Every day we took an exhilarating drive. The two deep, comfortable seats faced each other like seats in a landau. Severnius and I occupied one, and Elodia the other; so that I had the pleasure of looking at her whenever I chose, and of meeting her eyes in conversation now and then, which was no small part of my enjoyment5. The mere6 sight of her roused the imagination and quickened the pulse. Her eyes were unusually dark, but they had blue rays, and were as clear and beautiful as agates7 held under water. In fact they seemed to swim in an invisible liquid. Her complexion8 had the effect of alabaster9 through which a pink light shines, — deepest in the cheeks, as though they were more transparent10 than the rest of her face. Her head, crowned with a fascinating little cap, rose above her soft furs like a regal flower. She was so beautiful that I wondered at myself that I could bear the sight of her.
Strange to say, the weather was not cold, it was simply bracing11, — hardly severe enough to make the ears tingle12.
The roads were perfect everywhere, and we often drove into the country. The horses flew over the wide white stretches at an incredible speed.
One afternoon when, at the usual hour, the coachman rang the bell and announced that he was ready, I was greatly disappointed to find that we were not to have Elodia. But I said nothing, for I was shy about mentioning her name.
When we were seated, Severnius gave directions to the driver.
“Time yourself, Giddo, so that you will be at the Public Square at precisely13 three o’clock,” said he, and turned to me. “We shall want to see the parade.”
“What parade?” I inquired.
“Oh! has not Elodia told you? This is The Auroras’ Annual, — a great day. The parade will be worth seeing.”
In the excitement of the drive, and in my disappointment about not having Elodia with us, I had almost forgotten about The Auroras’ Annual, when three o’clock came. I had seen parades in New York City, until the spectacle had calloused14 my sense of the magnificent, and I very much doubted whether Mars had anything new to offer me in that line.
Punctual to the minute, Giddo fetched up at the Square, — among a thousand or so of other turnouts, — with such a flourish as all Jehus love. We were not a second too soon. There was a sudden burst of music, infinitely15 mellowed16 by distance; and as far up the street as the eye could well reach there appeared a mounted procession, advancing slowly. Every charger was snow white, with crimped mane and tail, long and flowing, and with trappings of various colors magnificent in silver blazonry.
The musicians only were on foot. They were beating upon drums and blowing transcendent airs through silver wind instruments. I do not know whether it was some quality of the atmosphere that made the strains so ravishing, but they swept over one’s soul with a rapture17 that was almost painful. I could hardly sit still, but I was held down by the thought that if I should get up I would not know what to do. It is a peculiar18 sensation.
On came the resplendent column with slow, majestic19 movement; and I unconsciously kept time with the drums, with Browning’s stately lines on my tongue, but unspoken:
“Steady they step adown the slope,
Steady they climb the hill.”
There was no hill, but a very slight descent. As they drew nearer the splendor22 of the various uniforms dazzled my eyes. You will remember that everything about us was white; the buildings all of white stone or brick, the ground covered with snow, and the crowds of people lining23 the streets all dressed in the national color, or no-color.
There were several companies in the procession, and each company wore distinguishing badges and carried flags and banners peculiar to itself.
The housings on the horses of the first brigade were of yellow, and all the decorations of the riders corresponded; of the second pale blue, and of the third sky-pink. The uniforms of the riders were inconceivably splendid; fantastic and gorgeous headgear, glittering belts, silken scarfs and sashes, badges and medals flashing with gems24, and brilliant colors twisted into strange and curious devices.
As the first division was about to pass, I lost my grip on myself and half started to my feet with a smothered25 exclamation26, “Elodia!”
Severnius put out his hand as though he were afraid I was going to leap out of the sleigh, or do something unusual.
“What is it?” he cried, and following my gaze he added, “Yes, that is Elodia in front; she is the Supreme27 Sorceress of the Order of the Auroras.”
“The — what!”
“Don’t be frightened,” he laughed; “the word means nothing, — it is only a title.”
I could not believe him when I looked at the advancing figure of Elodia. She sat her horse splendidly erect28. Her fair head was crowned with a superb diadem29 of gold and topazes, with a diamond star in the centre, shooting rays like the sun. Her expression was grave and lofty; she glanced neither to right nor left, but gazed straight ahead — at nothing, or at something infinitely beyond mortal vision. Her horse champed its bits, arched its beautiful neck, and stepped with conscious pride; dangling30 the gold fringe on its sheeny yellow satin saddle-cloth, until one could hardly bear the sight.
