The entrance of a British cruiser into the harbor of St. Kitts was always followed by a ball at Government House in the little capital of Basse Terre. To-night there was a squadron of three at anchor; therefore was the entertainment offered by the island’s President even more tempting3 than common, and hospitality had been extended to the officials and distinguished4 families of the neighboring islands, Nevis, Antigua, and Monserrat. On Nevis there remained but one family of eminence5, that great rock having been shorn long since of all but its imperishable beauty.
But Mrs. Edis of “Great House,” an old stone mansion6 unaffected by time, earthquake, or hurricane, and surrounded by a remnant of one of the oldest estates in the West Indies, was still a personage in spite of her fallen fortunes, and to-night she contributed a young daughter. The introduction of Julia Edis to society had been expected all winter as she was several months past eighteen, and the President had offered her a birthday fête; but Mrs. Edis, with whom no man was so hardy8 as to argue, had replied that her daughter should enter “the world” at the auspicious9 moment and not before. This was taken to mean one of two things: either that in good time a squadron would arrive with potential husbands, or (but this, of course, was mere10 frivolous11 gossip) when the planets proclaimed the hour of destiny. For more than thirty years Mrs. Edis had been suspected of dabbling12 in the black arts, incited13 originally by an old creole from Martinique, grandson of the woman who so accurately14 cast the horoscope of Josephine. For the last eighteen of these years it had been whispered among the birds in the high palm trees that a not unsimilar destiny awaited Julia Edis.
Therefore, when the word ran round the great ball-room of Government House that the big officer with the heavy mustache and curiously15 hard, shallow eyes, who had pursued the debutante16 from the moment she entered with her fearsome mother, was Harold France, heir presumptive to a dukedom, whose present incumbent17 was sickly and unmarried, the dowager pack (dressed for the most part in the thick old silks and “real lace” of the mid-Victorian period) crystallized the whisper for the first time and condescended18 to an interest in astrology.
“But it would be odd,” said the wife of the President, “although I, for one, neither believe in that absurd old science, nor that there ever was any basis for the story. No doubt it originated with the blacks, who love any superstition19.”
“Ah!” said the wife of the Magistrate20, “but it is curious that the blacks on Nevis, led by the Obi doctors, besieged21 Great House for a night, some twenty years ago. In the morning they were driven off by Mrs. Edis herself, a whip in one hand and a pistol in the other. She handled the situation alone, for Mr. Edis was a—ill—as usual.”
“Drunk,” said the blunter lady of quality. “And so were the blacks. By dawn they were sober, sick, and flaccid. A woman of ordinary resolution could have dispersed22 them—and Mrs. Edis!” She shrugged23 her shoulders significantly.
One of the younger women, the wife of an Antigua official, chimed in eagerly. “But do you really believe she is a—a— Oh, it is too silly! I am almost ashamed to say it!”
“Astrologer,” supplied the wife of the Magistrate, who had an unprovincial mind, although she had spent the best of her years in the islands. “Look at her.”
Mrs. Edis was sitting apart from the other women, talking to the President, the Captain of the flagship, and several officers of riper years than the steaming young men in their hot uniforms frisking about the room with the cool white creole girls. Mrs. Edis had not liked women in her triumphant24 youth, and now in her embittered25 age (she was past sixty, for Julia was the last of many children), she classed them as mere tools of Nature, purveyors of scandal, and fools by right of sex and circumstance. Even in the early nineties, at all events in the world’s backlands, it was still the fashion for women of strong brains and character to despise their own sex, and Mrs. Edis had not sailed out of the Caribbean Sea since her return to Nevis, from her first and only visit to England, forty years ago. Living an almost isolated26 life on a tropic island, she held women in much the same regard as the unenlightened male does to-day, despite his growing uneasiness and horrid27 moments of vision. Upon the rare occasions when she deigned28 to enter the little world of the Leeward29 Islands, she greeted the women with a fine old-time courtesy, and demanded forthwith the attention of high officials too dignified31 or too portly to dance. The men, since she was neither beautiful nor young, were amused by her caustic32 tongue, and correspondingly flattered when she chose to be amiable33.
It was difficult to believe that she had once been handsome—beautiful no one had ever called her. She was a very tall woman, already a little bowed, raw-boned, large of feature, save for the eyes, which were small, black, and piercing. Her black hair was still abundant, strong of texture34, and changing only at the temples; her skin was sallow and much wrinkled, her expression harsh, haughty35, tyrannical. There was no sign of weakness about her anywhere, although, now and again, as her eyes followed the bright figure of her daughter, they softened37 before flashing with pride and triumph.
