04-02-02-织工马南 [16]
，Godfrey？'
Godfrey was feeling very uncomfortable by now．Turning to Nancy，he said as lightly as possible，'I haven't asked her yet，but I hope she'll agree，if nobody's asked her…'
'No，I haven't accapted anyone else，'replied Nancy quietly with a blush．
'So will you please have the first dance with me？'asked Godfrey，beginning to feel better．She had not refused him！
'I will，'answered Nancy coldly．She was still sure she would not marry him，but she wanted to remain polite．
'Ah well，you're a lucky man，Godfrey，'said Dr Kimble with a laugh．'I think I can hear the music starting now！'
The guests got up from the table in pairs and small groups，to move into the large hall，where the dancing was about to start．The small village band was already playing，as the Squire led the vicar's wife to the end of the hall to start the dance．They were followed by Godfrey and Nancy，and the other ladies and gentlemen．
As the dance went on，Godfrey felt happier and happier．Holding Nancy in his arms，he forgot all his problems．Sudden－ly the Squire's heavy foot stood on part of Nancy's dress，and some of the material was pulled away at the waist．Nancy asked Godfrey to take her to a quieter place，where she could repair the damage．He took her to a small room near the hall，hoping they would have a few private moments together． But Nancy sat down on the chair furthest away from him， and said coldly，'Thank you，sir．You needn't stay． I'm very sorry about taking you away from the dance．'
'It's not very kind of you，'said Godfrey，moving close to her，'to be sorry you've danced with me．'
'I didn't mean that'replied Nancy，blushing prettily．'Gentlemen have so many things to enjoy．I'm sure one dance can't matter very much．'
'You know that isn't true．You know one dance with you means more to me than anything else in the world．'
Nancy was a little surprised．Godfrey had not said anything like this to her for a long time．She replied firmly，'I'm afraid I can't believe you，Mr Godrey．'
'Nancy，if I changed my life，would you think better of me？Would you—like me，then？'Godfrey knew these were danger－ous words，but the sudden chance of speaking to her alone made him say more than he had planned．
'I'd be glad to see a good change in anybody，sir．'
'You're very hard，Nancy，'said Godfrey bitterly．'You could help me to be better．I'm very miserable—but you don't feel anything．'
'I think people who behave badly don't feel anything，'said Nancy sharply，forgetting to be cool and distant．
Godfrey was delighted．He wanted to make her argue with him，to show him that she cared about him．But just then Priscilla hurried in，saying，'Dear child，let me look at your dress！I saw the Squire step on it during the dance．'
'I suppose I'd better go now，'Godfrey said disappointedly to Priscilla．
'It doesn't matter at all to me whether you go or stay，'said Priscilla impatiently，looking closely at the waist of Nancy's dress．
'Do you want me to go？'Godfrey asked Nancy．
'Do whatever you like，'replied Nancy， trying to sound cold again．
'Well，I want to stay，'answered Godfrey，and sat down．Tonight he wanted to enjoy being with Nancy for as long as possible，without thinking about what would happen tomorrow．
■ 6 新年舞会
虽然12月31日的天气很冷，而且下着雪，可一整天都有人从四面八方到红屋来。
戈弗雷在门口等待着他唯一关心的客人——南茜·拉默特。终于她来了，坐在马背上，在他爸爸背后，比平时更美丽动人。当戈弗雷过来扶她下马的时候，南茜漂亮的脸一下子红了。“他等我干什么？”她想，“我想我已经清楚地告诉过他我不会嫁给他。人们说他生活糜烂，我可不会嫁给这样的人。”
这时乡绅出来迎接他的客人，人们都很高兴，也就没人注意到戈弗雷用强壮的手臂扶她下来时她的红脸。南茜和其他女子一块儿跑进屋里去换衣服。
屋里用人们在跑这儿跑那儿地服务，金布尔太太在大声下达着命令，她经常帮乡绅安排这些聚会。厨子们在厨房忙着准备饭菜，空气里飘着烤面包的香味。
楼上，女士们一边不停地聊天一边换上最漂亮的衣服。南茜遇到了姨妈奥斯古德太太，姨妈把自己的客人介绍给她，其中有两位年轻女士，甘氏姐妹，她们不太漂亮但穿得很时髦。
这时南茜的姐姐普丽西拉来了，她是个快活的圆脸大个子女孩，鼻子冻得红红的。换衣服时，普丽西拉对奥斯古德太太说：“看我们的衣服，姨妈，南茜穿起来当然漂亮，可我穿起来太老了！南茜说我们是姐妹，要穿一样的衣服，尽管我比她大5岁！我知道我丑，可是我不在乎。”她又转向姨妈的两个朋友，“我想你们也同意女孩子漂亮就容易抓住男人的心，我可不在乎男人。有个好爸爸、好家庭的女人最好单身。我就打算这样。我们丑姑娘不需要丈夫。”
奥斯古德太太赶紧站起来说：“我们要下楼了。普丽西拉，南茜，过会儿见。”3个女人急匆匆出去了。
“真是的，普丽西拉！”只剩她们姐妹俩时南茜生气地说，“你从来不在讲话前先想想！我敢肯定甘氏姐妹认为你很无礼！你差不多是在告诉她们她们是丑姑娘！”
“是吗？”普丽西拉很奇怪，“嗨，我这人就这佯，我总是讲实话。可是看看我，我也丑呀！”
“普丽西拉，你知道我是让你来挑的衣服，”南茜为难地说，“我不在乎穿什么颜色。”
