Martin Luther
HORROR and fatality1 have been stalking abroad in all ages. Why then give a date to this story I have to tell? Let it suffice to say, that at the period of which I speak, there existed, in the interior of Hungary, a settled although hidden belief in the doctrines2 of the Metempsychosis. Of the doctrines themselves — that is, of their falsity, or of their probability — I say nothing. I assert, however, that much of our incredulity — as La Bruyere says of all our unhappiness —“vient de ne pouvoir etre seuls.”
But there are some points in the Hungarian superstition3 which were fast verging4 to absurdity5. They — the Hungarians — differed very essentially6 from their Eastern authorities. For example, “The soul,” said the former — I give the words of an acute and intelligent Parisian —“ne demeure qu’un seul fois dans un corps7 sensible: au reste — un cheval, un chien, un homme meme, n’est que la ressemblance peu tangible8 de ces animaux.”
The families of Berlifitzing and Metzengerstein had been at variance9 for centuries. Never before were two houses so illustrious, mutually embittered10 by hostility11 so deadly. Indeed at the era of this history, it was observed by an old crone of haggard and sinister12 appearance, that “fire and water might sooner mingle13 than a Berlifitzing clasp the hand of a Metzengerstein.” The origin of this enmity seems to be found in the words of an ancient prophecy —“A lofty name shall have a fearful fall when, as the rider over his horse, the mortality of Metzengerstein shall triumph over the immortality14 of Berlifitzing.”
To be sure the words themselves had little or no meaning. But more trivial causes have given rise — and that no long while ago — to consequences equally eventful. Besides, the estates, which were contiguous, had long exercised a rival influence in the affairs of a busy government. Moreover, near neighbors are seldom friends; and the inhabitants of the Castle Berlifitzing might look, from their lofty buttresses15, into the very windows of the palace Metzengerstein. Least of all had the more than feudal16 magnificence, thus discovered, a tendency to allay17 the irritable18 feelings of the less ancient and less wealthy Berlifitzings. What wonder then, that the words, however silly, of that prediction, should have succeeded in setting and keeping at variance two families already predisposed to quarrel by every instigation of hereditary19 jealousy20? The prophecy seemed to imply — if it implied anything — a final triumph on the part of the already more powerful house; and was of course remembered with the more bitter animosity by the weaker and less influential21.
Wilhelm, Count Berlifitzing, although loftily descended22, was, at the epoch23 of this narrative24, an infirm and doting25 old man, remarkable26 for nothing but an inordinate27 and inveterate28 personal antipathy29 to the family of his rival, and so passionate30 a love of horses, and of hunting, that neither bodily infirmity, great age, nor mental incapacity, prevented his daily participation31 in the dangers of the chase.
Frederick, Baron32 Metzengerstein, was, on the other hand, not yet of age. His father, the Minister G — died young. His mother, the Lady Mary, followed him quickly after. Frederick was, at that time, in his fifteenth year. In a city, fifteen years are no long period — a child may be still a child in his third lustrum: but in a wilderness33 — in so magnificent a wilderness as that old principality, fifteen years have a far deeper meaning.
The beautiful Lady Mary! How could she die? — and of consumption! But it is a path I have prayed to follow. I would wish all I love to perish of that gentle disease. How glorious — to depart in the heyday34 of the young blood — the heart of all passion — the imagination all fire — amid the remembrances of happier days — in the fall of the year — and so be buried up forever in the gorgeous autumnal leaves!
Thus died the Lady Mary. The young Baron Frederick stood without a living relative by the coffin35 of his dead mother. He placed his hand upon her placid36 forehead. No shudder37 came over his delicate frame — no sigh from his flinty bosom38. Heartless, self-willed and impetuous from his childhood, he had reached the age of which I speak through a career of unfeeling, wanton, and reckless dissipation; and a barrier had long since arisen in the channel of all holy thoughts and gentle recollections.
From some peculiar39 circumstances attending the administration of his father, the young Baron, at the decease of the former, entered immediately upon his vast possessions. Such estates were seldom held before by a nobleman of Hungary. His castles were without number. The chief in point of splendor40 and extent was the “Chateau41 Metzengerstein.” The boundary line of his dominions42 was never clearly defined; but his principal park embraced a circuit of fifty miles.
