"Yes, grouse," he said, after dinner. "If anything better can be invented I'll go and do it. American bears are a myth. You may get one in three years, and, as far as I can hear, very poor fun it is when you get it. Lions are a grind. Elephants are as big as a hay-stack. Pig-sticking may be very well, but you've got to go to India, and if you're a poor Foreign Office clerk you haven't got either the time or the money."
"You speak as though killing10 something were a necessity," said Roden.
"So it is, unless somebody can invent something better. I hate races, where a fellow has nothing to do with himself when he can't afford to bet. I don't mean to take to cards for the next ten years. I have never been up in a balloon. Spooning is good fun, but it comes to an end so soon one way or another. Girls are so wide-awake that they won't spoon for nothing. Upon the whole I don't see what a fellow is to do unless he kills something."
"You won't have much to kill on board the yacht," said Roden.
"Fishing without end in Iceland and Norway! I knew a man who killed a ton of trout11 out of an Iceland lake. He had to pack himself up very closely in tight-fitting nets, or the midges would have eaten him. And the skin came off his nose and ears from the sun. But he liked that rather than not, and he killed his ton of trout."
"Who weighed them?" asked Hampstead.
"How well you may know a Utilitarian12 by the nature of his questions! If a man doesn't kill his ton all out, he can say he did, which is the next best thing to it."
"Are you taking close-packing nets with you?" Roden asked.
"Well, no. Hampstead would be too impatient. And the Free Trader isn't big enough to bring away the fish. But I don't mind betting a sovereign that I kill something every day I'm out,—barring Sundays."
Not a word was said about Lady Frances, although there were a few moments in which Roden and Lord Hampstead were alone together. Roden had made up his mind that he would ask no questions unless the subject were mentioned, and did not even allude13 to any of the family; but he learnt in the course of the evening that the Marquis had come back from Germany with the intention of attending to his Parliamentary duties during the remainder of the Session.
"He's going to turn us all out," said Vivian, "on the County Franchise14, I suppose."
"I'm afraid my father is not so keen about County Franchise as he used to be, though I hope he will be one of the few to support it in the House of Lords if the House of Commons ever dares to pass it."
In this way Roden learnt that the Marquis, who had carried his daughter off to Saxony as soon as he had heard of the engagement, had left his charge there and had returned to London. As he went home that evening he thought that it would be his duty to go to Lord Kingsbury, and tell him, as from himself, that which the father had as yet only learnt from his daughter or from his wife. He was aware that it behoves a man when he has won a girl's heart to go to the father and ask permission to carry on his suit. This duty he thought he was bound to perform, even though the father were a person so high and mighty15 as the Marquis of Kingsbury. Hitherto any such going was out of his power. The Marquis had heard the tidings, and had immediately caught his daughter up and carried her off to Germany. It would have been possible to write to him, but Roden had thought that not in such a way should such a duty be performed. Now the Marquis had come back to London; and though the operation would be painful the duty seemed to be paramount16. On the next day he informed Mr. Jerningham that private business of importance would take him to the West End, and asked leave to absent himself. The morning had been passed in the room at the Post Office with more than ordinary silence. Crocker had been collecting himself for an attack, but his courage had hitherto failed him. As Roden put on his hat and opened the door he fired a parting shot. "Remember me kindly17 to Lord Hampstead," he said; "and tell him I hope he enjoyed his cutlets."
Roden stood for a moment with the door in his hand, thinking that he would turn upon the man and rebuke18 his insolence19, but at last determined20 that it would be best to hold his peace.
He went direct to Park Lane, thinking that he would probably find the Marquis before he left the house after his luncheon21. He had never been before at the town mansion22 which was known as Kingsbury House, and which possessed23 all the appanages of grandeur24 which can be given to a London residence. As he knocked at the door he acknowledged that he was struck with a certain awe25 of which he was ashamed. Having said so much to the daughter, surely he should not be afraid to speak to the father! But he felt that he could have managed the matter much better had he contrived26 to have the interview at Hendon Hall, which was much less grand than Kingsbury House. Almost as soon as he knocked the door was opened, and he found himself with a powdered footman as well as the porter. The powdered footman did not know whether or no "my lord" was at home. He would inquire. Would the gentleman sit down for a minute or two? The gentleman did sit down, and waited for what seemed to him to be more than half-an-hour. The house must be very large indeed if it took the man all this time to look for the Marquis. He was beginning to think in what way he might best make his escape,—as a man is apt to think when delays of this kind prove too long for the patience,—but the man returned, and with a cold unfriendly air bade Roden to follow him. Roden was quite sure that some evil was to happen, so cold and unfriendly was the manner of the man; but still he followed, having now no means of escape. The man had not said that the Marquis would see him, had not even given any intimation that the Marquis was in the house. It was as though he were being led away to execution for having had the impertinence to knock at the door. But still he followed. He was taken along a passage on the ground floor, past numerous doors, to what must have been the back of the house, and there was shown into a somewhat dingy27 room that was altogether surrounded by books. There he saw an old gentleman;—but the old gentleman was not the Marquis of Kingsbury.
"Ah, eh, oh," said the old gentleman. "You, I believe, are Mr. George Roden."
"That is my name. I had hoped to see Lord Kingsbury."
"Lord Kingsbury has thought it best for all parties that,—that,—that,—I should see you. That is, if anybody should see you. My name is Greenwood;—the Rev4. Mr. Greenwood. I am his lordship's chaplain, and, if I may presume to say so, his most attached and sincere friend. I have had the honour of a very long connexion with his lordship, and have therefore been entrusted28 by him with this,—this,—this delicate duty, I had perhaps better call it." Mr. Greenwood was a stout29, short man, about sixty years of age, with pendant cheeks, and pendant chin, with a few grey hairs brushed carefully over his head, with a good forehead and well-fashioned nose, who must have been good-looking when he was young, but that he was too short for manly30 beauty. Now, in advanced years, he had become lethargic31 and averse32 to exercise; and having grown to be corpulent he had lost whatever he had possessed in height by becoming broad, and looked to be a fat dwarf33. Still there would have been something pleasant in his face but for an air of doubt and hesitation34 which seemed almost to betray cowardice35. At the present moment he stood in the middle of the room rubbing his hands together, and almost trembling as he explained to George Roden who he was.
"I had certainly wished to see his lordship himself," said Roden.
"The Marquis has thought it better not, and I must say that I agree with the Marquis." At the moment Roden hardly knew how to go on with the business in hand. "I believe I am justified36 in assuring you that anything you would have said to the Marquis you may say to me."
"Am I to understand that Lord Kingsbury refuses to see me?"
"Well;—yes. At the present crisis he does refuse. What can be gained?"
Roden did not as yet know how far he might go in mentioning the name of Lady Frances to the clergyman, but was unwilling37 to leave the house without some reference to the business he had in hand. He was peculiarly averse to leaving an impression that he was afraid to mention what he had done. "I had to speak to his lordship about his daughter," he said.
"I know; I know; Lady Frances! I have known Lady Frances since she was a little child. I have the warmest regard for Lady Frances,—as I have also for Lord Hampstead,—and for the Marchioness, and for her three dear little boys, Lord Frederic, Lord Augustus, and Lord Gregory. I feel a natural hesitation in calling them my friends because I think that the difference in rank and station which it has pleased the Lord to institute should be maintained with all their privileges and all their honours. Though I have agreed with the Marquis through a long life in those political tenets by propagating which he has been ever anxious to improve the condition of the lower classes, I am not and have not been on that account less anxious to uphold by any small means which may be in my power those variations in rank, to which, I think, in conjunction with the Protestant religion, the welfare and high standing38 of this country are mainly to be attributed. Having these feelings at my heart very strongly I do not wish, particularly on such an occasion as this, to seem by even a chance word to diminish the respect which I feel to be due to all the members of a family of a rank so exalted39 as that which belongs to the family of the Marquis of Kingsbury. Putting that aside for a moment, I perhaps may venture on this occasion, having had confided40 to me a task so delicate as the present, to declare my warm friendship for all who bear the honoured name of Trafford. I am at any rate entitled to declare myself so far a friend, that you may say anything on this delicate subject which you would think it necessary to say to the young lady's father. However inexpedient it may be that anything should be said at all, I have been instructed by his lordship to hear,—and to reply."
George Roden, while he was listening to this tedious sermon, was standing opposite to the preacher with his hat in his hand, having not yet had accorded to him the favour of a seat. During the preaching of the sermon the preacher had never ceased to shiver and shake, rubbing one fat little clammy hand slowly over the other, and apparently41 afraid to look his audience in the face. It seemed to Roden as though the words must have been learnt by heart, they came so glibly42, with so much of unction and of earnestness, and were in their glibness43 so strongly opposed to the man's manner. There had not been a single word spoken that had not been offensive to Roden. It seemed to him that they had been chosen because of their offence. In all those long-winded sentences about rank in which Mr. Greenwood had expressed his own humility44 and insufficiency for the position of friend in a family so exalted he had manifestly intended to signify the much more manifest insufficiency of his hearer to fill a place of higher honour even than that of friend. Had the words come at the spur of the moment, the man must, thought Roden, have great gifts for extempore preaching. He had thought the time in the hall to be long, but it had not been much for the communication of the Earl's wishes, and then for the preparation of all these words. It was necessary, however, that he must make his reply without any preparation.
"I have come," he said, "to tell Lord Kingsbury that I am in love with his daughter." At hearing this the fat little man held up both his hands in amazement,—although he had already made it clear that he was acquainted with all the circumstances. "And I should have been bound to add," said Roden, plucking up all his courage, "that the young lady is also in love with me."
"Oh,—oh,—oh!" The hands went higher and higher as these interjections were made.
"Why not? Is not the truth the best?"
"A young man, Mr. Roden, should never boast of a young lady's affection,—particularly of such a young lady;—particularly when I cannot admit that it exists;—particularly not in her father's house."
"Nobody should boast of anything, Mr. Greenwood. I speak of a fact which it is necessary that a father should know. If the lady denies the assertion I have done."
"It is a matter in which delicacy45 demands that no question shall be put to the young lady. After what has occurred, it is out of the question that your name should even be mentioned in the young lady's hearing."
"Why?—I mean to marry her."
"Mean!"—this word was shouted in the extremity46 of Mr. Greenwood's horror. "Mr. Roden, it is my duty to assure you that under no circumstances can you ever see the young lady again."
"Who says so?"
"The Marquis says so,—and the Marchioness,—and her little brothers, who with their growing strength will protect her from all harm."
"I hope their growing strength may not be wanted for any such purpose. Should it be so I am sure they will not be deficient47 as brothers. At present there could not be much for them to do." Mr. Greenwood shook his head. He was still standing, not having moved an inch from the position in which he had been placed when the door was opened. "I can understand, Mr. Greenwood, that any further conversation on the subject between you and me must be quite useless."
"Quite useless," said Mr. Greenwood.
"But it has been necessary for my honour, and for my purpose, that Lord Kingsbury should know that I had come to ask him for his daughter's hand. I had not dared to expect that he would accept my proposal graciously."
"No, no; hardly that, Mr. Roden."
"But it was necessary that he should know my purpose from myself. He will now, no doubt, do so. He is, as I understand you, aware of my presence in the house." Mr. Greenwood shook his head, as though he would say that this was a matter he could not any longer discuss. "If not, I must trouble his lordship with a letter."
"That will be unnecessary."
"He does know." Mr. Greenwood nodded his head. "And you will tell him why I have come?"
"The Marquis shall be made acquainted with the nature of the interview."
Roden then turned to leave the room, but was obliged to ask Mr. Greenwood to show him the way along the passages. This the clergyman did, tripping on, ahead, upon his toes, till he had delivered the intruder over to the hall porter. Having done so, he made as it were a valedictory48 bow, and tripped back to his own apartment. Then Roden left the house, thinking as he did so that there was certainly much to be done before he could be received there as a welcome son-in-law.
As he made his way back to Holloway he again considered it all. How could there be an end to this,—an end that would be satisfactory to himself and to the girl that he loved? The aversion expressed to him through the person of Mr. Greenwood was natural. It could not but be expected that such a one as the Marquis of Kingsbury should endeavour to keep his daughter out of the hands of such a suitor. If it were only in regard to money would it not be necessary for him to do so? Every possible barricade49 would be built up in his way. There would be nothing on his side except the girl's love for himself. Was it to be expected that her love would have power to conquer such obstacles as these? And if it were, would she obtain her own happiness by clinging to it? He was aware that in his present position no duty was so incumbent50 on him as that of looking to the happiness of the woman whom he wished to make his wife.
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1
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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persiflage
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| n.戏弄；挖苦 | |
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3
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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5
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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6
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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7
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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8
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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9
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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10
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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12
utilitarian
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| adj.实用的，功利的 | |
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allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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franchise
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| n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权 | |
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15
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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17
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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18
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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22
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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24
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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25
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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31
lethargic
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| adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的 | |
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32
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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34
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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36
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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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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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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41
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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42
glibly
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| adv.流利地，流畅地；满口 | |
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43
glibness
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| n.花言巧语；口若悬河 | |
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44
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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45
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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46
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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47
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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48
valedictory
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| adj.告别的；n.告别演说 | |
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49
barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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50
incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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