That after-hours with sorrow chide1 us not!
—Shakspeare.
It is proper that the course of the narrative2 should be stayed, while we revert3 to those causes, which have brought in their train of consequences, the singular contest just related. The interruption must necessarily be as brief as we hope it may prove satisfactory to that class of readers, who require that no gap should be left by those who assume the office of historians, for their own fertile imaginations to fill.
Among the troops sent by the government of the United States, to take possession of its newly acquired territory in the west, was a detachment led by a young soldier who has become so busy an actor in the scenes of our legend. The mild and indolent descendants of the ancient colonists4 received their new compatriots without distrust, well knowing that the transfer raised them from the condition of subjects, to the more enviable distinction of citizens in a government of laws. The new rulers exercised their functions with discretion5, and wielded6 their delegated authority without offence. In such a novel intermixture, however, of men born and nurtured7 in freedom, and the compliant8 minions9 of absolute power, the catholic and the protestant, the active and the indolent, some little time was necessary to blend the discrepant10 elements of society. In attaining11 so desirable an end, woman was made to perform her accustomed and grateful office. The barriers of prejudice and religion were broken through by the irresistible12 power of the master-passion, and family unions, ere long, began to cement the political tie which had made a forced conjunction, between people so opposite in their habits, their educations, and their opinions.
Middleton was among the first, of the new possessors of the soil, who became captive to the charms of a Louisianian lady. In the immediate13 vicinity of the post he had been directed to occupy, dwelt the chief of one of those ancient colonial families, which had been content to slumber14 for ages amid the ease, indolence, and wealth of the Spanish provinces. He was an officer of the crown, and had been induced to remove from the Floridas, among the French of the adjoining province, by a rich succession of which he had become the inheritor. The name of Don Augustin de Certavallos was scarcely known beyond the limits of the little town in which he resided, though he found a secret pleasure himself in pointing it out, in large scrolls16 of musty documents, to an only child, as enrolled17 among the former heroes and grandees18 of Old and of New Spain. This fact, so important to himself and of so little moment to any body else, was the principal reason, that while his more vivacious19 Gallic neighbours were not slow to open a frank communion with their visiters, he chose to keep aloof20, seemingly content with the society of his daughter, who was a girl just emerging from the condition of childhood into that of a woman.
The curiosity of the youthful Inez, however, was not so inactive. She had not heard the martial21 music of the garrison22, melting on the evening air, nor seen the strange banner, which fluttered over the heights that rose at no great distance from her father's extensive grounds, without experiencing some of those secret impulses which are thought to distinguish the sex. Natural timidity, and that retiring and perhaps peculiar23 lassitude, which forms the very groundwork of female fascination24, in the tropical provinces of Spain, held her in their seemingly indissoluble bonds; and it is more than probable, that had not an accident occurred, in which Middleton was of some personal service to her father, so long a time would have elapsed before they met, that another direction might have been given to the wishes of one, who was just of an age to be alive to all the power of youth and beauty.
Providence—or if that imposing25 word is too just to be classical, fate—had otherwise decreed. The haughty27 and reserved Don Augustin was by far too observant of the forms of that station, on which he so much valued himself, to forget the duties of a gentleman. Gratitude28, for the kindness of Middleton, induced him to open his doors to the officers of the garrison, and to admit of a guarded but polite intercourse29. Reserve gradually gave way before the propriety30 and candour of their spirited young leader, and it was not long ere the affluent31 planter rejoiced as much as his daughter, whenever the well known signal, at the gate, announced one of these agreeable visits from the commander of the post.
It is unnecessary to dwell on the impression which the charms of Inez produced on the soldier, or to delay the tale in order to write a wire-drawn account of the progressive influence that elegance32 of deportment, manly33 beauty, and undivided assiduity and intelligence were likely to produce on the sensitive mind of a romantic, warm-hearted, and secluded34 girl of sixteen. It is sufficient for our purpose to say that they loved, that the youth was not backward to declare his feelings, that he prevailed with some facility over the scruples35 of the maiden36, and with no little difficulty over the objections of her father, and that before the province of Louisiana had been six months in the possession of the States, the officer of the latter was the affianced husband of the richest heiress on the banks of the Mississippi.
