On the evening of the day on which I had seen Miss Scatcherd flog her pupil, Burns,
在我看见斯卡查德小姐鞭打她的学生彭斯的那天晚上，
I wandered as usual among the forms and tables and laughing groups without a companion, yet not feeling lonely.
我照例在长凳、桌子和笑声不绝的人群中间穿来穿去，虽然无人作伴，倒也并不寂寞。
When I passed the windows, I now and then lifted a blind, and looked out.
经过窗户时，我不时拉起百叶窗，向外眺望。
It snowed fast, a drift was already forming against the lower panes.
雪下得很紧，下端的窗玻璃上已经积起了一层。
Putting my ear close to the window, I could distinguish from the gleeful tumult within, the disconsolate moan of the wind outside.
我把耳朵贴在窗上，分辩得出里面轻快的喧哗和外面寒风凄厉的呻吟。
Probably, if I had lately left a good home and kind parents, this would have been the hour when I should most keenly have regretted the separation.
如果我刚离开了一个温暖的家和慈祥的双亲，这一时刻也许会非常后悔当初的离别。
That wind would then have saddened my heart.
那风会使我伤心不已。

This obscure chaos would have disturbed my peace!
这种模糊的混沌会打破我的平静。
As it was, I derived from both a strange excitement, and reckless and feverish,
但实际上两者激起了我一莫名的兴奋，在不安和狂热之中，
I wished the wind to howl more wildly, the gloom to deepen to darkness, and the confusion to rise to clamour.
我盼望风会咆哮得更猛烈；天色会更加昏暗变得一团漆黑，嗡嗡的人声会进而成为喧嚣。
Jumping over forms, and creeping under tables, I made my way to one of the fire-places.
我跨过凳子钻过桌子，寻路来到一个壁炉跟前。
There, kneeling by the high wire fender, I found Burns, absorbed, silent,
跪在高高的铁丝防护板旁边，我发现彭斯有一本书作伴，全神贯注，沉默不语，
abstracted from all round her by the companionship of a book, which she read by the dim glare of the embers.
忘掉了周围的一切，借着余火灰暗的闪光读着书。
"Is it still 'Rasselas'?" I asked, coming behind her.
"还是那本《拉塞拉斯》吗？"我来到她背后说。
"Yes," she said, "and I have just finished it."
"是的，"她说，"我刚读完它。"
And in five minutes more she shut it up. I was glad of this.
过了五分钟她掩上了书。这正合我心意。
"Now," thought I, "I can perhaps get her to talk." I sat down by her on the floor.
"现在，"我想，"我也许能使她开口了吧。"我—屁股坐在她旁边的地板上。
What is your name besides Burns?
除了彭斯，你还叫什么？
Helen.
海伦。
Do you come a long way from here?
你从很远的地方来吗？
I come from a place farther north, quite on the borders of Scotland.
我来自很靠北的一个地方，靠近苏格兰边界了。
Will you ever go back?
你还回去吗？
I hope so, but nobody can be sure of the future.
我希望能这样，可是对未来谁也没有把握。
You must wish to leave Lowood?
你想必很希望离开罗沃德，是吗？
No! Why should I? I was sent to Lowood to get an education, and it would be of no use going away until I have attained that object.
不，干嘛要这样呢？送我到罗沃德来是接受教育的，没有达到这个目的就走才没有意思呢。
But that teacher, Miss Scatcherd, is so cruel to you?
可是那位教师，就是斯卡查德小姐，对你那么凶狠。