He found Barbara sitting in her white dressing-gown, arranging her hair before the looking-glass. Her face was very white, her eyelids29 a little red and puffed30, and her lips were tightly pressed together. She took no notice of the opening of the door, but went calmly on with her toilet. Frank was a little disconcerted by this; he had calculated on a tender look of recognition, a few smothered31 words of explanation, and a final tableau32 in each other's arms. But as Barbara, with the greatest serenity33, still appeared completely immersed in the intricate plaiting evolutions she was performing with a piece of her hair and a stalwart hair-pin, Frank advanced gently, and standing27 behind her chair, touched her shoulder, and said softly, "Darling!"
"My darling," repeated Frank, "won't you notice me?"
"Were you speaking to me?" asked Barbara in an icy voice, and looking up at him with a calm rigid35 blank face.
"To whom else should I be speaking? to whom else should I apply that term?"
"Really I can't say. The last time you spoke36 to me, you were good enough to swear; and as I know you pride yourself on your consistency37, I could not imagine you could so soon alter your tone."
"No; but, Barbara dearest, you should not throw that in my teeth; you know that I was vexed38; that I--"
"Vexed, Frank! Vexed! I wonder at you! You accuse me of something utterly39 untrue, in language such as I have never listened to before; and then, as an excuse, you plead that you were vexed!"
"I was foolish, Barbara, headstrong and horrible, and let my confounded temper get the mastery over me; but then, child, you ought to forgive me; for all I did was from excess of love for you. If I did not hang upon every word, every action, of yours, I should be far less exacting41 in my affection. You should think of that, Barbara."
His voice was broken as he spoke, and she noticed that the hand which was upon her chair-back shook palpably.
"You could not have meant what you said in the brougham, Frank," said she in a softened42 tone. "You could not have imagined that I should have permitted--there, I cannot speak of it!" she exclaimed abruptly, placing her handkerchief to her swimming eyes.
"No, my darling, I will not. I could not--I never--of course--fool that I am!" and then incoherently, but satisfactorily, the question was dismissed.
Dismissed temporarily, but by no means forgotten, by no means laid aside by either of them. Captain Lyster called the next day while Frank was at the office, eager to see whether Mrs. Churchill had repented of the task she had undertaken in counselling and warning Alice Schr?der; and Barbara told her husband on his return of the visit she had had, and mentioned it with eyes which a desire not to look conscious rendered somewhat defiant43, and with cheeks which flushed simply because it was the last thing they ought to have done. Heaven knows Barbara Churchill had nothing to be ashamed of in being visited by Captain Lyster. She never had the smallest sign of a feeling stronger than friendship for him, and yet she felt somewhat guilty, as she acknowledged to herself that his visit had given her very great pleasure. The truth was that the garden-party at Uplands had completely upset the current of Barbara's life. When, in the first wild passion of her love for him who became her husband, she had willingly forfeited44 all that had hitherto been the pleasure of her life,--the luxury and admiration in which she had been reared, the pleasant surroundings which had been hers since her cradle,--she had found something in exchange. She had given up half-a-hundred friendships, which she knew to be hollow and empty; but she had consoled herself with one vast love, which she believed to be lasting45 and true, and which, after all, was a novelty.
As has been said, Barbara had had her flirtations innumerable, but she had never known before what love was; and having a very sensitive organisation47, and going in heart and soul for the new passion, she had not in any great degree, at all events felt the alteration48 in her position. Although every thing was different and inferior, every thing was in some degree connected with him, who was paramount49 in her idea to any thing she had ever known. She might feel the dulness of the neighbourhood, the smallness of the house, the difference in the society and in her own occupations and amusements; but all these were part and parcel of that sun of her existence--her husband; that great luminary50, in whose brilliant rays all little gloom-spots were swallowed up and merged51. Even when the glamour52 died away, and the blacknesses stood out in bold relief, she had been so dazed by the brightness, and, owing to the thorough change, the events of her past life seemed so far away, as to awaken53 but very little remorse54 or regret. She was beginning to bear with something like patience the prosiness of her mother-in-law, the spiteful criticisms of Mrs. Harding, the hideous55 vulgarity of some of her other neighbours. But the visit to Uplands came upon her as a terrific shock. Once more mixing in her old society, hearing the fashionable jargon56 to which she had been accustomed from her youth up; meeting those who had always looked up to her as their superior in beauty, and consequently in marketable value; listening to soft compliments; seeing her wishes, ever so slightly hinted, obeyed with alacrity57; breathing once more that atmosphere in which she was reared, but from which she seemed to have been long estranged,--Barbara felt more and more like Barbara Lexden, while Barbara Churchill faded hazily58 away. The dull, dull street,--the dead, dead life,--the poverty which prescribed constant care in the household management,--the dowdy59 dresses and second-hand60 manners of the inhabitants of the quarter,--the daily vexations and cares and wrong-way rubbings, seemed all to belong to some hideous dream, while the real existence passed into the