以下是為大家整理的關(guān)于《英文美文：項鏈》文章，供大家學(xué)習(xí)參考！
小編推薦： 英文歌詞| 英文網(wǎng)名| 英語祝福語| 英文名字| 英語詩歌| 英語作文網(wǎng) necklace 項鏈 Mathilde Loisel was one of those poor girls， pretty，charming and romantic，who，in spite of their romantic dreams，are married to a mediocrity．Her husband was a clerk in the Ministry of Education． One evening her husband came home with an air of triumph． “I have something nice for you，”he said，giving her a large envelope． She tore open the envelope，which contained the following printed card： “The Minister of Education and Madame Georges Ramponneau have the honour to request the company of Monsieur and Madame Loisel at the office of the Ministry on Monday evening，January 18th．” She did not seem delighted．On the contrary，she flung the invitation card on the table，and said spitefully： “What's that to me？” “Why，my dear，I thought you'd be pleased．You like a dance，don't you？You hardly ever go out，and this is really a good chance for you．I had no end of trouble to get it．Every one wants it，you know．All the officials will be there，but only a few clerks are invited．” She looked at him ruefully and exclaimed： “What do you expect me to wear at a party like that？” It never occurred to him that she had no pretty dresses nor jewels．He replied hesitatingly： “Why，the dress you wear when you go to the theatre looks very nice to me．” She burst into tears．Why did she marry such a dull，stupid fellow？Only because she was born into a poor family．Oh，cruel trick of destiny！ “What's the matter？”he asked anxiously． “Nothing，”she answered with an effort．“It's only that I haven't a suitable dress，and so I can't go to the ball．Give this card to a friend of yours whose wife has a better wardrobe than I．” It was a heart-breaking confession． “Come，Mathilde，my dearest，”the distressed husband said，“how much do you think it would cost to have a proper dress，something rather simple which would be useful for other occasions after- wards？” She thought for a moment，busy with her calculations．How much could she ask without shocking the thrifty husband and provoking a flat refusal？ “I'm not sure， but I think I could manage with four hundred francs．” The husband turned a little pale．She had named the exact sum he had saved to buy a gun to enjoy shooting on the plain of Nanterre next summer with a few friends． But he replied： “All right．You shall have four hundred francs．Mind you get a really nice dress．” The day of the ball drew near．Although Madame Loisel had got her coveted dress， she seemed far from pleased． “What is the matter？”her husband asked． “You look out of sorts these days．” “It's quite annoying to think that I haven't a single piece of jewellery to wear．I might as well stay at home as cut a miserable figure at the party，”she answered． “How about wearing natural flowers，then？”her husband suggested．“They are now quite in fashion．For ten francs you can get two or three splendid roses．” “Where did you get such a silly idea？”she replied．“Can't you see how miserable I'd look among rich women？” “Well then，”her husband said．“Why don't you go and ask your friend，Madame Forestier，to lend you some jewels？She is a good friend of yours，and has a lot of jewellery，hasn't she？” “Yes，of course，”she exclaimed in delight．“Why didn't I think of it？” The next day she called on Madame Forestier and explained her trouble．Madame Forestier went to her wardrobe，took out a large jewel case，and placed it open in front of her friend． “Take what you want，my dear，”she said． Madame Loisel first saw some bracelets，then a pearl necklace，then a Venetian gold cross set with jewels，an exquisite piece of magnificent workmanship．She tried them on，one after another，before the mirror，uncertain which to choose． “Have you any more？”she asked． “Oh，yes，look for yourself．I don't know what you would like best．” Suddenly Madame Loisel discovered a black satin case，in which lay a superb diamond neck-lace．Her heart beat fast．With trembling hands， she took it out，fastened it round her neck，and stood gazing at herself in the mirror，lost in admiration． She asked fearfully： “Would you lend me this？