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CHAPTER XIII Mr Maguire's Courtship
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 After the scene between Miss Mackenzie and Miss Baker1 more than a week passed by before Miss Mackenzie saw any of her Littlebath friends; or, as she called them with much sadness when speaking of them to herself, her Littlebath acquaintances. Friends, or friend, she had none. It was a slow, heavy week with her, and it is hardly too much to say that every hour in it was spent in thinking of the attack which Mrs Stumfold had made upon her. When the first Sunday came, she went to church, and saw there Miss Baker, and Mrs Stumfold, and Mr Stumfold and Mr Maguire. She saw, indeed, many Stumfoldians, but it seemed that their eyes looked at her harshly, and she was quite sure that the coachmaker's wife treated her with marked incivility as they left the porch together. Miss Baker had frequently waited for her on Sunday mornings, and walked the length of two streets with her; but she encountered no Miss Baker near the church gate on this morning, and she was sure that Mrs Stumfold had prevailed against her. If it was to be thus with her, had she not better leave Littlebath as soon as possible? In the same solitude2 she lived the whole of the next week; with the same feelings did she go to church on the next Sunday; and then again was she maltreated by the upturned nose and half-averted eyes of the coachmaker's wife.
 
Life such as this would be impossible to her. Let any of my readers think of it, and then tell themselves whether it could be possible. Mariana's solitude in the moated grange was as nothing to hers. In granges, and such like rural retreats, people expect solitude; but Miss Mackenzie had gone to Littlebath to find companionship. Had she been utterly3 disappointed, and found none, that would have been bad; but she had found it and then lost it. Mariana, in her desolateness4, was still waiting for the coming of some one; and so was Miss Mackenzie waiting, though she hardly knew for whom. For me, if I am to live in a moated grange, let it be in the country. Moated granges in the midst of populous5 towns are very terrible.
 
But on the Monday morning,—the morning of the second Monday after the Stumfoldian attack,—Mr Maguire came, and Mariana's weariness was, for the time, at an end. Susanna had hardly gone, and the breakfast things were still on the table, when the maid brought her up word that Mr Maguire was below, and would see her if she would allow him to come up. She had heard no ring at the bell, and having settled herself with a novel in the arm-chair, had almost ceased for the moment to think of Mr Maguire or of Mrs Stumfold. There was something so sudden in the request now made to her, that it took away her breath.
 
"Mr Maguire, Miss, the clergyman from Mr Stumfold's church," said the girl again.
 
It was necessary that she should give an answer, though she was ever so breathless.
 
"Ask Mr Maguire to walk up," she said; and then she began to bethink herself how she would behave to him.
 
He was there, however, before her thoughts were of much service to her, and she began by apologising for the breakfast things.
 
"It is I that ought to beg your pardon for coming so early," said he; "but my time at present is so occupied that I hardly know how to find half an hour for myself; and I thought you would excuse me."
 
"Oh, certainly," said she; and then sitting down she waited for him to begin.
 
It would have been clear to any observer, had there been one present, that Mr Maguire had practised his lesson. He could not rid himself of those unmistakable signs of preparation which every speaker shows when he has been guilty of them. But this probably did not matter with Miss Mackenzie, who was too intent on the part she herself had to play to notice his imperfections.
 
"I saw that you observed, Miss Mackenzie," he said, "that I kept aloof6 from you on the two last evenings on which I met you at Mrs Stumfold's."
 
"That's a long time ago, Mr Maguire," she answered. "It's nearly a month since I went to Mrs Stumfold's house."
 
"I know that you were not there on the last Thursday. I noticed it. I could not fail to notice it. Thinking so much of you as I do, of course I did notice it. Might I ask you why you did not go?"
 
"I'd rather not say anything about it," she replied, after a pause.
 
"Then there has been some reason? Dear Miss Mackenzie, I can assure you I do not ask you without a cause."
 
"If you please, I will not speak upon that subject. I had much rather not, indeed, Mr Maguire."
 
"And shall I not have the pleasure of seeing you there on next Thursday?"
 
"Certainly not."
 
"Then you have quarrelled with her, Miss Mackenzie?"
 
He said nothing now of the perfections of that excellent woman, of whom not long since he had spoken in terms almost too strong for any simple human virtues8.
 
