'Very well,' I said, promptly11; 'that's settled, Elsie. The apex and you shall winter in Florence.'
'But, Brownie, can we afford it?'
'Afford it?' I echoed. 'Goodness gracious, my dear child, what a bourgeois12 sentiment! Your medical attendant says to you, "Go to Florence": and to Florence you must go; there's no getting out of it. Why, even the swallows fly south when their medical attendant tells them England is turning a trifle too cold for them.'
'But what will Miss Latimer say? She depends upon me to come back at the beginning of term. She must have somebody to undertake the higher mathematics.'
'And she will get somebody, dear,' I answered, calmly. 'Don't trouble your sweet little head about that. An eminent13 statistician has calculated that five hundred and thirty duly qualified14 young women are now standing15 four-square in a solid phalanx in the streets of London, all agog16 to teach the higher mathematics to anyone who wants them at a moment's notice. Let Miss Latimer take her pick of the five hundred and thirty. I'll wire to her at once: "Elsie Petheridge unable through ill health to resume her duties. Ordered to Florence. Resigns post. Engage substitute." That's the way to do it.'
Elsie clasped her small white hands in the despair of the woman who considers herself indispensable—as if we were any of us indispensable! 'But, dearest, the girls! They'll be so disappointed!'
'They'll get over it,' I answered, grimly. 'There are worse disappointments in store for them in life— Which is a fine old crusted platitude19 worthy20 of Aunt Susan. Anyhow, I've decided21. Look here, Elsie: I stand to you in loco[Pg 143] parentis.' I have already remarked, I think, that she was three years my senior; but I was so pleased with this phrase that I repeated it lovingly. 'I stand to you, dear, in loco parentis. Now, I can't let you endanger your precious health by returning to town and Miss Latimer this winter. Let us be categorical. I go to Florence; you go with me.'
'What shall we live upon?' Elsie suggested, piteously.
'Our fellow-creatures, as usual,' I answered, with prompt callousness22. 'I object to these base utilitarian23 considerations being imported into the discussion of a serious question. Florence is the city of art; as a woman of culture, it behoves you to revel24 in it. Your medical attendant sends you there; as a patient and an invalid, you can revel with a clear conscience. Money? Well, money is a secondary matter. All philosophies and all religions agree that money is mere25 dross26, filthy27 lucre28. Rise superior to it. We have a fair sum in hand to the credit of the firm; we can pick up some more, I suppose, in Florence.'
'How?'
I reflected. 'Elsie,' I said, 'you are deficient29 in Faith—which is one of the leading Christian30 graces. My mission in life is to correct that want in your spiritual nature. Now, observe how beautifully all these events work in together! The winter comes, when no man can bicycle, especially in Switzerland. Therefore, what is the use of my stopping on here after October? Again, in pursuance of my general plan of going round the world, I must get forward to Italy. Your medical attendant considerately orders you at the same time to Florence. In Florence we shall still have chances of selling Manitous, though possibly, I admit, in diminished numbers. I confess at once that people come to Switzerland to tour, and are therefore liable to need our machines; while they go to Florence to look at pictures, and a bicycle would[Pg 144] doubtless prove inconvenient31 in the Uffizi or the Pitti. Still, we may sell a few. But I descry32 another opening. You write shorthand, don't you?'
'A little, dear; only ninety words a minute.'
'That's not business. Advertise yourself, à la Cyrus Hitchcock! Say boldly, "I write shorthand." Leave the world to ask, "How fast?" It will ask it quick enough without your suggesting it. Well, my idea is this. Florence is a town teeming33 with English tourists of the cultivated classes—men of letters, painters, antiquaries, art-critics. I suppose even art-critics may be classed as cultivated. Such people are sure to need literary aid. We exist, to supply it. We will set up the Florentine School of Stenography34 and Typewriting. We'll buy a couple of typewriters.'
'How can we pay for them, Brownie?'
THERE'S ENTERPRISE FOR YOU! THERE'S ENTERPRISE FOR YOU!
I gazed at her in despair. 'Elsie,' I cried, clapping my hand to my head, 'you are not practical. Did I ever suggest we should pay for them? I said merely, buy them. Base is the slave that pays. That's Shakespeare. And we all know Shakespeare is the mirror of nature. Argal, it would be unnatural35 to pay for a typewriter. We will hire a room in Florence (on tick, of course), and begin operations. Clients will flock in; and we tide over the winter. There's enterprise for you!' And I struck an attitude.
Elsie's face looked her doubts. I walked across to Mrs. Evelegh's desk, and began writing a letter. It occurred to me that Mr. Hitchcock, who was a man of business, might be able to help a woman of business in this delicate matter. I put the point to him fairly and squarely, without circumlocution36; we were going to start an English typewriting office in Florence; what was the ordinary way for people to become possessed38 of a typewriting machine, without the odious39 and mercenary preliminary of paying for it?[Pg 145] The answer came back with commendable40 promptitude.
Dear Miss,—Your spirit of enterprise is really remarkable41! I have forwarded your letter to my friends of the Spread Eagle Typewriting and Phonograph Company, Limited, of New York City, informing them of your desire to open an agency for the sale of their machines in Florence, Italy, and giving them my estimate of your business capacities. I have advised their London house to present you with two complimentary42 machines for your own use and your partner's, and also to supply a number of others for disposal in the city of Florence. If you would further like to undertake an agency for the development of the trade in salt codfish[Pg 146] (large quantities of which are, of course, consumed in Catholic Europe), I could put you into communication with my respected friends, Messrs. Abel Woodward and Co., exporters of preserved provisions, St John, Newfoundland. But, perhaps in this suggestion I am not sufficiently43 high-toned.—Respectfully, Cyrus W. Hitchcock.