I don't think I need anything else．” “Why，yes，certainly．” Madame Loisel threw her arms round her friend's neck， kissed her，and hurried out，lest her friend should change her mind． The night of the ball came at last．Madame Loisel was a brilliant success．She looked more beautiful than any other woman present．Triumphantly，full of grace and joy，she danced admirably，aware of the rapt eyes of the company．All the men inquired her name，wanted to be introduced，asked her for waltzes．She attracted the attention of even the minister him- self． She felt as if she were in a beautiful dream，intoxicated with happiness．Oh，how long she had been yearning for such a moment！ It was about four in the morning before she could tear herself away from the ball．Her husband had been dozing since midnight in a little deserted drawing room with three other gentlemen whose wives were enjoying the dance． He threw round her shoulders her cloak for everyday wear，which looked strangely incongruous with her elegant ball dress，and anxious to escape the eyes of the other women in rich furs，she hurried down the staircase． No cab was to be seen in the street，and，shivering with cold，they trudged on towards the Seine．At last，on the quay，they found an old，rickety cab rarely seen in Paris in the daytime．On reaching their dwelling，they climbed the stairs to their flat in gloomy silence． She took off her garment before the mirror．She wanted to enjoy one more glance at herself， decked in all her glory．Suddenly she cried out in horror． “What is the matter？”her husband asked．He was already half undressed；he had to be at the office by ten the next day． She turned to him，like one mad． “The diamond necklace is gone！” “What？How？Impossible！” They searched the folds of her skirt and cloak， her pockets，everywhere；but the necklace was nowhere to be seen． “You had it on when you left the ball？” “Yes，I remember fingering it in the vestibule．” “If you had dropped it in the street，we should have heard the sound．You must have lost it in the cab．” “Probably，did you notice the number？” “No，I didn't．” They gazed at each other in consternation． “I'll go back all over the road and try to find it．” He hurried out．She flung herself down in a chair，and remained there blankly，the very picture of despair．About seven o'clock he re- turned，empty-handed．Then he reported to the police and made inquiries among the cab companies，but all in vain．Madame Forestier's di- amond necklace seemed to have vanished into thin air． “Write to your friend，”the husband said，“that you have injured the clasp of her necklace and that you are having it mended．We must have time to think over the matter．” A week had passed without bringing them any spark of hope．Loisel，who now looked five years older，said， “We'll have to replace the necklace．” The next day they took the empty case to the jeweller's whose name they found inside the lid．He consulted his books． “We did not sell the necklace．We only supplied the case．” They went from jeweller to jeweller，searching for a necklace like the one they had lost．At last，in a shop at the Palais Royal they found a diamond necklace exactly like Madame Forestier's．The price was forty thousand francs．The jeweller agreed to sell it for thirty-six． They begged him not to sell it for three days， and they got him to promise that he would buy it back for thirty-four thousand francs，in case they should find the lost necklace by the end of February． He rushed for a loan to everybody， asking a thousand francs from one man，five hundred from another，five louis here，three louis there．He blindly signed promissory notes，agreed to unreasonable terms，even called on professional money- lenders． At last he obtained the thirty-six thousand francs，but at the risk of his whole future．How could he hope to return so much money？And when？Crushing despair gnawed at his heart． Madame Forestier received the necklace with an air of displeasure． “You should have returned it sooner．I might need it at any moment．” Madame Loisel feared lest her friend should examine the necklace and notice the difference．However，Madame Forestier carelessly put the case away without looking at the contents… Then came to the couple days，weeks and years of drudgery．