Thursday came. All work had been completed the previous evening;
星期四到了，一切准备工作都已在前一个晚上完成。
carpets were laid down, bed-hangings festooned, radiant white counterpanes spread,
地毯铺开了，床幅挂上了彩条，白得眩目的床罩铺好了，
toilet tables arranged, furniture rubbed, flowers piled in vases.
梳妆台已经安排停当，家具都擦拭得干干净净，花瓶里插满了鲜花。
Both chambers and saloons looked as fresh and bright as hands could make them.
卧室和客厅都已尽人工所能，拾掇得焕然一新。
The hall, too, was scoured.
大厅也已经擦洗过。
And the great carved clock, as well as the steps and banisters of the staircase, were polished to the brightness of glass.
巨大的木雕钟，楼梯的台阶和栏杆都已擦得像玻璃一般闪闪发光。
In the dining-room, the sideboard flashed resplendent with plate.
在餐室里，餐具柜里的盘子光亮夺目。
In the drawing-room and boudoir, vases of exotics bloomed on all sides.
在客厅和起居室内，一瓶瓶异国鲜花，在四周灿然开放。

Afternoon arrived. Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown, her gloves, and her gold watch,
到了下午，费尔法克斯太太穿上了她最好的黑缎袍子，戴了手套和金表，
for it was her part to receive the company, to conduct the ladies to their rooms, etc.
因为要由她来接待客人 — 把女士们领到各自的房间里去等等。
Adèle, too, would be dressed, though I thought she had little chance of being introduced to the party that day at least.
阿黛勒也要打扮一番，尽管至少在那天，我想不大会有机会让她见客。
However, to please her, I allowed Sophie to apparel her in one of her short, full muslin frocks.
但为了使她高兴，我让索菲娅给她穿上了一件宽松的麻纱短上衣。
For myself, I had no need to make any change.
至于我自己，是没有必要换装的。
I should not be called upon to quit my sanctum of the schoolroom.
不会把我从作为我私室的读书室里叫出去。
For a sanctum it was now become to me, "a very pleasant refuge in time of trouble."
这私室现在已经属于我，成了"患难时愉快的避难所。"
It had been a mild, serene spring day — one of those days which,
这是个温煦宁静的春日，
towards the end of March or the beginning of April, rise shining over the earth as heralds of summer.
三月末四月初的那种日子，骄阳当空，预示着夏天就要到来。
It was drawing to an end now, but the evening was even warm,
这时已近日暮，但黄昏时更加暖和。
And I sat at work in the schoolroom with the window open.
我坐在读书室里工作，敞开着窗子。