Wuthering Heights - Chapter 1
呼啸山庄 - 第1章
The_Mysterious_Visitor
神秘的访客
I have just returned from a visit to my landlord—the solitary neighbor that I shall be troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country! In all England, I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society. A perfect misanthropist's heaven: and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the desolation between us.
我刚刚从拜访房东归来——那个我将不得不与之打交道的孤独邻居。这确实是一个美丽的国家!在整个英格兰,我不相信我能找到一个像这样完全远离社会喧嚣的地方。一个完美厌世者的天堂:希斯克利夫先生和我就是如此合适的一对,可以分担这荒凉。
Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr. Heathcliff's dwelling. 'Wuthering' being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times, indeed: one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun.
"Wuthering Heights"是这栋房子的名字,指的是在暴风雨天气中呼啸而过的风。房子位于山顶,被崎岖的荒原包围,四面都是荒凉的景象。
Before passing the threshold, I paused to admire a quantity of grotesque carvings lavished over the front, and especially about the principal door; but above all, a quantity of grimacing dogs, in various attitudes, held a common under their feet.
我的房东,希斯克利夫先生,是周围最奇怪的人。他皮肤黝黑,几乎像个吉普赛人,衣着举止有绅士的风度,但神情和举止又像粗鲁的农民。他似乎对任何人都没有感情,就像对这荒原一样冷漠。
Mr. Heathcliff was a dark-skinned gypsy in aspect, in dress and manners a gentleman: that is, as much a gentleman as many a country squire: rather slovenly, perhaps, yet not looking amiss with his negligence, because he has an erect and handsome figure.
当我在那里时,他唯一的同伴是一条狗和几个沉默的仆人。他不爱任何人,似乎也不需要任何人的爱。他生活在孤独中,就像他生活在孤独的房子里。
I did not know whether it was not usual for him to be so reserved; but I could not help thinking his manner was somewhat singular. He seemed a proud, morose man, and when I asked him how long he had lived at Wuthering Heights, he answered sharply, 'Since I was a child.'
我忍不住好奇,想知道他的故事。为什么这个男人如此孤独,如此充满仇恨?他过去经历了什么,使他变成了这个样子?
I did not feel inclined to continue the conversation. The room was small and dark, with a narrow window looking out over the moors. The furniture was old and worn, and the fire in the hearth burned low.
'The dogs are not kept for pleasure,' Mr. Heathcliff said, as if reading my thoughts. 'They are kept for protection. This is a lonely place, Mr. Lockwood.'
I nodded and finished my tea. The atmosphere in the house was oppressive, and I felt a strange desire to leave. Mr. Heathcliff watched me with dark, unreadable eyes.
As I prepared to depart, the wind howled around the house, rattling the windows and doors. It was as if the building itself were alive, breathing and sighing with the storm.
'I will see you again, Mr. Lockwood,' Mr. Heathcliff said, his voice cold.
I walked out into the dark night, the wind whipping at my coat. Behind me, Wuthering Heights loomed like a fortress on the hill, its windows glowing faintly against the dark sky.