former life with a pleasant addition in the person of Frank. The pleasure was brief enough, and she woke to all the horrors rendered doubly bitter by the short renewal61 of bygone joys. The clock had struck twelve, the ballroom62 had vanished, and she was again Cinderella with haunting memory for her glass-slipper. The prince remained, certainly; but he was no longer a prince; he had bad tempers, and was peevish63 and jealous, and thoroughly64 mortal. She had returned to the dust and dreariness65 of Great Adullam Street, and the rattling66 cabs, and Mrs. Churchill in her old black-silk dress, and the Hebrews opposite smoking their cigars at the open windows in the hot summer evenings. She could scarcely fancy that there was a world where people dressed in full muslin, and pink-crape bonnets68, or bewitching hats; where business was unknown, and work never heard of; where there were perpetual croquet-parties and picnics and horticultural fêtes; where there were night-drives homeward in open carriages after Richmond dinners; and where the men talked of something else than when Brown was going to bring out his poems, or what a slating69 Smith's novel had had in the Scourge70. In that brief respite71 from her weary life, she had heard those around her talking of their plans to be carried out on the then occurring break-up of the season; she had heard girls talk with rapture72 of their approaching visits to German Spas and Italian lakes; she had heard arrangements made for meeting in English country-houses, where she had formerly73 been an eagerly sought-for guest; or at fashionable seaboards, where she had been the reigning74 belle75. And she came back with the full knowledge that a fortnight's run to some cockney watering-place, handy of access to London, where she could live in cheap lodgings76 and play, a very undistinguished part, would be all the relaxation77 she could possibly hope for. And all this sunk into her soul, and made her wretched and discontented, and formed the wandering isles78 of night which dashed the very source and fount of her day.
It was wrong, undoubtedly. She had chosen her course, and must run it; as the Mesopotamians would have expressed themselves, she had made her bed, and must lie upon it. She had her husband to think of, and should have struggled womanfully to bear up against all these small crosses and disquietudes for his sake; she should have met her fate with a brave heart, and striven to prevent his having any suspicion of the longings80 and disappointments by which she was racked. Barbara should have done all this, as we in our different way should have done so much, which we have resolutely81 omitted,--paid that bill, for instance; avoided that woman; not bought that horse; helped that old friend; denied ourselves that fling in print at Jones. She should have done; but, like us, she didn't. Her character was any thing but perfect; and the very pride on which she so much prided herself, and which should have left her straight, now turned against herself, and, "like a hedgehog rolled the wrong way," pricked82 her mercilessly. She did indeed struggle to contend with the feelings which were conquering her, and which were the "little low" sensations renewed with tenfold force; but without success. A dead dull despair, a loathing83 and detestation of all the circumstances of her life, a horror of the people round her, and a wild regret for what had gone before never to return,--these were the demons84 which beset85 Barbara's daily path. And with them at one time came the first threatenings of another feeling which would have been more destructive to all chance of present or future happiness than any other, had not Providence86 in its mercy counteracted87 its effect by a passion, bad indeed, torturing, and hurtful, but nothing like so deadly as the other. Weighed down by her real or fancied misery88, constantly repining in secret, and comparing her present with her past life, Barbara might have been tempted89 to think of Frank as the agent of her wretchedness, as the primary mover in the chain of events which had made her exchange Tyburnia for Great Adullam Street, luxury for comparative poverty, and happiness for despair; she might have done this, but she became jealous. She noticed that lately Frank's manner had been strange and preoccupied90; that he was away from home very much more frequently than when they were first married; that from what she gathered when she heard him talking with his friends, he evidently sought work which took him out, and on two or three occasions had gone on country trips in the interest of the journal--duty which did not fall to his lot, and which he had never undertaken before. His manner to her, she thought, was certainly very much changed, and she did not like the alteration. He was courteous91 always, and gentle; but he had gradually lost all that petting fondness which, from its very rarity in a man of his stamp, was so winning at first; and with his courtesy was mingled92 a grave sad air, which Barbara understood to mean reproach, and which galled93 her mightily94. I do not know that Barbara at first really felt jealous of her husband: had she examined the foundation of her jealousy95 and sifted96 its causes, there is very little doubt that the natural sense which she undoubtedly possessed97 would have shown her that her suspicions were absurd. But the truth is, she all unwittingly rather encouraged the passion, as a relief from the monotonous98 misery of her life, without a thought of how rapidly it grew, or what proportions it might eventually assume. It was a change to think differently of Frank, to take a feverish99 interest in his proceedings100 and in the proceedings of those with whom he was brought into contact; and Frank himself was surprised to find how the "little low" fits had been succeeded by a more sprightly101 demeanour--a demeanour which showed itself in sharp glances and bitter words.