"I'd rather not speak of it. It can't do any good. I don't know why you should ask me whether I intend to go there any more, but as you have, I have answered you."
 
Then Mr Maguire got up from his chair, and walked about the room, and Miss Mackenzie, watching him closely, could see that he was much moved. But, nevertheless, I think he had made up his mind to walk about the room beforehand. After a while he paused, and, still standing9, spoke7 to her again across the table.
 
"May I ask you this question? Has Mrs Stumfold said anything to you about me?"
 
"I'd rather not talk about Mrs Stumfold."
 
"But, surely, I may ask that. I don't think you are the woman to allow anything said behind a person's back to be received to his detriment10."
 
"Whatever one does hear about people one always hears behind their backs."
 
"Then she has told you something, and you have believed it?"
 
She felt herself to be so driven by him that she did not know how to protect herself. It seemed to her that these clerical people of Littlebath had very little regard for the feelings of others in their modes of following their own pursuits.
 
"She has told you something of me, and you have believed her?" repeated Mr Maguire. "Have I not a right to ask you what she has said?"
 
"You have no right to ask me anything."
 
"Have I not, Miss Mackenzie? Surely that is hard. Is it not hard that I should be stabbed in the dark, and have no means of redressing11 myself? I did not expect such an answer from you;—indeed I did not."
 
"And is not it hard that I should be troubled in this way? You talk of stabbing. Who has stabbed you? Is it not your own particular friend, whom you described to me as the best person in all the world? If you and she fall out why should I be brought into it? Once for all, Mr Maguire, I won't be brought into it."
 
Now he sat down and again paused before he went on with his talk.
 
"Miss Mackenzie," he said, when he did speak. "I had not intended to be so abrupt12 as I fear you will think me in that which I am about to say; but I believe you will like plain measures best."
 
"Certainly I shall, Mr Maguire."
 
"They are the best, always. If, then, I am plain with you, will you be plain with me also? I think you must guess what it is I have to say to you."
 
"I hate guessing anything, Mr Maguire."
 
"Very well; then I will be plain. We have now known each other for nearly a year, Miss Mackenzie."
 
"A year, is it? No, not a year. This is the beginning of June, and I did not come here till the end of last August. It's about nine months, Mr Maguire."
 
"Very well; nine months. Nine months may be as nothing in an acquaintance, or it may lead to the closest friendship."
 
"I don't know that we have met so very often. You have the parish to attend to, Mr Maguire."
 
"Of course I have—or rather I had, for I have left Mr Stumfold."
 
"Left Mr Stumfold! Why, I heard you preach yesterday."
 
"I did preach yesterday, and shall till he has got another assistant. But he and I are parted as regards all friendly connection."
 
"But isn't that a pity?"
 
"Miss Mackenzie, I don't mind telling you that I have found it impossible to put up with the impertinence of that woman"—and now, as he spoke, there came a distorted fire out of his imperfect eye—"impossible! If you knew what I have gone through in attempting it! But that's over. I have the greatest respect for him in the world; a very thorough esteem13. He is a hard-working man, and though I do not always approve the style of his wit,—of which, by-the-bye, he thinks too much himself,—still I acknowledge him to be a good spiritual pastor14. But he has been unfortunate in his marriage. No doubt he has got money, but money is not everything."
 
"Indeed, it is not, Mr Maguire."
 
"How he can live in the same house with that Mr Peters, I can never understand. The quarrels between him and his daughter are so incessant15 that poor Mr Stumfold is unable to conceal16 them from the public."
 
"But you have spoken so highly of her."
 
"I have endeavoured, Miss Mackenzie—I have endeavoured to think well of her. I have striven to believe that it was all gold that I saw. But let that pass. I was forced to tell you that I am going to leave Mr Stumfold's church, or I should not now have spoken about her or him. And now comes the question, Miss Mackenzie."
 
"What is the question, Mr Maguire?"
 
"Miss Mackenzie—Margaret, will you share your lot with mine? It is true that you have money. It is true that I have none,—not even a curacy now. But I don't think that any such consideration as that would weigh with you for a moment, if you can find it in your heart to love me."
 
Miss Mackenzie sat thinking for some minutes before she gave her answer—or striving to think; but she was so completely under the terrible fire of his eye, that any thought was very difficult.
 
