When are we quite happy? Was I so then? No; an urgent and growing dread15 worried my nerves, and had worried them since the first moment good tidings had reached me. How was Frances? It was ten weeks since I had seen her, six since I had heard from her, or of her. I had answered her letter by a brief note, friendly but calm, in which no mention of continued correspondence or further visits was made. At that hour my bark hung on the topmost curl of a wave of fate, and I knew not on what shoal the onward16 rush of the billow might hurl17 it; I would not then attach her destiny to mine by the slightest thread; if doomed18 to split on the rock, or run a aground on the sand-bank, I was resolved no other vessel19 should share my disaster: but six weeks was a long time; and could it be that she was still well and doing well? Were not all sages20 agreed in declaring that happiness finds no climax22 on earth? Dared I think that but half a street now divided me from the full cup of contentment — the draught23 drawn24 from waters said to flow only in heaven?
I was at the door; I entered the quiet house; I mounted the stairs; the lobby was void and still, all the doors closed; I looked for the neat green mat; it lay duly in its place.
“Signal of hope!” I said, and advanced. “But I will be a little calmer; I am not going to rush in, and get up a scene directly.” Forcibly staying my eager step, I paused on the mat.
“What an absolute hush26! Is she in? Is anybody in?” I demanded to myself. A little tinkle27, as of cinders28 falling from a grate, replied; a movement — a fire was gently stirred; and the slight rustle29 of life continuing, a step paced equably backwards30 and forwards, backwards and forwards, in the apartment. Fascinated, I stood, more fixedly31 fascinated when a voice rewarded the attention of my strained ear — so low, so self-addressed, I never fancied the speaker otherwise than alone; solitude32 might speak thus in a desert, or in the hall of a forsaken house.
‘And ne’er but once, my son,’ he said,
‘Was yon dark cavern33 trod;
In persecution’s iron days,
When the land was left by God.
From Bewley’s bog34, with slaughter35 red,
A wanderer hither drew;
And oft he stopp’d and turn’d his head,
As by fits the night-winds blew.
For trampling36 round by Cheviot-edge
Were heard the troopers keen;
And frequent from the Whitelaw ridge37
The death-shot flash’d between,’ &c. &c.
The old Scotch39 ballad40 was partly recited, then dropt; a pause ensued; then another strain followed, in French, of which the purport41, translated, ran as follows:—
I gave, at first, attention close;
Then interest warm ensued;
From interest, as improvement rose,
Succeeded gratitude42.
Obedience43 was no effort soon,
And labour was no pain;
If tired, a word, a glance alone
Would give me strength again.
From others of the studious band,
Ere long he singled me;
But only by more close demand,
And sterner urgency.
The task he from another took,
From me he did reject;
He would no slight omission44 brook45,
And suffer no defect.
If my companions went astray,
He scarce their wanderings blam’d;
If I but falter’d in the way,
His anger fiercely flam’d.
Something stirred in an adjoining chamber; it would not do to be surprised eaves-dropping; I tapped hastily, And as hastily entered. Frances was just before me; she had been walking slowly in her room, and her step was checked by my advent46: Twilight only was with her, and tranquil47, ruddy Firelight; to these sisters, the Bright and the Dark, she had been speaking, ere I entered, in poetry. Sir Walter Scott’s voice, to her a foreign, far-off sound, a mountain echo, had uttered itself in the first stanzas48; the second, I thought, from the style and the substance, was the language of her own heart. Her face was grave, its expression concentrated; she bent49 on me an unsmiling eye — an eye just returning from abstraction, just awaking from dreams: well-arranged was her simple attire50, smooth her dark hair, orderly her tranquil room; but what — with her thoughtful look, her serious self-reliance, her bent to meditation51 and haply inspiration — what had she to do with love? “Nothing,” was the answer of her own sad, though gentle countenance52; it seemed to say, “I must cultivate fortitude53 and cling to poetry; one is to be my support and the other my solace54 through life. Human affections do not bloom, nor do human passions glow for me.” Other women have such thoughts. Frances, had she been as desolate55 as she deemed, would not have been worse off than thousands of her sex. Look at the rigid56 and formal race of old maids — the race whom all despise; they have fed themselves, from youth upwards57, on maxims58 of resignation and endurance. Many of them get ossified59 with the dry diet; self-control is so continually their thought, so perpetually their object, that at last it absorbs the softer and more agreeable qualities of their nature; and they die mere60 models of austerity, fashioned out of a little parchment and much bone. Anatomists will tell you that there is a heart in the withered61 old maid’s carcase — the same as in that of any cherished wife or proud mother in the land. Can this be so? I really don’t know; but feel inclined to doubt it.
