Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
Has anyone here read both the Hobson and the Pevear translations?
With the Pevear translation I didn't get the sense of cowardly collapse*. There was obvious desperation (asking lackeys to protect her escape, and various other elements that I would describe - based on Pevear's translation - as desperate rather than cowardly), but surely some desperation is to be expected when there a 6 men before you, all determined to see you dead.
* Disclaimer: It's also possible that I was skimming a bit by this time.
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Can't tell from either my Kindle version or the Audible version which translation I have. I get what you are saying, but if you take the cold-hearted Milady of many nefarious deed earlier in the story, then her total collapse seemed surprising to me. I would have expected her to present a more haughty and dismissive pose in the face of her accusers. some of the instances of her collapse from my version are as follows:
"No, no! it is an infernal apparition! It is not he! Help, help!" screamed she, turning towards the wall, as if she would tear an opening with her hands.
"Oh, grace, grace, pardon!" cried the wretch, falling on her knees.
Milady uttered a frightful shriek, and dragged herself along several paces upon her knees towards her judges.
To be fair, she rallies somewhat towards the end - "You are cowards, miserable assassins--ten men combined to murder one woman. Beware! If I am not saved I shall be avenged." But I still feel, given how cold and calculating she had been, that her end was an ignominious one.