"I am not quite sure about that," she said after a while. "I think, Mr Maguire, that there should be a little money on both sides. You would hardly wish to live altogether on your wife's fortune."
 
"I have my profession," he replied, quickly.
 
"Yes, certainly; and a noble profession it is,—the most noble," said she.
 
"Yes, indeed; the most noble."
 
"But somehow—"
 
"You mean the clergymen are not paid as they should be. No, they are not, Miss Mackenzie. And is it not a shame for a Christian17 country like this that it should be so? But still, as a profession, it has its value. Look at Mrs Stumfold; where would she be if she were not a clergyman's wife? The position has its value. A clergyman's wife is received everywhere, you know."
 
"A man before he talks of marriage ought to have something of his own, Mr Maguire, besides—"
 
"Besides what?"
 
"Well, I'll tell you. As you have done me this honour, I think that I am now bound to tell you what Mrs Stumfold said to me. She had no right to connect my name with yours or with that of any other gentleman, and my quarrel with her is about that. As to what she said about you, that is your affair and not mine."
 
Then she told him the whole of that conversation which was given in the last chapter, not indeed repeating the hint about the three or four wives, but recapitulating18 as clearly as she could all that had been said about the suitable young lady.
 
"I knew it," said he; "I knew it. I knew it as well as though I had heard it. Now what am I to think of that woman, Miss Mackenzie?"
 
"Of which woman?"
 
"Of Mrs Stumfold, of course. It's all jealousy19: every bit of it jealousy."
 
"Jealousy! Do you mean that she—that she—"
 
"Not jealousy of that kind, Miss Mackenzie. Oh dear, no. She's as pure as the undriven snow, I should say, as far as that goes. But she can't bear to think that I should rise in the world."
 
"I thought she wanted to marry you to a suitable lady, and young, with a fair provision."
 
"Pshaw! The lady has about seventy pounds a-year! But that would signify nothing if I loved her, Miss Mackenzie."
 
"There has been something, then?"
 
"Yes; there has been something. That is, nothing of my doing,—nothing on earth. Miss Mackenzie, I am as innocent as the babe unborn."
 
As he said this she could not help looking into the horrors of his eyes, and thinking that innocent was not the word for him.
 
"I'm as innocent as the babe unborn. Why should I be expected to marry a lady merely because Mrs Stumfold tells me that there she is? And it's my belief that old Peters has got their money somewhere, and won't give it up, and that that's the reason of it."
 
"But did you ever say you would marry her?"
 
"What! Miss Floss, never! I'll tell you the whole story, Miss Mackenzie; and if you want to ask any one else, you can ask Mrs Perch20." Mrs Perch was the coachbuilder's wife. "You've seen Miss Floss at Mrs Stumfold's, and must know yourself whether I ever noticed her any more than to be decently civil."
 
"Is she the lady that's so thin and tall?"
 
"Yes."
 
"With the red hair?"
 
"Well, it's sandy, certainly. I shouldn't call it just red myself."
 
"Some people like red hair, you know," said Miss Mackenzie, thinking of the suitable lady. Miss Mackenzie was willing at that moment to forfeit21 all her fortune if Miss Floss was not older than she was! "And that is Miss Floss, is it?"
 
"Yes, and I don't blame Mrs Stumfold for wishing to get a husband for her friend, but it is hard upon me."
 
"Really, Mr Maguire, I think that perhaps you couldn't do better."
 
"Better than what?"
 
"Better than take Miss Floss. As you say, some people like red hair. And she is very suitable, certainly. And, Mr Maguire, I really shouldn't like to interfere;—I shouldn't indeed."
 
"Miss Mackenzie, you're joking, I know."
 
"Not in the least, Mr Maguire. You see there has been something about it."
 
"There has been nothing."
 
"There's never smoke without fire; and I don't think a lady like Mrs Stumfold would come here and tell me all that she did, if it hadn't gone some way. And you owned just now that you admired her."
 
"I never owned anything of the kind. I don't admire her a bit. Admire her! Oh, Miss Mackenzie, what do you think of me?"
 
Miss Mackenzie said that she really didn't know what to think.
 