Although we have presumed the reader to be acquainted with the manner in which such results are commonly attained37, it is not to be supposed that the triumph of Middleton, either over the prejudices of the father or over those of the daughter, was achieved without difficulty. Religion formed a stubborn and nearly irremovable obstacle with both. The devoted38 man patiently submitted to a formidable essay, father Ignatius was deputed to make in order to convert him to the true faith. The effort on the part of the worthy39 priest was systematic40, vigorous, and long sustained. A dozen times (it was at those moments when glimpses of the light, sylphlike form of Inez flitted like some fairy being past the scene of their conferences) the good father fancied he was on the eve of a glorious triumph over infidelity; but all his hopes were frustrated41 by some unlooked-for opposition42, on the part of the subject of his pious43 labours. So long as the assault on his faith was distant and feeble, Middleton, who was no great proficient44 in polemics45, submitted to its effects with the patience and humility46 of a martyr47; but the moment the good father, who felt such concern in his future happiness, was tempted48 to improve his vantage ground by calling in the aid of some of the peculiar subtilties of his own creed26, the young man was too good a soldier not to make head against the hot attack. He came to the contest, it is true, with no weapons more formidable than common sense, and some little knowledge of the habits of his country as contrasted with that of his adversary49; but with these homebred implements50 he never failed to repulse51 the father with something of the power with which a nervous cudgel player would deal with a skilful52 master of the rapier, setting at nought53 his passados by the direct and unanswerable arguments of a broken head and a shivered weapon.
Before the controversy54 was terminated, an inroad of Protestants had come to aid the soldier. The reckless freedom of such among them, as thought only of this life, and the consistent and tempered piety55 of others, caused the honest priest to look about him in concern. The influence of example on one hand, and the contamination of too free an intercourse on the other, began to manifest themselves, even in that portion of his own flock, which he had supposed to be too thoroughly56 folded in spiritual government ever to stray. It was time to turn his thoughts from the offensive, and to prepare his followers57 to resist the lawless deluge58 of opinion, which threatened to break down the barriers of their faith. Like a wise commander, who finds he has occupied too much ground for the amount of his force, he began to curtail59 his outworks. The relics60 were concealed61 from profane62 eyes; his people were admonished63 not to speak of miracles before a race that not only denied their existence, but who had even the desperate hardihood to challenge their proofs; and even the Bible itself was prohibited, with terrible denunciations, for the triumphant64 reason that it was liable to be misinterpreted.
In the mean time, it became necessary to report to Don Augustin, the effects his arguments and prayers had produced on the heretical disposition65 of the young soldier. No man is prone66 to confess his weakness, at the very moment when circumstances demand the utmost efforts of his strength. By a species of pious fraud, for which no doubt the worthy priest found his absolution in the purity of his motives67, he declared that, while no positive change was actually wrought68 in the mind of Middleton, there was every reason to hope the entering wedge of argument had been driven to its head, and that in consequence an opening was left, through which, it might rationally be hoped, the blessed seeds of a religious fructification would find their way, especially if the subject was left uninterruptedly to enjoy the advantage of catholic communion.
Don Augustin himself was now seized with the desire of proselyting. Even the soft and amiable69 Inez thought it would be a glorious consummation of her wishes, to be a humble70 instrument of bringing her lover into the bosom71 of the true church. The offers of Middleton were promptly72 accepted, and, while the father looked forward impatiently to the day assigned for the nuptials73, as to the pledge of his own success, the daughter thought of it with feelings in which the holy emotions of her faith were blended with the softer sensations of her years and situation.
The sun rose, the morning of her nuptials, on a day so bright and cloudless, that Inez hailed it as a harbinger of future happiness. Father Ignatius performed the offices of the church, in a little chapel74 attached to the estate of Don Augustin; and long ere the sun had begun to fall, Middleton pressed the blushing and timid young Creole to his bosom, his acknowledged and unalienable wife. It had pleased the parties to pass the day of the wedding in retirement75, dedicating it solely76 to the best and purest affections, aloof from the noisy and heartless rejoicings of a compelled festivity.