They heroically resolved to pay the appalling debt by working hard．They quitted the flat and moved into a garret．They bought nothing except daily necessaries，which they tried to do without often enough．She learned to bargain with tradesmen，ready to quarrel for every son．Her daydreaming was replaced by a constant endeavour to pay her way． Each month some of the promissory notes had to be renewed，only to gain time．The husband worked after office hours，keeping accounts for a tradesman，and late at night copying manuscripts at five sons a page． A new year came，followed by another andanother，and still they grubbed on，until ten years had flowed on．Their efforts were not in vain．At the end of that time they had managed to pay off everything，including interest at high rate． Madame Loisel now looked older than her age．Her hair disheveled，her skirt turned to one side， her hands rough and hardened，the former sentimental，romantic woman had turned into a stout- hearted matron who had tasted the bitters of life．Now and then，however，when her husband was away at the office，she would sit by the window and think of the glory of that dance．What sort of woman would she be now，if she had not lost the necklace？Who knows？ One Sunday she went for a stroll in the Champs-Elysées to divert her mind from the labours of the week，when she caught sight of a lady with a child．It was Madame restier！ Madame Forestier looked as young，as beautiful， and as charming as ten years before．Madame Loisel felt her heart beat hard．Should she speak to her？Yes，of course．The debt had all been paid； she might tell her all about it．Why not？She went up to Madame Forestier． “Hello，Jeanne！” Her friend looked mystified，addressed by a poorly－dressed stranger：She had not recognized Madame Loisel． “I'm afraid you've made a mistake．Sorry，but I don't know you，she said． Jeanne！It's me—Mathilde Loisel．” Madame Forestier uttered a cry of surprise． “Oh，my poor Mathild！What's happened to you？You're quite a stranger！ “Yes， I've had a very hard time since then—and all through you！ “Through me！How can that be？” “You remember the diamond necklace I borrowed from you to attend the dance at the Educa-10tion Office？” “Yes，Well？” “Well，I lost it．” “What makes you say so？You returned it to me．” “What I returned to you was another one，exactly like it．And for the last ten years my husband and I have been working hard to pay for it．You know，it is hard for us poor people to pay thirty－six thousand francs．But don't worry！It's all over now．We've paid it in full．” Madame Forestier stopped short． “You say that you lost my necklace and bought a diamond necklace like mine to replace it？ “Yes．You've never noticed it，then！They were exactly alike．” Madame Forestier， deeply moved，seized bothher hands． “Oh， my poor Mathilde！What have you done？Why， mine was only imitation， not genuine！ “Then you don't think our ten years' labour wasted？”the husband asked． “Wasted？Oh，no！ When you were at the office，I often sat by the window and wondered what sortof person I should be if I had not lost the necklace．Now I know my answer．” “ I know your answer， my dear，the husbandsaid． “Yes，it was the lost necklace that inspired us with courage，endurance and perseverance．But for that incident，I'd have remained a selfish，graceless， thankless person．Wasted？Oh，no！” At that moment there came a knock at the door．Madame Loisel opened it，and found Madame Forestier standing there， her face radiant with smiles． “Madame Forestier！” “My dear Mathilde，I'm going on a tour tomorrow，”Madame Forestier hastily said．“Before I start，I want to make you a present of this necklace．Please accept it．” Before Mathilde could say anything，Madame Forestier was gone． 世上有些貧窮人家的姑娘，身段漂亮，相貌迷人，而且充滿羅曼蒂克的想法。然而，盡管她們做著美麗浪漫的夢，卻嫁給了平民百姓為妻?，?shù)贍柕隆けR瓦澤爾便是其中之一，她的丈夫只是教育部里的一名小職員。 一天晚上，她丈夫神采飛揚地回到家里。 “我有樣好東西送給你，”他說道，遞給她一個大信封。 她拆開信封，里面裝著一張請柬，上面印著： “教育部長喬治·朗蓬諾夫人敬請盧瓦澤爾先生及夫人光臨1月18日星期一晚上在本部大樓舉行的晚會?！?她似乎一點也不高興，反而把請柬扔在桌上，沒好氣地說： “那跟我有啥關(guān)系？” “嗨，親愛的，我原以為你會高興的。你喜歡跳舞，不是嗎？你幾乎從不出門，這次對你來說可真是一次極好的機會呀。我費了九牛二虎之力才弄到這張請柬。所有的官員都要到常你知道，每個人都想要，但只邀請了極少數(shù)的職員。” 她悲戚地望著他，叫喊道： “在那種聚會上你叫我穿什么嘛？” 他從未想過，她既沒有漂亮衣服，也沒有珠寶首飾。他吞吞吐吐地說道： “嗯，呃，我看，你上劇院穿的那套就挺不錯?！?她的眼淚不禁奪眶而出。