Captain Lottingar opened the door of the library and roared up the staircase—
"Lottie!"
Miss Lottie Lottingar came down. She was an exceedingly handsome young person,—what is usually known as "a fine figure of a woman,"—but there was nothing of the squire's daughter about her, as there should be about a youthful chatelaine who comes tripping down the shallow oak stairs of a great Elizabethan country house. There is usually something breezy, healthy, and eminently1 English about such a girl. Lottie, although her colour was good and her costume countrified enough, smacked2 of the town. She was undeniably attractive, but in her present surroundings she somehow suggested a bottle of champagne3 at a school-treat. She would have made an admirable "Principal Boy" in a pantomime. As a matter of fact, she had been one.
Her father led the way into the library, and having shut the door, lit a cigarette and leaned against the carved mantelpiece. Lottie sat on a table and swung her legs.
[Pg 257] "Where's the Honourable4?" inquired the captain.
"Out," said Lottie tersely5.
"I know that. Where?"
"Plantations7."
"What's he after?"
"Shrimps8, I expect," said Miss Lottingar flippantly.
"That will do. We're talking business just now. Showing any signs yet?"
"Lots."
"When will he come to the scratch?"
"Pretty soon, if you and your pals9 don't mess things."
The gallant11 captain's brow lowered.
"None of your lip, my girl!" he remarked. "What do you mean—mess things?"
"I mean that you'll have to play carefully if you aren't going to scare him away."
"Scare him? How?"
"Well, you and the others are a bit out of your depth in this affair. I'll do you the justice, Dad, to admit that in the ordinary way of business you are a hard nut to crack; but coming the country gentleman over a man who, though he's a mug, is a country gentleman, is rather more of a job than your lot can manage comfortably. Look at Jerry!"
"What's wrong with Jerry?"
[Pg 258] "Him? It's the first time he's played at being a gamekeeper, and he doesn't know the rules, that's all."
"How do you know?"
"The Honourable told me. Said it wasn't his business, of course, but he was afraid my father had got hold of a thoroughly13 incompetent14 keeper, and perhaps he ought to be told so—haw!"
The captain snorted.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"I advised him," replied his daughter, smiling indulgently, "not to mention it. I said you were rather fond of your own judgment15 in some things, and might be offended."
"Well, Jerry does his best," said Lottingar; "but you are right, Lottie, for all that. He'll muck things. You must keep the young fool out of his way. Can't you take him out for walks, or something?"
"Walks? What excitement!" Miss Lottingar cast up her eyes pathetically.
"Well, you can go motoring with him as soon as we get a chauffeur16. That's what I wanted to see you about."
"Who is the chauffeur? One of the—one of your friends?"
"No, worse luck! Every man I can trust is in this business already. We must make shift with some absolutely straight fool."
[Pg 259] "That'll be a pleasant change," remarked Miss Lottingar.
"It will be all right in the long run," continued her father. "He need never suspect anything. We can keep him mowing17 the grass or something during his spare time. And if you can't bring off that proposal within a week, my girl," he concluded, throwing his cigarette into the grate, "you're not the sort I took you for."
"Give me the motor; I'll do the rest," said Miss Lottie, quite undisturbed by this direct reference to her virgin18 affections.
"And for the Lord's sake be quick about it! The expense of all this flummery is something cruel. There'll be nothing left to divide when it's all over if you can't—"
"There's somebody coming up the drive," said Lottie, who was gazing indifferently out of the window.
A few minutes later the door was opened by the captain's butler, an elderly gentleman of benevolent19 appearance. A student of physiognomy would have put him down as a rather eccentric and easily-imposed-upon philanthropist. (He had made his living almost exclusively out of this fact for the past thirty years.)
"Young feller to see you, Cap," he announced, having first satisfied himself that, saving the [Pg 260] presence of the Principal Boy, his employer was alone.
"About the motor?"
"Yes."
"Show him in."
The butler retired20, and presently returned, ushering21 a young man, squarely built and black of hair, with serious blue eyes and a healthy brown face.
"I came to see if you were still in want of a chauffeur, sir," he said in reply to the captain's interrogation. "I have been employed at the Gresley works."
"I do want a chauffeur" replied the warrior22 on the hearthrug; "but how am I to know that you will do, my man?"
"If you care to go and put any part of the machinery23 out of order, I will undertake to put it right again; and after that I could take you for a run in the car."
This sounded direct and business-like, and pleased the captain, and, incidentally, the captain's daughter.
"Well, that's fair enough. Go and have something to eat now, and after that you can take Miss Lottingar and myself for a spin. By the way, what's your name?"
"John Armstrong—sir!" said Pip. (He was always forgetting that word.)
[Pg 261] "Have you any references?"
"No."
"Could you get any?"
"I might, but I'd rather not."
The captain regarded this blunt young man curiously24. He possessed25 no references himself, and he moved in a class of society where such things were regarded with pious26 horror. Pip rather attracted him.
"Never mind them at present," he said, ringing the bell. "If you can handle the car you will suit me. If you can't, you are worth nothing, and you'll get nothing. Would you be willing to do odd jobs as well?"
"Certainly."
The butler appeared.
"Howard," said the captain, "take this man and give him something to eat in the steward's room, and let me see him again at three o'clock."
Mr. Howard, looking particularly benevolent, led Pip away, and Captain Lottingar was left alone with his daughter.
"He'll do, Lottie, I think," he said carelessly.
"M' yes—he'll do," said Lottie.
Her father turned round.
"You don't seem quite sure. What is it?"
"Nothing. I'm sure enough. Take him."
So the bargain was concluded, and Pip found himself engaged as chauffeur to Captain Cuthbert [Pg 262] Lottingar (regiment unknown), of Broadoak Manor27, Great Stileborough, Herts.
