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The Dashwoods were now settled at Barton with tolerable comfort to themselves. The house and the garden, with all the objects surrounding them, were now become familiar, and the ordinary pursuits which had given to Norland half its charms were engaged in again with far greater enjoyment than Norland had been able to afford, since the loss of their father. Sir John Middleton, who called on them every day for the first fortnight, and who was not in the habit of seeing much occupation at home, could not conceal his amazement on finding them always employed.

达什伍德家母女在巴顿定居下来，日于过得还算舒适。房屋、花园以及周围的一草一木都熟悉了，原先给诺兰庄园带来一半魅力的那些日常消遣，现今在这里也都恢复起来。自从父亲下世以后，诺兰庄园一直没有使她们这么快乐过。约翰．米德尔顿爵士在头半个月里天天都来拜访。他在家里清闲惯了，见她们总是忙忙碌碌的，不禁大为惊奇。

Their visitors, except those from Barton Park, were not many; for, in spite of Sir John's urgent entreaties that they would mix more in the neighbourhood, and repeated assurances of his carriage being always at their service, the independence of Mrs. Dashwood's spirit overcame the wish of society for her children; and she was resolute in declining to visit any family beyond the distance of a walk. There were but few who could be so classed; and it was not all of them that were attainable.

达什伍德家的客人除了巴顿庄园一家人，来自别处的并不多。虽然约翰爵士一再恳请她们多与左近邻舍交往，并且一再保证她们可以随时使用他的马车，怎奈达什伍德太太禀性好强，只能委屈女儿们少与外人来往。凡是步行所不能及的人家，她一概拒不走访。其实，属于这种情况的人家本来就寥寥无几，何况还不都是能拜访得成的。

About a mile and a half from the cottage, along the narrow winding valley of Allenham, which issued from that of Barton, as formerly described, the girls had, in one of their earliest walks, discovered an ancient respectable looking mansion which, by reminding them a little of Norland, interested their imagination and made them wish to be better acquainted with it. But they learnt, on enquiry, that its possessor, an elderly lady of very good character, was unfortunately too infirm to mix with the world, and never stirred from home.

一次，小姐们才到不久，出去散步，顺着弯弯曲曲的艾伦汉峡谷漫步走去（前面提到，这就是从巴顿村分出的那条支谷）。在离乡舍大约一英里半的地方，发现一幢古老气派的大宅第。这座宅第多少使她们想起了诺兰庄园，激起了她们的兴趣和遐想，情不自禁地想仔细瞧瞧。谁知一打听，才知道房主是个性情和悦的老太太，不幸的是，她体弱多病，不能与世交往，从来不出家门。
　
词汇释义

1.tolerable adj. 可容忍的，还不错的

We had a very tolerable lunch.
我们吃了顿很不错的午餐。

2.entreaty[in'tri:ti] n. 恳求，哀求

He felt very uncomfortable and looked entreaty at us.
他感到很不自在，用恳求的目光望着我们。

3.winding adj. 蜿蜒的，卷绕的，弯曲的

I went home along a winding mountain path.
我沿着弯曲的山路回家。

4.mansion n. 大厦，豪宅，楼宇

The family owns a lordly mansion.
那个家族拥有一座气派的大厦。

5.enquiry n. (=inquiry) 询问

He's quite within his rights to demand an enquiry.
他完全有权要求进行调查。

6.infirm adj. 弱的，虚弱的，柔弱的

She's old and infirm and has to keep to the house.
她因年老体弱而足不出户。

难句解析

1.Sir John Middleton, who called on them every day for the first fortnight, and who was not in the habit of seeing much occupation at home, could not conceal his amazement on finding them always employed.

【难句解析】call on “拜访”；fornight“两个星期”；be in the habit of “有...的习惯”；

【句子翻译】约翰．米德尔顿爵士在头半个月里天天都来拜访。他在家里清闲惯了，见她们总是忙忙碌碌的，不禁大为惊奇。

2.Their visitors, except those from Barton Park, were not many; for, in spite of Sir John's urgent entreaties that they would mix more in the neighbourhood, and repeated assurances of his carriage being always at their service...

【难句解析】mix在文中的意思是“与人交往”；at one's service“为某人效劳”；

【句子翻译】达什伍德家的客人除了巴顿庄园一家人，来自别处的并不多。虽然约翰爵士一再恳请她们多与左近邻舍交往，并且一再保证她们可以随时使用他的马车...