The moment had arrived for Elsie to be firm. 'I have no prejudice against trade, Brownie,' she observed emphatically; 'but I do draw the line at salt fish.'
'So do I, dear,' I answered.
She sighed her relief. I really believe she half expected to find me trotting44 about Florence with miscellaneous samples of Messrs. Abel Woodward's esteemed45 productions protruding46 from my pocket.
So to Florence we went. My first idea was to travel by the Brenner route through the Tyrol; but a queer little episode which met us at the outset on the Austrian frontier put a check to this plan. We cycled to the border, sending our trunks on by rail. When we went to claim them at the Austrian Custom-house, we were told they were detained 'for political reasons.'
'Political reasons?' I exclaimed, nonplussed47.
'Even so, Fr?ulein. Your boxes contain revolutionary literature.'
'Some mistake!' I cried, warmly. I am but a drawing-room Socialist48.
'Not at all; look here.' And he drew a small book out of Elsie's portmanteau.
What? Elsie a conspirator49? Elsie in league with Nihilists? So mild and so meek50! I could never have believed it. I took the book in my hands and read the title, 'Revolution of the Heavenly Bodies.'[Pg 147]
'But this is astronomy,' I burst out. 'Don't you see? Sun-and-star circling. The revolution of the planets.'
'It matters not, Fr?ulein. Our instructions are strict. We have orders to intercept51 all revolutionary literature without distinction.'
'Come, Elsie,' I said, firmly, 'this is too ridiculous. Let us give them a clear berth52, these Kaiserly-Kingly blockheads!' So we registered our luggage right back to Lucerne, and cycled over the Gotthard.
PAINTING THE SIGN-BOARD. PAINTING THE SIGN-BOARD.
When at last, by leisurely53 stages, we arrived at Florence, I felt there was no use in doing things by halves. If you are going to start the Florentine School of Stenography and Typewriting, you may as well start it on a proper basis. So I took sunny rooms at a nice hotel for myself and Elsie, and hired a ground floor in a convenient house, close under the shadow of the great marble Campanile. (Considerations of space compel me to curtail54 the usual gush55 about Arnolfo and Giotto.) This was our office. When I had got a Tuscan painter to plant our flag in the shape of a sign-board, I sailed forth56 into the street and inspected it from outside with a swelling57 heart. It is true, the Tuscan painter's unaccountable predilection58 for the rare spellings 'Scool' without an h and 'Stenografy' with an f, somewhat damped my exuberant59 pride for the moment; but I made him take the board back and correct his Italianate English. As soon as all was fitted up with desk and tables we reposed60 upon our laurels61, and waited only for customers in shoals to pour in upon us. I called them 'customers'; Elsie maintained that we ought rather to say 'clients.' Being by temperament62 averse63 to sectarianism, I did not dispute the point with her.
We reposed on our laurels—in vain. Neither customers nor clients seemed in any particular hurry to disturb our leisure.[Pg 148]
I confess I took this ill. It was a rude awakening64. I had begun to regard myself as the special favourite of a fairy godmother; it surprised me to find that any undertaking65 of mine did not succeed immediately. However, reflecting that my fairy godmother's name was really Enterprise, I recalled Mr. Cyrus W. Hitchcock's advice, and advertised.
'There's one good thing about Florence, Elsie,' I said, just to keep up her courage. 'When the customers do come, they'll be interesting people, and it will be interesting work. Artistic66 work, don't you know—Fra Angelico, and Della Robbia, and all that sort of thing; or else fresh light on Dante and Petrarch!'[Pg 149]
'When they do come, no doubt,' Elsie answered, dubiously67. 'But do you know, Brownie, it strikes me there isn't quite that literary stir and ferment69 one might expect in Florence. Dante and Petrarch appear to be dead. The distinguished70 authors fail to stream in upon us as one imagined with manuscripts to copy.'
I affected71 an air of confidence—for I had sunk capital in the concern (that's business-like—sunk capital!). 'Oh, we're a new firm,' I assented72, carelessly. 'Our enterprise is yet young. When cultivated Florence learns we're here, cultivated Florence will invade us in its thousands.'
But we sat in our office and bit our thumbs all day; the thousands stopped at home. We had ample opportunities for making studies of the decorative74 detail on the Campanile, till we knew every square inch of it better than Mr. Ruskin. Elsie's notebook contains, I believe, eleven hundred separate sketches75 of the Campanile, from the right end, the left end, and the middle of our window, with eight hundred and five distinct distortions of the individual statues that adorn76 its niches77 on the side turned towards us.
At last, after we had sat, and bitten our thumbs, and sketched78 the Four Greater Prophets for a fortnight on end, an immense excitement occurred. An old gentleman was distinctly seen to approach and to look up at the sign-board which decorated our office.
I instantly slipped in a sheet of foolscap, and began to type-write with alarming speed—click, click, click; while Elsie, rising to the occasion, set to work to transcribe79 imaginary shorthand as if her life depended upon it.
The old gentleman, after a moment's hesitation80, lifted the latch81 of the door somewhat nervously82. I affected to take no notice of him, so breathless was the haste with which our immense business connection compelled me to finger the[Pg 150] keyboard: but, looking up at him under my eyelashes, I could just make out he was a peculiarly bland83 and urbane84 old person, dressed with the greatest care, and some attention to fashion. His face was smooth; it tended towards portliness.
