Gladly have married him there and then, but his good sense prevailed

They were at present (они в настоящее время были) no more than (не более

чем) a couple of provincial actors (парой провинциальных актеров), and to start

their conquest of London (и начало покорения Лондона; conquest —

завоевание, покорение) as a married couple (/в качестве/ женатой пары) would

jeopardize their chances (могло бы помешать их шансам /на успех/; to

jeopardize — подвергать опасности, рисковать). Julia showed him as clearly

as she knew how (Джулия показала ему настолько ясно, насколько могла:

«знала как»), and this was very clearly indeed (и на самом деле /показала/

действительно ясно), that she was quite willing to become his mistress (что она

вполне готова стать его любовницей; to be quite willing to do smth. — быть

согласным, готовым, иметь желание сделать что-либо), but this he refused

(но он отказался /от этого/). He was too honourable (он был слишком

благородным) to take advantage of her (чтобы воспользоваться ей; to take

advantage of smb. — перехитрить/обмануть/ кого-либо, эксплуатировать,

использовать кого-либо в своих интересах: «взять преимущество»).

conquest ['kONkwest] jeopardize ['dZepqdaIz] mistress ['mIstrIs]

They were at present no more than a couple of provincial actors, and to start

Their conquest of London as a married couple would jeopardize their chances.

Julia showed him as clearly as she knew how, and this was very clearly

Indeed, that she was quite willing to become his mistress, but this he refused.