He paused at the entrance with an exclamation1 of surprise:
"Well, of all the wonders!"
"But you can't stop yet!" whispered Nan, drawing him gently on.
Apparently2 on entering the banquet hall they were stepping outdoors into an enchanted3 pine forest. The walls were completely hidden by painted scenery representing the mountains of western North Carolina. The room had been transformed into a forest, trees and shrubbery melting imperceptibly into the scenery on the walls, and mocking birds were singing in cages hidden high among the boughs4 of the trees.
Stuart gazed at the great panorama5 painting on the wall, fascinated.
"Why, Nan," he gasped6, "that's a view of the river hills at home where you and I used to roam."
"Well, if you hadn't recognized it, I should never have forgiven you."
"How on earth did your artists get it so perfectly7?"
"I sent him there, of course. He did it in three weeks. There's something else in that picture I thought you'd see, too."
"Isn't it now!" Stuart laughed, as they reached the head of the central table. "A boy and girl sitting on a fence looking down at the river in the valley below."
"The very spot we found that quail's nest, you remember. You see I've begun to rebuild your dream-life to-night, Jim."
"It's marvellous!" he answered slowly. "And there in the distance loom8 the three ranges of our old mountains until their dim blue peaks are lost in the clouds. These tables seem spread for a picnic in the woods on the hills."
"Are you pleased with my fantasy?" she asked with quiet emotion.
"Pleased is not the word for it," he replied quickly. "I'm overwhelmed. I never thought you so sentimental9."
"Perhaps I'm not, perhaps I've only done this to please a friend. Do you begin to feel at home in this little spot I've brought back by magic to-night from our youth?"
"I'm afraid I'll wake and find I'm dreaming."
Stuart gazed on the magnificently set table with increasing astonishment10. Winding11 in and out among the solid silver candelabra a tiny stream of crystal water flowed among miniature trees and flowers on its banks. The flowers were all blooming orchids12 of rarest colouring and weirdly14 fantastic shapes.
"Those hideous15 little flowers cost a small fortune," Nan exclaimed, "I'm ashamed to tell you how much—I don't like them myself, I'm frank to say so to you. But they are the rage. I prefer those gorgeous bowers17 of American beauty roses, the canopies19 to shade my guests from the rays of my artificial sun shining through the trees. You see how skilfully20 the artist has lighted the place. It looks exactly like a sunset in a pine forest."
Stuart noted22 that the service was all made for this occasion, silver, cut glass, and china. Each piece had stamped or etched in it the coat of arms of his native state, "Peace and Plenty."
"And you've done all this in six weeks? It's incredible."
"Money can do anything, Jim," she cried under her breath. "It's the fairy queen of our childhood and the God of our ancient faith come down to earth. You really like my banquet hall?"
"More than I can tell you."
Nan looked at him keenly.
"The world will say to-morrow morning that I have given this lavish23 entertainment for vulgar display. In a sense it's true. I am trying to eclipse in splendour anything New York has seen. But I count the fortune it cost well spent to have seen the smile on your face when you looked at that painting of our old hills. I would have given five times as much at any moment the past ten years to have known that you didn't hate me."
"You know it now."
"Yes," she answered tenderly. "You have said so with your lips before, now you mean it. You are your old handsome self to-night."
Apart from the charm of Nan's presence Stuart found the dinner itself a stupid affair, so solemnly stupid it at last became funny. In all the magnificently dressed crowd he looked in vain for a man or woman of real intellectual distinction. He saw only money, money, money!
There was one exception—the titled degenerates25 from the Old World, hovering26 around the richest and silliest women, their eyes glittering with eager avarice27 for a chance at their millions. It seemed a joke that any sane28 American mother could conceive the idea of selling her daughter to these wretches29 in exchange for the empty sham16 of a worm-eaten dishonoured30 title. And yet it had become so common that the drain on the national resources from this cause constitutes a menace to our future.
In spite of the low murmurs31 of Nan's beautifully modulated32 voice in his ears, he found his anger slowly rising, not against any one in particular, but against the vulgar ostentation33 in which these people moved and the vapid34 assumption of superiority with which they evidently looked out upon the world.
But whatever might have been lacking in the wit and genius of the guests who sat at Nan's tables, there could be no question about the quality of the dinner set before them. When the Roman Empire was staggering to its ruin amid the extravagancies of its corrupt35 emperors, not one of them ever gave a banquet which approximated half the cost of this. The best old Nero ever did with his flowers was to cover the floors of his banquet hall with cut roses that his guests might crush them beneath their feet. But flowers were cheap in sunny Italy. Nan's orchids alone on her tables cost in Roman money a hundred thousand sesterces, while the paintings, trees, shrubbery, water and light effects necessary to transform the room into a miniature forest cost five hundred thousand sesterces, or a total of thirty thousand dollars for the decorations of the banquet hall alone.
