The cloud no bigger than a man's hand had risen.
It became visible to all in Washington over the southern horizon. All around to East and West was but the dull, dingy1 line of the storm that was soon to burst in wild fury over that section, leaving only seared desolation in its wake. Already the timid and wary2 began to take in sail and think of a port; while the most reckless looked from the horizon to each other's faces, with restless and uneasy glances.
In the days of 1860, as everybody knows, the society of Washington city was composed of two distinct circles, tangent at no one point. The larger, outer circle whirled around with crash and fury several months in each year; then, spinning out its centrifugal force, flew into minute fragments and scattered3 to extreme ends of the land. The smaller one—the inner circle—revolved4 sedately5 in its accustomed grooves6, moving no whit7 faster for the buzz of the monster that surrounded and half hid it for so long; and when that spun8 itself to pieces moved on as undisturbed as Werther's Charlotte.
The outer circle drew with it all the outside population, all the "dwellers9 in tents," from the busiest lobbyman to the laziest looker-on. All the "hotel people"—those caravans10 that yearly poured unceasing into the not too comfortable caravanserai down town—stretched eager hands toward this circle; for, to them, it meant Washington. Having clutched an insecure grasp upon its rim11, away they went with a fizz and a spin, dizzy and delighted—devil take the hindmost! Therein did the thousand lobbyists, who yearly came to roll logs, pull wires and juggle12 through bills, find their congenial prey14.
Who shall rise up and write the secret history of that wonderful committee and of the ways and means it used to prey impartially15 upon government and client? Who shall record the "deeds without a name," hatched out of eggs from the midnight terrapin16; the strange secrets drawn17 out by the post-prandial corkscrew? Who shall justly calculate the influence the lobby and its workings had in hastening that inevitable18, the war between the states?
Into this outer circle whirled that smaller element which came to the Capital to spend money—not to make it. Diamonds flash, point lace flounces flaunt19! Who will stop that mighty20 whirligig to inspect whether the champagne21 is real, or the turtle is prime?
Allons! le jeu est fait!
Camp-followers and hangers-on of Congress, many of its members from the West, claim agents from Kansas, husbandless married women from California and subterranean22 politicians from everywhere herein found elements as congenial as profitable. All stirred into the great olla podrida and helped to "Make the hell broth24 boil and bubble."
The inner circle was the real society of Washington. Half submerged for half of each year by accumulating streams of strangers, it ever rose the same—fresh and unstained by deposit from the baser flood. Therein, beyond doubt, one found the most cultured coteries25, the courtliest polish and the simplest elegance26 that the drawing-rooms of this continent could boast. The bench and the bar of the highest court lent their loftiest intellects and keenest wits. Careful selections were there from Congress of those who held senates on their lips and kept together the machinery27 of an expanding nation; and those "rising men," soon to replace, or to struggle with them, across the narrow Potomac near by. To this society, too, the foreign legations furnished a strong element. Bred in courts, familiar with the theories of all the world, these men must prove valuable and agreeable addition to any society into which they are thrown.
It is rather the fashion just now to inveigh28 against foreigners in society, to lay at their door many of the peccadilloes29 that have crept into our city life; but the diplomats30 are, with rare exceptions, men of birth, education and of proved ability in their own homes. Their ethics31 may be less strict than those which obtain about Plymouth Rock, but experience with them will prove that, however loose their own code, they carefully conform to the custom of others; that if they have any scars across their morals, they have also the tact32 and good taste to keep them decorously draped from sight.
In the inner circle of Washington were those officers of the army and navy, selected for ability or service—or possibly "by grace of cousinship"—to hold posts near the government; and, with full allowance for favoritism, some of these were men of culture, travel and attainment—most of them were gentlemen. And the nucleus33, as well as the amalgam34 of all these elements, was the resident families of old Washingtonians. These had lived there so long as to be able to winnow35 the chaff36 and throw the refuse off.