But Lottie was not sure. She had observed one fact which had escaped her usually astute28 parent, and that was that the new chauffeur was a gentleman—and, as such, a suspicious character. An ordinary mechanical mechanic would have been harmless; but a gentleman was a superfluity, and therefore a source of danger. But Lottie hesitated to comment on the fact. Wisdom said, "Take no risks"; feminine curiosity said, "Chance it!" Lottie chanced it, not for the first time in the history of womankind.
II
However dubious29 the impression which the new chauffeur had made upon Miss Lottingar, it is only fair to state that the impression made by Miss Lottingar and her gallant papa upon the new chauffeur was more dubious still. Pip, who was not an expert where women were concerned,—only an enthusiastic amateur,—made a mental note that Lottie "looked a good sort, and was a rare pretty girl." Being less biassed30 and more experienced in regard to his own sex, he was nearer the mark in his estimate of her father. The fact that Lottie's complexion31 was not entirely32 her own was unrevealed to him, but he did not fail to write down Captain Lottingar [Pg 263] as a "bounder." He observed that his employer, though he carefully pronounced "here" "heah," not infrequently called "nothing" "nothink"; and Pip still possessed enough regard for the fetishes of his youth to be conscious of a thrill of positive horror at the spectacle of a man who wore brown boots with a top-hat on Sunday.
Various guests visited Broadoak,—gentlemen with waxed mustaches and loud garments,—most of whom appeared to be intimate friends of Lottie's. They shot Captain Lottingar's rabbits by day, with indifferent success, and played cards most of the night. Much the most interesting of the guests, however, was the gentleman heretofore referred to as "the Honourable." He was more than a guest at Broadoak,—he was almost one of the family. Captain Lottingar slapped him on the back and called him "my boy"; Captain Lottingar's friends addressed him with admiring deference33 and borrowed money from him; and Miss Lottingar behaved to him in a manner which left no doubt in the minds of casual observers as to the state of her affections.
The Honourable himself was a pleasant but dissipated-looking youth of about two-and-twenty. His stature34 was small, and his attainments35, beyond those indigenous36 to every well-born and well-bred young Englishman, insignificant37; but his appreciation38 of the pleasures of life was [Pg 264] great. He was a good specimen39 of that type of young man but for whom chorus-girls would be compelled to pay for their own diamonds. Pending40 the arrival of the time when he would be called upon to assume the office of an hereditary41 legislator, he was engaged in what he called "seeing life." He did not see much, though he thought he did, for his field of vision was limited; but what he saw he saw thoroughly. He entertained a great admiration42 for Captain Lottingar, whom he had encountered at a flashy club in town; and any fleeting43 doubts, derived44 from the hints of experienced and officious friends, which he might have entertained as to the genuineness of that warrior's pretensions45 to gentility were at once set at rest when he arrived, in response to a pressing invitation, on a visit to "my old place in Hertfordshire." A ripening46 friendship with the Principal Boy was now turning his admiration for the name of Lottingar into positive infatuation; and altogether the Honourable Reginald Fitznorton was in that condition usually described as "ready for plucking."
Pip, who did not as a rule concern himself overmuch with his neighbours' affairs, soon became conscious of a distinct feeling of curiosity in regard to his present surroundings. Captain Lottingar one day mentioned to the Honourable in his hearing that the family of Lottingar had inhabited [Pg 265] Broadoak Manor, without intermission, from the days of Queen Elizabeth,—a statement which Pip found rather hard to reconcile with the fact that there lay in the garage at the back of the house a notice-board, showing every sign of having been recently uprooted47 from the grassplot by the front gate, inscribed48 with the simple legend "To Let." Moreover, one afternoon, while exploring the numerous passages in the house in search of the Principal Boy's fox-terrier, which he had been bidden to catch and wash, Pip made the discovery that, with the exception of the dining-room, library, kitchens, hall and a few bedrooms, Broadoak Manor was a warren of empty rooms destitute49 of furniture, though a few of the more conspicuous50 windows were furnished with curtains.
His fellow-menials also were a curiosity-inspiring crew. The establishment, besides Howard, consisted of a not unattractive middle-aged51 female who cooked; a beetle-browed individual named Briggs, the keeper, who, though inclined to be reticent52 on matters connected with that exotic biped, the pheasant, was a mine of information on worldly topics, and a perfect encyclop?dia of reference in regard to horse-racing; and a pretty but pert maid, who made eyes at Pip, and once, in a moment of inadvertence, addressed the saintly Howard as "Pa." All were [Pg 266] on the best of terms, and sat down to poker53 in the evening with a regularity54 and cheerfulness which convinced the inexperienced Pip either that servants' halls were not what he had imagined them to be, or that adversity had landed him in a very shady establishment.
However, he discovered one refreshing55 and self-evident truth in this home of mystery. There was no doubting the fact that the Honourable's courtship of Miss Lottingar (or Miss Lottingar's courtship of the Honourable, if you happened to live on the other side of the curtain) was fast maturing to a definite conclusion. On numerous motor excursions Pip found himself compelled to combine with his duties as chauffeur the highly necessary but embarrassing r?le of gooseberry. Occasionally Miss Lottingar attempted to drive the car herself, but as a rule Pip had entire charge, the young people sitting together in close companionship in the tonneau behind. Occasionally the car would be stopped, and Pip would be kindly56 bidden to smoke his pipe, what time the Honourable escorted Miss Lottingar into a neighbouring plantation6, to watch hypothetical pheasants feeding; or Miss Lottingar took the Honourable up a by-path, to show him a view which had sprung into existence within the last five minutes.