“傻孩子，你穿这种颜色好看！虽然你从不会大嚷大叫或者发号施
Godfrey was feeling very uncomfortable by now．Turning to Nancy，he said as lightly as possible，'I haven't asked her yet，but I hope she'll agree，if nobody's asked her…'
'No，I haven't accapted anyone else，'replied Nancy quietly with a blush．
'So will you please have the first dance with me？'asked Godfrey，beginning to feel better．She had not refused him！
'I will，'answered Nancy coldly．She was still sure she would not marry him，but she wanted to remain polite．
'Ah well，you're a lucky man，Godfrey，'said Dr Kimble with a laugh．'I think I can hear the music starting now！'
The guests got up from the table in pairs and small groups，to move into the large hall，where the dancing was about to start．The small village band was already playing，as the Squire led the vicar's wife to the end of the hall to start the dance．They were followed by Godfrey and Nancy，and the other ladies and gentlemen．
As the dance went on，Godfrey felt happier and happier．Holding Nancy in his arms，he forgot all his problems．Sudden－ly the Squire's heavy foot stood on part of Nancy's dress，and some of the material was pulled away at the waist．Nancy asked Godfrey to take her to a quieter place，where she could repair the damage．He took her to a small room near the hall，hoping they would have a few private moments together． But Nancy sat down on the chair furthest away from him， and said coldly，'Thank you，sir．You needn't stay． I'm very sorry about taking you away from the dance．'
'It's not very kind of you，'said Godfrey，moving close to her，'to be sorry you've danced with me．'
'I didn't mean that'replied Nancy，blushing prettily．'Gentlemen have so many things to enjoy．I'm sure one dance can't matter very much．'
'You know that isn't true．You know one dance with you means more to me than anything else in the world．'
Nancy was a little surprised．Godfrey had not said anything like this to her for a long time．She replied firmly，'I'm afraid I can't believe you，Mr Godrey．'
'Nancy，if I changed my life，would you think better of me？Would you—like me，then？'Godfrey knew these were danger－ous words，but the sudden chance of speaking to her alone made him say more than he had planned．
'I'd be glad to see a good change in anybody，sir．'
'You're very hard，Nancy，'said Godfrey bitterly．'You could help me to be better．I'm very miserable—but you don't feel anything．'
'I think people who behave badly don't feel anything，'said Nancy sharply，forgetting to be cool and distant．
Godfrey was delighted．He wanted to make her argue with him，to show him that she cared about him．But just then Priscilla hurried in，saying，'Dear child，let me look at your dress！I saw the Squire step on it during the dance．'
'I suppose I'd better go now，'Godfrey said disappointedly to Priscilla．
'It doesn't matter at all to me whether you go or stay，'said Priscilla impatiently，looking closely at the waist of Nancy's dress．
'Do you want me to go？'Godfrey asked Nancy．
'Do whatever you like，'replied Nancy， trying to sound cold again．
'Well，I want to stay，'answered Godfrey，and sat down．Tonight he wanted to enjoy being with Nancy for as long as possible，without thinking about what would happen tomorrow．
■ 6 新年舞会
虽然12月31日的天气很冷，而且下着雪，可一整天都有人从四面八方到红屋来。
戈弗雷在门口等待着他唯一关心的客人——南茜·拉默特。终于她来了，坐在马背上，在他爸爸背后，比平时更美丽动人。当戈弗雷过来扶她下马的时候，南茜漂亮的脸一下子红了。“他等我干什么？”她想，“我想我已经清楚地告诉过他我不会嫁给他。人们说他生活糜烂，我可不会嫁给这样的人。”
这时乡绅出来迎接他的客人，人们都很高兴，也就没人注意到戈弗雷用强壮的手臂扶她下来时她的红脸。南茜和其他女子一块儿跑进屋里去换衣服。
屋里用人们在跑这儿跑那儿地服务，金布尔太太在大声下达着命令，她经常帮乡绅安排这些聚会。厨子们在厨房忙着准备饭菜，空气里飘着烤面包的香味。
楼上，女士们一边不停地聊天一边换上最漂亮的衣服。南茜遇到了姨妈奥斯古德太太，姨妈把自己的客人介绍给她，其中有两位年轻女士，甘氏姐妹，她们不太漂亮但穿得很时髦。
这时南茜的姐姐普丽西拉来了，她是个快活的圆脸大个子女孩，鼻子冻得红红的。换衣服时，普丽西拉对奥斯古德太太说：“看我们的衣服，姨妈，南茜穿起来当然漂亮，可我穿起来太老了！南茜说我们是姐妹，要穿一样的衣服，尽管我比她大5岁！我知道我丑，可是我不在乎。”她又转向姨妈的两个朋友，“我想你们也同意女孩子漂亮就容易抓住男人的心，我可不在乎男人。有个好爸爸、好家庭的女人最好单身。我就打算这样。我们丑姑娘不需要丈夫。”
奥斯古德太太赶紧站起来说：“我们要下楼了。普丽西拉，南茜，过会儿见。”3个女人急匆匆出去了。
“真是的，普丽西拉！”只剩她们姐妹俩时南茜生气地说，“你从来不在讲话前先想想！我敢肯定甘氏姐妹认为你很无礼！你差不多是在告诉她们她们是丑姑娘！”
“是吗？”普丽西拉很奇怪，“嗨，我这人就这佯，我总是讲实话。可是看看我，我也丑呀！”
“普丽西拉，你知道我是让你来挑的衣服，”南茜为难地说，“我不在乎穿什么颜色。”
“傻孩子，你穿这种颜色好看！虽然你从不会大嚷大叫或者发号施