He made up his mind, and entered the office. I continued to click till I had reached the close of a sentence—'Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them.' Then I looked up sharply. 'Can I do anything for you?' I inquired, in the smartest tone of business. (I observe that politeness is not professional.)
THE URBANE OLD GENTLEMAN. THE URBANE OLD GENTLEMAN.
The Urbane Old Gentleman came forward with his hat in his hand. He looked as if he had just landed from the Eighteenth Century. His figure was that of Mr. Edward Gibbon. 'Yes, madam,' he said, in a markedly deferential85 tone, fussing about with the rim18 of his hat as he spoke, and adjusting his pince-nez. 'I was recommended to your—ur—your establishment for shorthand and typewriting. I have some work which I wish done, if it falls within your province. But I am rather particular. I require a quick worker. Excuse my asking it, but how many words can you do a minute?'
'Shorthand?' I asked, sharply, for I wished to imitate official habits.[Pg 151]
The Urbane Old Gentleman bowed. 'Yes, shorthand. Certainly.'
I waved my hand with careless grace towards Elsie—as if these things happened to us daily. 'Miss Petheridge undertakes the shorthand department,' I said, with decision. 'I am the typewriting from dictation. Miss Petheridge, forward!'
Elsie rose to it like an angel. 'A hundred,' she answered, confronting him.
The old gentleman bowed again. 'And your terms?' he inquired, in a honey-tongued voice. 'If I may venture to ask them.'
We handed him our printed tariff86. He seemed satisfied.
'Could you spare me an hour this morning?' he asked, still fingering his hat nervously with his puffy hand. 'But perhaps you are engaged. I fear I intrude87 upon you.'
'Not at all,' I answered, consulting an imaginary engagement list. 'This work can wait. Let me see: 11.30. Elsie, I think you have nothing to do before one, that cannot be put off? Quite so!—very well, then; yes, we are both at your service.'
The Urbane Old Gentleman looked about him for a seat. I pushed him our one easy chair. He withdrew his gloves with great deliberation, and sat down in it with an apologetic glance. I could gather from his dress and his diamond pin that he was wealthy. Indeed, I half guessed who he was already. There was a fussiness88 about his manner which seemed strangely familiar to me.
He sat down by slow degrees, edging himself about till he was thoroughly89 comfortable. I could see he was of the kind that will have comfort. He took out his notes and a packet of letters, which he sorted slowly. Then he looked hard at me and at Elsie. He seemed to be making his[Pg 152] choice between us. After a time he spoke. 'I think,' he said, in a most leisurely voice, 'I will not trouble your friend to write shorthand for me, after all. Or should I say your assistant? Excuse my change of plan. I will content myself with dictation. You can follow on the machine?'
'As fast as you choose to dictate90 to me.'
He glanced at his notes and began a letter. It was a curious communication. It seemed to be all about buying Bertha and selling Clara—a cold-blooded proceeding91 which almost suggested slave-dealing. I gathered he was giving instructions to his agent: could he have business relations with Cuba, I wondered. But there were also hints of mysterious middies—brave British tars92 to the rescue, possibly! Perhaps my bewilderment showed itself upon my face, for at last he looked queerly at me. 'You don't quite like this, I'm afraid,' he said, breaking off short.
I was the soul of business. 'Not at all,' I answered. 'I am an automaton—nothing more. It is a typewriter's function to transcribe the words a client dictates93 as if they were absolutely meaningless to her.'
'Quite right,' he answered, approvingly. 'Quite right. I see you understand. A very proper spirit!'
Then the Woman within me got the better of the Typewriter. 'Though I confess,' I continued, 'I do feel it is a little unkind to sell Clara at once for whatever she will fetch. It seems to me—well—unchivalrous.'
He smiled, but held his peace.
'Still—the middies,' I went on: 'they will perhaps take care that these poor girls are not ill-treated.'
He leaned back, clasped his hands, and regarded me fixedly94. 'Bertha,' he said, after a pause, 'is Brighton A's—to be strictly95 correct, London, Brighton, and South Coast First Preference Debentures96. Clara is Glasgow and South-Western[Pg 153] Deferred97 Stock. Middies are Midland Ordinary. But I respect your feeling. You are a young lady of principle.' And he fidgeted more than ever.
HE WENT ON DICTATING98 FOR JUST AN HOUR. HE WENT ON DICTATING FOR JUST AN HOUR.
He went on dictating for just an hour. His subject-matter bewildered me. It was all about India Bills, and telegraphic transfers, and selling cotton short, and holding tight to Egyptian Unified99. Markets, it seemed, were glutted100. Hungarians were only to be dealt in if they hardened—hardened sinners I know, but what are hardened Hungarians? And fears were not unnaturally101 expressed that Turks might be 'irregular,' Consols, it appeared, were certain to give way for political reasons; but the downward tendency of Australians, I was relieved to learn, for the honour of so great a group of colonies, could only be temporary. Greeks were growing decidedly worse, though I had always understood[Pg 154] Greeks were bad enough already; and Argentine Central were likely to be weak; but Provincials102 must soon become commendably103 firm, and if Uruguays went flat, something good ought to be made out of them. Scotch104 rails might shortly be quiet— I always understood they were based upon sleepers105; but if South-Eastern stiffened106, advantage should certainly be taken of their stiffening107. He would telegraph particulars on Monday morning. And so on till my brain reeled. Oh, artistic Florence! was this the Filippo Lippi, the Michael Angelo I dreamed of?