“The words mean nothing!” I repeated to myself. “It is not so; Severnius has deceived me. His sister is a sorceress; a — I don’t know what! But no woman could preserve that majestic mien31, that proud solemnity of countenance32, if she were simply — playing! There is a mystery here.”
I scrutinized33 every rider as they passed. There was not a man among them, — all women. Their faces had all borrowed, or had tried to borrow, Elodia’s queenly look. Many of them only burlesqued34 it. None were as beautiful as she.
When it was all over, and the music had died away in the distance, we drove off, — Giddo threading his way with consummate35 skill, which redounded36 much to his glory in certain circles he cared for, through the crowded thoroughfares.
I could not speak for many minutes, and Severnius was a man upon whom silence always fell at the right time. I never knew him to break in upon another’s mood for his own entertainment. Nor did he spy upon your thoughts; he left you free. By-and-by, I appealed to him:
“Tell me, Severnius, what does it mean?”
“This celebration?” returned he. “With pleasure. Giddo, you may drive round for half an hour, and then take us to the Auroras’ Temple, — it is open to visitors to-day.”
We drew the robes closely, and settled ourselves more comfortably, as we cleared the skirts of the crowd. It was growing late and the air was filled with fine arrows of frost, touched by the last sunbeams, — their sharp little points stinging our faces as we were borne along at our usual lively speed.
“This society of the Auroras,” said Severnius,” originated several centuries ago, in the time of a great famine. In those days the people were poor and improvident38, and a single failure in their crops left them in a sorry condition. Some of the wealthiest women of the country banded themselves together and worked systematically39 for the relief of the sufferers. Their faces appeared so beautiful, and beamed with such a light of salvation40 as they went about from hut to hut, that they got the name of ‘auroras’ among the simple poor. And they banished41 want and hunger so magically, that they were also called ‘sorcerers’.”
“O, then, it is a charitable organization?” I exclaimed, much relieved.
“It was,” replied Severnius. “It was in active operation for a hundred or so years. Finally, when there was no more need of it, the State having undertaken the care of its poor, it passed into a sentiment, such as you have seen to-day.”
“A very costly42 and elaborate sentiment,” I retorted.
“Yes, and it is growing more so, all the time,” said he. “I sometimes wonder where it is going to stop! For those who, like Elodia, have plenty of money, it does not matter; but some of the women we saw in those costly robes and ornaments43 can ill afford them, — they mean less of comfort in their homes and less of culture to their children.”
“I should think their husbands would not allow such a waste of money,” I said, forgetting the social economy of Mars.
“It does not cost any more than membership in the orders to which the husbands themselves belong,” returned he. “They argue, of course, that they need the recreation, and also that membership in such high-toned clubs gives them and their children a better standing44 and greater influence in society.”
Severnius did not forget his usual corollary, — the question with which he topped out every explanation he made about his country and people.
“Have you nothing of the sort on the Earth?” he asked. “Among the women? — we have not,” I answered. “I did not specify,” he said.
“O, well, the men have,” I admitted; “I belong to one such organization myself, — the City Guards.”
“And you guard the city?”
“No; there is nothing to guard it against at present. It’s a ‘sentiment,’ as you say.”
“And do you parade?”
“Yes, of course, upon occasion, — there are certain great anniversaries in our nation’s history when we appear.”
“And why not your women?”
I smiled to myself, as I tried to fancy some of the New York ladies I knew, arrayed in gorgeous habiliments for an equestrian45 exhibition on Broadway. I replied,
“Really, Severnius, the idea is entirely46 new to me. I think they would regard it as highly absurd.”
“Do they regard you as absurd?” he asked, in that way of his which I was often in doubt about, not knowing whether he was in earnest or not.
“I’m sure I do not know,” I said. “They may, — our women have a keen relish47 for the ludicrous. Still, I cannot think that they do; they appear to look upon us with pride. And they present us with an elaborate silken banner about once a year, stitched together by their own fair fingers and paid for out of their own pocket money. That does not look as though they were laughing at us exactly.”
I said this as much to convince myself as Severnius.
The half-hour was up and we were at the Temple gate. The building, somewhat isolated48, reared itself before us, a grand conception in chiseled49 marble, glinting in the brilliant lights shot upon it from various high points. Already it was dark beyond the radius50 of these lights, — neither of the moons having yet appeared.