Pip, simple soul, knew nothing and cared less about the gentle art of husband-hunting. He [Pg 267] felt himself irresistibly57 drawn58 towards this young couple. He abandoned himself to sentimental59 sympathy, and drove his car or smoked his pipe with his eyes fixed60 resolutely61 before him, thinking of Elsie and wondering if his own turn would ever come.
One day, as they were returning from a long afternoon's spin, the car suddenly slowed down to a stop, and with the complete and maddening finality of its kind refused to move another inch. Pip divested62 himself of his coat and disappeared beneath the vehicle, emerging after a brief supine scrutiny63 to announce that the necessary repairs would involve the assistance of a blacksmith and take an hour and a half to execute. The couple received this announcement with marked composure, and left Pip to wrestle64 with the car, merely bidding him call for them at the "George" at Lindley, two miles ahead, on his way home.
It was dark by the time that the united efforts of Pip and the blacksmith restored the car to a state of kinetic66 energy, and it was more than two hours before Pip called at the "George" for his passengers. They climbed swiftly into the tonneau, and the car proceeded on its way. His charges were unusually silent, and Pip, turning suddenly to ask for a direction, surprised the Honourable in the act of kissing the Principal Boy's hands.
[Pg 268] The Honourable departed next morning for London. In the afternoon the car was ordered round, and Miss Lottie announced her intention of receiving a driving-lesson. Pip instructed her to the best of his ability, and by constant vigilance and the occasional intervention67 of Providence68 succeeded in indefinitely prolonging the span of life of two old women, one cow, seven children, and innumerable cocks and hens.
Presently it began to rain.
"Never mind about putting up the hood69, Armstrong," said Lottie. "It's a rotten affair—keeps no rain out. Let's run under those thick trees over there."
Pip took the wheel, and the car slid up a narrow lane and came to anchor under the thickest part of an arching grove70 of chestnuts71.
"There," said the Principal Boy, removing her gloves, "I feel regularly done up. My hands are all of a shake after that beastly wheel. Am I improving?"
"You are a good deal steadier than you were—Miss," said Pip.
"That's all right. Much obliged for your help. You're a good sort, Armstrong."
"Armstrong" turned extremely pink.
"Look here," continued Lottie breezily, "I'm tired of calling you Armstrong. What's your name?"
[Pg 269] "Er—John."
"Right-o! I shall call you Jack72. And now, Jack, I want to ask you something. What are you doing driving a motor-car?"
"Jack" regarded his mistress with some apprehension73.
"Why shouldn't I drive a motor-car?" he asked, rather defiantly74.
"Why? Because you're a gentleman. Bless you, dear boy, do you think I didn't spot that long ago? What was it—debts?"
"Debts" seemed to meet the requirements of the situation without unduly75 straining the truth, so Pip nodded.
"Ah!" said Miss Lottingar sympathetically; "I know. We have been that way all our lives in our family."
Pip thought of Broadoak Manor and its present proprietor76, and felt no surprise.
"Dad has lived on his wits ever since I can remember," continued Miss Lottingar. "I suppose you see what sort of a customer he is?" she added, in a sudden burst of candour.
Pip nodded again. "I think I do," he said.
"He's a game old chap, is Dad," continued the dutiful daughter, "but he's on the lowest peg77 at present. However, I landed the Honourable last night, so things ought to look up now."
Pip, who regarded the love of a man for a maid [Pg 270] as something rather more sacred than honour itself, fairly gasped78 at this offhand79 remark.
"You mean—you are engaged to him?"
"Yes," said the Principal Boy in a matter-of-fact tone. "He asked me last night at the 'George,' when you were tinkering at the car."
"Oh! Congratulations!" said Pip awkwardly.
"Thanks. But all the hard work has to come yet."
"What do you mean?"
"We've landed him. Now we have to skin him!"
After this somewhat unfeeling reference to her intended, Miss Lottie sat silent, evidently wondering whether her sudden liking80 for the quiet chauffeur had not caused her to be a little indiscreet.
Presently Pip said—
"I suppose he has gone to London to tell his father?"
"The Earl? Not much. I made Fitz promise to avoid the old man till I gave him leave. He has gone up to town for the engagement ring. When he gets back to-morrow he is going to write and tell him everything. That will bring his lordship down here double-quick, and we'll settle everything in one fair, square, up-and-down scrap81." Miss Lottingar almost smacked her lips.
"Will the Earl object, then?"
[Pg 271] "Object? My dear boy, look at me!"
Pip looked. He saw a pair of bold black eyes, a very red and entrancing mouth, a retroussé nose, an alluringly82 dimpled chin, and a good deal of glinting coppery hair. Individually these features were distinctly attractive, but there was something about the tout83 ensemble84 that supplied an immediate85 answer to the owner's extremely frank question.
"You'll know me again," said Miss Lottingar, rather faintly.
"Beg your pardon," said Pip, ungluing his gaze with a jerk. "Bad habit I've got. Yes, perhaps he will object."
"I should think so. 'Fast girl—shady father—with all their goods in the shop window!' That's what the old man will see, if he's the least bit less of a fool than his son."
"But," said Pip, "won't he consent if he sees that you really—care for each other?"
"Afraid he won't see that," said Miss Lottingar composedly.
Pip stared.
"You mean you don't really care for Fitznorton at all?" he said.
"My dear boy, have you seen him?" inquired Lottie plaintively86.
"Yes. But—why on earth are you going to marry him?"
[Pg 272] "I'm not quite certain that I am," said the Principal Boy coolly.
"But you said you were."
"I said I was engaged to him."
"Sorry! I had an idea it was the same thing," said Pip.
Lottie gazed at him, not without a certain admiration.
