如：When he came seeking a wife, he cast a sheep's eye first at Miss Julia, and then at Miss Clara.

      此句中斜体部分是一个非常传神的一笔，若缺乏形象手段，只求所谓“忠实翻译”，难免让人掩口而笑：
      当他想娶老婆时，先是把一只绵羊的眼睛投向朱丽亚小姐，而后又把另一只绵羊的眼睛投向克拉拉小姐。

      显然，翻译过程中形象思维能力是必不可少的。我们可以想象出绵羊小眯缝眼儿的神态：那羞羞答答的样子，那怯弱胆小，想说又羞于启齿的神情......再仔细想来，这种眉目传情，暗送秋波的表情，多少有点傻乎乎的样子（in an amourous but foolish way）。所以，此句可以形象地译为：
      当他有意娶妻成婚时，先是羞羞答答地向朱丽亚小姐眉目传情，而后又傻乎乎地向克拉拉小姐送出秋波。

      由此可见，形象翻译是一个形象思维的过程，它要求译者把握好整体语境，密切结合上下文传递的信息，只有这样才能客观地反映原文的意境。

 现在试着翻译一下这些点睛之笔吧：

      1. John can be relied on. He eats no fish and plays the game.

      2. Don't play fast and loose with me.

      3. He sent her a part of his earnings, which were to be saved by her for him against a rainy day.

      4. From the warmth of her embrace he perceived that he had let the cat out of the bag.

      5. Indeed, she had told Mr and Mrs Barclay in a tearful voice that she didn't want to marry anybody.

参考答案:

1. 约翰可以信赖。他为人可靠，忠诚正直。
（eat no fish 源于英国的典故，原指新教徒为了表示对政府的忠诚，拒绝遵守罗马天主教徒在星期五只吃鱼的习俗。而 play the game 是 play fair 的同义词，意为“进行公平的竞赛”。）

   2.别跟我耍滑头。
（play fast and loose 是一成语，表示“反复无常”。）

   3. 他把一部分工资收入寄给她，存起来以备不时之需。

   4. 从她热烈的拥抱中，他意识到自己已经泄露了内心的情感。

   5. 确实，她曾哭哭啼啼地向巴克莱夫妇诉说过，自己谁也不嫁。