Then, having as he thought altogether disposed of Miss Floss, he began again to press his suit. And she was weak; for though she gave him no positive encouragement, neither did she give him any positive denial. Her mind was by no means made up, and she did not know whether she wished to take him or to leave him. Now that the thing had come so near, what guarantee had she that he would be good to her if she gave him everything that she possessed22? As to her cousin John Ball, she would have had many guarantees. Of him she could say that she knew what sort of a man he was; but what did she know of Mr Maguire? At that moment, as he sat there pleading his own cause with all the eloquence23 at his command, she remembered that she did not even know his Christian name. He had always in her presence been called Mr Maguire. How could she say that she loved a man whose very name she had not as yet heard?
 
But still, if she left all her chances to run from her, what other fate would she have but that of being friendless all her life? Of course she must risk much if she was ever minded to change her mode of life. She had said something to him as to the expediency24 of there being money on both sides, but as she said it she knew that she would willingly have given up her money could she only have been sure of her man. Was not her income enough for both? What she wanted was companionship, and love if it might be possible; but if not love, then friendship. This, had she known where she could purchase it with certainty, she would willingly have purchased with all her wealth.
 
"If I have surprised you, will you say that you will take time to think of it?" pleaded Mr Maguire.
 
Miss Mackenzie, speaking in the lowest possible voice, said that she would take time to think of it.
 
When a lady says that she will take time to think of such a proposition, the gentleman is generally justified25 in supposing that he has carried his cause. When a lady rejects a suitor, she should reject him peremptorily26. Anything short of such peremptory27 reaction is taken for acquiescence28. Mr Maguire consequently was elated, called her Margaret, and swore that he loved her as he had never loved woman yet.
 
"And when may I come again?" he asked.
 
Miss Mackenzie begged that she might be allowed a fortnight to think of it.
 
"Certainly," said the happy man.
 
"And you must not be surprised," said Miss Mackenzie, "if I make some inquiry29 about Miss Floss."
 
"Any inquiry you please," said Mr Maguire. "It is all in that woman's brain; it is indeed. Miss Floss, perhaps, has thought of it; but I can't help that, can I? I can't help what has been said to her. But if you mean anything as to a promise from me, Margaret, on my word as a Christian minister of the Gospel, there has been nothing of the kind."
 
She did not much mind his calling her Margaret; it was in itself such a trifle; but when he made a fuss about kissing her hand it annoyed her.
 
"Only your hand," he said, beseeching30 the privilege.
 
"Pshaw," she said, "what's the good?"
 
She had sense enough to feel that with such lovemaking as that between her and her lover there should be no kissing till after marriage; or at any rate, no kissing of hands, as is done between handsome young men of twenty-three and beautiful young ladies of eighteen, when they sit in balconies on moonlight nights. A good honest kiss, mouth to mouth, might not be amiss when matters were altogether settled; but when she thought of this, she thought also of his eye and shuddered31. His eye was not his fault, and a man should not be left all his days without a wife because he squints32; but still, was it possible? could she bring herself to endure it?
 
He did kiss her hand, however, and then went. As he stood at the door he looked back fondly and exclaimed—
 
"On Monday fortnight, Margaret; on Monday fortnight."
 
"Goodness gracious, Mr Maguire," she answered, "do shut the door;" and then he vanished.
 
As soon as he was gone she remembered that his name was Jeremiah. She did not know how she had learned it, but she knew that such was the fact. If it did come to pass how was she to call him? She tried the entire word Jeremiah, but it did not seem to answer. She tried Jerry also, but that was worse. Jerry might have been very well had they come together fifteen years earlier in life, but she did not think that she could call him Jerry now. She supposed it must be Mr Maguire; but if so, half the romance of the thing would be gone at once!
 
She felt herself to be very much at sea, and almost wished that she might be like Mariana again, waiting and aweary, so grievous was the necessity of having to make up her mind on such a subject. To whom should she go for advice? She had told him that she would make further inquiries33 about Miss Floss, but of whom was she to make them? The only person to whom she could apply was Miss Baker, and she was almost sure that Miss Baker would despise her for thinking of marrying Mr Maguire.
 