Middleton was returning through the grounds of Don Augustin, from a visit of duty to his encampment, at that hour in which the light of the sun begins to melt into the shadows of evening, when a glimpse of a robe, similar to that in which Inez had accompanied him to the altar, caught his eye through the foliage77 of a retired78 arbour. He approached the spot, with a delicacy79 that was rather increased than diminished by the claim she had perhaps given him to intrude80 on her private moments; but the sounds of her soft voice, which was offering up prayers, in which he heard himself named by the dearest of all appellations81, overcame his scruples, and induced him to take a position where he might listen without the fear of detection. It was certainly grateful to the feelings of a husband to be able in this manner to lay bare the spotless soul of his wife, and to find that his own image lay enshrined amid its purest and holiest aspirations82. His self-esteem was too much flattered not to induce him to overlook the immediate object of the petitioner83. While she prayed that she might become the humble instrument of bringing him into the flock of the faithful, she petitioned for forgiveness, on her own behalf, if presumption84 or indifference85 to the counsel of the church had caused her to set too high a value on her influence, and led her into the dangerous error of hazarding her own soul by espousing86 a heretic. There was so much of fervent87 piety, mingled88 with so strong a burst of natural feeling, so much of the woman blended with the angel, in her prayers, that Middleton could have forgiven her, had she termed him a Pagan, for the sweetness and interest with which she petitioned in his favour.
The young man waited until his bride arose from her knees, and then he joined her, as if entirely89 ignorant of what had occurred.
“It is getting late, my Inez,” he said, “and Don Augustin would be apt to reproach you with inattention to your health, in being abroad at such an hour. What then am I to do, who am charged with all his authority, and twice his love?”
“Be like him in every thing,” she answered, looking up in his face, with tears in her eyes, and speaking with emphasis; “in every thing. Imitate my father, Middleton, and I can ask no more of you.”
“Nor for me, Inez? I doubt not that I should be all you can wish, were I to become as good as the worthy and respectable Don Augustin. But you are to make some allowances for the infirmities and habits of a soldier. Now let us go and join this excellent father.”
“Not yet,” said his bride, gently extricating90 herself from the arm, that he had thrown around her slight form, while he urged her from the place. “I have still another duty to perform, before I can submit so implicitly91 to your orders, soldier though you are. I promised the worthy Inesella, my faithful nurse, she who, as you heard, has so long been a mother to me, Middleton—I promised her a visit at this hour. It is the last, as she thinks, that she can receive from her own child, and I cannot disappoint her. Go you then to Don Augustin; in one short hour I will rejoin you.”
“Remember it is but an hour!”
“One hour,” repeated Inez, as she kissed her hand to him; and then blushing, ashamed at her own boldness, she darted92 from the arbour, and was seen for an instant gliding93 towards the cottage of her nurse, in which, at the next moment, she disappeared.
Middleton returned slowly and thoughtfully to the house, often bending his eyes in the direction in which he had last seen his wife, as if he would fain trace her lovely form, in the gloom of the evening, still floating through the vacant space. Don Augustin received him with warmth, and for many minutes his mind was amused by relating to his new kinsman94 plans for the future. The exclusive old Spaniard listened to his glowing but true account of the prosperity and happiness of those States, of which he had been an ignorant neighbour half his life, partly in wonder, and partly with that sort of incredulity with which one attends to what he fancies are the exaggerated descriptions of a too partial friendship.
In this manner the hour for which Inez had conditioned passed away, much sooner than her husband could have thought possible, in her absence. At length his looks began to wander to the clock, and then the minutes were counted, as one rolled by after another and Inez did not appear. The hand had already made half of another circuit, around the face of the dial, when Middleton arose and announced his determination to go and offer himself, as an escort to the absentee. He found the night dark, and the heavens charged with threatening vapour, which in that climate was the infallible forerunner95 of a gust15. Stimulated96 no less by the unpropitious aspect of the skies, than by his secret uneasiness, he quickened his pace, making long and rapid strides in the direction of the cottage of Inesella. Twenty times he stopped, fancying that he caught glimpses of the fairy form of Inez, tripping across the grounds, on her return to the mansion-house, and as often he was obliged to resume his course, in disappointment. He reached the gate of the cottage, knocked, opened the door, entered, and even stood in the presence of the aged97 nurse, without meeting the person of her he sought. She had already left the place, on her return to her father's house! Believing that he must have passed her in the darkness, Middleton retraced98 his steps to meet with another disappointment. Inez had not been seen. Without communicating his intention to any one, the bridegroom proceeded with a palpitating heart to the little sequestered99 arbour, where he had overheard his bride offering up those petitions for his happiness and conversion100. Here, too, he was disappointed; and then all was afloat, in the painful incertitude101 of doubt and conjecture102.