Severnius dismissed the sleigh, saying that we would walk home, — the distance was not far, — and we entered the grounds and proceeded to mount the flight of broad steps leading up to the magnificent arched entrance. The great carved doors, — the carvings51 were emblematic52, — swung back and admitted us. The Temple was splendidly illuminated53 within, and imagination could not picture anything more imposing54 than the great central hall and winding55 stairs, visible all the way up to the dome56.
Below, on one side of this lofty hall, there were extensive and luxurious baths. Severnius said the members of the Order were fond of congregating57 here, — and I did not wonder at that; nothing that appertains to such an establishment was lacking. Chairs and sofas that we would call “Turkish,” thick, soft rugs and carpets, pictures, statuary, mirrors, growing plants, rare flowers, books, musical instruments. And Severnius told me the waters were delightful58 for bathing.
The second story consisted of a series of spacious59 rooms divided from each other by costly portieres, into which the various emblems60 and devices were woven in their proper tinctures.
All of these rooms were as sumptuously61 furnished as those connected with the baths; and the decorations, I thought, were even more beautiful, of a little higher or finer order.
In one of the rooms a lady was playing upon an instrument resembling a harp37. She dropped her hands from the strings62 and came forward graciously.
“Perhaps we are intruding63?” said Severnius.
“Ah, no, indeed,” she laughed, pleasantly; “no one could be more welcome here than the brother of our Supreme Sorceress!” “Happy the man who has a distinguished64 sister!” returned he. “I am unfortunate,” she answered with a slight blush. “Severnius is always welcome for his own sake.”
He acknowledged the compliment, and with a certain reluctance65, I thought, said, “Will you allow me, Claris, to introduce my friend — from another planet?”
She took a swift step toward me and held out her hand. “I have long had a great curiosity to meet you, sir,” she said.
I bowed low over her hand and murmured that her curiosity could not possibly equal the pleasure I felt in meeting her.
She gave Severnius a quick, questioning look. I believe she thought he had told me something about her. He let her think what she liked.
“How is it you are here?” he asked.
“You mean instead of being with the others?” she returned. “I have not been well lately, and I thought — or my husband thought — I had better not join the procession. I am awaiting them here.”
As she spoke20, I noticed that she was rather delicate looking. She was tall and slight, with large, bright eyes, and a transparent complexion. If Elodia had not filled all space in my consciousness I think I should have been considerably66 interested in her. I liked her frank, direct way of meeting us and talking to us. We soon left her and continued our explorations.
I wanted to ask Severnius something about her, but I thought he avoided the subject. He told me, however, that her husband, Massilia, was one of his closest friends. And then he added, “I wonder that she took his advice!”
“Why so,” I asked; “do not women here ever take their husbands’ advice?”
“Claris is not in the habit of doing so,” he returned with, I thought, some severity. And then he immediately spoke of something else quite foreign to her.
The third and last story comprised an immense hall or assembly room, and rows of deep closets for the robes and paraphernalia67 of the members of the Order. In one of these closets a skeleton was suspended from the ceiling and underneath68 it stood a coffin69. On a shelf were three skulls70 with their accompanying cross-bones, and several cruel-looking weapons.
Severnius said he supposed these hideous71 tokens were employed in the initiation72 of new members. It seemed incredible. I thought that, if it were so, the Marsian women must have stronger nerves than ours.
A great many beautiful marble columns and pillars supported the roof of the hall, and the walls had a curiously73 fluted74 appearance. There was a great deal of sculpture, not only figures, but flowers, vines, and all manner of decorations, — even draperies chiseled in marble that looked like frozen lace, with an awful stillness in their ghostly folds. There was a magnificent canopied75 throne on an elevation76 like an old-fashioned pulpit, and seats for satellites on either side, and at the base. If I had been alone, I would have gone up and knelt down before the throne, — for of course that was where Elodia sat, — and I would have kissed the yellow cushion on which her feet were wont77 to rest when she wielded78 her jeweled scepter. The scepter, I observed, lay on the throne-chair.
There was an orchestra, and there were “stations” for the various officials, and the walls were adorned79 with innumerable cabalistic insignia. I asked Severnius if he knew the meaning of any of them.
“How should I know?” he replied in surprise. “Only the initiates80 understand those things.”
“Then these women keep their secrets,” said I.