But after a day or two she did tell Miss Baker, and she saw at once that Miss Baker did despise her. But Miss Baker, though she manifestly did despise her, promised her some little aid. Miss Todd knew everything and everybody. Might Miss Baker tell Miss Todd? If there was anything wrong, Miss Todd would ferret it out to a certainty. Miss Mackenzie, hanging down her head, said that Miss Baker might tell Miss Todd. Miss Baker, when she left Miss Mackenzie, turned at once into Miss Todd's house, and found her friend at home.
 
"It surprises me that any woman should be so foolish," said Miss Baker.
 
"Come, come, my dear, don't you be hard upon her. We have all been foolish in our days. Do you remember, when Sir Lionel used to be here, how foolish you and I were?"
 
"It's not the same thing at all," said Miss Baker. "Did you ever see a man with such an eye as he has got?"
 
"I shouldn't mind his eye, my dear; only I'm afraid he's got no money."
 
Miss Todd, however, promised to make inquiries, and declared her intention of communicating what intelligence she might obtain direct to Miss Mackenzie. Miss Baker resisted this for a little while, but ultimately submitted, as she was wont34 to do, to the stronger character of her friend.
 
Miss Mackenzie had declared that she must have a fortnight to think about it, and Miss Todd therefore knew that she had nearly a fortnight for her inquiries. The reader may be sure that she did not allow the grass to grow under her feet. With Miss Mackenzie the time passed slowly enough, for she could only sit on her sofa and doubt, resolving first one way and then another; but Miss Todd went about Littlebath, here and there, among friends and enemies, filling up all her time; and before the end of the fortnight she certainly knew more about Mr Maguire than did anybody else in Littlebath.
 
She did not see Miss Mackenzie till the Saturday, the last Saturday before the all-important Monday; but on that day she went to her.
 
"I suppose you know what I'm come about, my dear," she said.
 
Miss Mackenzie blushed, and muttered something about Miss Baker.
 
"Yes, my dear; Miss Baker was speaking to me about Mr Maguire. You needn't mind speaking out to me, Miss Mackenzie. I can understand all about it; and if I can be of any assistance, I shall be very happy. No doubt you feel a little shy, but you needn't mind with me."
 
"I'm sure you're very good."
 
"I don't know about that, but I hope I'm not very bad. The long and the short of it is, I suppose, that you think you might as well—might as well take Mr Maguire."
 
Miss Mackenzie felt thoroughly35 ashamed of herself. She could not explain to Miss Todd all her best motives36; and then, those motives which were not the best were made to seem so very weak and mean by the way in which Miss Todd approached them. When she thought of the matter alone, it seemed to her that she was perfectly37 reasonable in wishing to be married, in order that she might escape the monotony of a lonely life; and she thought that if she could talk to Miss Todd about the subject gently, for a quarter of an hour at a time every day for two or three months, it was possible that she might explain her views with credit to herself; but how could she do this to anyone so very abruptly38? She could only confess that she did want to marry the man, as the child confesses her longing39 for a tart40.
 
"I have thought about it, certainly," she said.
 
"Quite right," said Miss Todd; "quite right if you like him. Now for me, I'm so fond of my own money and my own independence, that I've never had a fancy that way,—not since I was a girl."
 
"But you're so different, Miss Todd; you've got such a position of your own."
 
And Miss Mackenzie, who was at present desirous of marrying a very strict evangelical clergyman, thought with envy of the social advantages and pleasant iniquities41 of her wicked neighbour.
 
"Oh, I don't know. I've a few friends, but that comes of being here so long. And then, you see, I ain't particular as you are. I always see that when a lady goes in to be evangelical, she soon finds a husband to take care of her; that is, if she has got any money. It all goes on very well, and I've no doubt they're right. There's my friend Mary Baker, she's single still; but then she began very late in life. Now about Mr Maguire."
 
"Well, Miss Todd."
 
"In the first place, I really don't think he has got much that he can call his own."
 
"He hasn't got anything, Miss Todd; he told me so himself."
 
"Did he, indeed?" said Miss Todd; "then let me tell you he is a deal honester than they are in general."
 
"Oh, he told me that. I know he's got no income in the world besides his curacy, and that he has thrown up."
 
"And therefore you are going to give him yours."
 