For many hours, a secret distrust of the motives of his wife caused Middleton to proceed in the search with delicacy and caution. But as day dawned, without restoring her to the arms of her father or her husband, reserve was thrown aside, and her unaccountable absence was loudly proclaimed. The enquiries after the lost Inez were now direct and open; but they proved equally fruitless. No one had seen her, or heard of her, from the moment that she left the cottage of her nurse.
Day succeeded day, and still no tidings rewarded the search that was immediately instituted, until she was finally given over, by most of her relations and friends, as irretrievably lost.
An event of so extraordinary a character was not likely to be soon forgotten. It excited speculation103, gave rise to an infinity104 of rumours105, and not a few inventions. The prevalent opinion, among such of those emigrants106 who were over-running the country, as had time, in the multitude of their employments, to think of any foreign concerns, was the simple and direct conclusion that the absent bride was no more nor less than a felo de se. Father Ignatius had many doubts, and much secret compunction of conscience; but, like a wise chief, he endeavoured to turn the sad event to some account, in the impending107 warfare108 of faith. Changing his battery, he whispered in the ears of a few of his oldest parishioners, that he had been deceived in the state of Middleton's mind, which he was now compelled to believe was completely stranded109 on the quicksands of heresy110. He began to show his relics again, and was even heard to allude111 once more to the delicate and nearly forgotten subject of modern miracles. In consequence of these demonstrations112, on the part of the venerable priest, it came to be whispered among the faithful, and finally it was adopted, as part of the parish creed, that Inez had been translated to heaven.
Don Augustin had all the feelings of a father, but they were smothered113 in the lassitude of a Creole. Like his spiritual governor, he began to think that they had been wrong in consigning114 one so pure, so young, so lovely, and above all so pious, to the arms of a heretic: and he was fain to believe that the calamity115, which had befallen his age, was a judgment116 on his presumption and want of adherence117 to established forms. It is true that, as the whispers of the congregation came to his ears, he found present consolation118 in their belief; but then nature was too powerful, and had too strong a hold of the old man's heart, not to give rise to the rebellious119 thought, that the succession of his daughter to the heavenly inheritance was a little premature120.
But Middleton, the lover, the husband, the bridegroom—Middleton was nearly crushed by the weight of the unexpected and terrible blow. Educated himself under the dominion121 of a simple and rational faith, in which nothing is attempted to be concealed from the believers, he could have no other apprehensions122 for the fate of Inez than such as grew out of his knowledge of the superstitious123 opinions she entertained of his own church. It is needless to dwell on the mental tortures that he endured, or all the various surmises124, hopes, and disappointments, that he was fated to experience in the first few weeks of his misery125. A jealous distrust of the motives of Inez, and a secret, lingering, hope that he should yet find her, had tempered his enquiries, without however causing him to abandon them entirely. But time was beginning to deprive him, even of the mortifying126 reflection that he was intentionally127, though perhaps temporarily, deserted128, and he was gradually yielding to the more painful conviction that she was dead, when his hopes were suddenly revived, in a new and singular manner.
The young commander was slowly and sorrowfully returning from an evening parade of his troops, to his own quarters, which stood at some little distance from the place of the encampment, and on the same high bluff129 of land, when his vacant eyes fell on the figure of a man, who by the regulations of the place, was not entitled to be there, at that forbidden hour. The stranger was meanly dressed, with every appearance about his person and countenance130, of squalid poverty and of the most dissolute habits. Sorrow had softened131 the military pride of Middleton, and, as he passed the crouching132 form of the intruder, he said, in tones of great mildness, or rather of kindness—
“You will be given a night in the guard-house, friend, should the patrol find you here;—there is a dollar,—go, and get a better place to sleep in, and something to eat!”
“I swallow all my food, captain, without chewing,” returned the vagabond, with the low exultation133 of an accomplished134 villain135, as he eagerly seized the silver. “Make this Mexican twenty, and I will sell you a secret.”
“Go, go,” said the other with a little of a soldier's severity, returning to his manner. “Go, before I order the guard to seize you.”
“Well, go I will;—but if I do go, captain, I shall take my knowledge with me; and then you may live a widower136 bewitched till the tattoo137 of life is beat off.”
“What mean you, fellow?” exclaimed Middleton, turning quickly towards the wretch138, who was already dragging his diseased limbs from the place.
“I mean to have the value of this dollar in Spanish brandy, and then come back and sell you my secret for enough to buy a barrel.”
“If you have any thing to say, speak now,” continued Middleton, restraining with difficulty the impatience139 that urged him to betray his feelings.
“I am a-dry, and I can never talk with elegance when my throat is husky, captain. How much will you give to know what I can tell you; let it be something handsome; such as one gentleman can offer to another.”
“I believe it would be better justice to order the drummer to pay you a visit, fellow. To what does your boasted secret relate?”
“Matrimony; a wife and no wife; a pretty face and a rich bride: do I speak plain, now, captain?”
“If you know any thing relating to my wife, say it at once; you need not fear for your reward.”
“Ay, captain, I have drove many a bargain in my time, and sometimes I have been paid in money, and sometimes I have been paid in promises; now the last are what I call pinching food.”
“Name your price.”
“Twenty—no, damn it, it's worth thirty dollars, if it's worth a cent!”
“Here, then, is your money: but remember, if you tell me nothing worth knowing, I have a force that can easily deprive you of it again, and punish your insolence140 in the bargain.”
The fellow examined the bank-bills he received, with a jealous eye, and then pocketed them, apparently141 well satisfied of their being genuine.
“I like a northern note,” he said very coolly; “they have a character to lose like myself. No fear of me, captain; I am a man of honour, and I shall not tell you a word more, nor a word less than I know of my own knowledge to be true.”
“Proceed then without further delay, or I may repent142, and order you to be deprived of all your gains; the silver as well as the notes.”
“Honour, if you die for it!” returned the miscreant143, holding up a hand in affected144 horror at so treacherous145 a threat. “Well, captain, you must know that gentlemen don't all live by the same calling; some keep what they've got, and some get what they can.”
“You have been a thief.”
“I scorn the word. I have been a humanity hunter. Do you know what that means? Ay, it has many interpretations146. Some people think the woolly-heads are miserable147, working on hot plantations148 under a broiling149 sun—and all such sorts of inconveniences. Well, captain, I have been, in my time, a man who has been willing to give them the pleasures of variety, at least, by changing the scene for them. You understand me?”
“You are, in plain language, a kidnapper150.”
“Have been, my worthy captain—have been; but just now a little reduced, like a merchant who leaves off selling tobacco by the hogshead, to deal in it by the yard. I have been a soldier, too, in my day. What is said to be the great secret of our trade, can you tell me that?”
“I know not,” said Middleton, beginning to tire of the fellow's trifling151: “courage?”
“No, legs—legs to fight with, and legs to run away with—and therein you see my two callings agreed. My legs are none of the best just now, and without legs a kidnapper would carry on a losing trade; but then there are men enough left, better provided than I am.”
“Stolen!” groaned152 the horror-struck husband.
“On her travels, as sure as you are standing153 still!”
“Villain, what reason have you for believing a thing so shocking?”
“Hands off—hands off—do you think my tongue can do its work the better, for a little squeezing of the throat! Have patience, and you shall know it all; but if you treat me so ungenteelly again, I shall be obliged to call in the assistance of the lawyers.”
“Say on; but if you utter a single word more or less than the truth, expect instant vengeance154!”
“Are you fool enough to believe what such a scoundrel as I am tells you, captain, unless it has probability to back it? I know you are not: therefore I will give my facts and my opinions, and then leave you to chew on them, while I go and drink of your generosity155. I know a man who is called Abiram White.—I believe the knave156 took that name to show his enmity to the race of blacks! But this gentleman is now, and has been for years, to my certain knowledge, a regular translator of the human body from one State to another. I have dealt with him in my time, and a cheating dog he is! No more honour in him than meat in my stomach. I saw him here in this very town, the day of your wedding. He was in company with his wife's brother, and pretended to be a settler on the hunt for new land. A noble set they were, to carry on business—seven sons, each of them as tall as your sergeant157 with his cap on. Well, the moment I heard that your wife was lost, I saw at once that Abiram had laid his hands on her.”
“Do you know this—can this be true? What reason have you to fancy a thing so wild?”
“Reason enough; I know Abiram White. Now, will you add a trifle just to keep my throat from parching158?”
“Go, go; you are stupified with drink already, miserable man, and know not what you say. Go; go, and beware the drummer.”
“Experience is a good guide”—the fellow called after the retiring Middleton; and then turning with a chuckling159 laugh, like one well satisfied with himself, he made the best of his way towards the shop of the suttler.
A hundred times in the course of that night did Middleton fancy that the communication of the miscreant was entitled to some attention, and as often did he reject the idea as too wild and visionary for another thought. He was awakened160 early on the following morning, after passing a restless and nearly sleepless161 night, by his orderly, who came to report that a man was found dead on the parade, at no great distance from his quarters. Throwing on his clothes he proceeded to the spot, and beheld162 the individual, with whom he had held the preceding conference, in the precise situation in which he had first been found.
The miserable wretch had fallen a victim to his intemperance163. This revolting fact was sufficiently164 proclaimed by his obtruding165 eye-balls, his bloated countenance, and the nearly insufferable odours that were even then exhaling166 from his carcass. Disgusted with the odious167 spectacle, the youth was turning from the sight, after ordering the corpse168 to be removed, when the position of one of the dead man's hands struck him. On examination, he found the fore-finger extended, as if in the act of writing in the sand, with the following incomplete sentence, nearly illegible169, but yet in a state to be deciphered: “Captain, it is true, as I am a gentle—” He had either died, or fallen into a sleep, the forerunner of his death, before the latter word was finished.
Concealing170 this fact from the others, Middleton repeated his orders and departed. The pertinacity171 of the deceased, and all the circumstances united, induced him to set on foot some secret enquiries. He found that a family answering the description which had been given him, had in fact passed the place the day of his nuptials. They were traced along the margin172 of the Mississippi, for some distance, until they took boat and ascended173 the river to its confluence174 with the Missouri. Here they had disappeared like hundreds of others, in pursuit of the hidden wealth of the interior.
Furnished with these facts, Middleton detailed175 a small guard of his most trusty men, took leave of Don Augustin, without declaring his hopes or his fears, and having arrived at the indicated point, he pushed into the wilderness176 in pursuit. It was not difficult to trace a train like that of Ishmael, until he was well assured its object lay far beyond the usual limits of the settlements. This circumstance, in itself, quickened his suspicions, and gave additional force to his hopes of final success.
After getting beyond the assistance of verbal directions, the anxious husband had recourse to the usual signs of a trail, in order to follow the fugitives177. This he also found a task of no difficulty, until he reached the hard and unyielding soil of the rolling prairies. Here, indeed, he was completely at fault. He found himself, at length, compelled to divide his followers, appointing a place of rendezvous178 at a distant day, and to endeavour to find the lost trail by multiplying, as much as possible, the number of his eyes. He had been alone a week, when accident brought him in contact with the trapper and the bee-hunter. Part of their interview has been related, and the reader can readily imagine the explanations that succeeded the tale he recounted, and which led, as has already been seen, to the recovery of his bride.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
chide
|
|
| v.叱责；谴责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
revert
|
|
| v.恢复，复归，回到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
colonists
|
|
| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
discretion
|
|
| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
wielded
|
|
| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
nurtured
|
|
| 养育( nurture的过去式和过去分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
compliant
|
|
| adj.服从的，顺从的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
minions
|
|
| n.奴颜婢膝的仆从( minion的名词复数 )；走狗；宠儿；受人崇拜者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
discrepant
|
|
| 差异的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
attaining
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
irresistible
|
|
| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
gust
|
|
| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
scrolls
|
|
| n.（常用于录写正式文件的）纸卷( scroll的名词复数 )；卷轴；涡卷形（装饰）；卷形花纹v.（电脑屏幕上）从上到下移动（资料等），卷页( scroll的第三人称单数 )；（似卷轴般）卷起；（像展开卷轴般地）将文字显示于屏幕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
enrolled
|
|
| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
grandees
|
|
| n.贵族，大公，显贵者( grandee的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
vivacious
|
|
| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
aloof
|
|
| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
martial
|
|
| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
fascination
|
|
| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
creed
|
|
| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
intercourse
|
|
| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
propriety
|
|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
affluent
|
|
| adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
elegance
|
|
| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
manly
|
|
| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
secluded
|
|
| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
scruples
|
|
| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
attained
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
systematic
|
|
| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
frustrated
|
|
| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
pious
|
|
| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
proficient
|
|
| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
polemics
|
|
| n.辩论术，辩论法；争论( polemic的名词复数 )；辩论；辩论术；辩论法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
humility
|
|
| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
martyr
|
|
| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
tempted
|
|
| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
adversary
|
|
| adj.敌手，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
implements
|
|
| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
repulse
|
|
| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
skilful
|
|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
nought
|
|
| n.／adj.无，零 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
controversy
|
|
| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
piety
|
|
| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
deluge
|
|
| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
curtail
|
|
| vt.截短，缩短；削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
relics
|
|
| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
profane
|
|
| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
admonished
|
|
| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
triumphant
|
|
| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
prone
|
|
| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
wrought
|
|
| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
nuptials
|
|
| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
chapel
|
|
| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
retirement
|
|
| n.退休，退职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
solely
|
|
| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
delicacy
|
|
| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
intrude
|
|
| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
appellations
|
|
| n.名称，称号( appellation的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
aspirations
|
|
| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
petitioner
|
|
| n.请愿人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
espousing
|
|
| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
87
fervent
|
|
| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
extricating
|
|
| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
implicitly
|
|
| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
darted
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
gliding
|
|
| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
kinsman
|
|
| n.男亲属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
forerunner
|
|
| n.前身，先驱（者），预兆，祖先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
stimulated
|
|
| a.刺激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
retraced
|
|
| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
sequestered
|
|
| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
conversion
|
|
| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
incertitude
|
|
| n.疑惑，不确定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
conjecture
|
|
| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
speculation
|
|
| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
infinity
|
|
| n.无限，无穷，大量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
rumours
|
|
| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
emigrants
|
|
| n.（从本国移往他国的）移民( emigrant的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
impending
|
|
| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
warfare
|
|
| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
stranded
|
|
| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
heresy
|
|
| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
allude
|
|
| v.提及，暗指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
demonstrations
|
|
| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
smothered
|
|
| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
consigning
|
|
| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的现在分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
calamity
|
|
| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
adherence
|
|
| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
consolation
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
rebellious
|
|
| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
premature
|
|
| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
dominion
|
|
| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
superstitious
|
|
| adj.迷信的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
surmises
|
|
| v.臆测，推断( surmise的第三人称单数 )；揣测；猜想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
mortifying
|
|
| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
intentionally
|
|
| ad.故意地，有意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
bluff
|
|
| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
softened
|
|
| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
crouching
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
exultation
|
|
| n.狂喜，得意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
widower
|
|
| n.鳏夫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
tattoo
|
|
| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
insolence
|
|
| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
repent
|
|
| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
miscreant
|
|
| n.恶棍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
treacherous
|
|
| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
interpretations
|
|
| n.解释( interpretation的名词复数 )；表演；演绎；理解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
plantations
|
|
| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
broiling
|
|
| adj.酷热的，炽热的，似烧的v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的现在分词 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
kidnapper
|
|
| n.绑架者，拐骗者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
generosity
|
|
| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
knave
|
|
| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
sergeant
|
|
| n.警官，中士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
parching
|
|
| adj.烘烤似的，焦干似的v.（使）焦干， （使）干透( parch的现在分词 )；使（某人）极口渴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
chuckling
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
sleepless
|
|
| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
beheld
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
intemperance
|
|
| n.放纵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
obtruding
|
|
| v.强行向前，强行，强迫( obtrude的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
exhaling
|
|
| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的现在分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
odious
|
|
| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
corpse
|
|
| n.尸体，死尸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
illegible
|
|
| adj.难以辨认的，字迹模糊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
concealing
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
pertinacity
|
|
| n.执拗，顽固 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
172
margin
|
|
| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
confluence
|
|
| n.汇合，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
detailed
|
|
| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
wilderness
|
|
| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
fugitives
|
|
| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
rendezvous
|
|
| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |