And, indeed, she had not gone so very far before her fears took shape.
She heard distinctly, above her frightened heartbeats and her own light steps, the sound of a man's tread gaining on her, while his voice called out entreatingly3:
"Elinor, Elinor! wait for me!"
The sea's voice, with the wind, seemed to echo the call.
"Elinor, Elinor! wait for me!"
But Liane did not wait. She only redoubled her speed, and she might have escaped her pursuer but that her little foot tripped on a stone and threw her prone4 upon the sands.
Before she could rise a man's arms closed about her tenderly, lifting her up, while he panted:
[Pg 29]
"Elinor, what girlish freak is this? Why wouldn't you wait for me, dear?"
Liane gasped5 and looked up at him in terror, but that instant she recognized him, and her fears all fled.
"Oh, Mr. Clarke, you have made a mistake, sir. You don't know me, although I know what your name is. I am Liane Lester!" she cried breathlessly.
He dropped her hand and recoiled6 in surprise, answering:
"I beg a hundred pardons for my apparent rudeness. I saw you flying along as I smoked my cigar above the hill, and your figure looked so exactly like my wife's that I flew after you. I hope you will find it easy to forgive me, for you do resemble my wife very much, and, although you are young and fair, you may take that as a compliment, for my wife is very beautiful."
"I thank you, sir, and forgive you freely. I have never seen Mrs. Clarke, but I have just come from your house, and was running home every step of the way because I had to stay till after dark, and I feared my grandmother would be uneasy over me!" faltered7 Liane, blushing at his intent gaze, for the wind had blown her veil aside,[Pg 30] and her lovely features, pure as carven pearl, shone clearly in the moonlight.
"And I am detaining you yet longer! Excuse me, and—good night," he said abruptly8, smiling kindly9 at her, lifting his hat and turning back toward Cliffdene, while he thought with pleasure:
"What a lovely girl! She reminded me of Elinor when she was young."
Liane thought kindly of him, too, as she hurried along.
"What a noble face and gracious voice! Miss Roma Clarke is blessed in having such a splendid father."
She had only granny, poor child; coarse, ugly, repulsive11, cruel granny. She could not even remember her parents or any other relation. A lonely childhood, whose only bright memories were of its few school days, a toilsome girlhood, robbed of every spark of youthful pleasure; coarse scoldings and brutal13 beatings. It was all a piteous life—enough, as Sophie, the maid had said, to make the very angels weep in pity.
Strange, as she hastened on, how Jesse Devereaux's eyes and smile haunted her thoughts with little thrills of pleasure; how she wondered if she should ever see him again.
[Pg 31]
"Perhaps Dolly Dorr will make him fall in love with her, she is so pretty, with her fluffy14 yellow hair and big torquoise-blue eyes," she thought, with a curious sensation of deadly pain, jealous already, though she guessed it not.
The night was still and calm, and suddenly the dip of oars10 in the water came to her ears. She looked, and saw a little boat headed for the beach, with a single occupant.
The keel grated on the shore, the man sprang out, and came directly toward her, pausing with hat in hand—a tall fellow, dark and bewhiskered, with somber15, dark eyes.
"Ah, good evening, my pretty maid. Taking a stroll all alone, eh? Won't you have a moonlight row with me?"
"No, thank you, sir; I am in a hurry to get home. Please stand aside," for he had placed himself in her way.
"Not so fast, pretty maid. It is good manners, I trow, to answer a stranger's courteous16 questions, is it not?" still barring her way. "Well, show me the way to Cliffdene."
The trembling girl pointed17 mutely back the way she had come.
[Pg 32]
"Thank you—and again: Do you know Miss Roma Clarke?"
"I have just seen her at Cliffdene," she answered.
"So she is not married yet?"
"Oh, no," Liane answered, trying to pass, but he caught her hand, exclaiming mockingly:
"Not married yet? Well, that is very good news to me. I will give you a kiss, pretty one, for that information."
"You shall not! Release me at once, you hound!" cried the girl, struggling to free herself.
But the insolent18 stranger only clasped her closer and drew her to him, the fumes19 of his liquor-laden breath floating over her pure brow as he struggled to kiss her shrieking21 lips.
And, absorbed in the conflict, neither one noticed a third person coming toward them from the town—an exceedingly handsome young man, who hurried his steps in time to comprehend the meaning of the scene before him, and then shot out an athletic22 arm, and promptly23 bowled the wretch24 over upon the wet sands.