She found herself alone with the Captain and turned to him abruptly39.
“This is the eighth time Lieutenant41 France has taken my girl out,” she announced. “And it is true that he will be a duke?” Mrs. Edis disdained43 finesse44, although she was capable of hoodwinking a parliament.
The Captain started under this direct attack. His large face darkened until it looked like well-laid slabs45 of brick pricked46 out with white. He cleared his throat, glanced uneasily at the formidable old lady, then answered resolutely:?—
“Better take your girl home, ma’am, and keep her close while we’re in harbor.”
The look she turned on him under heavy glistening47 brows, that reminded the imaginative Scot of lizards48, and were fit companions for her thick dilating49 nostrils50, made him quail51 for a moment: like many sea martinets he was shy with women of all sorts. Then he reflected (never having heard of the black arts) that looks could not kill, and returned to the attack.
“I mean, madam, that France is not a decent sort and would have been chucked long since but for family influence.”
“What do you mean by not a decent sort, sir?”
“He’s dissipated, vicious—”
“All young men sow their wild oats.” Mrs. Edis had forgotten none of the early and mid-Victorian formul?, and would have felt disdain42 for any young aristocrat52 who did not illustrate53 the most popular of them.
“That’s all very well, but France’s crop is sown in a soil fertile to rottenness, and it will take him a lifetime to exhaust it. I’d rather see a daughter of mine in her coffin54 than married to him, duke or no duke.”
Mrs. Edis favored him with another look, under which his hue55 deepened to purple: poor worm, he was but the son of an industrious56 merchant, and he knew that the sharp eyes of this old woman, despite the eagle in his glance and a spine57 like a ramrod, read his family history in his honest face.
“It’s God’s truth, ma’am. It’s not that I mind a young fellow’s being a bit wild; there’s plenty that are and make good husbands when their time comes. But with France it’s different.” He hesitated, then floundered for a moment as if unaccustomed to analysis of his fellows. “It’s not that he’s a cad—not in the ordinary sense—I mean as far as manners go—. I’ve never seen a man with better when it suits him—or more insolent58 when that suits him; and they’re more natural to him, I fancy, for he’s fair eaten up with pride—out of date in that respect, rather. It’s the fashion, nowadays, for the big-wigs to be affable and easy and democratic, whether they feel that way or not—however, I don’t mind a man’s feeling his birth and blood, for like as not he can’t help it, although it doesn’t make you love him. No. It’s more like this: I believe France to be entirely59 without heart. That’s something I never believed in until I met him—that a human being lived without a soft spot somewhere. But I’ve seen an expression in his eyes, especially after he’s been drinking, that appalls60 me, although I can only express it by a word commonplace enough—heartless. It’s that—a heartless glitter in his eyes, usually about as expressionless as glass marbles; and although I’m no coward, I’ve felt afraid of him. I don’t mean physically—but absolute lack of heart, of all human sympathy, must give a person an awful power—but it’s too uncanny for me to describe. I’m not much at words, ma’am, and, for the matter of that, I shouldn’t have got on the subject at all, it not being my habit to discuss my officers with any one, if this wasn’t the first time I’ve ever seen him devote himself to a respectable girl. But he’s smitten61 with that pretty child of yours, no doubt of it; and there are three handsome young married women in the room, too. I don’t like the look of it.”
“I do.” Mrs. Edis had not removed her eyes from the old sailor’s face as he endeavored to elucidate62 himself.
“There’s many a slip, you know. The duke’s not so old, only fifty odd, and marvellous cures are worked these days. Some mother is always tracking him with a good-looking girl. As for France, his debts are about all he has to live on?—”
“The President just told me that he has an income independent of his allowance from the head of his house, and I have knowledge that his expectations are founded upon certainty.”
The Captain, not long enough in port to have heard aught of Mrs. Edis’s dark reputation, glanced at her with a puzzled expression, then gave it up and answered lightly, “His income is good enough, yes, but nothing to his debts, which he never pays.”
“If he doesn’t pay his debts, what do they matter?” asked the old aristocrat, whose husband had never paid his, and whose son, having sold the last of his acres, was drinking himself into Fig36 Tree churchyard.