There has ever been much talk about the corruption37 of Washington, easy hints about Sodom, with a general sweep at the depravity of its social system. But it is plain these facile fault-finders knew no more of its inner circle—and for its resident society only is any city responsible—than they did of the court of the Grand Turk. Such critics had come to Washington, had made their "dicker," danced at the hotel hops38, and been jostled on the Avenue. If they essayed an entrance into the charmed circle, they failed.
Year after year, even the Titans of the lobby assailed39 the gates of that heaven refused them; and year after year they fell back, baffled and grommelling, into the pit of that outer circle whence they came. Yet every year, especially in the autumn and spring, behind that Chinese wall was a round of entertainments less costly40 than the crushes of the critic circle, but stamped with quiet elegance aped in vain by the non-elect. And when the whirl whirled out at last, with the departing Congress; when the howling crowd had danced its mad carmagnole and its vulgar echoes had died into distance, then Washington society was itself again. Then the sociality of intercourse—that peculiar41 charm which made it so unique—became once more free and unrestrained.
Passing from the reek42 of a hotel ball, or the stewing43 soiree of a Cabinet secretary into the quiet salon44 of a West End home, the very atmosphere was different, and comparison came of itself with that old Quartier Saint Germain, which kept undefiled from the pitch that smirched its Paris, through all the hideous45 dramas of the bonnet46 rouge47.
The influence of political place in this country has long spawned48 a social degradation49. Where the gift is in the hands of a fixed50 power, its seeking is lowering enough; but when it is besought51 from the enlightened voter himself, "the scurvy52 politician" becomes a reality painfully frequent. Soliciting53 the ballot54 over a glass of green corn juice in the back room of a country grocery, or flattering the cara sposa of the farmhouse55, with squalling brat56 upon his knee, is scarcely calculated to make the best of men more of "an ornament57 to society." Constant contact with sharpers and constant effort to be sharper than they is equally as apt to blunt his sense of delicacy58 as it is to unfit one for higher responsibilities of official station. So it was not unnatural59 that that society of Washington, based wholly on politics, was not found wholly clean. But under the seething60 surface—first visible to the casual glance—was a substratum as pure as it was solid and unyielding.
Habitues of twenty years remarked that, with all the giddy whirl of previous winters in the outer circle, none had approached in mad rapidity that of 1860-61. The rush of aimless visiting, matinées and dinners, balls and suppers, followed each other without cessation; dress and diamonds, equipage and cards, all cost more than ever before. This might be the last of it, said an uneasy sense of the coming storm; and in the precedent61 sultriness, the thousands who had come to make money vied with the tens who came to spend it in mad distribution of the proceeds. Madame, who had made an immense investment of somebody's capital in diamonds and lace, must let the world see them. Mademoiselle must make a certain exhibit of shapely shoulders and of telling stride in the German; and time was shortening fast. And Knower, of the Third House, had put all the proceeds of engineering that last bill through, into gorgeous plate. It would never do to waste it, for Knower meant business; and this might be the end of the thing.
So the stream rushed on, catching62 the weak and timid ones upon its brink63 and plunging64 them into the whirling vortex. And still the rusty65 old wheels revolved, as creakily as ever, at the Capital. Blobb, of Oregon, made machine speeches to the sleepy House, but neither he, nor they, noted66 the darkening atmosphere without. Senator Jenks took his half-hourly "nip" with laudable punctuality, thereafter rising eloquent67 to call Mr. President's attention to that little bill; and all the while that huge engine, the lobby, steadily68 pumped away in the political basement, sending streams of hot corruption into every artery69 of the government.
Suddenly a sullen70 reverberation71 echoes over the Potomac from the South. The long-threatened deed is done at last. South Carolina has seceded72, and the first link is rudely stricken from the chain.
