Those who have walked across the south of France, as I have done, may have noticed an inn, situated between Bellegarde and Beaucaire, roughly half-way between the village and the town (though rather closer to Beaucaire than to Bellegarde), outside which hangs a crude painting of the Pont du Gard on a metal plate which creaks at the slightest breath of wind. This little inn, lying parallel to the course of the Rhône, is situated on the left side of the road with its back to the river. It has what in Languedoc is described as a garden: that is to say that the side opposite the one through which travellers enter overlooks an enclosure in which a few stunted olive-trees lurk beside some wild figs, their leaves silvered with dust. Between them, the only vegetables that grow here are some heads of garlic, some peppers and some shallots. Finally, in one corner, like a forgotten sentry, a tall umbrella pine rises in melancholy fashion on its pliable trunk, while its crest, fanned out, blisters under thirty degrees of sunshine. All these trees, large or small, are naturally bent in the direction of the mistral, one of the three scourges of Provence, the two others, as you may or may not know, being the River Durance and Parliament.
像我这样曾徒步周游过法国南部的人，或许曾注意到，在布揆尔镇和比里加答村的中途，有一家路边小客栈，门口挂着一块洋铁皮，在风中摆来摆去，发着响声，上面隐隐约约地可看出邦杜加三字。这家小客栈，假如我们从罗纳河那个方向去，是位于路的左边，背靠着河。和小客栈相接连的，有朗格多克一带的所谓花园。园里有一小块土地，从正对着它的邦杜加客栈的大门（旅客们就是在这里被请进来享受客栈主人的殷勤款待），可以看到花园的全景。在这片土地上，或这个花园里，在北纬三十度的灼热的阳光的猛晒之下，有几棵无精打采的橄榄树和发育不健全的无花果树在为了生存艰苦地挣扎，但它们那萎谢的盖满了灰尘的树叶，充分地证明了这一场斗争是多么的不公平。在这些病态的矮树之间，还略微长着一些大蒜，蕃茄和冬葱，还有一棵高大的松树，孤零零地，象一个被遗忘的哨兵伸着它那忧郁的头和它那盘曲的丫枝和枝头扇形的簇叶，周身被催人衰老的西北风（这是天罚）吹得枯干龟裂。
Here and there in the surrounding plain, which is like a great lake of dust, stand a few stalks of wheat that the farmers hereabouts must surely grow out of mere curiosity. There is a cicada perched on every one of these stalks which pursues any traveller who has strayed into this wilderness with its high-pitched, monotonous call.
周围是一片平地，但与其说是实地，倒还不如说是一个污浊的泥沼，上面四散长着一些可怜的麦茎。这，无疑的是当地农业专家的好奇心所造成的结果。蝉栖息在麦茎上，用它们那尖利刺耳的嘶喊声充满人们的耳朵。
As if to torment still further the unfortunate innkeeper, who was ruined by it, the canal ran between the Rhône -- which supplied it with water -- and the road -- which it drained of traffic -- only some hundred yards from the inn which we have just briefly (but accurately) described.
运河离这家被遗弃的客栈还不满一百步，关于这家客栈，我们已很简略但很忠实地描写过了，这位不幸的客栈老板本来已天天愁眉不展，快要全部破产，现在再加上这条繁荣的运河的打击，自然更增加了他的愁苦。
For perhaps the last seven or eight years this little inn had been kept by a man and woman whose only staff were a chambermaid called Trinette and a stableboy answering to the name of Pacaud. In fact, these two assistants had amply sufficed for the task, since a canal between Beaucaire and Aigues-Mortes had ensured the victory of water over road haulage, and barges had taken the place of the stagecoach.
也许在过去的七八年里，这家小客栈一向由一个男人和他的妻子共同经营，本来还有两个佣人：一个名叫德丽妮蒂，充侍女之职；另一个名叫巴卡，负责管理马厩。但是，唉！这种职务的分配实在是有名无实，因为在布揆耳和阿琪摩地之间，近来开通了一条运河，运河船代替了运货马车，花舫代替了驿车。
His wife, in contrast, whose maiden name had been Madeleine Radelle, was pale, thin and sickly. She came from the region around Arles and had preserved some traces of the traditional beauty of the women of that area, while seeing her features slowly deteriorate, ravaged by one of those persistent fevers which are so common among the peoples who live near the ponds of Aigues-Mortes and the swamps of the Camargue. In consequence she spent most of her time seated, shivering, in her room on the first floor, either stretched out in an armchair or leaning against her bed, while her husband kept his customary watch at the door. He was all the more happy to spend his time there, since whenever he found himself in the same room as his better -- or certainly bitter -- half, she would harass him with unending lamentations on her fate, to which her husband would normally only respond with these philosophical words: "Quiet, La Carconte! It's God's will."
他的妻子名叫做玛德兰·莱德儿，她却正巧和他相反，脸色苍白消瘦，面带病容。她出生在阿尔附近，那个地方是以出产美女闻名远近的，而她也分有了当地妇女的美丽。但那种美丽，在阿琪摩地河与凯马琪沼泽地带附近非常流行的那种慢性寒热症的摧残之下，却已逐渐萎谢了。她差不多老是呆在她二楼的房间里，哆嗦地坐在椅子里，或有气无力地躺在床上，而她的丈夫则成天地在门口守望着，——这种职务他是极其心甘情愿的，这样，他就可以不必听他的伴侣在他的耳边咕噜那说不尽的怨语，因为她每一见他，就必定滔滔不绝地痛骂命运，诅咒她现在这种不该受的苦境。对于这一切，她的丈夫总是不变地用这些富于哲学意味的话平心静气地回答：“别说了，卡康脱人，这些事都是上帝安排的。”
The innkeeper was a man of forty to forty-five, tall, dry, nervous, a typical Southerner with his deep-set, shining eyes, his hooked nose and his teeth as white as those of some beast of prey. Though his hair had felt the first breath of age, it could not make up its mind to go grey: like the beard that he wore following the line of his jaw, it was thick, curly and spattered with just a few strands of white. His complexion, naturally swarthy, was covered by yet a new layer of brown from the habit he had adopted of standing from morning to night on the threshold of his door to see if some customer might not arrive, either on foot or by carriage. His expectations were almost invariably disappointed; but he stood there still, with no protection against the burning heat of the sun other than a red handkerchief knotted about his head, like a Spanish mule-driver. This man was our old acquaintance, Gaspard Caderousse.
