There was another thing that Paulobserved. Mr Feeder, after imbibing several custard-cups of negus, began to enjoy himself. The dancing in general was ceremonious, and the music rather solemn—a little like church music in fact—but after the custard-cups, Mr Feeder told Mr Toots that he was going to throw a little spirit into the thing. After that, Mr Feeder not only began to dance as if he meant dancing and nothing else, but secretly to stimulate the music to perform wild tunes.
保罗还注意到另一件事情。菲德先生喝了几杯倒在乳黄色玻璃杯里的尼格斯酒之后,开始享受乐趣。舞蹈总的来说是拘泥礼仪的,音乐相当严肃——实际上有些像教堂音乐——,但是菲德先生几杯下肚之后,对图茨先生说,他打算把晚会搞得热闹有趣一些。在这之后,菲德先生不仅开始跳舞,仿佛他只是想跳舞,而不想做别的事情,而且还在暗中鼓动乐队演奏狂热的曲调。
Further, he became particular in his attentions to the ladies; and dancing with Miss Blimber, whispered to her—whispered to her!—though not so softly but that Paul heard him say this remarkable poetry:Had I a heart for falsehood framed,I never could injure You!' This, Paul heard him repeat to four young ladies, in succession. Well might Mr Feeder say to Mr Toots, that he was afraid he should be the worse for it tomorrow!
另外,他开始对女士们特别献殷勤;当他跟布林伯小姐跳舞的时候,他还在她耳边悄悄地说——在她耳边悄悄地说——但是声音并不是轻到使保罗听不到他念了这首美妙的诗:“如果我有一颗心完全虚伪,那么伤害您我却永远不会!” 保罗听到他把这首诗连续重复念给四位年轻的女士听。菲德先生对图茨先生说,他担心明天他将因此而遭受惩罚,这话也许是很有道理的。 这种相对说来放荡的行为,特别是音乐格调的改变(它开始把街上流行的低级庸俗的曲调也包括进来了)。
Mrs Blimber was a little alarmed by this—comparatively speaking—profligate behaviour; and especially by the alteration in the character of the music, which, beginning to comprehend low melodies that were popular in the streets, might not unnaturally be supposed to give offence to Lady Skettles. But Lady Skettles was so very kind as to beg Mrs Blimber not to mention it; and to receive her explanation that Mr Feeder's spirits sometimes betrayed him into excesses on these occasions, with the greatest courtesy and politeness; observing, that he seemed a very nice sort of person for his situation, and that she particularly liked the unassuming style of his hair—which (as already hinted) was about a quarter of an inch long.
布林伯夫人有些惊慌,因为这自然是会使斯克特尔斯夫人感到生气的。但是斯克特尔斯夫人十分和善,她请布林伯夫人不必介意,而且极为亲切极有礼貌地接受了布林伯夫人的解释:菲德先生有时在这种场合下兴奋起来,就会做出过火的事情来;她说,就他的身份来说,他似乎是个很讨人喜欢的人;还说,她特别喜欢他那质朴的发型(前面已经提到过,那只有四分之一英寸长)。
Once, when there was a pause in the dancing, Lady Skettles told Paul that he seemed very fond of music. Paul replied, that he was; and if she was too, she ought to hear his sister, Florence, sing. Lady Skettles presently discovered that she was dying with anxiety to have that gratification; and though Florence was at first very much frightened at being asked to sing before so many people, and begged earnestly to be excused, yet, on Paul calling her to him, and saying, 'Do, Floy! Please! For me, my dear!'
有一次,当跳舞中间停歇的时候,斯克特尔斯夫人对保罗说,他似乎很喜欢音乐。保罗回答说,是的;如果她也喜欢,那么她应当听他姐姐弗洛伦斯唱歌。斯克托尔斯夫人立刻发现,她真愿意她的这个渴望能得到满足,简直渴望得要死了;弗洛伦斯虽然起初听到要她在这么多的人们面前唱歌十分惊慌,因此恳切地请求原谅她不唱;可是保罗把她喊到他那里,说,“唱吧,弗洛伊!请唱吧!为了我,我亲爱的!”
She went straight to the piano, and began. When they all drew a little away, that Paul might see her; and when he saw her sitting there all alone, so young, and good, and beautiful, and kind to him; and heard her thrilling voice, so natural and sweet, and such a golden link between him and all his life's love and happiness, rising out of the silence; he turned his face away, and hid his tears. Not, as he told them when theyspoketo him, not that the music was too plaintive or too sorrowful, but it was so dear to him.
这时候,她就迳直地走向钢琴,开始唱起来。所有的人全都往旁边闪开一些,让保罗可以看到她;他看到她独自一人坐在那里,那么年轻,善良,美丽,对他那么亲切;他听到她的响亮动人的声音那么自然、甜美;同时,一个在他与他一生的一切爱情和幸福之间的金环,正从寂静中升起来;这时候他把脸转开,掩藏他的眼泪。