“Yes, to be sure they do,” he replied.
The apartment to the right, on the entrance floor, opposite the baths, was the last we looked into, and was a magnificent banquet hall. A servant who stood near the door opened it as though it had been the door of a shrine81, and no wonder! It was a noble room in its dimensions and in all unparalleled adornments and appurtenances.
The walls and ceiling bristled82 with candelabra all alight. The tables, set for a banquet, held everything that could charm the eye or tempt83 the appetite in such a place.
I observed a great many inverted84 stemglasses of various exquisite85 styles and patterns, including the thin, flaring86 goblets87, as delicate as a lily-cup, which mean the same thing to Marsians as to us.
“Do these women drink champagne88 at their banquets?” I asked, with a frown.
“O, yes,” replied Severnius. “A banquet would be rather tame without, wouldn’t it? The Auroras are not much given to drink, ordinarily, but on occasions like this they are liable to indulge pretty freely.”
“Is it possible!” I could say no more than this, and Severnius went on:
“The Auroras, you see, are the cream of our society, — the elite89, — and costly drinks are typical, in a way, of the highest refinement90. Do you people never drink wine at your social gatherings91?”
“The men do, of course, but not the women,” I replied in a tone which the whole commonwealth92 of Paleveria might have taken as a rebuke93.
“Ah, I fear I shall never be able to understand!” said he. “It is very confusing to my mind, this having two codes — social as well as political — to apply separately to members of an identical community. I don’t see how you can draw the line so sharply. It is like having two distinct currents in a river-bed. Don’t the waters ever get mixed?”
“You are facetious,” I returned, coldly.
“No, really, I am in earnest,” said he. “Do no women in your country ever do these things, — parade and drink wine, and the like, — which you say you men are not above doing?”
I replied with considerable energy:
“I have never before to-day seen women of any sort dress themselves up in conspicuous94 uniforms and exhibit themselves publicly for the avowed95 purpose of being seen and making a sensation, except in circuses. And circus women, — well, they don’t count. And of course we have a class of women who crack champagne bottles and even quaff96 other fiery97 liquors as freely as men, but I do not need to tell you what kind of creatures those are.”
At that moment there were sounds of tramping feet outside, and the orchestra filed in at the farther end of the salon98 and took their places on a high dais. At a given signal every instrument was in position and the music burst forth99, and simultaneously100 the banqueters began to march in. They had put off their heavy outside garments but retained their ornaments and insignia. Their white necks and arms gleamed bewitchingly through silvered lace. They moved to their places without the least jostling or awkwardness, their every step and motion proving their high cultivation101 and grace.
“We must get out of here,” whispered Severnius in some consternation102. But a squad103 of servants clogged104 the doorway105 and we were crowded backward, and in the interest of self-preservation we took refuge in a small alcove106 behind a screen of tall hot-house plants with enormous leaves and fronds107.
“Good heavens! what shall we do?” cried Severnius, beginning to perspire108.
“Let us sit down,” said I, who saw nothing very dreadful in the situation except that it was warm, and the odor of the blossoms in front of us was overpowering. There was a bench in the alcove, and we seated ourselves upon it, — I with much comfort, for it was a little cooler down there, and my companion with much fear.
“Would it be a disgrace if we were found here?” I asked.
“I would not be found here for the world!” replied Severnius. “It would not be a disgrace, but it would be considered highly improper109. Or, to put it so that you can better understand it, it would be the same as though they were men and we women.”
“That is clear!” said I; and I pictured to myself two charming New York girls of my acquaintance secreting110 themselves in a hall where we City Guards were holding a banquet, — ye gods!
As the feast progressed, and as my senses were almost swept away by the scent21 of the flowers, I sometimes half fancied that it was the City Guards who were seated at the tables.
During the first half-hour everything was carried on with great dignity, speakers being introduced — this occurred in the interim111 between courses — in proper order, and responding with graceful112 and well-prepared remarks, which were suitably applauded. But after the glasses had been emptied a time or two all around, there came a change with which I was very familiar. Jokes abounded113 and jolly little songs were sung, — O, nothing you would take exception to, you know, if they had been men; but women! beautiful, cultivated, charming women, with eyes like stars, with cheeks that matched the dawn, with lips that you would have liked to kiss! And more than this: the preservers of our ideals, the interpreters of our faith, the keepers of our consciences! I felt as though my traditionary idols114 were shattered, until I remembered that these were not my countrywomen, thank heaven!
