6.Catherine tries to be good

6．凯瑟琳努力做好

The Doctor was surprised, and even a little disappointed, to see that Catherine did not appear to be angry or upset about what had happened. He wanted to be kind to her, but she did not seem to want or need his kindness.

医生感到惊讶，甚至有些失望地发现凯瑟琳对发生的事情没有显出生气或烦恼的样子。他想对她好点儿，但她似乎不想要或不需要他的好意。

I am glad I have such a good daughter,' he said, after several days had passed.

“我很高兴有这样一个好女儿。”过了几天之后，他说。

I am trying to be good,' she answered, turning away.

“我正努力做好。”她回答，转身走开了。

If you have anything to say about Mr Townsend, I shall be happy to listen.'

“关于汤森先生，你要是有什么话要说，我乐意倾听。”

Thank you,' said Catherine. 'I have nothing to say at present.'

“谢谢，”凯瑟琳说，“目前我没什么可说的。”

He never asked her whether she had seen Morris again. She had, in fact, not seen him; she had only written him a long letter. 'I am in great trouble,' she wrote. 'Do not doubt my love for you, but let me wait a little and think.' But her thoughts were not at all clear. She could not really believe that her father would change his mind about Morris; she just hoped that in some mysterious way the situation would get better. Meanwhile, she felt she must try to be a good daughter, to be patient, and to search for a peaceful way out of their difficulty.

他从没问过她有没有再见过莫里斯。实际上，她没再见到他；只给他写过一封长信。“我现在麻烦很大，”她写道，“不要怀疑我对你的爱，但让我等一等并想一下。”但她一点儿头绪都没有。她不能真的相信她父亲会改变对莫里斯的看法；她只是希望这种局面会奇迹般地好转。同时，她觉得自己必须努力做个好女儿，要有耐心，还要寻求一个和平摆脱困境的方法。

She received no help from her aunt in this search. Mrs Penniman was enjoying all the excitement of the romance and had no sensible advice to offer poor Catherine. 'You must act, my dear,' she said. 'The important thing is to act.'

她没有从姑姑那里寻求到任何帮助。彭尼曼夫人喜欢浪漫故事中所有激动人心的事情，可是她却不能给可怜的凯瑟琳提出任何明智的建议。“你必须采取行动，亲爱的，”她说，“重要的是行动。”

Mrs Penniman had also written to Morris, and had arranged to meet him secretly in a café on the other side of the city. She had not told her niece about this meeting, and so was a little embarrassed when Morris arrived and asked if she had a message for him from Catherine.

彭尼曼夫人也给莫里斯写了信，并且安排在城市另一头的一家咖啡厅里和他秘密见面。她没有告诉侄女这次会面的事情，所以当莫里斯到了之后问她有没有凯瑟琳给他的口信时，她有些尴尬。

Not exactly a message,' she said. 'I didn't ask her for one. But she will be true to you—until death.'

“算不上口信，”她说，“我没向她要口信。不过她对你是真心的——至死不变。”

Oh, I hope it won't come to that,' said Morris.

“哦，我希望不至于这样。”莫里斯说。

My brother will not listen to argument.'

“我弟弟听不进意见。”

Do you mean he won't change his mind?'

“您的意思是他不会改变主意吗？”

Mrs Penniman was silent for a moment, then she smiled at Morris. 'Marry Catherine first, and tell him after wards!' she cried. 'That is the way I see it: a secret marriage.'

彭尼曼夫人沉默了一会儿，然后对莫里斯微微一笑。“先跟凯瑟琳结婚，然后再告诉他！”她大声说道，“我就是这么想的：秘密结婚。”

The young man stared at her. 'Do you advise me to do that? To marry her without her father's consent?'

年轻人盯着她：“您建议我这么做吗？不经她父亲的同意就和她结婚？”

She was a little frightened, but went on, 'If you marry Catherine, you will show my brother that he has been wrong about you. He will see that it is not just because you like—you like the money.'

她有些吃惊，但还是继续说：“如果你和凯瑟琳结婚，那就是向我弟弟表明他对你的看法是错的。他会明白那不仅仅是因为你喜欢——你喜欢钱。”

Morris hesitated, then said, 'But I do like the money.'