There is a little start; that is all. The Third House stays for a second its gold spoon; and, perhaps, a trifle of the turtle spills before reaching its mouth. Madame rearranges her parure and smoothes her ruffled73 lace; while Mademoiselle pouts74 a little, then studies her card for the next waltzer. Senator Jenks takes his "nip" just a trifle more regularly; and Blobb, of Oregon, draws a longer breath before his next period. As for the lobby-pump, its piston75 grows red-hot and its valves fly wide open, with the work it does; while thicker and more foul76 are the streams it sends abroad.
For awhile there is some little talk around Willard's about the "secesh;" and the old soldiers wear grave faces as they pass to and fro between the War Department and General Scott's headquarters. But to the outer circle, it is only a nine-day wonder; while the dancing and dining army men soon make light of the matter.
But the stone the surface closes smoothly77 over at the center makes large ripples78 at the edges. Faces that were long before now begin to lengthen79; and thoughtful men wag solemn heads as they pass, or pause to take each other by the buttonhole. More frequent knots discuss the status in hotel lobbies and even in the passages of the departments; careful non-partisans keep their lips tightly closed, and hot talk, pro23 or con13, begins to grow more popular.
One day I find, per card, that the Patagonian Ambassador dines me at seven. As it is not a state dinner I go, to find it even more stupid. At dessert the reserve wears off and all soon get deep in the "Star of the West" episode.
"Looks mighty bad now, sir. Something must be done, sir, and soon, too," says Diggs, a hard-working M.C. from the North-west. "But, as yet, I don't see—what, exactly!"
"Will your government use force to supply Fort Sumter?" asks Count B., of the Sardinian legation.
"If so, it might surely drive out those states so doubtful now, that they may not go to extremes," suggested the Prussian chargé ad interim80.
"Why, they'll be whipped back by the army and navy within ninety days from date," remarks a gentleman connected with pension brokerage.
"If part of the army and navy does not go to get whipped with them," growls81 an old major of the famed Aztec Club. And the scar across the nose, that he brought away from the Belen Gate, grows very uncomfortably purple.
"By Jove! I weally believes he means it! Weally!" whispers very young Savile Rowe, of H.B.M. legation. "Let's get wid of these politics. Dwop in at Knower's; soiwee, you know;" and Savile tucks his arm under mine.
Two blocks away we try to lose uncomfortable ideas in an atmosphere of spermaceti, hot broadcloth, jockey club and terrapin.
"Next quadwille, Miss Wose?"
"Oh, yes, Mr. Rowe; and—the third galop—let me see—the fifth waltz. And oh! isn't it nasty of those people in South Carolina! Why don't they behave themselves? Oh, dear! what a lovely color Karmeen Sorser has to-night! Au revoir!" and Miss Rose Ruche glides82 off, à deux temps, on the arm of the Turkish chargé.
As I stroll through the rooms, there is much glaring light and there are many nude83 necks. I am jostled by polking damsels and button-holed by most approved bores. But, through the blare of the brass84 horns and over the steaming terrapin, the one subject rises again and again, refusing burial as persistently85 as Eugene Aram's old man.
"Try a glass of this punch," Knower chirps86 cheerily. "Devilish good punch! Good glass, too. See the crest87 and the monogram88 blowed in. Put Kansas Coal Contriver's Company proceeds into that glass. But things are looking blue, sir, devilish blue; and I don't see the way out at all. Fact is, I'm getting pretty down in the mouth!" And the lobbyist put a bumper89 of punch in the same position. "People may talk, sir, but my head's as long as the next, and I don't see the way out. Washington's dead, sir; dead as a hammer, if this secession goes on. Why, what'll become of our business if they move the Capital? Kill us, sir; kill us! Lots of southern members leaving already"—and Knower's voice sunk to a whisper—"and would you believe it? I heard of nine resignations from the army to-day. Gad90, sir! had it from the best authority. That means business, I'm afraid." And little by little the conviction dawned on all classes that it did mean business—ugly, real business. What had been only mutterings a few weeks back grew into loud, defiant91 speech. Southern men, in and out of Congress, banded under their leading spirits, boldly and emphatically declared what they meant to do. Never had excitement around the Capitol run half so high. Even the Kansas-Nebraska furore had failed to pack the Senate galleries so full of men and women, struggling for seats and sitting sometimes through the night. One after another the southern leaders made their valedictories—some calm and dignified92, some hot and vindictive—and left the seats they had filled for years. One after another, known and honored names were stricken from the army and navy lists, by resignation. One after another, states met in convention and, by "ordinance93 of secession," declared themselves independent of the Federal Government. It was as though the train had been prepared and the action of South Carolina was but the lighting94 of the fuse. Within six weeks from Mr. Buchanan's New Year reception, six states had deliberately95 gone out of the union.
