🔊 The Rostóvs’ monetary affairs had not improved during the two years they had spent in the country.

在乡下度过的两年里,罗斯托夫一家的经济状况并未好转。

🔊

monetary /ˈmʌnɪt(ə)ri/

adj. 货币的；金融的➕

🔊 Though Nicholas Rostóv had kept firmly to his resolution and was still serving modestly in an obscure regiment, spending comparatively little, the way of life at Otrádnoe-Mítenka’s management of affairs, in particular-was such that the debts inevitably increased every year. The only resource obviously presenting itself to the old count was to apply for an official post, so he had come to Petersburg to look for one and also, as he said, to let the lassies enjoy themselves for the last time.

尽管尼古拉·罗斯托夫坚守自己的决心,仍然默默在一个不起眼的团里服役,开支相对较少,但奥特拉德诺耶的生活方式--尤其是米坚卡的管理--使得债务每年不可避免地增加。老伯爵眼前唯一的出路显然是谋求一份公职,于是他便来到彼得堡寻找机会,同时,用他的话来说,也要让姑娘们最后再享受一番。

🔊

modestly /ˈmɒdɪstli/

adv. 谦虚地；适度地➕

🔊

obscure /əbˈskjʊə(r)/

adj. 无名的；模糊的；费解的➕

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regiment /ˈredʒɪmənt/

n. 军团；团（军队编制单位）➕

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comparatively /kəmˈpærətɪvli/

adv. 相对地；比较地➕

🔊

inevitably /ɪnˈevɪtəbli/

adv. 不可避免地；必然地➕

🔊 Soon after their arrival in Petersburg Berg proposed to Véra and was accepted.

他们抵达彼得堡后不久,贝格就向薇拉求婚,并被接受了。

🔊 Though in Moscow the Rostóvs belonged to the best society without themselves giving it a thought, yet in Petersburg their circle of acquaintances was a mixed and indefinite one. In Petersburg they were provincials, and the very people they had entertained in Moscow without inquiring to what set they belonged, here looked down on them.

虽然在莫斯科时,罗斯托夫一家从未想过,自己属于上流社会,但实际上正是如此；然而到了彼得堡,他们结识的人却鱼龙混杂。在彼得堡,他们被视为外省人,那些在莫斯科时他们曾招待过、从不过问其所属阶层的人,在此地却对他们投以轻蔑的目光。

🔊

indefinite /ɪnˈdefɪnət/

adj. 不明确的；不确定的➕

🔊

provincials /prəˈvɪnʃlz/

n. 乡下人；外省人（指来自首都以外地区的人）➕

🔊 The Rostóvs lived in the same hospitable way in Petersburg as in Moscow, and the most diverse people met at their suppers. Country neighbours from Otrádnoe, impoverished old squires and their daughters, Perónskaya a maid of honor, Pierre Bezúkhov, and the son of their district postmaster who had obtained a post in Petersburg. Among the men who very soon became frequent visitors at the Rostóvs’ house in Petersburg were Borís, Pierre whom the count had met in the street and dragged home with him, and Berg who spent whole days at the Rostóvs’ and paid the eldest daughter, Countess Véra, the attentions a young man pays when he intends to propose.

罗斯托夫一家在彼得堡仍然像在莫斯科一样好客,晚餐时聚集着形形色色的人:来自奥特拉德诺耶的乡下邻居、破落的老乡绅及其女儿、宫中女官佩龙斯卡娅、皮埃尔·别祖霍夫,以及他们在本县邮政局长的儿子--那位已在彼得堡谋得职位的人。很快便成为罗斯托夫一家在彼得堡府上常客的男人有:鲍里斯,还有伯爵在街上遇见并硬拉回家的皮埃尔,以及整天待在罗斯托夫一家家里、对长女薇拉伯爵小姐大献殷勤的贝格--那种殷勤是年轻人打算求婚时才会献上的。

🔊

hospitable /hɒˈspɪtəbl/

adj. 好客的；热情友好的➕

🔊

diverse /daɪˈvɜːrs/

adj. 不同的；多种多样的➕

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impoverished /ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃt/

adj. 贫困的；穷困的➕

🔊 Not in vain had Berg shown everybody his right hand wounded at Austerlitz and held a perfectly unnecessary sword in his left. He narrated that episode so persistently and with so important an air that everyone believed in the merit and usefulness of his deed, and he had obtained two decorations for Austerlitz. In the Finnish war he also managed to distinguish himself. He had picked up the scrap of a grenade that had killed an aide-de-camp standing near the commander-in-chief and had taken it to his commander. Just as he had done after Austerlitz, he related this occurrence at such length and so insistently that everyone again believed it had been necessary to do this, and he received two decorations for the Finnish war also. In 1809 he was a captain in the Guards, wore medals, and held some special lucrative posts in Petersburg. Though some skeptics smiled when told of Berg’s merits, it could not be denied that he was a painstaking and brave officer, on excellent terms with his superiors, and a moral young man with a brilliant career before him and an assured position in society.

