酷兔英语
    当前位置:
  1. 首页
  2. 文章
  3. 娱乐英语
  4. 原版小说
  5. 正文

The Marriage Contract-Part4_Honore de Balzac(1799-1850)_Translated Works(翻译文学)-第2页

0 收藏 0 分享 0 赞

章节正文
文章总共2页


gestures of Mademoiselle Evangelista any indication that revealed the

imperfections of her character, Paul must have possessed not only the



knowledge of Lavater and Gall, but also a science in which there

exists no formula of doctrine,--the individual and personal science of



an observer, which, for its perfection, requires an almost universal

knowledge. Natalie's face, like that of most young girls, was



impenetrable. The deep, serene peace given by sculptors to the virgin

faces of Justice and Innocence, divinities aloof from all earthly



agitations, is the greatest charm of a young girl, the sign of her

purity. Nothing, as yet, has stirred her; no shattered passion, no



hope betrayed has clouded the placid expression of that pure face. Is

that expression assumed? If so, there is no young girl behind it.



Natalie, closely held to the heart of her mother, had received, like

other Spanish women, an education that was solely religious, together



with a few instructions from her mother as to the part in life she was

called upon to play. Consequently, the calm, untroubled expression of



her face was natural. And yet it formed a casing in which the woman

was wrapped as the moth in its cocoon. Nevertheless, any man clever at



handling the scalpel of analysis might have detected in Natalie

certain indications of the difficulties her character would present



when brought into contact with conjugal or social life. Her beauty,

which was really marvellous, came from extreme regularity of feature



harmonizing with the proportions of the head and the body. This

species of perfection augurs ill for the mind; and there are few



exceptions to the rule. All superior nature is found to have certain

slight imperfections of form which become irresistible attractions,



luminous points from which shine vivid sentiments, and on which the

eye rests gladly. Perfect harmony expresses usually the coldness of a



mixed organization.

Natalie's waist was round,--a sign of strength, but also the



infallible indication of a will which becomes obstinacy in persons

whose mind is neither keen nor broad. Her hands, like those of a Greek



statue, confirmed the predictions of face and figure by revealing an

inclination for illogical domination, of willing for will's sake only.



Her eyebrows met,--a sign, according to some observers, which

indicates jealousy. The jealousy of superior minds becomes emulation



and leads to great things; that of small minds turns to hatred. The

"hate and wait" of her mother was in her nature, without disguise. Her



eyes were black apparently, though really brown with orange streaks,

contrasting with her hair, of the ruddy tint so prized by the Romans,



called auburn in England, a color which often appears in the offspring

of persons of jet black hair, like that of Monsieur and Madame



Evangelista. The whiteness and delicacy of Natalie's complexion gave

to the contrast of color in her eyes and hair an inexpressible charm;



and yet it was a charm that was purelyexternal; for whenever the

lines of a face are lacking in a certain soft roundness, whatever may



be the finish and grace of the details, the beauty therein expressed

is not of the soul. These roses of deceptive youth will drop their



leaves, and you will be surprised in a few years to see hardness and

dryness where you once admired what seemed to be the beauty of noble



qualities.

Though the outlines of Natalie's face had something august about them,



her chin was slightly "empate,"--a painter's expression which will

serve to show the existence of sentiments the violence of which would



only become manifest in after life. Her mouth, a trifle drawn in,




文章总共2页
文章标签:翻译  译文  翻译文  

章节正文
Copyright © 2023 Qeto All rights reserved.
商务合作 | 联系我们 | 关于我们 | 版权声明 | 隐私条款 | 如果智培

京ICP备05059198号-1 京公网安备 11011202003401号