"Not quite," she said. "You're a simple old chap, Jack, but I like you for it; so I'll tell you what we are going to do. When the Earl comes down here—the day after to-morrow, I expect—Dad and I will interview him. Fitz won't be there: I shall send him out into the woods to chase rabbits. Then we shall point out to the old dear that if the engagement is not permitted my heart will be broken."
"Oh!"
"You see?"
"I begin to. What will it cost to repair it?"
"A hundred thousand pounds."
"You value your heart at rather a high figure."
"He can afford the money: it's a mere65 fleabite to him. He is one of the richest men in England."
"Well?"
"If he agrees, I sign a paper renouncing87 all claim to Fitz. The Earl writes a cheque, takes [Pg 273] Fitz home in a bandbox, and Dad is on his legs again. That's all."
"Suppose the Earl doesn't agree?"
"He will. It will be a pill for him, but he doesn't want the family name dragged through the law courts."
"But suppose?"
"Well, if he does, we are ready for him. If he ab-so-lute-ly refuses, I go to the front door, whistle up Fitz, pop him into this motor, skim off to Lindley, and get married by special licence. Fitz has agreed, and has the licence in his pocket now. Then I shall have an even stronger card to play—do you see?"
"Afraid not. Too deep for me."
"Well, once we're legally married, the old chap will find that as a real wife I am far more expensive to get rid of than before."
"Get rid of?"
"Yes. He wouldn't think of admitting me to his almighty88 family circle. He would have to ask now what I would take to live apart from Fitz."
"Live apart?"
"Yes."
"And you'd agree?"
"For two hundred thousand—yes."
"My word! You'd leave your husband?"
"Yes. You don't suppose I want to spend all my days with an image like Fitz, do you?"
[Pg 274] Lottie threw herself back petulantly91 in her seat. Presently Pip laid his hand on her arm.
"Don't!" said he.
"Don't what?"
"Don't be drawn into this affair."
"Why not? Seems to me I'm in it pretty thick already."
"You could break it off—at once. It would be the kindest thing to do."
"It would be a blamed silly thing to do," said Miss Lottingar frankly92.
"Do you care for him at all?"
"Fitz? Not a rap."
"But—do you like him?"
"Oh, yes! He's a decent little sort."
"Well, just think what it would mean to him if he married you, and then—found out."
"Um!" said Miss Lottie thoughtfully.
"Besides," continued Pip, following up his advantage, "think of yourself."
"I usually do," said Lottie.
"Women were never meant for that low-down sort of game," said Pip, getting to the heart of his subject.
Suddenly Lottie blazed out.
"There you go! Women, women, women! I wonder if there was ever a man in this world that could treat a woman sensibly. Some men—most men—look upon women as fair game, [Pg 275] and treat them accordingly. The others—men like you—look on them as little pot angels, and shudder93 when they show they are made of flesh and blood. Women are human beings, no better and no worse than men, only they don't get the chances men do, Jack. That's all—human beings! Remember that."
"It's a hard world for women, I know," said Pip, rather staggered by this outburst. "But some good chap is bound to come along and—er—make you happy, and all that. Hasn't there ever been—anybody of that kind?"
"Lots."
"None you cared about, perhaps?"
"Not one. Well, there was one. Jim Lister is his name. He is assistant stage-manager at the Crown Theatre."
"Well?" said Pip hopefully.
"I—I liked him well enough, but we should always have been poor—awfully poor—and—"
"If a couple are really fond of each other, nothing else matters a damn," said Pip, with conviction. "Sorry! I mean you might do worse."
Lottie rounded on him.
"There you go again. 'Might do worse!' 'Be thankful for small mercies!' It's a rotten game being a woman, Jack. You are a man and can't understand. But if you'd had as hard a time as [Pg 276] I have,—yes, and if you'd seen half as much of this world as I have,—you'd be gentler with me, Jack."
Certainly the conversation was taking an unexpected turn. Pip was completely out of his depth. Ten minutes ago he had been a respectful chauffeur, teaching a rather flamboyant94 young mistress how to drive a car. Now he was sitting by the selfsame young mistress, holding her arm in a friendly fashion, and talking to her as an elder brother might talk to a petulant90 child.
The irregularity of the situation apparently95 struck Miss Lottingar at the same moment, for, with one of those swift and characteristically feminine changes of mood which leave mere man toiling96 helplessly behind in the trammels of logical consistency97, she abruptly98 released her arm, observed brightly that the rain had ceased, wondered if it wouldn't turn out a fine evening after all, and bade Armstrong drive home as fast as possible.
III
The Honourable Reginald Fitznorton was due back at four o'clock next afternoon. The motor was ordered round, and Pip drove Lottie to the station to meet him. Lottie, who was looking pale and not quite herself, declined to sit in the [Pg 277] tonneau, and accompanied Pip on the front seat. In spite of the facilities for conversation afforded by this position she said little; and Pip, whose repertory of conversational99 openings was not extensive, said nothing at all. Besides, he was not certain whether he was to be treated to-day as a big brother or as a chauffeur.
Had he been a more observant big brother or a less diligent100 chauffeur he might have noticed that from time to time he was being favoured by his mistress with a sidelong scrutiny of some intensity101. Being Pip, he saw nothing. One act of hers might have afforded him a good deal of information had he desired it. When the car, which had started late, rounded the last corner on the way to the station, there appeared in the offing no less a person than the Honourable himself, bag in hand, and diffusing102 happiness around him. Suddenly Pip became conscious of something. The girl at his side seemed to shrink up to him, and for a moment her hand travelled towards his as if for protection. An instant later she was leaning back in her seat, smilingly dipping an answering pennant103 to the frenzied104 signals of her rapidly approaching swain.