贝格向每个人展示他在奥斯特里茨战役中受伤的右手,左手则握着一把完全多余的剑,这并非徒劳。他坚持不懈地讲述那段经历,语气如此郑重其事,以致人人都相信他那份功绩的价值和用处,于是他因奥斯特里茨而获得了两枚勋章。在芬兰战争中,他也设法出了风头。他捡起一枚炸死了总司令身旁一位副官的榴弹碎片,并把它呈给了自己的指挥官。正如他在奥斯特里茨之后所做的那样,他长篇大论、不厌其烦地讲述这件事,使得大家再次相信这样做确实必要,于是他又为芬兰战争获得了两次嘉奖。1809年,他已是近卫军的一名上尉,佩戴着勋章,并在彼得堡担任一些特殊而有油水的职务。尽管有些怀疑论者听到贝格的功劳时会露出微笑,但无可否认,他是一位勤勉勇敢的军官,与上司关系极佳,且品行端正,前途光明,在社交界地位稳固。

🔊

narrated /nəˈreɪtɪd/

v. 叙述；讲述➕

🔊

episode /ˈepɪsəʊd/

n. 插曲；片段；一集➕

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persistently /pərˈsɪstəntli/

adv. 坚持不懈地；持续地➕

🔊

decorations /ˌdekəˈreɪʃnz/

n. 装饰品；勋章（常用复数）➕

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distinguish /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/

v. 区分；使出众➕

🔊

scrap /skræp/

n. 碎片；小块➕

🔊

grenade /ɡrəˈneɪd/

n. 手榴弹➕

🔊

aide-de-camp /ˌeɪd də ˈkɒ̃/

n. 副官（常指高级军官的助手）➕

🔊

commander-in-chief /kəˌmɑːndər ɪn ˈtʃiːf/

n. 总司令➕

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occurrence /əˈkʌrəns/

n. 事件；发生的事情➕

🔊

insistently /ɪnˈsɪstəntli/

adv. 坚持地；迫切地➕

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lucrative /ˈluːkrətɪv/

adj. 有利可图的；赚钱的➕

🔊

skeptics /ˈskeptɪks/

n. 怀疑者（复数）➕

🔊

painstaking /ˈpeɪnzteɪkɪŋ/

adj. 煞费苦心的；勤勉的➕

🔊 Four years before, meeting a German comrade in the stalls of a Moscow theatre, Berg had pointed out Véra Rostóva to him and had said in German, "das soll mein Weib werden," and from that moment had made up his mind to marry her. Now in Petersburg, having considered the Rostóvs’ position and his own, he decided that the time had come to propose. Berg’s proposal was at first received with a perplexity that was not flattering to him. At first it seemed strange that the son of an obscure Livonian gentleman should propose marriage to a Countess Rostóva; but Berg’s chief characteristic was such a naïve and good-natured egotism that the Rostóvs involuntarily came to think it would be a good thing, since he himself was so firmly convinced that it was good, indeed excellent. Moreover, the Rostóvs’ affairs were seriously embarrassed, as the suitor could not but know; and above all, Véra was twenty-four, had been taken out everywhere, and though she was certainly good-looking and sensible, no one up to now had proposed to her. So they gave their consent.

四年前,贝格在莫斯科一家剧院的正厅前座遇见一位德国同僚,他曾指着薇拉·罗斯托娃对他说德语:“das soll mein Weib werden”,从那一刻起,他就下定决心要娶她。如今在彼得堡,他权衡了罗斯托夫一家的地位和自己的状况,认定时机已到,便求婚了。贝格的求婚起初让众人感到困惑,这对他来说并非什么光彩事。起初,一个默默无闻的利沃尼亚绅士的儿子竟向一位罗斯托娃伯爵小姐求婚,似乎有些古怪；但贝格的主要特点是一种天真而善良的自私,这使得罗斯托夫一家不由自主地认为这未尝不是件好事--因为他本人如此坚信这是好事,甚至是很棒的事。再者,罗斯托夫一家的财务状况非常窘迫,这一点求婚者不可能不知道；最重要的是,薇拉已经二十四岁,出入过各种社交场合,虽然她确实漂亮懂事,但至今无人向她求婚。于是他们便同意了。