"I don't know about that, Miss Todd; but it wasn't about money that I was doubting. What I've got is enough for both of us, if his wants are not greater than mine. What is the use of money if people cannot be happy together with it? I don't care a bit for money, Miss Todd; that is, not for itself. I shouldn't like to be dependent on a stranger; I don't know that I would like to be dependent again even on a brother; but I should take no shame to be dependent on a husband if he was good to me."
 
"That's just it; isn't it?"
 
"There's quite enough for him and me."
 
"I must say you look at the matter in the most disinterested42 way. I couldn't bring myself to take it up like that."
 
"You haven't lived the life that I have, Miss Todd, and I don't suppose you ever feel solitary43 as I do."
 
"Well, I don't know. We single women have to be solitary sometimes—and sometimes sad."
 
"But you're never sad, Miss Todd."
 
"Have you never heard there are some animals, that, when they're sick, crawl into holes, and don't ever show themselves among the other animals? Though it is only the animals that do it, there's a pride in that which I like. What's the good of complaining if one's down in the mouth? When one gets old and heavy and stupid, one can't go about as one did when one was young; and other people won't care to come to you as they did then."
 
"But I had none of that when I was young, Miss Todd."
 
"Hadn't you? Then I won't say but what you may be right to try and begin now. But, law! what am I talking of? I am old enough to be your mother."
 
"I think it so kind of you to talk to me at all."
 
"Well, now about Mr Maguire. I don't think he's possessed of much of the fat of the land; but that you say you know already?"
 
"Oh yes, I know all that."
 
"And it seems he has lost his curacy?"
 
"He threw that up himself."
 
"I shouldn't be surprised—but mind I don't say this for certain—but I shouldn't be surprised if he owed a little money."
 
Miss Mackenzie's face became rather long.
 
"What do you call a little, Miss Todd?"
 
"Two or three hundred pounds. I don't call that a great deal."
 
"Oh dear, no!" and Miss Mackenzie's face again became cheerful. "That could be settled without any trouble."
 
"Upon my word you are the most generous woman I ever saw."
 
"No, I'm not that."
 
"Or else you must be very much in love?"
 
"I don't think I am that either, Miss Todd; only I don't care much about money if other things are suitable. What I chiefly wanted to know was—"
 
"About that Miss Floss?"
 
"Yes, Miss Todd."
 
"My belief is there never was a greater calumny44, or what I should call a stronger attempt at a do. Mind I don't think much of your St Stumfolda, and never did. I believe the poor man has never said a word to the woman. Mrs Stumfold has put it into her head that she could have Mr Maguire if she chose to set her cap at him, and, I dare say, Miss Floss has been dutiful to her saint. But, Miss Mackenzie, if nothing else hinders you, don't let that hinder you." Then Miss Todd, having done her business and made her report, took her leave.
 
This was on Saturday. The next day would be Sunday, and then on the following morning she must make her answer. All that she had heard about Mr Maguire was, to her thinking, in his favour. As to his poverty, that he had declared himself, and that she did not mind. As to a few hundred pounds of debt, how was a poor man to have helped such a misfortune? In that matter of Miss Floss he had been basely maligned45,—so much maligned, that Miss Mackenzie owed him all her sympathy. What excuse could she now have for refusing him?
 