客栈老板是一个年约四十至四十五岁的人，身材高大强壮，骨胳粗大，实是法国南部人的一个好标本。他有闪闪发光而深陷的黑眼睛，弯曲的鼻子和象一只食肉兽那样雪白的牙齿。他的头发，虽然经过时间的吹拂，却似乎不愿变白，象他那蓄在颔下的胡须一样，茂密而卷曲，但已略微混入了几根银丝。他的肤色天生是黯黑的，加之这个可怜虫又有一种习惯，喜欢自朝到晚地站在他的门口，切望有一个骑马或徒步来的旅客或许会造福他的眼睛，使他得到又一次看见客人进门的喜悦，所以在黑色之外，又加上了一层棕褐色。他的耐心和他的期望都一样的得不到结果，可是他还是日复一日地在那儿站着，暴露在象火一样猛晒的太阳之下，头上除了象西班牙骡夫似的缠着一块红色的手帕以外，别无其他保护之物。这个人就是我们以前认识的卡德罗斯。
The nickname derived from the fact that Madeleine Radelle had been born in the village of La Carconte, between Sallon and Lambesc. So, in accordance with local custom, by which people are almost always given a nickname in place of their names, her husband had substituted this for Madeleine, which was probably too soft and pleasant sounding for his rough tongue.
卡康脱人这个绰号之所以会赐给玛德兰·莱德儿，是因为她出生的村庄位于萨隆和兰比克之间，那个村庄就叫这个名字。而据卡德罗斯所住的那一带法国地方的风俗，人们常常给每一个人起一个独特而明晰的称呼，她的丈夫所以要赐她卡康脱人这个名字，或许是因为玛德兰这三字太婉转悦耳了，他那粗笨的舌头说不惯。
However, it should not be thought that the innkeeper, despite this pretence of resignation to the decrees of fate, was not acutely sensible of the poverty to which he had been reduced by the confounded Beaucaire canal, or that he was proof against the endless complaints that his wife heaped on him. Like all Southerners, he was moderate, needing little for himself, but vain when it came to external matters; so, in the days of his prosperity, he would not let a ferrade or a procession of the tarasque go past without appearing in it, La Carconte at his side: he would be dressed in the picturesque costume of a man from the Midi, somewhere between Catalan and Andalusian dress, while she would have on the delightful attire of the women of Arles, suggestive of Greece and Arabia. Little by little, however, watch-chains, necklaces, gaudy belts, embroidered blouses, velvet jackets, elegantly trimmed stockings, multicoloured gaiters and silver-buckled shoes had vanished, until Gaspard Caderousse could no longer appear in his former splendour; so, on his own behalf and that of his wife, he gave up all these worldly exhibitions, though he felt a bitter pang when the happy sounds of some celebration would reach this miserable inn, which he kept much more to have a roof over his head than as a business proposition.
可是，他虽然假装出这种听天由命的态度，我们却不能骤下断语，以为这位不幸的客栈老板并不明白那可恶的布揆耳运河给他带来的痛苦，或以为他永远不会为他妻子喋喋不休的抱怨所打动，不因眼看那条可恨的运河带走了他的顾客和利润，以致他那脾气乖戾的伴侣越益抱怨噜苏，使自己陷入于双重痛苦而恼怒。象其他的南部居民一样，他也是一个老成持重，欲望不高的人，但却爱好浮夸和虚荣，极喜欢出风头。在他境况顺利的那些日子里，每逢节日，国庆，或举行典礼的时候，在凑热闹的观众之中，总不会没有他和他的妻子的。他穿起法国南部居民逢到这种大场面时所穿的那种漂亮的服装，就是象迦太兰人和安达露西亚人所穿的那种服式；而卡康脱人则炫耀出那种在阿尔妇女中流行的美丽时装，就是一种从希腊和阿拉伯摹仿来的服式。但渐渐地，表链呀，项圈呀，花色领巾呀，绣花乳褡呀，丝绒背心呀，做工精美的袜子呀，条纹扎脚套呀，以及鞋子上的银搭扣呀，都不见了，于是，葛司柏·卡德罗斯，既不能穿着以前的华服出外露面，就和他的妻子都不再参加这些浮华虚荣的场面，虽然当那些兴高采烈的欢呼者所发出的高兴的声音和愉快的音乐传到这个可怜的客栈的时候，——而这个他现在还依恋着的客栈只能算是一个庇身之所，谈不上赚钱，——他的脑子里也未尝不充满着嫉妒和不满的痛苦之感。
However, if he had remained at his post, Caderousse would have seen, defying probability, a horse and rider approaching from Bellegarde with that frank and friendly manner which suggests the best possible understanding between the horseman and his mount. The horse was a gelding which ambled pleasantly along; on its back was a priest, dressed in black and wearing a three-cornered hat, despite the blistering heat of the sun which was now at its zenith. The pair proceeded at a very sensible trot.
可是，假如卡德罗斯在他的门前多留几分钟的话，他大概可以看到一个模糊的轮廓从比里加答那个方向过来。当那个移动的目标走近的时候，他就很容易看出，来者原来是一人一马，两者之间，看来似乎有着最和蔼可亲的谅解。那匹马是匈牙利种的，一路踏着那种马所特具的安闲的快步跑来。它的骑者是一位教士，穿着一身黑衣服，戴着一顶三角帽，虽然中午的阳光很灼热，那一对人和马却以相当快的步子跑来。
As was his custom, Caderousse had spent part of the morning standing at the door, turning his sad eyes from a little bare patch of grass where some hens were pecking, to each end of the empty road which extended southwards in one direction, northwards in the other. Suddenly his wife's sour voice called him away from his post. He went inside, grumbling, and up to the first floor, while leaving the door wide open as if to persuade travellers not to forget him as they went by.
这一天，卡德罗斯照常站在他门前的了望地位上，他时而无精打采地望望一片几乎光秃秃的草地，时而望望道路，草地上有几只家禽在那儿啄食，努力地想寻觅一些合它们胃口的谷物或昆虫，但一无结果，自南至北的道路上，寂无一人。他的心里正在盘算着，幻想着会不会碰巧有一个客人进来，使邦杜加客栈得以尽它招待客商的职守，忽然听得他的妻子尖声叫唤，喊他赶快到她那儿。他口里低声地噜苏着，很不高兴他的妻子打断他的思想，脚下却向她楼上的房间走去，——但是，在上楼以前，他把前门大开，象是请旅客在经过的时候不要忘记它似的。
When Caderousse turned back into the house, the main road down which, as we said, he had been looking, was as empty and lonely as a desert under the midday sun. White and endless, it ran between two lines of slender trees and it was quite reasonable to suppose that no traveller who was free to choose any other hour of the day would wish to venture into this awful Sahara.