莫里斯犹豫了一会儿，然后说：“不过我的确喜欢钱。”

But you don't like it more than Catherine. And when he realizes that, he will think it is his duty to help you.'

“可是你不会喜欢它甚于喜欢凯瑟琳。当他明白了这一点，他就会觉得有责任帮助你。”

Morris looked for some moments at the floor. At last he looked up and said, 'Do you think there is already a will leaving money to Catherine?'

莫里斯盯着地板看了一会儿。最后他抬起头来说：“您认为他已经立了遗嘱把钱留给凯瑟琳吗？”

I suppose so—even doctors must die,' she replied.

“我想是的——就是医生也会死的。”她回答道。

And you believe he would certainly change it—if I married Catherine?'

“那么您认为他一定会更改遗嘱吗——如果我和凯瑟琳结婚的话？”

Yes, but then he would change it back again.'

“是的，但以后他还会改回来。”

But I can't depend on that,' said Morris.

“可是我不能指望那个。”莫里斯说。

Do you want to depend on it?' Mrs Penniman asked.

“你想指望它吗？”彭尼曼夫人问道。

He blushed a little. 'I do not want to injure Catherine.'

他有点儿脸红：“我不想伤害凯瑟琳。”

You must not be afraid! Be afraid of nothing, and everything will go well.'

“你不必害怕！什么都别怕，一切都会好的。”

Mrs Penniman told Catherine that evening that she had had a meeting with Morris Townsend, and for almost the first time in her life Catherine felt angry.

那天晚上彭尼曼夫人跟凯瑟琳讲了她和莫里斯·汤森会面的事情，几乎是平生第一次，凯瑟琳感到生气了。

Why did you see him? I don't think it was right.'

“您为什么要见他？我觉得这样不对。”

I was so sorry for him—and you wouldn't see him, my dear,' said Aunt Lavinia.

“我真为他难过——而你又不愿见他，亲爱的。”拉维尼娅姑姑说。

I have not seen him because my father has forbidden it,' Catherine said, very simply.

“我没见他是因为父亲不许我见他。”凯瑟琳说得很简单。

This annoyed Mrs Penniman and she began to read the evening newspaper, so that Catherine would have to ask her about her meeting with Morris. But it was several minutes before Catherine finally spoke. 'What did he say?' she asked.

这令彭尼曼夫人颇为不快，所以她开始看晚报，这样凯瑟琳就不得不问她和莫里斯见面的事情。但过了好几分钟，凯瑟琳才终于开口。“他说了些什么？”她问。

He said he is ready to marry you any day.'

“他说他随时准备和你结婚。”

Catherine made no answer to this, and after a few minutes Mrs Penniman added that Morris looked very tired.

凯瑟琳对此没有作答，过了几分钟，彭尼曼夫人补充说莫里斯看起来很疲倦。

Catherine got up from her seat and went to the fire.

凯瑟琳从座位上站了起来，走向壁炉。

Mrs Penniman hesitated for a moment. 'He said he was afraid of only one thing—that you would be afraid.'

彭尼曼夫人犹豫了一会儿：“他说他只担心一件事——那就是你会害怕。”

The girl turned very quickly. 'Afraid of what?'

女孩儿很快转过身来：“害怕什么？”

Afraid of your father.'

“害怕你父亲。”

Catherine turned back to the fire again. After a pause, she said, 'I am afraid of my father.'

凯瑟琳又转向壁炉。停了一会儿，她说：“我的确害怕我父亲。”

Mrs Penniman got up quickly from her chair and went to her niece. 'Are you going to give him up, then?'

彭尼曼夫人很快地从椅子里站起来走向她的侄女：“那么你打算放弃他吗？”

For some time Catherine stared at the fire and did not move. Then she lifted her head and looked at her aunt. 'Why do you make it so difficult for me?' she said. 'I don't think you understand or that you know me. You had better not have any more meetings with Mr Townsend. I don't think it is right. My father wouldn't like it, if he knew.'

有那么一会儿，凯瑟琳盯着炉火一动不动。然后她抬起头看着姑姑。“为什么您把事情弄得这么令我为难？”她问道，“我觉得您并不理解我，也不了解我。您最好别再和汤森先生碰面了。我认为这样不对。我父亲要是知道了会不喜欢的。”

And you will inform him—is that what you mean? Well, I am not afraid of my brother. But I shall not try to help again—you are too ungrateful. I am disappointed, but your father will not be. Good night.' And with this Mrs Penniman went off to her room.

“而且你还会告诉他——你是这个意思吗？好吧，我可不怕我弟弟。但我也不会再帮忙了——你太忘恩负义了。我很失望，但你父亲不会。晚安。”说完，彭尼曼夫人就回自己的房间去了。

Catherine sat alone by the parlour fire, lost in her thoughts, for more than an hour. She felt that to displease her father was a terrible thing, but she had made a plan and must go on with it. Her father was in his study, and it was eleven o'clock when she finally knocked on his door. Even when he answered her, she was too afraid to go in. After a while he came and opened the door for her.

凯瑟琳一个人坐在客厅的壁炉边，陷入了沉思，就这样过了一个多小时。她觉得惹父亲生气是件可怕的事情，但她已经有了一个计划，必须进行下去。她父亲在书房里，她终于敲响他的门的时候，已经是11点了。甚至当他应声的时候，她都害怕得不敢进去。过了一会儿他过来给她开门。

What's the matter?' asked the Doctor. 'You are standing there like a ghost!'

“怎么了？”医生问道，“你站在那里像个幽灵！”

She went into the room, and her father looked at her for a few moments, waiting for her to speak. He then went back to his writing desk and sat down, turning his back on his daughter. At last she began:

她走进房间，她父亲看了她一会儿，等着她开口。接着他回到写字台边坐下来，转过身背对着女儿。最后她终于开口了：

You told me that if I had something more to say about Mr Townsend, you would be glad to listen to it.'

“您说过如果我还想说说汤森先生，您会乐意倾听。”

Exactly, my dear,' said the Doctor, not turning round.

“没错，亲爱的。”医生头也没回地说道。

I would like to see him again.'

“我想再见他一面。”

To say goodbye?' asked the Doctor.

“跟他道别？”医生问。

No, father, not that; at least not for ever.'

“不，爸爸，不是那样；至少不是永别。”

You have not finished with him, then?'

“那么你还没和他了断？”

No,' said Catherine. 'I have asked him to—to wait.'

“没有，”凯瑟琳说，“我要他——等等。”

Her father, turning round in his chair, looked at her with his cold eyes, and she was afraid he was going to be angry.

他父亲在椅子里转过身，眼睛冷冷地望着她，她担心他马上就要发火了。

You are a dear, faithful child,' he said, at last. 'Come here to your father.' And he got up, holding his hands out towards her.

“你是一个可爱、忠实的孩子，”他最后说，“到爸爸这儿来。”然后他站起身，朝她伸出手。

The words were a surprise, and they gave her great happiness. She went to him, and he put his arm round her gently, and kissed her. After this he said, 'Do you wish to make me very happy?'

这些话出乎她的意料，令她感到很幸福。她走到他跟前，他轻轻地伸出胳膊搂住她，并吻了吻她。之后他说：“你希望我非常高兴吗？”

I would like to—but I am afraid I can't,' Catherine answered. 'Do you want me to give him up?'

“我愿意——但我恐怕不能。”凯瑟琳回答道，“您想让我放弃他？”

Yes, I want you to give him up.'

“是的，我想让你放弃他。”

He still held her, looking into her face. She looked away and they were both silent for a long time.

他继续搂着她，看着她的脸。她把目光移开，两人都沉默了很长时间。

You are happier than I am, father,' she said at last.

“您比我更快乐，爸爸。”她终于说。

I have no doubt that you are unhappy now. But it is better to be unhappy for three months, than miserable for the rest of your life.'

“你现在不快乐，这我毫不怀疑。但三个月的痛苦比起后半生的不幸要好。”

Yes, if that were true,' said Catherine.

