ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Preparations for going away for the summer were hurried on, and there seemed more visitors than usual. I was pleased at the idea of going to the Island of Arran, which had many attractions¹ for visitors, I longed to see the place, having heard so much about its hills and mountains. Miss Heslip, a young friend of Miss Mouncey's, was with them for the summer. From that day things were pleasing and mirthful. One evening, while I was passing the cake-basket in the drawing-room, I held the cake to a tall and dark gentleman. In place of taking some cake he took hold of my hand and shook it warmly. I was not used to shaking hands with people in the drawing-room. I felt so confused² that I nearly let the basket and cake fall. I could see that the act was noticed by the smiles on the faces. I knew that Garibaldi was in the room, for I had seen him there before, but who could this be?[Pg 35] When Miss Mouncey came out I asked her, and she told me I had shaken hands with a great man. He was the President of America, Abraham Lincoln. She told me then that there was going to be a civil war. I did not know what that was.

1 attractions   

n.吸引( attraction的名词复数 )；具有吸引力的事物；有吸引力的特征（或品质、人）；（尤指两性间的）爱慕

参考例句：

• Venice is one of the great tourist attractions of the world. 威尼斯是世界上令人向往的旅游胜地之一。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Three others like to see some natural attractions of beauty and peacefulness. 另外三个人喜欢美丽、安静的自然景观。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 confused   

adj.困惑的，烦恼的

参考例句：

• They asked so many questions that they confused me.他们问了许多问题，都把我弄糊涂了。
• A wise man is never confused.智者不惑。