她為什么要嫁給這樣一個木訥、愚笨的家伙？只因為她生在貧寒人家。唉，命運是多么殘酷?。?“干嘛哭?。俊彼辜钡貑柕?。 “沒什么，”她費力地說道，“只是我沒有合適的衣服，因此我不能去參加舞會。你哪位朋友的夫人有比我更漂亮的衣服，就把請柬送給他好了?！?這是令人心碎的自白?！暗美?，瑪?shù)贍柕?，親愛的，”窘迫之極的丈夫說，“你認(rèn)為買一件合適的，就是說簡單些并且以后在其他場合還能穿的衣服要花多少錢？” 她想了一會，腦子里飛快地盤算開來。要不嚇著她那節(jié)儉的丈夫，使他不會斷然拒絕，說多少才好呢？ “我也說不上來，不過我想400法郎就夠開銷了。” 丈夫臉色略微發(fā)白。她所報的數(shù)目正好是他存著買槍，準(zhǔn)備和他的幾個朋友到明年夏天去南特爾平原打獵用的。 但他回答道： “好吧，我給你400法郎。不過，一定得買一件漂漂亮亮的衣服。” 舞會的日子愈來愈近了。雖然盧瓦澤爾太太得到了想要的衣服，似乎她還是一點也不高興。 “怎么啦？”她丈夫問道?！斑@些天你怎么沒精打采的？” “想起來就煩人，我連一件珠寶都沒有戴的。我還是呆在家里，比在晚會上做出一副可憐相強。”她回答道。 “那你認(rèn)為戴鮮花怎樣？”她丈夫建議道。“現(xiàn)在很時興。花10法郎就可以買兩三朵上等的玫瑰花?！?“你如此愚蠢的念頭是從哪里冒出來的？”她答道，“你難道就想象不出站在一群貴婦人中間我會顯得多寒酸？” “呃，那么，”她丈夫說，“你為什么不去找你的朋友福雷斯蒂埃夫人，向她借些首飾呢？她是你的好朋友，她有許多珠寶，不是嗎？” “是??！當(dāng)然行，”她興奮得高聲說道，“我怎么就沒想到這點呢？” 第二天，她就去拜訪福雷斯蒂埃夫人，給她講了自己的難處。福雷斯蒂埃夫人走到衣櫥前，取出一只大珠寶箱，把它打開放在她朋友面前。 “親愛的，看上哪件就挑哪件吧?！彼f。 盧瓦澤爾夫人首先看了一些手鐲，然后看了一串珍珠項鏈，接著又看了一個威尼斯式的鑲寶石的金十字架，這件精致的項鏈?zhǔn)止O棒。她站在鏡子前面一件一件地試戴，拿不準(zhǔn)選哪件才好。 “你還有沒有別的？”她問道。 “啊，有，你自個兒挑吧。我不知道你最喜歡什么。” 突然，盧瓦澤爾夫人發(fā)現(xiàn)了一個黑色緞面的首飾盒，里面裝著一串上等的鉆石項鏈。她的心怦怦直跳。她用哆嗦著的手取出項鏈，把它扣在脖子上，然后站在鏡子面前出神地欣賞著自己。 她猶猶豫豫地問道： “你能把這串借給我嗎？其他的我就不用了。” “啊，當(dāng)然可以?！?盧瓦澤爾夫人一把摟住她朋友的脖子，吻了她就急忙出門而去，惟恐她朋友會改變主意。 舞會之夜終于來臨。盧瓦澤爾太太非常成功。她看上去比所有在場的女人都漂亮。她滿懷喜悅，溫文爾雅，邁著令人贊嘆的舞步，洋洋自得地瞟著舞伴投來的癡迷的目光。所有的男人都在打聽她的姓名，求人介紹，請她跳華爾茲舞，甚至連部長本人也注意到了她。 她感到自己仿佛做著美麗的夢，陶醉在歡樂之中。啊，這一刻她已盼了多久了！ 直到早晨大約4點鐘，她才依依不舍地離開舞會。她丈夫自午夜起就在一間棄而未用的小客廳里打瞌睡，另外還有三位先生，他們的夫人也正盡情地跳著舞。 他把夫人日常穿的披風(fēng)披在她的肩頭。與她在舞會上穿的那件體面的衣服相比，這件披風(fēng)顯得格外地不相稱。為急于逃脫那些身著名貴裘衣的女人們的注意，她匆匆忙忙地跑下樓梯。 街上一輛馬車也找不著，他們冷得直打哆嗦，朝著塞納河吃力地走下去。在碼頭，他們終于找到一輛破舊的搖搖晃晃的出租馬車，這種車白天在巴黎街頭是見不到的。到了住所，在死一般的沉寂中，他們爬上樓梯回到家里。 她站在鏡子前脫去外套。她想趁現(xiàn)在滿身榮耀，把自己再多瞧一眼。突然，她驚叫起來。 “什么事？”她丈夫問道。他衣服已脫了一半，明天10點還得準(zhǔn)時上班呢。 她轉(zhuǎn)身朝著他，活像個瘋子。 “鉆石項鏈丟了！” “什么？怎么會？不可能！” 他們搜尋她的裙子和披風(fēng)的折層，搜尋她的衣袋，搜尋每個地方，但那項鏈就是找不到。 “離開舞會時你還戴著嗎？” “是啊，我記得在門廳里還摸過?！?“如果你把它掉在街上，我們該會聽到聲響。你肯定是在馬車上丟掉的?！?“也許。你注意到車號了嗎？” “沒有。” 他們驚恐萬狀地相互看著。 “我要把剛才走過的路回去重走一遍，設(shè)法把它找回來?！?他急匆匆地趕了出去。她猛地癱坐在椅子上，眼前一片茫然，一幅完全絕望的情景。約摸7點，他回來了，兩手空空。之后他去警察局報案，向出租馬車的公司逐個打聽，但全都白費勁。福雷斯蒂埃夫人的鉆石項鏈就好像飛到了九霄云外。 “給你的朋友寫信，”丈夫說道，“就說你把項鏈的扣環(huán)弄壞了，正在請人修。我們得有時間把這件事好好考慮一下。” 一個星期過去了，并沒有給他們帶來丁點兒希望。盧瓦澤爾好像一下子老了5歲，他說： “我們只好買條項鏈來賠了?！?第二天，他們在那首飾盒的蓋子里發(fā)現(xiàn)了珠寶店的店名，便拿著空盒子去找老板，他查了他的登記簿。 “我們沒有賣過這條項鏈。我們只配了這個首飾盒?！?他們找了一家又一家珠寶店，想尋找一條與他們丟失的項鏈相仿的。終于在王宮街的一家店鋪里發(fā)現(xiàn)一條與福雷斯蒂埃夫人那串一模一樣的，標(biāo)價4萬法郎。店主后來答應(yīng)以36 000法郎出手。 他們求他給他們保留3天，并且跟他講妥，萬一他們在2月底以前找到那串丟失的項鏈，店主愿意以34 000法郎的價格購回。 他上天入地到處借錢，向這個借1000法郎，向那個借500；這里借5個金路易，那里借3個金路易。他盲目簽期票，答應(yīng)不合理的貸款條件，甚至向職業(yè)高利貸者借貸。 36000法郎終于湊齊了，但那是以自己的后半輩子作為賭注的。他怎能指望還清這樣一大筆錢？什么時候才還得完？絕望吞噬著他的心，他萬念俱灰。 福雷斯蒂埃夫人頗為不悅地接過項鏈。 “你該早點還，我隨時都可能要戴。” 盧瓦澤爾夫人非常害怕她的朋友查驗項鏈，擔(dān)心她看出差異。好在福雷斯蒂埃夫人連看都沒看里面裝的東西，就把盒子隨手收下放起來了。 于是，日復(fù)一日，年復(fù)一年的艱辛歲月來臨了。他們勇敢地決定靠辛勤工作來償還那駭人聽聞的債務(wù)。他們退掉了公寓，搬到了一處閣樓上祝除了日常用品，他們什么也不買，就連日用品也盡量少買。她學(xué)會了與商人討價還價，隨時準(zhǔn)備為每一文錢與人爭執(zhí)。沒有了白日夢，取而代之的是為還債而無休無止的苦干。 為了延長償還期限，每月總得要續(xù)簽一些期票。丈夫下班后就替一個商人記帳，深夜時還為別人抄稿子，抄一頁掙5個蘇。 一年接一年的過去了，他們?nèi)耘f拼命干活，一直干了10年。他們的努力沒有白費。10年后，他們終于還清了所有債務(wù)，包括高利貸利息。 盧瓦澤爾夫人現(xiàn)在看來比她的實際年齡老得多。她的頭發(fā)凌亂，裙子歪斜到一邊，雙手也磨得粗糙有力。這個從前多愁善感、浪漫多情的女子現(xiàn)已變成了倍嘗生活艱辛的鐵娘子。然而，當(dāng)丈夫去上班時，她也偶爾坐在窗前回味那場舞會上的榮光。如果她沒有丟失那條項鏈，她現(xiàn)在又會是什么樣的女人呢？誰知道？ 有一個星期天，她去香榭麗舍大道閑逛，藉以排遣一周的勞累。突然，她看到一個帶著小孩的婦人，此人正是福雷斯蒂埃夫人！ 福雷斯蒂埃夫人看上去跟10年前一樣年輕，一樣漂亮，一樣迷人。盧瓦澤爾夫人的心激動得發(fā)顫。她該給她講嗎？是的，當(dāng)然應(yīng)該！債已還清，她當(dāng)然可以告訴她這一切的一切。為什么不呢？她徑直朝福雷斯蒂埃夫人走去。 “讓娜，你好！” 給一個衣著極差的陌生人叫住，她的朋友顯得頗為茫然，她壓根兒就不認(rèn)識盧瓦澤爾夫人了。 “我想恐怕你搞錯了。對不起，我不認(rèn)識你?！彼鸬?。 “讓娜！是我呀——瑪?shù)贍柕隆けR瓦澤爾?！?福雷斯蒂埃夫人輕輕地驚叫了一聲。 “噢，可憐的瑪?shù)贍柕?！你到底怎么啦？你完全變了樣！?“是埃從那天開始我就沒過一天好日子，而這一切都是因為你！” “因為我！這怎么可能呢？” “你記得我為了去參加教育部大樓舉行的舞會，向你借的那條鉆石項鏈嗎？” “是的，那又怎樣？” “怎樣，我把它弄丟了?！?“你怎么這樣說呢？你把項鏈還給我了呀。” “我還給你的是另外一條，完全相像的另外一條。為了還錢，我和丈夫在這過去的10年里拼命干活。你知道，對我們窮人來說，要償還36000法郎是相當(dāng)不易的。但不要擔(dān)心，現(xiàn)在一切都過去了，我們已全部還清了?！?福雷斯蒂埃夫人突然收住腳步。 “你說你把我那條項鏈丟了，并且買了條與它相似的鉆石項鏈來還我？” “是的。那么，你是從來就沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)過！這兩條項鏈完全一模一樣?！?福雷斯蒂埃夫人非常感動，抓住了她的雙手。 “唉，可憐的瑪?shù)贍柕?！你都干了些什么？我那條根本就是假的，不是真貨！” “那你認(rèn)為我們這10年的辛苦不是白費了嗎？”丈夫問道。 “白費，噢，不！當(dāng)你上班時，我常坐在窗下想，如果我沒有丟掉項鏈，現(xiàn)在我會成了什么樣的人，現(xiàn)在我知道答案了。” “我知道你的答案，親愛的?！闭煞蛘f道。 “是啊，正是這條丟失了的項鏈才鼓起了我們的勇氣，使我們能吃苦耐勞和堅忍圖成。要不是因為那次變故，我還會是個自私自利、粗野邪惡、忘恩負(fù)義的人。難道這是白費嗎？一點也不！” 正在此時響起了敲門聲。盧瓦澤爾夫人打開門，發(fā)現(xiàn)福雷斯蒂埃夫人微笑著站在那里。 “福雷斯蒂埃夫人！” “親愛的瑪?shù)贍柕?，我明天要出去旅行，”福雷斯蒂埃夫人急促地說道，“動身前，我想把這串項鏈作為禮物送給你，請收下。” 沒等瑪?shù)贍柕聛淼眉罢f什么，福雷斯蒂埃夫人已轉(zhuǎn)身離去了。
