《简·爱》 Chapter 35 第三十五章（16）

The inquiry¹ was put in gentle tones: he drew me to him as gently.

这问活的语调很温柔，他同样温柔地把我拉向他。

Oh, that gentleness!

呵，那么温柔！

how far more potent² is it than force!

它比强迫要有力得多！

I could resist St. John's wrath³: I grew pliant⁴ as a reed under his kindness.

我能抵御圣·约翰的愤怒，但面对他的和善，我便像芦苇一般柔顺了。

Yet I knew all the time, if I yielded now, I should not the less be made to repent⁵, some day, of my former rebellion.

但我始终很清楚，要是我现在让步，有一天我照样会对我以前的叛逆感到懊悔。

His nature was not changed by one hour of solemn prayer: it was only elevated.

他的本性并不因为一小时的庄严析祷而改变，只不过升华了而已。

"I could decide if I were but certain," I answered:

“只要有把握，我就能决定，”我回答：

"were I but convinced that it is God's will I should marry you,

“只要能说服我嫁给你确实是上帝的意志，

I could vow⁶ to marry you here and now -- come afterwards what would!"

那我此时此刻就可以发誓嫁给你——不管以后会发生什么？”

"My prayers are heard!" ejaculated St. John.

“我的祈祷应验了！”圣·约翰失声叫道。

He pressed his hand firmer on my head, as if he claimed me:

他的手在我头上压得更紧了，仿佛他己经把我要去了。

he surrounded me with his arm, almost as if he loved me

他用胳膊搂住我，几乎像是爱着我

(I say almost -- I knew the difference -- for I had felt what it was to be loved;

（我说“几乎”——我知道这中间的差别——因为我曾感受过被爱的滋味。

but, like him, I had now put love out of the question, and thought only of duty).

但是像他一样，我已把爱置之度外，想的只是职守了）。

I contended with my inward dimness of vision, before which clouds yet rolled.

我在疑云翻滚的内心同不明朗的态度斗争着。

I sincerely, deeply, fervently⁷ longed to do what was right; and only that.

我诚恳地、深深地、热切地期望去做对的事情，也只做对的事情。

"Show me, show me the path!"

“给我指点一下——给我指点一下道路吧？”

I entreated⁸ of Heaven.

我祈求上苍。

I was excited more than I had ever been; and whether what followed was the effect of excitement the reader shall judge.

我从来没有像现在那么激动过。至于后来发生的事情是不是激动的结果，读者自可判断。

1 inquiry   

n.打听，询问，调查，查问

参考例句：

• Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
• The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

2 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

3 wrath   

n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒

参考例句：

• His silence marked his wrath. 他的沉默表明了他的愤怒。
• The wrath of the people is now aroused. 人们被激怒了。

4 pliant   

adj.顺从的；可弯曲的

参考例句：

• She's proud and stubborn,you know,under that pliant exterior.你要知道，在温顺的外表下，她既自傲又固执。
• They weave a basket out of osiers with pliant young willows.他们用易弯的柳枝编制篮子。

5 repent   

v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔

参考例句：

• He has nothing to repent of.他没有什么要懊悔的。
• Remission of sins is promised to those who repent.悔罪者可得到赦免。

6 vow   

n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓

参考例句：

• My parents are under a vow to go to church every Sunday.我父母许愿，每星期日都去做礼拜。
• I am under a vow to drink no wine.我已立誓戒酒。

7 fervently   

adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地

参考例句：

• "Oh, I am glad!'she said fervently. “哦，我真高兴！”她热烈地说道。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• O my dear, my dear, will you bless me as fervently to-morrow?' 啊，我亲爱的，亲爱的，你明天也愿这样热烈地为我祝福么？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

8 entreated   

恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They entreated and threatened, but all this seemed of no avail. 他们时而恳求，时而威胁，但这一切看来都没有用。
• 'One word,' the Doctor entreated. 'Will you tell me who denounced him?' “还有一个问题，”医生请求道，“你可否告诉我是谁告发他的？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记