🔊

perplexity /pərˈpleksəti/

n. 困惑；茫然➕

🔊

flattering /ˈflætərɪŋ/

adj. 奉承的；讨人喜欢的➕

🔊

characteristic /ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk/

n. 特征；特点➕

🔊

naïve /naɪˈiːv/

adj. 天真的；幼稚的➕

🔊

good-natured /ˌɡʊd ˈneɪtʃərd/

adj. 脾气好的；和善的➕

🔊

egotism /ˈiːɡətɪzəm/

n. 自我主义；自大➕

🔊

involuntarily /ɪnˈvɒləntrəli/

adv. 不自觉地；无意识地➕

🔊

suitor /ˈsuːtər/

n. 求婚者；起诉者➕

🔊

sensible /ˈsensəbl/

adj. 明智的；合理的➕

🔊

consent /kənˈsent/

n. 同意；许可➕

🔊 "You see," said Berg to his comrade, whom he called "friend" only because he knew that everyone has friends, "you see, I have considered it all, and should not marry if I had not thought it all out or if it were in any way unsuitable. But on the contrary, my papa and mamma are now provided for-I have arranged that rent for them in the Baltic Provinces-and I can live in Petersburg on my pay, and with her fortune and my good management we can get along nicely. I am not marrying for money-I consider that dishonorable-but a wife should bring her share and a husband his. I have my position in the service, she has connections and some means. In our times that is worth something, isn’t it? But above all, she is a handsome, estimable girl, and she loves me...."

“你瞧,”贝格对他的同僚说道（他之所以称其为“朋友”,只因他知道人人都有朋友）,“你瞧,我全都考虑过了,若非深思熟虑,或有一丝不妥,我是不会结婚的。相反,我的父母如今已安置妥当--我在波罗的海省为他们安排了租金收入--我自己靠薪水就能在彼得堡生活,再加上她的嫁妆和我的妥善经营,我们可以过得很好。我不是为了钱才结婚--我认为那是不光彩的--但妻子应当带来她的一份,丈夫也应拿出他的。我有我的军职,她有她的关系和部分财产。在我们这个时代,这很重要,不是吗？但最重要的是,她是个漂亮、可敬的姑娘,而且她爱我……”

🔊

unsuitable /ʌnˈsuːtəbl/

adj. 不合适的；不适宜的➕

🔊

dishonorable /dɪsˈɒnərəbl/

adj. 不名誉的；可耻的➕

🔊

estimable /ˈestɪməbl/

adj. 值得尊敬的；可敬的➕

🔊 Berg blushed and smiled. "And I love her, because her character is sensible and very good. Now the other sister, though they are the same family, is quite different--an unpleasant character and has not the same intelligence. She is so... you know?... Unpleasant... But my fiancée!... Well, you will be coming," he was going to say, "to dine," but changed his mind and said "to take tea with us," and quickly doubling up his tongue he blew a small round ring of tobacco smoke, perfectly embodying his dream of happiness.

贝格涨红了脸,微笑道:“我也爱她,因为她的性格理智而极其善良。至于另一个妹妹,虽说是一家人,却截然不同--性格令人不悦,头脑也远不及她。她是如此……你知道的？……令人不快……但我的未婚妻！……嗯,你会来的,”他本想说“来吃饭”,但转念改为“来和我们一起喝茶”,然后迅速卷起舌头,吐出一个小小的圆形烟圈,完美地体现了他对幸福的憧憬。

🔊

fiancée /fiˈɒnseɪ/

n. 未婚妻➕

🔊

embodying /ɪmˈbɒdiɪŋ/

v. 体现；包含（现在分词）➕

🔊 After the first feeling of perplexity aroused in the parents by Berg’s proposal, the holiday tone of joyousness usual at such times took possession of the family, but the rejoicing was external and insincere. In the family’s feeling toward this wedding a certain awkwardness and constraint was evident, as if they were ashamed of not having loved Véra sufficiently and of being so ready to get her off their hands. The old count felt this most. He would probably have been unable to state the cause of his embarrassment, but it resulted from the state of his affairs. He did not know at all how much he had, what his debts amounted to, or what dowry he could give Véra. When his daughters were born he had assigned to each of them, for her dowry, an estate with three hundred serfs; but one of these estates had already been sold, and the other was mortgaged and the interest so much in arrears that it would have to be sold, so that it was impossible to give it to Véra. Nor had he any money. Berg had already been engaged a month, and only a week remained before the wedding, but the count had not yet decided in his own mind the question of the dowry, nor spoken to his wife about it. At one time the count thought of giving her the Ryazán estate or of selling a forest, at another time of borrowing money on a note of hand. A few days before the wedding Berg entered the count’s study early one morning and, with a pleasant smile, respectfully asked his future father-in-law to let him know what Véra’s dowry would be. The count was so disconcerted by this long-foreseen inquiry that without consideration he gave the first reply that came into his head. "I like your being businesslike about it... I like it. You shall be satisfied..." And patting Berg on the shoulder he got up, wishing to end the conversation. But Berg, smiling pleasantly, explained that if he did not know for certain how much Véra would have and did not receive at least part of the dowry in advance, he would have to break matters off. "Because, consider, Count-if I allowed myself to marry now without having definite means to maintain my wife, I should be acting badly...."