At the end of the hour, the Urbane Old Gentleman rose urbanely108. He drew on his gloves again with the greatest deliberation, and hunted for his stick as if his life depended upon it. 'Let me see; I had a pencil; oh, thanks; yes, that is it. This cover protects the point. My hat? Ah, certainly. And my notes; much obliged; notes always get mislaid. People are so careless. Then I will come again to-morrow; the same hour, if you will kindly109 keep yourself disengaged. Though, excuse me, you had better make an entry of it at once upon your agenda.'
'I shall remember it,' I answered, smiling.
'No; will you? But you haven't my name.'
'I know it,' I answered. 'At least, I think so. You are Mr. Marmaduke Ashurst. Lady Georgina Fawley sent you here.'
He laid down his hat and gloves again, so as to regard me more undistracted. 'You are a most remarkable young lady,' he said, in a very slow voice. 'I impressed upon Georgina that she must not mention to you that I was coming. How on earth did you recognise me?'
'Intuition, most likely.'
He stared at me with a sort of suspicion. 'Please don't tell me you think me like my sister,' he went on. 'For[Pg 155] though, of course, every right-minded man feels—ur—a natural respect and affection for the members his family—bows, if I may so say, to the inscrutable decrees of Providence—which has mysteriously burdened him with them—still, there are points about Lady Georgina which I cannot conscientiously110 assert I approve of.'
I remembered 'Marmy's a fool,' and held my tongue judiciously111.
'I do not resemble her, I hope,' he persisted, with a look which I could almost describe as wistful.
'A family likeness112, perhaps,' I put in. 'Family likenesses exist, you know—often with complete divergence114 of tastes and character.'
He looked relieved. 'That is true. Oh, how true! But the likeness in my case, I must admit, escapes me.'
I temporised. 'Strangers see these things most,' I said, airing the stock platitudes115. 'It may be superficial. And, of course, one knows that profound differences of intellect and moral feeling often occur within the limits of a single family.'
'You are quite right,' he said, with decision. 'Georgina's principles are not mine. Excuse my remarking it, but you seem to be a young lady of unusual penetration116.'
I saw he took my remark as a compliment. What I really meant to say was that a commonplace man might easily be brother to so clever a woman as Lady Georgina.
HE BOWED TO US EACH SEPARATELY. HE BOWED TO US EACH SEPARATELY.
He gathered up his hat, his stick, his gloves, his notes, and his typewritten letters, one by one, and backed out politely. He was a punctilious117 millionaire. He had risen by urbanity to his brother directors, like a model guinea-pig. He bowed to us each separately as if we had been duchesses.
As soon as he was gone, Elsie turned to me. 'Brownie,[Pg 156] how on earth did you guess it? They're so awfully118 different!'
'Not at all,' I answered. 'A few surface unlikenesses only just mask an underlying119 identity. Their features are the same; but his are plump; hers, shrunken. Lady Georgina's expression is sharp and worldly; Mr. Ashurst's is smooth, and bland, and financial. And then their manner! Both[Pg 157] are fussy120; but Lady Georgina's is honest, open, ill-tempered fussiness; Mr. Ashurst's is concealed121 under an artificial mask of obsequious123 politeness. One's cantankerous124; the other's only pernicketty. It's one tune125, after all, in two different keys.'
From that day forth, the Urbane Old Gentleman was a daily visitor. He took an hour at a time at first; but after a few days, the hour lengthened126 out (apologetically) to an entire morning. He 'presumed to ask' my Christian name the second day, and remembered my father—'a man of excellent principles.' But he didn't care for Elsie to work for him. Fortunately for her, other work dropped in, once we had found a client, or else, poor girl, she would have felt sadly slighted. I was glad she had something to do; the sense of dependence127 weighed heavily upon her.
The Urbane Old Gentleman did not confine himself entirely128, after the first few days, to Stock Exchange literature. He was engaged on a Work—he spoke of it always with bated breath, and a capital letter was implied in his intonation129; the Work was one on the Interpretation130 of Prophecy. Unlike Lady Georgina, who was tart37 and crisp, Mr. Marmaduke Ashurst was devout131 and decorous; where she said 'pack of fools,' he talked with unction of 'the mental deficiencies of our poorer brethren.' But his religious opinions and his stockbroking132 had got strangely mixed up at the wash somehow. He was convinced that the British nation represented the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel—and in particular Ephraim—a matter on which, as a mere lay-woman, I would not presume either to agree with him or to differ from him. 'That being so, Miss Cayley, we can easily understand that the existing commercial prosperity of England depends upon the promises made to Abraham.'[Pg 158]
I assented, without committing myself. 'It would seem to follow.'
Mr. Ashurst, encouraged by so much assent73, went on to unfold his System of Interpretation, which was of a strictly commercial or company-promoting character. It ran like a prospectus133. 'We have inherited the gold of Australia and the diamonds of the Cape,' he said, growing didactic, and lifting one fat forefinger134; 'we are now inheriting Klondike and the Rand, for it is morally certain that we shall annex135 the Transvaal. Again, "the chief things of the ancient mountains, and the precious things of the everlasting136 hills." What does that mean? The ancient mountains are clearly the Rockies; can the everlasting hills be anything but the Himalayas? "For they shall suck of the abundance of the seas"—that refers, of course, to our world-wide commerce, due mainly to imports—"and of the treasures hid in the sand." Which sand? Undoubtedly137, I say, the desert of Mount Sinai. What then is our obvious destiny? A lady of your intelligence must gather at once that it is——?' He paused and gazed at me.