小編推薦： 英文歌詞| 英文網(wǎng)名| 英語祝福語| 英文名字| 英語詩歌| 英語作文網(wǎng) necklace 項鏈 Mathilde Loisel was one of those poor girls， pretty，charming and romantic，who，in spite of their romantic dreams，are married to a mediocrity．Her husband was a clerk in the Ministry of Education． One evening her husband came home with an air of triumph． “I have something nice for you，”he said，giving her a large envelope． She tore open the envelope，which contained the following printed card： “The Minister of Education and Madame Georges Ramponneau have the honour to request the company of Monsieur and Madame Loisel at the office of the Ministry on Monday evening，January 18th．” She did not seem delighted．On the contrary，she flung the invitation card on the table，and said spitefully： “What's that to me？” “Why，my dear，I thought you'd be pleased．You like a dance，don't you？You hardly ever go out，and this is really a good chance for you．I had no end of trouble to get it．Every one wants it，you know．All the officials will be there，but only a few clerks are invited．” She looked at him ruefully and exclaimed： “What do you expect me to wear at a party like that？” It never occurred to him that she had no pretty dresses nor jewels．He replied hesitatingly： “Why，the dress you wear when you go to the theatre looks very nice to me．” She burst into tears．Why did she marry such a dull，stupid fellow？Only because she was born into a poor family．Oh，cruel trick of destiny！ “What's the matter？”he asked anxiously． “Nothing，”she answered with an effort．“It's only that I haven't a suitable dress，and so I can't go to the ball．Give this card to a friend of yours whose wife has a better wardrobe than I．” It was a heart-breaking confession． “Come，Mathilde，my dearest，”the distressed husband said，“how much do you think it would cost to have a proper dress，something rather simple which would be useful for other occasions after- wards？” She thought for a moment，busy with her calculations．How much could she ask without shocking the thrifty husband and provoking a flat refusal？ “I'm not sure， but I think I could manage with four hundred francs．” The husband turned a little pale．She had named the exact sum he had saved to buy a gun to enjoy shooting on the plain of Nanterre next summer with a few friends． But he replied： “All right．You shall have four hundred francs．Mind you get a really nice dress．” The day of the ball drew near．Although Madame Loisel had got her coveted dress， she seemed far from pleased． “What is the matter？”her husband asked． “You look out of sorts these days．” “It's quite annoying to think that I haven't a single piece of jewellery to wear．I might as well stay at home as cut a miserable figure at the party，”she answered． “How about wearing natural flowers，then？”her husband suggested．“They are now quite in fashion．For ten francs you can get two or three splendid roses．” “Where did you get such a silly idea？”she replied．“Can't you see how miserable I'd look among rich women？” “Well then，”her husband said．“Why don't you go and ask your friend，Madame Forestier，to lend you some jewels？She is a good friend of yours，and has a lot of jewellery，hasn't she？” “Yes，of course，”she exclaimed in delight．“Why didn't I think of it？” The next day she called on Madame Forestier and explained her trouble．Madame Forestier went to her wardrobe，took out a large jewel case，and placed it open in front of her friend． “Take what you want，my dear，”she said． Madame Loisel first saw some bracelets，then a pearl necklace，then a Venetian gold cross set with jewels，an exquisite piece of magnificent workmanship．She tried them on，one after another，before the mirror，uncertain which to choose． “Have you any more？”she asked． “Oh，yes，look for yourself．I don't know what you would like best．” Suddenly Madame Loisel discovered a black satin case，in which lay a superb diamond neck-lace．Her heart beat fast．With trembling hands， she took it out，fastened it round her neck，and stood gazing at herself in the mirror，lost in admiration． She asked fearfully： “Would you lend me this？