The promise of a smooth career, which my first calm introduction to Thornfield Hall seemed to pledge, was not belied on a longer acquaintance with the place and its inmates.
我初到桑菲尔德府的时候，一切都显得平平静静，似乎预示着我未来的经历会一帆风顺。我进一步熟悉了这个地方及其居住者以后，发现这预期没有落空。
Mrs. Fairfax turned out to be what she appeared, a placid-tempered, kind-natured woman, of competent education and average intelligence.
费尔法克斯太太果然与她当初给人的印象相符，性格温和，心地善良，受过足够的教育，具有中等的智力。
My pupil was a lively child, who had been spoilt and indulged, and therefore was sometimes wayward.
我的学生非常活泼，但由于过份溺爱己被宠坏，有时显得倔强任性，
But as she was committed entirely to my care, and no injudicious interference from any quarter ever thwarted my plans for her improvement,
好在完全由我照管，任何方面都没有进行不明智的干预，破坏我的培养计划，
she soon forgot her little freaks, and became obedient and teachable.
她也很快改掉了任性的举动，变得驯服可教了。
She had no great talents, no marked traits of character, no peculiar development of feeling or taste which raised her one inch above the ordinary level of childhood,
她没有非凡的才能，没有个性特色，没有那种使她稍稍超出一般儿童水平的特殊情趣，
but neither had she any deficiency or vice which sunk her below it.
不过也没有使她居于常人之下的缺陷和恶习。

She made reasonable progress, entertained for me a vivacious, though perhaps not very profound, affection.
她取得了合情合理的进步，对我怀有一种也许并不很深却十分热烈的感情。
And by her simplicity, gay prattle, and efforts to please, inspired me, in return, with a degree of attachment sufficient to make us both content in each other's society.
她的单纯、她愉快的喁语、她想讨人喜欢的努力，反过来也多少激起了我对她的爱恋，使我们两人之间维系着一种彼此都感到满意的关系。
This, par parenthese, will be thought cool language by persons who entertain solemn doctrines about the angelic nature of children,
这些话，会被某些人视为过于冷淡，这些人持有庄严的信条，认为孩子要有天使般的本性，
and the duty of those charged with their education to conceive for them an idolatrous devotion:
承担孩子教育责任者，应当对他们怀有偶象崇拜般的虔诚。
But I am not writing to flatter parental egotism, to echo cant, or prop up humbug.
不过这样写并不是迎合父母的利己主义，不是附和时髦的高论，不是支持骗人的空谈。
I am merely telling the truth.
我说的无非是真话。
I felt a conscientious solicitude for Adèle's welfare and progress, and a quiet liking for her little self.
我觉得我真诚地关心阿黛勒的幸福和进步，默默地喜欢这个小家伙。
Just as I cherished towards Mrs. Fairfax a thankfulness for her kindness, and a pleasure in her society proportionate to the tranquil regard she had for me, and the moderation of her mind and character.
正像我对费尔法克斯太太的好心怀着感激之情一样，同时也因为她对我的默默敬意以及她本人温和的心灵与性情，而觉得同她相处是一种乐趣了。