'To drive the Sultan out of Syria,' I suggested tentatively, 'and to annex Palestine to our practical province of Egypt?'
He leaned back in his chair and folded his fat hands in undisguised satisfaction. 'Now, you are a thinker of exceptional penetration,' he broke out. 'Do you know, Miss Cayley, I have tried to make that point clear to the War Office, and the Prime Minister, and many leading financiers in the City of London, and I can't get them to see it. They have no heads, those people. But you catch at it at a glance. Why, I endeavoured to interest Rothschild and induce him to join me in my Palestine Development Syndicate, and, will you believe it, the man refused[Pg 159] point blank. Though if he had only looked at Nahum iii. 17——'
'Mere financiers,' I said, smiling, 'will not consider these questions from a historical and prophetic point of view. They see nothing above percentages.'
'That's it,' he replied, lighting139 up. 'They have no higher feelings. Though, mind you, there will be dividends140 too; mark my words, there will be dividends. This syndicate, besides fulfilling the prophecies, will pay forty per cent on every penny embarked141 in it.'
'Only forty per cent for Ephraim!' I murmured, half below my breath. 'Why, Judah is said to batten upon sixty.'
He caught at it eagerly, without perceiving my gentle sarcasm142.
'In that case, we might even expect seventy,' he put in with a gasp143 of anticipation144. 'Though I approached Rothschild first with my scheme on purpose, so that Israel and Judah might once more unite in sharing the promises.'
'Your combined generosity145 and commercial instinct does you credit,' I answered. 'It is rare to find so much love for an abstract study side by side with such conspicuous146 financial ability.'
His guilelessness was beyond words. He swallowed it like an infant. 'So I think,' he answered. 'I am glad to observe that you understand my character. Mere City men don't. They have no soul above shekels. Though, as I show them, there are shekels in it, too. Dividends, dividends, di-vidends. But you are a lady of understanding and comprehension. You have been to Girton, haven't you? Perhaps you read Greek, then?'
'Enough to get on with.'
'Could you look things up in Herodotus?'[Pg 160]
'Certainly?'
'In the original?'
'Oh, dear, yes.'
He regarded me once more with the same astonished glance. His own classics, I soon learnt, were limited to the amount which a public school succeeds in dinning147, during the intervals148 of cricket and football into an English gentleman. Then he informed me that he wished me to hunt up certain facts in Herodotus "and elsewhere" confirmatory of his view that the English were the descendants of the Ten Tribes. I promised to do so, swallowing even that comprehensive "elsewhere." It was none of my business to believe or disbelieve: I was paid to get up a case, and I got one up to the best of my ability. I imagine it was at least as good as most other cases in similar matters: at any rate, it pleased the old gentleman vastly.
By dint150 of listening, I began to like him. But Elsie couldn't bear him. She hated the fat crease151 at the back of his neck, she told me.
After a week or two devoted152 to the Interpretation of Prophecy on a strictly commercial basis of Founders153' Shares, with interludes of mining engineers' reports upon the rubies154 of Mount Sinai and the supposed auriferous quartzites of Palestine, the Urbane Old Gentleman trotted155 down to the office one day, carrying a packet of notes of most voluminous magnitude. "Can we work in a room alone this morning, Miss Cayley?" he asked, with mystery in his voice: he was always mysterious. "I want to intrust you with a piece of work of an exceptionally private and confidential156 character. It concerns Property. In point of fact," he dropped his voice to a whisper. "I want you to draw up my will for me."
"Certainly," I said, opening the door into the back office. But I trembled in my shoes. Could this mean[Pg 161] that he was going to draw up a will, disinheriting Harold Tillington?
And, suppose he did, what then? My heart was in a tumult157. If Harold were rich—well and good, I could never marry him. But, if Harold were poor— I must keep my promise. Could I wish him to be rich? Could I wish him to be poor? My heart stood divided two ways within me.
The Urbane Old Gentleman began with immense deliberation, as befits a man of principle when Property is at stake. 'You will kindly take down notes from my dictation,' he said, fussing with his papers; 'and afterwards, I will ask you to be so good as to copy it all out fair on your typewriter for signature.'
'Is a typewritten form legal?' I ventured to inquire.
'A most perspicacious159 young lady!' he interjected, well pleased. 'I have investigated that point, and find it perfectly160 regular. Only, if I may venture to say so, there should be no erasures.'
'There shall be none,' I answered.
The Urbane Old Gentleman leant back in his easy chair, and began dictating from his notes with tantalising deliberateness. This was the last will and testament161 of him, Marmaduke Courtney Ashurst. Its verbiage162 wearied me. I was eager for him to come to the point about Harold. Instead of that, he did what it seems is usual in such cases—set out with a number of unimportant legacies163 to old family servants and other hangers-on among 'our poorer brethren.' I fumed164 and fretted165 inwardly. Next came a series of quaint166 bequests167 of a quite novel character. 'I give and bequeath to James Walsh and Sons, of 720 High Holborn, London, the sum of Five Hundred Pounds, in consideration of the benefit they have conferred upon humanity by the invention of a sugar-spoon or silver sugar-sifter, by means[Pg 162] of which it is possible to dust sugar upon a tart or pudding without letting the whole or the greater part of the material run through the apertures169 uselessly in transit170. You must have observed, Miss Cayley—with your usual perspicacity—that most sugar-sifters allow the sugar to fall through them on to the table prematurely171.'
