The landlord had joined me in a bottle well-laced with brandy, and being of a lively and generous disposition8 had furnished another himself. 'Twas a lonely inn that stood on the border of the moor9, and says he that he was mightily10 gratified to be in company.
So 'twas with a full belly11 and a merry heart that I turned into the welter of the night. 'Twas rarely cold, and I whistled as I went, though the breath of my nostrils12 went up like reek13. Now[258] I was in the mind, being amply loaded and light-spirited, to be amiable15 with the devil himself, if so be he should come that way, though 'twas, for sure, not the night for him. Certainly I was not thinking of rumpadding any mortal man, but would have taken him to my bosom16 for a fellow-traveller. For 'tis a vulgar error to suppose that gentlemen of the road are for ever with an eye to goldfinches. Money is muck for us as often as not, at least to such of us as maintain a proper dignity. But as for Dan Creech and his lousy pack, or that much-boasted Jeremy Starbottle, why, they are no better than common cutpurses or tally-thieves. No; to ride the high toby has its obligations as well as its privileges, and on that Christmas Eve, damme, the whole world and his wife might have gone secure for me.
Well in this humour, despite of the night, I rode on, sometimes at a jog, but mostly at a walk, for the snow was heavier as I reached the moor. Upon the stretch of broken land it lay uneven17, for I suppose 'twas caught by the rough winds on that upland heath and blown into the hollows, and upon the furze and thorn. But the continuous spread of whiteness had absorbed the road, and Calypso had to feel her way mighty18 patiently. 'Twas thus we arrived at the cross-roads near the middle of the moor,[259] where the ways divide 'twixt Bollingham and Messiter; and reining19 in on the impulse, to make sure of my path, I perceived even through the blackness another figure on horseback under the sign-post.
"Is't anyone?" says a voice, pretty clear.
"Ay," says I, "'tis a traveller."
"Is there a village near by?" says he out of the dark.
"Within three miles two upon either road," said I.
"I am bound for Bath," says he, "and have met with a mishap20 this cursed night," and began to deliver oaths as they had been sword-thrusts in a duello. Now I can tolerate a man that has been put to sore discomfort21 and is enraged22, and as for a few mouth-filling oaths, why, they are neither here nor there. But there was something in the way of his voice, manner and address that grated on me, and so I answered him pretty coolly.
"Well, you can take your choice of roads with an easy heart," I said.
"Look ye here," says he, after a moment. "From what I catch of you through your voice, my man, you should be a sturdy fellow. What think you of carrying a message for help to the village for a guinea-piece. 'Twill serve[260] you with good wine, mulled ale, or a doxy, I'll warrant."
That maddened me for all my good humour, to be taken for granted as a common fetch-and-carry, and to be so addressed like a footboy by his grace. I heard insolence23 and overbearing in his accent, and I would have sworn patronage24 and contempt was in his face.
"Be damned!" says I, angrily, "I am no lackey26. Find your own village," says I.
At that he uttered an oath. "You are impudent27!" said he, and moved his horse nearer, as though he would take action. But, Lord, I was awaiting him, and this muckworm would have eaten snow in two minutes had he so ventured. But prudence28 came to him, so he hesitated. "Ye're the sort of man that is the better of the whip and the pillory," says he. "Rogue29, were it not for the darkness I would beat you for your insolence."
"Damme, what's amiss with the darkness?" said I. "For sure I can well make out your ugly body against the snow. 'Tis a monstrous30, unsightly blackness against so much innocent whiteness." He cursed me, and then dug his rowels into his nag25 so deeply that the poor beast started and reared. But that was enough for me, for I hate to see a[261] creature that is so kindly31 in its services so mishandled; and so says I, driving at him,—
"Rip me, you muckworm, I'll give you that which will recall this moor to you. Deliver, damn ye!" says I, "or I'll make you food for maggots;" and I had the barker at his head ere he knew what had happened.
Well, he made much ado, but 'twas of no avail, for I had the mastery from the outset, and he was perforce obliged to plumb32 his pockets, the which yielded but a score of guineas and a ring or so. But that was of no consequence to me, for I had no care for his money, merely for his discomfiture33, along of his arrogance34.
As I left him, foully35 imprecating, I threw a laughing word at him. "Messiter," says I, "lies on the left, and Bollingham to the right. Turn round three times, my cock, and choose which you will," whereat I rode laughing into the darkness, yet ere I did so I saw him savagely36 wheel into the Messiter Road, cutting viciously at his horse.
