Nor was it merely caprice which had produced so favourable8 a change of feeling in the present instance, although he was by nature, it must be confessed, somewhat capricious and undecided. He had always liked the young knight9, even when the two houses of Ashby and Monthermer were opposed to each other in former days. He had once or twice bestowed10 a caress11 upon the boy, when he had met him accidentally at the court of the King, and Hugh had shown a degree of affection for him in return, which had produced one of those impressions in his favour that time strengthens rather than effaces12.
Various circumstances had since caused him to vacillate, as we have seen; but when after the battle of Evesham he found that Hugh was in high favour with the gallant13 Prince, who had just saved his father's throne, when he saw the way open before him to the brightest career at the court of his Sovereign, and remembered at the same time that he must inevitably14 unite in his own person all the power and fortune of the two great branches of his noble house, he felt, that in a mere7 worldly point of view, a better alliance could not be found throughout the land.
He was, therefore, but little inclined to throw any obstacle in the way; and during the progress down to Nottingham,--a progress which in those times occupied sixteen or seventeen days--he perceived two facts which fixed15 his resolution: first, that his daughter whom he loved better than aught else on earth, had staked her happiness on a union with Hugh de Monthermer; and next, that it was the earnest desire of Edward--though the Prince did not make it a positive request, that no obstacle should be thrown in the way of his friend's marriage with her he loved.
Thus, he himself had, during that morning, led the way to a conversation which ended in his promising16 Lucy's hand to Hugh de Monthermer; and it had been arranged that, as the King, at the end of two days, was to visit Lindwell and be there entertained for a week, the announcement of the approaching marriage should be publicly made on the morning of the Monarch17's arrival.
Such were the happy tidings which Hugh himself bore over to Lucy, and they now stood at that window gazing over the fair scene before their eyes, with feelings in their hearts which can never be known but once in life--feelings, the same in their nature and their character in the bosom18 of each, though modified of course, by sex, by habits, and by disposition19. It was all joy and expectation and the looking forward to the long bright days of mutual20 love; but with Lucy that joy was timid, agitating21, overpowering. All her gay and sparkling cheerfulness sunk beneath the weight of happy hopes, as one sometimes sees a bee so overloaded22 with honey that he can scarce carry his sweet burden home; and she had neither a jest to throw away upon herself or any one else, but, as we have said, stood quiet and subdued23 by Hugh de Monthermer's side, his arm half supporting her, and her head leaning on his shoulder. He, too, though always tender and kind towards her, seemed softened24 still more, by the circumstances in which he was placed. Even the eager love within his bosom controlled itself, lest its ardour should alarm and agitate25 the gentle being, whom he now looked upon as all his own. He soothed26 her, he calmed her, his caresses27 were light and tender; and he even strove to win her thoughts away from the more agitating parts of the subject on which they rested, to those which would give her back firmness and tranquillity28.
He called her mind back to the day they had spent together in the forest, to the promises they had made, and to the restrictions29 she had placed upon hers. He acknowledged that it was better she had done so, but he added--"I may now ask you unhesitatingly, dear Lucy, to pledge me here the vow30 that you will soon make at the altar, and to tell me that you are mine, and will be for ever mine."
"Oh, willingly, willingly, now!" answered Lucy, withdrawing her hand for a moment, and then giving it back again. "Yours I am, Hugh, whatever betide--yours and none but yours,--yours through weal and woe31, through life, till death--oh, yes, and after death!" and she hid her eyes for a moment on his bosom, with the sweet tears of happy emotion rising is them till they well-nigh over-ran the dark fringed lid. Then, turning again to the view before their eyes, they both gazed forth32 in silence, with their hearts full and their minds busy.
Alas33, poor lovers! they little knew that their fate was like the changeful autumn day, whose clouds and sunshine were sweeping34 rapidly over the wide forest scene on which they looked, now sparkling in the full glory of light, and the next moment, ere one could see the storm in its approach, dark and heavy with the raindrops rushing down, and tearing the brown leaves from the fading trees.
One of those heavy showers had just cleared away, and the rays of the sun were sparkling again over the jewelled ground, when, about an hour after Hugh's arrival, a large and splendid train was seen coming across the green slopes from Nottingham, betokening35 the return of the Earl. He rode on quickly, and Lucy and her lover advanced into the richly carved stone balcony, to wave the hand and welcome him back with looks that spoke36 their gratitude37 and joy; but the Earl did not raise his eyes, and both Hugh and his fair companion perceived, as he approached, that in the train of the Earl were several gentlemen not belonging to his own household.