'I have noticed it,' I answered, trembling with anxiety.
'James Walsh and Sons, acting172 on a hint from me, have succeeded in inventing a form of spoon which does not possess that regrettable drawback. "Run through the apertures uselessly in transit," I think I said last. Yes, thank you. Very good. We will now continue. And I give and bequeath the like sum of Five Hundred Pounds—did I say, free of legacy173 duty? No? Then please add it to James Walsh's clause. Five Hundred Pounds, free of legacy duty, to Thomas Webster Jones, of Wheeler Street, Soho, for his admirable invention of a pair of braces175 which will not slip down on the wearer's shoulders after half an hour's use. Most braces, you must have observed, Miss Cayley——'
'My acquaintance with braces is limited, not to say abstract,' I interposed, smiling.
He gazed at me, and twirled his fat thumbs.
'Of course,' he murmured. 'Of course. But most braces, you may not be aware, slip down unpleasantly on the shoulder-blade, and so lead to an awkward habit of hitching176 them up by the sleeve-hole of the waistcoat at frequent intervals. Such a habit must be felt to be ungraceful. Thomas Webster Jones, to whom I pointed17 out this error of manufacture, has invented a brace174 the two halves of which diverge113 at a higher angle than usual, and fasten further towards the centre of the body in front—pardon these details—so as to obviate177 that difficulty. He has given me satisfaction, and he deserves to be rewarded.'[Pg 163]
I heard through it all the voice of Lady Georgina observing, tartly178, 'Why the idiots can't make braces to fit one at first passes my comprehension. But, there, my dear; the people who manufacture them are a set of born fools, and what can you expect from an imbecile?' Mr. Ashurst was Lady Georgina, veneered with a thin layer of ingratiating urbanity. Lady Georgina was clever, and therefore acrimonious179. Mr. Ashurst was astute180, and therefore obsequious.
He went on with legacies to the inventor of a sauce-bottle which did not let the last drop dribble181 down so as to spot the table-cloth; of a shoe-horn the handle of which did not come undone182; and of a pair of sleeve-links which you could put off and on without injury to the temper. 'A real benefactor183, Miss Cayley; a real benefactor to the link-wearing classes; for he has sensibly diminished the average annual output of profane184 swearing.'
When he left Five Hundred Pounds to his faithful servant Frederic Higginson, courier, I was tempted185 to interpose; but I refrained in time, and I was glad of it afterwards.
At last, after many divagations, my Urbane Old Gentleman arrived at the central point—'and I give and bequeath to my nephew, Harold Ashurst Tillington, Younger of Gledcliffe, Dumfriesshire, attaché to Her Majesty's Embassy at Rome——'
I WAITED BREATHLESS. I WAITED BREATHLESS.
I waited, breathless.
He was annoyingly dilatory186. 'My house and estate of Ashurst Court, in the County of Gloucester, and my town house at 24 Park Lane North, in London, together with the residue187 of all my estate, real or personal——' and so forth.
I breathed again. At least, I had not been called upon to disinherit Harold.[Pg 164]
'Provided always——' he went on, in the same voice.
I wondered what was coming.
'Provided always that the said Harold Ashurst Tillington does not marry——leave a blank there, Miss Cayley. I will find out the name of the young person I desire to exclude, and fill it in afterward158. I don't recollect188 it at this moment, but Higginson, no doubt, will be able to supply the deficiency. In fact, I don't think I ever heard it; though Higginson has told me all about the woman.'
'Higginson?' I inquired. 'Is he here?'
'Oh, dear, yes. You heard of him, I suppose, from Georgina. Georgina is prejudiced. He has come back to me, I am glad to say. An excellent servant, Higginson, though a trifle too omniscient189. All men are equal in the[Pg 165] eyes of their Maker190, of course; but we must have due subordination. A courier ought not to be better informed than his master—or ought at least to conceal122 the fact dexterously191. Well, Higginson knows this young person's name; my sister wrote to me about her disgraceful conduct when she first went to Schlangenbad. An adventuress, it seems; an adventuress; quite a shocking creature. Foisted192 herself upon Lady Georgina in Kensington Gardens—unintroduced, if you can believe such a thing—with the most astonishing effrontery193; and Georgina, who will forgive anything on earth, for the sake of what she calls originality—another name for impudence194, as I am sure you must know—took the young woman with her as her maid to Germany. There, this minx tried to set her cap at my nephew Harold, who can be caught at once by a pretty face; and Harold was bowled over—almost got engaged to her. Georgina took a fancy to the girl later, having a taste for dubious68 people (I cannot say I approve of Georgina's friends), and wrote again to say her first suspicions were unfounded: the young woman was in reality a paragon195 of virtue196. But I know better than that. Georgina has no judgment197. I regret to be obliged to confess it, but cleverness, I fear, is the only thing in the world my excellent sister cares for. The hussy, it seems, was certainly clever. Higginson has told me about her. He says her bare appearance would suffice to condemn198 her—a bold, fast, shameless, brazen-faced creature. But you will forgive me, I am sure, my dear young lady: I ought not to discuss such painted Jezebels before you. We will leave this person's name blank. I will not sully your pen—I mean, your typewriter—by asking you to transcribe it.'