The car slowed down to a stop. Miss Lottingar stepped out, and was received by her enraptured105 lover, regardless of Pip's presence, with a smacking106 salute107 that fairly drowned the [Pg 278] noise of the engine. After that the happy couple entered the tonneau, and Pip, with eyes rigidly108 turned to the front, heard little and saw nothing of them throughout the drive home.
As the Principal Boy had confidently predicted, the Right Honourable the Earl of Cartavon arrived at Broadoak Manor at lunch-time next day. The inmates111 of that venerable pile were ready for him. Howard, looking like a retired archbishop, received him at the door, and Captain Lottingar, in tweeds and gaiters, greeted him in the library. His lordship was affably informed that, in consequence of recent surprising and joyful112 disclosures by the young folk, his visit was not altogether unexpected; and that if he would join the house-party at luncheon113, the business on which he had come down might be comfortably discussed over a cigar in the library afterwards.
This much was retailed114 in the servants' hall by Howard, whose well-formed ears had missed little or nothing of the dialogue in the library, even in a filtered form. Mr. Briggs opined, amid general approval, that "the Captain and the gal10 between them could bleed the old toff proper."
After lunch the Honourable emerged from the front door, armed only with a walking-stick, and set out briskly, apparently on a country walk. At the same time word was sent to Pip that the motor would be required at three.
[Pg 279] Punctually to time he ran the car up the broad avenue, passing the library windows on the way. He was conscious of a group of three round the fire,—it was a chilly115 day in late September,—and he wondered how the process of bleeding was getting on.
The car and its driver stood before the front door for more than an hour. It was after four when the front door suddenly opened, and Lottie, banging it behind her, hurriedly descended116 the steps. She slipped up beside Pip.
"Start off," she said—"quick!"
Pip got down and set the engine going.
"Where to?" he inquired.
"Anywhere!" said Lottie in a choking voice, "anywhere! But get started."
Pip sprang up into his place and took the wheel. The great car ceased vibrating and began to creep forward. Suddenly it gave a mighty89 plunge117, and sped down the avenue.
At the same moment Captain Lottingar, looking anything but a country gentleman, and furiously angry, threw open the library window and bawled118 to Pip to stop. But the louder he bawled and the more thoroughly he blasphemed the faster the car shot down the drive.
Lord Cartavon sat stiffly in a high-backed chair by the fire.
"I shouldn't trouble if I were you, Captain—er—Lottingar," [Pg 280] he said. "She won't come back."
Captain Lottingar banged down the window, and, returning to his favourite position on the hearthrug, summed up his daughter's character in terms which would have been excessive if applied119 to Jezebel herself.
The Earl stood up.
"Sir," he said, "I am obliged to you for your hospitality. I will walk to the station now, and catch the five-thirty train back to town. I presume, after what has just happened, that we may regard this incident as closed. And let me tell you, Mr. Lottingar," the old gentleman added, turning on his heel as he opened the door, "that Miss Lottingar is a d——d sight too good a daughter for such a shark as yourself."
After he had gone, Captain Lottingar kicked a valuable Japanese fire-screen (for which he had not paid) round the room.
IV
On clearing the lodge-gates Pip turned the car to the left, and they spun120 down the London road. For an hour they travelled, sometimes slowing through a village or changing gear up a hill, but usually running at top speed, rolling up the miles like shavings under a jack-plane. Pip sat gripping his wheel, intent on his work. [Pg 281] Lottie, rigid109 and upright beside him, looked straight before her, with her hands clasped tightly together under the rug. Occasionally she cast a sidelong glance at her silent companion.
At last, when they had covered nearly thirty miles, Lottie spoke121.
"Jack, I want to talk to you. Stop this machine in some quiet place. That beastly engine makes too much noise for me."
Pip, who was getting used to these wayside halts, ran the car up the next opening and stopped.
Then the two turned and regarded each other. A glance apprised122 Pip of the fact that he was to be big brother again.
"Well?" he said.
"Jack, I've done it this time."
"Done what?"
"Upset the apple-cart. Poor old Dad! But I'd do it again!"
"How did you do it the first time?" said Pip patiently.
"Well, I'll tell you. After lunch, Dad and I and his lordship went into the library. We all sat down, the old gentleman very stiff and upright. He had hardly given me a glance so far, but now he turned and looked at me. I felt pretty small, Jack. I can hold my own in a staring match with most people, but that proud old [Pg 282] man fairly beat me. He simply looked right through me at the cushion my head was leaning against. By the way, you can do that a bit, too, Jack. It's a trick some men have. That's what first made me think that you—where was I?"
"In the library."
"Oh, yes. Well, at last the old man turned to Dad, and looked at him. Dad didn't half like it, I could see. The old man said—
"'I understand that my son proposes to ally himself with—er,—this young lady?'
"'Yes,' said Dad, 'he does.'
"'And you have given your consent to the match?'
"'Yes', says Dad, as solemn as a judge; 'after due consideration, I have.'
"'Then I may as well tell you at once,' says his lordship, quite briskly, 'that I am utterly123 and entirely opposed to the match, and will never give my consent to it.'
"There was a little silence, and we all three settled down in our chairs as much as to say, 'Now we are really getting to business.' Presently Dad said,—
"'I am afraid, my lord, that solemn agreements of this kind are not so easily broken. Consider my daughter's feelings.'
"'I am perfectly124 willing to consider her feelings, [Pg 283] sir,' says the old gentleman, with a little odd bow. Then he turned to me and said,—
"'May I ask a direct question? Are you genuinely attached to my son?'
"I wished he wouldn't keep on at me like that. However, I had to keep my end up, so I said, in a sort of soft voice, 'Yes.'
