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As the ricks were no longer in danger， Gabriel started to climb down，and at the bottom he met the maid.
麦垛没有什么危险了，盖伯瑞尔爬了下来，在下面他遇到了女仆。
‘I have a message from the farmer，who wishes to thank you for all you've done，’she said.
“我带来了农场主的口信，农场主想为你所做的一切感谢你，”她说。
‘Where is he？’asked Gabriel，suddenly aware of the chance of getting some work.
“他在哪儿？”盖伯瑞尔问，突然意识到这是一个找些活干的机会。
‘It isn't a he，it's a she，’answered the girl.
“不是他，是她，”姑娘答道。
‘A woman farmer？’asked Gabriel.
“女农场主？”盖伯瑞尔问。
‘Yes，and a rich one too！’said a villager who was standing near. ‘She inherited her uncle's farm，when he died suddenly. She has business in every bank in Casterbridge！’
“是的，而且还是个富有的农场主！”站在附近的一个村民说。“她的叔叔去世后，她继承了他的农场。她与卡斯特桥的每家银行都有来往！”
‘She's over there，wrapped in a cloak，on her horse，’added the maid. In the darkness Gabriel could only see the shape of a woman sitting on a horse. He walked over to her. Although his face was black from the smoke and his clothes were burnt by the fire，he remembered to lift his hat politely，and asked, looking up at her，‘Do you want a shepherd，ma'am？’She let her cloak fall back from her head in surprise. Gabriel and his cold-hearted darling，Bathsheba Everdene，stared at each other. She did not speak. He only repeated sadly，‘Do you want a shepherd，ma'am？’
“她就在那儿，裹着斗篷，骑着马，”女仆加了一句。黑暗中盖伯瑞尔只能看见马上一个女人的轮廓。他向她走去。尽管他的脸被烟熏黑了，衣服也被火烧坏了，但他并没有忘记有礼貌地举举帽子。他抬头看着她问道，“小姐，你需要牧羊人吗？”她吃了一惊，斗篷从头上滑落下来，盖伯瑞尔与他冷酷的心上人，芭丝谢芭·伊芙丁，对视着。她没有说话。他沮丧地又问了一句，“你需要牧羊人吗，小姐？”
Bathsheba turned away into the shadows to consider. She was a little sorry for him， but also glad that she had improved her position since they last met. She realized she had almost forgotten his offer of marriage on Norcombe Hill.
芭丝谢芭把头扭向阴影里考虑着。她有点为他难过，但又很高兴自从他们上次见面后自己的地位已今非昔比了。她意识到她差不多都不记得他在诺科姆山上曾向她求婚。
‘Yes，’she answered quietly，blushing a little，‘I do want a shepherd. But—’
“需要，”她平静地回答，脸有点红，“我的确需要一个牧羊人。只是——”
‘He's just the right man，ma'am，’said one of the villagers.
“小姐，他很合适.”一个村民说。
‘That's right！’said a second，and a third.
“一点不错！”第二个村民、第三个村民说。
‘Then will you men tell him to speak to the farm manager？’said Bathsheba in a businesslike way，as she rode off.
“那你们告诉他去和农场经理说一声，好吗？”芭丝谢芭一边骑马离开，一边以一种公事公办的口气说。
