The evening of the day on which Madame Claes died, her friends cast a few flowers upon her memory in the intervals4 of their games of whist, doing homage5 to her noble qualities as they sorted their hearts and spades. Then, after a few lachrymal phrases — the fi, fo, fum of collective grief, uttered in precisely6 the same tone, and with neither more nor less of feeling, at all hours and in every town in France — they proceeded to estimate the value of her property. Pierquin was the first to observe that the death of this excellent woman was a mercy, for her husband had made her unhappy; and it was even more fortunate for her children: she was unable while living to refuse her money to the husband she adored; but now that she was dead, Claes was debarred from touching7 it. Thereupon all present calculated the fortune of that poor Madame Claes, wondered how much she had laid by (had she, in fact, laid by anything?), made an inventory8 of her jewels, rummaged9 in her wardrobe, peeped into her drawers, while the afflicted10 family were still weeping and praying around her death-bed.
Pierquin, with an appraising11 eye, stated that Madame Claes’s possessions in her own right — to use the notarial12 phrase — might still be recovered, and ought to amount to nearly a million and a half of francs; basing this estimate partly on the forest of Waignies — whose timber, counting the full-grown trees, the saplings, the primeval growths, and the recent plantations13, had immensely increased in value during the last twelve years — and partly on Balthazar’s own property, of which enough remained to “cover” the claims of his children, if the liquidation14 of their mother’s fortune did not yield sufficient to release him. Mademoiselle Claes was still, in Pierquin’s slang, “a four-hundred-thousand-franc girl.” “But,” he added, “if she doesn’t marry — a step which would of course separate her interests and permit us to sell the forest and auction15, and so realize the property of the minor16 children and reinvest it where the father can’t lay hands on it — Claes is likely to ruin them all.”
Thereupon, everybody looked about for some eligible17 young man worthy18 to win the hand of Mademoiselle Claes; but none of them paid the lawyer the compliment of suggesting that he might be the man. Pierquin, however, found so many good reasons to reject the suggested matches as unworthy of Marguerite’s position, that the confabulators glanced at each other and smiled, and took malicious19 pleasure in prolonging this truly provincial20 method of annoyance21. Pierquin had already decided22 that Madame Claes’s death would have a favorable effect upon his suit, and he began mentally to cut up the body in his own interests.
“That good woman,” he said to himself as he went home to bed, “was as proud as a peacock; she would never gave given me her daughter. Hey, hey! why couldn’t I manage matters now so as to marry the girl? Pere Claes is drunk on carbon, and takes no care of his children. If, after convincing Marguerite that she must marry to save the property of her brothers and sister, I were to ask him for his daughter, he will be glad to get rid of a girl who is likely to thwart23 him.”
He went to sleep anticipating the charms of the marriage contract, and reflecting on the advantages of the step and the guarantees afforded for his happiness in the person he proposed to marry. In all the provinces there was certainly not a better brought-up or more delicately lovely young girl than Mademoiselle Claes. Her modesty24, her grace, were like those of the pretty flower Emmanuel had feared to name lest he should betray the secret of his heart. Her sentiments were lofty, her principles religious, she would undoubtedly25 make him a faithful wife: moreover, she not only flattered the vanity which influences every man more or less in the choice of a wife, but she gratified his pride by the high consideration which her family, doubly ennobled, enjoyed in Flanders — a consideration which her husband of course would share.
The next day Pierquin extracted from his strong-box several thousand-franc notes, which he offered with great friendliness27 to Balthazar, so as to relieve him of pecuniary28 annoyance in the midst of his grief. Touched by this delicate attention, Balthazar would, he thought, praise his goodness and his personal qualities to Marguerite. In this he was mistaken. Monsieur Claes and his daughter thought it was a very natural action, and their sorrow was too absorbing to let them even think of the lawyer.