Severnius was not at all surprised; he took it all as a matter of course, and was chiefly concerned about how we were going to get out of there. It was more easily accomplished115 than we could have imagined. The elegant candelabra were a cunningly contrived116 system of electric lights, and, as sometimes happens with us, they went out suddenly and left the place in darkness for a few convenient seconds. “Quick, now!” cried Severnius with a bound, and there was just time for us to make our escape. We had barely reached the outer door when the whole building was ablaze117 again.
Severnius offered no comments on the events of the evening, except to say we were lucky to get out as we did, and of course I made none. At my suggestion we stopped at the observatory118 and spent a few hours there. Lost among the stars, my soul recovered its equilibrium119. I have found that little things cease to fret120 when I can lift my thoughts to great things.
It must have been near morning when I was awakened121 by the jingling122 of bells, and a sleigh driving into the porte cochere. A few moments later I heard Elodia and her maid coming up the stairs. Her maid attended her everywhere, and stationed herself about like a dummy123. She was the sign always that Elodia was not far off; and I am sure she would have laid down her life for her mistress, and would have suffered her tongue to be cut out before she would have betrayed her secrets. I tell you this to show you what a power of fascination124 Elodia possessed125; she seemed a being to be worshiped by high and low.
Severnius and I ate our breakfast alone the following morning. The Supreme Sorceress did not get up, nor did she go down town to attend to business at all during the day. At lunch time she sent her maid down to tell Severnius that she had a headache.
“Quite likely,” he returned, as the girl delivered her message; “but I am sorry to hear it. If there is anything I can do for her, tell her to let me know.”
The girl made her obeisance126 and vanished.
“We have to pay for our fun,” said Severnius with a sigh. “I should not think your sister would indulge in such ‘fun’!” I retorted as a kind of relief to my hurt sensibilities, I was so cruelly disappointed in Elodia.
“Why my sister in particular?” returned he with a look of surprise.
“Well, of course, I mean all those women, — why do they do such things? It is unwomanly, it — it is disgraceful!”
I could not keep the word back, and for the first time I saw a flash of anger in my friend’s eyes.
“Come,” said he, “you must not talk like that! That term may have a different signification to you, but with us it means an insult.”
I quickly begged his pardon and tried to explain to him. “Our women,” I said, “never do things of that sort, as I have told you. They have no taste for them and no inclination127 in that direction, — it is against their very nature. And if you will forgive me for saying so, I cannot but think that such indulgence as we witnessed last night must coarsen a woman’s spiritual fibre, and dull the fine moral sense which is so highly developed in her.”
“Excuse me,” interposed Severnius. “You have shown me in the case of your own sex that human nature is the same on the Earth that it is on Mars. You would not have me think that there are two varieties of human nature on your planet, corresponding with the sexes, would you? You say ‘woman’s’ spiritual fibre and fine moral sense, as though she had an exclusive title to those qualities. My dear sir, it is impossible! you are all born of woman and are one flesh and one blood, whether you are male or female. I admit all you say about the unwholesome influence of such indulgence as wine drinking, late hours, questionable128 stories and songs, — a night’s debauch129, in fact, which it requires days sometimes to recover from, — but I must apply it to men as well as women; neither are at their best under such conditions. I think,” he went on, “that I begin to understand the distinction which you have curiously mistaken for a radical130 difference. Your women, you say, have always been in a state of semi-subjection — ”
“No, no,” I cried, “I never said so! On the contrary, they hold the very highest place with us; they are honored with chivalrous131 devotion, cared for with the tenderest consideration. We men are their slaves, in reality, though they call us their lords; we work for them, endure hardships for them, give them all that we can of wealth, luxury, ease. And we defend them from danger and save them every annoyance132 in our power. They are the queens of our hearts and homes.”
“That may all be,” he replied coolly, “but you admit that they have always been denied their political rights, and it follows that their social rights should be similarly limited. Long abstinence from the indulgences which you regard as purely133 masculine, has resulted in a habit merely, not a change in their nature.”
“Then thank heaven for their abstinence!” I exclaimed.
“That is all very well,” he persisted, “but you must concede that in the first place it was forced upon them, and that was an injustice134, because they were intelligent beings and your equals.”
“They ought to thank us for the injustice, then,” I retorted.
“I beg your pardon! they ought not. No doubt they are very lovely and innocent beings, and that your world is the better for them. But they, being restricted in other ways by man’s authority, or his wishes, or by fear of his disfavor perhaps, have acquired these gentle qualities at the expense of — or in the place of — others more essential to the foundation of character; I mean strength, dignity, self-respect, and that which you once attributed to my sister, — responsibility.”
I was bursting with indignant things which I longed to say, but my position was delicate, and I bit my tongue and was silent.
I will tell you one thing, my heart warmed toward my gentle countrywomen! With all their follies135 and frivolities, with all their inconsistencies and unaccountable ways, their whimsical fancies and petty tempers, their emotions and their susceptibility to new isms and religions, they still represented my highest and best ideals. And I thought of Elodia, sick upstairs from her last night’s carousal136, with contempt.
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varnished
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| 浸渍过的，涂漆的 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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agates
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| n.玛瑙( agate的名词复数 )；玛瑙制（或装有玛瑙的）工具； （小孩玩的）玛瑙纹玩具弹子；5。5磅铅字 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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alabaster
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| adj.雪白的；n.雪花石膏；条纹大理石 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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bracing
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tingle
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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calloused
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| adj.粗糙的，粗硬的，起老茧的v.（使）硬结，（使）起茧( callous的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）冷酷无情 | |
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infinitely
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mellowed
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rapture
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peculiar
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majestic
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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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scent
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splendor
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lining
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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25
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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26
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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27
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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28
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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29
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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30
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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31
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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32
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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33
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
burlesqued
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| v.（嘲弄地）模仿，（通过模仿）取笑( burlesque的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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36
redounded
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| v.有助益( redound的过去式和过去分词 )；及于；报偿；报应 | |
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37
harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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38
improvident
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| adj.不顾将来的，不节俭的，无远见的 | |
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39
systematically
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| adv.有系统地 | |
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40
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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41
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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43
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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44
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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45
equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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46
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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47
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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48
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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49
chiseled
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| adj.凿刻的，轮廓分明的v.凿，雕，镌( chisel的过去式 ) | |
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50
radius
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| n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限 | |
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51
carvings
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| n.雕刻( carving的名词复数 )；雕刻术；雕刻品；雕刻物 | |
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52
emblematic
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| adj.象征的，可当标志的；象征性 | |
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53
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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54
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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55
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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56
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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57
congregating
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的现在分词 ) | |
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58
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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59
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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60
emblems
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| n.象征，标记( emblem的名词复数 ) | |
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61
sumptuously
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| 奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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62
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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63
intruding
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| v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的现在分词)；把…强加于 | |
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64
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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65
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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66
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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67
paraphernalia
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| n.装备；随身用品 | |
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68
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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69
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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70
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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71
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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72
initiation
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| n.开始 | |
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73
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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74
fluted
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| a.有凹槽的 | |
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75
canopied
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| adj. 遮有天篷的 | |
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76
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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77
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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78
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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79
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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80
initiates
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| v.开始( initiate的第三人称单数 )；传授；发起；接纳新成员 | |
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81
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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82
bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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83
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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84
inverted
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| adj.反向的，倒转的v.使倒置，使反转( invert的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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86
flaring
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| a.火焰摇曳的，过份艳丽的 | |
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87
goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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88
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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89
elite
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| n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的 | |
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90
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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91
gatherings
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| 聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集 | |
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92
commonwealth
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| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
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93
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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94
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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95
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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96
quaff
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| v.一饮而尽；痛饮 | |
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97
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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98
salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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99
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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100
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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101
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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102
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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103
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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104
clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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105
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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106
alcove
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| n.凹室 | |
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107
fronds
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| n.蕨类或棕榈类植物的叶子( frond的名词复数 ) | |
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108
perspire
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| vi.出汗，流汗 | |
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109
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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110
secreting
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| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的现在分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
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111
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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112
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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113
abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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114
idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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115
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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116
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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117
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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118
observatory
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| n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台 | |
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119
equilibrium
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| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
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120
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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121
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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122
jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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123
dummy
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| n.假的东西；(哄婴儿的)橡皮奶头 | |
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124
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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125
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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126
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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127
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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128
questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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129
debauch
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| v.使堕落，放纵 | |
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130
radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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131
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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132
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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133
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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134
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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135
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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136
carousal
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| n.喧闹的酒会 | |
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