I don't think I need anything else．” “Why，yes，certainly．” Madame Loisel threw her arms round her friend's neck， kissed her，and hurried out，lest her friend should change her mind． The night of the ball came at last．Madame Loisel was a brilliant success．She looked more beautiful than any other woman present．Triumphantly，full of grace and joy，she danced admirably，aware of the rapt eyes of the company．All the men inquired her name，wanted to be introduced，asked her for waltzes．She attracted the attention of even the minister him- self． She felt as if she were in a beautiful dream，intoxicated with happiness．Oh，how long she had been yearning for such a moment！ It was about four in the morning before she could tear herself away from the ball．Her husband had been dozing since midnight in a little deserted drawing room with three other gentlemen whose wives were enjoying the dance． He threw round her shoulders her cloak for everyday wear，which looked strangely incongruous with her elegant ball dress，and anxious to escape the eyes of the other women in rich furs，she hurried down the staircase． No cab was to be seen in the street，and，shivering with cold，they trudged on towards the Seine．At last，on the quay，they found an old，rickety cab rarely seen in Paris in the daytime．On reaching their dwelling，they climbed the stairs to their flat in gloomy silence． She took off her garment before the mirror．She wanted to enjoy one more glance at herself， decked in all her glory．Suddenly she cried out in horror． “What is the matter？”her husband asked．He was already half undressed；he had to be at the office by ten the next day． She turned to him，like one mad． “The diamond necklace is gone！” “What？How？Impossible！” They searched the folds of her skirt and cloak， her pockets，everywhere；but the necklace was nowhere to be seen． “You had it on when you left the ball？” “Yes，I remember fingering it in the vestibule．” “If you had dropped it in the street，we should have heard the sound．You must have lost it in the cab．” “Probably，did you notice the number？” “No，I didn't．” They gazed at each other in consternation． “I'll go back all over the road and try to find it．” He hurried out．She flung herself down in a chair，and remained there blankly，the very picture of despair．About seven o'clock he re- turned，empty-handed．Then he reported to the police and made inquiries among the cab companies，but all in vain．Madame Forestier's di- amond necklace seemed to have vanished into thin air． “Write to your friend，”the husband said，“that you have injured the clasp of her necklace and that you are having it mended．We must have time to think over the matter．” A week had passed without bringing them any spark of hope．Loisel，who now looked five years older，said， “We'll have to replace the necklace．” The next day they took the empty case to the jeweller's whose name they found inside the lid．He consulted his books． “We did not sell the necklace．We only supplied the case．” They went from jeweller to jeweller，searching for a necklace like the one they had lost．At last，in a shop at the Palais Royal they found a diamond necklace exactly like Madame Forestier's．The price was forty thousand francs．The jeweller agreed to sell it for thirty-six． They begged him not to sell it for three days， and they got him to promise that he would buy it back for thirty-four thousand francs，in case they should find the lost necklace by the end of February． He rushed for a loan to everybody， asking a thousand francs from one man，five hundred from another，five louis here，three louis there．He blindly signed promissory notes，agreed to unreasonable terms，even called on professional money- lenders． At last he obtained the thirty-six thousand francs，but at the risk of his whole future．How could he hope to return so much money？And when？Crushing despair gnawed at his heart． Madame Forestier received the necklace with an air of displeasure． “You should have returned it sooner．I might need it at any moment．” Madame Loisel feared lest her friend should examine the necklace and notice the difference．However，Madame Forestier carelessly put the case away without looking at the contents… Then came to the couple days，weeks and years of drudgery．They heroically resolved to pay the appalling debt by working hard．They quitted the flat and moved into a garret．They bought nothing except daily necessaries，which they tried to do without often enough．She learned to bargain with tradesmen，ready to quarrel for every son．Her daydreaming was replaced by a constant endeavour to pay her way． Each month some of the promissory notes had to be renewed，only to gain time．The husband worked after office hours，keeping accounts for a tradesman，and late at night copying manuscripts at five sons a page． A new year came，followed by another andanother，and still they grubbed on，until ten years had flowed on．Their efforts were not in vain．At the end of that time they had managed to pay off everything，including interest at high rate． Madame Loisel now looked older than her age．Her hair disheveled，her skirt turned to one side， her hands rough and hardened，the former sentimental，romantic woman had turned into a stout- hearted matron who had tasted the bitters of life．Now and then，however，when her husband was away at the office，she would sit by the window and think of the glory of that dance．What sort of woman would she be now，if she had not lost the necklace？Who knows？ One Sunday she went for a stroll in the Champs-Elysées to divert her mind from the labours of the week，when she caught sight of a lady with a child．It was Madame restier！ Madame Forestier looked as young，as beautiful， and as charming as ten years before．Madame Loisel felt her heart beat hard．Should she speak to her？Yes，of course．The debt had all been paid； she might tell her all about it．Why not？She went up to Madame Forestier． “Hello，Jeanne！” Her friend looked mystified，addressed by a poorly－dressed stranger：She had not recognized Madame Loisel． “I'm afraid you've made a mistake．Sorry，but I don't know you，she said． Jeanne！It's me—Mathilde Loisel．” Madame Forestier uttered a cry of surprise． “Oh，my poor Mathild！What's happened to you？You're quite a stranger！ “Yes， I've had a very hard time since then—and all through you！ “Through me！How can that be？” “You remember the diamond necklace I borrowed from you to attend the dance at the Educa-10tion Office？” “Yes，Well？” “Well，I lost it．” “What makes you say so？You returned it to me．” “What I returned to you was another one，exactly like it．And for the last ten years my husband and I have been working hard to pay for it．You know，it is hard for us poor people to pay thirty－six thousand francs．But don't worry！It's all over now．We've paid it in full．” Madame Forestier stopped short． “You say that you lost my necklace and bought a diamond necklace like mine to replace it？ “Yes．You've never noticed it，then！They were exactly alike．” Madame Forestier， deeply moved，seized bothher hands． “Oh， my poor Mathilde！What have you done？Why， mine was only imitation， not genuine！ “Then you don't think our ten years' labour wasted？”the husband asked． “Wasted？Oh，no！ When you were at the office，I often sat by the window and wondered what sortof person I should be if I had not lost the necklace．Now I know my answer．” “ I know your answer， my dear，the husbandsaid． “Yes，it was the lost necklace that inspired us with courage，endurance and perseverance．But for that incident，I'd have remained a selfish，graceless， thankless person．Wasted？Oh，no！” At that moment there came a knock at the door．Madame Loisel opened it，and found Madame Forestier standing there， her face radiant with smiles． “Madame Forestier！” “My dear Mathilde，I'm going on a tour tomorrow，”Madame Forestier hastily said．“Before I start，I want to make you a present of this necklace．Please accept it．” Before Mathilde could say anything，Madame Forestier was gone． 世上有些貧窮人家的姑娘，身段漂亮，相貌迷人，而且充滿羅曼蒂克的想法。然而，盡管她們做著美麗浪漫的夢，卻嫁給了平民百姓為妻?，?shù)贍柕隆けR瓦澤爾便是其中之一，她的丈夫只是教育部里的一名小職員。 一天晚上，她丈夫神采飛揚地回到家里。 “我有樣好東西送給你，”他說道，遞給她一個大信封。 她拆開信封，里面裝著一張請柬，上面印著： “教育部長喬治·朗蓬諾夫人敬請盧瓦澤爾先生及夫人光臨1月18日星期一晚上在本部大樓舉行的晚會?！?她似乎一點也不高興，反而把請柬扔在桌上，沒好氣地說： “那跟我有啥關(guān)系？” “嗨，親愛的，我原以為你會高興的。你喜歡跳舞，不是嗎？你幾乎從不出門，這次對你來說可真是一次極好的機會呀。我費了九牛二虎之力才弄到這張請柬。所有的官員都要到常你知道，每個人都想要，但只邀請了極少數(shù)的職員。” 她悲戚地望著他，叫喊道： “在那種聚會上你叫我穿什么嘛？” 他從未想過，她既沒有漂亮衣服，也沒有珠寶首飾。他吞吞吐吐地說道： “嗯，呃，我看，你上劇院穿的那套就挺不錯?！?她的眼淚不禁奪眶而出。她為什么要嫁給這樣一個木訥、愚笨的家伙？只因為她生在貧寒人家。唉，命運是多么殘酷?。?“干嘛哭?。俊彼辜钡貑柕?。 “沒什么，”她費力地說道，“只是我沒有合適的衣服，因此我不能去參加舞會。你哪位朋友的夫人有比我更漂亮的衣服，就把請柬送給他好了?！?這是令人心碎的自白?！暗美?，瑪?shù)贍柕?，親愛的，”窘迫之極的丈夫說，“你認(rèn)為買一件合適的，就是說簡單些并且以后在其他場合還能穿的衣服要花多少錢？” 她想了一會，腦子里飛快地盤算開來。要不嚇著她那節(jié)儉的丈夫，使他不會斷然拒絕，說多少才好呢？ “我也說不上來，不過我想400法郎就夠開銷了。” 丈夫臉色略微發(fā)白。她所報的數(shù)目正好是他存著買槍，準(zhǔn)備和他的幾個朋友到明年夏天去南特爾平原打獵用的。 但他回答道： “好吧，我給你400法郎。不過，一定得買一件漂漂亮亮的衣服。” 舞會的日子愈來愈近了。雖然盧瓦澤爾太太得到了想要的衣服，似乎她還是一點也不高興。 “怎么啦？”她丈夫問道?！斑@些天你怎么沒精打采的？” “想起來就煩人，我連一件珠寶都沒有戴的。我還是呆在家里，比在晚會上做出一副可憐相強。”她回答道。 “那你認(rèn)為戴鮮花怎樣？”她丈夫建議道。“現(xiàn)在很時興。花10法郎就可以買兩三朵上等的玫瑰花?！?“你如此愚蠢的念頭是從哪里冒出來的？”她答道，“你難道就想象不出站在一群貴婦人中間我會顯得多寒酸？” “呃，那么，”她丈夫說，“你為什么不去找你的朋友福雷斯蒂埃夫人，向她借些首飾呢？她是你的好朋友，她有許多珠寶，不是嗎？” “是??！當(dāng)然行，”她興奮得高聲說道，“我怎么就沒想到這點呢？” 第二天，她就去拜訪福雷斯蒂埃夫人，給她講了自己的難處。福雷斯蒂埃夫人走到衣櫥前，取出一只大珠寶箱，把它打開放在她朋友面前。 “親愛的，看上哪件就挑哪件吧?！彼f。 盧瓦澤爾夫人首先看了一些手鐲，然后看了一串珍珠項鏈，接著又看了一個威尼斯式的鑲寶石的金十字架，這件精致的項鏈?zhǔn)止O棒。她站在鏡子前面一件一件地試戴，拿不準(zhǔn)選哪件才好。 “你還有沒有別的？”她問道。 “啊，有，你自個兒挑吧。我不知道你最喜歡什么。” 突然，盧瓦澤爾夫人發(fā)現(xiàn)了一個黑色緞面的首飾盒，里面裝著一串上等的鉆石項鏈。她的心怦怦直跳。她用哆嗦著的手取出項鏈，把它扣在脖子上，然后站在鏡子面前出神地欣賞著自己。 她猶猶豫豫地問道： “你能把這串借給我嗎？其他的我就不用了。” “啊，當(dāng)然可以?！?盧瓦澤爾夫人一把摟住她朋友的脖子，吻了她就急忙出門而去，惟恐她朋友會改變主意。 舞會之夜終于來臨。盧瓦澤爾太太非常成功。她看上去比所有在場的女人都漂亮。她滿懷喜悅，溫文爾雅，邁著令人贊嘆的舞步，洋洋自得地瞟著舞伴投來的癡迷的目光。所有的男人都在打聽她的姓名，求人介紹，請她跳華爾茲舞，甚至連部長本人也注意到了她。 她感到自己仿佛做著美麗的夢，陶醉在歡樂之中。啊，這一刻她已盼了多久了！ 直到早晨大約4點鐘，她才依依不舍地離開舞會。她丈夫自午夜起就在一間棄而未用的小客廳里打瞌睡，另外還有三位先生，他們的夫人也正盡情地跳著舞。 他把夫人日常穿的披風(fēng)披在她的肩頭。與她在舞會上穿的那件體面的衣服相比，這件披風(fēng)顯得格外地不相稱。為急于逃脫那些身著名貴裘衣的女人們的注意，她匆匆忙忙地跑下樓梯。 街上一輛馬車也找不著，他們冷得直打哆嗦，朝著塞納河吃力地走下去。在碼頭，他們終于找到一輛破舊的搖搖晃晃的出租馬車，這種車白天在巴黎街頭是見不到的。到了住所，在死一般的沉寂中，他們爬上樓梯回到家里。 她站在鏡子前脫去外套。她想趁現(xiàn)在滿身榮耀，把自己再多瞧一眼。突然，她驚叫起來。 “什么事？”她丈夫問道。他衣服已脫了一半，明天10點還得準(zhǔn)時上班呢。 她轉(zhuǎn)身朝著他，活像個瘋子。 “鉆石項鏈丟了！” “什么？怎么會？不可能！” 他們搜尋她的裙子和披風(fēng)的折層，搜尋她的衣袋，搜尋每個地方，但那項鏈就是找不到。 “離開舞會時你還戴著嗎？” “是啊，我記得在門廳里還摸過?！?“如果你把它掉在街上，我們該會聽到聲響。你肯定是在馬車上丟掉的?！?“也許。你注意到車號了嗎？” “沒有。” 他們驚恐萬狀地相互看著。 “我要把剛才走過的路回去重走一遍，設(shè)法把它找回來?！?他急匆匆地趕了出去。她猛地癱坐在椅子上，眼前一片茫然，一幅完全絕望的情景。約摸7點，他回來了，兩手空空。之后他去警察局報案，向出租馬車的公司逐個打聽，但全都白費勁。福雷斯蒂埃夫人的鉆石項鏈就好像飛到了九霄云外。 “給你的朋友寫信，”丈夫說道，“就說你把項鏈的扣環(huán)弄壞了，正在請人修。我們得有時間把這件事好好考慮一下。” 一個星期過去了，并沒有給他們帶來丁點兒希望。盧瓦澤爾好像一下子老了5歲，他說： “我們只好買條項鏈來賠了?！?第二天，他們在那首飾盒的蓋子里發(fā)現(xiàn)了珠寶店的店名，便拿著空盒子去找老板，他查了他的登記簿。 “我們沒有賣過這條項鏈。我們只配了這個首飾盒?！?他們找了一家又一家珠寶店，想尋找一條與他們丟失的項鏈相仿的。終于在王宮街的一家店鋪里發(fā)現(xiàn)一條與福雷斯蒂埃夫人那串一模一樣的，標(biāo)價4萬法郎。店主后來答應(yīng)以36 000法郎出手。 他們求他給他們保留3天，并且跟他講妥，萬一他們在2月底以前找到那串丟失的項鏈，店主愿意以34 000法郎的價格購回。 他上天入地到處借錢，向這個借1000法郎，向那個借500；這里借5個金路易，那里借3個金路易。他盲目簽期票，答應(yīng)不合理的貸款條件，甚至向職業(yè)高利貸者借貸。 36000法郎終于湊齊了，但那是以自己的后半輩子作為賭注的。他怎能指望還清這樣一大筆錢？什么時候才還得完？絕望吞噬著他的心，他萬念俱灰。 福雷斯蒂埃夫人頗為不悅地接過項鏈。 “你該早點還，我隨時都可能要戴。” 盧瓦澤爾夫人非常害怕她的朋友查驗項鏈，擔(dān)心她看出差異。好在福雷斯蒂埃夫人連看都沒看里面裝的東西，就把盒子隨手收下放起來了。 于是，日復(fù)一日，年復(fù)一年的艱辛歲月來臨了。他們勇敢地決定靠辛勤工作來償還那駭人聽聞的債務(wù)。他們退掉了公寓，搬到了一處閣樓上祝除了日常用品，他們什么也不買，就連日用品也盡量少買。她學(xué)會了與商人討價還價，隨時準(zhǔn)備為每一文錢與人爭執(zhí)。沒有了白日夢，取而代之的是為還債而無休無止的苦干。 為了延長償還期限，每月總得要續(xù)簽一些期票。丈夫下班后就替一個商人記帳，深夜時還為別人抄稿子，抄一頁掙5個蘇。 一年接一年的過去了，他們?nèi)耘f拼命干活，一直干了10年。他們的努力沒有白費。10年后，他們終于還清了所有債務(wù)，包括高利貸利息。 盧瓦澤爾夫人現(xiàn)在看來比她的實際年齡老得多。她的頭發(fā)凌亂，裙子歪斜到一邊，雙手也磨得粗糙有力。這個從前多愁善感、浪漫多情的女子現(xiàn)已變成了倍嘗生活艱辛的鐵娘子。然而，當(dāng)丈夫去上班時，她也偶爾坐在窗前回味那場舞會上的榮光。如果她沒有丟失那條項鏈，她現(xiàn)在又會是什么樣的女人呢？誰知道？ 有一個星期天，她去香榭麗舍大道閑逛，藉以排遣一周的勞累。突然，她看到一個帶著小孩的婦人，此人正是福雷斯蒂埃夫人！ 福雷斯蒂埃夫人看上去跟10年前一樣年輕，一樣漂亮，一樣迷人。盧瓦澤爾夫人的心激動得發(fā)顫。她該給她講嗎？是的，當(dāng)然應(yīng)該！債已還清，她當(dāng)然可以告訴她這一切的一切。為什么不呢？她徑直朝福雷斯蒂埃夫人走去。 “讓娜，你好！” 給一個衣著極差的陌生人叫住，她的朋友顯得頗為茫然，她壓根兒就不認(rèn)識盧瓦澤爾夫人了。 “我想恐怕你搞錯了。對不起，我不認(rèn)識你?！彼鸬?。 “讓娜！是我呀——瑪?shù)贍柕隆けR瓦澤爾?！?福雷斯蒂埃夫人輕輕地驚叫了一聲。 “噢，可憐的瑪?shù)贍柕?！你到底怎么啦？你完全變了樣！?“是埃從那天開始我就沒過一天好日子，而這一切都是因為你！” “因為我！這怎么可能呢？” “你記得我為了去參加教育部大樓舉行的舞會，向你借的那條鉆石項鏈嗎？” “是的，那又怎樣？” “怎樣，我把它弄丟了?！?“你怎么這樣說呢？你把項鏈還給我了呀。” “我還給你的是另外一條，完全相像的另外一條。為了還錢，我和丈夫在這過去的10年里拼命干活。你知道，對我們窮人來說，要償還36000法郎是相當(dāng)不易的。但不要擔(dān)心，現(xiàn)在一切都過去了，我們已全部還清了?！?福雷斯蒂埃夫人突然收住腳步。 “你說你把我那條項鏈丟了，并且買了條與它相似的鉆石項鏈來還我？” “是的。那么，你是從來就沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)過！這兩條項鏈完全一模一樣?！?福雷斯蒂埃夫人非常感動，抓住了她的雙手。 “唉，可憐的瑪?shù)贍柕?！你都干了些什么？我那條根本就是假的，不是真貨！” “那你認(rèn)為我們這10年的辛苦不是白費了嗎？”丈夫問道。 “白費，噢，不！當(dāng)你上班時，我常坐在窗下想，如果我沒有丟掉項鏈，現(xiàn)在我會成了什么樣的人，現(xiàn)在我知道答案了。” “我知道你的答案，親愛的?！闭煞蛘f道。 “是啊，正是這條丟失了的項鏈才鼓起了我們的勇氣，使我們能吃苦耐勞和堅忍圖成。要不是因為那次變故，我還會是個自私自利、粗野邪惡、忘恩負(fù)義的人。難道這是白費嗎？一點也不！” 正在此時響起了敲門聲。盧瓦澤爾夫人打開門，發(fā)現(xiàn)福雷斯蒂埃夫人微笑著站在那里。 “福雷斯蒂埃夫人！” “親愛的瑪?shù)贍柕?，我明天要出去旅行，”福雷斯蒂埃夫人急促地說道，“動身前，我想把這串項鏈作為禮物送給你，請收下。” 沒等瑪?shù)贍柕聛淼眉罢f什么，福雷斯蒂埃夫人已轉(zhuǎn)身離去了。