Balthazar’s despair was indeed so great that persons who were disposed to blame his conduct could not do otherwise than forgive him — less on account of the Science which might have excused him, than for the remorse29 which could not undo26 his deeds. Society is satisfied by appearances: it takes what it gives, without considering the intrinsic worth of the article. To the world real suffering is a show, a species of enjoyment30, which inclines it to absolve31 even a criminal; in its thirst for emotions it acquits32 without judging the man who raises a laugh, or he who makes it weep, making no inquiry33 into their methods.
Marguerite was just nineteen when her father put her in charge of the household; and her brothers and sister, whom Madame Claes in her last moments exhorted34 to obey their elder sister, accepted her authority with docility35. Her mourning attire36 heightened the dewy whiteness of her skin, just as the sadness of her expression threw into relief the gentleness and patience of her manner. From the first she gave proofs of feminine courage, of inalterable serenity37, like that of angels appointed to shed peace on suffering hearts by a touch of their waving palms. But although she trained herself, through a premature38 perception of duty, to hide her personal grief, it was none the less bitter; her calm exterior39 was not in keeping with the deep trouble of her thoughts, and she was destined40 to undergo, too early in life, those terrible outbursts of feeling which no heart is wholly able to subdue41: her father was to hold her incessantly42 under the pressure of natural youthful generosity43 on the one hand, and the dictates44 of imperious duty on the other. The cares which came upon her the very day of her mother’s death threw her into a struggle with the interests of life at an age when young girls are thinking only of its pleasures. Dreadful discipline of suffering, which is never lacking to angelic natures!
The love which rests on money or on vanity is the most persevering45 of passions. Pierquin resolved to win the heiress without delay. A few days after Madame Claes’s death he took occasion to speak to Marguerite, and began operations with a cleverness which might have succeeded if love had not given her the power of clear insight and saved her from mistaking appearances that were all the more specious46 because Pierquin displayed his natural kindheartedness — the kindliness47 of a notary48 who thinks himself loving while he protects a client’s money. Relying on his rather distant relationship and his constant habit of managing the business and sharing the secrets of the Claes family, sure of the esteem49 and friendship of the father, greatly assisted by the careless inattention of that servant of science who took no thought for the marriage of his daughter, and not suspecting that Marguerite could prefer another — Pierquin unguardedly enabled her to form a judgment50 on a suit in which there was no passion except that of self-interest, always odious51 to a young soul, and which he was not clever enough to conceal52. It was he who on this occasion was naively53 above-board, it was she who dissimulated54 — simply because he thought he was dealing55 with a defenceless girl, and wholly misconceived the privileges of weakness.
“My dear cousin,” he said to Marguerite, with whom he was walking about the paths of the little garden, “you know my heart, you understand how truly I desire to respect the painful feelings which absorb you at this moment. I have too sensitive a nature for a lawyer; I live by my heart only, I am forced to spend my time on the interests of others when I would fain let myself enjoy the sweet emotions which make life happy. I suffer deeply in being obliged to talk to you of subjects so discordant56 with your state of mind, but it is necessary. I have thought much about you during the last few days. It is evident that through a fatal delusion57 the fortune of your brothers and sister and your own are in jeopardy58. Do you wish to save your family from complete ruin?”
“What must I do?” she asked, half-frightened by his words.
“Marry,” answered Pierquin.
“I shall not marry,” she said.
“Yes, you will marry,” replied the notary, “when you have soberly thought over the critical position in which you are placed.”
“How can my marriage save —”
“Ah! I knew you would consider it, my dear cousin,” he exclaimed, interrupting her. “Marriage will emancipate59 you.”
“Why should I be emancipated60?” asked Marguerite.
“Because marriage will put you at once into possession of your property, my dear little cousin,” said the lawyer in a tone of triumph. “If you marry you take your share of your mother’s property. To give it to you, the whole property must be liquidated61; to do that, it becomes necessary to sell the forest of Waignies. That done, the proceeds will be capitalized, and your father, as guardian62, will be compelled to invest the fortune of his children in such a way that Chemistry can’t get hold of it.”
“And if I do not marry, what will happen?” she asked.