When she went to bed on the Sunday night such were her thoughts and her feelings.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 baker wyTz62     
n.面包师
参考例句:
  • The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
  • The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。
2 solitude xF9yw     
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方
参考例句:
  • People need a chance to reflect on spiritual matters in solitude. 人们需要独处的机会来反思精神上的事情。
  • They searched for a place where they could live in solitude. 他们寻找一个可以过隐居生活的地方。
3 utterly ZfpzM1     
adv.完全地,绝对地
参考例句:
  • Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民,把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。
  • I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。
4 desolateness 2776c2c86a104bc55bbc32415379aa79     
孤独
参考例句:
  • The desolateness overcame all his connubial fears-he called loudly for his wife and children. 这种荒凉的感觉压倒了他的一切惧内心理――他大声喊他的老婆和孩子。
  • The skyey the several old tall trees are leafless and branch less, which enhances the desolateness. 此图绘雪峰突起,几棵参天的老树,枝疏叶稀同,使画面增添了萧瑟的气氛。
5 populous 4ORxV     
adj.人口稠密的,人口众多的
参考例句:
  • London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
  • China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。
6 aloof wxpzN     
adj.远离的;冷淡的,漠不关心的
参考例句:
  • Never stand aloof from the masses.千万不可脱离群众。
  • On the evening the girl kept herself timidly aloof from the crowd.这小女孩在晚会上一直胆怯地远离人群。
7 spoke XryyC     
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
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
8 virtues cd5228c842b227ac02d36dd986c5cd53     
美德( virtue的名词复数 ); 德行; 优点; 长处
参考例句:
  • Doctors often extol the virtues of eating less fat. 医生常常宣扬少吃脂肪的好处。
  • She delivered a homily on the virtues of family life. 她进行了一场家庭生活美德方面的说教。
9 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
10 detriment zlHzx     
n.损害;损害物,造成损害的根源
参考例句:
  • Smoking is a detriment to one's health.吸烟危害健康。
  • His lack of education is a serious detriment to his career.他的未受教育对他的事业是一种严重的妨碍。
11 redressing 4464c7e0afd643643a07779b96933ef9     
v.改正( redress的现在分词 );重加权衡;恢复平衡
参考例句:
  • Do use despot traditional Chinese medicine shampoo a drug after finishing redressing hair? 用霸王中药洗发水,洗完头发后有药味吗? 来自互联网
12 abrupt 2fdyh     
adj.突然的,意外的;唐突的,鲁莽的
参考例句:
  • The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。
  • His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。
13 esteem imhyZ     
n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • The veteran worker ranks high in public love and esteem.那位老工人深受大伙的爱戴。
14 pastor h3Ozz     
n.牧师,牧人
参考例句:
  • He was the son of a poor pastor.他是一个穷牧师的儿子。
  • We have no pastor at present:the church is run by five deacons.我们目前没有牧师:教会的事是由五位执事管理的。
15 incessant WcizU     
adj.不停的,连续的
参考例句:
  • We have had incessant snowfall since yesterday afternoon.从昨天下午开始就持续不断地下雪。
  • She is tired of his incessant demands for affection.她厌倦了他对感情的不断索取。
16 conceal DpYzt     
v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽
参考例句:
  • He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方,他只好隐瞒身份。
  • He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。
17 Christian KVByl     
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒
参考例句:
  • They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
  • His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
18 recapitulating 78dfab18745645995f169e57cdf1a460     
v.总结,扼要重述( recapitulate的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • We begin by recapitulating the complete list of equations for a mixed boundary-initial value problem. 开始时,我们重新列出适用于混合边值问题的那些方程的完备表。 来自辞典例句
  • Methods: Reviewing the related literatures and abroad, and recapitulating them. 方法:查阅大量国内外的相关文献,进行综述。 来自互联网
19 jealousy WaRz6     
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌
参考例句:
  • Some women have a disposition to jealousy.有些女人生性爱妒忌。
  • I can't support your jealousy any longer.我再也无法忍受你的嫉妒了。
20 perch 5u1yp     
n.栖木,高位,杆;v.栖息,就位,位于
参考例句:
  • The bird took its perch.鸟停歇在栖木上。
  • Little birds perch themselves on the branches.小鸟儿栖歇在树枝上。
21 forfeit YzCyA     
vt.丧失;n.罚金,罚款,没收物
参考例句:
  • If you continue to tell lies,you will forfeit the good opinion of everyone.你如果继续撒谎,就会失掉大家对你的好感。
  • Please pay for the forfeit before you borrow book.在你借书之前请先付清罚款。
22 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
23 eloquence 6mVyM     
n.雄辩;口才,修辞
参考例句:
  • I am afraid my eloquence did not avail against the facts.恐怕我的雄辩也无补于事实了。
  • The people were charmed by his eloquence.人们被他的口才迷住了。
24 expediency XhLzi     
n.适宜;方便;合算;利己
参考例句:
  • The government is torn between principle and expediency. 政府在原则与权宜之间难于抉择。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • It was difficult to strike the right balance between justice and expediency. 在公正与私利之间很难两全。 来自辞典例句
25 justified 7pSzrk     
a.正当的,有理的
参考例句:
  • She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
  • The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。
26 peremptorily dbf9fb7e6236647e2b3396fe01f8d47a     
adv.紧急地,不容分说地,专横地
参考例句:
  • She peremptorily rejected the request. 她断然拒绝了请求。
  • Their propaganda was peremptorily switched to an anti-Western line. 他们的宣传断然地转而持反对西方的路线。 来自辞典例句
27 peremptory k3uz8     
adj.紧急的,专横的,断然的
参考例句:
  • The officer issued peremptory commands.军官发出了不容许辩驳的命令。
  • There was a peremptory note in his voice.他说话的声音里有一种不容置辩的口气。
28 acquiescence PJFy5     
n.默许;顺从
参考例句:
  • The chief inclined his head in sign of acquiescence.首领点点头表示允许。
  • This is due to his acquiescence.这是因为他的默许。
29 inquiry nbgzF     
n.打听,询问,调查,查问
参考例句:
  • Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
  • The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。
30 beseeching 67f0362f7eb28291ad2968044eb2a985     
adj.恳求似的v.恳求,乞求(某事物)( beseech的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • She clung to her father, beseeching him for consent. 她紧紧挨着父亲,恳求他答应。 来自辞典例句
  • He casts a beseeching glance at his son. 他用恳求的眼光望着儿子。 来自辞典例句
31 shuddered 70137c95ff493fbfede89987ee46ab86     
v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 );发抖;(机器、车辆等)突然震动;颤动
参考例句:
  • He slammed on the brakes and the car shuddered to a halt. 他猛踩刹车,车颤抖着停住了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I shuddered at the sight of the dead body. 我一看见那尸体就战栗。 来自《简明英汉词典》
32 squints bfe0612e73f5339319e9bedd8e5f655e     
斜视症( squint的名词复数 ); 瞥
参考例句:
  • The new cashier squints, has a crooked nose and very large ears. 新来的出纳斜眼、鹰钩鼻子,还有两只大耳朵。
  • They both have squints. 他俩都是斜视。
33 inquiries 86a54c7f2b27c02acf9fcb16a31c4b57     
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释,等候进一步调查。
  • I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
34 wont peXzFP     
adj.习惯于;v.习惯;n.习惯
参考例句:
  • He was wont to say that children are lazy.他常常说小孩子们懒惰。
  • It is his wont to get up early.早起是他的习惯。
35 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地
参考例句:
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
36 motives 6c25d038886898b20441190abe240957     
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
  • His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。
37 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
38 abruptly iINyJ     
adv.突然地,出其不意地
参考例句:
  • He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
  • I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。
39 longing 98bzd     
n.(for)渴望
参考例句:
  • Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
  • His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。
40 tart 0qIwH     
adj.酸的;尖酸的,刻薄的;n.果馅饼;淫妇
参考例句:
  • She was learning how to make a fruit tart in class.她正在课上学习如何制作水果馅饼。
  • She replied in her usual tart and offhand way.她开口回答了,用她平常那种尖酸刻薄的声调随口说道。
41 iniquities 64116d334f7ffbcd1b5716b03314bda3     
n.邪恶( iniquity的名词复数 );极不公正
参考例句:
  • The preacher asked God to forgive us our sins and wash away our iniquities. 牧师乞求上帝赦免我们的罪过,涤荡我们的罪孽。 来自辞典例句
  • If thou, Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 3主―耶和华啊,你若究察罪孽,谁能站得住呢? 来自互联网
42 disinterested vu4z6s     
adj.不关心的,不感兴趣的
参考例句:
  • He is impartial and disinterested.他公正无私。
  • He's always on the make,I have never known him do a disinterested action.他这个人一贯都是唯利是图,我从来不知道他有什么无私的行动。
43 solitary 7FUyx     
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士
参考例句:
  • I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
  • The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际,显得十分壮美。
44 calumny mT1yn     
n.诽谤,污蔑,中伤
参考例句:
  • Calumny is answered best with silence.沉默可以止谤。
  • Calumny require no proof.诽谤无需证据。
45 maligned 91a025861c7f7c2ff4f544969b8f2084     
vt.污蔑,诽谤(malign的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • She feels she has been much maligned by the press. 她觉得她遭到了新闻界的恣意诽谤。
  • We maligned him dreadfully when you come to think of it. 回头想想,我们狠狠地中伤了他。 来自辞典例句


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