第4章：王宫的邀请 Chapter 4: The Royal Invitation 1. 继母拿过信封，小心翼翼地拆开，
Cinderella's stepmother took the envelope, carefully opened it, 2. 当着大家的面读了起来。
and read it aloud in front of everyone. 3. 原来，是国王要为王子举办盛大的皇家舞会，
It turned out that the King was going to hold a grand royal ball for the Prince, 4. 邀请全国所有适龄的小姐前往王宫参加。
and invited all the eligible young ladies in the kingdom to attend at the palace. 5. 听到这个消息，继姐们又惊又喜，
Upon hearing this news, the stepsisters were shocked and delighted, 6. 开始兴奋地尖叫起来，
and started squealing with excitement, 7. 幻想自己能在舞会上获得王子的青睐。
imagining that one of them might win the Prince's favor at the ball. 8. 她们马上讨论起要穿哪件华丽的礼服、
They immediately began discussing which fancy gowns to wear, 9. 配什么饰品，
and what accessories to pair with them, 10. 恨不得立刻打扮自己。
eager to start dressing themselves up at once. 11. 灰姑娘站在一旁，听说所有小姐都被邀请，
Cinderella stood to the side and, hearing that all young ladies were invited, 12. 心里也升起了一个小小的愿望。
she felt a small wish rise in her heart. 13. 她鼓起勇气轻声问：“请问，我也可以参加舞会吗？”
She gathered her courage and softly asked, 'Excuse me, may I also attend the ball?' 14. 继姐们一听愣住了，随即哈哈大笑起来，
The stepsisters were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, 15. 觉得灰姑娘在痴心妄想。
thinking Cinderella must be daydreaming. 16. “你？”大姐嘲讽地说，“你又没有像样的衣服，
'You?' the older sister mocked, 'You have nothing decent to wear, 17. 怎么去参加舞会！”
how could you go to the ball!' 18. 灰姑娘脸红了，但仍然期待地望向继母，
Cinderella blushed, but she still looked hopefully at her stepmother, 19. 希望得到一个许可。
hoping for permission. 20. 继母眯起眼睛，露出一丝假意的笑容：
Her stepmother narrowed her eyes and gave a false smile, 21. “当然可以去，亲爱的——如果你先把所有的家务都做完，
'Of course you can go, dear—if you finish all your chores first, 22. 而且还要有一件合适的礼服。”
and if you have a suitable dress to wear.' 23. 灰姑娘听了连忙点头答应，
Cinderella quickly nodded and agreed, 24. 她心里充满感激和喜悦，
her heart filled with gratitude and joy, 25. 因为至少自己有了一个机会。
because at least now she had a chance to go. 26. 她回到自己的小阁楼房间，
She returned to her little attic room, 27. 翻出母亲留给她的一件旧礼服，
and pulled out an old dress her mother had left her, 28. 心想只要稍加修改，这件裙子或许就能在舞会上穿。
thinking that with a few alterations, perhaps this gown could be worn to the ball. 29. 灰姑娘下定决心：无论多忙多累，
Cinderella made up her mind that no matter how busy or tired she was, 30. 她都要赶在舞会前把活儿做完，
she would finish all her work before the ball, 31. 好让自己有机会实现这个美丽的梦想。
so that she could have a chance to make this beautiful dream come true. | 