I made up my mind at once. 'Mr. Ashurst,' I said, looking up from my keyboard, 'I can give you this girl's name; and then you can insert the proviso immediately.'[Pg 166]
'You can? My dear young lady, what a wonderful person you are! You seem to know everybody, and everything. But perhaps she was at Schlangenbad with Lady Georgina, and you were there also?'
'She was,' I answered, deliberately199. 'The name you want is—Lois Cayley!'
He let his notes drop in his astonishment200.
I went on with my typewriting, unmoved. 'Provided always that the said Harold Ashurst Tillington does not marry Lois Cayley; in which case I will and desire that the said estate shall pass to——whom shall I put in, Mr. Ashurst?'
He leant forward with his fat hands on his ample knees. 'It was really you?' he inquired, open-mouthed.
I nodded. 'There is no use in denying the truth. Mr. Tillington did ask me to be his wife, and I refused him.'
'But, my dear Miss Cayley——'
'The difference in station?' I said; 'the difference, still greater, in this world's goods? Yes, I know. I admit all that. So I declined his offer. I did not wish to ruin his prospects201.'
The Urbane Old Gentleman eyed me with a sudden tenderness in his glance. 'Young men are lucky,' he said, slowly, after a short pause; '—and— Higginson is an idiot. I say it deliberately—an idiot! How could one dream of trusting the judgment of a flunkey about a lady? My dear, excuse the familiarity from one who may consider himself in a certain sense a contingent202 uncle—suppose we amend203 the last clause by the omission204 of the word not. It strikes me as superfluous205. "Provided always the said Harold Ashurst Tillington consents to marry"— I think that sounds better!'
He looked at me with such fatherly regard that it pricked206 my heart ever to have poked207 fun at his Interpretation[Pg 167] of Prophecy on Stock Exchange principles. I think I flushed crimson208. 'No, no,' I answered, firmly. 'That will not do either, please. That's worse than the other way. You must not put it, Mr. Ashurst. I could not consent to be willed away to anybody.'
He leant forward, with real earnestness. 'My dear,' he said, 'that's not the point. Pardon my reminding you that you are here in your capacity as my amanuensis. I am drawing up my will, and if you will allow me to say so, I cannot admit that anyone has a claim to influence me in the disposition209 of my Property.'
'Please!' I cried, pleadingly.
He looked at me and paused. 'Well,' he went on at last, after a long interval149; 'since you insist upon it, I will leave the bequest168 to stand without condition.'
'Thank you,' I murmured, bending low over my machine.'
'If I did as I like, though,' he went on, 'I should say, Unless he marries Miss Lois Cayley (who is a deal too good for him) the estate shall revert210 to Kynaston's eldest211 son, a confounded jackass. I do not usually indulge in intemperate212 language; but I desire to assure you, with the utmost calmness, that Kynaston's eldest son, Lord Southminster, is a con-founded jackass.'
I rose and took his hand in my own spontaneously. 'Mr. Ashurst,' I said, 'you may interpret prophecy as long as ever you like, but you are a dear kind old gentleman. I am truly grateful to you for your good opinion.
WHAT, YOU HERE! HE CRIED. WHAT, YOU HERE! HE CRIED.
'And you will marry Harold?'
'Never,' I answered; 'while he is rich. I have said as much to him.'
'That's hard,' he went on, slowly. 'For ... I should like to be your uncle.'[Pg 168]
I trembled all over. Elsie saved the situation by bursting in abruptly213.
I will only add that when Mr. Ashurst left, I copied the will out neatly214, without erasures. The rough original I threw (somewhat carelessly) into the waste-paper basket.
That afternoon, somebody called to fetch the fair copy[Pg 169] for Mr. Ashurst. I went out into the front office to see him. To my surprise, it was Higginson—in his guise138 as courier.
He was as astonished as myself. 'What, you here!' he cried. 'You dog me!'
'I was thinking the same thing of you, M. le Comte,' I answered, curtsying.
He made no attempt at an excuse. 'Well, I have been sent for the will,' he broke out, curtly215.
'And you were sent for the jewel-case,' I retorted. 'No, no, Dr. Fortescue-Langley; I am in charge of the will, and I will take it myself to Mr. Ashurst.'
'I will be even with you yet,' he snapped out. 'I have gone back to my old trade, and am trying to lead an honest life; but you won't let me.'
'On the contrary,' I answered, smiling a polite smile. 'I rejoice to hear it. If you say nothing more against me to your employer, I will not disclose to him what I know about you. But if you slander216 me, I will. So now we understand one another.'
And I kept the will till I could give it myself into Mr Ashurst's own hands in his rooms that evening.