当卡德罗斯离开他门前的时候，那条他极目凝视的道路，象中午的沙漠一样空旷和孤寂。它直挺挺地躺在那儿，象是一条无尽头的灰和沙所组成的线，两旁排列着高大而瘦瘠的树，看来绝无动人之处，凡是头脑清醒的人，谁都不能想象会有任何可以自由支配旅程的旅客竟会选择在这烈日当空的时候，让自己暴露到这个可怕的撒哈拉沙漠来。
A large black dog immediately got up and took a few steps forward, barking and baring its sharp white teeth; this show of hostility only demonstrated how unused it was to receiving company.
一听到这不平凡的声音，一只大黑狗立刻窜出来，向着这个胆敢侵犯它一向宁静的寓所的人狂吠，并带着一种坚决的敌意露出它那尖利雪白的牙齿。
When they reached the door, they stopped: it would have been difficult to decide whether it was the horse that stopped the man or the man who stopped the horse. In any event, the rider dismounted and, leading the horse by its bridle, attached it to the knob of a dilapidated shutter that was hanging by a single hinge. The priest then went across to the door, wiping his dripping brow with a red cotton handkerchief, and knocked three times with the iron tip of his cane.
到邦杜加客栈前面，那匹马停了下来，但究竟是它自己要停的还是它的骑者要停却很难说。但不论是谁要停的，总之，那位教士从马上下来，牵住他那匹骏马的辔头，想找一个地方把它系上。他利用从一扇半倒的门上突出来的门闩，把马安全地系了起来，慈爱地拍拍它，从口袋里抽出一条红色的棉纱手帕，抹一抹从他的额头流下来的汗珠，然后走到门前，用他的铁头手杖的一端敲了三下。
At once, the wooden stairway running along the wall shook with a heavy tread: the landlord of the mean lodging-house at whose door the priest was standing was coming down, bent over and walking backwards.
这时，那座通到楼上去的木头楼梯上发出一阵沉重的脚步声，于是，那家小客栈的店主连连鞠躬，带着客气的微笑，出现在教士所等待着的门口。
"Here I am," Caderousse said in astonishment. "Here I am! Be quiet, Margottin! Don't worry, Monsieur, he barks but he doesn't bite. Would you like some wine? How hot it is! It's a right little strumpet of a day… Oh! I beg your pardon," he said, when he saw what kind of traveller this was. "I didn't know whom I had the honour to serve. What can I get you? What would you like, Monsieur l'Abbé? I am at your command."
“我来了！”惊奇的卡德罗斯说。“我来了！不许叫，马哥丁！别怕，先生，它光是叫，但它是从来不咬人的。我想，在这可怕的大热天，一杯好酒无疑地是受欢迎的吧！”然后，卡德罗斯第一次看清了他所接待的这位旅客的外貌，他赶快声明说，“千万请原谅，先生！我没有看清我有幸能在我这可怜的屋檐底下接待的人是谁。您高兴要什么，长老阁下？我可以给您准备什么饮食？我所有的一切都可以悉听吩咐。”
"That is correct."
“是的。”
"Yes, sir," the innkeeper said, perhaps even more surprised by the question than he had been by the silence which preceded it. "I am indeed. Gaspard Caderousse, at your service."
“先生说得很对，”店主回答，这个问题甚至比刚才的那一度沉默更使他惊奇，“我就是葛司柏·卡德罗斯，悉听您的吩咐。”
The priest looked at the man for two or three seconds with unusual concentration, even appearing to want to draw the innkeeper's attention to himself. Then, since the other's face expressed nothing but surprise at not having an answer to his question, the newcomer decided it was time to put an end to the delay and said, with a very heavy Italian accent: "Aren't you Monsieur Caderousse?"
教士用搜索的眼光向和他讲话的这个人凝视了好一会儿，他甚至似乎准备客栈老板也会同样地向他这样细看。但看到除了因为那篇措辞这样客气的问话不曾引起他的注意而产生的极端惊奇以外，对方的脸上别无其他的表情，他认为这一幕哑剧可以结束了，于是就用一种带着强烈的意大利口音的声调说：“我想，您是卡德罗斯先生吧？”
"Gaspard Caderousse… Yes, I think that is the name. Did you once live in the Allées de Meilhan, on the fourth floor?"
“葛司柏·卡德罗斯！”教士应声答道。“对了，这就和我所指的那个人姓名都相符了。我相信，您以前是住在米兰巷一间小房子的五楼上的吧？”
"Where you exercised the profession of tailor?"
“您在那儿是做裁缝生意的？”
"Certainly; bring me a bottle of your best wine, then we can carry on the conversation where we left off, if you would be so good."
“对，把您最好的酒给我一瓶，然后，假如您允许的话，我们再继续谈下去。”
"Yes, but the profession went downhill. It's so hot in that damned Marseille that I honestly believe in the end people there won't dress at all. But talking of heat, wouldn't you like to take some refreshment, Monsieur l'Abbé?"
“是的，我以前是一个裁缝，后来那一行愈来愈不行，简直难以糊口了。而且，马赛的天气是这样的热，我实在也受不了啦，而据我的意见，凡是可敬的居民都应该学我的榜样离开那个地方。但说到热，难道我不能拿一点东西给您解渴吗？”
"However you like, Monsieur l'Abbé," said Caderousse. And, not wishing to miss this opportunity of selling one of the last bottles of Cahors wine that remained to him, he hastened to lift a trapdoor in the boards of this same ground-floor room which served as both dining-room and kitchen.
“悉听尊便，长老阁下。”卡德罗斯说，他手头还留有几瓶卡奥尔酒，现在既得到了一个主顾，当然极希望能不错过这个机会，所以急忙打开地下室的门，这扇门就设在他们这时所在的房间的地板上，至于他们这时所在的房间，就是这家客栈的客厅兼厨房。
When he reappeared, five minutes later, he found the abbé sitting on a stool, with his elbow on a long table, while Margottin's scrawny neck rested on his thigh and the dog was looking at him with a languid eye, apparently having made his peace with this unusual traveller when he understood that, contrary to custom, he was going to partake of refreshment.
去地下室这一次来回花了五分钟，当他出来的时候，他发现长老坐在一张破烂的长凳上，手肘撑着桌子，而马哥丁，它对长老的敌意似乎已打消，一反往常地坐在那里，伸着那有皮无毛的长颈子，用它那迟钝的目光热切地盯住这位奇怪的旅客的脸。
"Ah, you are married?" the priest said, with some interest, looking around as if assessing the meagre value of the couple's poor furniture.