在贝格求婚最初给父母带来的困惑之后,那种通常在这些时刻出现的节日般的欢快气氛笼罩了全家,但这种欢乐是表面的、不真诚的。对于这场婚事,这家人的感情中明显带有某种别扭和拘束,仿佛他们为自己没有足够爱薇拉,这么急于把她打发出去而感到羞愧。老伯爵感受最深。他大概无法说清自己尴尬的原因,但这源于他的财务状况。他完全不知道自己有多少钱、欠了多少债,以及能给薇拉多少嫁妆。女儿们出生时,他曾为每人指定了一个拥有三百农奴的庄园作为嫁妆；但其中一个庄园已经卖掉,另一个则被抵押,利息拖欠甚多,以至于不得不卖掉,所以不可能把它给薇拉。他也没有现钱。贝格已经订婚一个月,离婚礼只剩一周,但伯爵仍未决定嫁妆的问题,也没跟妻子提起过。伯爵一会儿想给她梁赞的庄园,或卖掉一片树林；一会儿又想打借条借钱。婚礼前几天的一个清晨,贝格走进伯爵的书房,面带愉快的笑容,恭敬地询问未来的岳父,薇拉的嫁妆会是多少。伯爵对这个预料之中的问题措手不及,不假思索地给出了脑子里冒出的第一个回答:“我喜欢你这种务实的做法……我喜欢。你会满意的……”他拍了拍贝格的肩膀,站起身,想结束谈话。但贝格愉快地微笑着解释说,如果他不能确切知道薇拉会有多少钱、而且至少无法预先得到部分嫁妆的话,他就不得不取消婚事。“因为,伯爵,您想想--如果我现在结婚而没有明确的办法维持妻子的生计,那我的行为就很糟糕……”

🔊

insincere /ˌɪnsɪnˈsɪər/

adj. 不真诚的；虚假的➕

🔊

awkwardness /ˈɔːkwədnəs/

n. 尴尬；笨拙➕

🔊

constraint /kənˈstreɪnt/

n. 约束；限制➕

🔊

dowry /ˈdaʊri/

n. 嫁妆➕

🔊

assigned /əˈsaɪnd/

v. 分配；指定（过去式）➕

🔊

serfs /sɜːrfs/

n. 农奴（复数）➕

🔊

mortgaged /ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒd/

adj. 抵押的➕

🔊

arrears /əˈrɪərz/

n. 欠款；逾期款项（复数）➕

🔊

disconcerted /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrtɪd/

adj. 困惑不安的；局促不安的➕

🔊

businesslike /ˈbɪznəslaɪk/

adj. 务实的；有效率的➕

🔊

long-foreseen /lɒŋ fɔːrˈsiːn/

adj. 早已预见到的➕

🔊

note of hand /nəʊt əv hænd/

n. 期票；借据➕

🔊

father-in-law /ˈfɑːðər ɪn lɔː/

n. 岳父；公公➕

🔊 The conversation ended by the count, who wished to be generous and to avoid further importunity, saying that he would give a note of hand for eighty thousand rubles. Berg smiled meekly, kissed the count on the shoulder, and said that he was very grateful, but that it was impossible for him to arrange his new life without receiving thirty thousand in ready money. "Or at least twenty thousand, Count," he added, "and then a note of hand for only sixty thousand."

谈话以伯爵的慷慨表态结束,他想避免进一步的纠缠,便说会开一张八万卢布的期票。贝格温和地笑了笑,吻了吻伯爵的肩膀,说他非常感激,但若不先收到三万卢布现款,他无法安排自己的新生活。“或者至少两万,伯爵,”他补充道,“然后期票只开六万。”

🔊

importunity /ˌɪmpɔːrˈtjuːnəti/

n. 强求；纠缠➕

🔊

meekly /ˈmiːkli/

adv. 温顺地；谦恭地➕

🔊

ready money /ˈredi ˈmʌni/

n. 现金；现款➕

🔊 "Yes, yes, all right!" said the count hurriedly. "Only excuse me, my dear fellow, I’ll give you twenty thousand and a note of hand for eighty thousand as well. Yes, yes! Kiss me."

“好,好,没问题！”伯爵急忙说道。“只是请原谅,我亲爱的朋友,我给你两万现款,再加一张八万的期票。对,对！吻我吧。”

🔊

count /kaʊnt/

n. 伯爵（欧洲一些国家的贵族头衔）➕

🔊

hurriedly /ˈhɜːrɪdli/

adv. 匆忙地,仓促地➕

Book Six: 1808 - 10 – Chapter eleven (第十一章)

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