The Captain laughed. “I know your creed63, madam. And I must admit that France is a true blood. He never arrives in port without being showered with writs64, and he brushes them off as he would these damned mosquitoes—beg pardon, ma’am. But all the same, it wouldn’t be pleasant for your little girl. Fancy being served with a writ65 every morning at breakfast.”
The contempt in those sharp, unflinching eyes almost froze the words in their exit. “My daughter would never know what they were. Of money matters she knows as little as of Life itself. Writs would not disturb her youthful joyousness66 and serenity67 for an instant.”
“Damn these aristocrats68!” thought the old sailor. “And what a hole this must be!” He continued aloud, “But after the luxury of her old home?—”
“Luxury? We are as poor as mice. If my father had not put a portion of his estate in trust for me, as soon as he discovered that my husband was a spendthrift, we should have been on the parish long ago.”
The Captain opened his blue eyes, eyes that looked oddly soft and young (when not on duty) in his battered69 visage. “And you mean to say, that having married a spendthrift—Was he also dissipated?”
“Drank himself to death.”
“And you are prepared to hand over your innocent little daughter to the same fate? But it is incredible, ma’am! Incredible! I was thinking that you merely knew nothing of the world down here.”
“It’s little you could teach me!” She continued after a moment, with more condescension70: “There are no family secrets in these islands, and as many skeletons outside the graveyards71 as in. My husband squandered72 every acre he inherited, every penny of mine he could lay hands on. He reduced me, the proudest woman in the Caribbees, to a mere nobody. Therefore, am I determined73 that my child shall realize the great ambitions that turned to dust in my fingers. I have knowledge, which does not concern you, that this marriage—look for yourself, and see that it is inevitable74—will be but an incident while greater things are preparing.”
“Oh, if you have a medical certificate! But even as a duchess—” He paused and turning his head stared at the couple waltzing past. “There is no doubt as to the state of his mind. He looks the usual silly ass2 that a man always does when bowled over. But your daughter? I see nothing but innocent triumph in her delightful75 little face. There’s no love there—neither ambition.”
“There’ll be what I wish before the week is out.”
“She’s too good for France, and she’s not ambitious,” said the Captain, doggedly76. “Do you love her, madam?”
“I have never loved any one else.” The old woman’s harsh voice did not soften38. “Save, of course,” with a negligent77 wave of her hand, “her father, when I was young and foolish. So much the better if she does not love her husband. Women born to high destinies have no need of love. What little I remember of that silly and degrading passion makes me wish that no daughter of mine should ever experience it. Leave it to the men, and the sooner they get over it, the better.”
“Ah—yes—but, if you will pardon me, while your daughter is one of the most charming young things I have ever seen, she is not a beauty, nor has she the grand manner. You, madam, might have made the ideal duchess, if there is such a thing, but not that child.”
This compliment, either clumsy or malicious78, won him no favor; the old lady’s eyes flashed fire at his impertinence.
He went on undauntedly, “And why, pray, may I ask, do you think it so great a destiny to be a duchess?”
“What greater than to wed1 royalty79 itself? And that is hardly possible in these days.”
“Hardly. But, Lord God, madam, where have you lived? Women to-day are working out destinies for themselves. Now, personally, I should rather see my daughter a famous author, painter, singer, even, although I still have a bit of prejudice against the stage, than suddenly elevated to a class to which she was not born, particularly if led there by the hand of a man like France.”
“My daughter is a lady.”
“Oh, Lord, where am I? In the eighteenth century?” His pique80 and anger had vanished. He now saw nothing in the situation but present humor and future tragedy; and feeling that his ammunition81 was exhausted82 for the moment, he rose, bowed as ceremoniously as his spine would permit, and moved away. Nevertheless, he was interested, the native doggedness which had enabled him to overcome social disabilities was actively83 roused; moreover, if there was one man whom he disliked more profoundly than another, it was Harold France, and he resented the influence which kept a scoundrel in an honorable profession, when he should have been kicked out with a publicity84 that would have been a healthy lesson to his class.