“那末，您结婚了吗？”教士很感兴趣地说，一面讲，一面环视室内简略的设备和粗鄙的家具。
"You are thinking that I'm not rich, eh, Monsieur l'Abbé?" Caderousse said with a sigh. "What do you expect! It is not enough to be honest to prosper in this world."
“唉！长老阁下！”卡德罗斯叹了一口气说，“您已经看到我不是一个有钱人，而要在这个世界上求生存，光做一个诚实人是不够的。”
"Are you alone?" the abbé asked his host, who put a bottle and glass in front of him.
“您只有一个人吗？”来客当卡德罗斯把酒瓶和一只玻璃杯放到他面前的时候问。
"My God, yes! Or almost, Monsieur l'Abbé. I have my wife who can't help me at all, because she's always ill, poor Carconte."
“一个人，只有一个人，”店主回答，“或至少，也和只有一个人相差无几，长老阁下。因为我那可怜的老婆卧病在床，一点都不能帮我的忙，可怜的东西！”
"Yes, honest. That I can boast of, Monsieur," the innkeeper said, returning his stare with one hand on his heart and nodding his head. "And, nowadays, not everyone can say as much."
“是的，诚实人，——这一层，我自然可以当之无愧，”客栈老板继续说，他很受得住长老那种查考的目光。“可是，”他意味深长地点点头，继续说，“现在不是人人都能这样说的了。”
The abbé stared hard at him.
长老用一种具有穿透力的目光盯住他。
"You are wrong to say that, Monsieur," said the abbé, "for I myself may well be, in your own case, the proof of what I am saying."
“您这样说就错了，”长老说，“或许我可以以身作证，向您证明我所说的话确是真理。”
"So much the better, if what you boast of is true," said the abbé. "Because I am convinced that, sooner or later, a righteous man is rewarded and a wicked one punished."
“假如您所说的话是实情，那就好了，”长老说，“因为我有充分的理由相信，迟早总会善有善报，恶有恶报的。”
"You're a man of the cloth, Monsieur l'Abbé," said Caderousse with a bitter look, "and it's your job to say that. But everyone is free to disbelieve what you claim."
“这一类话原是干您这一行的人说的，长老阁下，”卡德罗斯答道，“您把它们重述一遍，原很不错，但是，”他脸上带着一个痛苦的表情又说，“谁都有权利可以不相信这些话。”
"I mean that I must first of all ensure that you are the person I think you are."
“首先，我必须确定您就是我所找的人。”
"What proof can I give you?"
“您要什么证据？”
"Did you in 1814 or 1815 know a sailor called Dantès?"
“在一八一四或一八一五年的时候，您知不知道有一个姓邓蒂斯的青年水手？”
"How do you mean?" asked Caderousse in astonishment.
“您是什么意思？”卡德罗斯带着惊讶的神色问。
"Dantès! Yes, I knew poor Edmond! I certainly knew him: he was one of my best friends!" Caderousse exclaimed, his face turning deep purple, while the abbé's clear, confident eyes seemed to dilate and embrace every detail of the man opposite him.
“邓蒂斯？我知不知道他？知不知道那个可怜的爱德蒙？我想，我该是知道的。他甚至还是我最要好的朋友之一呢！”卡德罗斯喊道，他的脸上现出一种近乎深红色的光彩，而那问话者的明亮镇定的眼光似乎更加深了这种色彩，直到布满了他的整个脸部。
"You seem to have been sincerely attached to the young man, Monsieur," said the abbé.
“据您所说，你好象是很爱这个年轻的邓蒂斯似的。”长老说。
"Yes, I do believe he was called Edmond."
“您提醒我，”教士说，“我所问您的那个青年人，好象是名叫爱德蒙是不是？”
"He died a prisoner, more forlorn and despondent than the convicts who wear their shackles in the penal colony in Toulon."
“他到死还是一个囚徒，比那些在土伦大帆船下层作苦工抵罪的重犯更悲惨，更无望，更心碎。”
"He certainly was! I should know, if anyone: Edmond was his name as sure as my name is Gaspard Caderousse. But what happened to him, Monsieur, to poor Edmond?" the innkeeper continued. "Did you know him? Is he still alive? Is he free? Is he happy?"
“好象是名叫！”卡德罗斯重复这几个字，愈来愈紧张和兴奋了。“他的确就叫那个名字，正如我自己叫葛司柏·卡德罗斯一样。但是，长老阁下，请告诉我，我求求您，可怜的爱德蒙怎么样啦。您认识他吗？他还活着吗？已自由了吗？他的境况很好，很幸福吗？”
The redness which had first swept over Caderousse's face was replaced by a deathly pallor. He turned aside and the abbé saw him wipe away a tear with a corner of the red handkerchief that he wore to cover his head.
一层死灰色代替了以前洋溢在卡德罗斯脸上的深红色。他转过身去，教士看见他用那块缠在头上的红手帕的一角抹士看见他用那块缠在头上的红手帕的一角抹掉一滴眼泪。
"The poor boy!" Caderousse muttered. "Well, that just goes to show what I was saying, Monsieur l'Abbé: the Good Lord is only good to the wicked. Ah," he went on, with the exaggerated language usual to Southerners, "the world is going from bad to worse. If only the sky would rain gunpowder for two days and fire for an hour, and we could have done with it all!"
“可怜的人！”卡德罗斯喃喃地说。“哦，长老阁下，刚才我告诉您的话，这可又得了一重证明，——就是，善良的上帝是只给恶人以善报的。唉，”卡德罗斯用满带法国南部色彩的言语继续说，“世界是愈来愈坏罗。假如上帝真如他口头所说的那样，真的恨恶人，他为什么不降下硫磺雷火，把他们烧个精光呢？”
"And did you know him, this poor lad?" Caderousse went on.
“那末，您是认识那可怜的孩子的罗？”卡德罗斯又说。
"I was indeed," said Caderousse, "though I have to confess that for a moment I did envy him his good fortune. Since then, I swear, on the honour of a Caderousse, I truly pitied him his terrible fate."
“我的确是的，”卡德罗斯答道，“虽然有一次，我承认，我曾嫉妒过他的好运。但我向您发誓，长老阁下，自那时以来，我对于他不幸的命运就非常真心地替他难过。”
"And how did he die?" Caderousse asked, in a barely audible voice.
“他是怎么死的？”卡德罗斯用一种哽咽的声音问。
Caderousse wiped the sweat off his streaming brow.
卡德罗斯抹一抹在他的额头上聚结起来的大滴汗珠。
There was a moment's silence, during which the abbé continued to direct a penetrating gaze at the innkeeper's changing expression.
房间里暂时沉默了一会儿，这时，长老锐利的目光不断地在叩问客栈老板那容易变动的脸。
"I was called to his deathbed to offer him the last rites of the Church," the abbé replied.
“他临死的时候，我曾被召到他的床边，给他作宗教上的安慰。”
"That's true, that's true," Caderousse muttered. "There was no way he could know. No, Monsieur l'Abbé, the poor young man was not lying."
“这是真的，这是真的！”卡德罗斯喃喃地说，“他是不能知道的。唉，长老阁下，那个可怜的人所告诉您的是真话。”
"What is odd in all this," the abbé said, "is that Dantès, on his deathbed, as he kissed the feet of the crucifix, always swore to me that he did not know the true reason for his imprisonment."
“但最奇怪的是，”长老重新拾起话头说，“甚至在他临终的时候，在他已吻到基督的脚的时候，邓蒂斯仍凭了基督的名义发誓，说他并不知道自己入狱的原因。”
"And it was for that reason that he asked me to find out the truth about this misfortune, on which he was himself unable to shed any light, and to rehabilitate his name, if it had been blackened in any way."
“他求我设法解答这个他自己始终无法解开的谜，并求我替他的过去恢复名誉，假如他的过去落有任何污点的话。”
"Of prison itself: how else do you die in prison when you are thirty years old?"
“一个三十岁的人死在牢里，不是关死的，还能为了什么呢？”
"So, you are saying," Caderousse asked, his eyes lighting up, "that this was a very valuable stone?"
“那末，我想，”卡德罗斯带着热切的神色问，“那是一粒极其值钱的钻石罗？”
The abbé's gaze became increasingly fixed on the almost grim look that spread over Caderousse's face.
说到这里，长老的目光愈来愈坚定了，一眨不眨地凝视着卡德罗斯脸上所现出的那种近乎忧郁的表情。
"A rich Englishman," he continued, "his companion in misfortune, was released from prison at the Second Restoration and owned a diamond of considerable worth. When he was ill, Dantès had cared for him like a brother and, when he left prison, he wanted to give some token of his gratitude by leaving Dantès this diamond. Instead of using it to bribe his jailers, who might in any case have taken it and afterwards betrayed him, he kept it preciously in the hope that he might be released. If he was, the sale of this single diamond would ensure his fortune."
“他在患难中有一个同伴，”长老继续说，“是一个英国富翁，但在第二次复辟的时候，就从狱中放了出来。这位英国富翁有一粒极其值钱的钻石，在出狱的时候，他把这粒钻石送给邓蒂斯，作为一种感谢的纪念，以报答他的友爱和兄弟般的照顾，因为有一次他生重病，邓蒂斯曾尽心看护他。邓蒂斯并没有用这粒钻石来贿赂他的狱卒，老实说，要是他这样做，狱卒大概会老实不客气的接受下来，然后再到堡长面前去出卖他，他只是把它小心地藏了起来，以备他一旦出狱，还可以靠它过活，因为卖掉那粒钻石，他就可以发财。”
"Everything is relative," the abbé answered. "Very valuable to Edmond: its worth was estimated at fifty thousand francs."
“一切事物都是相对的，”长老答道。“在处于爱德蒙那种地位的人看来，那粒钻石当然是很值钱的了。据估计，它大概值五万法郎。”
"Not quite," said the abbé. "But you can judge for yourself, because I have it with me."
“不，”长老答道。“倒也没有那样大。但您可以自己来判断，我把它带了来。”
"Fifty thousand francs!" Caderousse exclaimed. "It must have been as big as a walnut!"
“天哪！”卡德罗斯喊道，“多大的一笔数目！五万法郎！它一定是大得象一颗胡桃罗！”
The abbé took a small black shagreen box out of his pocket, opened it and displayed before Caderousse's astonished eyes the shining jewel set on a finely wrought ring.
长老不慌不忙地从他的口袋里摸出一只黑鲛皮的小盒子，打开盒子，在卡德罗斯的欢喜的两眼前露出一粒精工镶嵌在一只戒指上的光彩夺目的宝石。
Caderousse seemed to be looking straight through the abbé's clothes for the object.
卡德罗斯的尖利的目光立刻射向教士的衣服，似乎象要发现那宝物似的。
"No, but the executor of his will. 'I had three good friends and a fiancée,' he told me. 'I am sure that all four of them must feel my loss bitterly. One of those good friends was called Caderousse.'"
“不，我只是他的遗言执行人而已。在临终的时候，那不幸的青年人对我说，‘除了和我订婚的那位姑娘以外，我以前还有四个亲爱忠实的朋友。我相信，对于我的死，他们都是真心哀痛的。我所指的四位朋友，其中有一个就叫卡德罗斯。’”
"This is worth fifty thousand francs?"
“您说值五万法郎吗？”
"But how did you come into possession of this diamond, Monsieur l'Abbé?" he asked. "Did Edmond make you his heir?"
“但这粒钻石怎么会到您手里的呢，长老阁下？难道爱德蒙请您做他的继承人了吗？”
Caderousse shuddered.
卡德罗斯打了一个寒颤。
"Without the setting, which is itself quite valuable," said the abbé. And he closed the box and returned the diamond to his pocket, though it continued to shine in Caderousse's head.
“是的，还不算托子，那也是很值钱的。”长老一面回答，一面把盒子关上，放回到他的口袋里，而钻石的灿烂的光芒似乎依旧还在望得出神的卡德罗斯的眼前跳跃着。
"'The other'," the abbé went on, appearing not to notice Caderousse's reaction, "'was called Danglars. And the third,' he added, 'even though he was my rival, also loved me.'"
“‘另外一个，’”长老似乎没有注意到卡德罗斯的情绪，继续说，“‘叫邓格拉司；而那第三个，虽然是我的情敌，却也是非常诚意地爱我的。’”
A diabolical smile passed over Caderousse's face and he made as if to interrupt the speaker. "Wait," said the abbé, "let me finish. Then, if you have any remarks to make, you can do so later. 'The third, even though he was my rival, also loved me; he was called Fernand. As for my fiancée, her name was…' Ah! I don't remember the fiancée's name," said the abbé.
卡德罗斯的脸上现出一个阴沉的微笑，他想插话进来，但长老摆摆手，说，“先让我说完了，然后，假如您有什么意见的话，那时再说好了。‘我的第三个朋友，虽然是我的情敌，却也是非常爱我的，他的名字叫做弗南，我的未婚妻是叫——’等一等，等一等，”长老继续说，“我忘记他叫她什么名字了。”
"Give me a jug of water," said the abbé.
“给我拿一瓶水来。”长老说。
"Why five shares?" said Caderousse. "You mentioned only four people."
“但为什么分成五份呢？”卡德罗斯问，“您才提了四个人呀。”
"That's right. 'You will go to Marseille…' -- it's still Dantès speaking, you understand?"
“一点不错。‘你到马赛去，’——说这话的是邓蒂斯，你懂吗？”
""You will sell this diamond, divide the proceeds into five and share them among these good friends, the only creatures on earth who ever loved me!""
“‘把这粒钻石卖了，把卖得的钱平分做五份，世界上仅有这几个人爱我，请你每人送他们一份。’”
"Mercédès! That's it," the abbé agreed, suppressing a sigh.
“不错，”长老带着一声抑制的叹息说，“是美茜蒂丝。”
"The fiancée was called Mercédès."
“爱德蒙的未婚妻叫美茜蒂丝。”
"Absolutely."
“完全懂得。”
"I learned this in Marseille," the abbé replied, making an effort to appear unconcerned. "But the event took place so long ago that I could learn nothing further about it. Do you happen to know anything about the man's end?"
“这些我都是在马赛听来的，”长老竭力装出满不在乎的样子回答说，“但自老邓蒂斯死后，又过去了这许多年月，所以关于他临终时的详细情形我却探听不到。您知不知道那位老人最后那些日子是怎么过的？”
"Mercédès," said Caderousse.
“美茜蒂丝。”卡德罗斯急切地说。
"Alas, yes," said Caderousse, torn between conflicting feelings. "Alas, yes, poor man! He died."
“唉，是啊！”卡德罗斯失声说，各种情绪在他内心交战着，几乎使他窒息，“可怜的老人是死了。”
Caderousse hastened to do as he was asked. The abbé poured himself some water and took a few sips. "Now, where were we?" he asked, putting down the glass.
卡德罗斯急忙完成了客人的吩咐。长老在杯子里倒了一些水，慢慢地喝完了它，又恢复他往常那种沉着的态度，一面把他的空杯放到桌子上，一面说：“我们刚才说到什么地方？”
"Well?" said Caderousse.
“说下去呀。”卡德罗斯催促说。
"Because the fifth is dead, or so they tell me… The fifth was Dantès' father."
“因为我听说那第五个人已死了。爱德蒙的遗物的第五个分享者是他的父亲。”
"The doctors called it… gastro-enteritis, I think. Those who knew him said he died of grief. But I -- and I almost saw him die, myself -- I would say that he died…"
“哦，我相信，医生称他的病是一种内脏发炎症。他相识的人说他是愁死的。但我，我几乎是看着他死的，我说他致死的原因是由于——”
"Who could know better than I?" said Caderousse. "I lived right next door to him. Heaven help us! It was hardly a year after his son's disappearance that the old man died!"
“哦！”卡德罗斯说，“谁还能比我知道得更清楚呢，我差不多就和那可怜的老人同住在一层楼上。啊，是的！他的儿子失踪还不满一年，那可怜的老人就死了。”
"What did he die of?"
“他是生什么病死的呢？”
"Died of what?" the priest repeated, anxiously.
“死因是什么？”教士急切地问。
"And you are wrong," said a voice from the staircase. "What has it to do with you?"
“你错啦，”楼梯头上有一个声音说。“你何必要干预与你无关的事呢？”
"To tell the truth -- of starvation!"
“由于饥饿。”
Caderousse paused.
卡德罗斯停了下来。
The two men turned and saw La Carconte's sickly features staring through the banisters. She had dragged herself down to the foot of the staircase and was listening to their conversation, sitting on the stair with her head on her knees.
两个人转过头去，看到病容满面的卡康脱人斜靠在楼梯的栏杆上。她因为被谈话的声音所吸引，所以有气无力地把她自己拖下楼梯，坐在最下面的踏级上，把前此的谈话都听了去。
"Starvation!" cried the abbé, leaping up from his stool. "Starvation! The lowest creature does not die of starvation! Even a dog roaming the streets may find a pitying hand to throw it a crust of bread. Yet you say this man, a Christian, died of hunger in the midst of other men who also call themselves Christians! Impossible! It's impossible!"
“饿死！”长老从座位上一跃而起，喊道。“什么，最卑贱的畜生也不该饿死。即使那些在街上徬徨无依，无家可归的狗也会遇到一只怜悯的手投给它们一口面包，而一个人，一个基督徒，竟会让他饿死，而周围又都是自称为基督徒的人！不可能，噢，这太不可能了！”
"I only know what I know," Caderousse said.
“我所说的可都是实话。”卡德罗斯答道。
"And what has it to do with you, wife?" asked Caderousse. "The gentleman wants some information. It's only polite to give it to him."
“你自己为什么也要来干预呢，老婆？”卡德罗斯答道。“这位先生向我打听消息，根据普通的礼貌讲，是不允许我拒绝的。”
"Yes, and it's only common sense to refuse. Who says what his purpose is in making you talk, you idiot?"
“不错，但审慎需要你拒绝。你怎么知道那个人叫你讲话是什么用意呢，傻瓜？”
"Have no fear, my good woman, no misfortune will come to you from me, I guarantee it."
“好心的女人，您尽可放心，祸事决不会因我而到你们身上来的，我向您保证。”
"An excellent purpose, Madame, I promise you," said the abbé. "Your husband has nothing to fear, as long as he answers me frankly."
“我用我的圣言向您保证，夫人，”长老说，“我绝无任何想伤害您或您的丈夫的用意。您的丈夫只要能坦白地回答我，他是什么都不必怕的。”
"Huh! Nothing to fear… They always start with fine promises, then afterwards tell you that you have nothing to fear; then, off they go, without keeping their word, and one fine morning misfortune comes to poor people, without them knowing where it comes from…"
“什么都不怕，是的！你开始是甜言蜜语的许这个许那个，接着就说到‘什么都不怕’了，再后，你就走了，把你所说的话都忘记了，而碰到一个倒霉日子，祸事就落到可怜虫的头上，他们甚至还不知道这祸事是从哪儿来的呢。”
Meanwhile the abbé had taken a few more sips of water and recovered his composure. "But," he went on, "was this poor old man so totally abandoned by everyone that he could die in such a manner?"
长老不得不再吞下一口水，以镇定他的情绪。当他已充分恢复常态的时候，他说：“那末，您告诉我的那个可怜的老人既然是那样死法的，一定是为人人所舍弃的了？”
La Carconte muttered a few inaudible words, let her head fall back on her knees and continued to shiver feverishly, leaving her husband free to continue the conversation, but seated in such a way that she would not miss a word.
卡康脱人自言自语地说了几个听不清楚的字，然后，她那因谈话的兴奋而抬起的头，又落到她的围裙上，继续发她的寒颤，让那两个谈话人重新拾起话头。她依旧坐在那儿，仍可听到他们所说的每一个字。
"He was not?" asked the abbé.
“难道他不是这样吗？”长老问。
"Indeed I do."
“我？谁都不如我更清楚啦。”
"Ah, Monsieur," said Caderousse, "it's not that either Mercédès the Catalan or Monsieur Morrel abandoned him, but the poor old man had taken a profound antipathy to Fernand, the very person," he added, smiling ironically, "that Dantès told you was one of his friends."
“他倒并没有完全被人舍弃，”卡德罗斯答道，“因为那个迦太兰人美茜蒂丝和摩莱尔先生待他都非常好，但那个可怜的老人不知怎么极其厌恶弗南，——那个人，”卡德罗斯带着一个苦笑又说，“就是您刚才称为邓蒂斯的忠实而亲爱的朋友之一的那个家伙。”
"Gaspard, Gaspard!" the woman muttered from the top of the stairs. "Mind what you say!"
“葛司柏！葛司柏！”坐在楼梯上的妇人低声埋怨地说，“想想你在说什么话！”
Caderousse made an impatient gesture and, with no other reply to the woman who had interrupted him, told the abbé: "Can anyone be the friend of a man whose wife he covets? Dantès, who had a heart of gold, called all those people his friends… Poor Edmond! After all, it is better that he knew nothing, he would have found it too hard to forgive them on his deathbed. Whatever anyone says," Caderousse concluded, with a kind of rough poetry in his speech, "I am still more afraid of a dead man's curse than of a living man's hatred."
卡德罗斯虽然分明很不高兴他的话被打断，但却不予答复，只是对长老说，“一个人想把别人的老婆夺为己有，还能称为对他忠实吗？邓蒂斯，他有一颗黄金似的心，只要人家自称和他要好，他就会相信。可怜的爱德蒙！但他幸而始终不曾发觉，否则，在临终的时候要宽恕他们，就太难了。而不管旁人怎么说，”卡德罗斯用他那种充满庸俗的诗意的乡谈继续说，“我却总觉得死人的诅咒比活人的仇恨更可怕些。”
"Do you know what Fernand did to harm Dantès, then?" asked the abbé.
“那末，您知道弗南是怎么害邓蒂斯的吗？”长老问卡德罗斯。
"Idiot!" said La Carconte.
“傻瓜！”卡康脱人喊道。
"Don't you know what happened to them?"
“您不知道他们的身世吗？”
"Apart from which, those people could crush you with a flick of the hand," said his wife.
“你倒不想想看，”妇人说，“那两个人只要动一动，就可以把你压得粉碎。”
"So, you want me to give these people, who you tell me are unworthy and false friends, a gift that was meant to reward their fidelity?"
“那末您愿意，”长老说，“我把那本来预备用来报答忠实的友谊的东西，赐给你所说的那些虚伪和奸恶的人吗？”
"Gaspard, you can do as you wish, you are the master here," said his wife. "But if you take my advice, you'll say nothing."
“葛司柏！”卡康脱人大声说，“随你的便，——你是家主，但假如你听我作主，你对于这件事就不要说。”
"That's true, you're right," said Caderousse. "In any case, what would poor Edmond's bequest be to them now? A drop of water in the ocean."
“这句话的确不错，”卡德罗斯答道。“您说得对，而且可怜的爱德蒙的遗产，现在对于他们还算得了什么呢？——不过是沧海之一粟而已。”
"What is the use? If the lad was alive and if he came to me to tell him, once and for all, who were his friends and who his enemies, then I might do it. But he is dead and gone, so you say; he can feel hatred no longer, nor can he take revenge. Let's draw the blind on all this."
“唉，讲出来又有什么用呢？”卡德罗斯问。“假如那个可怜的孩子还活着，亲自来求我，我就会坦白地告诉他，谁是他的真朋友，谁是他的假朋友，那时或许我倒不会犹豫。但您告诉我，他已经不在了，他已不再能怀恨或复仇的了，所以还是让这一切善善恶恶都与他一起埋葬了吧。”
"No. Tell me."
“不知道。请你讲给我听听！”
"What do you mean? Have they become rich and powerful then?"
“怎么会呢？”长老问道。“那末，难道这些人竟是这样有钱有势吗？”
"So, you don't want to tell me?" the abbé continued.
“那末您决定不把您刚才要讲的事情讲出来了吗？”长老说。
"This time, I think you may be right, woman," said Caderousse.
“好吧，好吧，老婆，”卡德罗斯回答，“我相信你是对的。我听从你的劝告。”
"Tell me."
“说出来吧，那末，说是怎么害的！”
"Come and see it, wife!" the innkeeper said, his voice breaking.
“老婆，老婆！”他喊道，他的声音被紧张的情绪几乎弄得嘶哑了，“到这儿来看看这粒值钱的钻石呀！”
"A diamond!" said La Carconte, getting up and walking quite resolutely down the stairs. "What is this diamond then?"
“钻石！”卡康脱人一面喊，一面站起身来，用一种相当坚定的步伐下到房间里来，“你说的是什么钻石？”
"You are quite at liberty to keep it to yourself," the abbé said, with an air of the most profound indifference. "If so, I shall respect any reservations you may have. Indeed, you are showing yourself to be a truly generous man, so let's say no more about it. The duty that I have to carry out is a mere formality: I shall sell the diamond." He took it out of his pocket, opened the box and displayed the shining stone before Caderousse's eyes.
“好，我的好朋友，”长老回答说，语气间表示这件事和他绝无关系，“说不说是您的自由，尽可随便。我尊敬您的隐恶扬善，钦佩您的多情，这件事就算了吧。我只能凭良心尽我的责任，履行我对一个临终的人所许的诺言。我的第一件任务是处置这粒钻石。”说着，长老又从他的口袋里摸出那只小盒子，打开盒子，故意拿成这样的一种角度，以致那灿烂的光芒直射到卡德罗斯的眼前，使他看得眼花缭乱。
"Didn't you hear? It's a diamond that the boy left us: first of all to his father, then to his three friends: Fernand, Danglars and myself, and to his wife Mercédès. It's worth fifty thousand francs."
“咦，我们说的话你难道没有听到吗？”卡德罗斯问。“这粒钻石是可怜的爱德蒙·邓蒂斯遗留下来的，要把它卖了，把钱分给他的爹爹，他的未婚妻美茜蒂丝，弗南，邓格拉司和我。这粒钻石至少要值五万法郎呢。”
Caderousse seemed to reflect for a short time. Then he said: "No, in fact the story is too long."
卡德罗斯想了一想，然后说，“不，真的，说来话可太长了。”
"So, one-fifth of the amount belongs to us?" Caderousse asked.
“那末，这粒钻石所卖得的钱，五份之一是属于我们的了，是不是？”卡德罗斯问，一面仍用他的眼睛贪婪地凝视着那闪闪发光的钻石。
"Ah! What a lovely thing!" she exclaimed.
“噢，多漂亮的一粒钻石！”妇人喊道。
"Traitors are not friends," the woman muttered grimly.
“那些出卖你，使你倾家荡产的人，我是不把他们叫做朋友的。”做妻子的用一种自言自语的口吻低声说。
"Because the four of you were Edmond's friends."
“因为你们是爱德蒙的四个朋友。”
"That's what you wanted," the abbé continued calmly, putting the diamond back into his cassock pocket. "Now, give me the address of Edmond's friends, so that I can carry out his last wishes."
“要记得，”长老一面回答，一面把宝石连盒子都藏进他的法衣口袋里，“假如我这样做，这可是您的错，不关我事。请您告诉我爱德蒙那几位朋友的地址，以便我执行他临终时的愿望。”
"But why among four?" asked La Carconte.
“而为什么要分给我们四个人呢？”卡德罗斯问。
"A man of the cloth would not try to deceive us."
“做他这种神圣职业的人当然是不会骗我们的！”
"The diamond would belong to us alone," Caderousse said.
“这粒漂亮的钻石可能完全给我们。”卡德罗斯说。
"As you wish. I am having nothing to do with it." She returned, shivering, to the staircase. Her teeth were chattering, despite the burning heat of the day. On the top step she paused and said: "Think about it, Gaspard!"
“好吧，”卡康脱人回答说，“你爱怎么就怎么吧。至于我，这件事我可洗手不管。”说着，她重新爬上那座通到她的房间去的楼梯，浑身痛苦地寒颤着，牙齿格格地互相交战——虽然天气是非常的热，走到楼梯顶上以后，她回过头来，用一种警告的口吻对她的丈夫大声说，“葛司柏，你可要想清楚了再做呀！”
"Do you think so?" his wife replied.
“你相信吗？”
Sweat was pouring down Caderousse's forehead. He saw the abbé get up and go towards the door, as if to make sure that his horse was waiting, before coming back. Caderousse and his wife exchanged an indescribable look.
卡德罗斯真是激动到极点了，大滴汗珠从他那火热的额头上滚下来。当他看到长老站起身来，走向门口，象是去看看他的马究竟有没有恢复精力使他能够继续上路的时候，卡德罗斯和他的老婆互相交换了一个含有深意的眼色。
"Yes, just so," said Caderousse. "I was only saying as much. It's almost blasphemy, almost sacrilegious to reward treachery, or even crime."
“当然不，”卡德罗斯立刻接上来说，“我也不会。我刚才对这位先生所说的就是这一点，我说，我认为以德来报答那些奸恶，或许甚至有罪的人，是一种污渎神灵的行为。”
"Yes, Monsieur. Plus Dantès' father's share, which I feel I have the right to divide among the four of you."
“是的，”长老答道，“另外还有本来预备给老邓蒂斯的那一份，我想，我可以自由作主，平均分配给还活着的四个人。”
"To tell you everything."
“把我所知道的一切都告诉您。”他回答。
"What have you decided to do?" asked the abbé.
“您决定了什么？”长老问。
La Carconte went back to her room with a sigh. The ceiling creaked under her feet until she reached her armchair and let herself fall heavily into it.
卡康脱人于是走进她的房间，当她脚步踉跄地向她的圈椅走去的时候，她房间的地板吱吱格格地叫起来，她倒在圈椅里，象是已精疲力尽了似的。
"Quite honestly, I think that's best," said the priest. "Not that I want to know anything that you want to hide from me; but if you can help me to distribute the bequest in accordance with the wishes of the departed, that will be best."
“我认为您这样做是很聪明的，”教士说。“倒不是因为我想知道您想对我掩饰的事，我可丝毫没有这种意思，只是因为假如您能帮助我可以依照遗言人的愿望来分配遗产，嗯，那就好了。”
"I've made up my mind," said Caderousse.
“我已经决定了。”卡德罗斯答道。
"I hope so," Caderousse replied, his cheeks flushed with greed and expectation.
“我希望我能够。”卡德罗斯回答，他的脸上闪耀着希望和贪欲的红光。
"I am listening," said the abbé.
“现在，那末，请您开始吧，”长老说，“我等着呢。”
"One moment," said Caderousse. "We might be interrupted at the most interesting point, which would be a pity. In any case, it's better that no one knows you have been here." He went across to the door of the inn and closed it, putting the bolt across it as an extra precaution.
“等一下，”卡德罗斯答道，“说不定当我说到最有趣的那部分的时候会有人来打扰我们，那就太可惜了。而且您这次光临，应该只有我们自己知道才好。”他一面说这些话，一面轻手轻脚地走到门口，把门关了，为了更加小心起见，并把门闩闩上，象他每天晚上所做的一样。
Meanwhile the abbé had chosen a place from which he could listen in comfort. He was sitting in a corner, in such a way as to be in shadow, while the light fell full on the face of whoever was opposite him. His head bowed, his hands folded -- or, rather, clasped together -- he prepared to give all his attention to the story. Caderousse drew up a stool and sat down opposite the abbé.
这时，长老选了一个可以舒舒服服地听讲的地位。他把他的座位搬到房间的一个角落里，在那儿，他自己躲在浓厚的阴影里，而光线却可全部照射到讲话人的身上，于是，他低了头，握着手，或更正确地说，是把双手紧绞在一起，以备全神贯注地倾听卡德罗斯说，卡德罗斯则坐在他对面的一张小矮凳上。
"Agreed, agreed," said Caderousse. "Say no more about it. I take full responsibility."
“够啦，够啦！”卡德罗斯答道，“这件事不必多说了。一切后果由我来负责好了。”
"Remember, I'm not forcing you," said the quavering voice of La Carconte, as if she had observed the setting of this scene through the floor of the room above.
“要记得，我可并没有逼你这样做呀。”卡康脱人用颤巍巍的声音说，她象是能穿透她房间的地板，可以看到楼下所进行的事似的。
And he began his tale.
于是他开始讲他的故事。