×

We use cookies to help make LingQ better. By visiting the site, you agree to our cookie policy.

image

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The first part of their journey was performed in too melancholy a disposition to be otherwise than tedious and unpleasant.

But as they drew towards the end of it, their interest in the appearance of a country which they were to inhabit overcame their dejection, and a view of Barton Valley as they entered it gave them cheerfulness. It was a pleasant fertile spot, well wooded, and rich in pasture. After winding along it for more than a mile, they reached their own house. A small green court was the whole of its demesne in front; and a neat wicket gate admitted them into it. As a house, Barton Cottage, though small, was comfortable and compact; but as a cottage it was defective, for the building was regular, the roof was tiled, the window shutters were not painted green, nor were the walls covered with honeysuckles.

A narrow passage led directly through the house into the garden behind. On each side of the entrance was a sitting room, about sixteen feet square; and beyond them were the offices and the stairs. Four bed-rooms and two garrets formed the rest of the house. It had not been built many years and was in good repair. In comparison of Norland, it was poor and small indeed!--but the tears which recollection called forth as they entered the house were soon dried away. They were cheered by the joy of the servants on their arrival, and each for the sake of the others resolved to appear happy. It was very early in September; the season was fine, and from first seeing the place under the advantage of good weather, they received an impression in its favour which was of material service in recommending it to their lasting approbation. The situation of the house was good.

High hills rose immediately behind, and at no great distance on each side; some of which were open downs, the others cultivated and woody. The village of Barton was chiefly on one of these hills, and formed a pleasant view from the cottage windows. The prospect in front was more extensive; it commanded the whole of the valley, and reached into the country beyond. The hills which surrounded the cottage terminated the valley in that direction; under another name, and in another course, it branched out again between two of the steepest of them. With the size and furniture of the house Mrs. Dashwood was upon the whole well satisfied; for though her former style of life rendered many additions to the latter indispensable, yet to add and improve was a delight to her; and she had at this time ready money enough to supply all that was wanted of greater elegance to the apartments.

"As for the house itself, to be sure," said she, "it is too small for our family, but we will make ourselves tolerably comfortable for the present, as it is too late in the year for improvements. Perhaps in the spring, if I have plenty of money, as I dare say I shall, we may think about building. These parlors are both too small for such parties of our friends as I hope to see often collected here; and I have some thoughts of throwing the passage into one of them with perhaps a part of the other, and so leave the remainder of that other for an entrance; this, with a new drawing room which may be easily added, and a bed-chamber and garret above, will make it a very snug little cottage. I could wish the stairs were handsome. But one must not expect every thing; though I suppose it would be no difficult matter to widen them. I shall see how much I am before-hand with the world in the spring, and we will plan our improvements accordingly. In the mean time, till all these alterations could be made from the savings of an income of five hundred a-year by a woman who never saved in her life, they were wise enough to be contented with the house as it was; and each of them was busy in arranging their particular concerns, and endeavoring, by placing around them books and other possessions, to form themselves a home.

Marianne's pianoforte was unpacked and properly disposed of; and Elinor's drawings were affixed to the walls of their sitting room. In such employments as these they were interrupted soon after breakfast the next day by the entrance of their landlord, who called to welcome them to Barton, and to offer them every accommodation from his own house and garden in which theirs might at present be deficient.

Sir John Middleton was a good looking man about forty. He had formerly visited at Stanhill, but it was too long for his young cousins to remember him. His countenance was thoroughly good-humoured; and his manners were as friendly as the style of his letter. Their arrival seemed to afford him real satisfaction, and their comfort to be an object of real solicitude to him. He said much of his earnest desire of their living in the most sociable terms with his family, and pressed them so cordially to dine at Barton Park every day till they were better settled at home, that, though his entreaties were carried to a point of perseverance beyond civility, they could not give offence. His kindness was not confined to words; for within an hour after he left them, a large basket full of garden stuff and fruit arrived from the park, which was followed before the end of the day by a present of game. He insisted, moreover, on conveying all their letters to and from the post for them, and would not be denied the satisfaction of sending them his newspaper every day. Lady Middleton had sent a very civil message by him, denoting her intention of waiting on Mrs. Dashwood as soon as she could be assured that her visit would be no inconvenience; and as this message was answered by an invitation equally polite, her ladyship was introduced to them the next day.