He left the hot ball-room and went out upon the terrace to enjoy a cigar and meditate85 upon the singular character with whom he had exchanged hot shot for nearly an hour. He had no clew to her disquieting86 personality, but saw that she was a woman of some importance despite her avowed87 poverty; and she was the elderly mother of a charming young creature with a mane of untidy red-yellow hair (it would never occur to the old sailor to use any of the popular adjectives: flame-colored, copper88, Titian, bronze), immense gray eyes with thick black lashes89 on either lid, narrow black brows, a refined but not distinguished nose, a sweet childish mouth whose ultimate shape Nature had left to Life, a flat figure rather under medium height, covered with a white muslin frock, whose only caparison was a faded blue sash, unmistakably Victorian. Her skin, like that of the other creole girls reared in West Indian heats, was a pure transparent90 white, which not even dancing tinged91 with color. As the Captain had been brutal92 enough to inform her mamma she was not a beauty, but—he stared through the window at her—Youth, radiant, eager, innocent Youth that was her philter. To be sure, the ball-room of Government House was full of young girls, some of them quite beautiful, but they were not the vibrating symbols of their condition, and Julia Edis was. Not one of them possessed93 her entire lack of coquetry, that terrible innocence94, which, combined with an equally unconscious magnetism95, had played an immediate96 and fatal tune7 upon sated senses.
As the good but by no means unsophisticated sailor looked about him he felt more apprehensive97 still. Harold France, no doubt, was expert in love-making, and what island maiden98 of eighteen could resist an ardent99 wooer with a handsome face above six feet of Her Majesty’s uniform, on a night like this? He was disposed to curse the moon for being on duty, as she generally contrived100 to be in so many of the dubious101 crises of love; and to-night she had turned herself inside out to flood the tropical landscape, the sea, the mountains, with silver. The stars were pin-heads, the moon, in the black velvet102 sky of the tropics, looked like a sailing Alp, its ice and snows absorbing and flinging forth30 all the light in the heavens. The lofty clusters of long pointed103 leaves that tipped the shafts104 of the royal palm trees, glittered like swords, the sea near the shore was as light and vivid a green as by day, and the scent106 of flowers as seductive as the call of the nightingale. The music in the ball-room was sensuous107, sonorous108; and it was notorious that creole girls, cool and white as they looked, and dressed almost as simply as Julia Edis, were accomplished109 coquettes, always prepared for exciting campaigns, however brief, the moment a ship of war entered the harbor. Flirtation110, love, must agitate111 the very air to-night. Such things are communicable, even to the most ignorant and indifferent of maidens112. How could that child hope to escape?
He walked over to the window and looked in. The company was resting between dances, the girls and young officers flirting113 as openly as they dared, although few had ventured to defy the conventions and stroll out into the warm, scented114, tropic night. Still, two or three had, proposals being almost inevitable in such conditions; and squadrons come not every day.
France had left Julia beside her mother and gone into the dining room to refresh himself. He returned in a moment, and not only tucked the young girl’s arm within his, but stood for a while talking to Mrs. Edis with his most ingratiating air.
“He means business,” thought the Captain, grimly; and then he derived115 some comfort from the attitude of the girl herself. She was not paying the least attention to France, although she had permitted him to take possession of her. Her big, shining, happy eyes were wandering about the room, smiling roguishly as they met those of some girl acquaintance, or observed a flirtation behind complacent116 backs. When the waltz began once more, she floated off in the arm of the man whose hard, opaque117 eyes were devouring118 her perfect freshness, but she paid little or no attention to his whispered compliments, being far too absorbed in the delight of dancing.
“He’s made no more impression on her than if he were a dancing master,” thought the Captain, with satisfaction. “She’s immune to tropic nights and uniforms. Gad119! Wish I were a youngster. I’d enter the lists myself.”
But what could he do? He saw the satisfaction on the powerful face of Mrs. Edis, the envious120 glances of many mothers; no such parti as Harold France had come to these islands for many a year. And France was by no means ill to look at, if one did not analyze121 his eyes and mouth. He was a big, strong, positive male, with a bold, sheep-like profile (sometimes called classic), which would have made him look stupid but for a general expression of pride, so ingrained and sincere that it was almost lofty. There was not an atom of charm about him, not even common animal magnetism, but his manners were distinguished, his small brain remarkably122 quick, and he looked as if it had taken three valets to groom123 him.
The Captain almost cursed aloud. How was he to make that old woman, living on all the formul? of dead generations, and fancying that she knew the world, understand the difference between a wild young man and a vicious one? The girl might easily be persuaded to hate a man so aggressively masculine as France, but had she, a baby of eighteen, the strength of character to stand out against the ruthless will of her mother? Moreover, it was apparent that the vocabulary of the West Indies had yet to be enriched with those pregnant collocations, “new girl,” “new woman”; all these pretty old-fashioned young creatures had been brought up, no doubt, in a healthy submission124 to their parents, and if one of the parents happened to be a she-dragon, possibly her daughter would marry a ducal valetudinarian125 of ninety if she got her marching orders.