As for me, I rode on, singing cheerfully enough, for the encounter had warmed my blood, and I no longer felt the cold so greatly. But I had not got farther than a mile from the cross-roads when I was aware in the pause of my singing of a sound near by, of a voice that[262] called on the unquiet air, very faint and melancholy37. I reined38 in, and listened, and presently the cry came to me again from the right; and so, jumping off the mare, I left her in the road, standing39 obedient as she was used to do, and walked gingerly in that direction. I did not trust myself in that profound darkness and the treacherous40 snow, and, sure enough, I was right to be careful, for in a little I was plunged41 up to my waist in a hollow.
"Where are you?" I called aloud, and the voice, so clearly now a woman's, came back.
I made my way to it with difficulty, and soon solved the riddle42; here was a chaise wandered out of the road and buried in a deep drift, and by the body of the carriage a poor lady in the direst state of distress43 and terror.
"Why, madam," said I, "are ye alone?"
At which she broke out that her husband was gone for help, as was the postilion, but in different directions, and that they had took the horses, and that she, poor delicate creature, was thus solitary44 on a naked and solitary moor, with never even a wild-fowl to scream with her for company.
"Oh," says I, "we will soon mend that, madam, or call me catchpole," and I took hold of her. "Ye're in a drift, mistress," I said. "I'll give ye company, if ye will have[263] it, until your husband shall return"—and then all of a sudden it flashed upon me that her husband was he who had abused me so grossly, and whom I had rumpadded.
"Phew!" says I to myself, "why, here's a pretty comedy." But the lady was all that occupied my thoughts just then, and so I conducted her to the road, and encouraged her into talk as I did so, for she was in a terrible fluster45, what with the loneliness and the cold and the darkness.
"Now," says I, "what you need, madam, is a posset of hot brandy and a warm and virtuous46 couch," I says, "and with the help of my good nag here 'tis what you'll have."
"Oh, sir, you are very good," says she, tremulously. "You are good beyond Christian47 seeming."
That tickled48 me pleasantly, as you may think, and I was the more disposed to take charge of this poor creature thus left to starve of the perishing winds of heaven. It rains not clemency49 from December skies in this brisk isle50 of England. So says I, in a cheering voice,—
"I'll warrant you shall toast your toes and warm your stomach with victuals51 within the better part of an hour. Faith, pin your hopes[264] on me, mistress, and you shall not be disappointed. Tis not the first time Dick Ryder has comforted and succoured the fair. There's Dick's luck, madam."
She smiled in a weak way, but began to take some confidence, as I could see from the new note in her voice.
"Is it far, sir, to shelter?" she asked, and I told her there was an inn some two miles distant, at which she plucked up her heart once more, not knowing (bless her folly) that two miles on that wild moor, and with that drift of snow, was no matter for spoon-fed babes. But as chance had it, she made the discovery pretty quickly, and that through no fault or neglect of mine. For I put her upon Calypso—as gentle a mare, when needs be, as ever was straddled; and, sure enough, she was straddled now. For my lady could keep no seat otherwise, and so says I to her, if she would play the man for the nonce we should maybe be the sooner out of our troubles. 'Twas then for the first time that I saw there was good blood and spirit to her; for instead of crying out in protest that she could not, or she would not, or that she dared not, says she,—
"Oh, think you so?" and over she cocks her foot with the best grace in the world, and[265] a charming genuflexion to boot. "I fear I trouble you greatly," says she.
But, Lord, with such an one (duchess or doxy, dame52 or dirty-face) I would have gone to the farthest verge53 of trouble and made no odds54 of it. 'Tis spirit that ever has appealed to me.
Well, we were no sooner astir, Calypso pegging55 slowly along with me at her mouthpiece, than there comes over us a flurry of snow, driving full and hard in our faces, the which blinded me for the time. But when I recovered the mare was gone from the road and had took a step into a hollow. She staggered, and plump goes the lady over her head into the drift. I hauled her forth56, breathless as she was, and all she cried out when the wind was in her again was,—
"I fear I did not hold to her properly. I fear I am a bungler57."
"Bless your heart, no," says I. "It would have took a king's regiment58 to have sat that fall. You do mighty well," said I, "and I'd wring59 his nose that said no to that;" with which I assisted her once more into the saddle.
What with the drift and the darkness, and the squalls of snow, it was an hour and more before we reached the inn which lay on the road to Bollingham. Arrived here I rapped[266] out the landlord, who was surprised to see me returned—"not but what you are wise," says he. But when he saw the lady and heard my tale he was, being a decent kindly fellow, all of a bustle60. Madam was all a-wet from her sojourn61 in the snow, to say nothing of her tumble, and so she was set afore a great fire in the ingle to dry herself, which she did with sincere appreciation62, the while the host prepared supper. She sat there, her hands extended, drawing in deep breaths of comfort from the grateful blaze, and I watched her. Twas the first I had seen of her face, which was of a delicate beauty, pink from the whipping wind, and crowned with disordered hair. I judged she was of a quality deemed proper in courts, and she was young withal. Presently says she, looking round at me with bright soft eyes,—
"Do you think," said she, "that my husband has reached safety?"
"Why, yes," said I, "for though he be not here, he may have taken the other road and be at Messiter," the which I knew it was likely he had done.
"Oh!" said she, as if thinking, and said no more.
But nearby after that supper was served, and madam was set to take in company with[267] your faithful servant, by your leave! Not but what I have not often supped with the quality, ay, and made merry with them too, man and woman, and of all ages; for we are served in our calling with strange accidents. Yet I will confess that to be seated there at table with her tickled me handsomely, and I fell to with a will. But the lady showed little appetite, and had an anxious look, and thought I that she was troubled for her husband; but I soon made out that she was not so concerned, for said I, to stimulate63 her,—
"Maybe he is supping like us in a cosy64 room at Messiter."
"Oh!" said she, and I saw her mind had come back from another quarter. "He is like to sup and be comfortable wherever he is. He will emerge scatheless65;" and there was that in her tone which was all but a sneer66.
"Oh, well, damn the husband," says I to myself, "I take no interest in him;" and I gave my attention to the lady. The glow had now receded67 from her face, leaving it pale, according to what I took to be its true habit, and she answered in a pleasant and engaging way, with an emphasis of her gratitude68 for my assistance. But this I pooh-poohed[268] in curt69 terms, for I was more than repaid for my trouble by the figure she cut over against the board, and the honour she did me. And I was in the midst of rebuffing her thanks for the third time when the door opened from the flagged passage and a man entered.
He was followed by the innkeeper, suave70 and bowing, and the first thing was that madam says, in an even, pleasant voice,—
"So you are behind us after all, Charles." At that I studied him the closer, for it must be her husband, and perhaps he that had put an affront71 on me, and I knew for certain who he was when he spoke72.
"It seems so," said he, scowling73 at me; and then "Why did you not wait? I found you gone from the chaise."
"It was so cold. I was chilled to death," she answered, "and this gentleman happened upon me, and was so good as to offer me his services for a rescue."
He turned a glowering74, arrogant75 eye on me, but said nothing at the moment, save a demand to the innkeeper to fetch mulled wine. Now, 'twas clear he was in ignorance of my identity, and so I was emboldened76 to make trial of him, maybe, you will say, with some rashness; but I have ever found the boldest course is the wisest.
[269]
"Perhaps, sir," said I, "you will honour me with a share of this bottle in the meanwhile."
He hesitated, and then lowered his eyes. "I thank you, no, sir," he returned briefly77, and sat down to the fire to wait.
His ungraciousness nettled78 me, all the more that he thus deranged79 the comfort of his own lady, who was manifestly put about by his incivility. Seeing that he knew not I had rumpadded him he might have thrown thanks at me for her care, even if 'twere only as you may throw coins at a beggar. But not he. He sat and frowned, and then looked up at her.
"The next time I pray you will have faith and patience to remain where you are set, my lady," says he, curtly80.
"Why, husband—" she began, but I broke in, for I was infuriate with his grossness of manner.
"Look you, sir," said I, "would you have a tender lady bare to the snow and sour winds to await your convenience? Sink me, I should be glad to think she was warming of her ankles, what fate soever came to mine."
"Your opinion," said he, pompously81, and looking at me inquisitively82, "is naturally of weight, sir."
He was a full-faced, big-nosed man, with small eyes, and a hard mouth, but was manifestly[270] of some dignity from his dress and style.
"Sir Charles," says she, with a little pride in her voice, "you forget my plight83. I should have perished but for this good gentleman."
"Humph," says this pig, puffing84 out his nostrils, and leaned over the fire to warm himself, but cast narrow glances at me.
But here comes in mine host with the wine, and Sir Charles (if that was his name) sits to the table, and takes a draught85, which served to loosen his tongue.
"These roads," says he, "do no credit to your country, my man."
"Sir, they are such as we must endure," says the innkeeper.
"They are a disgrace to any country," says he; "they are the haunt of thieves and cut-throats," he says, and thumped86 on the table.
"Why, I've heard of none, your honour," says the fellow.
"I tell you, sir," he went on, "that no more than a mile or so from here I was stopped by a ruffian and robbed—yes, robbed, sir; and you boast of your secure roads. I am a justice and will see to it when I reach London."
"Lord, sir, you say not so?" said the innkeeper, and the lady called out in surprise,
[271]
"Robbed, Charles; why, what is this?"
"Stopped and robbed," says the man, with emphasis on his words and looking from one to another of us. "Stopped and robbed by a dastard87 with pistols and swords, when I had been looking for a friendly voice in the night and the snow—rings, guineas and all," he says, addressing his wife.
"I have my purse," says she, fumbling88 in her bodice with nervous fingers.
"I will bring down the law on this wretched place," he declared formidably, ignoring her. "I will see that his Majesty's processes do clean these parts of the gentry89, and of all who harbour them," he added, with suspicious beady eyes on the innkeeper.
"Nay90, sir, there is no house on this road but what is honest," says he, hastily.
"Why," says Sir Charles, as importantly as if he were examining a prisoner, "this fellow must have come from here, and no doubt was in waiting for me. You cannot deny it."
"There was none such here, sir, all the day," says the landlord, humbly91; "there was none but honest folk."
"Ah, but how mark you the difference?" he asked triumphantly92. "I ask you, how do you discriminate93? Does a man wear his virtue94 on his nose?" And at that, looking at[272] his blobbed nose, I chuckled95 to myself, for I minded in no way that he was thus cross-questioning the taverner. Lord, I would not have cared two sucking straws for such as he. So I broke in,—
"There is some that has an honest look," said I, "and there's some that wants it."
"That is so," said the lady. "'Twere easy to tell the difference."
"You are very confident," said he, sourly, "and maybe then you could read the faces in this room, madam?"
She glanced about her with a flush at his rudeness. "I think there is no question of this room," she answered.
He said nothing, but shot a glance at me, and then took a draught of wine.
"And how was it this kind gentleman happened upon you, Betty?" he asked.
"Sir, 'twas a delicate voice, as of a lamb bleating96 in the cold darkness, that I heard, and went for to rescue," I answered him coolly.
"Oh!" he says, and looked at the table as if thinking. "And whence came you?" he asked bluntly.
Now it entered into my mind then for the first time that he had conceived a suspicion of me. It was true that his bearing might be part of his customary gross conduct, but 'twas[273] possible that his questions were pursuing some point. And so, as the landlord was gone from the room, I said indifferently, "I am from Bristol and go south for Taunton."
"Ho!" he said, "then you came along the road after me?"
"Very like," I said with the same indifference97. "I know not which way you came, as the chaise was buried deep in the drift."
"That brings to my memory," said he, rising, "a neglected duty. The postilion must take aid to rescue the carriage;" and he marched to the door with his heavy gait and determined98 mien99.
When he was gone I looked across at the lady, but she avoided my eye, embarrassed (I made no doubt) by her husband's arrogant behaviour. And now I recalled that 'twas high time for me to be on my way after this interlude, and I put my hand into my pocket to bring forth a coin wherewith to discharge my reckoning. And I pulled out a handful of guineas. As I was picking out one I heard an exclamation100, and raising my eyes, perceived that the lady was staring in astonishment101 at my hand.
"Where got you that?" she asked in an excitement, pointing with her hand. "Where got you that ring?"
[274]
And then to my chagrin102 I saw that I had pulled out some of the jewellery I had took from Sir Charles. "That?" says I, thinking to gain time. "Why that?"
"The ring I gave my husband," she almost whispered across the table, and her eyes met mine. In them suddenly arose a light of understanding, and of something else commingled103. Damme, I am not ashamed to ply14 the high toby, but there is some matters that do not concern women, and which they do not understand. She turned of a red glow to her neck. "What—you?" she murmured faintly. "It was you?"
And I, like a fool, had never a word, but sat glum104 and still, staring at her. To look at her it would have seemed that she it was that had took the ring and been discovered.
"Oh, why did you that?" she asked in her low voice. "Was it that you were in need?"
"Faith, no," said I, with a laugh, and never attempting to deny. "There's a plenty of King's pictures to my pockets. But if ye will have it, 'twas his voice annoyed me. I thought 'twas any man's duty and right to take toll105 of such complacency."
She eyed me sadly, as I hate to be eyed. I can endure the devil's own temper, and a[275] scold's tongue (for I have my own cure for them), but tears, and shining eyes, and melancholy looks—I cannot abide106 'em. So says I gruffly,—
"Ye are welcome to them back. I have no use for them. Maybe 'twill teach him a lesson in manners, and that will serve;" whereat I turned the contents of my pocket upon the table and thrust them towards her. She sat looking at the gold and the jewels for some moments in silence, while I looked at her. She was, I'll warrant, a pious107 good woman, and though such are not generally to my taste, I can appreciate ripe goodness and beauty, and it irked me to think of her being bound with such a surly and unmannerly boar. But presently, with a start, she put out her hands and began to collect the pieces with fever in her haste, glancing fearfully at the door; and no sooner had she disposed of them than in stalks my portentous108 friend, with an ugly look on his phiz.
"You come from Bristol, sir," says he in a loud voice, "and maybe can explain why you set forth for Taunton from this very house two hours agone by the Bristol Road?"
I gave him a steady stare, for it was plain to me now how he had come by his information, and that he had been questioning the[276] innkeeper about me. It mattered not a rap to me, for he could prove nothing against me, and even if he had, I would have kissed the beam if I could not have settled with that hulking dung-fork. So said I equably,—
"Why the devil should I explain to you?"
"Well, to the justices, if you like it better," said he with an angry snort. "I had a notion that I recognised that voice, and now I know it for certain. You are the thief that made me deliver in the snow on the heath. You have stolen my guineas and my jewels."
Now, he had no witnesses against me, and it would have been the easiest thing in the world to have deceived him, and played him off, and got him into a tangle109 of fact and evidence and imaginings. But, bless me, ere I could get fairly started upon the sally the poor lady darts110 in and shoves the fat in the fire.
"Oh, Charles," she cried trepidantly, going towards him, "this gentleman has preserved my life. I pray you forget not that. 'Tis Christmas Eve," says she, "'tis the eve of our Lord's birth, and should teach us mercy. Sir Charles," she says, poor thing, a-bleating, "as you hope for Christ's compassion111 for yourself visit not this short-coming[277] on one that has shown himself so full of tenderness and pity."
"The devil!" thinks I to myself, pulling a lugubrious112 face. "She plays King's prosecutor113 to me. What's to do?"
"Stand aside," says he to her sharply, and glowering on me. But I looked him in the phiz with a smile; I was not incommoded by this silly business, not I. "You make no denial," said he, restraining himself with an effort, as I could see. "You are a ruffianly gallows-bird. You shall hang."
"Oh, Charles," pleaded the poor lady in despair, "he has made restitution114. Here's all that was yours—rings, guineas and all. Spare him, I implore115 you, for his kindness and consideration to me."
"He showed me nice consideration," said he, with a sneer, for he was now confident and a-swagger; "we will dispose of him with as gentle a consideration, madam."
And at that he moved to the door, I doubt not to summon the landlord; but I stepped in his way, for I was tired of his mustard looks and arrogance.
"Rot me," said I, "you mistake my kidney. If 'tis a gentleman of the road you have to deal with, you have yet to learn his quality."
[278]
He drew himself up, while the lady looked at me breathless. He was a vastly bigger man than I, but I drew my toasting-fork.
"Madam," said I to the lady, "you have a great heart, but it breaks itself too readily. I would not have that ample heart for half the kingdom. I'll warrant it troubles you. Here you be fretting116 yourself over this poor carcase which is worth no tears nor tremors117, and moreover can look after itself; and I will swear you waste your blood and tissue on this same hulk that I must spit, damn him! Sir," says I to the man, "if ye will stand aside I will learn you to toast or roast as you will, your toes and midriff, afore this fire; but if ye will not you shall taste the sawdust under the table. For I have an appointment in Bristol, and I wait no man's pleasure."
