The contempt which she had, very early in their acquaintance, felt for her daughter-in-law Fanny, was very much increased by the farther knowledge of her character, which half a year's residence in her family afforded; 她和儿媳刚认识，就瞧不起她，如今在她家里住上半年，进一步了解了她的为人，不觉对她更加鄙视。

the two ladies might have found it impossible to have lived together so long, had not a particular circumstance occurred to give eligibility,

according to the opinions of Mrs. Dashwood, to her daughters' continuance at Norland. 若不是出现了一个特殊情况，婆媳俩也许还共处不了这么长时间呢。照达什伍德太太的看法，出了这件事，她的女儿们理所当然是要继续呆在诺兰庄园的。

This circumstance was a growing attachment between her eldest girl and the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood, a gentlemanlike and pleasing young man, who was introduced to their acquaintance soon after his sister's establishment at Norland, and who had since spent the greatest part of his time there.

这桩事就出在她大女儿和约翰．达什伍德夫人的弟弟之间，两人渐渐萌发了爱慕之情。

那位弟弟是个很有绅士派头的逗人喜爱的年轻人，他姐姐住进诺兰庄园不久，就介绍他与她们母女结识了。从那以后，他将大部分时间都消磨在那里。

Some mothers might have encouraged the intimacy from motives of interest, for Edward Ferrars was the eldest son of a man who had died very rich;

and some might have repressed it from motives of prudence, for, except a trifling sum, the whole of his fortune depended on the will of his mother.

有些做母亲的从利害关系出发，或许会进一步撮合这种密切的感情，因为爱德华．费拉斯乃是一位已故财主的长子；不过，有些做母亲的为了慎重起见，也许还会遏制这种感情，因为爱德华除了一笔微不足道的资产之外，他的整个家产将取决于母亲的遗嘱。

 

But Mrs. Dashwood was alike uninfluenced by either consideration. It was enough for her that he appeared to be amiable, that he loved her daughter, and that Elinor returned the partiality.

可是达什伍德太太对这两种情况都不予考虑。对她来说，只要爱德华看上去和蔼可亲，对她女儿一片钟情，而埃丽诺反过来又钟情于他，那就足够了。

Edward Ferrars was not recommended to their good opinion by any peculiar graces of person or address. He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing.

她们之所以赏识爱德华．费拉斯，倒不是因为他人品出众，风度翩翩，他并不漂亮，那副仪态嘛，只有和他熟悉了才觉得逗人喜爱。

He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart.

他过于腼腆，这就使他越发不能显现本色了。不过，一旦消除了这种天生的羞怯，他的一举一动都表明他胸怀坦率，待人亲切。

 

His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement. But he was neither fitted by abilities nor disposition to answer the wishes of his mother and sister,

who longed to see him distinguished- as- they hardly knew what. They wanted him to make a fine figure in the world in some manner or other.

他头脑机灵，受教育后就更加聪明。但是，无论从才智还是从意向上看，他都不能使他母亲和姐姐称心如意，她们期望看到他出人头地－比如当个－她们也说不上当个啥。她们想让他在世界上出出这样或那样的风头。

His mother wished to interest him in political concerns, to get him into parliament, or to see him connected with some of the great men of the day. Mrs. John Dashwood wished it likewise; but in the mean while, till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche.

But Edward had no turn for great men or barouches. All his wishes centered in domestic comfort and the quiet of private life. Fortunately he had a younger brother who was more promising.

 

谁想，爱德华偏偏不稀罕大人物和四轮马车，他一心追求的是家庭的乐趣和生活的安逸。幸运的是，他有个弟弟比他有出息。

 

No sooner did she perceive any symptom of love in his behaviour to Elinor than she considered their serious attachment as certain,

and looked forward to their marriage as rapidlyapproaching. 她一察觉爱德华对埃丽诺有点爱慕的表示，便认准他们是在真心相爱，巴望着他们很快就会结婚。

 

Sense and Sensibility - Chapter 3