When it was too late, the sleepy administration opened its eyes. Not liking96 the looks of things, it shut them again. When it was too late, there were windy declarations and some feeble temporizing97; but all thinking men felt that the crisis had come and nothing could avert98 it. The earthquake that had rumbled99 so long in premonitory throes suddenly yawned in an ugly chasm100, that swallowed up the petty differences of each side. One throb101 and the little lines of party were roughly obliterated102; while across the gulf103 that gaped104 between them, men glared at each other with but one meaning in their eyes.
That solemn mummery, the "Peace Congress," might temporarily have turned the tide it was wholly powerless to dam; but the arch seceder105, Massachusetts, manipulated even that slight chance of compromise. The weaker elements in convention were no match for the peaceful Puritan whom war might profit, but could not injure. Peace was pelted106 from under her olive with splinters of Plymouth Rock, and Massachusetts members poured upon the troubled waters oil—of vitriol!
When the "Peace Commissioners107" from the southern Congress at Montgomery came to Washington, all felt their presence only a mockery. It was too late! they came only to demand what the government could not then concede, and every line they wrote was waste of ink, every word they spoke108 waste of breath. Southern congressmen were leaving by every train. Families of years residence were pulling down their household gods and starting on a pilgrimage to set them up—where they knew not, save it must be in the South. Old friends looked doubtfully at each other, and wild rumors109 were rife110 of incursions over the Potomac by wild-haired riders from Virginia. Even the fungi111 of the departmental desks, seeming suddenly imbued112 with life, rose and threw away their quills—and with them the very bread for their families—to go South. It was the modern hegira113!
A dull, vague unrest brooded over Washington, as though the city had been shadowed with a vast pall114, or threatened with a plague. Then when it was again too late, General Scott—"the general," as the hero of Lundy's Lane and Mexico was universally known—virtually went into the Cabinet, practically filling the chair that Jefferson Davis had vacated. Men felt that they must range themselves on one side, or the other, for the South had spoken and meant what she said. There might be war; there must be separation!
I was lounging slowly past the rampant115 bronze Jackson in Lafayette Square when Styles Staple116 joined me.
"When do you start?" was his salutation.
"When do I start?" Staple's question was a sudden one.
"Yes, for the South? You're going of course; and the governor writes me to be off at once. Better go together. Eh? Night boat, 4th of March."
Now the governor mentioned was not the presiding executive of a southern state, but was Staple pére, of the heavy cotton firm of Staple, Long & Middling, New Orleans. Staple fils had been for years a great social card in Washington. The clubs, the legations, the avenues and the german knew him equally well; and though he talked about "the house," his only visible transaction with it was to make the name familiar to bill-brokers by frequent drafts. So I answered the question by another:
"What are you going to do when you get there?"
"Stop at Montgomery, see the Congress, draw on 'the house,' and then t' Orleans," he answered cheerfully. "Come with me. Lots to see; and, no doubt, about plenty to do. If this sky holds, all men will be wanted. As you're going the sooner the better. What do you say? Evening boat, March 4th? Is it a go?"
It gave only two days for preparation to leave what had come nearer being home that any other place in a nomadic117 life. But he was right. I was going, and we settled the matter, and separated to wind up our affairs and take congé.
The night before President Lincoln's inauguration118 was a restless and trying one to every man in Washington. Nervous men heard signal for bloody119 outbreak in every unfamiliar120 sound. Thoughtful ones peered beyond the mist and saw the boiling of the mad breakers, where eight millions of incensed121 and uncontrolled population hurled122 themselves against the granite123 foundation of the established government. Selfish heads tossed upon sleepless124 pillows, haunted by the thought that the dawn would break upon a great change, boding125 ruin to their prospects126, monetary127 or political. Even the butterflies felt that there was a something impending128; incomprehensible, but uncomfortably suggestive of work instead of pleasure. So Washington rose red-eyed and unrefreshed on the 4th of March, 1861.
Elaborate preparations had been made to have the day's ceremonial brilliant and imposing129 beyond precedent. Visiting militia130 and civil organizations from every quarter—North, East and West—had been collecting for days, and meeting reception more labored131 than spontaneous. The best bands of the country had flocked to the Capital, to drown bad blood in the blare of brass; and all available cavalry132 and artillery133 of the regular army had been hastily rendezvoused134, for the double purpose of spectacle and security. Still the public mind was feverish135 and unquiet; and the post commandant was like the public mind.
Rumors were again rife of raids over the Potomac, with Henry A. Wise or Ben McCullough at their head; nightmares of plots to rob the Treasury136 and raze137 the White House sat heavy on the timid; while extremists manufactured long-haired men, with air guns, secreted138 here and there and sworn to shoot Mr. Lincoln, while reading his inaugural139.
All night long, orderlies were dashing to and fro at breakneck speed; and guard details were marching to all points of possible danger. Day dawn saw a light battery drawn up on G street facing the Treasury, guns unlimbered and ready for action; while infantry140 held both approaches to the Long Bridge across the Potomac. Other bodies of regulars were scattered at points most available for rapid concentration; squadrons of cavalry were stationed at the crossings of several avenues; and all possible precautions were had to quell141 summarily any symptoms of riot.
These preparations resembling more the capital of Mexico than that of the United States, were augury142 of the peace of the administration thus ushered143 in! Happily, they were needless. All who remember that inauguration will recall the dull, dead quiet with which the day passed off. The very studiousness of precaution took away from the enjoyment144 of the spectacle even; and a cloud was thrown over the whole event by the certainty of trouble ahead. The streets were anxious and all gayety showed effort, while many lowering faces peeped at the procession from windows and housetops.
It was over at last. The new man had begun with the new era; and Staple and I had finished our chasse at Wormley's dinner table, when that worthy's pleasant, yellow face peered in at the door.
As we jumped into the carriage awaiting us and Wormley banged the door, a knot of loungers ran up to say good-bye. They were all men-about-town; and if not very dear to each other, it was still a wrench145 to break up associations with those whose faces had been familiar to every dinner and drive and reception for years. We had never met but in amity146 and amid the gayest scenes; now we were plunging into a pathless future. Who could tell but a turn might bring us face to face, where hands would cross with a deadly purpose; while the hiss147 of the Minié-ball sang accompaniment in place of the last galop that Louis Weber had composed.
"Better stay where you are, boys!"—"You're making a bad thing of it!"—"Don't leave us Styles, old fellow!"—"You'll starve down South, sure!"—were a few of the hopeful adieux showered at us.
"Thank you all, just the same, but I think we won't stay," Staple responded. "What would 'the house' do? God bless you, boys! Good-bye, Jim!"
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1
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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sedately
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| adv.镇静地，安详地 | |
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grooves
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| n.沟( groove的名词复数 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏v.沟( groove的第三人称单数 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏 | |
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whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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dwellers
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| n.居民，居住者( dweller的名词复数 ) | |
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caravans
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| （可供居住的）拖车（通常由机动车拖行）( caravan的名词复数 )； 篷车； （穿过沙漠地带的）旅行队（如商队） | |
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rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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juggle
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| v.变戏法，纂改，欺骗，同时做；n.玩杂耍，纂改，花招 | |
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con
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| n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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impartially
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| adv.公平地，无私地 | |
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terrapin
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| n.泥龟；鳖 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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flaunt
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| vt.夸耀，夸饰 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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subterranean
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pro
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broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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coteries
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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inveigh
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peccadilloes
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diplomats
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| n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人 | |
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ethics
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| n.伦理学；伦理观，道德标准 | |
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tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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nucleus
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| n.核，核心，原子核 | |
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amalgam
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| n.混合物；汞合金 | |
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winnow
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| v．把（谷物）的杂质吹掉，扬去 | |
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chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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hops
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| 跳上[下]( hop的第三人称单数 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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stewing
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| 炖 | |
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salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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46
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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47
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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48
spawned
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| （鱼、蛙等）大量产（卵）( spawn的过去式和过去分词 )； 大量生产 | |
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49
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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50
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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51
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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52
scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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53
soliciting
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| v.恳求( solicit的现在分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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54
ballot
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| n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票 | |
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55
farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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56
brat
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| n.孩子；顽童 | |
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57
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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58
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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59
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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60
seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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61
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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62
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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63
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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64
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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65
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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66
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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67
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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68
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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69
artery
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| n.干线，要道；动脉 | |
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70
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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71
reverberation
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| 反响； 回响； 反射； 反射物 | |
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72
seceded
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| v.脱离，退出( secede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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74
pouts
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| n.撅嘴，生气( pout的名词复数 )v.撅（嘴）( pout的第三人称单数 ) | |
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75
piston
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| n.活塞 | |
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76
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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77
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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78
ripples
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| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
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79
lengthen
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| vt.使伸长，延长 | |
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80
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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81
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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82
glides
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| n.滑行( glide的名词复数 )；滑音；音渡；过渡音v.滑动( glide的第三人称单数 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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83
nude
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| adj.裸体的；n.裸体者，裸体艺术品 | |
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84
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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85
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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86
chirps
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的第三人称单数 )； 啾； 啾啾 | |
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87
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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88
monogram
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| n.字母组合 | |
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89
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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90
gad
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| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
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91
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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92
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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93
ordinance
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| n.法令；条令；条例 | |
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94
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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95
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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96
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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97
temporizing
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| v.敷衍( temporize的现在分词 )；拖延；顺应时势；暂时同意 | |
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98
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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99
rumbled
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| 发出隆隆声，发出辘辘声( rumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 轰鸣着缓慢行进； 发现…的真相； 看穿（阴谋） | |
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100
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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101
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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102
obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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103
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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104
gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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105
seceder
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| n.脱离者，分离者 | |
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106
pelted
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| （连续地）投掷( pelt的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续抨击； 攻击； 剥去…的皮 | |
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107
commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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108
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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109
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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110
rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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111
fungi
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| n.真菌，霉菌 | |
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112
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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113
hegira
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| n.逃亡 | |
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114
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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115
rampant
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| adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的 | |
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116
staple
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| n.主要产物，常用品，主要要素，原料，订书钉，钩环；adj.主要的，重要的；vt.分类 | |
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117
nomadic
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| adj.流浪的；游牧的 | |
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118
inauguration
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| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
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119
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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120
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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121
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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122
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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123
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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124
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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125
boding
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| adj.凶兆的，先兆的n.凶兆，前兆，预感v.预示，预告，预言( bode的现在分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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126
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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127
monetary
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| adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的 | |
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128
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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129
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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130
militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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131
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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132
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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133
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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134
rendezvoused
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| v.约会，会合( rendezvous的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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135
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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136
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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137
raze
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| vt.铲平，把(城市、房屋等)夷为平地，拆毁 | |
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138
secreted
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| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的过去式和过去分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
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139
inaugural
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| adj.就职的；n.就职典礼 | |
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140
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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141
quell
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| v.压制，平息，减轻 | |
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142
augury
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| n.预言，征兆，占卦 | |
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143
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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145
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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146
amity
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| n.友好关系 | |
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147
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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