Armed with a gentle severity, the holy Bishop reproached Maxime for this violence and disorder15:
“Alas16,” he said, “did I draw you from out of the salting-box to the ruin of the virgins of Vervignole?”
And he reproached him with the magnitude of his offence. But Maxime shrugged17 his shoulders, and turned his back, without making any reply.
At that moment King Berlu, in the fourteenth year of his reign18, was assembling a powerful army to fight the Mambournians, the determined19 enemies of his kingdom, who, having entered Vervignole, were ravaging20 and depopulating the richest provinces of that great country.
Maxime left Trinqueballe without saying goodbye to a soul. When he was some leagues distant from the town, seeing in a field a mare21 of moderate quality, except that she was blind in one eye and lame22, he jumped on her back and galloped23 off. On the following morning, accidentally meeting a farm lad who was taking a great plough horse to water, he immediately dismounted, bestrode the great horse, and ordered the lad to mount the blind mare, and to follow him, saying that he would take him for his squire24 should he prove satisfactory. Thus equipped Maxime presented himself to King Berlu, who accepted his services. He became in a very short time one of Vervignole’s greatest captains.
Meanwhile, Sulpice was giving the holy Bishop cause for perhaps more cruel, and certainly more momentous25, uneasiness; for if Maxime sinned grievously, he sinned without malice26, and offending God without thought, and, so to speak, unknowingly. But Sulpice set himself to do evil with a greater and more unusual malignity27. Being destined28 from early youth for the Church he assiduously studied letters, both sacred and profane29; but his soul was a corrupted30 vessel31, wherein Truth was turned into Error. He sinned in spirit; he erred11 in matters of faith with surprising precocity32. At an age when people have as yet no ideas at all, he overflowed33 with wrong ones. A thought occurred to him which was doubtless suggested by the devil. In a field belonging to the Bishop he gathered a multitude of boys and girls of his own age and, climbing into a tree, he exhorted34 them to leave their fathers and mothers to follow Jesus Christ, and to go in, parties through the country-side, burning priories and presbyteries in order to lead the Church back into evangelical poverty. This youthful mob, led away by emotion, followed the sinner along the roads of Vervignole, singing canticles, burning barns, pillaging35 chapels36, and devastating37 the ecclesiastical lands. Many of these crazy creatures perished of fatigue38, hunger, and cold, or were killed by villagers. The episcopal palace re-echoed with the complaints of the priesthood and the lamentations of mothers.
The pious39 Bishop Nicolas sent for the originator of these disorders40. With extreme mildness, and infinite sadness, he reproached him for having misused41 the Word for the misleading of souls, and reminded him that God had not picked him out of the salting-tub in order that he should attack the property of our Holy Mother, the Church.
“Consider, my son,” he said, “the greatness of your offence. You appear before your pastor42 charged with turmoil43, sedition44, and murder.”
But young Sulpice, maintaining a horrid45 calm, answered with a voice full of assurance, that he had not sinned, neither had he offended God; but, on the contrary, he had acted in accordance with the bidding of Heaven, for the good of the Church. And he professed46 before the dismayed Bishop the false doctrines47 of the Manicheans, the Arians, the Nestorians, the Sabellians, the Vaudois, the Albigenses, and the Bégards. So eager was he to embrace these monstrous48 errors that he did not see how they contradicted one another, and were mutually devoured49 in the bosom4 that cherished and revived them.
The pious Bishop endeavoured to lead Sulpice back into the right path, but he failed to overcome the unhappy lad’s obstinacy50.
Having dismissed him, he knelt and prayed.
“I thank thee, O Lord, for having sent me this young man, as a whetstone on which to sharpen my patience and my charity.”
While two of the children he had rescued from the salting-tub were causing him so much pain, St. Nicolas was obtaining some consolation51 from the third. Robin52 showed himself neither violent in his actions nor arrogant53 in his thoughts. He had not the sturdy, ruddy appearance of Maxime; nor the grave, audacious manner of Sulpice. Small, thin, yellow, lined, and shrunken, of humble54, obsequious55 and reverential bearing, he devoted56 himself to assisting the Bishop and clergy57, helping58 the clerks to keep the accounts of the episcopal revenues, and making complicated calculations with the assistance of balls threaded on rods; he even multiplied and divided numbers in his head, without the use of slate59 or pencil, with a rapidity and accuracy that would have been admired even in a past master of money and finance. For him it was a pleasure to keep the books of the Deacon Modernus, who, growing old, used to muddle60 the figures and fall asleep at his desk. To oblige the Bishop, and obtain money for him, he spared neither trouble nor fatigue. From the Lombards, he learnt how to calculate both the simple and compound interest on a sum of money for a day, week, month, or year; he feared not to visit the filthy61 Jews in the black lanes of the Ghetto62, in order to learn, by mingling63 with them, the standard of metals, the price of precious stones, and the art of clipping coin. Ultimately, with a little store which he had accumulated by marvellous industry in Vervignole, in Mondousiana, and even in Mambournia, he attended the fairs, tournaments, pardons, and jubilees64, to which people of all conditions flocked from all parts of Christendom: peasants, burghers, clerics, and seigneurs; there he changed their money, and every time he returned a little richer than he had departed. Robin did not spend the money he had made, but brought it to the Bishop.
St. Nicolas was extremely hospitable65, and very liberal in almsgiving. He spent all his property and that of the Church in making gifts to pilgrims and assisting the unfortunate. Thus he continually found himself short of money; and he was much obliged to Robin for the skill and energy with which the young treasurer66 obtained the sums which he required. The condition of penury67 in which the holy Bishop had placed himself owing to his magnificence and liberality was greatly aggravated68 by the condition of the times. The war which was ravaging Vervignole also ruined the Church in Trinqueballe. The soldiery who were fighting in the country-side about the town pillaged69 the farms, levied70 contributions on the peasantry, drove out the religious orders, and burned the castles and abbeys.
The clergy and the faithful could no longer contribute to the expenses of their creed71, and thousands of peasants, fleeing from the free-booters came daily to beg their bread at the door of the episcopal palace. For their sakes, the good St. Nicolas felt the poverty which he had never felt for his own. Fortunately, Robin was always ready to lend him money, which the holy pontiff naturally agreed to return in more prosperous times.
Alas, the war was now raging throughout the kingdom, from north to south, from east to west, attended by its two inseparable companions, famine and pestilence72. The peasantry turned robbers, and the monks73 followed the armies. The inhabitants of Trinqueballe, having neither wood for firing, nor bread to eat, died like flies at the approach of winter. Wolves entered the outlying parts of the town, devouring74 little children. At this sad juncture75, Robin came to inform the Bishop that not only was he unable to provide any further sum of money, however small, but that being unable to obtain anything from his debtors76, and being pressed by his creditors77, he had been compelled to hand over all his assets to the Jews.
He brought this distressing78 news to his benefactor79 with the obsequious politeness which was usual to him; but he appeared a great deal less afflicted80 than he might have been in this grevions extremity81. As a matter of fact, he was hard put to it to conceal82, under a long face, his joyous83 feelings and his lively satisfaction. The parchment of his dry, humble, yellow eyelids84 ill concealed85 the light of joy which shone from his sharp eyes.
Sadly stricken, St. Nicolas remained quiet and serene86 under the blow.
“God will soon re-establish our declining affairs,” he said. “He will not permit the house which He has built to be overthrown87.”
“That is true,” said Modernus, “but you may be sure that Robin, whom you drew out of the salting-tub, has made an arrangement with the Lombards of Pont-Vieux and the Jews of the Ghetto to despoil88 you, and that he is retaining the lion’s share of the plunder89.”
Modernus spoke90 the truth. Robin had lost no money. He was richer than ever, and had just been appointed treasurer to the King.
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1
bishop
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n.主教,(国际象棋)象 | |
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2
rogues
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n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 );无赖;调皮捣蛋的人;离群的野兽 | |
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3
situated
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adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的 | |
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4
bosom
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n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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bosoms
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胸部( bosom的名词复数 ); 胸怀; 女衣胸部(或胸襟); 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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virgins
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处女,童男( virgin的名词复数 ); 童贞玛利亚(耶稣之母) | |
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7
imploring
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恳求的,哀求的 | |
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8
betrothed
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n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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maidens
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处女( maiden的名词复数 ); 少女; 未婚女子; (板球运动)未得分的一轮投球 | |
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10
alleging
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断言,宣称,辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
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11
erred
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犯错误,做错事( err的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
dishonour
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n./vt.拒付(支票、汇票、票据等);vt.凌辱,使丢脸;n.不名誉,耻辱,不光彩 | |
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13
manor
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n.庄园,领地 | |
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14
skull
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n.头骨;颅骨 | |
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15
disorder
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n.紊乱,混乱;骚动,骚乱;疾病,失调 | |
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16
alas
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int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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17
shrugged
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vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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18
reign
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n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
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19
determined
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adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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20
ravaging
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毁坏( ravage的现在分词 ); 蹂躏; 劫掠; 抢劫 | |
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21
mare
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n.母马,母驴 | |
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22
lame
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adj.跛的,(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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23
galloped
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(使马)飞奔,奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 ); 快速做[说]某事 | |
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24
squire
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n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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25
momentous
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adj.重要的,重大的 | |
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26
malice
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n.恶意,怨恨,蓄意;[律]预谋 | |
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27
malignity
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n.极度的恶意,恶毒;(病的)恶性 | |
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28
destined
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adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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29
profane
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adj.亵神的,亵渎的;vt.亵渎,玷污 | |
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30
corrupted
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(使)败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 ); (使)腐化; 引起(计算机文件等的)错误; 破坏 | |
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31
vessel
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n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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32
precocity
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n.早熟,早成 | |
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33
overflowed
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溢出的 | |
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34
exhorted
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v.劝告,劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
pillaging
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v.抢劫,掠夺( pillage的现在分词 ) | |
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36
chapels
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n.小教堂, (医院、监狱等的)附属礼拜堂( chapel的名词复数 );(在小教堂和附属礼拜堂举行的)礼拜仪式 | |
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37
devastating
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adj.毁灭性的,令人震惊的,强有力的 | |
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38
fatigue
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n.疲劳,劳累 | |
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39
pious
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adj.虔诚的;道貌岸然的 | |
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40
disorders
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n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 );凌乱;骚乱;(身心、机能)失调 | |
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41
misused
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v.使用…不当( misuse的过去式和过去分词 );把…派作不正当的用途;虐待;滥用 | |
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42
pastor
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n.牧师,牧人 | |
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43
turmoil
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n.骚乱,混乱,动乱 | |
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44
sedition
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n.煽动叛乱 | |
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45
horrid
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adj.可怕的;令人惊恐的;恐怖的;极讨厌的 | |
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46
professed
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公开声称的,伪称的,已立誓信教的 | |
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47
doctrines
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n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 );教义;学说;(政府政策的)正式声明 | |
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48
monstrous
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adj.巨大的;恐怖的;可耻的,丢脸的 | |
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49
devoured
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吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 ); 耗尽; 津津有味地看; 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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50
obstinacy
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n.顽固;(病痛等)难治 | |
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51
consolation
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n.安慰,慰问 | |
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52
robin
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n.知更鸟,红襟鸟 | |
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53
arrogant
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adj.傲慢的,自大的 | |
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54
humble
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adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低 | |
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55
obsequious
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adj.谄媚的,奉承的,顺从的 | |
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56
devoted
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adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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57
clergy
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n.[总称]牧师,神职人员 | |
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58
helping
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n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的 | |
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59
slate
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n.板岩,石板,石片,石板色,候选人名单;adj.暗蓝灰色的,含板岩的;vt.用石板覆盖,痛打,提名,预订 | |
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60
muddle
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n.困惑,混浊状态;vt.使混乱,使糊涂,使惊呆;vi.胡乱应付,混乱 | |
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61
filthy
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adj.卑劣的;恶劣的,肮脏的 | |
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62
ghetto
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n.少数民族聚居区,贫民区 | |
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63
mingling
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adj.混合的 | |
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64
jubilees
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n.周年纪念( jubilee的名词复数 ) | |
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65
hospitable
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adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
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66
treasurer
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n.司库,财务主管 | |
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67
penury
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n.贫穷,拮据 | |
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68
aggravated
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使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 ); 使更严重; 激怒; 使恼火 | |
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69
pillaged
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v.抢劫,掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
levied
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征(兵)( levy的过去式和过去分词 ); 索取; 发动(战争); 征税 | |
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71
creed
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n.信条;信念,纲领 | |
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72
pestilence
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n.瘟疫 | |
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73
monks
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n.修道士,僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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74
devouring
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吞没( devour的现在分词 ); 耗尽; 津津有味地看; 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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75
juncture
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n.时刻,关键时刻,紧要关头 | |
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76
debtors
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n.债务人,借方( debtor的名词复数 ) | |
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77
creditors
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n.债权人,债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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78
distressing
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a.使人痛苦的 | |
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79
benefactor
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n. 恩人,行善的人,捐助人 | |
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80
afflicted
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使受痛苦,折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
extremity
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n.末端,尽头;尽力;终极;极度 | |
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82
conceal
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v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽 | |
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83
joyous
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adj.充满快乐的;令人高兴的 | |
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84
eyelids
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n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 );眼睛也不眨一下;不露声色;面不改色 | |
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85
concealed
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a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
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86
serene
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adj. 安详的,宁静的,平静的 | |
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87
overthrown
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adj. 打翻的,推倒的,倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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88
despoil
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v.夺取,抢夺 | |
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89
plunder
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vt.劫掠财物,掠夺;n.劫掠物,赃物;劫掠 | |
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90
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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