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收听单词发音
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1
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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4
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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5
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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apex
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| n.顶点，最高点 | |
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unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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bourgeois
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| adj./n.追求物质享受的(人)；中产阶级分子 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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agog
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| adj.兴奋的，有强烈兴趣的； adv.渴望地 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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platitude
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| n.老生常谈，陈词滥调 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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21
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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callousness
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utilitarian
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| adj.实用的，功利的 | |
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revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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25
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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dross
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| n.渣滓；无用之物 | |
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filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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lucre
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| n.金钱，财富 | |
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deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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32
descry
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| v.远远看到；发现；责备 | |
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33
teeming
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| adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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34
stenography
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| n.速记，速记法 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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circumlocution
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| n. 绕圈子的话，迂回累赘的陈述 | |
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tart
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| adj.酸的；尖酸的，刻薄的；n.果馅饼；淫妇 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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42
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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44
trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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45
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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46
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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47
nonplussed
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| adj.不知所措的，陷于窘境的v.使迷惑( nonplus的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
socialist
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| n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的 | |
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49
conspirator
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| n.阴谋者，谋叛者 | |
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50
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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51
intercept
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| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
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52
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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53
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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54
curtail
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| vt.截短，缩短；削减 | |
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55
gush
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| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
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56
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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57
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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58
predilection
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| n.偏好 | |
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59
exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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60
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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62
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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63
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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64
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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65
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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66
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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67
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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68
dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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69
ferment
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| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
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70
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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71
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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72
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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74
decorative
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| adj.装饰的，可作装饰的 | |
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75
sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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76
adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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77
niches
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| 壁龛( niche的名词复数 )； 合适的位置[工作等]； （产品的）商机； 生态位（一个生物所占据的生境的最小单位） | |
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78
sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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79
transcribe
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| v.抄写，誉写；改编(乐曲)；复制，转录 | |
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80
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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81
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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82
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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83
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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84
urbane
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| adj.温文尔雅的，懂礼的 | |
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85
deferential
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| adj. 敬意的，恭敬的 | |
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86
tariff
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| n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表 | |
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87
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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88
fussiness
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| [医]易激怒 | |
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89
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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90
dictate
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| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
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91
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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92
tars
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| 焦油，沥青，柏油( tar的名词复数 ) | |
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93
dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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94
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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95
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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96
debentures
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| n.公司债券( debenture的名词复数 ) | |
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97
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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98
dictating
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的现在分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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99
unified
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| (unify 的过去式和过去分词)； 统一的； 统一标准的； 一元化的 | |
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100
glutted
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| v.吃得过多( glut的过去式和过去分词 )；（对胃口、欲望等）纵情满足；使厌腻；塞满 | |
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101
unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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102
provincials
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| n.首都以外的人，地区居民( provincial的名词复数 ) | |
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103
commendably
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| 很好地 | |
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104
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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105
sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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106
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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107
stiffening
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| n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式 | |
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108
urbanely
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| adv.都市化地，彬彬有礼地，温文尔雅地 | |
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109
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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110
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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111
judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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112
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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113
diverge
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| v.分叉，分歧，离题，使...岔开，使转向 | |
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114
divergence
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| n.分歧，岔开 | |
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115
platitudes
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| n.平常的话，老生常谈，陈词滥调( platitude的名词复数 )；滥套子 | |
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116
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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117
punctilious
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| adj.谨慎的，谨小慎微的 | |
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118
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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119
underlying
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| adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的 | |
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120
fussy
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| adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的 | |
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121
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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122
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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123
obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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124
cantankerous
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| adj.爱争吵的，脾气不好的 | |
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125
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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126
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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127
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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128
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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129
intonation
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| n.语调，声调；发声 | |
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130
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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131
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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132
stockbroking
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| n.炒股 | |
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133
prospectus
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| n.计划书；说明书；慕股书 | |
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134
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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135
annex
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| vt.兼并，吞并；n.附属建筑物 | |
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136
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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137
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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138
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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139
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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140
dividends
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| 红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金 | |
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141
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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142
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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143
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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144
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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145
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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146
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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147
dinning
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| vt.喧闹（din的现在分词形式） | |
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148
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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149
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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150
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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151
crease
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| n.折缝，褶痕，皱褶；v.(使)起皱 | |
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152
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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153
founders
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| n.创始人( founder的名词复数 ) | |
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154
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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155
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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156
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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157
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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158
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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159
perspicacious
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| adj.聪颖的，敏锐的 | |
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160
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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161
testament
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| n.遗嘱；证明 | |
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162
verbiage
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| n.冗词；冗长 | |
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163
legacies
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| n.遗产( legacy的名词复数 )；遗留之物；遗留问题；后遗症 | |
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164
fumed
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| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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165
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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166
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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167
bequests
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| n.遗赠( bequest的名词复数 )；遗产，遗赠物 | |
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168
bequest
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| n.遗赠；遗产，遗物 | |
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169
apertures
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| n.孔( aperture的名词复数 )；隙缝；（照相机的）光圈；孔径 | |
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170
transit
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| n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过 | |
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171
prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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172
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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173
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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174
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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175
braces
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| n.吊带，背带；托架( brace的名词复数 )；箍子；括弧；（儿童）牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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176
hitching
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| 搭乘； （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的现在分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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177
obviate
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| v.除去，排除，避免，预防 | |
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178
tartly
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| adv.辛辣地，刻薄地 | |
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179
acrimonious
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| adj.严厉的，辛辣的，刻毒的 | |
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180
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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181
dribble
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| v.点滴留下，流口水；n.口水 | |
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182
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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183
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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184
profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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185
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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186
dilatory
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| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
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187
residue
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| n.残余，剩余，残渣 | |
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188
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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189
omniscient
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| adj.无所不知的；博识的 | |
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190
maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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191
dexterously
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| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
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192
foisted
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| 强迫接受，把…强加于( foist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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193
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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194
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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195
paragon
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| n.模范，典型 | |
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196
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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197
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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198
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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199
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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200
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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201
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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202
contingent
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| adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队 | |
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203
amend
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| vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿 | |
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204
omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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205
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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206
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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207
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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208
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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209
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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210
revert
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| v.恢复，复归，回到 | |
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211
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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212
intemperate
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| adj.无节制的，放纵的 | |
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213
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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214
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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215
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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216
slander
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| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
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