“Well,” said the notary, “your father will manage your estate as he pleases. If he returns to making gold, he will probably sell the timber of the forest of Waignies and leave his children as naked as the little Saint Johns. The forest is now worth about fourteen hundred thousand francs; but from one day to another you are not sure your father won’t cut it down, and then your thirteen hundred acres are not worth three hundred thousand francs. Isn’t it better to avoid this almost certain danger by at once compelling the division of property on your marriage? If the forest is sold now, while Chemistry has gone to sleep, your father will put the proceeds into the Grand-Livre. The Funds are at 59; those dear children will get nearly five thousand francs a year for every fifty thousand francs: and, inasmuch as the property of minors63 cannot be sold out, your brothers and sister will find their fortunes doubled in value by the time they come of age. Whereas, in the other case — faith, no one knows what may happen: your father has already impaired64 your mother’s property; we shall find out the deficit65 when we come to make the inventory. If he is in debt to her estate, you will take a mortgage on his, and in that way something may be recovered —”
“For shame!” said Marguerite. “It would be an outrage66 on my father. It is not so long since my mother uttered her last words that I have forgotten them. My father is incapable67 of robbing his children,” she continued, giving way to tears of distress68. “You misunderstand him, Monsieur Pierquin.”
“But, my dear cousin, if your father gets back to chemistry —”
“We are ruined; is that what you mean?”
“Yes, utterly69 ruined. Believe me, Marguerite,” he said, taking her hand which he placed upon his heart, “I should fail of my duty if I did not persist in this matter. Your interests alone —”
“Monsieur,” said Marguerite, coldly withdrawing her hand, “the true interests of my family require me not to marry. My mother thought so.”
“Cousin,” he cried, with the earnestness of a man who sees a fortune escaping him, “you commit suicide; you fling your mother’s property into a gulf70. Well, I will prove the devotion I feel for you: you know not how I love you. I have admired you from the day of that last ball, three years ago; you were enchanting71. Trust the voice of love when it speaks to you of your own interests, Marguerite.” He paused. “Yes, we must call a family council and emancipate you — without consulting you,” he added.
“But what is it to be emancipated?”
“It is to enjoy your own rights.”
“If I can be emancipated without being married, why do you want me to marry? and whom should I marry?”
Pierquin tried to look tenderly at his cousin, but the expression contrasted so strongly with his hard eyes, usually fixed72 on money, that Marguerite discovered the self-interest in his improvised73 tenderness.
“You would marry the person who — pleases you — the most,” he said. “A husband is indispensable, were it only as a matter of business. You are now entering upon a struggle with your father; can you resist him all alone?”
“Yes, monsieur; I shall know how to protect my brothers and sister when the time comes.”
“Pshaw! the obstinate74 creature,” thought Pierquin. “No, you will not resist him,” he said aloud.
“Let us end the subject,” she said.
“Adieu, cousin, I shall endeavor to serve you in spite of yourself; I will prove my love by protecting you against your will from a disaster which all the town foresees.”
“I thank you for the interest you take in me,” she answered; “but I entreat75 you to propose nothing and to undertake nothing which may give pain to my father.”