Upon the succession of a proprietor43 so young, with a character so well known, to a fortune so unparalleled, little speculation44 was afloat in regard to his probable course of conduct. And, indeed, for the space of three days, the behavior of the heir out-heroded Herod, and fairly surpassed the expectations of his most enthusiastic admirers. Shameful45 debaucheries — flagrant treacheries — unheard-of atrocities46 — gave his trembling vassals47 quickly to understand that no servile submission49 on their part — no punctilios of conscience on his own — were thenceforward to prove any security against the remorseless fangs50 of a petty Caligula. On the night of the fourth day, the stables of the castle Berlifitzing were discovered to be on fire; and the unanimous opinion of the neighborhood added the crime of the incendiary to the already hideous51 list of the Baron’s misdemeanors and enormities.
But during the tumult53 occasioned by this occurrence, the young nobleman himself sat apparently54 buried in meditation55, in a vast and desolate56 upper apartment of the family palace of Metzengerstein. The rich although faded tapestry57 hangings which swung gloomily upon the walls, represented the shadowy and majestic58 forms of a thousand illustrious ancestors. Here, rich-ermined priests, and pontifical59 dignitaries, familiarly seated with the autocrat60 and the sovereign, put a veto on the wishes of a temporal king, or restrained with the fiat61 of papal supremacy62 the rebellious63 sceptre of the Arch-enemy. There, the dark, tall statures of the Princes Metzengerstein — their muscular war-coursers plunging64 over the carcasses of fallen foes65 — startled the steadiest nerves with their vigorous expression; and here, again, the voluptuous66 and swan-like figures of the dames67 of days gone by, floated away in the mazes68 of an unreal dance to the strains of imaginary melody.
But as the Baron listened, or affected69 to listen, to the gradually increasing uproar70 in the stables of Berlifitzing — or perhaps pondered upon some more novel, some more decided71 act of audacity72 — his eyes became unwittingly rivetted to the figure of an enormous, and unnaturally73 colored horse, represented in the tapestry as belonging to a Saracen ancestor of the family of his rival. The horse itself, in the foreground of the design, stood motionless and statue-like — while farther back, its discomfited75 rider perished by the dagger76 of a Metzengerstein.
On Frederick’s lip arose a fiendish expression, as he became aware of the direction which his glance had, without his consciousness, assumed. Yet he did not remove it. On the contrary, he could by no means account for the overwhelming anxiety which appeared falling like a pall77 upon his senses. It was with difficulty that he reconciled his dreamy and incoherent feelings with the certainty of being awake. The longer he gazed the more absorbing became the spell — the more impossible did it appear that he could ever withdraw his glance from the fascination78 of that tapestry. But the tumult without becoming suddenly more violent, with a compulsory79 exertion80 he diverted his attention to the glare of ruddy light thrown full by the flaming stables upon the windows of the apartment.
The action, however, was but momentary81, his gaze returned mechanically to the wall. To his extreme horror and astonishment82, the head of the gigantic steed had, in the meantime, altered its position. The neck of the animal, before arched, as if in compassion83, over the prostrate84 body of its lord, was now extended, at full length, in the direction of the Baron. The eyes, before invisible, now wore an energetic and human expression, while they gleamed with a fiery85 and unusual red; and the distended86 lips of the apparently enraged87 horse left in full view his gigantic and disgusting teeth.
Stupefied with terror, the young nobleman tottered89 to the door. As he threw it open, a flash of red light, streaming far into the chamber90, flung his shadow with a clear outline against the quivering tapestry, and he shuddered91 to perceive that shadow — as he staggered awhile upon the threshold — assuming the exact position, and precisely92 filling up the contour, of the relentless93 and triumphant94 murderer of the Saracen Berlifitzing.
To lighten the depression of his spirits, the Baron hurried into the open air. At the principal gate of the palace he encountered three equerries. With much difficulty, and at the imminent95 peril96 of their lives, they were restraining the convulsive plunges98 of a gigantic and fiery-colored horse.
“Whose horse? Where did you get him?” demanded the youth, in a querulous and husky tone of voice, as he became instantly aware that the mysterious steed in the tapestried99 chamber was the very counterpart of the furious animal before his eyes.
“He is your own property, sire,” replied one of the equerries, “at least he is claimed by no other owner. We caught him flying, all smoking and foaming100 with rage, from the burning stables of the Castle Berlifitzing. Supposing him to have belonged to the old Count’s stud of foreign horses, we led him back as an estray. But the grooms101 there disclaim102 any title to the creature; which is strange, since he bears evident marks of having made a narrow escape from the flames.
“The letters W. V. B. are also branded very distinctly on his forehead,” interrupted a second equerry, “I supposed them, of course, to be the initials of Wilhelm Von Berlifitzing — but all at the castle are positive in denying any knowledge of the horse.”
“Extremely singular!” said the young Baron, with a musing103 air, and apparently unconscious of the meaning of his words. “He is, as you say, a remarkable horse — a prodigious104 horse! although, as you very justly observe, of a suspicious and untractable character, let him be mine, however,” he added, after a pause, “perhaps a rider like Frederick of Metzengerstein, may tame even the devil from the stables of Berlifitzing.”
“You are mistaken, my lord; the horse, as I think we mentioned, is not from the stables of the Count. If such had been the case, we know our duty better than to bring him into the presence of a noble of your family.”
“True!” observed the Baron, dryly, and at that instant a page of the bedchamber came from the palace with a heightened color, and a precipitate105 step. He whispered into his master’s ear an account of the sudden disappearance106 of a small portion of the tapestry, in an apartment which he designated; entering, at the same time, into particulars of a minute and circumstantial character; but from the low tone of voice in which these latter were communicated, nothing escaped to gratify the excited curiosity of the equerries.
The young Frederick, during the conference, seemed agitated107 by a variety of emotions. He soon, however, recovered his composure, and an expression of determined108 malignancy settled upon his countenance109, as he gave peremptory110 orders that a certain chamber should be immediately locked up, and the key placed in his own possession.
“Have you heard of the unhappy death of the old hunter Berlifitzing?” said one of his vassals to the Baron, as, after the departure of the page, the huge steed which that nobleman had adopted as his own, plunged111 and curvetted, with redoubled fury, down the long avenue which extended from the chateau to the stables of Metzengerstein.
“No!” said the Baron, turning abruptly112 toward the speaker, “dead! say you?”
“It is indeed true, my lord; and, to a noble of your name, will be, I imagine, no unwelcome intelligence.”
A rapid smile shot over the countenance of the listener. “How died he?”
“In his rash exertions113 to rescue a favorite portion of his hunting stud, he has himself perished miserably114 in the flames.”
“I-n-d-e-e-d-!” ejaculated the Baron, as if slowly and deliberately115 impressed with the truth of some exciting idea.
“Indeed;” repeated the vassal48.
“Shocking!” said the youth, calmly, and turned quietly into the chateau.
From this date a marked alteration116 took place in the outward demeanor52 of the dissolute young Baron Frederick Von Metzengerstein. Indeed, his behavior disappointed every expectation, and proved little in accordance with the views of many a manoeuvering mamma; while his habits and manner, still less than formerly117, offered any thing congenial with those of the neighboring aristocracy. He was never to be seen beyond the limits of his own domain118, and, in this wide and social world, was utterly119 companionless — unless, indeed, that unnatural74, impetuous, and fiery-colored horse, which he henceforward continually bestrode, had any mysterious right to the title of his friend.
Numerous invitations on the part of the neighborhood for a long time, however, periodically came in. “Will the Baron honor our festivals with his presence?” “Will the Baron join us in a hunting of the boar?"—“Metzengerstein does not hunt;” “Metzengerstein will not attend,” were the haughty120 and laconic121 answers.
These repeated insults were not to be endured by an imperious nobility. Such invitations became less cordial — less frequent — in time they ceased altogether. The widow of the unfortunate Count Berlifitzing was even heard to express a hope “that the Baron might be at home when he did not wish to be at home, since he disdained122 the company of his equals; and ride when he did not wish to ride, since he preferred the society of a horse.” This to be sure was a very silly explosion of hereditary pique123; and merely proved how singularly unmeaning our sayings are apt to become, when we desire to be unusually energetic.
The charitable, nevertheless, attributed the alteration in the conduct of the young nobleman to the natural sorrow of a son for the untimely loss of his parents — forgetting, however, his atrocious and reckless behavior during the short period immediately succeeding that bereavement124. Some there were, indeed, who suggested a too haughty idea of self-consequence and dignity. Others again (among them may be mentioned the family physician) did not hesitate in speaking of morbid125 melancholy126, and hereditary ill-health; while dark hints, of a more equivocal nature, were current among the multitude.
Indeed, the Baron’s perverse127 attachment128 to his lately-acquired charger — an attachment which seemed to attain129 new strength from every fresh example of the animal’s ferocious130 and demon131-like propensities132 — at length became, in the eyes of all reasonable men, a hideous and unnatural fervor133. In the glare of noon — at the dead hour of night — in sickness or in health — in calm or in tempest — the young Metzengerstein seemed rivetted to the saddle of that colossal134 horse, whose intractable audacities135 so well accorded with his own spirit.
There were circumstances, moreover, which coupled with late events, gave an unearthly and portentous136 character to the mania137 of the rider, and to the capabilities138 of the steed. The space passed over in a single leap had been accurately139 measured, and was found to exceed, by an astounding140 difference, the wildest expectations of the most imaginative. The Baron, besides, had no particular name for the animal, although all the rest in his collection were distinguished141 by characteristic appellations142. His stable, too, was appointed at a distance from the rest; and with regard to grooming143 and other necessary offices, none but the owner in person had ventured to officiate, or even to enter the enclosure of that particular stall. It was also to be observed, that although the three grooms, who had caught the steed as he fled from the conflagration144 at Berlifitzing, had succeeded in arresting his course, by means of a chain-bridle and noose145 — yet no one of the three could with any certainty affirm that he had, during that dangerous struggle, or at any period thereafter, actually placed his hand upon the body of the beast. Instances of peculiar intelligence in the demeanor of a noble and high-spirited horse are not to be supposed capable of exciting unreasonable146 attention — especially among men who, daily trained to the labors147 of the chase, might appear well acquainted with the sagacity of a horse — but there were certain circumstances which intruded148 themselves per force upon the most skeptical149 and phlegmatic150; and it is said there were times when the animal caused the gaping151 crowd who stood around to recoil152 in horror from the deep and impressive meaning of his terrible stamp — times when the young Metzengerstein turned pale and shrunk away from the rapid and searching expression of his earnest and human-looking eye.
Among all the retinue153 of the Baron, however, none were found to doubt the ardor154 of that extraordinary affection which existed on the part of the young nobleman for the fiery qualities of his horse; at least, none but an insignificant155 and misshapen little page, whose deformities were in everybody’s way, and whose opinions were of the least possible importance. He — if his ideas are worth mentioning at all — had the effrontery156 to assert that his master never vaulted157 into the saddle without an unaccountable and almost imperceptible shudder, and that, upon his return from every long-continued and habitual158 ride, an expression of triumphant malignity159 distorted every muscle in his countenance.
One tempestuous160 night, Metzengerstein, awaking from a heavy slumber161, descended like a maniac162 from his chamber, and, mounting in hot haste, bounded away into the mazes of the forest. An occurrence so common attracted no particular attention, but his return was looked for with intense anxiety on the part of his domestics, when, after some hours’ absence, the stupendous and magnificent battlements of the Chateau Metzengerstein, were discovered crackling and rocking to their very foundation, under the influence of a dense163 and livid mass of ungovernable fire.
As the flames, when first seen, had already made so terrible a progress that all efforts to save any portion of the building were evidently futile164, the astonished neighborhood stood idly around in silent and pathetic wonder. But a new and fearful object soon rivetted the attention of the multitude, and proved how much more intense is the excitement wrought165 in the feelings of a crowd by the contemplation of human agony, than that brought about by the most appalling166 spectacles of inanimate matter.
Up the long avenue of aged88 oaks which led from the forest to the main entrance of the Chateau Metzengerstein, a steed, bearing an unbonneted and disordered rider, was seen leaping with an impetuosity which outstripped167 the very Demon of the Tempest, and extorted168 from every stupefied beholder169 the ejaculation —“horrible.”
The career of the horseman was indisputably, on his own part, uncontrollable. The agony of his countenance, the convulsive struggle of his frame, gave evidence of superhuman exertion: but no sound, save a solitary170 shriek171, escaped from his lacerated lips, which were bitten through and through in the intensity172 of terror. One instant, and the clattering173 of hoofs174 resounded175 sharply and shrilly176 above the roaring of the flames and the shrieking177 of the winds — another, and, clearing at a single plunge97 the gate-way and the moat, the steed bounded far up the tottering178 staircases of the palace, and, with its rider, disappeared amid the whirlwind of chaotic179 fire.
The fury of the tempest immediately died away, and a dead calm sullenly180 succeeded. A white flame still enveloped181 the building like a shroud182, and, streaming far away into the quiet atmosphere, shot forth183 a glare of preternatural light; while a cloud of smoke settled heavily over the battlements in the distinct colossal figure of — a horse.
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1
fatality
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| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
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doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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verging
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| 接近，逼近（verge的现在分词形式） | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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6
essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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variance
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| n.矛盾，不同 | |
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embittered
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| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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buttresses
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| n.扶壁，扶垛( buttress的名词复数 )v.用扶壁支撑，加固( buttress的第三人称单数 ) | |
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feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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irritable
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| adj.急躁的；过敏的；易怒的 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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doting
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| adj.溺爱的，宠爱的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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inordinate
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| adj.无节制的；过度的 | |
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inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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antipathy
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| n.憎恶；反感，引起反感的人或事物 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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participation
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| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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heyday
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| n.全盛时期，青春期 | |
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coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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chateau
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| n.城堡，别墅 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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atrocities
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| n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪 | |
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47
vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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50
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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51
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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53
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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54
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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56
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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57
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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58
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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59
pontifical
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| adj.自以为是的，武断的 | |
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60
autocrat
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| n.独裁者；专横的人 | |
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61
fiat
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| n.命令，法令，批准；vt.批准，颁布 | |
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62
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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63
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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64
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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65
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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66
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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67
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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68
mazes
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| 迷宫( maze的名词复数 )； 纷繁复杂的规则； 复杂难懂的细节； 迷宫图 | |
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69
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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70
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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71
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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72
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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73
unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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74
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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75
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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76
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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77
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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78
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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79
compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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80
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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81
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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82
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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83
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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84
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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85
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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86
distended
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| v.（使）膨胀，肿胀( distend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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88
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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89
tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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90
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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91
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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92
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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93
relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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94
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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95
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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96
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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97
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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98
plunges
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| n.跳进，投入vt.使投入，使插入，使陷入vi.投入，跳进，陷入v.颠簸( plunge的第三人称单数 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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99
tapestried
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| adj.饰挂绣帷的，织在绣帷上的v.用挂毯（或绣帷）装饰( tapestry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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100
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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101
grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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102
disclaim
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| v.放弃权利，拒绝承认 | |
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103
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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104
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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105
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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106
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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107
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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108
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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109
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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110
peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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111
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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112
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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113
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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114
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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115
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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116
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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117
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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118
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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119
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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120
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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121
laconic
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| adj.简洁的；精练的 | |
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122
disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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123
pique
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| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
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124
bereavement
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| n.亲人丧亡，丧失亲人，丧亲之痛 | |
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125
morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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126
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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127
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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128
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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129
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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130
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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131
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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132
propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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133
fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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134
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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135
audacities
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| n.大胆( audacity的名词复数 )；鲁莽；胆大妄为；鲁莽行为 | |
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136
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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137
mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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138
capabilities
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| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
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139
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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140
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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141
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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142
appellations
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| n.名称，称号( appellation的名词复数 ) | |
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143
grooming
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| n. 修饰, 美容，（动物）梳理毛发 | |
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144
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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145
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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146
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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147
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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148
intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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149
skeptical
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| adj.怀疑的，多疑的 | |
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150
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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151
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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152
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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153
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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154
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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155
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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156
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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157
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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158
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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159
malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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160
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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161
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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162
maniac
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| n.精神癫狂的人；疯子 | |
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163
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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164
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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165
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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166
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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167
outstripped
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| v.做得比…更好，（在赛跑等中）超过( outstrip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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168
extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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169
beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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170
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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171
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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172
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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173
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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174
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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175
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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176
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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177
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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178
tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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179
chaotic
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| adj.混沌的，一片混乱的，一团糟的 | |
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180
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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181
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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182
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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183
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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