利用这种好感的表示来拜访他家呢？因此，一天，他去了市场，并买了二十五个梨。他把它们小心翼翼地排列在篮子里，让它们看起来就像是从远方运来的一样；然后，他把它们送到瓦尔特夫人家门口，并留下卡片，上面写着：“乔治·迪鲁瓦请瓦尔特夫人笑纳他今早收到的、来自诺曼底的水果。”

The following day he found in his letter-box at the office an envelope containing Mme. Walter's card on which was written: "Mme. Walter thanks M. Georges Duroy very much, and is at home on Saturdays."

第二天，他在办公室他的信箱里发现了一个装有瓦尔特夫人卡片的信封，上面写着：“瓦尔特夫人非常感谢乔治·迪鲁瓦先生，夫人每周六都在家。”

The next Saturday he called. M. Walter lived on Boulevard Malesherbes in a double house which he owned. The reception-rooms were on the first floor. In the antechamber were two footmen; one took Duroy's overcoat, the other his cane, put it aside, opened a door and announced the visitor's name. In the large mirror in the apartment Duroy could see the reflection of people seated in another room. He passed through two drawing-rooms and entered a small boudoir in which four ladies were gathered around a tea-table. Notwithstanding the assurance he had gained during his life in Paris, and especially since he had been thrown in contact with so many noted personages, Duroy felt abashed. He stammered: "Madame, I took the liberty."

下个周六，他拜访了瓦尔特夫人。瓦尔特先生住在马勒塞布大街上，在一座两幢相连的、属于他自己的楼房里。接待室在二楼。两个男仆在接待室里；一个接过迪鲁瓦的大衣，另一个接过他的手杖，把它放在旁边，打开一扇门并通报来访者的姓名。在房间里的那面大镜子里，迪鲁瓦可以看到坐在另一个房间里的人的影像。他穿过两间客厅，然后进入一间小会客室，会客室里，四位女士正聚集在一张茶几周围。尽管迪鲁瓦在巴黎生活期间，特别是自从他接触了那么多名人后，已获得了些自信，他还是觉得窘迫。他结结巴巴地说：“夫人，我冒昧了。”

The mistress of the house extended her hand and said to him: "You are very kind, M. Duroy, to come to see me."She pointed to a chair. The ladies chatted on. Visitors came and went. Mme. Walter noticed that Duroy said nothing, that no one addressed him, that he seemed disconcerted, and she drew him into the conversation which dealt with the admission of a certain M. Linet to the Academy. When Duroy had taken his leave, one of the ladies said: "How odd he is! Who is he?"

房屋的女主人伸出手并对他说：“迪鲁瓦先生，您来看我，真是太好了。”她指向一把椅子。那些女士们继续闲谈着。来访者们来来去去。瓦尔特夫人注意到迪鲁瓦一言不发，没有人和他说话，他似乎有些窘迫，就引他加入讨论中，讨论关于某位利内先生入选法兰西学院的问题。迪鲁瓦离开后，其中一位女士说：“他多么奇特啊！他是谁？”

Mme. Walter replied: "One of our reporters; he only occupies a minor position, but I think he will advance rapidly."

瓦尔特夫人回答说：“我们的一名记者；他目前只占据着一个次要职位，但我相信他会青云直上的。”

In the meantime, while he was being discussed, Duroy walked gaily down Boulevard Malesherbes.

与此同时，当他们在谈论迪鲁瓦时，他正愉快地走下马勒塞布大街。

The following week he was appointed editor of the "Echoes," and invited to dine at Mme. Walter's. The "Echoes" were, M. Walter said, the very pith of the paper. Everything and everybody should be remembered, all countries, all professions, Paris and the provinces, the army, the arts, the clergy, the schools, the rulers, and the courtiers. The man at the head of that department should be wide awake, always on his guard, quick to judge of what was best to be said and best to be omitted, to divine what would please the public and to present it well. Duroy was just the man for the place.

接下来的那个星期，他被任命为“回声”栏的主编，并且被邀请去瓦尔特夫人家吃饭。瓦尔特先生说，“回声”栏正是这报纸的核心。要记下每件事、每个人：所有国家、各行各业、巴黎和外省、军队、艺术、牧师、学校、统治者以及廷臣。居于那个部门首位的人应该机警清醒、总是小心谨慎，应该迅速判断最好要说什么、省略什么，应该预料到什么将迎合公众并把它很好地报道出来。迪鲁瓦恰好是适合这个职位的人。

He was enjoying the fact of his promotion, when he received an engraved card which read: "M. and Mme. Walter request the pleasure of M. Georges Duroy's company at dinner on Thursday, January 20.”

当他正在享受自己升职之事带来的乐趣时，他收到了一张镌版印的卡片，上面写着：“瓦尔特先生和夫人恭请乔治·迪鲁瓦先生光临，于一月二十日星期四共进晚餐。”

He was so delighted that he kissed the invitation as if it had been a love-letter.

迪鲁瓦高兴得对着请柬亲起来，好像那是一封情书。

Then he sought the cashier to settle the important question of his salary. At first twelve hundred francs were allowed Duroy, who intended to save a large share of the money. He was busy two days getting settled in his new position, in a large room, one end of which he occupied, and the other end of which was allotted to Boisrenard, who

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