居伊·德·莫泊桑/Guy de Maupassant
It was the end of the dinner that opened the shooting season. The Marquis de Bertrans with his guests sat around a brightly lighted table, covered with fruit and flowers.
The conversation drifted to love. Immediately there arose an animated discussion, the same eternal discussion as to whether it were possible to love more than once. Examples were given of persons who had loved once; these were offset by those who had loved violently many times. The men agreed that passion, like sickness, may attack the same person several times, unless it strikes to kill. This conclusion seemed quite incontestable. The women, however, who based their opinion on poetry rather than on practical observation, maintained that love, the great passion, may come only once to mortals. It resembles lightning, they said, this love. A heart once touched by it becomes forever such a waste, so ruined, so consumed, that no other strong sentiment can take root there, not even a dream.
The marquis, who had indulged in many love affairs, disputed this belief.
"I tell you it is possible to love several times with all one's heart and soul. You quote examples of persons who have killed themselves for love, to prove the impossibility of a second passion. I wager that if they had not foolishly committed suicide, and so destroyed the possibility of a second experience, they would have found a new love, and still another, and so on till death. It is with love as with drink. He who has once indulged is forever a slave. It is a thing of temperament."
They chose the old doctor as umpire. He thought it was as the marquis had said, a thing of temperament.
"As for me," he said, "I once knew of a love which lasted fiftyfive years without one day's respite, and which ended only with death." The wife of the marquis clasped her hands.
"That is beautiful! Ah, what a dream to be loved in such a way! What bliss to live for fifty-five years enveloped in an intense, unwavering affection! How this happy being must have blessed his life to be so adored!"
The doctor smiled.
"You are not mistaken, madame, on this point the loved one was a man. You even know him; it is Monsieur Chouquet, the chemist. As to the woman, you also know her, the old chair-mender, who came every year to the chateau."
The enthusiasm of the women fell. Some expressed their contempt with "Pouah!" for the loves of common people did not interest them.
The doctor continued: "Three months ago I was called to the deathbed of the old chair-mender. The priest had preceded me. She wished to make us the executors of her will. In order that we might understand her conduct, she told us the story of her life. It is most singular and touching:
"Her father and mother were both chair-menders. She had never lived in a house. As a little child she wandered about with them, dirty, unkempt, hungry. They visited many towns, leaving their horse, wagon and dog just outside the limits, where the child played in the grass alone until her parents had repaired all the broken chairs in the place. They seldom spoke, except to cry, 'Chairs! Chairs! Chairmender!' When the little one strayed too far away, she would be called back by the harsh, angry voice of her father. She never heard a word of affection.
"When she grew older, she fetched and carried the broken chairs. Then it was she made friends with the children in the street, but their parents always called them away and scolded them for speaking to the barefooted child. Often the boys threw stones at her. Once a kind woman gave her a few pennies, she saved them most carefully.
"One day—she was then eleven years old—as she was walking through a country town she met, behind the cemetery, little Chouquet, weeping bitterly, because one of his playmates had stolen two precious liards (mills). The tears of the small bourgeois, one of those muchenvied mortals, who, she imagined, never knew trouble, completely upset her. She approached him and, as soon as she learned the cause of his grief, she put into his hands all her savings. He took them without hesitation and dried his eyes. Wild with joy, she kissed him. He was busy counting his money, and did not object. Seeing that she was not repulsed, she threw her arms round him and gave him a hug—then she ran away.
"What was going on in her poor little head? Was it because she had sacrificed all her fortune that she became madly fond of this youngster, or was it because she had given him the first tender kiss? The mystery is alike for children and for those of riper years.
"For months she dreamed of that corner near the cemetery and of the little chap. She stole a sou here and, there from her parents on the chair money or groceries she was sent to buy. When she returned to the spot near the cemetery she had two francs in her pocket, but he was not there. Passing his father's drug store, she caught sight of him behind the counter. He was sitting between a large red globe and a blue one. She only loved him the more, quite carried away at the sight of the brilliant-colored globes. She cherished the recollection of it forever in her heart.
"The following year she met him near the school playing marbles. She rushed up to him, threw her arms round him, and kissed him so passionately that he screamed in fear. To quiet him, she gave him all her money. Three francs and twenty centimes! A real gold mine, at which he gazed with staring eyes.
"After this he allowed her to kiss him as much as she wished.