A moment or two after, steps were heard ascending38, and as they were many, Lucy darted39 away through a small door which led, by another staircase, to her own apartments, believing that her father was bringing some strangers to the castle, and wishing to remove the traces of recent agitation40 from her countenance41 before she met them.
Hugh de Monthermer was not long left alone. Lucy was scarcely gone when the voice of the Earl of Ashby was heard speaking to some of those who had accompanied him.
"Stay you here, gentlemen," he said, "he will return with you to the King--be not afraid; I will be his surety.--Let me speak with him first;" and the next instant the Earl entered the hall, with his eyes bent42 upon the ground and a cloud upon his brow.
Though conscious of perfect innocence43, and knowing of no danger that was likely to befal him, the heart of Hugh de Monthermer sunk at the words which he heard the Lord de Ashby utter. They came upon his ear like the announcement of new misfortunes, of new obstacles between Lucy and himself. It is true they might have meant a thousand other things, they might have referred even to some other person, but how often do we see a boy in the midst of a sunshiny holiday take alarm at the shadow of a light cloud, and fancy that a storm is coming on. Hugh de Monthermer was too brightly happy not to tremble lest his happiness should pass away like a dream.
Advancing, then, rapidly towards the Earl, he said, with his usual frank and generous bearing, "What is the matter, my noble lord? You seem sad and downcast, though you were so gay and cheerful this morning."
"Everything has changed since this morning, sir," answered the Earl, "and my mood with the rest. The King forbids your marriage with my daughter; and, as my consent was but conditional----"
Hugh's indignation would not bear restraint. "This is most unjust and tyrannical"--he replied aloud; "but I do believe some one has poisoned the King's mind against me, for until yesterday morning he was all favour and kindness. Prince Edward is now absent, and some villain44 has taken advantage thereof to abuse the Monarch's ear."
"Of that I know nothing," answered the Earl, coldly, "but at all events he has forbidden the marriage--and consequently I require you to give me back my plighted45 word that it should take place."
"Never!" exclaimed Hugh de Monthermer, vehemently46, "Never!--I will never be accessory to my own bitter and unjust disappointment.--You may, my lord, if you will--but I do not think you will--you may break your promise, you may withdraw your consent, but it shall be your own act and none of mine. I stand before you here, as honest and innocent of all offence as ever man was; and, if there was no cause this morning why you should refuse me your dear daughter's hand, there is none now."
"There is--there is," cried the Earl, sharply,--"the King's express command."
"Given upon some false showing," said Hugh de Monthermer. "I will go to him this moment. I will dare my accusers to bring forward their charge to my face. I will prove their falsehood upon them--first by show of witnesses, and next by arms--and bitterly shall they repent47 the day that they dared sully my name by a word. I know them,--I know who they are, and their contrivances, right well. I had a warning of their being near, last night.--I do beseech48 you, my lord, tell me, of what do they accuse me? and fear not that I will soon exculpate49 myself."
"Nay50, I know not, accurately51, Hugh," replied the Earl, in a kindlier tone than he had hitherto used. "I have heard, however, that there is a charge against you, a general charge of conspiring52 with those enemies of the state who have been striving to raise once more the standard of rebellion in the North and in the marches of Wales."
"It is false--it is as false as hell!" cried Hugh; but then, after a moment, growing calmer, he took the old Earl's hand, saying, "Forgive me, my dear lord, if, in the heat of so bitter a disappointment, I have said anything that could pain or offend you. Forgive me, I entreat53 you--and promise me two things."
"What are they, my good lord?" demanded the Earl. "I will, if they are meet and reasonable."
Hugh de Monthermer lowered his voice from the tone in which he had before been speaking, and replied, "They are meet and reasonable, my lord, or I would not ask them. First, promise me that the moment I am gone you will write a letter to Prince Edward, telling him that his humble54 friend, Hugh de Monthermer, is accused of crimes which he declares he never dreamt of. Beseech him to return with all speed to see justice done, and send the packet by a trusty messenger to Derby, where the Prince now lies."
"I will--I will," answered the Earl; "it shall be done within an hour. But what more, Hugh--what more?"
"This, my dear lord," replied the young nobleman,--"your messenger will reach Derby to-night; and, if I know Prince Edward rightly, ere to-morrow's sun be an hour declined from high noon, he will be in Nottingham. I will beseech the King to wait till that moment, to hear my full defence. What I ask then is, that you will meet me in the presence, and, if you cannot lay your hand upon your heart and say that you believe me guilty, you will renew your promise of dear Lucy's hand, and urge the King with me to give his consent likewise."
The old Lord hesitated, but at length answered, "Well!"
"Then now farewell, my lord," said Hugh de Monthermer. "I must not stay till your dear daughter comes. After the happy hour we passed but now together, 'twould well-nigh break my heart to see her under other circumstances."
Thus saying, he wrung56 the old man's hand, and strode towards the door, but turning for an instant before he quitted the chamber57, he saw that the Earl stood fixed in the midst of the hall, with a hesitating air; and he added, aloud, "You will not fail, my lord!"
"No, no," replied the Earl, "I will meet you at the hour you named.--Fear not, I will not fail."
There was a wide landing-place between the top of the stairs and the door of the hall; and Hugh de Monthermer found it crowded with gentlemen belonging to Henry's court. The moment he appeared, Sir Guy de Margan advanced towards him, saying, "Lord Hugh de Monthermer, I am commanded by the King----"
But Hugh interrupted his address, frowning upon him sternly, "To summon me to his majesty58's presence!" he said. "I go thither59, at once, sir, and that is enough!--Take care, Sir Guy de Margan!" he added, seeing him still approaching him; "remember, I am not fond of your close presence!"--and he brought the hilt of his long sword nearer to his right hand, striding onward60 to the top of the staircase, as he did so; while the gentlemen who occupied the landing, not exactly liking61 the expression of his countenance, made way for him on either side, and Guy de Margan bit his lip with an angry frown, not daring to approach too closely.
The young nobleman's horse, and the attendants who had accompanied him, were ready in the court; and springing into the saddle, without giving the slightest attention to those who followed, he shook his bridle62 rein63, and galloped64 on towards Nottingham. The others came after at full speed: and both parties entered the city, and passed the gates of the castle almost at the same moment. Dismounting from his horse, Hugh proceeded at once towards the royal apartments, leaving several of the pages and attendants behind him, unquestioned, on his way. In the ante-room of the audience chamber he met William de Valence, for the time one of the prime favourites of the Monarch; and stopping him, he asked, "Can I speak with his Majesty, my Lord of Pembroke? I find I have been accused wrongfully, and must clear myself."
"His Grace expects your lordship," answered the Earl, with an icy look; "but he expects to see you in custody65."
"There was no need, sir," replied Hugh; "I fear not to meet my King, and never need force to make me face my foes66. Will you bring me to the presence--that is all I require."
"Follow me, then," said the Earl; and opening the door, he announced the arrival of the young knight to Henry, who immediately ordered him to be brought in.
The Monarch was seated near a table, with the Lord Mortimer standing67 by him. They were apparently68 jesting upon some subject, for both were smiling when Hugh de Monthermer entered; but the moment the weak and tyrannical Sovereign's eyes fell upon him, an angry scowl69 came upon his countenance, which brought King John strongly back to the minds of those who remembered that feeble and cold-blooded Prince.
"So, sir," said Henry, "you have come of your accord, to meet the reward of your high merits!"
"I come, your Grace," replied Hugh, bowing low, "to meet my accusers in your royal presence, and to give them the lie in their teeth, if they dare to charge me with any act contrary to my allegiance or my duty."
"What!" said the King--"was consorting70 with De Montfort, was fighting at Evesham, not contrary to your allegiance?"
"Oh! my lord," answered Hugh, "if the charge goes as far back as that, I must plead both your Grace's special pardon, and your general amnesty to all who laid down their arms, made submission71, and offended not again!"
"But you have offended again," exclaimed the King; "that is the chief charge against you."
"And whoever does make it," replied Hugh de Monthermer, "is a false and perjured72 traitor73, and I will prove it upon him, either by investigation74 before your Majesty, or by wager75 of battle--my body against his, with God for the judge."
"Nay--nay, sir," said Henry, "we know your strength and skill in arms right well; and this is not a case where we will trust plain justice to be turned from its course by a strong arm and a bold but perverse76 heart. We ourselves will be your accuser, with whom there can be no wager of battle; and those we call to prove your crime shall be but witnesses."
"My lord, that cannot be," replied Hugh, boldly. "My King will never be judge and accuser, both in one."
"Then you shall have other judges," cried the Monarch; "your peers shall judge you. But, if you be truly innocent, you will not scruple77 now to answer at once the charges made against you."
"It is for that, I come," replied the young knight. "Unprepared, not knowing what these charges are, I come to meet them as I may. I pray you, let me hear them."
While he and the King had been speaking, a number of new faces had appeared in the audience chamber, comprising all those who had followed the young nobleman from Lindwell; and Henry, running his eye over them, exclaimed--"Stand forth, Guy de Margan--and you, Hugh Fitzhugh--and you, Sir William Geary, come near also, and say of what you accuse Lord Hugh de Monthermer."
"'Faith, sire," replied Sir William Geary, with his usual sarcastic78 grin, "I accuse the noble knight of nothing. I was at the pass of arms at Northampton, my lord, when he unhorsed the four best lances in the field. Now, I never was particularly strong in the knees, and, moreover, am getting somewhat rusty55 with years; so God forbid that I should accuse any man who talks of the wager of battle. When I heard it, I trembled almost as much as Sir Guy de Margan here."
"It is false! I trembled not!" exclaimed Sir Guy.
"True--true," answered the other, "you only shook, and looked sickly."
"Sir William Geary," cried the King, "this is no jesting matter! Speak what it was you told me that you saw."
"I saw a fat monk79," replied Sir William Geary, whose inclination80 for a joke could hardly be restrained--"a jolly monk as ever my eyes rested upon, and this fat monk, sire," he continued, more seriously, seeing that the King was becoming angry, "stopped, and asked his way to the apartments of the noble lord. He jested as wittily81 with Sir Harry82 Grey as a court fool does with a thick-headed country lad; but when he had gone on his way, Sir Guy de Margan here, a very serious and reputable youth, as your Majesty knows, told me, in mysterious secrecy83, that the friar was a very treacherous84 piece of fat indeed--a traitor's messenger--a go-between of rebels--a personage whom he had himself known with Sir William Lemwood and the rest, in the marches of Wales. So, inviting85 him sweetly into my chamber, we two watched together for the monk's going forth from this noble lord's apartments which was not for more than an hour. In the meanwhile, pious86 Sir Guy entertained me with his shrewd suspicions, of how the monk and the valiant87 knight were hatching treason together, which, as you know, sire, is a cockatrice's egg, laid by male fowls88, and hatched by dragons looking at it. A very pretty allegory of a conspiracy89, if we did but read fools for fowls--that by the way; but to return to my tale:--the monk at length appeared in the courtyard again, and shortly after the Lord Hugh de Monthermer, him following. Thereupon; one of those irresistible90 inclinations91 which set the legs in motion, whether man will or not, seized upon me and good Sir Guy; and drawn92 as if by that rock of adamant93 on which the Earl is fixed, we pursued, without power of resistance, the path of knight and friar. Just at the gate of the city we found our ascetic94 friend mounted on a mule95, and holding a horse for his knightly96 acquaintance, on which we saw the gallant Lord spring, and after that they rode away together. This is all I have to say, sire, and what I have said is true; but far be it from me to take any accusation97 against a knight who can squeeze a horse to death between his two knees, or stop a charger in full course by catching98 hold of an iron ring, and grasping the beast with his two legs."
"What have you to answer, sir?" demanded the King, turning to Hugh.
"Simply that I saw a monk yesterday, sire," replied the young nobleman, "and that he stayed with me nearly an hour, talking much of venison, and somewhat of hunting. He may, from his language, have committed the crime of taking a fat buck99 when he had no right to do so; but, by my faith, that is the only treason I should suspect him of, and not one word did he utter in my presence, either about risings, rebellions, or aught else that could move your royal displeasure."
"Ha! what say you to this, Sir Guy de Margan?" asked the King. "Tell us, who is this friar? Is he a rebel, or is he not?"
"Notoriously so, my lord," replied Guy de Margan. "I found him with Lemwood and the other traitors100, to whom you, sire, sent me for the purpose of negotiation101; and it would seem that he had come to comfort them with promises of assistance from the North."
"But yet that does not prove," said Mortimer, "that the Lord Hugh held any treasonable converse102 with him. His business with that good lord might have been of a very simple kind."
Malevolent103 injustice104 becomes most dangerous when it assumes the garb105 of equity106; and Mortimer, who knew the whole that was to come, only assumed the style of an impartial107 judge, that his after persecution108 of the young nobleman might seem dictated109 by a sense of justice.
"It might have been so, indeed," replied Guy de Margan, "had it but been a visit from the friar to my Lord of Monthermer; but their setting forth together would seem strange; and the secrecy observed in the monk quitting the castle first, and the knight following at a little distance, renders it more strange still. Perhaps Lord Hugh will condescend110 to explain why he went, and where."
"Methinks," answered Hugh, "that the honourable111 spies who crept after my footsteps from the castle to the town gate, might have carried their inquiries112 a little farther, when they would have saved the necessity of such questions here."
"In regard to one point," said Hugh Fitzhugh, a large, burly Norman gentleman--"in regard to one point, I, at least, can give some explanation. What he went for I can but divine, but where he went I know right well. He rode out with all speed to the forest, for I saw him there with this same monk they mention. The truth is, I had somewhat missed my way; and coming through some of the by-paths of the wood, I suddenly chanced upon a party of five persons in deep and earnest conversation. Three of them had vizards on their faces, too, and the two that were unmasked were Hugh de Monthermer and the friar we have heard of. Now, my lord the King, unless he explain that, we have no explanation at all. But your wisdom will judge."
"Let him explain, if he will," said the King, "or rather, if he can. I doubt it much; but I am willing to hear."
"My lord," replied Hugh de Monthermer, "for once in their lives these noble gentlemen have told the truth: I did go out after the priest; I did accompany him into the forest; I did meet three men there--but with no evil purpose; nor did one word transpire113 which any man could call treason."
"Who were the men you went to see?" demanded the King.
"Nay, sire," replied Hugh, "you must forgive me, if I give not their names. My accusers, if they charge me with crime, must show that I have been guilty of it. Now no such thing is even attempted to be proved. All that they assert is, that I spoke with a friar, rode out with a friar, and was seen conversing114 with three unknown persons in Sherwood. If this be held as treason, God defend the innocent!"
"But, my good lord," said Mortimer, to whom the King turned his eyes, "it is shown that this friar, who took you forth to speak with three other men, is himself a notorious traitor, and you must show that the others were not so also, or the imputation115 will lie against you of consorting with, and concealing116 the counsel of, the King's enemies."
"Which is a high crime, my lord," added Henry, sternly.
Hugh de Monthermer gazed down thoughtfully on the ground for a moment, for he found that he was placed in a situation of much greater difficulty and danger than he imagined; but looking up at length, he answered, "My lord the King, I am here in this presence without friends or counsellors to aid or to assist me. I have come without forethought or preparation, as fast as my horse would hear me, to answer a charge, cunningly contrived117 beforehand by my enemies. I do beseech you, give me but four-and-twenty hours to consider well how I ought to act. If I may have any one to advise with me, I shall esteem118 it as a grace; but if not, at all events let me have time for thought myself. I know that I can prove my innocence, beyond all doubt, if I have time to do it."
"You shall have time and counsel too," replied the King, "but it shall be under custody. My Lord of Mortimer, attach him in our name. Let him be conveyed to his chamber; set a strong guard upon the door; and give access to any one of his servants, but not more, that he may have free leave to send for what counsellor he will; let that counsellor visit him; and as he asks for four-and-twenty hours, bring him before us again at this same time to-morrow."
The Earl of Mortimer took a few steps forward, as if to attach the young nobleman for high treason, but Hugh de Monthermer bowed his head, saying, "I surrender myself willingly, my lord, and fixing my full reliance on the King's justice, await the event of to-morrow without fear."
He then left the presence under the custody of Mortimer, and was conducted to the chamber which he had occupied since his arrival at Nottingham, and which comprised, as was usually the case with those assigned to noblemen of high rank, a bed-room for himself, and an ante-room, across the entrance of which one or two of his attendants usually slept, barring all dangerous access to their lord during the night.
Having beckoned119 some of the King's guard as they passed along, Mortimer stationed two soldiers at the door of the ante-room, and took measures for their regular relief on the rounds. He then entered with his prisoner, and finding stout120 Tom Blawket in the ante-room, he asked whether the young nobleman would choose him as the attendant who was to be permitted to wait upon him, or would send for any other.
"I should have asked for him, my lord, had I not found him here," replied Hugh. "I thank you for your courtesy, however, and trust that the time may come when, having proved my innocence, I may repay it."
"I hope to see you soon at liberty," rejoined Mortimer, with a dark smile; and retiring from the chamber, he ordered another guard to be stationed at the foot of the staircase.
No sooner was he gone, than Hugh called the stout yeoman into the inner room, and bade him shut the door.
"Nay, look not downcast, Blawket," he said, as the man entered with a sad and apprehensive121 look, "this storm will soon pass away. Indeed, it would have been dissipated already, but that I was embarrassed by a matter which will be joyful122 tidings to you."
"I know what you would say, my lord," replied the good yeoman, "for, since we have been here, I have heard of the noble Earl. That urchin123 boy who served you some time at Hereford, sprang up behind me one day when I was crossing the forest, and told me all about it."
"Well, then, Blawket," continued Hugh, "no time is to be lost; get to your horse's back with all speed, and ride along upon the east side of Sherwood, taking the Southwell road till you come to the Mere mark--a tall post painted with red stripes--There turn into the wood for some five hundred yards, and sound three mots upon your horn, whoever comes to you, will lead you to my uncle. Tell him I have been watched; that the man who passed while we were speaking together yesterday recognised me; and combining that fact with others, has given a face of truth to an accusation of treason against me. Show him that I dare not say who it was I met, lest the forest should be searched and his retreat discovered. When twenty-four hours are over, however, I must speak, if I would save my head from the axe124, for I see that there is a dark conspiracy against me, and I am without support. Beseech him to put as many miles as may be between himself and Nottingham, ere this hour to-morrow, for the King's wrath125 burns as fiercely against him as ever. Away, good Blawket--away!--Should any one stop you, and ask you where you are going, say for Master Roger More, a clerk well skilled in the laws, and lose no time."
"I will not spare the spur, my lord," replied Blawket, and withdrew, leaving Hugh de Monthermer in meditations126, which were sad and gloomy, notwithstanding all his efforts to convince himself that no real danger hung over him.
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casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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knight
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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effaces
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gallant
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inevitably
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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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promising
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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bosom
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disposition
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mutual
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agitating
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| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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overloaded
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| a.超载的，超负荷的 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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25
agitate
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| vi.(for,against)煽动，鼓动；vt.搅动 | |
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soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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27
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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28
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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29
restrictions
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| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
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30
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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31
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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32
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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33
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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34
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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35
betokening
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的现在分词 ) | |
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36
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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37
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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38
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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39
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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40
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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41
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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42
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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43
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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44
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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45
plighted
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| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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46
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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47
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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48
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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49
exculpate
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| v.开脱，使无罪 | |
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50
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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51
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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52
conspiring
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| 密谋( conspire的现在分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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53
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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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
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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56
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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57
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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58
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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59
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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60
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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61
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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62
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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64
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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65
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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66
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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67
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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68
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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69
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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70
consorting
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| v.结伴( consort的现在分词 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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71
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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72
perjured
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| adj.伪证的，犯伪证罪的v.发假誓，作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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74
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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75
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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76
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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77
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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78
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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79
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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80
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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81
wittily
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| 机智地，机敏地 | |
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82
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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83
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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84
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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85
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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86
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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87
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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88
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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89
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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90
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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91
inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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92
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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93
adamant
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| adj.坚硬的，固执的 | |
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94
ascetic
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| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
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95
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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96
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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97
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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98
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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99
buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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100
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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101
negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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102
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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103
malevolent
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| adj.有恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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104
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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105
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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106
equity
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| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
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107
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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108
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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109
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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110
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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111
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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112
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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113
transpire
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| v.(使)蒸发，(使)排出 ；泄露，公开 | |
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114
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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115
imputation
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| n.归罪，责难 | |
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116
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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117
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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118
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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119
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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121
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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122
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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123
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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124
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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125
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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126
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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