After we had left the Bodmin Moors, we came upon those situated in the parish of Altarnun, and these were, if possible, less cheerful than the other, for on our right hand rose a ghastly-looking hill on which nothing grew, and whose gray, forbidding rocky peaks made us long to get into civilized20 regions again. By and by, however, after passing through a hamlet called Bolven Tor we came to Altarnun, where we rested for nearly two hours, and then made our way towards Launceston.
It was quite dark when we entered the town, so I was able to form but little conception of it. Even in the darkness, however, I could see the dim outline of a huge building lifting its dark head into the night sky.
"Launceston Castle!" remarked one of my companions.
"Am I to stop there?" I asked. "Is it a prison?"
"I don't know exactly," was the reply; "you'll find out soon enough for your own comfort, I dare say."
Upon this we came up to a high wall which was covered with ivy21, and behind which great trees grew. The sight of the walls was oppressive enough, but the trees looked like old friends, and reminded me of the great oaks which grew around Trevanion.
"Here's a door," cried one, "let's knock."[Pg 254] Whereupon the fellow knocked loudly, and soon afterwards I heard the sound of footsteps.
"What want you?" said a voice.
"A prisoner," was the reply.
"Take him to the lock-up," was the answer. "This is not the place for constables22 to bring drunken men."
"If it please you, we be not constables," replied one of my companions. "We have come from my Lord Falmouth, with a prisoner of quality, and I carry important papers."
"But it is not for me to examine them," replied the voice, "and Master Hugh Pyper is gone to a supper to-night at South Petherwin, and God only knows when he will be back. Moreover, when he comes I much doubt whether he will be fit to read such papers."
"In Heaven's name, why?"
"Because Sir Geoffry Luscombe keeps the best wine in the county, and because whenever Master Hugh Pyper goes there he thinks he is bound by conscience not to leave until he has drunk until he can drink no more."
"And this Master Hugh Pyper is the constable23 and keeper of the jail and castle? I know he is, for such is the name written on my papers."
"Well, I will open the door," grumbled24 the man from within, "but I wish you had chosen some other time. To-morrow morning, up to twelve o'clock, Master Pyper will be asleep, and from then until late to-morrow night he will give no man a civil word. You say your prisoner is a man of quality?"
[Pg 255]
"That he is."
"All the same, I shall have to put him into a common jail until Master Pyper is able to read what you have brought."
We passed through the door as he spoke25, and the man who had been speaking, and who held a lantern in his hand, looked at me keenly.
"I wish gentlefolk would keep out of trouble," he grumbled; "if they did, I should keep out of trouble. Master Pyper is always in a villainous temper whenever a man of quality is made prisoner. But come this way."
I expected to be taken to the castle itself, but in this I was mistaken. South of this ancient pile, and away from the main structure, I noticed a long low building, towards which I was led. The man who held the lantern gave a whistle, whereupon another fellow appeared on the scene.
"All quiet, Jenkins?" he asked.
"Oal gone to slaip, sur. They've been braave and noisy, but they be oal right now."
"You have an empty cell?"
"Iss, Mr. Lethbridge, there es wawn."
"Open it."
A few seconds later I had entered an evil-smelling hole, which as far as I could see was about eight feet square and five feet high. On one side was a heap of straw, in another a bench.
"Are you hungry?" asked the man called Lethbridge.
"I was before I entered this hole," I replied. "I cannot eat here."
[Pg 256]
"There have been as good as you who have eaten there," he replied. Then, after hesitating a second, he went on, "You would like to pay for a decent supper I expect."
"For the whole lot of you if we can have a clean place," was my answer.
Mr. Lethbridge looked around. "Every man is innocent until he is proved guilty," he remarked sententiously, "and thus before trial every prisoner is allowed certain privileges. Come back again, sir."
I therefore accompanied him to what seemed like a tower, situated southwest of the gate at which he had entered.
"This is the Witch's Tower," remarked Mr. Lethbridge. "A witch was once burnt here, but she will not disturb us. John Jenkins, you know where to get a good supper. The best you know!" The man gave a grin and walked away in evident good humour.
"John Jenkins is always willing to do little errands," remarked Mr. Lethbridge, "and he only expects a trifle. The people to whom he's gone will send a good supper and not be unreasonable26. Do not be downhearted, sir."
Bad as was my condition, I was cheered at the thought of a good meal which might be eaten amidst clean surroundings, and although the room under the Witch's Tower was not cheerful, it was dry and clean. A few minutes later a decent supper was brought, of which we all partook heartily27. Mr. Lethbridge was the best trencherman among us, although he assured us at starting[Pg 257] that having had supper he would be able to eat nothing. The amount of wine he consumed, too, was astounding28, especially as he was constantly telling us that unlike his master, Hugh Pyper, the Governor of the Castle, he was but an indifferent drinker. Presently, however, when both he and the men who had escorted me from Trevanion had become fairly drunk, I was informed that I might stay in the Witch's Tower for the night, while they would go to Mr. Lethbridge's lodge29 and drink my health in some more wine that they would order in my name.
I was glad to be rid of them, for dreary30 and lonely as the Witch's Tower was, Jenkins had brought some straw for me to lie on, and I felt very tired. I could not sleep, however. I had too many things to think about, for in truth the events of the last few days were beyond my comprehension. I was weary with wondering, too. In spite of myself I had become enmeshed in a network of mysteries, and, seemingly without reason, my very life might be in danger. But more than all, I was ignorant concerning the fortunes of the maid Nancy Molesworth, and I would have given up willingly the thing dearest to me on earth to know of her safety.
I will not try to write down all my anxieties, and hopes, and fears. I will not try to tell of the mad feelings which possessed31 me, of the wild projects I dreamed about, or of the love which grew hourly more ardent32, and yet more hopeless. Those who have read this history will, if the fires of youth run in their veins33, or if they remember[Pg 258] the time when they were young and buoyant, know what I longed for, and what I suffered.
The following morning Master Lethbridge came to me and informed me that my companions of the previous day had started on their journey home, and that in remembrance of my generosity34 of the previous night,—with a hint concerning his hopes of future favours,—he intended braving the governor's anger, and would allow me to occupy the Witch's Tower until such time as Master Hugh Pyper should be inclined to speak with me. He also assured me that he would allow me to walk about within the precincts of the castle walls, but warned me against any attempt at escape, as warders were constantly on the watch and would not hesitate to shoot me dead.
Although I did not believe this, I could not at that time see the wisdom in trying to escape, so I wandered round the castle grounds thinking over my condition and over my prospects35. It is true I had not seen Master Hugh Pyper, the governor of the Castle, but it was not difficult to see that he was somewhat lax of discipline. As for that matter, however, the place was, I suspect, no better and no worse governed than many other county prisons throughout the country. The jail itself, however, was a wretched, noisome36, evil-smelling place, where the convicted and unconvicted suffered alike, and I dreaded37 the thought of being removed from the Witch's Tower and placed in the common prison. I discovered that I might possibly have to stay two months in the place before my trial came off, as the spring[Pg 259] assizes were often delayed as late as the end of May, or even the beginning of June. It was, therefore, a matter of considerable anxiety to me as to the kind of man Hugh Pyper might prove to be, for on him would depend my well-being38. I remembered that my father had spoken of Sir Hugh Pyper, the grandfather of the present governor, who after the restoration of the monarchy39 was rewarded for his good service in the cause of the King by a grant of the castle as lessee41, and was made constable and keeper of the jail. I assumed that the position was hereditary42, and doubtless the present castle governor would be invested with large powers.
As to the place itself, apart from the unhealthy condition of the jail, it is fair, and long to be remembered. The castle stands on a fine eminence43, and is surrounded by several acres of land. Under ordinary circumstances I could have wished for no more pleasant place of residence. The spring leaves were bursting everywhere, and every plant and shrub44 gave promise that in a few days the country-side, which I could plainly see from the Witch's Tower, would be a scene of much beauty. My mind and heart, however, were so full of anxiety that I fretted45 and fumed46 beyond measure, and panted for freedom as a thirsty horse pants for water. I wanted to search for Nancy, to be assured of her safety, and to fight for her if needs be. I longed, too, to solve the many problems which faced me, not by quietly musing47 in solitude48, but by daring action in the world outside. For unlike some men, I can think[Pg 260] best when I have work to do. I cannot plan anything from the beginning. My mind is so ordered that I desire only to decide definitely on the first steps to be taken in any enterprise and then to be guided by circumstances.
I was brought before Master Hugh Pyper on the evening of the day after my imprisonment49, and at a glance I saw that he corresponded with the picture I had drawn50 of him from Lethbridge's description. That he fed well and drank much wine no one could fail to see. He was a big, burly man, too, and I thought not of a very cautious nature. The papers which had been signed by Viscount Falmouth lay before him as I entered the room where he sat, and which he had been evidently reading.
"Roger Trevanion," he cried, "I am sorry to see you here. Why, man alive, can't you see how foolish it is to oppose the King! God is always on the side of the kings, man, always. That's what my grandfather, Sir Hugh, always said, and that's what I always say. Stick to the reigning51 monarch40! I knew your father, too. A man with a proud temper, but a good fellow withal. He could drink well, could your father—drink all night—and then be as merry as a lark52 in the morning. I can't; I must have six good hours of sleep after as many with the bottle, and woe53 betide the man who disturbs me! but after that I am as gay as your father was. Now then, what have you been doing?"
"Nothing wrong," I replied quietly.
"But Boscawen shows a clear case against you.[Pg 261] If all this is proved at the assizes, by Gad54, your neck will stretch."
Upon this I spoke freely. I told Pyper that I was guilty of no treason, that circumstances seemed against me, but that King George had no truer subject than I. I made him believe me, too, for his manner became quite sympathetic.
"The Killigrews of Endellion!" he cried, when I had finished my history. "Ah, lad, they are as deep as Dozmary Pool and as full of evil. No one knows what they are. Some say they are no better than a gang of robbers, others that they are angels of light. One report hath it that they are plotting treason against the King, another that they spend their time in finding out traitors55 and bringing them to book. Sir John Dingle believes that they intend sailing with the wind. If the Pretender's cause fails, as doubtless it will, for England will have no high monarchy and no popery, these Killigrews will put in a strong plea for reward; but if this young Charles ousts56 King George, which God forbid, then they will prove that they have raised an army for him. But you can't catch 'em, Roger Trevanion. Did you ever catch eels57? I have; but it's slippery work, slippery work. You must sand your hands well, and then they are so slimy that they will slide through your fingers."
"I believe all that, and I know there is a prima facie case against me. But I dare not tell all." This I said hesitatingly, for I hardly knew my man.
"Daren't tell all; what do you mean?"
[Pg 262]
"Well, it is true I went to Endellion; true that I said many of the things laid to my charge, but my visit there had nothing to do with political matters."
"What then? A woman?"
I was silent, and I felt the hot blood rush to my face.
"A woman! ha! ha!" laughed Pyper. "But did you tell my Lord Falmouth of this?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I dared not, I feared to do her harm."
"But who is she? Tell me the history of the business. Look you, Trevanion, I am sorry you are here; I know your family—who doesn't?—and I should like to see you well out of this trouble. You see I am not treating you like a prisoner."
"I can tell you a little, but a very little," I replied. "Perhaps I ought to tell you more than I do; but I am bound by promises. I went to Endellion to carry away a lady from the house."
"By Gad, you did! and you succeeded, you dog?"
"I did."
"Who is the lady?"
Thereupon I told Pyper all I dared: enough, as I thought, to explain the position in which I was placed, but not enough to break my faith with Trevisa or to be of any service to the Killigrews.
"But why did you seek to take the maid away?"
"That I cannot tell at present," I replied.
He was thoughtful for a second, and I began to[Pg 263] see that Hugh Pyper had more brains that I had given him credit for; then he said:
"And the name of this maid, Roger Trevanion?"
I hesitated for a second.
"I think I know," he went on. "Is she not the child of Godfrey Molesworth?"
"Did you know him?" I asked
"Know him!" he cried, "well. Why the woman he married was some relation of the Killigrews, that is why old Colman became guardian58 of the child. The mother was Irish. Godfrey Molesworth went to Ireland to marry her."
"Was she a Catholic then?"
"Yes. There was much talk about it at the time, for Godfrey was a strong Protestant."
My heart gave a leap, for I remembered some words which had dropped from the lips of the Irish priest at Padstow. But I dared not mention them to Pyper, they might have serious issues and explain much. They must be pondered carefully, too.
After this, many more questions were asked and answered, but they led to nothing; neither need I write them down here. At the same time my further conversation with this florid-looking old governor of Launceston Castle revealed the fact that, in spite of his freedom in eating and drinking, he was a keen observer of men and things, and was not easily deceived.
"I must keep you here, Roger Trevanion," he said presently, "for I have my duty to perform; but I will make your stay here as pleasant as [Pg 264]possible. You shall not stay in the ordinary prison, but shall continue to occupy the Witch's Tower. As far as food is concerned, too, you shall be well supplied, even though I have to send it from my own table. But I am doubtful as to the future, lad."
"You think judge and jury will find me guilty?"
"It will be to the Killigrews' interest to be against you, I am afraid. As far as I can see, only one thing can save you."
"And that?" I cried eagerly.
"That the maid Nancy Molesworth shall appear on your behalf, and tell the truth concerning you."
"I do not know where she is."
"But you can find out. You know where you took her."
"No. She has left the place to which I took her, and no one knows whither she has gone."
He looked at me keenly for some seconds, as if trying to find out if there was anything behind the words I had spoken. Presently he said: "If I were you I would engage the keenest lawyer in Cornwall to find out, and so prepare a case."
"I have done that. I suppose he will be allowed to visit me?"
"Yes, I shall allow you to have visitors. But mind, my lad, I can allow no trying to escape. You are a dead man if you do!"
As I sat in the Witch's Tower afterwards, I pondered over what he had said. In truth, my case was more serious than I had thought. I saw that did I not speak out boldly my life was in [Pg 265]imminent danger, for the King was very bitter against those who appeared to side with the Pretender. To say that I longed for freedom would be but faintly to describe my feelings! Yet what could I do?
After I had been a prisoner for some time, I determined59 to try and escape. Every day the conviction grew upon me that the maid Nancy needed me. In my dreams I saw her hiding from her pursuers, I saw her at the mercy of the Killigrews, and when I awoke I thought I heard her crying to me to come and help her.
As the days went by, too, I became nervous. Lying alone in the silence of the Witch's Tower, and remembering all the stories I heard from Lethbridge concerning the life of the woman who had been burnt there, I became the prey60 of morbid61 fears. Often at night I thought I saw her lifting her skinny hands out of the fire which consumed her and fancied I could hear her dying cries. I, who had laughed at foolish superstitions62 and prided myself on my firm nerves, shuddered each day at the thought of the coming night, and when night came I suffered the torments63 of the lost.
And yet I dared not ask to leave the tower, for if I did I should doubtless be put in the common jail. Here not only would my surroundings be filthy64 and the atmosphere sickening, but I should be thrown into contact with the other prisoners.
Added to this, my chances of escape would be much lessened65, for the place was on the whole strictly66 guarded. Whereas while at the Witch's[Pg 266] Tower I was comparatively unmolested, I had a view of the world outside, and I thought I saw means whereby I might, if fortunate, obtain my liberty. To effect this I should have to bribe67 one of the jailers, and my plans would take several days to carry out. Nevertheless, if there was any chance of getting away from Launceston Castle, the fact of my occupying the dismal15 chamber68 I have mentioned gave it me.
I therefore determined to suffer all the ghastly spectres of the mind which came to me during the night rather than seek to exchange my prison.
When I had been at Launceston jail about three weeks I received information that a man was about to visit me. Wondering as to whom it might be, I awaited his coming eagerly. At first I thought it might be Mr. Hendy, the attorney, but I quickly discovered my mistake. It was not the lawyer's figure that I saw coming across the castle yard towards me. For the moment, indeed, I could not make out who my visitor was. He looked like a fairly prosperous yeoman, and was, as far as I could see, a stranger to me. But this was only for a minute. I quickly penetrated69 the evident disguise, and felt sure that the man was Otho Killigrew.