When the feast ended at ten thirty the sun had set behind the blue mountains, the moon risen, and hundreds of fire flies were floating from the foliage36 of trees and shrubs37.
Nan led the way to the ball room, where the entertainment by hired dancers, singers, and professional entertainers began on an improvised38 stage.
During this part of the programme the women and men of the banqueting party who were to appear in the fancy-dress ball at twelve retired39 to the rooms above to dress for their parts.
Nan left Stuart with a pretty sigh to arrange her costume.
"I'm sorry you never learned to dance, Jim, but there are compensations to-night. I've a surprise for you later."
Before he could reply, with a wave of her bare arm, she was gone, and he stood for a moment wondering what further surprise could be in store after what he had seen.
He noted with some astonishment the peculiar40 sombre effects of the ball room. He had expected a scene of splendour. Instead the impression was distinctly funereal41. The lights were dimmed like the interior of a theatre during the performance and the lofty gilded42 ceilings with their mural decorations seemed to be draped in filmy black crêpe.
The professional entertainment began on the little stage amid a universal gabble which made it impossible for anything save pantomime to be intelligible43 beyond the footlights. Star after star, whose services had cost $1,000 each for one hour, appeared without commanding the slightest attention. At last there was a hush44 and every eye was fixed45 on the stage. Stuart looked up quickly to see what miracle had caused the silence.
An oriental dancing girl, barefooted and naked save for the slightest suggestion of covering about her waist and bust46, was the centre of attraction. For five minutes she held the crowd spell-bound with a dance so beautifully sensual no theatrical47 manager would have dared present it. Yet it was received by the only burst of applause which broke the monotony of the occasion.
Stuart turned to the program in his hand and idly read the next number:
"A song by an unknown star."
He was wondering what joke the manager was about to perpetrate on the crowd when his ear caught the first sweet notes of Harriet's voice singing the old song he loved so well, the song she had first sung the day he came from the South.
His heart gave a throb48 of pain. Who could have prepared this humiliation49 for his little pal50! He pushed his way through the throng51 of chattering53 fools until he stood alone straight in front of the slender little singer. She saw him at once, smiled, and sang as he had never heard her sing. Her eyes shone with a strange light and Stuart knew she was in the spirit world. The rabble54 of ignorant men and women before her did not exist. She was singing to an invisible audience save for the one man who looked up into her eyes, his heart bursting with sympathy and tenderness.
To his further surprise Stuart saw the doctor standing55 in the shadows at the corner of the stage looking over the gossiping, noisy crowd with a look of anger and horror.
When the last note of the song died away, quivering with a supernatural tenderness and passion, he brushed a tear from his eyes, lifted his hands high above his head and made a motion which said to her: "Tumultuous applause!"
She nodded and smiled and he rushed behind the scenes to ask an explanation.
He grasped both her hands and found them cold and trembling with excitement.
"What on earth, does this mean?"
"Simply that I was engaged to sing to-night—and I wanted to surprise you. Didn't you like my song?"
Stuart held her hands tightly.
"I never heard you sing so divinely!"
"Then I'm very happy."
"How could you sing at all under such conditions?"
"I had one good listener."
"I could have killed them because they wouldn't hear you."
"But you enjoyed it?"
"It lifted me to the gates of heaven, dear."
"Then I don't care whether any one else heard it or not. But I did so much wish that she might have heard it, or her husband, because they are from the South. I thought they would be as charmed with the old song as you have always been and I'd make a hit with them, perhaps."
"But I don't understand, your father hates Bivens so."
A big hand was laid on his shoulder, he turned and faced the doctor smiling.
"But I don't hate him, my boy! I've given up such foolishness. We've buried the hatchet57. I'm to see him in a few minutes and we are to be good friends."
"Bivens invited you here to discuss a business proposition to-night!" Stuart exclaimed, blankly.
"No, no, no," the doctor answered. "I came with Harriet, of course. Her music teacher placed her on the programme. But Mr. Bivens and I have had some correspondence and I'm to see him in a little while and talk things over quite informally, of course, but effectively."
"He has agreed to a conference here?" the young lawyer asked, anxiously.
"Why, of course. His butler has just told me he would see me immediately after the ball begins."
Stuart breathed easier.
"Then, it's all right. I was just going to suggest that I speak to Mr. Bivens for you."
"Not at all, my boy, not necessary, I assure you. It will be all right. In five minutes' talk our little differences will all be settled."
"If I can be of any service, you'll let me know?"
"Certainly," the doctor replied with a frown, "but the whole thing is settled already. Still, I appreciate your offer."
Stuart was worried. He could not press the matter further. He was sure from the sensitive tones in which his old friend declined his help that his dignity was hurt by the offer. He was positive there was a misunderstanding somewhere. The doctor's optimism had led him into an embarrassing situation and yet his association with Bivens as his first employer had surely given him some knowledge of his character.
He hesitated, about to speak, changed his mind, and turned to Harriet.
"You look glorious to-night, little pal! Funny that I never saw you in evening dress before. You look so tall and queenly, so grown, so mature. You're beginning to make me feel old, child. I'll be thinking of you as a grown woman next."
"I am twenty-four, you know," she said, simply.
"I have never believed it until to-night. I wouldn't have known you at first but for your voice, I had to rub my eyes then."
A warm blush tinged58 the pink and white of the sensitive face.
"Oh, Jim, I can't tell you how sweet your Southern blarney is to my heart! I dreamed of a triumph of art. I saw it was impossible before I sang, and now the pretty things you've said have taken all the sting out of defeat and I'm happy."
"Then I'm glad, dear."
He paused, leaned close and whispered:
"Won't you let me know when your father has seen Mr. Bivens? If this conference doesn't go well I may be of some help."
"All right, I'll let you know."
The lights were suddenly turned lower, approaching total darkness. The attendants noiselessly removed the temporary stage and cleared the great room for the dancers.
As the chimes struck the hour of midnight, skeleton heads slowly began to appear peeping from the shadows of the arched ceiling and from every nook and corner of the huge cornice and pillars. Draperies of filmy crêpe flowing gently in the breeze were lighted by sulphurous-hued electric rays from the balconies. Tiny electric lights blinked in every skeleton's sunken eyes and behind each grinning row of teeth.
Again the chatter52 of fools was suddenly hushed. The orchestra began a weird13 piece of music that sent the cold chills rippling59 down Stuart's spine60. Harriet's hand gripped his.
"Heavens!" she whispered. "Did you ever dream of such a nightmare!"
Suddenly two white figures drew aside the heavy curtains in the archway and the dancers marched into the sombre room.
The men were dressed as shrouded61 skeletons, and the women as worms. The men wore a light flimsy gray robe on which skilful21 artists had painted on four sides in deep colours the picture of a human skeleton.
The women wore a curious light robe of cotton fibre which was drawn62 over the entire body and gave to each figure the appearance of a huge caterpillar63.
From the high perch64 of a balcony a sepulchral65 voice cried:
"The Dance of Death and the Worm!"
The strange figures began to move slowly across the polished floor to the strains of a ghost-like waltz.
From the corners of the high balconies strange lights flashed, developing in hideous outlines the phosphorescent colors of the skeletons and long, fuzzy, exaggerated lines of the accompanying worms. The effect was thrilling. Every sound save the soft swish of the ghastly robes and the delicate footfall of ghostly feet ceased. Not a whisper from a sap-headed youth or a yap from an aged56 degenerate24 or a giggle66 from a silly woman broke the death-like stillness.
Suddenly the music stopped with a crash. Each ghostly couple, skeleton and worm, stood motionless. The silvery note of a trumpet67 called from the sky. The blinking eyes of the death-heads in the ceiling and on the walls faded slowly. The figures of the dancers moved uneasily in the darkness. The trumpet pealed68 a second signal—the darkness fled, and the great room suddenly blazed with ten thousand electric lights. The orchestra struck the first notes of a thrilling waltz, and presto69!—in an instant the women appeared in all the splendour of the most gorgeous gowns, their bare arms and necks flashing with priceless jewels and each man, but a moment ago a hideous skeleton, bowed before her in immaculate evening clothes.
Just at the moment each caterpillar threw to her attendant her disguise, from the four corners of the vast room were released thousands of gorgeously tinted70 butterflies, imported from the tropics for the occasion. As the dancers glided71 through the dazzling scene these wonderfully coloured creatures fluttered about them in myriads72, darting73 and circling in every direction among the flowers and lights until the room seemed a veritable fairyland.
A burst of applause swept the crowd, as Nan's radiant figure passed, encircled by the arm of the leader.
Stuart nodded and clapped his hands with enthusiasm.
A more marvellous transformation74 scene could scarcely be imagined.
When Nan had passed he turned to speak to Harriet and she had gone. He felt a moment's pain at the disappointment, but before he could find her the music ceased, the dancers paused and the swaying of the crowd made his search vain.
A soft hand was suddenly laid on his arm, and he turned to confront Nan, her eyes flashing with triumph, her cheeks flushed, and her lips parted in a tender smile.
"Well?" she asked in low tones.
"You're a magician, Nan," he answered with enthusiasm.
"Come, I'm going to honour you by sitting out the next two dances, and if you're very good, perhaps more."
When she had seated herself by his side under a bower18 of roses he was very still for a moment. She looked up with a quizzical expression and said:
"A penny for your thoughts? Am I so very wicked after all?"
Stuart crossed his long legs and looked at her admiringly.
"I'll be honest," he said with deliberation. "I don't think I have ever seen anything more dazzlingly beautiful than your banquet and ball, except——"
"Except what!" she interrupted sharply.
"Except the woman who conceived and executed it."
"That's better, but you must give the credit to the artists I hired."
"In a measure, yes; but their plans were submitted for your approval. I was just wondering whether your imagination was vivid enough to have dreamed half the splendours of such a life when you turned from the little cottage I built for you."
A look of pain clouded the fair face and she lifted her jewelled hand.
"Please, Jim, I'd like to forget some things."
"And you haven't forgotten?"
She looked straight into his eyes and answered in even tones.
"No."
He studied the magnificent pearl necklace that circled her throat. Its purchase had made a sensation in New York. The papers were full of it at the time Bivens had bought it at an auction75 in Paris, bidding successfully against the agents of the Tzar of Russia. Never had he seen Nan so ravishing. Magnificent gowns, soft laces, and jewelry76 were made to be worn by such women. There was an eternal fitness in the whole scheme of things in which this glorious creature of the senses lived and moved and had her being.
"I suppose," he began musingly77, "I ought, as a patriotic78 citizen of the Republic, to condemn79 the enormous waste of wealth you have made here to-night."
"Yes," she answered quietly.
"I ought to tell you how many tears you could wipe away with it, how much suffering you could soften80, how many young lives you could save from misery81 and shame, how many of life's sunsets you could have turned from darkness into the glory of quiet joy; and yet, somehow, I can find nothing in my heart to say except that I've been living in a fairyland of beauty and enchantment82. What curious contradictions these hearts of ours lead us into sometimes—don't they?"
Nan looked up quickly and repeated his question in cynical83 tones.
"Yes, don't they?"
"I know that I ought to condemn this appalling84 extravagance, and I find myself enjoying it."
Both were silent for a long while and then they began to talk in low tones of the life they had lived as boy and girl in the old South, and forgot the flight of time.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
enchanted
|
|
| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
panorama
|
|
| n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
loom
|
|
| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
sentimental
|
|
| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
orchids
|
|
| n.兰花( orchid的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
weird
|
|
| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
weirdly
|
|
| 古怪地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
sham
|
|
| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
bowers
|
|
| n.（女子的）卧室( bower的名词复数 )；船首锚；阴凉处；鞠躬的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
bower
|
|
| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
canopies
|
|
| （宝座或床等上面的）华盖( canopy的名词复数 )； （飞行器上的）座舱罩； 任何悬于上空的覆盖物； 森林中天棚似的树荫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
skilfully
|
|
| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
skilful
|
|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
lavish
|
|
| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
degenerate
|
|
| v.退步，堕落；adj.退步的，堕落的；n.堕落者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
degenerates
|
|
| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
hovering
|
|
| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
avarice
|
|
| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
sane
|
|
| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
wretches
|
|
| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
dishonoured
|
|
| a.不光彩的，不名誉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
murmurs
|
|
| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
modulated
|
|
| 已调整[制]的，被调的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
ostentation
|
|
| n.夸耀，卖弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
vapid
|
|
| adj.无味的；无生气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
corrupt
|
|
| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
shrubs
|
|
| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
improvised
|
|
| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
funereal
|
|
| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
gilded
|
|
| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
intelligible
|
|
| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
bust
|
|
| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
theatrical
|
|
| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
throb
|
|
| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
humiliation
|
|
| n.羞辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
pal
|
|
| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
throng
|
|
| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
chatter
|
|
| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
chattering
|
|
| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
rabble
|
|
| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
hatchet
|
|
| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
tinged
|
|
| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
rippling
|
|
| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
spine
|
|
| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
shrouded
|
|
| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
caterpillar
|
|
| n.毛虫，蝴蝶的幼虫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
perch
|
|
| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
sepulchral
|
|
| adj.坟墓的，阴深的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
giggle
|
|
| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
trumpet
|
|
| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
pealed
|
|
| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
presto
|
|
| adv.急速地；n.急板乐段；adj.急板的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
tinted
|
|
| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
myriads
|
|
| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
darting
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
transformation
|
|
| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
auction
|
|
| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
jewelry
|
|
| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
musingly
|
|
| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
78
patriotic
|
|
| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
condemn
|
|
| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
soften
|
|
| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
enchantment
|
|
| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
cynical
|
|
| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
appalling
|
|
| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |