I was leading a very happy domestic life, busy with my little boys and my housekeeping, proud of my self-constituted office as my Congressman7's private secretary, much exercised in sending documents, seeds, and cuttings (we were introducing tea-culture in Virginia) to his constituents8, when I was called to 48 order by our dear old friend, Mr. Dudley Mann, an old politician, diplomat9, and "society man."
"Madam, did you come to Washington to live in your own house and write letters to farmers?"
"What better could I do?"
"The President does not agree with you. He admires your husband and wonders why you were not at the Levee. He has asked me to see that you come to the next one."
"I shall be on a committee that night," said my Congressman, hastily,—he was usually on a committee when a reception was to the fore2.
"I will take her myself," said Mr. Mann. "Now, wear a pretty evening dress of silk or velvet10. Can it be lavender? And I will call precisely11 at nine."
I appreciated the honor of Mr. Mann's escort, and, wishing to please him, procured12 the lavender silk. Our evening gowns were cut straight across the neck, and finished with a bertha of lace. The full skirt was distended13 over a large hoop14. An elaborate headdress of flowers or marabout feathers was de rigueur for a levee, which, however, demanded simpler attire15 than a ball or a dinner. Our white gloves were short and were finished at the wrist with a fall of lace three or four inches wide, and a band of ribbon and rosette.
Mr. Mann approved my attire and gave me a very good time. The crowd was great and the amplitude16 and length of the ladies' robes filled me with anxiety.
"Dear Mr. Mann," I said, "pray be careful not to tread on the trains." 49
"My child," he answered, "I haven't lifted my feet for twenty years!"
The President detained us for a few courteous17 words, and we were passed on to Miss Lane, standing, not beside him, but in a group with other ladies. Thence we found our way to the East Room, and a great many ladies and gentlemen were introduced to me, as I stood on the arm of my courtly escort.
Such a number of cards came to us after this that the housekeeping, the writing, the little boys, the seeds, and the tea-culture in Virginia were likely to suffer.
The reign18 of the "afternoon tea" was not yet—at least not in Washington; but entertainments included morning receptions, evening receptions, dinners, musicales, children's parties, old-fashioned evening parties with music and supper, and splendid balls. So many of these were crowded into a season that we often attended three balls in one evening.
The first time I dined with the President I made early and elaborate preparation. When the great day arrived, all my paraphernalia19, rosetted slippers20, gloves, fan, dress, and wrap were duly laid out on my bed and sofa. In the evening I seated myself at a dressing21 table and submitted my head to Fran?ois' hands. The evening coiffure was elaborate and troublesome. The hair in front was stiffened22 with bandoline, and formed into sleek23, smooth bandeaux, framing the face. Behind, all the hair was tightly tied, low at the nape of the neck, then divided into two parts, and each woven with many strands24 into a wide braid. These were curved from ear to ear 50 to form a basket, and within the basket were roses, or pond-lilies, or violets, with long trailing vines floating behind.
Fran?ois was a very agreeable talker. He had dressed Rachel's hair and was leisurely25 giving a charming lecture on Rachel's art. Suddenly my husband burst in: "The carriage is at the door! Hurry, hurry! We've only ten minutes to reach the White House."
I literally26 leaped into my gown, had no time for flowers or jewels, snatched up my gloves, left everything else, and ran! We entered the green room just as Mr. Buchanan Henry was arranging the guests for dinner. Luckily I was low down on his list.
I was miserably27 heated, and very uncomfortable lest I should not be able to conceal28 my Congress gaiters, having had no time to change them. My gloves were on, but not buttoned. To add to my misfortunes I found I was to be taken in by a Southern Congressman who was already—well, not exactly himself. To my horror he winked29 at Miss Lane when he drank wine with her. When a side dish was handed, he said audibly: "Now look here, Joe! Is that the same old thing you gave me here last year? Because if it is, I don't want any of it." After we returned to the parlor30 I confided31 my miseries32 to the lady who had been placed next him at dinner, and she reassured33 me: "Oh, that's nothing! Such things happen here any day—nobody notices these people from the rural districts."
This was worse than the ramshackle carriage. 51 Could I bear to be classed with "people from the rural districts?" I was never a moment late afterward35.
Dinners at the White House were much less elaborate in their appointments than were dinners at the homes of the wealthy Cabinet officers and Senators. Mr. Buchanan set an example of Republican simplicity36. Few flowers were placed in the drawing rooms. In the centre of the Blue Room there was a divan37 surrounding a stand of potted plants and surmounted38 by a small palm. The dinner table was not ornamented39 with flowers, nor were bouquets40 at the covers. A long plateau, a mirror edged with a hunting scene (gilt figures in high relief), extended down the middle, and from the centre and at the two ends rose epergnes with small crystal dishes for bonbons41 and cakes.
One evening the President said to me, "Madam, what is this small shrub42 I find always placed before me?"
"If the berries were white, Mr. President, it would be Ardisia alba."
"Ah," he answered, "I am all right! My berries are red—I have 'Ardisia rufa!' Miss Harriet has the alba!"
There were no other floral decorations on the table.
I once ventured to send the President a Virginia ham, with particular directions for cooking it. It was to be soaked, boiled gently three or four hours, suffered to get cold in its own juices, and then toasted.
This would seem simple enough, but the executive 52 cook disdained43 it, perhaps for the reason that it was so simple. The dish, a shapeless, jellylike mass, was placed before the President. He took his knife and fork in hand to honor the dish by carving44 it himself, looked at it helplessly, and called out—"Take it away! Take it away! Oh, Miss Harriet! You are a poor housekeeper45! Not even a Virginia lady can teach you."
The glass dishes of the epergne contained wonderful "French kisses"—two-inch squares of crystallized sugar wrapped in silver paper, and elaborately decorated with lace and artificial flowers. I was very proud at one dinner when the President said to me, "Madam, I am sending you a souvenir for your little daughter," and a waiter handed me one of those gorgeous affairs. He had questioned me about my boys, and I had told him of my daughter Gordon, eight years old, who lived with her grandmother. "You must bring her to see Miss Harriet," he had said—which, in due season, I did; an event, with its crowning glory of a checked silk dress, white hat and feather, which she proudly remembers to this day. Having been duly presented at court, the little lady was much "in society" and accompanied me to many brilliant afternoon functions.
She was a thoughtful listener to the talk in her father's library, and once when an old politician spoke sadly of a possible rupture46 of the United States, surprised and delighted him by slipping her hand in his and saying, "Never mind! United will spell Untied47 just as well"—a little mot which was remembered and repeated long afterwards. 53
Mr. Buchanan's kind notice of her is gratefully recollected48. It was said that he was influenced by the Southern Senators and Representatives. I only know he was most kind to us, and I refuse to believe we were of consequence enough to make this kindness a matter of policy. I would fain think he really liked us, really desired to add to our happiness.
It cannot be said that his niece, Miss Harriet Lane, although universally admired, was a popular woman. She lacked magnetism49. She followed a prescribed rule of manner from which she never deviated50, no matter with whom she was thrown. This was, perhaps, fortunate. Always courteous, always in place, silent whenever it was possible to be silent, watchful51, and careful, she made no enemies, was betrayed into no entangling52 alliances, and was involved in no contretemps of any kind.
She was very handsome, a fair, blue-eyed, self-contained young woman. She was dignified—as indeed all women had to be, in gesture at least, when they wore great hoops53! The "curtsy" was a perilous54 duty. "How does she do it? She never makes a cheese of herself," said one, looking on at a morning reception. Miss Lane's courtesy was the perfection of deference55 and grace. And she had exquisite56 taste in dress. She never wore many ornaments57, many flowers, nor the billows of ruffles58 then in fashion. I remember her in white tulle, with a wreath of clematis; in soft brown or blue silk; in much white muslin, dotted and plain, with blue ribbons run in puffs59 on skirt and bodice.
She was very affable and agreeable, in an unemotional 54 way—the proper manner, of course, for her. I imagine no one could take a liberty with her then, but I risked the experiment some years ago when we spent a summer together at Bar Harbor. A handsome widow, with silver hair, she was even more distingué than she had been in the White House. I recalled, to her genuine amusement, two incidents of her life there. When she took her place as mistress of the Executive Mansion60, the President had given her but one rule for her conduct: never under any circumstances to accept a present. "Think of my feelings," she had said to me, "when the lovely lacquered boxes and tables the Japanese Embassy brought me were turned from the door, to say nothing of the music-boxes and these fascinating sewing-machines they have just invented."
A party was once made up for a visit to Mount Vernon. Mr. Augustus Schell of New York accompanied Miss Lane. He was a fine-looking fellow and very much in love with her. As they walked along the banks of the Potomac, she picked up a handful of colored pebbles61. Mr. Schell requested them of her and put them in his pocket. He took them to Tiffany, had them beautifully polished, set with diamonds, and linked together in a bracelet62, and sent them as "a souvenir of Mount Vernon" to Miss Lane for a Christmas gift.
She carried them for a week in her pocket, trying to get her own consent to give them up. The more she looked at them the better she liked them. One day the President was in fine spirits. He liked to rally 55 her about Lord Lyons, which she did not fancy overmuch. But this time she humored him, and at last ventured to say, "Uncle Buchanan, if I have a few pretty pebbles given me, you do not object to my accepting them?"
"Oh, no, Miss Harriet! Keep your pebbles! Keep your pebbles," he exclaimed, in high good humor.
"You know," Miss Lane said, in telling me the story at the time, "diamonds are pebbles."
There was an impression that she never condescended63 to the r?le of a coquette, but I could testify to the contrary.
Mr. Porcher Miles, Congressman from South Carolina, was one of her train of devoted64 admirers. He accompanied me once to an evening reception at the White House. Miss Lane stood in front of the flower-trimmed divan in the Blue Room. Mr. Miles and I paid our respects, lingered awhile, and, having other engagements, sent for our carriage.
As we stood at the door waiting, he talked of Miss Lane's beauty and charm—"Look at her where she stands! Is she not the personification of a high-bred lady from head to foot?"
Miss Lane perceived we were talking about her,—and while she gave her right hand to the arriving guests she passed her left behind her and plucked a spray of mignonette. We saw her beckon65 a servant, who immediately found us, and gave the flowers to Mr. Miles, "with Miss Lane's compliments."
I repeated these two little stories to her when her head was silvered,—less by age than by sorrow,—and 56 awoke one of those rare moonlight smiles which her friends remember so well.
No one who observed Mr. Buchanan could fail to perceive the rapid change in him after he became President. Having committed himself to the policy of rotation66 in office, he was overwhelmed with the persistence67 of place hunters. "They give me no time to say my prayers," he complained. They exhausted68 him in listening to their petty interests at a time when the most important problems that ever confronted the head of the nation clamored for his consideration.
Toward the last, when the older men almost gave up hope, his only prayer was that the catastrophe69 of conflict might not come in his day. He cannot be blamed above others for hesitation70, vacillation71. The problems were too mighty72 for one man's wisdom, too mighty for the collective wisdom of many.
Lord and Lady Napier were interesting members of Washington society. They occupied the house built by Admiral Porter on H Street, near Fourteenth, now the residence of the French Embassy. They had succeeded Mr. Crampton, and were themselves succeeded in 1859 by Lord Lyons—so we had three British Ministers within a few years. Lord and Lady Napier gave delightful74 entertainments—dinners, musicales, receptions, evening parties. My Lady was more admired than were any of her predecessors75. She was lovely in person, gentle, cultivated, most affable and approachable. At her receptions, and even at her balls, her sons, charming boys of ten and twelve, were always present to help her receive 57 her guests. Everything she did, everything she said, seemed wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best. We have had no representative from the court of St. James who did so much for the entertainment of our own people as Lord and Lady Napier.
They gave a splendid ball in 1858 in honor of the queen's birthday. Lady Napier was superb in a tiara of diamonds and emeralds. Lord Napier and all the foreign Ministers shone forth77 in all the splendor78 of court dress; and everybody must concede—Mr. Marcy to the contrary notwithstanding—that the glitter of gold lace and gems79, the distinction of orders, the imperial stars and decorations, do add to the interest of such an occasion. They mean much. They mean honor achieved, services recognized.
A recording80 Jenkins of this ball dilates81 upon the elegance82 of the supper, "this vista83 of gold and silver plate and the more than epicurean daintiness of the delicacies84, the age and vintage of the wines."
The most interesting ball of the season was that given by the Senators and Representatives to Lord and Lady Napier just before they returned to England.
We were early arrivals at this ball, because we wished to see the sanded floor of the ball room, representing in colors St. George and the Dragon, before it should be effaced85 by the dancers.
Lord and Lady Napier were seated on a dais at the head of the room, and we passed in review before them. Lady Napier was attired86 in rich white satin, embroidered87 with pearls, with a close 58 "Juliet cap" of pearls on her hair. No lofty throne could make her less gracious than was her wont88.
Dion Boucicault gave me his arm at the door, and after our obeisance89 walked around the room to show me the portraits and paintings. On the right of Lord and Lady Napier was a full-length portrait of young Victoria in her ermine robe and crown, and on the left, one of Washington. "Alas90, alas," said Mr. Boucicault, "that so great a man should have been painted with cramp73 in his fingers!" My escort was altogether charming. I discovered he was "putting in time" with me, for presently here came little Agnes Robertson, just from the theatre, where she had been playing in the "Siege of Lucknow," and I lost Mr. Boucicault! He married her soon afterward. And afterward! Ah, well! That is none of the business of this story.
When we entered the banquet hall, Lady Napier's exclamations91 were enthusiastic. "Look, George," she cried, "there is the knight92 and his dragon again—all in sugar! And here are the English arms and—oh, George! here are our own arms!" Gautier had excelled himself. There were glittering haystacks of spun93 sugar; wonderful Roman chariots, drawn94 by swans, and driven by Cupids; pyramids of costly95 bonbons; dolphins in a sea of rock candy; and ices in every form from a pair of turtle doves to a pillared temple. Gautier spread all his tables in this fashion, the grosser dishes of game, terrapin96, and canvasback being served from a buffet97.
Washington suppers in the fifties were superb. One wondered if we might not some day return 59 to the feasts of the Roman emperors, the tables of cedar98 and ivory incrusted with jewels, the movable ceilings representing the celestial99 spheres, the showers of violets and roses which rained down on the guests in the intervals100 between the courses of peacocks' brains and nightingales' tongues, the trumpets101 which greeted the appearance of the stuffed peacocks with spread plumage. Time has really changed our supper fashions less than we imagine. Music, delicate wines, confectionery in fanciful forms, silver dishes, flowers, perfumed water for the fingers, were all fashionable in the fourteenth century. We smile to read of the flocks of living birds and the stuffed fowls102 that adorned103 the boards of the Neapolitan kings. But it has not been many years since, at a banquet given in New York to Ex-President Cleveland by the Manhattan Club, a tank was placed in the middle of the table where living terrapins104 crawled about and were thoughtful spectators of the fate of the terrapin à la Maryland. And at intervals around the board, stuffed pheasants contemplated105 the flight of the faisan r?ti down Democratic throats. Benedetti Salutati in 1476 never did better than this. And, compared with these ancients and moderns, M. Gautier was extremely refined, and only a bit anachronistic107 with his Roman chariots, Cupids, and swans.
People were wont to remark upon the atmosphere the lovely Lady Napier seemed to bring with her everywhere. Those who were admitted into her sanctum sanctorum, her little boudoir, fancied they could explain it. Upon her table was much silver 60 marked with her coronet and initials, and beside these was a rosewood book rack containing half a dozen volumes—a Bible, a "Treatise108 on Practical Religion," "The Mount of Olivet," "Paradise of the Christian109 Soul," "The Christian Year," "Child's Catechism," "Life of Dean Ramsey." These were the pure waters from which Lady Napier drank daily. "Ninia Napier" was written in a delicate Italian hand on the fly-leaf of each volume.
My acquaintance with Lord Napier was slight. Judge Douglas introduced him to me at a ball. He stood some seconds without speaking. At last he raised his cold blue eyes and asked, "Have you been long at this place?" I answered, "No, my Lord!" Ten words had passed between us, with which he seemed to be satisfied. But Lady Napier I knew well. She returned all visits, and mine among the rest.
England and Russia had been at war, and peace had recently been concluded. Of all the foreign Ministers I knew best the English and Russian. Baron110 Sto?ckle, then the Russian Envoy111, and Baron Bodisco, his predecessor76 (I am not sure about the "Baron"), I knew very well, and I cordially liked their wives. This does not imply that their wives, both American, liked each other.
Madame Bodisco, laden112 with diamonds, looked with disfavor upon Madame Sto?ckle, young, blue-eyed, and in simple attire. The latter was from Massachusetts; the former had been a beautiful Georgetown girl, whom the baron, passing her father's orchard113, had spied in a blossoming apple 61 tree, and to whom he had forthwith lost his Russian and baronial heart. Madame Bodisco was an enthusiastic Southern sympathizer. At Madame Sto?ckle's own table, after she had related an amusing anecdote114, Madame Bodisco whispered to me, "Will you listen to that Yankee woman with her 'says she's' and 'says I's'!"
Of course politics, in this seething115 time, were never alluded116 to in any company, least of all in the presence of our foreign envoys117. It required skill; but we kept the talk upon "literature and flowers," the birds and fishes of different lands, anything, everything, except the topic of all-consuming interest. But at one of Baron Sto?ckle's very genial118 dinners, one of us, to test his ingenuity119, said: "Come now, Baron! Here we are, Republican and Democrat106! Show your colors! Where do you belong?" "Alas, dear lady," said the wily diplomat, "I am an orphan120! I belong nowhere! I am an Old-Line Whig." This party had just become extinct.
One of the exciting events during the Buchanan administration was the arrival in Washington of the first embassy from Japan—the Japan which for hundreds of years had been governed by the dominant121 idea: "to preserve unchanged the condition of the native intelligence" and to "prevent the introduction of new ideas." The government had maintained a rigid122 policy of isolation123, "living like frogs in a well," until 1853, when they were rudely awakened124 from their dream of peace and security by Commodore Perry sailing into the harbor of Yokohama with a squadron of United States war 62 vessels125. By dignity, resolution, argument, and promise, he extorted126 a treaty in 1854—and thus Japan entered the family of nations.
We had much curiosity about the Japanese. We read Perry's "Expedition" with keen interest, and were delighted with the prospect127 of receiving the embassy from the new land. Arrangements were made for a series of entertainments, invitations were already issued—one to the White House to witness the presentation of credentials128 and the reception of the President.
At last we heard that the strangers had landed and would soon arrive. I was in the gallery of the Senate Chamber129 with an intimate friend. We were doubtful about going out with the crowd of citizens to meet the Japanese, and were hoping that the Senate and House would adjourn130. Presently a member rose and said: "Mr. President, the first Ambassadors from the venerable country of Japan are about to arrive. I move the Senate do now adjourn to meet and welcome the Japanese."
Immediately another Senator was on his feet, not to second the motion, but to say sharply, "Mr. President, I humbly131 trust the Senate of the United States of America will not adjourn for every show that comes along." That settled it. My friend and I hurried to our carriage, and meeting the cortège, turned just in time to drive side by side with the first landau containing the Ambassadors.
Our progress was slow and often interrupted—and we had abundant time to observe the two dignitaries close beside us in the first carriage. They sat, 63 fanning themselves, without looking to right or left. The one next me was extremely wrinkled and withered—doubtless the greater man—and he was so wooden, so destitute132 of expression that I—oh, this is much worse than the episode of the ramshackle hack34! How can I confess that I "lost my head." The old creature, with his wrinkled, yellow face, turban, short gown, and petticoats looked so very like my old mulatto mammy, the darling of my childhood, that—I leaned over and put my pearl-handled fan on his knee, motioning to him to give me his in exchange. The old gentleman looked startled for an instant, but he soon understood, and I became the first possessor of a Japanese fan. But then a strange thing happened! I was suddenly overwhelmed with confusion and sank back beside my companion, pulling her parasol well over my face. "Was it so dreadful?" I implored133. "I'm afraid it was," said she. "Hide your fan from the others. We will never tell." Presently she added, thoughtfully, "I wonder what your Aunt Mary would say?" I did not wonder. I knew perfectly134 well what my Aunt Mary would say.
All of which goes to prove that it was lucky my husband had not taken his wife to Greece, and had not accepted the mission to Persia which was offered him. He had a wife, unfortunately, who might on provocation135 lose her head.
The next morning we repaired to the White House to help receive the Japanese Embassy. Mr. Buchanan would have done well to select his guests with regard to their slimness. The East Room was 64 packed. Ranging on either side according to our rank, the Congressmen found themselves near the wall. We mounted our smallest representative, Mr. Boyce, on the low mantelpiece behind some palms with instructions to peep and tell us everything he saw. "What are they doing now, Mr. Boyce?" "Oh, it's grand! They bow, and then they bow again!" "Well, what are they saying? What are they doing now?" "They are still bowing, and 'old Buck,' God bless him, is bowing too." The ceremony was long. The murmured voices were low. One might have imagined one's self at a funeral.
The Belgian Baron de Limbourg gave a fine garden party to the strangers. The Baron considered himself on the entertainment committee as he had recently married the daughter of our Secretary of State, Mr. Cass. There were large grounds around his residence, and these he lighted with Japanese lanterns, dotting the lawn all over with pretty tents, in which young girls costumed to represent the peasants of various countries served ices and confections. The large area in the rear was converted by carpets, hangings, and divans136 into a luxurious137 Turkish smoking den1.
The Japanese always presented a pretty work-box, filled with curious silks, to the ladies who entertained them. They would then range themselves on the seats prepared for them and look on silently, with half-shut eyes and expressionless faces. The dancing delighted them. "How much are the women paid?" ventured one, and was amazed to find they 65 danced for pleasure only. A tiny, round-faced boy was always of the party. We sometimes spoke to him, and he invariably answered "all right," until he was known as "Little All Right," and, as he was the only gracious one of the whole party, he became a favorite.
The Prince de Joinville attended Madame de Limbourg's fête. During the afternoon our host sent for me, and I was conducted to an alcove138 where the Prince, Miss Lane, Lord Lyons, and some of the Cabinet ladies were gathered around a little bottle of wine, which was, we were told, old, old Rose wine—costing so much that now, what with interest and compound interest, every drop was worth—I forget how much! And we were to drink Miss Lane's health. "And I!"—she protested. "I cannot drink my own health! Am I to have no wine?" Whereupon she was conjured139 to think her own toast—and we would, not knowing her thought, drink it with her.
It was supposed that Lord Lyons was her suitor, and we were persuaded that the President desired her to marry him. But nobody knows the heart of the king, nor the heart of the President (who fills in some sort a king's position), still less the heart of the President's pretty niece—least of all the heart of a wily diplomat! We only know she married one of her own countrymen—and as to Lord Lyons, we lost him for good and all when the dreadful war came.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
fore
|
|
| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
benediction
|
|
| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
aisle
|
|
| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
spoke
|
|
| 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： |
|
|
|
|
7
Congressman
|
|
| n.（美）国会议员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
constituents
|
|
| n.选民( constituent的名词复数 )；成分；构成部分；要素 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
diplomat
|
|
| n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
procured
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
distended
|
|
| v.（使）膨胀，肿胀( distend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
hoop
|
|
| n.（篮球）篮圈，篮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
amplitude
|
|
| n.广大；充足；振幅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
courteous
|
|
| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
reign
|
|
| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
paraphernalia
|
|
| n.装备；随身用品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
slippers
|
|
| n. 拖鞋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
dressing
|
|
| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
stiffened
|
|
| 加强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
sleek
|
|
| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
strands
|
|
| n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
leisurely
|
|
| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
literally
|
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
miserably
|
|
| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
winked
|
|
| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
parlor
|
|
| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
confided
|
|
| 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） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
miseries
|
|
| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
reassured
|
|
| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
hack
|
|
| n.劈，砍，出租马车；v.劈，砍，干咳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
divan
|
|
| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
surmounted
|
|
| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
ornamented
|
|
| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
bouquets
|
|
| n.花束( bouquet的名词复数 )；（酒的）芳香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
bonbons
|
|
| n.小糖果( bonbon的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
shrub
|
|
| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
disdained
|
|
| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
carving
|
|
| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
housekeeper
|
|
| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
rupture
|
|
| n.破裂；(关系的)决裂；v.(使)破裂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
untied
|
|
| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
recollected
|
|
| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
magnetism
|
|
| n.磁性，吸引力，磁学 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
deviated
|
|
| v.偏离，越轨( deviate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
watchful
|
|
| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
entangling
|
|
| v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
hoops
|
|
| n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
perilous
|
|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
ornaments
|
|
| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
ruffles
|
|
| 褶裥花边( ruffle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
puffs
|
|
| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
pebbles
|
|
| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
bracelet
|
|
| n.手镯，臂镯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
condescended
|
|
| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
beckon
|
|
| v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
rotation
|
|
| n.旋转；循环，轮流 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
persistence
|
|
| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
catastrophe
|
|
| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
vacillation
|
|
| n.动摇；忧柔寡断 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
cramp
|
|
| n.痉挛；[pl.](腹)绞痛；vt.限制，束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
predecessors
|
|
| n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
predecessor
|
|
| n.前辈，前任 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
splendor
|
|
| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
gems
|
|
| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
recording
|
|
| n.录音，记录 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
dilates
|
|
| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
elegance
|
|
| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
vista
|
|
| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
delicacies
|
|
| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
effaced
|
|
| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
attired
|
|
| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
embroidered
|
|
| adj．绣花的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
obeisance
|
|
| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
exclamations
|
|
| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
spun
|
|
| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
costly
|
|
| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
terrapin
|
|
| n.泥龟；鳖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
buffet
|
|
| n.自助餐；饮食柜台；餐台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
cedar
|
|
| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
celestial
|
|
| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
intervals
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
trumpets
|
|
| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
fowls
|
|
| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
adorned
|
|
| [计]被修饰的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
terrapins
|
|
| n.（北美的）淡水龟( terrapin的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
105
contemplated
|
|
| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
democrat
|
|
| n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
anachronistic
|
|
| adj.时代错误的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
treatise
|
|
| n.专著；(专题)论文 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
baron
|
|
| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
envoy
|
|
| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
laden
|
|
| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
orchard
|
|
| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
anecdote
|
|
| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
seething
|
|
| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
alluded
|
|
| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
envoys
|
|
| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
genial
|
|
| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
ingenuity
|
|
| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
orphan
|
|
| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
dominant
|
|
| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
rigid
|
|
| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
isolation
|
|
| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
vessels
|
|
| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
extorted
|
|
| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
credentials
|
|
| n.证明，资格，证明书，证件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
adjourn
|
|
| v.（使）休会，（使）休庭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
humbly
|
|
| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
destitute
|
|
| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
provocation
|
|
| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
divans
|
|
| n.（可作床用的）矮沙发( divan的名词复数 )；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
137
luxurious
|
|
| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
alcove
|
|
| n.凹室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
conjured
|
|
| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |