Five o'clock had hardly struck on the morning of the 19th of January, when Bessie brought a candle into my closet and found me already up and nearly dressed. I had risen half-an-hour before her entrance, and had washed my face, and put on my clothes by the light of a half-moon just setting, whose rays streamed through the narrow window near my crib. I was to leave Gateshead that day by a coach which passed the lodge gates at six a.m. Bessie was the only person yet risen; she had lit a fire in the nursery, where she now proceeded to make my breakfast. Few children can eat when excited with the thoughts of a journey; nor could I. Bessie, having pressed me in vain to take a few spoonfuls of the boiled milk and bread she had prepared for me, wrapped up some biscuits in a paper and put them into my bag; then she helped me on with my pelisse and bonnet, and wrapping herself in a shawl, she and I left the nursery. As we passed Mrs. Reed's bedroom, she said, "Will you go in and bid Missis good-bye?”

正月十九号清晨，五点的钟声还未敲响，贝西就端着蜡烛进了我的小屋，发现我已经起床并且差不多穿好衣服了。我在她进来前半小时就起床了，洗完脸，借着光线穿好衣服。一轮弯月在下沉，月光从小床边的窄窗穿进来。这天，我将乘六点钟驶过大门的马车离开盖茨黑德府。只有贝西起来了，她在育儿室点了火，现在她要去那里为我准备早饭。在激动地惦记着一场旅行时，很少有孩子还想吃东西，我也不例外。贝西想劝我喝下煮好的牛奶，吃些她为我准备的面包，一场徒劳之后，她拿纸包了一些饼干放到我的书包里。然后她帮我穿好大衣和戴好帽子，自己裹上披肩，就跟我一起离开了育儿室。当我们经过里德夫人的卧室时，她说：“你要不要进去跟夫人告别？”

"No, Bessie: she came to my crib last night when you were gone down to supper, and said I need not disturb her in the morning, or my cousins either; and she told me to remember that she had always been my best friend, and to speak of her and be grateful to her accordingly.”

“不，贝西。昨晚你下楼吃晚饭时，她来过我床边，说我明早不必去打扰她和表哥表姐。她还告诉我，要记住她永远都是我最好的朋友，也要如此地评价她、感激她。”

"What did you say, Miss?"

“你说了什么，小姐？”

"Nothing: I covered my face with the bedclothes, and turned from her to the wall.”

“什么也没说。我用被子盖着脸，转身面朝墙背对她。”

"That was wrong, Miss Jane."

“这就不对了，简小姐。”

"It was quite right, Bessie. Your Missis has not been my friend: she has been my foe.”

“这完全正确，贝西。你那位太太从来都不是我的朋友，她是我的敌人。”

"O Miss Jane! don't say so!"

“哦，简小姐，不要这么说！”

"Good-bye to Gateshead!" cried I, as we passed through the hall and went out at the front door.

“再见，盖茨黑德！”我们穿过大厅向大门走去时，我这样喊道。

The moon was set, and it was very dark; Bessie carried a lantern, whose light glanced on wet steps and gravel road sodden by a recent thaw. Raw and chill was the winter morning: my teeth chattered as I hastened down the drive. There was a light in the porter's lodge: when we reached it, we found the porter's wife just kindling her fire: my trunk, which had been carried down the evening before, stood corded at the door. It wanted but a few minutes of six, and shortly after that hour had struck, the distant roll of wheels announced the coming coach; I went to the door and watched its lamps approach rapidly through the gloom.

月亮沉下去了，天很黑。贝西提着灯笼，光线打在湿漉漉的台阶和被融雪浸湿的石子路上。冬日的早晨严寒刺骨，我急匆匆地往前赶，牙齿冻得直打颤。看门人的小屋里点着火，走进去一看原来是守门人的妻子正在生火。我的箱子昨晚就被搬下来，捆着绳子在门口杵着。还差几分钟就六点了。钟刚刚敲过六点，远处就传来马车轱辘的滚动声。我站到门口，看着车灯在黑暗中越来越近。

"Is she going by herself?" asked the porter's wife.

“她自己去吗？”看门人的妻子问道。

"Yes."

“是的。”

"And how far is it?"

“离这里多远啊？”

"Fifty miles."

“五十英里。”

"What a long way! I wonder Mrs. Reed is not afraid to trust her so far alone."

“真远哪！我想不通里德夫人怎么放心让她一个人去这么远。”

The coach drew up; there it was at the gates with its four horses and its top laden with passengers: the guard and coachman loudly urged haste; my trunk was hoisted up; I was taken from Bessie's neck, to which I clung with kisses.

马车停下来了，四匹马拉着，坐满了乘客，停在门边。护卫和车夫大声催着，我的行李箱被递了上去，我也被从贝西的脖子上拉开，我搂着她亲了很久。

"Be sure and take good care of her," cried she to the guard, as he lifted me into the inside.

“一定要照顾好她。”护卫抱我上车时，贝西对护卫喊道。

"Ay, ay!" was the answer: the door was slapped to, a voice exclaimed "All right," and on we drove. Thus was I severed from Bessie and Gateshead; thus whirled away to unknown, and, as I then deemed, remote and mysterious regions.

“好，好！”那人答道。门被关上了，一声大喊“好了”，我们便上路了。就这样，我断绝了与贝西和盖茨黑德府的联系，如同被旋风卷去一个在我看来未知、遥远又神秘的地方。

I remember but little of the journey; I only know that the day seemed to me of a preternatural length, and that we appeared to travel over hundreds of miles of road. We passed through several towns, and in one, a very large one, the coach stopped; the horses were taken out, and the passengers alighted to dine. I was carried into an inn, where the guard wanted me to have some dinner; but, as I had no appetite, he left me in an immense room with a fireplace at each end, a chandelier pendent from the ceiling, and a little red gallery high up against the wall filled with musical instruments. Here I walked about for a long time, feeling very strange, and mortally apprehensive of some one coming in and kidnapping me; for I believed in kidnappers, their exploits having frequently figured in Bessie's fireside chronicles. At last the guard returned; once more I was stowed away in the coach, my protector mounted his own seat, sounded his hollow horn, and away we rattled over the "stony street" of L—.

我对那趟旅途没什么印象，只知道那天看起来特别漫长，我们好像赶了几百英里的路。我们穿过几个城镇，在一个特别大的城里，车停下来，卸了马匹，乘客们下车在那里吃饭。我被抱进一个小客栈，护卫想让我吃些晚饭，但我当时没有胃口，他就把我放在一个两头都有壁炉的大房子里，天花板上悬着一盏枝形吊灯，靠墙的一个红色小橱窗里摆满了乐器。我在这里来回走了很久，感觉很陌生，心里七上八下的，害怕有人进来绑架我。我这样想是因为，贝西在壁炉边讲故事时经常描述绑匪的种种勾当。护卫终于回来了，我又被抱上马车。我的保护者爬上他的位子，吹响沉闷的号角，马车嘎嘎地驶过Ｌ镇的“石子路"，离开了。

The afternoon came on wet and somewhat misty: as it waned into dusk, I began to feel that we were getting very far indeed from Gateshead: we ceased to pass through towns; the country changed; great grey hills heaved up round the horizon: as twilight deepened, we descended a valley, dark with wood, and long after night had overclouded the prospect, I heard a wild wind rushing amongst trees.

下午有些潮湿多雾，渐近黄昏时，我开始感觉到我们确实离盖茨黑德府很远了。我们不再穿越城镇，乡村风景也发生了变化，地平线周围耸立着高大又灰蒙蒙的山峦。暮色更深了，马车下行驶进山谷，森林浓密。夜色阴暗，笼罩着前方，我听到风在林间咆哮。

Lulled by the sound, I at last dropped asleep; I had not long slumbered when the sudden cessation of motion awoke me; the coachdoor was open, and a person like a servant was standing at it: I saw her face and dress by the light of the lamps.

风声催人入眠，我后来睡着了。没睡多久车便猛地一停，我被惊醒了。马车门打开了，一个仆人模样的人站在那里，我借着灯光看到她的脸庞和衣着。

"Is there a little girl called Jane Eyre here?" she asked. I answered "Yes," and was then lifted out; my trunk was handed down, and the coach instantly drove away.

“这儿有个叫简·爱的小姑娘吗？”她问道。我回答“是的”，然后就被抱了出去，行李也被递下来，马车随即继续赶路。

I was stiff with long sitting, and bewildered with the noise and motion of the coach: Gathering my faculties, I looked about me. Rain, wind, and darkness filled the air; nevertheless, I dimly discerned a wall before me and a door open in it; through this door I passed with my new guide: she shut and locked it behind her. There was now visible a house or houses—for the building spread far—with many windows, and lights burning in some; we went up a broad pebbly path, splashing wet, and were admitted at a door; then the servant led me through a passage into a room with a fire, where she left me alone.

我坐了太久身体僵硬，马车的噪音和颠簸也让我脑袋昏昏的。我定了定神，环顾周围。深夜还在刮风下雨，然而我隐隐约约看到前方是一堵墙，上面开着门。我跟着我的新向导进屋，她关上身后的门并上了锁。现在能看见一间房子或是几间房子——这座建筑占地很大——有很多窗户，有些还点着蜡烛。我们走上一条宽石子路，水花四溅，进了一扇门。然后穿过走廊，仆人把我领进一个点着炉火的房间，然后就把我独自丢在那里。

I stood and warmed my numbed fingers over the blaze, then I looked round; there was no candle, but the uncertain light from the hearth showed, by intervals, papered walls, carpet, curtains, shining mahogany furniture: it was a parlour, not so spacious or splendid as the drawing room at Gateshead, but comfortable enough. I was puzzling to make out the subject of a picture on the wall, when the door opened, and an individual carrying a light entered; another followed close behind.

我站在那儿，给冻僵的手指烤火。然后我看看周围，没有蜡烛，但火苗发出间歇跳跃的光，照亮了墙壁、地毯、窗帘、明亮的红木家具。这是个客厅，不像盖茨黑德府的客厅那样富丽堂皇，但是很舒服。门被打开时，我正在琢磨墙上那幅画，想弄清到底是什么东西。进来一个托着蜡烛的人，后面还紧跟了一个。

The first was a tall lady with dark hair, dark eyes, and a pale and large forehead; her figure was partly enveloped in a shawl, her countenance was grave, her bearing erect.

前面的是一位黑头发黑眼睛的高挑女士，额头白皙宽大。她半截身子裹在披肩里，表情严肃，体形挺拔。

"The child is very young to be sent alone," said she, putting her candle down on the table. She considered me attentively for a minute or two, then further added—

“这孩子太小了，不该让她自己出门。”她说着，把蜡烛放在了桌上。她仔细打量我一两分钟，然后继续说：

"She had better be put to bed soon; she looks tired: are you tired?”she asked, placing her hand on my shoulder.

“最好让她赶紧睡觉，她看起来很累。你累吗？”她问道，把手放在我的肩上。

"A little, ma'am."

“有点儿，女士。”

"And hungry too, no doubt: let her have some supper before she goes to bed, Miss Miller. Is this the first time you have left your parents to come to school, my little girl?”

“肯定也饿了，米勒小姐，让她上床前吃些晚饭。小姑娘，这是你第一次离开父母来上学吗？”

I explained to her that I had no parents. She inquired how long they had been dead: then how old I was, what was my name, whether I could read, write, and sew a little: then she touched my cheek gently with her forefinger, and saying, "She hoped I should be a good child," dismissed me along with Miss Miller.

