Myreasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for everyclergyman in easy circumstances to set the example of matrimonyin his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to myhappiness; and thirdly -- which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, thatit is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom Ihave the honour of calling patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me heropinion on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday nightbefore I left Hunsford -- between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinsonwas arranging Miss de Bourgh's foot-stool, that she said, "Mr. Collins,you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. -- Chuse properly, chuse agentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort ofperson, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way.This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford,and I will visit her." Allow me, by the way, to observe, my fair cousin,that I do not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh asamong the least of the advantages in my power to offer. You will find hermanners beyond any thing I can describe; and your wit and vivacity I think mustbe acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respectwhich her rank will inevitably excite.
请教老师：
Ido not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among theleast of the advantages...中not...the least 是not at all的意思吗？那样，这句话如何翻译呢？
麻烦老师在这里顺便解说一下the least 和 not the least 和 not inthe least of 使用方法，特别是意思到底有哪些不同？一直非常困惑。
另外，whentempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite 该句中，tempered 是被动态吗？这句话的意思是呢？
1 本句中的 not ... as among the lest of the advantages... = not ... asamong the advantages ... at all. 是一种强势否定。
2 when tempered with the silence and respect...= when they aretempered with the silence and respect...。我想你的风趣和活泼对她来讲一定是可以同意的，特别是在辅以沉静和尊重的时候，她的身份地位无疑会叫你表现出沉静和尊重。temper A with B : 用 B 来调和 A。