"You threaten me," says he, haughtily118, and pulled out his sword.
"Oh, no," says I, "'tis but a plain statement. Will ye go by or go down? Choose ye."
For answer he came at me, for the man was no coward, and did not lack spirit; and we were presently engaged in the discharge of thrusts. He plied119 his blade not unskilfully, but, Lord, I have learned in a rough school, and 'twas not long ere I was under the cully's[279] guard and took him in the ribs120. He collapsed121 like a log, and the lady uttered a scream, and flying to him bent122 over him. I dropped my point.
"Faith, my lady," said I, "'tis no more than letting of some of that superfluous123 blood that animates124 him. 'Twill fetch down his proud stomach, the which he needs. Let him bleed. 'Twill serve your turn also."
"Sir," says she, remembering me, even in her trouble and confusion, "you were best to go. Fly, fly! 'twas not your fault. He attacked you. Fly!"
Dear heart, there was none in those parts and on that night that might aspire125 to stop or catch Dick Ryder; but she knew not that, the innocent. I bowed to her.
"Give ye good cheer, madam," said I; "maybe I have served you better than ye think, first with the cold night, and second with the eclipse of this hot blood."
She threw me a wistful, wondering and pitiful glance, and then a groan126 drew her attention to her husband and she stooped over him tenderly.
At that I swung out of the door and sought my horse; and as I mounted Calypso, says I to the innkeeper, who attended me all unconscious, "I have stuck a point in that[280] muckworm's shoulder," says I, "and ye had better relieve the lady's fears; but," says I, as I rode off, "if I had stuck it in his gizzard, as I had a mind to do, 'twould have served her better." And with that I plunged into the wind and snow of the night.
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1
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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2
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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sleet
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| n.雨雪；v.下雨雪，下冰雹 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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8
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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uneven
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| adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的 | |
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18
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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19
reining
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的现在分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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20
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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21
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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22
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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23
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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24
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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25
nag
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| v.(对…)不停地唠叨；n.爱唠叨的人 | |
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26
lackey
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| n.侍从；跟班 | |
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27
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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28
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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29
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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30
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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31
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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32
plumb
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| adv.精确地，完全地；v.了解意义，测水深 | |
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33
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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34
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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35
foully
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| ad.卑鄙地 | |
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36
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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37
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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38
reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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39
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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40
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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41
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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42
riddle
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| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
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43
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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44
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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45
fluster
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| adj.慌乱，狼狈，混乱，激动 | |
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46
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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47
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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48
tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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49
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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50
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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51
victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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52
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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53
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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54
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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55
pegging
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| n.外汇钉住，固定证券价格v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的现在分词 )；使固定在某水平 | |
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56
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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57
Bungler
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| n.笨拙者，经验不够的人 | |
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58
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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59
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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60
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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61
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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62
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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63
stimulate
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| vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋 | |
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64
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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65
scatheless
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| adj.无损伤的，平安的 | |
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66
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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67
receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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68
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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69
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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70
suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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71
affront
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| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
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72
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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73
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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74
glowering
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| v.怒视( glower的现在分词 ) | |
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75
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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76
emboldened
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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78
nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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79
deranged
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| adj.疯狂的 | |
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80
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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81
pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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82
inquisitively
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| 过分好奇地； 好问地 | |
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83
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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84
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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85
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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86
thumped
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| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
dastard
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| n.卑怯之人，懦夫；adj.怯懦的，畏缩的 | |
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88
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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89
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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90
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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91
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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92
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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93
discriminate
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| v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待 | |
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94
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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95
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
bleating
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的现在分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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97
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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98
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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99
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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100
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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101
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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102
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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103
commingled
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| v.混合，掺和，合并( commingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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105
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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106
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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107
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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108
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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109
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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110
darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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111
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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112
lugubrious
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| adj.悲哀的，忧郁的 | |
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113
prosecutor
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| n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人 | |
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114
restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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115
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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116
fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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117
tremors
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| 震颤( tremor的名词复数 )； 战栗； 震颤声； 大地的轻微震动 | |
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118
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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119
plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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120
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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121
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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122
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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123
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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124
animates
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| v.使有生气( animate的第三人称单数 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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125
aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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126
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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