我跟她解释说我没有父母。她询问他们过世多久了，我多大了，叫什么，我会不会读书写字或是会一点针线。然后她用食指温柔地摸摸我的脸颊，说她希望我做个好孩子，然后就吩咐我跟米勒小姐离开了。

The lady I had left might be about twenty-nine; the one who went with me appeared some years younger: the first impressed me by her voice, look, and air. Miss Miller was more ordinary; ruddy in complexion, though of a careworn countenance; hurried in gait and action, like one who had always a multiplicity of tasks on hand: she looked, indeed, what I afterwards found she really was, an under teacher. Led by her, I passed from compartment to compartment, from passage to passage, of a large and irregular building; till, emerging from the total and somewhat dreary silence pervading that portion of the house we had traversed,we came upon the hum of many voices, and presently entered a wide, long room, with great deal tables, two at each end, on each of which burnt a pair of candles, and seated all round on benches, a congregation of girls of every age, from nine or ten to twenty. Seen by the dim light of the dips, their number to me appeared countless, though not in reality exceeding eighty; they were uniformly dressed in brown stuff frocks of quaint fashion, and long holland pinafores. It was the hour of study; they were engaged in conning over their tomorrow' s task, and the hum I had heard was the combined result of their whispered repetitions.

刚才离开的那位小姐大概有二十九岁，跟我一起走的这个看起来年轻一些。头一位小姐的声音、长相和神态让我印象深刻。米勒小姐更普通一些，虽然神色疲倦，但脸色红润，走路和做事都风风火火，像那种手上总有干不完的活儿的人。她看起来像助教，后来我发现确实如此。我跟着她，在大而不规则的楼房里，穿过一个个房间和走廊，终于摆脱了弥漫在这段路途中的沉闷和寂静。在嗡嗡的说话声中，我们走进一个又宽又长的房间，这里有很多桌子，房间每头有两张，每张桌子上点着一对蜡烛。一群年龄参差不齐的女孩子围坐在长凳上，从九、十岁到二十岁的都有。在昏暗的烛光下，她们似乎多得数不清，虽然实际上不超过八十人。她们清一色地穿着样式奇怪的棕色连衣裙，系着亚麻布的长围裙。这是学习时间，她们忙于准备明天的作业，我听到的嗡嗡声就是她们低声背书的声音。

Miss Miller signed to me to sit on a bench near the door, then walking up to the top of the long room she cried out—

米勒小姐示意让我坐在门边的凳子上，然后走到长屋尽头，大声喊道：

"Monitors, collect the lesson books and put them away!"Four tall girls arose from different tables, and going round, gathered the books and removed them. Miss Miller again gave the word of command—

“班长，把课本收起来，放到一边！”四个高个子女生分别从不同的桌旁站起来，在屋里四处走着收书，并把它们拿走了。米勒小姐又下令：

"Monitors, fetch the supper trays!"

“班长，去端晚餐！”

The tall girls went out and returned presently, each bearing a tray, with portions of something, I knew not what, arranged thereon, and a pitcher of water and mug in the middle of each tray. The portions were handed round; those who liked took a draught of the water, the mug being common to all. When it came to my turn, I drank, for I was thirsty, but did not touch the food, excitement and fatigue rendering me incapable of eating: I now saw, however, that it was a thin oaten cake shared into fragments.

高个子女生们出去又很快回来了，每人拿着一个托盘，上面一份份地放着不知是什么东西，中间有个大水罐，每个托盘里还有一只大水杯。晚餐被一份份发下去，想喝水的就喝水，大家共用一个水杯。轮到我的时候，我喝了点水，因为实在太渴了。但我没有动吃的，兴奋和疲惫让我吃不下去。但我现在看清了，那东西是分成小块儿的燕麦薄饼。

The meal over, prayers were read by Miss Miller, and the classes filed off, two and two, upstairs. Overpowered by this time with weariness, I scarcely noticed what sort of a place the bedroom was, except that, like the schoolroom, I saw it was very long. Tonight I was to be Miss Miller's bedfellow; she helped me to undress: when laid down I glanced at the long rows of beds, each of which was quickly filled with two occupants; in ten minutes the single light was extinguished, and amidst silence and complete darkness I fell asleep.

晚餐过后，米勒小姐宣读祷文，各班排队离开，两个接两个地上楼。我实在太疲倦了，几乎没有注意卧室的样子，除了看到它像教室一样长。今晚我同米勒小姐一起睡，她帮我脱下衣服。我躺下后瞄了一眼一排排的床铺，每个上面都很快睡好两个人，十分钟后唯一的灯光也熄灭了。在寂静和彻底的黑暗中，我睡着了。

The night passed rapidly. I was too tired even to dream; I only once awoke to hear the wind rave in furious gusts, and the rain fall in torrents, and to be sensible that Miss Miller had taken her place by my side. When I again unclosed my eyes, a loud bell was ringing; the girls were up and dressing; day had not yet begun to dawn, and a rushlight or two burned in the room. I too rose reluctantly; it was bitter cold, and I dressed as well as I could for shivering, and washed when there was a basin at liberty, which did not occur soon, as there was but one basin to six girls, on the stands down the middle of the room. Again the bell rang: all formed in file, two and two, and in that order descended the stairs and entered the cold and dimly lit schoolroom: here prayers were read by Miss Miller; afterwards she called out—

这夜很快就过去了。我累得甚至都没有做梦，我只醒过一次，听到风在咆哮，大雨如注，还感到米勒小姐睡在我身旁。当我再次睁开眼睛时，铃声大作，女孩子们起床穿衣。天还没亮，一两根灯芯草蜡烛在房间里亮着。我也不情愿地起床了，天彻骨地冷，我颤抖着尽量穿好衣服，然后趁着脸盆闲置的时候洗了把脸。这可快不了，因为六个女孩儿共用一个脸盆，就放在屋子中间的脸盆架上。铃声再次响起，全体排好队，一对一对地依次下楼，走进冰冷昏暗的教室。米勒小姐在这儿宣读祷文，之后她喊道：

"Form classes!"

“按班排队！”

A great tumult succeeded for some minutes, during which Miss Miller repeatedly exclaimed, "Silence!"and "Order!"When it subsided, I saw them all drawn up in four semicircles, before four chairs, placed at the four tables; all held books in their hands, and a great book, like a Bible , lay on each table, before the vacant seat. A pause of some seconds succeeded, filled up by the low, vague hum of numbers; Miss Miller walked from class to class, hushing this indefinite sound.

一阵骚动持续了几分钟，米勒小姐一直不断地大喊：“安静！保持秩序！”静下来后，我看到她们排成四个半圆，站在四张桌子旁的四个椅子边，手里全部拿着书，每张桌上有一本像《圣经》的大书，摆在空位前。几秒钟过后，屋里便充满了低声含糊的嗡嗡声。米勒小姐在每个班之间踱来踱去，把这模糊的声音压下去。

A distant bell tinkled: immediately three ladies entered the room, each walked to a table and took her seat. Miss Miller assumed the fourth vacant chair, which was that nearest the door, and around which the smallest of the children were assembled: to this inferior class I was called, and placed at the bottom of it.

远处响起钟声，立刻有三位女士进屋，各自走向一张桌子就座。米勒小姐占据了离门最近的第四个座位，最小的一群孩子坐在周围，我被安排在这个班里，排在末尾。

Business now began, the day's Collect was repeated, then certain texts of Scripture were said, and to these succeeded a protracted reading of chapters in the Bible , which lasted an hour. By the time that exercise was terminated, day had fully dawned. The indefatigable bell now sounded for the fourth time: the classes were marshalled and marched into another room to breakfast: how glad I was to behold a prospect of getting something to eat! I was now nearly sick from inanition, having taken so little the day before.

功课开始了。大家先背诵当天的短祷文，然后是成篇的经文，接下来是持续一个小时慢声朗读《圣经》中的章节。晨读结束时，天已经大亮。不知疲倦的铃声又在响第四次，班级全部排好队，向早餐室行进。将有东西吃是多么让我开心啊！因为昨天吃得太少，我现在已经快饿得虚脱了。

The refectory was a great, low ceiled, gloomy room; on two long tables smoked basins of something hot, which, however, to my dismay, sent forth an odour far from inviting. I saw a universal manifestation of discontent when the fumes of the repast met the nostrils of those destined to swallow it; from the van of the procession, the tall girls of the first class, rose the whispered words—

食堂很大，天花板低低的，有些阴暗。两张长桌上烟熏火燎的盆子里放着热腾腾的东西，然而这东西发出的糟糕气味，让我很失望。当餐食难闻的气味碰上注定要吃它的人的鼻孔时，我看到大家普遍不满。在队伍前面，第一个班的高个子女生们悄悄议论开来：

"Disgusting! The porridge is burnt again!"

“真恶心！粥又煮糊了！”

"Silence!" ejaculated a voice; not that of Miss Miller, but one of the upper teachers, a little and dark personage, smartly dressed, but of somewhat morose aspect, who installed herself at the top of one table, while a more buxom lady presided at the other. I looked in vain for her I had first seen the night before; she was not visible: Miss Miller occupied the foot of the table where I sat, and a strange, foreign looking, elderly lady, the French teacher, as I afterwards found, took the corresponding seat at the other board. A long grace was said and a hymn sung; then a servant brought in some tea for the teachers, and the meal began.

“安静！”突然蹦出一个声音。这声音不是米勒小姐，而是位高级教员，她身材矮小，皮肤黝黑，穿着干练却愁眉苦脸。她坐在一张桌子的顶头，一位更丰满的女士坐在另一张桌旁。我打量周围寻找着前天晚上见到的那位女士，却没有找到，她没有出现。米勒小姐坐在我那张桌子的末尾。一个外国人模样的上了年纪的女士坐在桌子另一头，她长相奇怪，后来我才知道她是法语老师。做完长长的祷告，又唱了一首圣歌，然后一位仆人给老师们端来茶水，早饭开始了。

Ravenous, and now very faint, I devoured a spoonful or two of my portion without thinking of its taste; but the first edge of hunger blunted, I perceived I had got in hand a nauseous mess; burnt porridge is almost as bad as rotten potatoes; famine itself soon sickens over it. The spoons were moved slowly: I saw each girl taste her food and try to swallow it; but in most cases the effort was soon relinquished. Breakfast was over, and none had breakfasted. Thanks being returned for what we had not got, and a second hymn chanted, the refectory was evacuated for the schoolroom. I was one of the last to go out, and in passing the tables, I saw one teacher take a basin of the porridge and taste it; she looked at the others; all their countenances expressed displeasure, and one of them, the stout one, whispered—

我饥肠辘辘，头晕眼花，就狼吞虎咽地喝了一两勺自己那份粥，也没在意味道。但是当第一股饿劲儿过去之后，我发现手中的东西很恶心，烧糊的粥几乎像烂土豆一样令人作呕，很快连饥饿都厌恶它了。大家慢慢地移动汤匙，我看见每个女孩子都尝了一口，然后努力咽下去，但大多数情况下这种努力都以失败告终。早餐结束了，但每个人都没吃到早餐。然后做感恩祷告，为我们没有吃到的东西而感恩，又唱了一首圣歌，我们便离开去教室。我是最后出去的，经过餐桌时，我看到一位老师端起一碗粥尝了一口，她看了一眼其他人，全都一脸不满，其中一个矮胖的老师嘟哝道：

"Abominable stuff! How shameful!"

“讨厌的东西！真丢人！”

A quarter of an hour passed before lessons again began, during which the schoolroom was in a glorious tumult; for that space of time it seemed to be permitted to talk loud and more freely, and they used their privilege. The whole conversation ran on the breakfast, which one and all abused roundly. Poor things! it was the sole consolation they had. Miss Miller was now the only teacher in the room: a group of great girls standing about her spoke with serious and sullen gestures. I heard the name of Mr. Brocklehurst pronounced by some lips; at which Miss Miller shook her head disapprovingly; but she made no great effort to cheek the general wrath; doubtless she shared in it.

开课前的一刻钟，教室里一片混乱，沸沸扬扬，因为这段时间里大家可以更加自由地大声说话，谁都不会放过这种特权。话题都是关于早餐的，每个人都义愤填膺。可怜的人们！她们只能这样聊以自慰。米勒小姐现在是教室里唯一的老师，一群大些的姑娘围着她，愤愤不平地打着手势向她抱怨。我听到有人说布罗克赫斯特先生的名字，这时米勒小姐会不以为然地摇摇头，但她并没有去平息这场公愤，毫无疑问，她对此也颇有同感。

A clock in the schoolroom struck nine; Miss Miller left her circle, and standing in the middle of the room, cried—

教室里的钟敲九点，米勒小姐离开了人群，站在教室中间，大声喊道：

"Silence! To your seats!"

“安静！回到你们的座位上！”

Discipline prevailed: in five minutes the confused throng was resolved into order, and comparative silence quelled the Babel clamour of tongues. The upper teachers now punctually resumed their posts: but still, all seemed to wait. Ranged on benches down the sides of the room, the eighty girls sat motionless and erect; a quaint assemblage they appeared, all with plain locks combed from their faces, not a curl visible;in brown dresses, made high and surrounded by a narrow tucker about the throat, with little pockets of holland (shaped something like a Highlander's purse) tied in front of their frocks, and destined to serve the purpose of a workbag: all, too, wearing woollen stockings and country made shoes, fastened with brass buckles. Above twenty of those clad in this costume were full-grown girls, or rather young women; it suited them ill, and gave an air of oddity even to the prettiest.

纪律高于一切。五分钟内，混乱的人群便井然有序，之后，相对的安静压倒了七嘴八舌的喧闹。高级教员们准时入座，但是大家好像还在等待。八十个女孩子一动不动地坐在教室边的长凳上，腰板挺得笔直。她们真是一群古怪的人，头发全都梳到脑后，一丝卷发都看不见。褐色的衣服，高高竖起的衣领在喉前打着领结，裙子前面是小小的亚麻口袋（像是高地人的钱包），当作针线包。所有的姑娘都穿着羊毛长袜和乡下人做的鞋子，用黄铜搭扣扣紧。二十几个这样装束的人都已经是大姑娘了，或者说是年轻妇女。这装束很不适合她们，连最漂亮的女孩子也给弄得怪里怪气。

I was still looking at them, and also at intervals examining the teachers—none of whom precisely pleased me; for the stout one was a little coarse, the dark one not a little fierce, the foreigner harsh and grotesque, and Miss Miller, poor thing! looked purple, weather-beaten, and overworked—when, as my eye wandered from face to face, the whole school rose simultaneously, as if moved by a common spring.

我依然看着她们，间或看一下老师——没有一个很顺眼的。身体结实的那位有些粗鲁，皮肤发黑的那位凶狠无比，那位外国人严厉怪异，还有米勒小姐，可怜的人！她脸色发紫，饱受风霜，操劳过度——正当我挨个看的时候，所有人同时起立，就好像被同一根弹簧带动起来。

What was the matter? I had heard no order given: I was puzzled. Ere I had gathered my wits, the classes were again seated: but as all eyes were now turned to one point, mine followed the general direction, and encountered the personage who had received me last night. She stood at the bottom of the long room, on the hearth; for there was a fire at each end; she surveyed the two rows of girls silently and gravely. Miss Miller approaching, seemed to ask her a question, and having received her answer, went back to her place, and said aloud—

怎么回事？我没有听到任何指令，真是奇怪。我还没缓过神来，大家又坐下了。但是所有的眼睛都往一处看，我也随着大方向看去，眼神撞到了昨晚接待我的那个人。她站在长教室的末尾，就在壁炉前，因为两头各有一个壁炉。她不说话，严厉地扫视着站成两排的女孩子。米勒小姐走近她，像是询问了什么问题，得到答复后，她回到原位，大声说道：

"Monitor of the first class, fetch the globes!"

“一班班长，拿地球仪过来！”

While the direction was being executed, the lady consulted moved slowly up the room. I suppose I have a considerable organ of veneration, for I retain yet the sense of admiring awe with which my eyes traced her steps. Seen now, in broad daylight, she looked tall, fair, and shapely; brown eyes with a benignant light in their irids, and a fine pencilling of long lashes round, relieved the whiteness of her large front;on each of her temples her hair, of a very dark brown, was clustered in round curls, according to the fashion of those times, when neither smooth bands nor long ringlets were in vogue;her dress, also in the mode of the day, was of purple cloth, relieved by a sort of Spanish trimming of black velvet; a gold watch (watches were not so common then as now) shone at her girdle. Let the reader add, to complete the picture, refined features; a complexion, if pale, clear; and a stately air and carriage, and he will have, at least, as clearly as words can give it, a correct idea of the exterior of Miss Temple—Maria Temple, as I afterwards saw the name written in a prayer book intrusted to me to carry to church.

在这命令被执行的时候，那位女士缓缓走到教室另一头。我想我有崇拜的天性，因为我至今还保存着我的眼神跟随她的脚步时所怀有的那份敬畏。现在是白天，她高挑、美丽、匀称，褐色的眼睛蕴含着仁慈的光辉，纤细如画的长睫毛，映衬出白皙的宽额头。双鬓深褐色的头发拧成圆圆的发卷，正是当时的潮流，那时光滑的领饰和长长的卷发还没有流行。她的衣服，当时也很流行，是紫色布料的，衬上一种西班牙黑丝绒装饰，一块金表（那时手表还不常见）在腰带上闪光。剩下的画面，就让读者去想象吧。五官精致，脸色白皙，气质高贵，无法用文字准确描绘出她的美貌，这就是坦普尔小姐——玛丽亚·坦普尔。后来，在交给我带到教堂的一本祷告书上我看到了她的名字。

The superintendent of Lowood (for such was this lady) having taken her seat before a pair of globes placed on one of the tables, summoned the first class round her, and commenced giving a lesson on geography;the lower classes were called by the teachers: repetitions in history, grammar, &c., went on for an hour; writing and arithmetic succeeded, and music lessons were given by Miss Temple to some of the elder girls. The duration of each lesson was measured by the clock, which at last struck twelve. The superintendent rose—

洛伍德的校长（也就是这位小姐）在放着地球仪的桌子前坐下，唤来一班的学生，围着她，开始了一堂地理课。低年级的学生也被老师叫去，背了一小时的历史、语法等，接着是写作和算术，坦普尔小姐还给一些年龄较大的姑娘们上音乐课。每堂课都按钟点下课，终于到了十二点。校长站了起来。

"I have a word to address to the pupils," said she.

“我有句话要对大家讲。”她说。

The tumult of cessation from lessons was already breaking forth, but it sank at her voice. She went on—

下课的吵闹声已经爆发，但又在她的声音里静了下来。她继续说道：

"You had this morning a breakfast which you could not eat; you must be hungry:—I have ordered that a lunch of bread and cheese shall be served to all.”

“今天的早餐让大家难以下咽。现在你们一定饿了，我已经吩咐给大家各做一份面包和奶酪作为午餐。”

The teachers looked at her with a sort of surprise.

老师们惊讶地看着她。

"It is to be done on my responsibility," she added, in an explanatory tone to them, and immediately afterwards left the room.

“这是我的分内之事。”她用解释的语气向她们说道，随即离开了。

The bread and cheese was presently brought in and distributed, to the high delight and refreshment of the whole school. The order was now given "To the garden!"Each put on a coarse straw bonnet, with strings of coloured calico, and a cloak of grey frieze. I was similarly equipped, and, following the stream, I made my way into the open air.

面包和奶酪很快就被端进来并分发下去，大家无不欢呼雀跃。命令又来了：“去花园！”每个人都戴一顶草帽，上面有一根染色的白棉布带子，再披上一件灰粗绒的斗篷。我也是同样的装备，跟着队伍向户外走去。

The garden was a wide inclosure, surrounded with walls so high as to exclude every glimpse of prospect; a covered verandah ran down one side, and broad walks bordered a middle space divided into scores of little beds: these beds were assigned as gardens for the pupils to cultivate, and each bed had an owner. When full of flowers they would doubtless look pretty; but now, at the latter end of January, all was wintry blight and brown decay. I shuddered as I stood and looked round me: it was an inclement day for outdoor exercise; not positively rainy, but darkened by a drizzling yellow fog; all under foot was still soaking wet with the floods of yesterday. The stronger among the girls ran about and engaged in active games, but sundry pale and thin ones herded together for shelter and warmth in the verandah; and amongst these, as the dense mist penetrated to their shivering frames, I heard frequently the sound of a hollow cough.

花园是一片大围场，四周高墙耸立，完全挡住了外面的景象。一条有顶回廊沿一边伸展，宽大的过道与中间的一块地相临，那块地被分成了几十块苗圃。这些小苗圃分给学生们耕种，每块都有一个主人。当鲜花盛开时肯定很漂亮，但现在是一月的末尾，一切都萧条暗淡，没有生机。我站在那里，看着周围的事物，冷得发抖。这种坏天气真不适合户外活动，虽然没有真下雨，却笼罩着阴沉暗黄的雾气。地面湿漉漉的，还浸着昨日的雨水。较为强壮的女孩子跑来跑去地做游戏，而那些苍白瘦弱的女孩子为了取暖，成群地躲在走廊上。浓重的雾气渗透了她们颤抖的身子，我时常听到一声声干咳。

As yet I had spoken to no one, nor did anybody seem to take notice of me; I stood lonely enough: but to that feeling of isolation I was accustomed; it did not oppress me much. I leant against a pillar of the verandah, drew my grey mantle close about me, and, trying to forget the cold which nipped me without, and the unsatisfied hunger which gnawed me within, delivered myself up to the employment of watching and thinking. My reflections were too undefined and fragmentary to merit record: I hardly yet knew where I was; Gateshead and my past life seemed floated away to an immeasurable distance; the present was vague and strange, and of the future I could form no conjecture. I looked round the convent like garden, and then up at the house—a large building, half of which seemed grey and old, the other half quite new. The new part, containing the schoolroom and dormitory, was lit by mullioned and latticed windows, which gave it a churchlike aspect; a stone tablet over the door bore this inscription:—

我没有跟人讲话，也没有任何人注意到我。我孤独地站着，但是我早就习惯了这种孤独，这并没有让我感到很压抑。我倚在走廊的一根柱子上，扯紧了我的灰斗篷。我开始集中注意力观察和思考，试图忘却身外这刺骨的寒冷和体内吞噬着我的饥饿感。我的思绪模糊不清又不成体系，不值一提。我几乎不知道自己身在何处，盖茨黑德府和我过去的生活一并远去了。眼前的一切模糊陌生，我对未来也一无所知。我环顾修道院一样的花园，然后抬头看看校舍——那是很大的建筑，发灰的一半看起来年数久远，另一半却很新。新楼里有教室和宿舍，装有竖框和格子窗，有点像教堂，门上的石匾写着：

"Lowood Institution. —This portion was rebuilt A.D.—, by Naomi Brocklehurst, of Brocklehurst Hall, in this county.”"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."— St. Matt. v. 16.

“洛伍德学院——该部由布罗克赫斯特府的内奥米·布罗克赫斯特——重建于公元ｘｘ年。”“你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的善举，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。”——《马太福音》五章十六节

I read these words over and over again: I felt that an explanation belonged to them, and was unable fully to penetrate their import. I was still pondering the signification of "Institution," and endeavouring to make out a connection between the first words and the verse of Scripture, when the sound of a cough close behind me made me turn my head. I saw a girl sitting on a stone bench near; she was bent over a book, on the perusal of which she seemed intent: from where I stood I could see the title—it was " Rasselas ;" a name that struck me as strange, and consequently attractive. In turning a leaf she happened to look up, and I said to her directly—

这些话我读了又读。我觉得这句解释包含着某种含义，但无法完全读懂。我正思考着“学院”的含义，想要找出前面几个字与那句经文的关联，身后传来咳嗽声，我转过头去。我看到一个女孩子坐在附近的石凳上，专心致志地弯着身子看书。从我站的地方可以看清书名，《拉塞拉斯》，怪怪的名字，因而很吸引人。她翻页时碰巧抬起头，我开门见山地对她说：

"Is your book interesting?"I had already formed the intention of asking her to lend it to me some day.

“你的书有意思吗？”我已经想好改天向她借来看了。

"I like it," she answered, after a pause of a second or two, during which she examined me.

“我很喜欢它。”她打量了我一两秒后才回答。

"What is it about?"I continued. I hardly know where I found the hardihood thus to open a conversation with a stranger; the step was contrary to my nature and habits: but I think her occupation touched a chord of sympathy somewhere; for I too liked reading, though of a frivolous and childish kind; I could not digest or comprehend the serious or substantial.

“里面讲了什么呀？”我继续问道。我不知道是哪里来的胆量，让我主动同一个陌生人交谈，这不符合我的天性和习惯。想必是她的专注触动了我的心弦，因为我也喜欢读书，虽然是些浅显幼稚的书，我还无法消化或理解那些严肃或深奥的书。

"You may look at it," replied the girl, offering me the book.

“你可以看看。”女孩儿说着，把书递给我。

I did so; a brief examination convinced me that the contents were less taking than the title: " Rasselas " looked dull to my trifling taste; I saw nothing about fairies, nothing about genii; no bright variety seemed spread over the closely printed pages. I returned it to her; she received it quietly, and without saying anything she was about to relapse into her former studious mood: again I ventured to disturb her—

我照做了。我大致翻了翻，确信这些内容没有书名《拉塞拉斯》诱人，对我浅薄的口味来说有些枯燥，没有精灵，没有魔鬼，印得密密麻麻的书页上连彩色图片也没有。我把书还给她。她静静地接过去，什么都没说便要重新投入之前的专注状态。我再一次斗胆打扰她：

"Can you tell me what the writing on that stone over the door means?What is Lowood Institution?"

“能告诉我那边门上的那块石匾写的是什么意思吗？什么是洛伍德学院？”

"This house where you are come to live."

“就是你来住的这房子呀。”

"And why do they call it Institution? Is it in any way different from other schools?"

“为什么要叫它学院呢？它跟其他学校有什么不同吗？”

"It is partly a charity school: you and I, and all the rest of us, are charity children. I suppose you are an orphan: are not either your father or your mother dead?”

“它在一定程度上是个慈善性质的学校，你和我，还有其他学生都是慈善学校的孩子。我想你是孤儿吧，你父亲或母亲是不是去世了？”

"Both died before I can remember."

“在我记事之前他们就都去世了。”

"Well, all the girls here have lost either one or both parents, and this is called an institution for educating orphans."

“嗯，这里所有的女孩子要么死了爸爸或妈妈，要么爸妈都死了，这是为孤儿提供教育的学校。”

"Do we pay no money? Do they keep us for nothing?"

“我们不用交钱吗？他们分文不收养活我们吗？”

"We pay, or our friends pay, fifteen pounds a year for each."

“我们要交钱，或是我们的朋友交，每人每年十五英镑。”

"Then why do they call us charity children?"

“那为什么他们叫我们慈善学校的孩子呢？”

"Because fifteen pounds is not enough for board and teaching, and the deficiency is supplied by subscription."

“因为十五英镑对于住宿和教学是不够的，剩下的靠捐款来资助。”

"Who subscribes?"

“谁来捐款呢？”

"Different benevolent minded ladies and gentlemen in this neighbourhood and in London."

“这附近以及伦敦的善良的夫人和绅士。”

"Who was Naomi Brocklehurst?"

“内奥米·布罗克赫斯特是谁？”

"The lady who built the new part of this house as that tablet records, and whose son overlooks and directs everything here."

“就是石匾上记载的建大楼新区的太太，她的儿子监管这里的一切。”

"Why?"

“为什么？”

"Because he is treasurer and manager of the establishment."

“因为他是这里的司库和管事。”

"Then this house does not belong to that tall lady who wears a watch, and who said we were to have some bread and cheese?"

“那么这栋房子不属于那位戴着金表，还说让我们吃奶酪和面包的高挑小姐？”

"To Miss Temple? Oh, no! I wish it did: she has to answer to Mr. Brocklehurst for all she does. Mr. Brocklehurst buys all our food and all our clothes.”

“属于坦普尔小姐？哦，不是的！我倒希望如此，她要为所做的一切向布罗克赫斯特先生负责。他负责购买我们全部的食物和衣服。”

"Does he live here?"

“他住在这里吗？”

"No—two miles off, at a large hall.”

“不——在两英里外的一栋大房子里。”

"Is he a good man?"

“他人好吗？”

"He is a clergyman, and is said to do a great deal of good."

“他是位牧师，据说做了很多善事。”

"Did you say that tall lady was called Miss Temple?"

“你刚才是说那位高挑小姐名叫坦普尔吗？”

"Yes."

“是的。”

"And what are the other teachers called?"

“那么其他老师叫什么？”

"The one with red cheeks is called Miss Smith; she attends to the work, and cuts out—for we make our own clothes, our frocks, and pelisses, and everything; the little one with black hair is Miss Scatcherd;she teaches history and grammar, and hears the second class repetitions; and the one who wears a shawl, and has a pocket-handkerchief tied to her side with a yellow ribband, is Madame Pierrot: she comes from Lisle, in France, and teaches French.”

“脸颊泛红的那个是史密斯小姐，她负责劳动和裁剪，因为我们得自己做衣服、连衣裙、上衣，所有的一切。那位黑头发的小个子老师是斯卡查德小姐，她教历史和语法，还负责二班背书。裹着披肩、腰上用黄丝带系着手帕的是皮埃罗夫人，她来自法国里尔，教法语。”

"Do you like the teachers?"

“你喜欢这些老师吗？”

"Well enough."

“很喜欢。”

"Do you like the little black one, and the Madame—? —I cannot pronounce her name as you do.”

“你喜欢那个黑黑的矮个子和什么夫人来着？我说不上来那位夫人的名字，不像你。”

"Miss Scatcherd is hasty—you must take care not to offend her; Madame Pierrot is not a bad sort of person.”

“斯卡查德小姐是个急性子，你一定不要冒犯她，皮埃罗夫人倒还不错。”

"But Miss Temple is the best—isn't she?"

“但坦普尔小姐是最好的——对吧？”

"Miss Temple is very good and very clever; she is above the rest, because she knows far more than they do."

“坦普尔小姐人好又聪明，比其他人都强，因为她远比他们知道的多。”

"Have you been long here?"

“你在这里呆多久了？”

"Two years."

“两年。”

"Are you an orphan?"

“你是孤儿吗？”

"My mother is dead."

“我妈妈过世了。”

"Are you happy here?"

“你在这儿快乐吗？”

"You ask rather too many questions. I have given you answers enough for the present: now I want to read.”

“你问题太多。我已经回答够多了，现在我要看书了。”

But at that moment the summons sounded for dinner; all re-entered the house. The odour which now filled the refectory was scarcely more appetising than that which had regaled our nostrils at breakfast: the dinner was served in two huge tin-plated vessels, whence rose a strong steam redolent of rancid fat. I found the mess to consist of indifferent potatoes and strange shreds of rusty meat, mixed and cooked together. Of this preparation a tolerably abundant plateful was apportioned to each pupil. I ate what I could, and wondered within myself whether every day's fare would be like this.

但此刻晚餐铃声响了，大家纷纷回到屋里。食堂里散发的气味并不比早饭那刺鼻的气味更让人有食欲。晚饭盛在两个大锡皮桶里，热气腾腾地冒着令人作呕的油味儿。是一堆烂土豆和少量臭肉掺杂在一起煮的。每人都分到满满一盘。我尽可能吃下去，心里怀疑是否每天的饭菜都将如此。

After dinner, we immediately adjourned to the schoolroom: lessons recommenced, and were continued till five o'clock.

晚饭过后，我们立刻回到教室，功课又开始了，一直持续到五点钟。

The only marked event of the afternoon was, that I saw the girl with whom I had conversed in the verandah dismissed in disgrace by Miss Scatcherd from a history class, and sent to stand in the middle of the large schoolroom. The punishment seemed to me in a high degree ignominious, especially for so great a girl—she looked thirteen or upwards.

下午唯一值得注意的是，我看到跟我在走廊交谈的那个女生被斯卡查德小姐从历史课上撵出去，站在大教室中间受罚。我觉得这种惩罚太丢人了，尤其是对这么大的女孩子——她看上去有十三岁或更大。

I expected she would show signs of great distress and shame; but to my surprise she neither wept nor blushed: composed, though grave, she stood, the central mark of all eyes. "How can she bear it so quietly—so firmly?”I asked of myself. "Were I in her place, it seems to me I should wish the earth to open and swallow me up. She looks as if she were thinking of something beyond her punishment—beyond her situation: of something not round her nor before her. I have heard of daydreams—is she in a day-dream now? Her eyes are fixed on the floor, but I am sure they do not see it—her sight seems turned in, gone down into her heart: she is looking at what she can remember, I believe; not at what is really present. I wonder what sort of a girl she is—whether good or naughty.”Soon after five p.m. we had another meal, consisting of a small mug of coffee, and half-a-slice of brown bread. I devoured my bread and drank my coffee with relish; but I should have been glad of as much more—I was still hungry. Half-an-hour's recreation succeeded then study; then the glass of water and the piece of oat-cake, prayers, and bed. Such was my first day at Lowood.

我原本以为她会表现出极大的沮丧和屈辱，但出人意料的是，她并没有流泪或脸红。她站在那儿，严肃但却镇静，成为全班的焦点。“她怎么能如此安静、如此坚定地忍受呢？”我问自己，“如果是我的话，真希望地面裂开把我吞进去。她看起来在思考一些与惩罚无关的事——与她的处境无关，与她眼前或身边的事无关。我听说过白日梦——难道她在做白日梦吗？她的双眼盯着地面，但我确信她并没有在看——她的视线似乎倒回来，直入她的内心。我相信她正在看她能记住的一些东西，而不是真实存在的东西。我在想她究竟是怎样的女孩子——乖孩子还是淘气鬼。”刚过五点，我们又要进餐了，一小杯咖啡，半片黑面包。我狼吞虎咽，吃得津津有味，但要是多给点儿就更好了——我还是饿。饭后娱乐半小时，然后继续学习。一杯水和一块儿燕麦饼，祷告之后，便上床睡觉。就这样，我度过了在洛伍德的第一天。 graQ+08s4ZAfqmCrD7EMtAwzBWmn1+CtVJUfSm2QwqMT6FdgF5tQMrH6ZLpibNr4