I came forward, bade Frances “good evening,” and took my seat. The chair I had chosen was one she had probably just left; it stood by a little table where were her open desk and papers. I know not whether she had fully62 recognized me at first, but she did so now; and in a voice, soft but quiet, she returned my greeting. I had shown no eagerness; she took her cue from me, and evinced no surprise. We met as me had always met, as master and pupil — nothing more. I proceeded to handle the papers; Frances, observant and serviceable, stepped into an inner room, brought a candle, lit it, placed it by me; then drew the curtain over the lattice, and having added a little fresh fuel to the already bright fire, she drew a second chair to the table and sat down at my right hand, a little removed. The paper on the top was a translation of some grave French author into English, but underneath63 lay a sheet with stanzas; on this I laid hands. Frances half rose, made a movement to recover the captured spoil, saying, that was nothing — a mere copy of verses. I put by resistance with the decision I knew she never long opposed; but on this occasion her fingers had fastened on the paper. I had quietly to unloose them; their hold dissolved to my touch; her hand shrunk away; my own would fain have followed it, but for the present I forbade such impulse. The first page of the sheet was occupied with the lines I had overheard; the sequel was not exactly the writer’s own experience, but a composition by portions of that experience suggested. Thus while egotism was avoided, the fancy was exercised, and the heart satisfied. I translate as before, and my translation is nearly literal; it continued thus:—
When sickness stay’d awhile my course,
He seem’d impatient still,
Because his pupil’s flagging force
Could not obey his will.
One day when summoned to the bed
Where pain and I did strive,
I heard him, as he bent his head,
Say, “God, she must revive!”
I felt his hand, with gentle stress,
A moment laid on mine,
And wished to mark my consciousness
By some responsive sign.
But pow’rless then to speak or move,
I only felt, within,
The sense of Hope, the strength of Love,
Their healing work begin.
And as he from the room withdrew,
My heart his steps pursued;
I long’d to prove, by efforts new;
My speechless gratitude.
When once again I took my place,
Long vacant, in the class,
Th’ unfrequent smile across his face
Did for one moment pass.
The lessons done; the signal made
Of glad release and play,
He, as he passed, an instant stay’d,
One kindly64 word to say.
“Jane, till to-morrow you are free
From tedious task and rule;
This afternoon I must not see
That yet pale face in school.
“Seek in the garden-shades a seat,
Far from the play-ground din2;
The sun is warm, the air is sweet:
Stay till I call you in.”
A long and pleasant afternoon
I passed in those green bowers65;
All silent, tranquil, and alone
With birds, and bees, and flowers.
Yet, when my master’s voice I heard
Call, from the window, “Jane!”
I entered, joyful66, at the word,
The busy house again.
He, in the hall, paced up and down;
He paused as I passed by;
His forehead stern relaxed its frown:
He raised his deep-set eye.
“Not quite so pale,” he murmured low.
Now Jane, go rest awhile.”
And as I smiled, his smoothened brow
Returned as glad a smile.
My perfect health restored, he took
His mien67 austere68 again;
And, as before, he would not brook
The slightest fault from Jane.
The longest task, the hardest theme
Fell to my share as erst,
And still I toiled69 to place my name
In every study first.
He yet begrudged70 and stinted71 praise,
But I had learnt to read
The secret meaning of his face,
And that was my best meed.
Even when his hasty temper spoke73
In tones that sorrow stirred,
My grief was lulled74 as soon as woke
By some relenting word.
And when he lent some precious book,
Or gave some fragrant75 flower,
I did not quail76 to Envy’s look,
Upheld by Pleasure’s power.
At last our school ranks took their ground,
The hard-fought field I won;
The prize, a laurel-wreath, was bound
My throbbing77 forehead on.
Low at my master’s knee I bent,
The offered crown to meet;
Its green leaves through my temples sent
A thrill as wild as sweet.
The strong pulse of Ambition struck
In every vein78 I owned;
At the same instant, bleeding broke
A secret, inward wound.