"'Ah,' said he, as if he was thinking. Then Dad, evidently considering we were wasting time, put in,—
"'If this match is broken off, my daughter's susceptibilities must be solaced125 in a very substantial manner.'
"Then the old gentleman turned and looked Dad through and through, and said, 'Ah!' again, as much as to say, 'I thought so.'
"'Well,' he said at last, 'how much do you want?'
"'I?' says Dad, still playing the game—'nothing. I am not the injured party. It is for my poor girl to say.'
"The Earl looked at me. I took a big breath, and said, 'A hundred thousand pounds.'
"'You value your heart at rather a high figure, madam,' says he. (Do you remember, those were the very words you used to me, Jack?) Then he swings round to Dad, and says,—
"'Of course this is preposterous126. I am willing [Pg 284] to pay you five thousand pounds, to extricate127 my son from the trap, the carefully baited trap'—he looked all round the room, and I knew he knew everything in it had been got on the nod—'into which he has fallen. That is more than you would get out of the most impressionable jury, and I advise you to take it, Mr.—er—Lottingar.'
"'Quite true, my lord,' says Dad. 'But you know you'd give more than a hundred thousand to keep the family name out of the courts. You don't want the papers to get hold of it. "A Cabinet Minister's son sued for Breach-of-Promise"—you know the sort of stuff—and Lottie's portrait in "The Sketch128."'
"'I am afraid we are wasting time, Mr. Lottingar,' says his lordship. 'If your daughter will sign a document, which I will draw up for her, renouncing all claims to my son, and undertaking129 not to molest130 him for the future, I will give her a cheque for five thousand pounds. If not, I must bid you good-afternoon.'
"'A hundred thousand!' says Dad.
"'I think you are acting131 foolishly,' says the old man, getting up. 'If you refuse my offer I shall go up to town now, and call on my solicitor132 to-morrow morning; and I think it highly probable, from what I see of your surroundings here, and from what I know of your antecedents already, [Pg 285] that I shall be able to make it exceedingly risky133 for you to face the publicity134 of the law courts in any capacity whatsoever135. In fact, I should not be surprised if you had to leave the country.'
"My word, Jack, he was fine! He dropped each word out of his mouth like a little lump of ice. But old Dad stood up to him. He simply chuckled136.
"'No, no, my lord, it won't do,' he said. 'I have laid my plans farther ahead than you think. Now, look here. If you don't sign that little cheque I'm asking for, Lottie here will walk straight out of this house, take her motor, pick up your son, who is waiting for her at the roadside this minute, and drive straight to Lindley, where they will be married by special licence this very afternoon. Your son has got that licence in his pocket now. And when the two are firmly tied up, you'll realise two things, my lord,—first, that it's hardly the thing to rake up the past life of your daughter-in-law's father; and secondly137, that a wife is a deal more expensive to buy off than a fiancée.'
"After that there was a very long pause. Dad was top dog again, and the old Earl was thinking it out. Suddenly he turned to me. He said,—
"'You say my son has a special licence in his pocket?'
[Pg 286] "'Yes,' I said.
"'And you have asked him to wait by the roadside for you this afternoon, in case of—contingencies?'
"'Yes.'
"'You must possess great influence over him.'
"'She does,' says Dad, before any one else could speak.
"The old man took not the slightest notice, but went on talking to me.
"'If you married my son you would demand a large sum—'
"'Two hundred thousand quid,' says Dad.
"'You would demand a large sum,' goes on the Earl, acting as if he and I were alone together, 'as a condition of your living apart from him and refraining from molesting138 him. Would you?'
"The words began to stick in my throat a bit, but I said, 'Yes.'
"'I think,' he went on, 'that you told me just now that you were deeply attached to my son?'
"This time I just nodded.
"'Then you mean to say,' he says, looking at me in a way that simply made me feel faint, 'that you would marry a young man whom you profess139 to love, and, having blackmailed140 him to the fullest possible extent, would readily consent to live apart from him, leaving him prevented by the law of the land from ever taking a wife of his [Pg 287] own station and fulfilling his duty to society and posterity141, so long as you remained alive? For the sake of a sum of money you would deliberately142 wreck143 the life of a foolish but good-hearted young man, who has paid you the highest honour that a man can pay a woman; and with his life you would wreck the fortunes of an ancient and honourable house? Would you do that?"
"His face was like iron, Jack, but there were tears in his eyes. I sat gripping the arms of my chair. Suddenly Dad struck in,—
"'Come, come, my lord! you are simply wasting words. Which is it to be? Will you settle this matter, or must Lottie take the final step?'
"The old man said nothing, but looked at me. And then suddenly I found my voice. I boiled over, for I had realised at last what an awful thing I was going to do—awful for him, and awful for me. Somehow I didn't feel as if I could back Dad any longer. It flashed across me what I had been trying to do—sell myself! I'm not a great saint, Jack, but, thank God! I realised in time that there are things in this world that money can't buy. I just stood up and said,—
"'Dad, it's no good. I simply won't do this. I can't think why I ever consented. I'm sorry. I've always backed you up to now; but I'm a decent girl after all, and I won't do this—I won't, I won't.'
[Pg 288] "Then I sat down and cried a bit. Dad looked perfectly flummoxed. In a minute I had dried my eyes, and I said to the old lord,—
"'Lord Cartavon, I wouldn't marry your son if you begged me on your knees. I won't marry a man I don't love, so I won't marry him. Keep your cheque-book in your pocket. I renounce144 all claims to him—there!'"
Lottie's voice broke at last.
"Oh, well done!" said Pip softly.
"That's just what the old lord said," exclaimed the girl, turning a surprised look upon him. "You both seem to have the same feelings."
"Well, what happened next?" inquired Pip.
"Things were a bit mixed after that," said Lottie, not without relish145. "There was a great roar like thunder, and Dad dashed across the room at me. He was in an awful passion. He nearly killed me once, when he—never mind that. But the old Earl just stepped in front of him and said, 'Gently, sir, gently! there is a lady present.' Then he went quickly to the door and opened it, and gave me a little nod to go. All the time he was holding Dad's arm with his other hand. I walked out, and the old man bowed to me as I passed, and said, very gently, 'God bless you, young lady!' He said that—to me!" she reiterated146 proudly, turning a pair of shining eyes on Pip. "Then he closed it behind me just as [Pg 289] Dad broke into another roar. I rushed out of the house, hopped147 on to the car, and here we are!"
V
"And what are you going to do now?" inquired practical Pip.
"I don't know, I daren't go back. Dad would kill me."
The girl shuddered148, and turned to Pip appealingly, as a woman, however strong her will may be, always turns to a man she knows she can trust.
Pip reflected in his deliberate fashion.
"You had better go to London," he said at last. "You know your way about there, I expect. I think you should go on the stage again. You like it, and it will make you independent. I suppose you can get an engagement?"
"Yes, I can manage that," said the Principal Boy. "Drive on now, Jack, and take me to Hunsford Station. It can't be more than a mile or two from here."
Once more the car sped through the gathering149 darkness.
"I'll go round to the 'Crown,'" continued Lottie more briskly, "first thing to-morrow morning. Jim Lister will get me a shop of some sort, if it's only in the chorus. That'll do to go on with."
"He must be a good chap," said Pip.
[Pg 290] "He is," said Lottie warmly.
Presently they reached the little station. Inquiries150 elicited151 the news that there would be a train for London in half an hour.
"I'll stay with you till it starts," said Pip.
He ran the car under a wall out of the wind, and continued talking. He was in an unusually communicative mood, for him.
"I was wondering," he said, "why your feelings changed so suddenly in that interview, after you had quite made up your mind to—for the other thing."
"Don't know, I'm sure," said Lottie. "I can't think now what made me agree to the idea, even for a moment. Jack, would you have thought very badly of me if—"
"I think I know what it was," continued Pip, who had been following his own train of thought; "you must have been kee—fond of somebody else all the time, fonder than you really knew, and when the critical moment came, the thought of—of him, though you didn't know it, prevented you from making yourself cheap. Is that it? Don't answer if it isn't a fair question."
"Yes, Jack, it's a fair question."
"And am I right?"
There was a silence. Pip saw a rather strange look settle on the girl's face. Presently she answered, in a low voice,—
[Pg 291] "I believe you are."
"Then why not—go to him?"
"Perhaps—perhaps he doesn't want me."
"Are you sure? Is it Jim Lister?"
"No. He's a good boy, but it's not him."
"Ah! That's a pity."
Another pause. Lottie sat very still. She understood now why the idea of marrying the Honourable had become suddenly repugnant to her. The reason was sitting beside her, wondering what the reason could be. Lottie excelled in woman's favourite pastime—playing with fire—but this time she had burnt her fingers.
Pip talked to her a good deal during the next half-hour. Once he said,—
"I wonder what made you confide110 in me about all this. I expect it was because you spotted152 that I was a kindred spirit—in the same state as yourself."
"What state?"
"In love," said Pip simply.
"In love? Who with?" asked Lottie, ungrammatically but earnestly.
"I'll tell you if you like," said Pip. He launched into a description of Elsie, reciting his hopes and fears with all the complete abandon of the reticent man when once he lets himself go.
"It isn't often," he concluded, descending153 to earth again, "that I reveal my feelings to anybody. [Pg 292] But I suppose things are rather out of the common to-day."
"Does she care for you?"
"I don't see how she possibly can," said Pip, with absolute sincerity154. "But I'm going to ask her for all that."
"When?"
"As soon as I get on my legs again—financially."
"Ah, but when will that be? Debts are awful millstones, Jack."
"Debts? What? Oh, I forgot. Well, they are off."
"How?"
"This morning," said Pip, "I got a letter. It was from old Gresley, the head of the Motor Works where I am employed. His son used to be a friend of mine at Cambridge. The old man's letter is the most astonishing affair. He offers to take me into partnership155! He seems to—to have taken a sort of liking for me," he added apologetically. "Isn't it like a fairy tale?"
(What old Gresley had said was this: "Partly because you have always been a good friend to my son, but chiefly because you combine first-class mechanical ability with sound common sense and the power of managing men, I write to ask if you will enter the firm as a partner, on equal terms with Harry156. He has brains and you [Pg 293] have ballast. Between you, you should sweep the board. I am getting old. Once the business is fairly gripped by you, I shall retire and leave you to run the show together. Give up your present post and come here at once, so that we may discuss matters more fully12 and settle details.")
"Then you'll be rich again?" said Lottie wonderingly.
"Well enough off, at any rate," said Pip, "to go and have it out—"
"With her?"
"Yes. Here's your train. I'll get your ticket."
Pip put the Principal Boy into an empty first-class carriage, and having shut the door conversed157 with her through the open window. The engine gave an impatient whistle, but the line was not clear, and the starting-signal remained obstinately158 red.
"Got any money?" said Pip awkwardly.
"Yes, thanks. Enough to keep me going."
The train still delayed, and Pip said,—
"I say, will you take my advice?"
"Depends on what it is."
"Go to Jim Lister."
"Well—I'll see," said the girl rather brokenly. She had borne up bravely till now, but the prospect159 of parting from her protector and the coming plunge into the unknown were telling their tale. Suddenly she looked up.
[Pg 294] "Jack," she whispered, "come with me!"
The two gazed at each other steadily160. Never was there a more direct invitation, and no man knows what thoughts passed through Pip's heart, or how great the battle that was fought and won during that brief minute. At length he spoke.
"I am still your father's paid servant, and until I have seen him and thrown up my billet I must stay here."
Lottie bowed her head submissively. She knew her man.
"But I'll tell you what," continued Pip. "To-morrow I shall be in town. If you still want help, send a line to me at the Oxford161 and Cambridge Club, and I'll come to you."
"You promise?"
"I promise. But you must promise not to write unless you really need me."
Lottie, a little mystified, agreed.
Suddenly the red signal-light turned to green. The guard at the rear of the train broke off an engrossing162 conversation with the only porter, and waved his lantern. The engine gave a preliminary quiver.
Lottie and Pip shook hands. The girl's eyes were full of tears. Poor Principal Boy! Kindness which asked for nothing in return had been a rarity in her life. Suddenly she said,—
"Give us a kiss, Jack!"
[Pg 295] Pip complied, with a satisfactory thoroughness that elicited a humorous expostulation from the only porter, who was passing by.
"Good-bye!" he said. "You'll be all right when you get to King's Cross."
Which cryptic163 remark was the last he ever addressed to the Principal Boy, for the train glided164 out of the station, and he never saw her again.
Before leaving the station Pip despatched the following telegram:—
Lister, Crown Theatre, Strand165, London.
Arriving King's Cross 7.30. Can you meet me? Want help badly.
Lottie.
The following morning, having discarded his chauffeur's attire166 and departed from Broadoak Manor, after listening to an eloquent167 and most enjoyable valedictory168 address from its tenant169, Pip returned to London. At the end of a highly satisfactory interview with the Gresleys he turned his steps in the direction of the Oxford and Cambridge Club, which he had not entered for three years.
He made himself known to those in authority, and announced that he had now returned from "abroad." He then asked if there was any letter for "Armstrong," which, he explained [Pg 296] rather lamely170, had been sent him under that name, "by mistake."
Yes, there was a note left by a messenger that afternoon. He opened it. It contained a single line—
All's well; and we thank you—both of us!
Lottie Lister.
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收听单词发音
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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smacked
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| 拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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tersely
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| adv. 简捷地, 简要地 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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shrimps
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| n.虾，小虾( shrimp的名词复数 )；矮小的人 | |
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pals
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| n.朋友( pal的名词复数 )；老兄；小子；（对男子的不友好的称呼）家伙 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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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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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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incompetent
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| adj.无能力的，不能胜任的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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mowing
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virgin
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benevolent
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retired
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ushering
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warrior
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machinery
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curiously
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possessed
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pious
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manor
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astute
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dubious
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biassed
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complexion
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entirely
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deference
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stature
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attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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indigenous
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insignificant
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appreciation
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specimen
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pending
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hereditary
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admiration
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fleeting
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derived
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| 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 | |
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pretensions
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ripening
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uprooted
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inscribed
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destitute
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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middle-aged
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reticent
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poker
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regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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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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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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divested
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| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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64
wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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65
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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66
kinetic
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| adj.运动的；动力学的 | |
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67
intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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68
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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69
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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70
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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71
chestnuts
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| n.栗子( chestnut的名词复数 )；栗色；栗树；栗色马 | |
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72
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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73
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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74
defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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75
unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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76
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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77
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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78
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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79
offhand
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| adj.临时，无准备的；随便，马虎的 | |
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80
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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81
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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82
alluringly
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| 诱人地，妩媚地 | |
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83
tout
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| v.推销，招徕；兜售；吹捧，劝诱 | |
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84
ensemble
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| n.合奏(唱)组；全套服装；整体，总效果 | |
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85
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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86
plaintively
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| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
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87
renouncing
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的现在分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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88
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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89
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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90
petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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91
petulantly
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92
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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93
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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94
flamboyant
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| adj.火焰般的，华丽的，炫耀的 | |
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95
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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96
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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97
consistency
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| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
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98
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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99
conversational
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| adj.对话的，会话的 | |
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100
diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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101
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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102
diffusing
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| （使光）模糊，漫射，漫散( diffuse的现在分词 )； （使）扩散； （使）弥漫； （使）传播 | |
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103
pennant
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| n.三角旗；锦标旗 | |
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104
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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105
enraptured
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| v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
smacking
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| 活泼的，发出响声的，精力充沛的 | |
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107
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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108
rigidly
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| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
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109
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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110
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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111
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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112
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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113
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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114
retailed
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| vt.零售（retail的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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115
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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116
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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117
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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118
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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119
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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120
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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121
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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122
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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123
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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124
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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125
solaced
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| v.安慰，慰藉( solace的过去分词 ) | |
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126
preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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127
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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128
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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129
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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130
molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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131
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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132
solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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133
risky
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| adj.有风险的，冒险的 | |
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134
publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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135
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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136
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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137
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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138
molesting
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| v.骚扰( molest的现在分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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139
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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140
blackmailed
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| 胁迫，尤指以透露他人不体面行为相威胁以勒索钱财( blackmail的过去式 ) | |
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141
posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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142
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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143
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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144
renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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145
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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146
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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148
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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149
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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150
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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151
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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152
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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153
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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154
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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155
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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156
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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157
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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158
obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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159
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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160
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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161
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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162
engrossing
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| adj.使人全神贯注的，引人入胜的v.使全神贯注( engross的现在分词 ) | |
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163
cryptic
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| adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的 | |
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164
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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165
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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166
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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167
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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168
valedictory
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| adj.告别的；n.告别演说 | |
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169
tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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170
lamely
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| 一瘸一拐地，不完全地 | |
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