Marguerite stood thoughtfully watching Pierquin as he departed; she compared his metallic76 voice, his manners, flexible as a steel spring, his glance, servile rather than tender, with the mute melodious77 poetry in which Emmanuel’s sentiments were wrapped. No matter what may be said, or what may be done, there exists a wonderful magnetism78 whose effects never deceive. The tones of the voice, the glance, the passionate79 gestures of a lover may be imitated; a young girl can be deluded80 by a clever comedian81; but to succeed, the man must be alone in the field. If the young girl has another soul beside her whose pulses vibrate in unison82 with hers, she is able to distinguish the expressions of a true love. Emmanuel, like Marguerite, felt the influence of the chords which, from the time of their first meeting had gathered ominously83 about their heads, hiding from their eyes the blue skies of love. His feeling for the Elect of his heart was an idolatry which the total absence of hope rendered gentle and mysterious in its manifestations84. Socially too far removed from Mademoiselle Claes by his want of fortune, with nothing but a noble name to offer her, he saw no chance of ever being her husband. Yet he had always hoped for certain encouragements which Marguerite refused to give before the failing eyes of her dying mother. Both equally pure, they had never said to one another a word of love. Their joys were solitary85 joys tasted by each alone. They trembled apart, though together they quivered beneath the rays of the same hope. They seemed to fear themselves, conscious that each only too surely belonged to the other. Emmanuel trembled lest he should touch the hand of the sovereign to whom he had made a shrine86 of his heart; a chance contact would have roused hopes that were too ardent87, he could not then have mastered the force of his passion. And yet, while neither bestowed88 the vast, though trivial, the innocent and yet all-meaning signs of love that even timid lovers allow themselves, they were so firmly fixed in each other’s hearts that both were ready to make the greatest sacrifices, which were, indeed, the only pleasures their love could expect to taste.
Since Madame Claes’s death this hidden love was shrouded89 in mourning. The tints90 of the sphere in which it lived, dark and dim from the first, were now black; the few lights were veiled by tears. Marguerite’s reserve changed to coldness; she remembered the promise exacted by her mother. With more freedom of action, she nevertheless became more distant. Emmanuel shared his beloved’s grief, comprehending that the slightest word or wish of love at such a time transgressed91 the laws of the heart. Their love was therefore more concealed92 than it had ever been. These tender souls sounded the same note: held apart by grief, as formerly93 by the timidities of youth and by respect for the sufferings of the mother, they clung to the magnificent language of the eyes, the mute eloquence94 of devoted95 actions, the constant unison of thoughts — divine harmonies of youth, the first steps of a love still in its infancy96. Emmanuel came every morning to inquire for Claes and Marguerite, but he never entered the dining-room, where the family now sat, unless to bring a letter from Gabriel or when Balthazar invited him to come in. His first glance at the young girl contained a thousand sympathetic thoughts; it told her that he suffered under these conventional restraints, that he never left her, he was always with her, he shared her grief. He shed the tears of his own pain into the soul of his dear one by a look that was marred97 by no selfish reservation. His good heart lived so completely in the present, he clung so firmly to a happiness which he believed to be fugitive98, that Marguerite sometimes reproached herself for not generously holding out her hand and saying, “Let us at least be friends.”
Pierquin continued his suit with an obstinacy99 which is the unreflecting patience of fools. He judged Marguerite by the ordinary rules of the multitude when judging of women. He believed that the words marriage, freedom, fortune, which he had put into her mind, would geminate and flower into wishes by which he could profit; he imagined that her coldness was mere100 dissimulation101. But surround her as he would with gallant102 attentions, he could not hide the despotic ways of a man accustomed to manage the private affairs of many families with a high hand. He discoursed103 to her in those platitudes104 of consolation105 common to his profession, which crawl like snails106 over the suffering mind, leaving behind them a trail of barren words which profane107 its sanctity. His tenderness was mere wheedling108. He dropped his feigned109 melancholy110 at the door when he put on his overshoes, or took his umbrella. He used the tone his long intimacy111 authorized112 as an instrument to work himself still further into the bosom113 of the family, and bring Marguerite to a marriage which the whole town was beginning to foresee. The true, devoted, respectful love formed a striking contrast to its selfish, calculating semblance114. Each man’s conduct was homogenous115: one feigned a passion and seized every advantage to gain the prize; the other hid his love and trembled lest he should betray his devotion.
Some time after the death of her mother, and, as it happened, on the same day, Marguerite was enabled to compare the only two men of whom she had any opportunity of judging; for the social solitude116 to which she was condemned117 kept her from seeing life and gave no access to those who might think of her in marriage. One day after breakfast, a fine morning in April, Emmanuel called at the house just as Monsieur Claes was going out. The aspect of his own house was so unendurable to Balthazar that he spent part of every day in walking about the ramparts. Emmanuel made a motion as if to follow him, then he hesitated, seemed to gather up his courage, looked at Marguerite and remained. The young girl felt sure that he wished to speak with her, and asked him to go into the garden; then she sent Felicie to Martha, who was sewing in the antechamber on the upper floor, and seated herself on a garden-seat in full view of her sister and the old duenna.
“Monsieur Claes is as much absorbed by grief as he once was by science,” began the young man, watching Balthazar as he slowly crossed the court-yard. “Every one in Douai pities him; he moves like a man who has lost all consciousness of life; he stops without a purpose, he gazes without seeing anything.”
“Every sorrow has its own expression,” said Marguerite, checking her tears. “What is it you wish to say to me?” she added after a pause, coldly and with dignity.
“Mademoiselle,” answered Emmanuel in a voice of feeling, “I scarcely know if I have the right to speak to you as I am about to do. Think only of my desire to be of service to you, and give me the right of a teacher to be interested in the future of a pupil. Your brother Gabriel is over fifteen; he is in the second class; it is now necessary to direct his studies in the line of whatever future career he may take up. It is for your father to decide what that career shall be: if he gives the matter no thought, the injury to Gabriel would be serious. But then, again, would it not mortify118 your father if you showed him that he is neglecting his son’s interests? Under these circumstances, could you not yourself consult Gabriel as to his tastes, and help him to choose a career, so that later, if his father should think of making him a public officer, an administrator119, a soldier, he might be prepared with some special training? I do not suppose that either you or Monsieur Claes would wish to bring Gabriel up in idleness.”
“Oh, no!” said Marguerite; “when my mother taught us to make lace, and took such pains with our drawing and music and embroidery120, she often said we must be prepared for whatever might happen to us. Gabriel ought to have a thorough education and a personal value. But tell me, what career is best for a man to choose?”
“Mademoiselle,” said Emmanuel, trembling with pleasure, “Gabriel is at the head of his class in mathematics; if he would like to enter the Ecole Polytechnique, he could there acquire the practical knowledge which will fit him for any career. When he leaves the Ecole he can choose the path in life for which he feels the strongest bias121. Thus, without compromising his future, you will have saved a great deal of time. Men who leave the Ecole with honors are sought after on all sides; the school turns out statesmen, diplomats122, men of science, engineers, generals, sailors, magistrates123, manufacturers, and bankers. There is nothing extraordinary in the son of a rich or noble family preparing himself to enter it. If Gabriel decides on this course I shall ask you to — will you grant my request? Say yes!”
“What is it?”
“Let me be his tutor,” he answered, trembling.
Marguerite looked at Monsieur de Solis; then she took his hand, and said, “Yes”— and paused, adding presently in a broken voice:—
“How much I value the delicacy124 which makes you offer me a thing I can accept from you. In all that you have said I see how much you have thought for us. I thank you.”
Though the words were simply said, Emmanuel turned away his head not to show the tears that the delight of being useful to her brought to his eyes.
“I will bring both boys to see you,” he said, when he was a little calmer; “to-morrow is a holiday.”
He rose and bowed to Marguerite, who followed him into the house; when he had crossed the court-yard he turned and saw her still at the door of the dining-room, from which she made him a friendly sign.
After dinner Pierquin came to see Monsieur Claes, and sat down between father and daughter on the very bench in the garden where Emmanuel had sat that morning.
“My dear cousin,” he said to Balthazar, “I have come to-night to talk to you on business. It is now forty-two days since the decease of your wife.”
“I keep no account of time,” said Balthazar, wiping away the tears that came at the word “decease.”
“Oh, monsieur!” cried Marguerite, looking at the lawyer, “how can you?”
“But, my dear Marguerite, we notaries125 are obliged to consider the limits of time appointed by law. This is a matter which concerns you and your co-heirs. Monsieur Claes has none but minor children, and he must make an inventory of his property within forty-five days of his wife’s decease, so as to render in his accounts at the end of that time. It is necessary to know the value of his property before deciding whether to accept it as sufficient security, or whether we must fall back on the legal rights of minors.”
Marguerite rose.
“Do not go away, my dear cousin,” continued Pierquin; “my words concern you — you and your father both. You know how truly I share your grief, but to-day you must give your attention to legal details. If you do not, every one of you will get into serious difficulties. I am only doing my duty as the family lawyer.”
“He is right,” said Claes.
“The time expires in two days,” resumed Pierquin; “and I must begin the inventory to-morrow, if only to postpone126 the payment of the legacy-tax which the public treasurer127 will come here and demand. Treasurers128 have no hearts; they don’t trouble themselves about feelings; they fasten their claws upon us at all seasons. Therefore for the next two days my clerk and I will be here from ten till four with Monsieur Raparlier, the public appraiser129. After we get through the town property we shall go into the country. As for the forest of Waignies, we shall be obliged to hold a consultation130 about that. Now let us turn to another matter. We must call a family council and appoint a guardian to protect the interests of the minor children. Monsieur Conyncks of Bruges is your nearest relative; but he has now become a Belgian. You ought,” continued Pierquin, addressing Balthazar, “to write to him on this matter; you can then find out if he has any intention of settling in France, where he has a fine property. Perhaps you could persuade him and his daughter to move into French Flanders. If he refuses, then I must see about making up the council with the other near relatives.”
“What is the use of an inventory?” asked Marguerite.
“To put on record the value and the claims of the property, its debts and its assets. When that is all clearly scheduled, the family council, acting131 on behalf of the minors, makes such dispositions132 as it sees fit.”
“Pierquin,” said Claes, rising from the bench, “do all that is necessary to protect the rights of my children; but spare us the distress of selling the things that belonged to my dear —” he was unable to continue; but he spoke133 with so noble an air and in a tone of such deep feeling that Marguerite took her father’s hand and kissed it.
“To-morrow, then,” said Pierquin.
“Come to breakfast,” said Claes; then he seemed to gather his scattered134 senses together and exclaimed: “But in my marriage contract, which was drawn135 under the laws of Hainault, I released my wife from the obligation of making an inventory, in order that she might not be annoyed by it: it is very probable that I was equally released —”
“Oh, what happiness!” cried Marguerite. “It would have been so distressing136 to us.”
“Well, I will look into your marriage contract to-morrow,” said the notary, rather confused.
“Then you did not know of this?” said Marguerite.
This remark closed the interview; the lawyer was far too much confused to continue it after the young girl’s comment.
“The devil is in it!” he said to himself as he crossed the court-yard. “That man’s wandering memory comes back to him in the nick of time — just when he needed it to hinder us from taking precautions against him! I have cracked my brains to save the property of those children. I meant to proceed regularly and come to an understanding with old Conyncks, and here’s the end of it! I shall lose ground with Marguerite, for she will certainly ask her father why I wanted an inventory of the property, which she now sees was not necessary; and Claes will tell her that notaries have a passion for writing documents, that we are lawyers above all, above cousins or friends or relatives, and all such stuff as that.”
He slammed the street door violently, railing at clients who ruin themselves by sensitiveness.
Balthazar was right. No inventory could be made. Nothing, therefore, was done to settle the relation of the father to the children in the matter of property.
点击收听单词发音
1 virtues | |
美德( virtue的名词复数 ); 德行; 优点; 长处 | |
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2 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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3 jeers | |
n.操纵帆桁下部(使其上下的)索具;嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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4 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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5 homage | |
n.尊敬,敬意,崇敬 | |
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6 precisely | |
adv.恰好,正好,精确地,细致地 | |
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7 touching | |
adj.动人的,使人感伤的 | |
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8 inventory | |
n.详细目录,存货清单 | |
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9 rummaged | |
翻找,搜寻( rummage的过去式和过去分词 ); 已经海关检查 | |
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10 afflicted | |
使受痛苦,折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11 appraising | |
v.估价( appraise的现在分词 );估计;估量;评价 | |
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12 notarial | |
adj.公证人的,公证的 | |
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13 plantations | |
n.种植园,大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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14 liquidation | |
n.清算,停止营业 | |
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15 auction | |
n.拍卖;拍卖会;vt.拍卖 | |
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16 minor | |
adj.较小(少)的,较次要的;n.辅修学科;vi.辅修 | |
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17 eligible | |
adj.有条件被选中的;(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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18 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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19 malicious | |
adj.有恶意的,心怀恶意的 | |
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20 provincial | |
adj.省的,地方的;n.外省人,乡下人 | |
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21 annoyance | |
n.恼怒,生气,烦恼 | |
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22 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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23 thwart | |
v.阻挠,妨碍,反对;adj.横(断的) | |
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24 modesty | |
n.谦逊,虚心,端庄,稳重,羞怯,朴素 | |
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25 undoubtedly | |
adv.确实地,无疑地 | |
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26 undo | |
vt.解开,松开;取消,撤销 | |
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27 friendliness | |
n.友谊,亲切,亲密 | |
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28 pecuniary | |
adj.金钱的;金钱上的 | |
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29 remorse | |
n.痛恨,悔恨,自责 | |
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30 enjoyment | |
n.乐趣;享有;享用 | |
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31 absolve | |
v.赦免,解除(责任等) | |
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32 acquits | |
宣判…无罪( acquit的第三人称单数 ); 使(自己)作出某种表现 | |
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33 inquiry | |
n.打听,询问,调查,查问 | |
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34 exhorted | |
v.劝告,劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35 docility | |
n.容易教,易驾驶,驯服 | |
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36 attire | |
v.穿衣,装扮[同]array;n.衣着;盛装 | |
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37 serenity | |
n.宁静,沉着,晴朗 | |
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38 premature | |
adj.比预期时间早的;不成熟的,仓促的 | |
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39 exterior | |
adj.外部的,外在的;表面的 | |
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40 destined | |
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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41 subdue | |
vt.制服,使顺从,征服;抑制,克制 | |
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42 incessantly | |
ad.不停地 | |
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43 generosity | |
n.大度,慷慨,慷慨的行为 | |
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44 dictates | |
n.命令,规定,要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 );口授;支配;摆布 | |
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45 persevering | |
a.坚忍不拔的 | |
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46 specious | |
adj.似是而非的;adv.似是而非地 | |
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47 kindliness | |
n.厚道,亲切,友好的行为 | |
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48 notary | |
n.公证人,公证员 | |
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49 esteem | |
n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作 | |
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50 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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51 odious | |
adj.可憎的,讨厌的 | |
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52 conceal | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽 | |
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53 naively | |
adv. 天真地 | |
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54 dissimulated | |
v.掩饰(感情),假装(镇静)( dissimulate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55 dealing | |
n.经商方法,待人态度 | |
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56 discordant | |
adj.不调和的 | |
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57 delusion | |
n.谬见,欺骗,幻觉,迷惑 | |
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58 jeopardy | |
n.危险;危难 | |
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59 emancipate | |
v.解放,解除 | |
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60 emancipated | |
adj.被解放的,不受约束的v.解放某人(尤指摆脱政治、法律或社会的束缚)( emancipate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61 liquidated | |
v.清算( liquidate的过去式和过去分词 );清除(某人);清偿;变卖 | |
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62 guardian | |
n.监护人;守卫者,保护者 | |
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63 minors | |
n.未成年人( minor的名词复数 );副修科目;小公司;[逻辑学]小前提v.[主美国英语]副修,选修,兼修( minor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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64 impaired | |
adj.受损的;出毛病的;有(身体或智力)缺陷的v.损害,削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65 deficit | |
n.亏空,亏损;赤字,逆差 | |
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66 outrage | |
n.暴行,侮辱,愤怒;vt.凌辱,激怒 | |
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67 incapable | |
adj.无能力的,不能做某事的 | |
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68 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
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69 utterly | |
adv.完全地,绝对地 | |
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70 gulf | |
n.海湾;深渊,鸿沟;分歧,隔阂 | |
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71 enchanting | |
a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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72 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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73 improvised | |
a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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74 obstinate | |
adj.顽固的,倔强的,不易屈服的,较难治愈的 | |
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75 entreat | |
v.恳求,恳请 | |
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76 metallic | |
adj.金属的;金属制的;含金属的;产金属的;像金属的 | |
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77 melodious | |
adj.旋律美妙的,调子优美的,音乐性的 | |
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78 magnetism | |
n.磁性,吸引力,磁学 | |
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79 passionate | |
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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80 deluded | |
v.欺骗,哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81 comedian | |
n.喜剧演员;滑稽演员 | |
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82 unison | |
n.步调一致,行动一致 | |
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83 ominously | |
adv.恶兆地,不吉利地;预示地 | |
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84 manifestations | |
n.表示,显示(manifestation的复数形式) | |
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85 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
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86 shrine | |
n.圣地,神龛,庙;v.将...置于神龛内,把...奉为神圣 | |
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87 ardent | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
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88 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89 shrouded | |
v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 );保密 | |
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90 tints | |
色彩( tint的名词复数 ); 带白的颜色; (淡色)染发剂; 痕迹 | |
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91 transgressed | |
v.超越( transgress的过去式和过去分词 );越过;违反;违背 | |
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92 concealed | |
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
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93 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
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94 eloquence | |
n.雄辩;口才,修辞 | |
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95 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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96 infancy | |
n.婴儿期;幼年期;初期 | |
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97 marred | |
adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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98 fugitive | |
adj.逃亡的,易逝的;n.逃犯,逃亡者 | |
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99 obstinacy | |
n.顽固;(病痛等)难治 | |
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100 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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101 dissimulation | |
n.掩饰,虚伪,装糊涂 | |
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102 gallant | |
adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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103 discoursed | |
演说(discourse的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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104 platitudes | |
n.平常的话,老生常谈,陈词滥调( platitude的名词复数 );滥套子 | |
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105 consolation | |
n.安慰,慰问 | |
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106 snails | |
n.蜗牛;迟钝的人;蜗牛( snail的名词复数 ) | |
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107 profane | |
adj.亵神的,亵渎的;vt.亵渎,玷污 | |
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108 wheedling | |
v.骗取(某物),哄骗(某人干某事)( wheedle的现在分词 ) | |
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109 feigned | |
a.假装的,不真诚的 | |
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110 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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111 intimacy | |
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行 | |
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112 authorized | |
a.委任的,许可的 | |
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113 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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114 semblance | |
n.外貌,外表 | |
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115 homogenous | |
adj.同类的,同质的,纯系的 | |
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116 solitude | |
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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117 condemned | |
adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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118 mortify | |
v.克制,禁欲,使受辱 | |
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119 administrator | |
n.经营管理者,行政官员 | |
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120 embroidery | |
n.绣花,刺绣;绣制品 | |
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121 bias | |
n.偏见,偏心,偏袒;vt.使有偏见 | |
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122 diplomats | |
n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 );有手腕的人,善于交际的人 | |
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123 magistrates | |
地方法官,治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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124 delicacy | |
n.精致,细微,微妙,精良;美味,佳肴 | |
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125 notaries | |
n.公证人,公证员( notary的名词复数 ) | |
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126 postpone | |
v.延期,推迟 | |
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127 treasurer | |
n.司库,财务主管 | |
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128 treasurers | |
(团体等的)司库,财务主管( treasurer的名词复数 ) | |
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129 appraiser | |
n.评价者,鉴定者,估价官 | |
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130 consultation | |
n.咨询;商量;商议;会议 | |
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131 acting | |
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的 | |
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132 dispositions | |
安排( disposition的名词复数 ); 倾向; (财产、金钱的)处置; 气质 | |
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133 spoke | |
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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134 scattered | |
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
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135 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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136 distressing | |
a.使人痛苦的 | |
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