The hour of triumph was to me
The hour of sorrow sore;
A day hence I must cross the sea,
Ne’er to recross it more.
An hour hence, in my master’s room
I with him sat alone,
And told him what a dreary79 gloom
O’er joy had parting thrown.
He little said; the time was brief,
The ship was soon to sail,
And while I sobbed80 in bitter grief,
My master but looked pale.
They called in haste; he bade me go,
Then snatched me back again;
He held me fast and murmured low,
“Why will they part us, Jane?”
“Were you not happy in my care?
Did I not faithful prove?
Will others to my darling bear
As true, as deep a love?
“O God, watch o’er my foster child!
O guard her gentle head!
When minds are high and tempests wild
Protection round her spread!
“They call again; leave then my breast;
Quit thy true shelter, Jane;
But when deceived, repulsed81, opprest,
Come home to me again! ”
I read — then dreamily made marks on the margin82 with my pencil; thinking all the while of other things; thinking that “Jane” was now at my side; no child, but a girl of nineteen; and she might be mine, so my heart affirmed; Poverty’s curse was taken off me; Envy and Jealousy83 were far away, and unapprized of this our quiet meeting; the frost of the Master’s manner might melt; I felt the thaw84 coming fast, whether I would or not; no further need for the eye to practise a hard look, for the brow to compress its expense into a stern fold: it was now permitted to suffer the outward revelation of the inward glow — to seek, demand, elicit85 an answering ardour. While musing86 thus, I thought that the grass on Hermon never drank the fresh dews of sunset more gratefully than my feelings drank the bliss87 of this hour.
Frances rose, as if restless; she passed before me to stir the fire, which did not want stirring; she lifted and put down the little ornaments88 on the mantelpiece; her dress waved within a yard of me; slight, straight, and elegant;, she stood erect89 on the hearth90.
There are impulses we can control; but there are others which control us, because they attain91 us with a tiger-leap, and are our masters ere we have seen them. Perhaps, though, such impulses are seldom altogether bad; perhaps Reason, by a process as brief as quiet, a process that is finished ere felt, has ascertained92 the sanity93 of the deed Instinct meditates94, and feels justified95 in remaining passive while it is performed. I know I did not reason, I did not plan or intend, yet, whereas one moment I was sitting solus on the chair near the table, the next, I held Frances on my knee, placed there with sharpness and decision, and retained with exceeding tenacity96.
“Monsieur!” cried Frances, and was still: not another word escaped her lips; sorely confounded she seemed during the lapse97 of the first few moments; but the amazement98 soon subsided99; terror did not succeed, nor fury: after all, she was only a little nearer than she had ever been before, to one she habitually101 respected and trusted; embarrassment102 might have impelled103 her to contend, but self-respect checked resistance where resistance was useless.
“Frances, how much regard have you for me?” was my demand. No answer; the situation was yet too new and surprising to permit speech. On this consideration, I compelled myself for some seconds to tolerate her silence, though impatient of it: presently, I repeated the same question — probably, not in the calmest of tones; she looked at me; my face, doubtless, was no model of composure, my eyes no still wells of tranquillity104.
“Do speak,” I urged; and a very low, hurried, yet still arch voice said —
“Monsieur, vous me faites mal; de grace lachez un peu ma main droite.”
In truth I became aware that I was holding the said “main droite” in a somewhat ruthless grasp: I did as desired; and, for the third time, asked more gently —
“Frances, how much regard have you for me?”
“Mon maitre, j’en ai beaucoup,” was the truthful105 rejoinder.
“Frances, have you enough to give yourself to me as my wife? — to accept me as your husband?”
I felt the agitation106 of the heart, I saw “the purple light of love” cast its glowing reflection on cheeks, temples, neck; I desired to consult the eye, but sheltering lash38 and lid forbade.
“Monsieur,” said the soft voice at last — “Monsieur desire savoir si je consens — si — enfin, si je veux me marier avec lui?”
“Justement.”
“Monsieur sera-t-il aussi bon mari qu’il a ete bon maitre?”
“I will try, Frances.”
A pause; then with a new, yet still subdued107 inflexion of the voice — an inflexion which provoked while it pleased me — accompanied, too, by a “sourire a la fois fin21 et timide” in perfect harmony with the tone:—
“C’est a dire25, monsieur sera toujours un peu entete exigeant, volontaire —?”
“Have I been so, Frances?”
“Mais oui; vous le savez bien.”
“Have I been nothing else?”
“Mais oui; vons avez ete mon meilleur ami.”
“And what, Frances, are you to me?”
“Votre devouee eleve, qui vous aime de tout108 son coeur.”
“Will my pupil consent to pass her life with me? Speak English now, Frances.”
Some moments were taken for reflection; the answer, pronounced slowly, ran thus:—
“You have always made me happy; I like to hear you speak; I like to see you; I like to be near you; I believe you are very good, and very superior; I know you are stern to those who are careless and idle, but you are kind, very kind to the attentive109 and industrious110, even if they are not clever. Master, I should be glad to live with you always;” and she made a sort of movement, as if she would have clung to me, but restraining herself she only added with earnest emphasis —“Master, I consent to pass my life with you.”
“Very well, Frances.”
I drew her a little nearer to my heart; I took a first kiss from her lips, thereby111 sealing the compact, now framed between us; afterwards she and I were silent, nor was our silence brief. Frances’ thoughts, during this interval112, I know not, nor did I attempt to guess them; I was not occupied in searching her countenance, nor in otherwise troubling her composure. The peace I felt, I wished her to feel; my arm, it is true, still detained her; but with a restraint that was gentle enough, so long as no opposition113 tightened114 it. My gaze was on the red fire; my heart was measuring its own content; it sounded and sounded, and found the depth fathomless115.
“Monsieur,” at last said my quiet companion, as stirless in her happiness as a mouse in its terror. Even now in speaking she scarcely lifted her head.
“Well, Frances?” I like unexaggerated intercourse116; it is not my way to overpower with amorous117 epithets118, any more than to worry with selfishly importunate119 caresses120.
“Monsieur est raisonnable, n’eut-ce pas?”
“Yes; especially when I am requested to be so in English: but why do you ask me? You see nothing vehement122 or obtrusive123 in my manner; am I not tranquil enough?”
“Ce n’est pas cela —” began Frances.
“English!” I reminded her.
“Well, monsieur, I wished merely to say, that I should like, of course, to retain my employment of teaching. You will teach still, I suppose, monsieur?”
“Oh, yes! It is all I have to depend on.”
“Bon! — I mean good. Thus we shall have both the same profession. I like that; and my efforts to get on will be as unrestrained as yours — will they not, monsieur?”
“You are laying plans to be independent of me,” said I.
“Yes, monsieur; I must be no incumbrance to you — no burden in any way.”
“But, Frances, I have not yet told you what my prospects124 are. I have left M. Pelet’s; and after nearly a month’s seeking, I have got another place, with a salary of three thousand francs a year, which I can easily double by a little additional exertion126. Thus you see it would be useless for you to fag yourself by going out to give lessons; on six thousand francs you and I can live, and live well.”
Frances seemed to consider. There is something flattering to man’s strength, something consonant127 to his honourable128 pride, in the idea of becoming the providence129 of what he loves — feeding and clothing it, as God does the lilies of the field. So, to decide her resolution, I went on:—
“Life has been painful and laborious130 enough to you so far, Frances; you require complete rest; your twelve hundred francs would not form a very important addition to our income, and what sacrifice of comfort to earn it! Relinquish131 your labours: you must be weary, and let me have the happiness of giving you rest.”
I am not sure whether Frances had accorded due attention to my harangue132; instead of answering me with her usual respectful promptitude, she only sighed and said —
“How rich you are, monsieur!” and then she stirred uneasy in my arms. “Three thousand francs!” she murmured, “While I get only twelve hundred!” She went on faster. “However, it must be so for the present; and, monsieur, were you not saying something about my giving up my place? Oh no! I shall hold it fast;” and her little fingers emphatically tightened on mine.
“Think of my marrying you to be kept by you, monsieur! I could not do it; and how dull my days would be! You would be away teaching in close, noisy school-rooms, from morning till evening, and I should be lingering at home, unemployed133 and solitary134; I should get depressed135 and sullen136, and you would soon tire of me.”
“Frances, you could read and study — two things you like so well.”
“Monsieur, I could not; I like a contemplative life, but I like an active life better; I must act in some way, and act with you. I have taken notice, monsieur, that people who are only in each other’s company for amusement, never really like each other so well, or esteem137 each other so highly, as those who work together, and perhaps suffer together.”
“You speak God’s truth,” said I at last, “and you shall have your own way, for it is the best way. Now, as a reward for such ready consent, give me a voluntary kiss.”
After some hesitation138, natural to a novice139 in the art of kissing, she brought her lips into very shy and gentle contact with my forehead; I took the small gift as a loan, and repaid it promptly140, and with generous interest.
I know not whether Frances was really much altered since the time I first saw her; but, as I looked at her now, I felt that she was singularly changed for me; the sad eye, the pale cheek, the dejected and joyless countenance I remembered as her early attributes, were quite gone, and now I saw a face dressed in graces; smile, dimple, and rosy141 tint72, rounded its contours and brightened its hues142. I had been accustomed to nurse a flattering idea that my strong attachment143 to her proved some particular perspicacity144 in my nature; she was not handsome, she was not rich, she was not even accomplished145, yet was she my life’s treasure; I must then be a man of peculiar146 discernment. To-night my eyes opened on the mistake I had made; I began to suspect that it was only my tastes which were unique, not my power of discovering and appreciating the superiority of moral worth over physical charms. For me Frances had physical charms: in her there was no deformity to get over; none of those prominent defects of eyes, teeth, complexion147, shape, which hold at bay the admiration148 of the boldest male champions of intellect (for women can love a downright ugly man if he be but talented); had she been either “edentee, myope, rugueuse, ou bossue,” my feelings towards her might still have been kindly, but they could never have been impassioned; I had affection for the poor little misshapen Sylvie, but for her I could never have had love. It is true Frances’ mental points had been the first to interest me, and they still retained the strongest hold on my preference; but I liked the graces of her person too. I derived149 a pleasure, purely150 material, from contemplating151 the clearness of her brown eyes, the fairness of her fine skin, the purity of her well-set teeth, the proportion of her delicate form; and that pleasure I could ill have dispensed152 with. It appeared, then, that I too was a sensualist, in my temperate153 and fastidious way.
Now, reader, during the last two pages I have been giving you honey fresh from flowers, but you must not live entirely154 on food so luscious155; taste then a little gall156 — just a drop, by way of change.
At a somewhat late hour I returned to my lodgings: having temporarily forgotten that man had any such coarse cares as those of eating and drinking, I went to bed fasting. I had been excited and in action all day, and had tasted no food since eight that morning; besides, for a fortnight past, I had known no rest either of body or mind; the last few hours had been a sweet delirium157, it would not subside100 now, and till long after midnight, broke with troubled ecstacy the rest I so much needed. At last I dozed158, but not for long; it was yet quite dark when I awoke, and my waking was like that of Job when a spirit passed before his face, and like him, “the hair of my flesh stood up.” I might continue the parallel, for in truth, though I saw nothing, yet “a thing was secretly brought unto me, and mine ear received a little thereof; there was silence, and I heard a voice,” saying —“In the midst of life we are in death.”
That sound, and the sensation of chill anguish159 accompanying it, many would have regarded as supernatural; but I recognized it at once as the effect of reaction. Man is ever clogged160 with his mortality, and it was my mortal nature which now faltered161 and plained; my nerves, which jarred and gave a false sound, because the soul, of late rushing headlong to an aim, had overstrained the body’s comparative weakness. A horror of great darkness fell upon me; I felt my chamber invaded by one I had known formerly162, but had thought for ever departed. I was temporarily a prey163 to hypochondria.
She had been my acquaintance, nay164, my guest, once before in boyhood; I had entertained her at bed and board for a year; for that space of time I had her to myself in secret; she lay with me, she ate with me, she walked out with me, showing me nooks in woods, hollows in hills, where we could sit together, and where she could drop her drear veil over me, and so hide sky and sun, grass and green tree; taking me entirely to her death-cold bosom165, and holding me with arms of bone. What tales she would tell me at such hours! What songs she would recite in my ears! How she would discourse166 to me of her own country — the grave — and again and again promise to conduct me there ere long; and, drawing me to the very brink167 of a black, sullen river, show me, on the other side, shores unequal with mound168, monument, and tablet, standing up in a glimmer169 more hoary170 than moonlight. “Necropolis!” she would whisper, pointing to the pale piles, and add, “It contains a mansion171 prepared for you.”
But my boyhood was lonely, parentless; uncheered by brother or sister; and there was no marvel172 that, just as I rose to youth, a sorceress, finding me lost in vague mental wanderings, with many affections and few objects, glowing aspirations173 and gloomy prospects, strong desires and slender hopes, should lift up her illusive174 lamp to me in the distance, and lure3 me to her vaulted175 home of horrors. No wonder her spells then had power; but now, when my course was widening, my prospect125 brightening; when my affections had found a rest; when my desires, folding wings, weary with long flight, had just alighted on the very lap of fruition, and nestled there warm, content, under the caress121 of a soft hand — why did hypochondria accost176 me now?
I repulsed her as one would a dreaded177 and ghastly concubine coming to embitter178 a husband’s heart toward his young bride; in vain; she kept her sway over me for that night and the next day, and eight succeeding days. Afterwards, my spirits began slowly to recover their tone; my appetite returned, and in a fortnight I was well. I had gone about as usual all the time, and had said nothing to anybody of what I felt; but I was glad when the evil spirit departed from me, and I could again seek Frances, and sit at her side, freed from the dreadful tyranny of my demon179.
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1
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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3
lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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4
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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6
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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7
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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8
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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sages
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| n.圣人( sage的名词复数 )；智者；哲人；鼠尾草（可用作调料） | |
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fin
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| n.鳍；(飞机的)安定翼 | |
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climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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24
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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25
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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26
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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27
tinkle
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| vi.叮当作响；n.叮当声 | |
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28
cinders
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| n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道 | |
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29
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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30
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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31
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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32
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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33
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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34
bog
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| n.沼泽；室...陷入泥淖 | |
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35
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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36
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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37
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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38
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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39
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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40
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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41
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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42
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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43
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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44
omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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45
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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46
advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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47
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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48
stanzas
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| 节，段( stanza的名词复数 ) | |
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49
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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50
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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51
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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52
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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53
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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54
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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55
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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56
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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57
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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58
maxims
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| n.格言，座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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59
ossified
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| adj.已骨化[硬化]的v.骨化，硬化，使僵化( ossify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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61
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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62
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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63
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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64
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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65
bowers
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| n.（女子的）卧室( bower的名词复数 )；船首锚；阴凉处；鞠躬的人 | |
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66
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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67
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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68
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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69
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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70
begrudged
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| 嫉妒( begrudge的过去式和过去分词 )； 勉强做； 不乐意地付出； 吝惜 | |
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71
stinted
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| v.限制，节省（stint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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72
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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73
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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74
lulled
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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75
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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76
quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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77
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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78
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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79
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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80
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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81
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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82
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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83
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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84
thaw
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| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
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85
elicit
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| v.引出,抽出,引起 | |
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86
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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87
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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88
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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89
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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90
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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91
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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92
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
sanity
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| n.心智健全，神智正常，判断正确 | |
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94
meditates
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的第三人称单数 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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95
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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96
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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97
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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98
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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99
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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100
subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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101
habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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102
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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103
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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105
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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106
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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107
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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108
tout
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| v.推销，招徕；兜售；吹捧，劝诱 | |
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109
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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110
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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111
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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112
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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113
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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114
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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115
fathomless
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| a.深不可测的 | |
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116
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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117
amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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118
epithets
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| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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119
importunate
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| adj.强求的；纠缠不休的 | |
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120
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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121
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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122
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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123
obtrusive
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| adj.显眼的；冒失的 | |
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124
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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125
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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126
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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127
consonant
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| n.辅音；adj.[音]符合的 | |
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128
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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129
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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130
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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131
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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132
harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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133
unemployed
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| adj.失业的，没有工作的；未动用的，闲置的 | |
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134
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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135
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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136
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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137
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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138
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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139
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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140
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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141
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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142
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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143
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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144
perspicacity
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| n. 敏锐, 聪明, 洞察力 | |
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145
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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146
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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147
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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148
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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149
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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150
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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151
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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152
dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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153
temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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154
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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155
luscious
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| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
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156
gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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157
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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158
dozed
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| v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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159
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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160
clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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161
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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162
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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163
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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164
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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165
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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166
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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167
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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168
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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169
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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170
hoary
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| adj.古老的；鬓发斑白的 | |
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171
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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172
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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173
aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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174
illusive
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| adj.迷惑人的，错觉的 | |
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175
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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176
accost
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| v.向人搭话，打招呼 | |
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177
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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178
embitter
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| v.使苦；激怒 | |
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179
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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