“是的，如果真是那样的话。”凯瑟琳说。

It is true, I am sure of that.' When she did not answer, he went on, 'Don't you believe that I want the best for your future? I know how bad men can be—how false.'

“是真的，我肯定。”趁她还没回答，他继续说，“难道你不相信我想让你拥有一个最美好的将来吗？我知道男人会有多坏——有多虚伪。”

She moved away from him. 'He is not false! What has he done—what do you know?'

她从他身边走开。“他不虚伪！他做了什么——你知道什么？”

He has never done anything, that is the problem—he is lazy and selfish and thinks only of himself.'

“他什么事都没做过，这就是问题所在了——他又懒惰又自私，而且只为自己着想。”

Oh, father, don't say bad things about him!' she cried.

“噢，爸爸，别说他的坏话！”她大声说。

No, that would be a great mistake. You may do what you choose,' he added, turning away.

“不，那将是个极大的错误。你可以做你选择的事情。”他添了一句，转开身去。

If I see him again, will you forgive me?'

“如果我再见他，您会原谅我吗？”

No, I will not.'

“不，我不会。”

I only want to see him once—to tell him to wait.'

“我只想再见他一面——让他等等。”

To wait for what?'

“等什么？”

Until you know him better—until you consent.'

“直到您更了解他——直到您同意。”

I know him well enough, and I shall never consent.'

“我对他了解的够多了，而且我永远也不会答应。”

But we can wait a long time,' said poor Catherine.

“但我们可以等很长时间。”可怜的凯瑟琳说。

Of course, you can wait until I die, if you like,' said the Doctor, quietly. 'Your engagement will have one delightful effect upon you; it will make you extremely impatient for my death. And think how impatient he will be, too.'

“当然，如果你们愿意的话，你们可以一直等到我死。”医生平静地说，“你订婚对你会有一种可喜的作用；它会使你急切地盼着我死。再想想他会有多着急。”

Catherine gave a cry of natural horror and stood staring. Her father's words had a terrible ugliness, and she did not know what to say. Suddenly, however, an idea came to her.

凯瑟琳不由得发出一声惊恐的叫声，站在那里目瞪口呆。父亲的话里有一种可怕而丑陋的东西，她不知道该说什么好。不过，她突然有了个主意。

If I don't marry before your death, I will not after,' she said. 'But I think that one day Morris might persuade you.'

“如果您去世之前我没嫁给他，之后我也不会了，”她说，“但我想总有一天莫里斯可能会说服您。”

I shall never speak to him again. I dislike him too much,' said the Doctor. 'And you can tell Mr Townsend when you see him again that if you marry without my consent, I will not leave you a penny of my money. That will interest him more than anything else you can tell him.'

“我不会再跟他说话了。我太不喜欢他了。”医生说，“你要是再见到汤森先生，你可以告诉他如果你们未经我同意就结婚，我的钱一个子儿也不会留给你。你跟他讲什么都不如这更让他感兴趣。”

She looked at her father, and her eyes filled with tears.

她看着父亲，眼中噙满泪水。

I think I will see him, then,' she murmured.

“那么我想我会见他的。”她低声说道。

Exactly as you choose. But if you see him, you will be an ungrateful, cruel child; and you will give your old father the greatest pain of his life.'

“随你的便。但如果你见他，你就是个忘恩负义、冷酷无情的孩子；你会给你的老父亲带来一生中最大的痛苦。”

The tears then ran down Catherine's face, and she moved towards her father with a little cry. But he only took her by the arm, went to the door, and opened it for her to go out.

泪水从凯瑟琳的脸上滑落，她轻轻地哭着走向父亲。但他只是拉着她的胳膊，走到门口，把门打开让她出去。

After she had left, he walked around his study for a while, a little annoyed but also amused. 'My word,' he said to himself. 'I believe she will go on with it.' He looked forward to seeing what would happen next.

她离开以后，他在书房里踱了一会儿，既有些生气，又有些好笑。“依我看，”他自言自语道，“我相信她会继续下去的。”他等着看接下来会发生什么事。