They were, of course, very anxious to see a person on whom so much of their comfort at Barton must depend; and the elegance of her appearance was favourable to their wishes.

Lady Middleton was not more than six or seven and twenty; her face was handsome, her figure tall and striking, and her address graceful. Her manners had all the elegance which her husband's wanted. But they would have been improved by some share of his frankness and warmth; and her visit was long enough to detract something from their first admiration, by shewing that, though perfectly well-bred, she was reserved, cold, and had nothing to say for herself beyond the most common-place inquiry or remark. Conversation however was not wanted, for Sir John was very chatty, and Lady Middleton had taken the wise precaution of bringing with her their eldest child, a fine little boy about six years old, by which means there was one subject always to be recurred to by the ladies in case of extremity, for they had to enquire his name and age, admire his beauty, and ask him questions which his mother answered for him, while he hung about her and held down his head, to the great surprise of her ladyship, who wondered at his being so shy before company, as he could make noise enough at home.

On every formal visit a child ought to be of the party, by way of provision for discourse. In the present case it took up ten minutes to determine whether the boy were most like his father or mother, and in what particular he resembled either, for of course every body differed, and every body was astonished at the opinion of the others. An opportunity was soon to be given to the Dashwoods of debating on the rest of the children, as Sir John would not leave the house without securing their promise of dining at the park the next day.

Learn languages from TV shows, movies, news, articles and more! Try LingQ for FREE

Chapter 6 Capítulo 6

The first part of their journey was performed in too melancholy a disposition to be otherwise than tedious and unpleasant. |||||||||||||||||скучной|| Перша частина їхньої подорожі пройшла в занадто меланхолійному настрої, щоб бути інакше як нудною і неприємною.

But as they drew towards the end of it, their interest in the appearance of a country which they were to inhabit overcame their dejection, and a view of Barton Valley as they entered it gave them cheerfulness. Mais à mesure qu'ils approchaient de la fin, leur intérêt pour l'apparence d'un pays qu'ils allaient habiter l'emporta sur leur dépression, et une vue de la vallée de Barton alors qu'ils y entraient leur apporta de la bonne humeur. It was a pleasant fertile spot, well wooded, and rich in pasture. ||||плодородное|||||||пастбище C'était un endroit agréable et fertile, bien boisé et riche en pâturages. After winding along it for more than a mile, they reached their own house. |пройдя|||||||||||| |avoir suivi|||||||||||| Après avoir serpenté le long pendant plus d'un mile, ils arrivèrent à leur propre maison. A small green court was the whole of its demesne in front; and a neat wicket gate admitted them into it. |||||||||домен|||||аккуратные|калитка||впустила||| |||||||||||||||portillon||||| Une petite cour verte était la totalité de son domaine devant; et une jolie porte d'entrée les admettait à l'intérieur. As a house, Barton Cottage, though small, was comfortable and compact; but as a cottage it was defective, for the building was regular, the roof was tiled, the window shutters were not painted green, nor were the walls covered with honeysuckles. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||черепичной|||ставни|||||||||||жасмин |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||volets|||||||||||chèvrefeuilles En tant que maison, Barton Cottage, bien que petit, était confortable et compact; mais en tant que cottage, il était défectueux, car le bâtiment était régulier, le toit était en tuiles, les volets n'étaient pas peints en vert, ni les murs couverts de chèvrefeuilles.

A narrow passage led directly through the house into the garden behind. Un passage étroit menait directement à travers la maison dans le jardin derrière. On each side of the entrance was a sitting room, about sixteen feet square; and beyond them were the offices and the stairs. Four bed-rooms and two garrets formed the rest of the house. |||||мансарды|||||| It had not been built many years and was in good repair. Il n'avait pas été construit depuis de nombreuses années et était en bon état. In comparison of Norland, it was poor and small indeed!--but the tears which recollection called forth as they entered the house were soon dried away. Comparé à Norland, c'était pauvre et petit en effet ! -- mais les larmes que le souvenir fit couler en entrant dans la maison furent bientôt essuyées. They were cheered by the joy of the servants on their arrival, and each for the sake of the others resolved to appear happy. ||обрадовались||||||слуг||||||||||||||| Ils furent réconfortés par la joie des serviteurs à leur arrivée, et chacun, pour le bien des autres, résolut de paraître heureux. It was very early in September; the season was fine, and from first seeing the place under the advantage of good weather, they received an impression in its favour which was of material service in recommending it to their lasting approbation. The situation of the house was good.

High hills rose immediately behind, and at no great distance on each side; some of which were open downs, the others cultivated and woody. |холмы||||||||||||||||||||||лесистые De hautes collines se levaient immédiatement derrière, et à une distance pas très éloignée de chaque côté ; certaines étaient des pentes ouvertes, les autres cultivées et boisées. The village of Barton was chiefly on one of these hills, and formed a pleasant view from the cottage windows. Le village de Barton était principalement situé sur l'une de ces collines et offrait une vue agréable depuis les fenêtres du cottage. The prospect in front was more extensive; it commanded the whole of the valley, and reached into the country beyond. ||||||обширным||||||||||||| La perspective devant était plus vaste ; elle commandait la totalité de la vallée et s'étendait jusqu'à la campagne au-delà. The hills which surrounded the cottage terminated the valley in that direction; under another name, and in another course, it branched out again between two of the steepest of them. ||||||||долина|||||||||||||||||||самых крутых|| Les collines qui entouraient le cottage terminaient la vallée dans cette direction ; sous un autre nom et dans un autre cours, elle se divisait à nouveau entre deux des plus abruptes d'entre elles. With the size and furniture of the house Mrs. Dashwood was upon the whole well satisfied; for though her former style of life rendered many additions to the latter indispensable, yet to add and improve was a delight to her; and she had at this time ready money enough to supply all that was wanted of greater elegance to the apartments. |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||необходимыми||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Avec la taille et le mobilier de la maison, Mme Dashwood était dans l'ensemble bien satisfaite ; car bien que son ancien style de vie rendît de nombreux ajouts à ce dernier indispensables, il était cependant un plaisir pour elle d'ajouter et d'améliorer ; et elle avait à ce moment-là assez d'argent liquide pour satisfaire tout ce qui était nécessaire de plus d'élégance dans les appartements.

"As for the house itself, to be sure," said she, "it is too small for our family, but we will make ourselves tolerably comfortable for the present, as it is too late in the year for improvements. ||||||||||||||||||||||вполне|||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||des améliorations "Quant à la maison elle-même, c'est sûr," dit-elle, "elle est trop petite pour notre famille, mais nous allons nous rendre raisonnablement confortables pour le moment, car il est trop tard dans l'année pour des améliorations." Perhaps in the spring, if I have plenty of money, as I dare say I shall, we may think about building. Peut-être au printemps, si j'ai beaucoup d'argent, comme je suppose que j'en aurai, nous pourrions envisager de construire. These parlors are both too small for such parties of our friends as I hope to see often collected here; and I have some thoughts of throwing the passage into one of them with perhaps a part of the other, and so leave the remainder of that other for an entrance; this, with a new drawing room which may be easily added, and a bed-chamber and garret above, will make it a very snug little cottage. |залы||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||мансарде|||||||уютный|| Ces salons sont tous deux trop petits pour de telles fêtes de nos amis que j'espère voir souvent réunis ici; et j'ai quelques idées pour ouvrir le passage dans l'un d'eux avec peut-être une partie de l'autre, et ainsi laisser le reste de cet autre pour une entrée; cela, avec un nouveau salon qui peut être facilement ajouté, et une chambre à coucher et un grenier au-dessus, en fera un joli petit cottage très douillet. I could wish the stairs were handsome. J'aimerais que les escaliers soient élégants. But one must not expect every thing; though I suppose it would be no difficult matter to widen them. |||||||||||||||||élargir| Mais il ne faut pas tout attendre ; bien que je suppose qu'il ne serait pas difficile de les élargir. I shall see how much I am before-hand with the world in the spring, and we will plan our improvements accordingly. Je verrai combien je suis en avance sur le monde au printemps, et nous planifierons nos améliorations en conséquence. In the mean time, till all these alterations could be made from the savings of an income of five hundred a-year by a woman who never saved in her life, they were wise enough to be contented with the house as it was; and each of them was busy in arranging their particular concerns, and endeavoring, by placing around them books and other possessions, to form themselves a home. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||старались||||||||||||| En attendant, jusqu'à ce que toutes ces modifications puissent être apportées grâce aux économies d'un revenu de cinq cents par an par une femme qui n'a jamais économisé de sa vie, ils étaient assez sages pour se contenter de la maison telle qu'elle était ; et chacun d'eux était occupé à organiser ses préoccupations particulières, et à s'efforcer, en plaçant autour d'eux des livres et d'autres possessions, de se créer un foyer. Тим часом, поки всі ці зміни не могли бути зроблені за рахунок заощаджень з доходу в п'ятсот доларів на рік жінкою, яка ніколи в житті не заощаджувала, вони були достатньо мудрі, щоб задовольнятися тим, що було; і кожен з них був зайнятий своїми справами і намагався, розставивши навколо себе книги та інші речі, створити собі житло.

Marianne’s pianoforte was unpacked and properly disposed of; and Elinor’s drawings were affixed to the walls of their sitting room. ||||||||||||прикреплены||||||| Le pianoforte de Marianne a été déballé et correctement disposé ; et les dessins d'Elinor ont été fixés aux murs de leur salon. In such employments as these they were interrupted soon after breakfast the next day by the entrance of their landlord, who called to welcome them to Barton, and to offer them every accommodation from his own house and garden in which theirs might at present be deficient. |||||||||||||||||||арендодатель||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Dans de telles occupations, ils furent interrompus peu après le petit déjeuner le lendemain par l'entrée de leur propriétaire, qui les accueillit à Barton et leur offrit tous les services de sa propre maison et de son jardin dans lesquels ils pourraient actuellement être déficients.

Sir John Middleton was a good looking man about forty. Sir John Middleton était un homme de bonne apparence d'environ quarante ans. He had formerly visited at Stanhill, but it was too long for his young cousins to remember him. His countenance was thoroughly good-humoured; and his manners were as friendly as the style of his letter. Son visage était parfaitement de bonne humeur ; et ses manières étaient aussi amicales que le style de sa lettre. Their arrival seemed to afford him real satisfaction, and their comfort to be an object of real solicitude to him. |||||||||||||||||заботы|| Leur arrivée semblait lui procurer une réelle satisfaction, et leur confort semblait être un objet de réelle sollicitude pour lui. He said much of his earnest desire of their living in the most sociable terms with his family, and pressed them so cordially to dine at Barton Park every day till they were better settled at home, that, though his entreaties were carried to a point of perseverance beyond civility, they could not give offence. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||просьбы|||||||||||||| Il a beaucoup parlé de son ardent désir qu'ils vivent dans les termes les plus amicaux avec sa famille, et il les a pressés si cordialement de dîner à Barton Park tous les jours jusqu'à ce qu'ils soient mieux installés chez eux, que, bien que ses instances aient été portées à un point de persistance au-delà de la civilité, elles n'ont pas pu être offensantes. Он говорил о своем искреннем желании, чтобы его семья жила в самых дружеских отношениях с ним, и так сердечно уговаривал их обедать в Бартон-Парке каждый день, пока они не устроятся дома, что, хотя его уговоры были доведены до предела вежливости, они не могли обидеться. His kindness was not confined to words; for within an hour after he left them, a large basket full of garden stuff and fruit arrived from the park, which was followed before the end of the day by a present of game. ||||ограничивалась||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Sa gentillesse ne se limitait pas aux mots; car dans l'heure qui a suivi son départ, un grand panier rempli de légumes et de fruits arrivait du parc, suivi avant la fin de la journée d'un cadeau de gibier. He insisted, moreover, on conveying all their letters to and from the post for them, and would not be denied the satisfaction of sending them his newspaper every day. ||de plus|||||||||||||||||||||||||| De plus, il insista pour transporter toutes leurs lettres vers et depuis le bureau de poste pour eux, et ne se laisserait pas priver de la satisfaction de leur envoyer son journal chaque jour. Lady Middleton had sent a very civil message by him, denoting her intention of waiting on Mrs. Dashwood as soon as she could be assured that her visit would be no inconvenience; and as this message was answered by an invitation equally polite, her ladyship was introduced to them the next day. ||||||||||означая||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||лордесса||||||| Lady Middleton avait envoyé un message très courtois par son intermédiaire, indiquant son intention de rendre visite à Mme Dashwood dès qu'elle pourrait être assurée que sa visite ne serait pas une gêne ; et comme ce message était répondu par une invitation tout aussi polie, sa ladyship leur fut présentée le lendemain. Леді Міддлтон надіслала від нього дуже ввічливе послання, в якому повідомила про свій намір чекати на місіс Дешвуд, як тільки її запевнять, що її візит не завдасть жодних незручностей; і оскільки на це послання було отримано таке ж ввічливе запрошення, її світлість була представлена їм наступного дня.

They were, of course, very anxious to see a person on whom so much of their comfort at Barton must depend; and the elegance of her appearance was favourable to their wishes.

Lady Middleton was not more than six or seven and twenty; her face was handsome, her figure tall and striking, and her address graceful. |||||||||||||||||||||||изящная Lady Middleton n'avait pas plus de six ou sept ans et vingt; son visage était beau, sa silhouette haute et frappante, et son comportement gracieux. Her manners had all the elegance which her husband’s wanted. Ses manières avaient toute l'élégance qui faisait défaut à celles de son mari. But they would have been improved by some share of his frankness and warmth; and her visit was long enough to detract something from their first admiration, by shewing that, though perfectly well-bred, she was reserved, cold, and had nothing to say for herself beyond the most common-place inquiry or remark. |||||||||||откровенности||||||||||уменьшить||||||||||||воспитанной|||||||||||||||||вопрос||замечание Mais elles auraient été améliorées par une part de sa franchise et de sa chaleur; et sa visite a duré assez longtemps pour diminuer quelque peu leur première admiration, en montrant que, bien qu'étant parfaitement bien élevée, elle était réservée, froide, et n'avait rien à dire si ce n'est l'enquête ou le commentaire des plus banals. Але вони були б ще кращими, якби в них була частка його відвертості й теплоти; а її візит був досить тривалим, щоб дещо применшити їхнє перше захоплення, показавши, що вона, хоч і чудово вихована, стримана, холодна і не має що сказати про себе, окрім звичайнісіньких запитань чи зауважень. Conversation however was not wanted, for Sir John was very chatty, and Lady Middleton had taken the wise precaution of bringing with her their eldest child, a fine little boy about six years old, by which means there was one subject always to be recurred to by the ladies in case of extremity, for they had to enquire his name and age, admire his beauty, and ask him questions which his mother answered for him, while he hung about her and held down his head, to the great surprise of her ladyship, who wondered at his being so shy before company, as he could make noise enough at home. ||||||||||болтливый||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||возобновилась|||||||||||||вопросить||||||||||||||||||||вешать||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Cependant, la conversation n'était pas souhaitée, car Sir John était très bavard, et Lady Middleton avait pris la sage précaution d'emmener avec elle leur fils aîné, un beau petit garçon d'environ six ans, ce qui faisait qu'il y avait toujours un sujet auquel les dames pouvaient se référer en cas d'extrême besoin, car elles devaient se renseigner sur son nom et son âge, admirer sa beauté et lui poser des questions auxquelles sa mère répondait pour lui, tandis qu'il restait près d'elle et baissait la tête, à la grande surprise de sa ladyship, qui s'étonnait de sa timidité devant les invités, étant donné qu'il pouvait faire assez de bruit à la maison.

On every formal visit a child ought to be of the party, by way of provision for discourse. Lors de chaque visite formelle, un enfant devrait faire partie du groupe, pour préparer le discours. In the present case it took up ten minutes to determine whether the boy were most like his father or mother, and in what particular he resembled either, for of course every body differed, and every body was astonished at the opinion of the others. Dans le cas présent, il a fallu dix minutes pour déterminer si le garçon ressemblait le plus à son père ou à sa mère, et en quoi il ressemblait à l'un ou l'autre, car bien sûr tout le monde avait un avis différent, et tout le monde était surpris par l'opinion des autres. An opportunity was soon to be given to the Dashwoods of debating on the rest of the children, as Sir John would not leave the house without securing their promise of dining at the park the next day. Une opportunité allait bientôt être donnée aux Dashwood de débattre sur le reste des enfants, car Sir John ne quitterait pas la maison sans obtenir leur promesse de dîner au parc le lendemain.