"Lie there, you cur, till I give you leave to rise!" he thundered, planting his foot on the fellow's[Pg 33] chest while he turned toward the young lady.
"Why, good heavens! Is it you, Miss Lester?" he cried, in wonder.
"Yes, Mr. Devereaux. I was hurrying home from an errand to Cliffdene when this man jumped out of his boat, and threatened to kiss me."
"Apologize to the lady on your knees, cur!" cried Jesse Devereaux, helping25 him with a hand on his coat collar.
The wretch obeyed in craven fear.
"Now tell me where you came from in the boat."
"From the nearest town," sullenly26.
"Then get into that boat and go back to it as fast as you can row, and if you are ever caught in Stonecliff again, I promise to thrash you within an inch of your life."
The defeated bully27 obeyed in craven silence, but the gleam of his somber eyes boded28 no good to the man who had so coolly mastered him.
Devereaux and Liane stood side by side, watching the little boat shoot away over the dancing billows, leaving ripples29 of phosphorescent light in[Pg 34] the wake of the oars. Then he turned and took her hand.
"You had quite an adventure," he said. "Why, you are trembling like a leaf, poor child!"
He felt like drawing her to his breast, and soothing30 her fears; but that would not be conventional. So he could only regard her with the tenderest pity and admiration31, while clasping the trembling little hand as tight as he dared.
Liane was so nervous she could not speak at first, and he continued gently:
"It was rather imprudent for a young girl like you to be walking out alone after nightfall. Did you not know it, Miss Lester?"
She faltered nervously32:
"Oh, yes, I knew it! I was frightened almost to death, but I—I could not help it!"
"Why?"
"My employer sent me on an errand to Cliffdene, and I was detained there until after dark."
"They should have sent some one to see you safely home."
"Yes," Liane answered, shivering, but not making any explanation. She hated in her simple, girlish pride to have him know how she had been treated by Roma Clarke.
[Pg 35]
"I—I must be going now. Thank you ever so much for coming to my rescue," she added, stooping to gather her roses, that lay scattered33 on the sands.
Jesse Devereaux helped her, and kept them, saying as he drew her little hand closely within his arm:
"I will carry them and see you safe home."
Arm in arm they paced along under the brilliant moonlight, with the solemn voice of the ocean in their ears. But they were heedless. They heard only the beating of their own excited hearts.
The mere34 presence of this man, whom she had never met till to-day, filled Liane's innocent heart with ecstasy35.
To be near him like this, with her arm linked in his so close that she felt the quick throbbing36 of his disturbed heart; to meet the glances of his passionate37, dark eyes, to hear the murmuring tones of his musical voice as he talked to her so kindly—oh, it was bliss38 such as she had never enjoyed before, but that she could have wished might go on now forever!
He made her tell him all that the stranger had said to her, and Liane felt him give a quick start[Pg 36] when Roma's name was mentioned, although he said lightly:
"He must be some discarded lover of Miss Clarke."
"Yes," she answered, and, raising her eyes, she saw near at hand the wretched shanty39 she called her home.
How short their walk had been—barely a minute it seemed to the girl! But now they must part.
She essayed to draw her hand from his clasping arm, murmuring:
"I—I cannot let you go any farther with me, please! Granny does not allow me to walk out with—with gentlemen! She told me to come home alone!"
Jesse Devereaux protested laughingly, but he soon saw that Liane was in terrible earnest, her face pale, her great eyes dilated40 with fear, her slender form shaking as with a chill.
"Do you mean to say that you cannot have the privilege of receiving me sometimes as a visitor under your own roof?" he asked, more seriously then; but the girl suddenly uttered a low moan of alarm, and shrank from him, turning her eyes wildly upon an approaching grotesque42 form.
[Pg 37]
Granny had worked herself into a fury over Liane's long stay, and at last hobbled forth43 to meet her, armed with a very stout44 cane45, that would serve the double purpose of a walking stick and an instrument of punishment.
And, in spite of her age, she was strong and agile46, and Liane would have cause to rue12 the hour she was born when next they met.
She strained her malevolent47 gaze all around for a sight of the truant48, and when they lighted on Liane and Devereaux, arm in arm, a growl49 of fury issued from her lips.
Before Liane could escape, she darted50 forward with surprising agility51, and lifted her stout cane over the girl's shrinking head.
A start, a shriek20, and Devereaux saw, as suddenly as if the old hag had arisen from the earth by his side, the peril52 that menaced Liane.
That descending54 blow was enough to kill the frail55, lovely girl, the object of granny's brutal spite!
Another instant and the stick would descend53 on the beautiful head!
But Devereaux's upraised arm received the force of the blow, and that arm fell shattered and helpless by his side, but the other hand violently[Pg 38] wrenched56 the old woman away from her victim, as he demanded:
"You vile41 beast! What is the meaning of this murderous assault?"
They glared at each other, and the old woman snarled57:
"I have a right to beat her! She disobeyed my orders, and she belongs to me. She's my granddaughter."
"Heaven help me, it is true!" moaned Liane, as he looked at her for confirmation58.
"Let me get at her! Let me get at her!" shrieked59 granny, intent on punishing the girl, and writhing60 in Devereaux's clutch.
But Devereaux, with one arm hanging helpless at his side, held her firmly with the other.
"You shall not touch her!" he said sternly. "You shall go to prison for this outrage61."
At that both the old woman and the girl uttered a cry of remonstrance62.
Devereaux looked at Liane inquiringly, and she faltered:
"The disgrace would fall on me!"
"Yes, yes, she is my granddaughter," howled granny eagerly, seeing her advantage. Devereaux comprehended, too. He groaned63:
[Pg 39]
"But what can you do? You must not be exposed again to her fury!"
Granny glared malevolently64, while Liane bent65 her eyes to the ground, meditating66 a moment ere she looked up, and said timidly:
"I think you are right. I cannot live with granny any more, for she would surely kill me some day. Let her go home, and I will go and spend the night with Dolly Dorr, who lives not far from here."
"You hear what Miss Lester says? Will you go home peaceably, while she goes to her friend for safety?" demanded Devereaux, eager to close the scene, for he was faint from the pain of his broken arm.
Granny saw that she was cornered, and cunningly began to feign67 repentance68, whimpering that she was sorry, and would never do so any more if Liane would only come home with her now, for she was afraid to spend the night alone.
"She shall not go with you, you treacherous69 cat," he answered sternly, releasing her and bidding her angrily to return home at once.
Cowed by his authority, she could not but choose to obey, but as she started, she flung back one shaft70:
[Pg 40]
"Better come with me, Liane, than stay with him, my dear. Remember my warnings about rich young men and pretty, poor girls! A beating is safer than his love!"
Liane's cheeks flamed at the coarse thrust, but Devereaux said earnestly:
"Do not mind her taunt71, Miss Lester. I will always be a true friend to you, believe me!"
"You are a true friend already. From what horrors have you saved me to-night?" Liane cried, bursting into tears. "Your poor arm, how helpless it hangs! Oh, I fear it has been broken in my defense," and suddenly sinking on her knees, in an excess of tenderest gratitude72, she pressed her warm, rosy73 lips to the hand that had so bravely defended her from insult and injury.
"Oh, you are a hero, you have saved my life, and I can never forget you!" she sobbed74 hysterically75.
"Yes, my arm is broken; I must hurry back to town and have it set," he answered faintly. "I must let you go on to Miss Dorr's alone, but it is not far, and you are safe now. Good night," he murmured, leaving her abruptly in his pain.
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收听单词发音
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1
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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quota
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| n.（生产、进出口等的）配额，（移民的）限额 | |
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entreatingly
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| 哀求地，乞求地 | |
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prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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7
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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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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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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14
fluffy
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| adj.有绒毛的，空洞的 | |
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somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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16
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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19
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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20
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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21
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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22
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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28
boded
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| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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29
ripples
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| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
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30
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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31
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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32
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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33
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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38
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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39
shanty
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| n.小屋，棚屋；船工号子 | |
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40
dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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42
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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43
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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46
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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47
malevolent
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| adj.有恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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48
truant
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| n.懒惰鬼，旷课者；adj.偷懒的，旷课的，游荡的；v.偷懒，旷课 | |
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49
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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50
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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51
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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52
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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53
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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54
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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55
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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56
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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57
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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58
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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59
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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61
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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62
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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63
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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64
malevolently
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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66
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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feign
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| vt.假装，佯作 | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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69
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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70
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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71
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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72
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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74
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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hysterically
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| ad. 歇斯底里地 | |
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