Should he appeal to France? The Captain, possessed though he was of the national heart of oak, felt no stomach for that interview. Imagination presented him with a vision, cruelly distinct, of the expression of high-bred insolence126 with which his effort would be received, the subtle manner in which he would be made to feel, that, superior officer though he might be, and in a fair way to become admiral and knight127, he dwelt on the far side of that chasm128 which segregates129 the aristocrat from the plebeian130. France had treated him to these sensations once or twice when he had remonstrated131 with him for giving way to his villainous temper, or mixed himself up in some nasty mess on shore; had even dared to threaten the prospective132 duke, who never noticed him when they met in Piccadilly. France had, indeed, induced such deep and righteous wrath133 in the worthy134 Captain’s breast that he might have been responsible for another convert to Socialism had it not been for the old sailor’s immutable135 loyalty136 to his queen and flag. But he hated France the more because the man was too clever for him. If he had disgraced his uniform, it always chanced that the Captain was engaged elsewhere; it was the Captain, not himself, who lost his temper during their personal encounters; his politeness, indeed, to his superior officer was unbearable137. And his family influence surrounded him like wired glass; it would have saved a more reckless man from public disgrace. His mother’s brother abominated138 him, but used his close connection with the Admiralty to avert139 a family scandal; his cousin, Kingsborough, who was far too saturated140 with family pride, and too unsophisticated, to believe such stories as he may have heard about the heir to whom he was automatically attached, believed France’s tales of envious detractors, and protected him vigilantly141. Sickly as he was, he was by no means negligible politically; he did his duty as he saw it, and, a sound Tory, was a reliable pillar of his party, whether it was in opposition142 or in power. Lastly, France was a good officer, and, apparently143, without fear.
To-night, the Captain, thinking of his one unmarried daughter, and singularly attracted by the radiant girl about to be sacrificed by a narrow, inexperienced, long since sexless mother, hated France ferociously144 and made up his never wavering mind to balk145 him. . . .
“And speaking of the devil’s own—”
France had stepped out upon the terrace not far from him, and alone. For a moment the man stood in shadow, then a quick, abrupt40 movement brought his face into a shaft105 of light. France, unaware146 of the only other occupant of the terrace, stared straight before him. The Captain looked to see his face flushed and contorted with animal desire, knowing the man as he did. But France’s face was as immobile as a mask; only, as he continued to stare, there came into his eyes what the Captain had formulated147 as “a heartless glitter.” It made him look neither man nor beast, but a shell without a soul, without the common instincts of humanity, a Thing apart. As the Captain, himself in shadow, gazed, fascinated, and sensible of the horror which this singular expression of France’s always induced, something stirred in his brain. Where had he seen that expression before—sometime in his remote youth?—where? where?—Suddenly he had a vision of a whole troop of faces—they marched out from some lost recess148 in his mind—all with that same heartless—soulless—glitter in their eyes. And then the cigar fell from his loosened lips. He had seen those faces—some thirty years ago—in an asylum149 for the insane one night when the more docile150 of the patients were permitted to have a dance.
“Good God!” he muttered. “Good God!”
France turned at the sound of the voice.
“That you, Captain?” he said negligently151, his eyes merely hard and shallow again. “Jolly party, ain’t it? Of course the tropics are an old story to you, but this is my first experience of the West Indies, at least. I’m quite mad about them. And all these toppin’ girls! Never saw such skins. Come in and have a drink?”