"During the next four years she put into his hands all her savings, which he pocketed conscientiously in exchange for kisses. At one time it was thirty sons, at another two francs. Again, she only had twelve sous. She wept with grief and shame, explaining brokenly that it had been a poor year. The next time she brought five francs, in one whole piece, which made her laugh with joy.
"She no longer thought of any one but the boy, and he watched for her with impatience; sometimes he would run to meet her. This made her heart thump with joy.
"Suddenly he disappeared. He had gone to boarding school. She found this out by careful investigation. Then she used great diplomacy to persuade her parents to change their route and pass by this way again during vacation. After a year of scheming she succeeded. She had not seen him for two years, and scarcely recognized him, he was so changed, had grown taller, better looking and was imposing in his uniform, with its brass buttons. He pretended not to see her, and passed by without a glance.
"She wept for two days and from that time loved and suffered unceasingly.
"Every year he came home and she passed him, not daring to lift her eyes. He never condescended to turn his head toward her. She loved him madly, hopelessly. She said to me, 'He is the only man whom I have ever seen. I don't even know if another exists.'
"Her parents died. She continued their work.
"One day, on entering the village, where her heart always remained, she saw Chouquet coming out of his pharmacy with a young lady leaning on his arm. She was his wife.
"That night the chairmender threw herself into the river. A drunkard passing the spot pulled her out and took her to the drug store. Young Chouquet came down in his dressing gown to revive her. Without seeming to know who she was he undressed her and rubbed her; then he said to her, in a harsh voice: 'You are mad! People must not do stupid things like that.'
"His voice brought her to life again. He had spoken to her! She was happy for a long time. He refused remuneration for his trouble, although she insisted.
"All her life passed in this way. She worked, thinking always of him. She began to buy medicines at his pharmacy; this gave her a chance to talk to him and to see him closely. In this way, she was still able to give him money.
"As I said before, she died this spring. When she had closed her pathetic story she entreated me to take her earnings to the man she loved. She had worked only that she might leave him something to remind him of her after her death.
"I gave the priest fifty francs for her funeral expenses. The next morning I went to see the Chouquets. They were finishing breakfast, sitting opposite each other, fat and red, important and self-satisfied.
"They welcomed me and offered me some coffee, which I accepted. Then I began my story in a trembling voice, sure that they would be softened, even to tears.
"As soon as Chouquet understood that he had been loved by 'That vagabond! That chair-mender! That wanderer!' he swore with indignation as though his reputation had been sullied, the respect of decent people lost, his personal honor, something precious and dearer to him than life, gone.
"His exasperated wife kept repeating: 'That beggar! That beggar!' Seeming unable to find words suitable to the enormity.
"He stood up and began striding about. He muttered: 'Can you understand anything so horrible, doctor? Oh, if I had only known it while she was alive, I should have had her thrown into prison. I promise you she would not have escaped.'
"I was dumfounded; I hardly knew what to think or say, but I had to finish my mission. 'She commissioned me,' I said, 'to give you her savings, which amount to three thousand five hundred francs. As what I have just told you seems to be very disagreeable, perhaps you would prefer to give this money to the poor.'
"They looked at me, that man and woman, speechless with amazement. I took the few thousand francs from out of my pocket. Wretched-looking money from every country. Pennies and gold pieces all mixed together. Then I asked: 'What is your decision?'
"Madame Chouquet spoke first. 'Well, since it is the dying woman's wish, it seems to me impossible to refuse it.'
"Her husband said, in a shamefaced manner: 'We could buy something for our children with it.'
"I answered dryly: 'As you wish.'
"He replied: 'Well, give it to us anyhow, since she commissioned you to do so; we will find a way to put it to some good purpose.'
"I gave them the money, bowed and left.
"The next day Chouquet came to me and said brusquely:
"'That woman left her wagon here—what have you done with it?'
"'Nothing; take it if you wish.'
"'It's just what I wanted,' he added, and walked off. I called him back and said:
"'She also left her old horse and two dogs. Don't you need them?'
"He stared at me surprised: 'Well, no! Really, what would I do with them?'
"'Dispose of them as you like.' He laughed and held out his hand to me. I shook it. What could I do? The doctor and the druggist in a country village must not be at enmity.
"I have kept the dogs. The priest took the old horse. The wagon is useful to Chouquet, and with the money he has bought railroad stock.
"That is the only deep, sincere love that I have ever known in all my life."
The doctor looked up. The marquise, whose eyes were full of tears, sighed and said:
"There is no denying the fact, only women know how to love."
为庆祝狩猎期到来而举行的晚宴即将结束。德·贝特朗侯爵家人和客人们围坐在灯火辉煌的桌子边，桌子上摆满了水果和鲜花。
话题偶然涉及爱情，马上开始了一场激烈的讨论。讨论的是那个永恒的老问题：人的一生，有可能获得一次以上的爱情吗？有人以己为例证明一生只能爱一次；有人则说，他们爱过很多次，而且每一次都很疯狂。并且，男人都认为狂热的爱情像疾病一样，会多次袭击同一个人，直至要了他的命。这种结论似乎无可置疑，然而，女人们却有着她们的看法。她们的爱情观来自诗歌文学，而非实践观察的结果。所以她们认为，爱情是一场巨大的狂热，对凡人来说，一生只会发生一次。他们还说，爱情就像闪电，一旦人心被射中，就会永久变成荒野，满目疮痍，一片废墟。任何其他的**都不可能生根发芽，连梦都不会有。
侯爵曾多次恋爱，所以为他的观点辩解。
“告诉你们吧，多次全心全意地去爱是可能的。你们刚才举的例子是为爱而死的人，以此证明发生第二次爱是不可能的。可是，我要告诉你们：如果这些人不是愚蠢的自杀，失去第二次恋爱机会的话，他们会再一次恋爱，而且还会继续去爱，一爱再爱，直到死去。恋爱就像酗酒，一旦沉溺就成了永远的奴隶。这是个气质的问题。”
大家选择老医生做仲裁人。他的看法和公爵的看法如出一辙，认为这是一个气质的问题。
“至于我，”他说，“我曾经听说一桩持续了五十五年的疯狂爱情，一天都没有间断过，直到死了才结束。”侯爵夫人不禁鼓起掌来。
“那真是太美妙了！哦，就这样被人爱着，真是像梦一样迷人啊！五十五年，在这种热烈、坚定的爱情中生活，是多么幸福的一件事啊！被这样的男人热恋着，是何等幸福、何等令人羡慕的人生啊！”
医生微微一笑。
“夫人，您一点儿都没错，在这里，被爱的是一个男人。您知道这个人，他是镇上那个药剂师，舒凯先生。至于那个女的，您也知道，就是那个修软垫椅的老妇人，她每年都会来府上的。”
女人们的热情顿时一落千丈。有人发出“呸”的声音，表达他们的蔑视，因为这种卑贱人的爱情提不起他们的兴趣。
医生继续说道：“三个月前，有人把我叫到这位临终修软垫椅的老妇人的床边。我到的时候，牧师已经到了。她希望我们做她的遗嘱执行人。为了让我们清楚她的这个举动，她把她一生的故事都告诉了我们。这是我听过的最非凡、最感人的故事。
“她的父母都是修软垫椅的。她从来没有固定在一个地方居住过。她小的时候，就跟随父母四处流浪，脏兮兮、乱蓬蓬的，还常常忍饥挨饿。他们去过很多城镇。每到一个城镇，他们就停下来，卸下马，让狗趴在外面。她的父母在那里把全村的旧椅子修完，小女孩就一个人在草地上玩耍。他们很少开口讲话，除了开口吆喝那句‘椅子，椅子，修——椅——子’，才不得不说上几句话。当小女孩晃**得太远的时候，她的父亲就用刺耳的、怒气冲冲的声音把她喊回来。她从未听到过一句充满温情的话。
“她稍大一点的时候，就到镇上收集旧椅子。于是，她和街道上的几个孩子结识，成为朋友。但是，她朋友的父母们总是把他们叫回去，还责备他们不要和光着脚的孩子说话。那些男孩子常常朝她的身上扔石子。一位好心的太太曾经给她过几个便士，她非常小心、非常谨慎地把它们攒起来。
“在她十一岁的一天，当她路过一个乡镇的时候，她看见小舒凯在公墓后面伤心地哭泣，因为一个小伙伴把他的两个里亚（里亚：法国古铜币名，相当于四分之一苏——译者注）抢走了。在她的想象里，这些有钱人家的、惹人羡慕的孩子是没有什么烦恼的，但他居然在哭泣，这把她的心完全打乱了。于是，她走到他的身边，弄清楚他为什么难过，然后把她的全部储蓄都倒在他的手上。他没有丝毫犹豫就收下钱，然后把眼泪擦干了。当时她高兴得疯了，竟然吻了他一下。而他当时忙着数手中的钱，也没有拒绝她。看到自己没有遭到拒绝，她就热烈地拥抱他，然后跑开了。
“在这个可怜的小脑袋里，究竟有什么想法呢？是因为她把全部的财产都捐给了他，才发狂似的爱上这个小男孩呢，还是因为她把初吻献给了他才爱上他呢？无论对小孩还是对大人来说，这都是一个谜。
“后来几个月，她一直梦想着那个墓地的角落和那个小男孩。为了见到那个小男孩，她开始偷钱，她从父母修椅子挣得的钱中偷，从让她买东西的钱中偷，这掖一苏，那藏一苏。当她回到公墓附近的时候，口袋里装满了两个法郎。但是，他并不在那里。经过小舒凯父亲药房的时候，她看到了柜台后面的他。他坐在两只装着红药水和蓝药水的大口瓶中间。看到这些色彩亮丽的玻璃瓶，她非常着迷。这只能让她更爱他。她把关于他的回忆永远珍藏在心中。
“第二年，她在他的学校附近遇见了他，他正在和同学玩弹子。她冲到他的身边，张开胳膊紧紧地、热烈地拥抱他，然后疯狂地吻他，直到他吓得尖叫起来。为了让他不喊叫，她把她全部的积蓄都给了他，一共是3法郎20生丁。真是一大笔钱啊。他目瞪口呆地望着她。
“此后，他允许她尽情地吻他。
“在此后的四年里，她把她所有的钱全都放进了男孩的手中，他也心安理得地拿钱和亲吻做交易。第一次，是30个苏，第二次是2个法郎。又有一次，她只有12个苏——她伤心、羞愧地哭泣起来，解释说那一年的光景实在太糟糕了。下一次，她来的时候带来了5法郎，一块大大的、圆圆的硬币，她高兴地笑了半天。
“除了这个小男孩，她谁都不想。而他有点焦急地盼望着她来。有的时候，他会跑过来迎接她，这让她心花怒放。
“后来有一天，他突然消失了。原来，他到寄宿学校读书去了。不过，经过小心谨慎的调查，她还是打听出来了。于是，她花了很大心思，让她的父母改变路线，好在他放假的时候路过这里。经过一年的筹划，她终于做到了。她已经两年没见过他了，几乎认不出他来。他变化太大了，个子长高了，容貌更英俊了，还穿着一身黄铜扣子的校服。他假装没有看见她，走过去的时候甚至没有瞥一眼。
“她哭泣了两天。从此以后，她的爱和痛苦无穷无尽。
“他每年都要回来，她都从他的面前走过，但是，她不敢看他一眼。而他，永远不会屈尊俯就地看她一眼。她爱他，非常疯狂，非常绝望。她对我说：‘他是我见过的唯一一个男人，我甚至不知道世界上还有其他男人存在。’
“她的父母去世了。她操起了他们的行当。
“有一天，她回到这个魂牵梦绕的乡镇。她发现舒凯从他的药房里走出来，但是还有一个年轻的女人挽着他的胳膊。那是他的妻子。
“当天晚上，这个修软垫椅的女人就投河了。经过那里的一个醉汉把她救了上来，送到药店里。小舒凯穿着睡衣，从楼上下来救治她。他假装不认识她的样子，帮她脱掉衣服、按压。然后，严厉地对她说：‘你简直发疯了！谁都不会做你这样的傻事。’
“他的话给了她再生的希望。因为他居然对她说话了！她幸福了很长时间。他不收她治疗的费用，尽管她再三坚持，他怎么也不接受。
“就这样，她的一生过去了。她工作的时候，还时时想着他。她开始去他的药房里买药，这就给她一个和他说话、近距离看他的机会。用这种方式，她仍然能够给他钱。
“前面我说过，今年春天的时候，她死了。当她结束她悲惨一生的时候，她恳求我把她毕生的积蓄交给她深爱的男人。她说，她只是为他工作。这样在她离世后，他还可以想起她。
“我给牧师50法郎，作为她的安葬费。第二天早晨，我就来到舒凯家。舒凯夫妇刚刚吃完早餐，面对面地坐着。夫妻二人肥头大耳、面光红润，一副得意洋洋、自我满足的样子。
“他们请我坐下，端上一些咖啡来。我拿过来喝了，然后，开始用颤抖的声音给他们讲了这个故事，以为他们听完之后，一定会感动万分，甚至流下眼泪。
“舒凯一听到自己被‘那个流浪的、修软垫椅的女人’爱恋着的时候，就愤慨地诅咒起来，好像她玷污了他的声誉，失去了人们对他的尊重和他宝贵的个人荣誉，似乎这些比他的性命还贵重一样。
“他的妻子跟他一样愤慨，不停地说：‘那个**！那个**！……’似乎找不出什么话比这更能形容她的弥天大罪了。
“他站起来，开始在房间踱来踱去，还不断嘀咕着：‘大夫，您要明白，这是多么可怕的一件事啊！哦，如果她活着的时候我知道的话，我一定把她送到监狱！我发誓，她永远都出不来！’
“我目瞪口呆，没想到会是这样的结果，也不知道该说什么好。但是，我必须完成我的使命。于是，我说：‘她委托我把她的积蓄交给您，一共是3500法郎。既然我刚才的话似乎使您非常不悦，或许，你应该把这些钱转交给穷人。’
“他们夫妇看着我，惊讶得一句话也说不出来。我从口袋里掏出不多的几千法郎。这笔可怜巴巴的钱来自不同的国家，金币和便士混杂在一起。然后我问：‘你们是怎么决定的呢？’
“舒凯太太首先说话：‘嗯……既然这是那个垂死女人的遗愿，我们拒绝接受似乎也不合适。’
“她的丈夫，略带羞愧地说道：‘用这笔钱，我们还是可以给我们的孩子买点东西的。’
“我只是冷淡地说道：‘随你们便吧。’
“他又回答道：‘哦，无论如何，既然她委托您，那就把钱交给我们好了。我们会找到一个合适的方式把钱用到慈善事业上去的。’
“我把钱给了他们，弯腰行礼后就离开了。
“第二天，舒凯找我，直截了当地问：‘那个女人留下的那辆四轮马车在这里吧？——您怎样处理它了呢？’
“‘还没有处理，您要是想要就把它拿走吧。’
“‘太好了，我正需要它呢。’他补充道，然后就起身走了。我把他叫回来，对他说：
‘她还留下一匹老马和两条狗，难道您不需要吗？’
他愕然地看着我：‘哎呀！不要！真的，我要它们有什么用呢？’
“‘随便您怎么处理吧。’他笑着伸出手来，把手递过来，我握了一下，我能做什么呢？同一个乡镇的医生和药剂师总不能反目为仇啊！
“我收养了那两条狗。牧师带走了那匹老马。对舒凯家来说，那辆马车非常有用。而那笔钱，他买了铁路债券。
“这是我有生以来，见过的唯一一份深沉、真挚的爱情。”
医生停下来，看了一眼侯爵夫人。只见她满眼泪水，深深地叹了口气，说：
“事实不容置疑，只有女人才知道怎样去爱！”
W词汇笔记
umpire ['?mpai?] n. 裁判员；仲裁人
例 The umpire gave him out.
裁判员宣告他出界。
harsh [hɑ:?] adj. 粗糙的；刺耳的；严厉的
例 The little, fragile cymbidium, in his large, harsh hand.
小小的、柔弱的兰花，躺在他宽大的、粗糙的手掌中。
mystery ['mist?ri] n. 神秘；神秘的事物
例 The past is history, the future a mystery.
过去已成为历史，未来还是个奥秘。
marquise [mɑ:'ki:z] n. 侯爵夫人；女侯爵
例 The marquise is very beautiful.
这位侯爵夫人很漂亮。
S小试身手
她们的爱情观来自诗歌文学，而非实践观察的结果。
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无论对小孩还是对大人来说，这都是一个谜。
译____________________________________________
这是我有生以来，见过的唯一一份深沉、真挚的爱情。
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P短语家族
The conversation drifted to love.
drift to：涉及；提到
造____________________________________________
Ah, what a dream to be loved in such a way!
in a way：在某种程度上；有点儿
造____________________________________________