点击收听单词发音
1 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
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2 imprisoned | |
下狱,监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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3 custody | |
n.监护,照看,羁押,拘留 | |
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4 moors | |
v.停泊,系泊(船只)( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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5 dreariest | |
使人闷闷不乐或沮丧的( dreary的最高级 ); 阴沉的; 令人厌烦的; 单调的 | |
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6 awesome | |
adj.令人惊叹的,难得吓人的,很好的 | |
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7 desolate | |
adj.荒凉的,荒芜的;孤独的,凄凉的;v.使荒芜,使孤寂 | |
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8 bogs | |
n.沼泽,泥塘( bog的名词复数 );厕所v.(使)陷入泥沼, (使)陷入困境( bog的第三人称单数 );妨碍,阻碍 | |
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9 quagmires | |
n.沼泽地,泥潭( quagmire的名词复数 ) | |
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10 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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11 scoop | |
n.铲子,舀取,独家新闻;v.汲取,舀取,抢先登出 | |
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12 atone | |
v.赎罪,补偿 | |
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13 situated | |
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的 | |
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14 dismally | |
adv.阴暗地,沉闷地 | |
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15 dismal | |
adj.阴沉的,凄凉的,令人忧郁的,差劲的 | |
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16 custodians | |
n.看守人,保管人( custodian的名词复数 ) | |
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17 shuddered | |
v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 );发抖;(机器、车辆等)突然震动;颤动 | |
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18 revels | |
n.作乐( revel的名词复数 );狂欢;着迷;陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 );狂欢;着迷;陶醉 | |
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19 superstitious | |
adj.迷信的 | |
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20 civilized | |
a.有教养的,文雅的 | |
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21 ivy | |
n.常青藤,常春藤 | |
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22 constables | |
n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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23 constable | |
n.(英国)警察,警官 | |
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24 grumbled | |
抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 ); 发牢骚; 咕哝; 发哼声 | |
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25 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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26 unreasonable | |
adj.不讲道理的,不合情理的,过度的 | |
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27 heartily | |
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很 | |
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28 astounding | |
adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊,使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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29 lodge | |
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆 | |
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30 dreary | |
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的 | |
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31 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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32 ardent | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
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33 veins | |
n.纹理;矿脉( vein的名词复数 );静脉;叶脉;纹理 | |
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34 generosity | |
n.大度,慷慨,慷慨的行为 | |
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35 prospects | |
n.希望,前途(恒为复数) | |
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36 noisome | |
adj.有害的,可厌的 | |
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37 dreaded | |
adj.令人畏惧的;害怕的v.害怕,恐惧,担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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38 well-being | |
n.安康,安乐,幸福 | |
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39 monarchy | |
n.君主,最高统治者;君主政体,君主国 | |
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40 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
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41 lessee | |
n.(房地产的)租户 | |
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42 hereditary | |
adj.遗传的,遗传性的,可继承的,世袭的 | |
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43 eminence | |
n.卓越,显赫;高地,高处;名家 | |
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44 shrub | |
n.灌木,灌木丛 | |
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45 fretted | |
焦躁的,附有弦马的,腐蚀的 | |
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46 fumed | |
愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 ); 大怒; 发怒; 冒烟 | |
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47 musing | |
n. 沉思,冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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48 solitude | |
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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49 imprisonment | |
n.关押,监禁,坐牢 | |
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50 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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51 reigning | |
adj.统治的,起支配作用的 | |
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52 lark | |
n.云雀,百灵鸟;n.嬉戏,玩笑;vi.嬉戏 | |
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53 woe | |
n.悲哀,苦痛,不幸,困难;int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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54 gad | |
n.闲逛;v.闲逛 | |
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55 traitors | |
卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 ); 叛徒; 背叛者; 背信弃义的人 | |
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56 ousts | |
驱逐( oust的第三人称单数 ); 革职; 罢黜; 剥夺 | |
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57 eels | |
abbr. 电子发射器定位系统(=electronic emitter location system) | |
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58 guardian | |
n.监护人;守卫者,保护者 | |
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59 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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60 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
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61 morbid | |
adj.病的;致病的;病态的;可怕的 | |
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62 superstitions | |
迷信,迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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63 torments | |
(肉体或精神上的)折磨,痛苦( torment的名词复数 ); 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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64 filthy | |
adj.卑劣的;恶劣的,肮脏的 | |
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65 lessened | |
减少的,减弱的 | |
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66 strictly | |
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地 | |
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67 bribe | |
n.贿赂;v.向…行贿,买通 | |
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68 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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69 penetrated | |
adj. 击穿的,鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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