He had spoken in his best manner, without a trace of insolence. Having delivered himself of inoffensive sentiments, quite proper to the evening, he suddenly passed his arm through that of his superior officer and led him down the terrace. The Captain, overcome by his emotions and the unwonted condescension of a prospective duke, made no resistance, drank a stiff Scotch-and-soda, then cursing himself for a snob152 of the best British dye, returned to the element where he felt most at home.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
wed
|
|
| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
ass
|
|
| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
tempting
|
|
| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
eminence
|
|
| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
hardy
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
auspicious
|
|
| adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
frivolous
|
|
| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
dabbling
|
|
| v.涉猎( dabble的现在分词 )；涉足；浅尝；少量投资 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
incited
|
|
| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
accurately
|
|
| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
debutante
|
|
| n.初入社交界的少女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
incumbent
|
|
| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
condescended
|
|
| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
superstition
|
|
| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
magistrate
|
|
| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
besieged
|
|
| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
dispersed
|
|
| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
triumphant
|
|
| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
embittered
|
|
| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
isolated
|
|
| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
horrid
|
|
| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
deigned
|
|
| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
leeward
|
|
| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
dignified
|
|
| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
caustic
|
|
| adj.刻薄的，腐蚀性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
texture
|
|
| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
fig
|
|
| n.无花果(树) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
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： |
|
|
|
|
38
soften
|
|
| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
abrupt
|
|
| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
lieutenant
|
|
| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
disdain
|
|
| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
disdained
|
|
| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
finesse
|
|
| n.精密技巧，灵巧，手腕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
slabs
|
|
| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
pricked
|
|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
glistening
|
|
| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
lizards
|
|
| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
dilating
|
|
| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
nostrils
|
|
| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
quail
|
|
| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
aristocrat
|
|
| n.贵族，有贵族气派的人，上层人物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
illustrate
|
|
| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
coffin
|
|
| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
industrious
|
|
| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
spine
|
|
| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
insolent
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
appalls
|
|
| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
smitten
|
|
| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
elucidate
|
|
| v.阐明，说明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
creed
|
|
| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
writs
|
|
| n.书面命令，令状( writ的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
writ
|
|
| n.命令状，书面命令 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
joyousness
|
|
| 快乐，使人喜悦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
serenity
|
|
| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
aristocrats
|
|
| n.贵族( aristocrat的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
battered
|
|
| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
condescension
|
|
| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
graveyards
|
|
| 墓地( graveyard的名词复数 )； 垃圾场； 废物堆积处； 收容所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
squandered
|
|
| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
doggedly
|
|
| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
negligent
|
|
| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
malicious
|
|
| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
royalty
|
|
| n.皇家，皇族 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
pique
|
|
| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
ammunition
|
|
| n.军火，弹药 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
actively
|
|
| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
publicity
|
|
| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
meditate
|
|
| v.想，考虑，（尤指宗教上的）沉思，冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
disquieting
|
|
| adj.令人不安的，令人不平静的v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
avowed
|
|
| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
copper
|
|
| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
lashes
|
|
| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
transparent
|
|
| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
tinged
|
|
| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
brutal
|
|
| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
innocence
|
|
| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
magnetism
|
|
| n.磁性，吸引力，磁学 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
apprehensive
|
|
| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
ardent
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
contrived
|
|
| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
dubious
|
|
| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
shafts
|
|
| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
shaft
|
|
| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
sensuous
|
|
| adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
sonorous
|
|
| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
flirtation
|
|
| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
agitate
|
|
| vi.(for,against)煽动，鼓动；vt.搅动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
maidens
|
|
| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
flirting
|
|
| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
scented
|
|
| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
derived
|
|
| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
complacent
|
|
| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
opaque
|
|
| adj.不透光的；不反光的，不传导的；晦涩的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
devouring
|
|
| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
gad
|
|
| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
envious
|
|
| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
analyze
|
|
| vt.分析，解析 (=analyse) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
remarkably
|
|
| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
groom
|
|
| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
submission
|
|
| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
valetudinarian
|
|
| n.病人；健康不佳者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
insolence
|
|
| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
chasm
|
|
| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
segregates
|
|
| （使）分开( segregate的第三人称单数 )； 分离； 隔离； 隔离并区别对待（不同种族、宗教或性别的人） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
plebeian
|
|
| adj.粗俗的；平民的；n.平民；庶民 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
remonstrated
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
prospective
|
|
| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
immutable
|
|
| adj.不可改变的，永恒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
unbearable
|
|
| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
abominated
|
|
| v.憎恶，厌恶，不喜欢( abominate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
avert
|
|
| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
saturated
|
|
| a.饱和的，充满的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
vigilantly
|
|
| adv.警觉地，警惕地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
ferociously
|
|
| 野蛮地，残忍地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
balk
|
|
| n.大方木料；v.妨碍；不愿前进或从事某事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
unaware
|
|
| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
formulated
|
|
| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
recess
|
|
| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
asylum
|
|
| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
docile
|
|
| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
negligently
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
snob
|
|
| n.势利小人，自以为高雅、有学问的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |