英语美文《项链 2》
THE NECKLACE
作者 莫泊桑
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．
舞会的日子愈来愈近了。固然卢瓦泽尔太太得到了想要的衣服，似乎她还是一点也不兴奋。
“怎么啦？”她丈夫问道。“这些天你怎么没精打采的？”
“想起来就烦人，我连一件珠宝都没有戴的。我最好还是呆在家里，比在晚会上做出一副可怜相强。”她回答道。
“那你以为戴鲜花怎样？”她丈夫建议道。“现在很时兴。花10法郎就可以买两三朵上等的玫瑰花。”
“你如此愚蠢的动机是从哪里冒出来的？”她答道，“你难道就想象不出站在一群贵妇人中间我会显得多冷酸？”
“呃，那么，”她丈夫说，“你为什么不往找你的朋友福雷斯蒂埃夫人，向她借些首饰呢？她是你的好朋友，她有很多珠宝，不是吗？”
“是啊！当然行，”她兴奋得高声说道，“我怎么就没想到这点呢？”
第二天，她就往造访福雷斯蒂埃夫人，给她讲了自己的难处。福雷斯蒂埃夫人走到衣橱前，取出一只大珠宝箱，把它打开放在她朋友眼前。
“亲爱的，看上哪件就挑哪件吧。”她说。
卢瓦泽尔夫人首先看了一些手镯，然后看了一串珍珠项链，接着又看了一个威尼斯式的镶宝石的金十字架，这件精致的项链手工极棒。她站在镜子前面一件一件地试戴，拿不准选哪件才好。
“你还有没有别的？”她问道。
“啊，有，你自个儿挑吧。我不知道你最喜欢什么。”
忽然，卢瓦泽尔夫人发现了一个玄色缎面的首饰盒，里面装着一串上等的钻石项链。她的心怦怦直跳。她用哆嗦着的手取出项链，把它扣在脖子上，然后站在镜子眼前出神地欣赏着自己。
她犹犹豫豫地问道：
“你能把这串借给我吗？其他的我就不用了。”
“啊，当然可以。”
卢瓦泽尔夫人一把搂住她朋友的脖子，吻了她就急忙出门而往，惟恐她朋友会改变主意。
未完待续
居伊·德·莫泊桑（Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant，1850年8月5日—1893年7月6日），19世纪后半期法国优秀的批判现实主义作家，被誉为现代文学中的“世界短篇小说之王”，与俄国契诃夫和美国欧·亨利并称为“世界三大短篇小说巨匠”。他一生创作了六部长篇小说、三百五十九篇中短篇小说及三部游记，是法国文学史上短篇小说创作数量最大、成就最高的作家。代表作品有《项链》、《漂亮朋友》、《羊脂球》、《我的叔叔于勒》等。
英文朗诵：洁白 ：中学英语高级教师。中国朗诵联盟会员。喜欢朗读，希望通过自己的声音向世界传播中国文化，讲好中国故事。
中文朗诵：崔莉 （网名猫姐姐） 退休医生。在寂静的微观世界里与细胞对话。在喧腾的宏观世界中寻找声音的快乐，用声音传递温暖，传颂美好。
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