美國語文第六冊 第4期:紐卡斯爾公爵趣事(4)
His grace was sound asleep; and the porter, settled for the night in his armchair, had already commenced a sonorous nap,
就在這時，這位關鍵人物來了。公爵鼾聲大作，坐在扶手椅里守夜的門童，已經開始發(fā)出響亮的鼾聲，
when the vigorous arm of the Cornish voter roused him from his slumbers.
這時康沃爾這位選舉人用有力的胳膊捅了一下門童，他這才從夢鄉(xiāng)驚醒。
To his first question, "Is the Duke at home?" the porter replied,
對來客的第一個問題，“公爵在家嗎？”門童答道，
"Yes, and in bed; but has left particular orders that, come when you will, you are to go up to him directly."
“在家，在床上睡覺呢；不過留下話了，你來時，他會直接來迎接你的。”
"Bless him, for a worthy and honest gentleman," cried our applicant for the vacant post, smiling and nodding with approbation at the prime minister's kindness,
“上帝保佑這位尊敬和誠實的紳士，”我們這位選舉人沖著旁邊空著的座位說道，臉上掛著微笑，對首相的善意贊許點頭示意。
"how punctual his grace is; I knew he would not deceive me; let me hear no more of lords and dukes not keeping their words;
“公爵大人太準時了；我曉得他不會騙我的，我聽說大人和公爵們都信守諾言，
I verily believe they are as honest, and mean as well as any other folks."
我真的認為他們都很誠實，不像其他人那樣卑鄙。”
Having ascended the stairs as he was speaking, he was ushered into the Duke's bedchamber.
他邊說，便登上樓梯，被領進公爵的臥室。
"Is he dead?" exclaimed his grace, rubbing his eyes, and scarcely awakened from dreaming of the King of Spain, "Is he dead?"
“他死了？”公爵大人突然從夢到西班牙國王的睡夢中驚醒，揉著眼睛高聲問道。
"Yes, my lord," replied the eager expectant, delighted to find the election promise, with all its circumstances, so fresh in the nobleman's memory.
“是的，大人。”這位急切的覲見者答道，高興地發(fā)現(xiàn)從情形看選舉承諾沒有落空，一直留駐在公爵的記憶里呢。
"When did he die?"
“他什么時候死的啊？”
"The day before yesterday, exactly at half past one o'clock, after being confined three weeks to his bed, and taking a power of doctor's stuff;
“前天，準確說是一點半，在被關起來三個星期后死在床上了，臨死前服了一劑醫(yī)生開的藥，
and I hope your grace will be as good as your word, and let my son-in-law succeed him."
我希望大人能兌現(xiàn)承諾，讓我女婿接替他。”