And Frank, was he happy? In truth, not one whit28 happier than his wife, though his wretchedness sprang from a different cause and was shown in a different way. He felt that he had clutched the great prize, and found it to be a Dead-Sea apple; that he had reached the turning-point of his career, passed it, and found the rest of his course all down-hill; he had played the great stake of his life and lost it; and henceforward his heart's purse was empty, and he was bankrupt in affections. It had come upon him, gradually indeed, but with overwhelming force: at first he had ascribed Barbara's pettishness102 to the mere103 vagaries104 of a girl, and had looked upon her caprices as relics105 of that empire which had been hers so long, and from which she, naturally enough, was unwilling106 to part. He had seen, not without annoyance107, indeed, but still without any deep or lasting pang108, that there was an uncomfortable feeling, based either upon rivalry109 or some other passion equally unintelligible110 to him, between his wife and his mother; but he had hoped this would pass away. He had noticed that his old friends, though they spoke with warm admiration of Barbara's beauty, deemed to shirk any question of liking111 or being pleased with her; and that, let them meet her however often, she scarcely seemed to make any progress in their regard; but he thought this was as much their fault as hers, and that the estrangement112 would wear off. It was not until his mother had dropped her hint as to the frequency of Captain Lyster's visits, that Frank's mind began to be seriously disturbed; it was not until the scene at Uplands, of which he had been an unwilling spectator, and the subsequent scene with Barbara in the brougham, that he began to feel that his marriage had been a horrible mistake. Then all Barbara's "low" fits, all her silence, all the tears which he could see constantly welling up into her eyes, and kept back only by a struggle as palpable as the tears themselves; then the complaints of dulness and monotony--all poor Barbara's shortcomings, indeed, and they were not a few--were ascribed to one source. She had known this man in former days; he was of her society and set, and had probably made love to her, as had hundreds before; and Frank ground his teeth as he thought how Barbara's reputation as a flirt46, and her attractive qualities as a coquette, had been kindly113 mentioned to him by more than one of her old friends. Some quarrel had probably occurred between them; during which he Frank had crossed her path, had fallen at her feet,--dazed idiot that he was!--and she had raised him up, and out of pique114 had married him. That was the story, Frank could swear to it! he turned it over and over in his mind until he believed it implicitly115, and conjured116 up the different scenes and passages, which made his blood boil and sent him, with set teeth and scowling117 brow, stamping through the long-echoing Mesopotamian squares, to the intense wonder of the policeman and the few passers-by in those dreary118 thoroughfares. Only when he was quite alone, however, did he in the least give way to his emotions. When he was at home--where he and Barbara would now sit for hours without exchanging a word, and where the occasional presence of a third person rendered matters more horrible, compelling them to put on a ghastly semblance119 of affectionate familiarity--when he was at home, or down at the Statesman Office, where he could be thoroughly natural, he was moody120, stern, and silent. His manner had lost that round jollity which had always characterised it, and his appearance was beginning to change: he was thinner; there were silver lines in the brown hair, and two or three deep lines round the eyes.
Of course his friends noticed all this, as friends notice every thing. Madly and blindly people go through life, imagining that their thoughts and actions are--some of them, at least--known but to themselves alone; whereas all of them--all such, at least, as they would prefer keeping secret--are public property, and as thoroughly patent as if they had been proclaimed from the market-place cross. You may go on in London living for years next door to a neighbour whose name you are unacquainted with, and whom you have never seen; but make him an acquaintance, give him some interest in you, and without your in the least suspecting it, he will find out the whole story of your life, will know all about the young lady with the fair hair in Wiltshire, the hundred pounds borrowed from Robinson, the disappointment at Uncle Prendergast's will--all the little things, in fact, which you thought were buried in your own bosom121; and will sit down opposite you at table with an innocent ingenuous122 face, as though your affairs were the very last things with which he would trouble himself. We all do this, day by day, with the noblest hypocrisy123, and receive from our dear intimate statements of facts which we know to be false, and warpings of statements which we know to be perverted124, with "Indeeds!" and "Reallys?" and head-noddings of outward acquiescence125 and mocking incredulity in our hearts. Barbara Churchill had been the one grand subject of conversation for the Mesopotamian gossips ever since her marriage: they had lived upon her, and found that she improved in flavour. Her appearance, her dress, her manners; what they were pleased to term her "stand-offishness;" her shortcomings as a housekeeper126; her ignorance in the matter of mending under-linen; her novel-reading and piano-playing--all these had been toothsome morsels127, far more enjoyable than the heavy pies, the thick chops, and the sardines128 which figured in that horrible Mesopotamian meal known as "a thick tea;" and had been picked to the very bone. And then, when it began to be whispered about--as it very soon did--that there were dissensions in the Churchill camp, that all did not go as smoothly129 as it should, and that, in fact, quarrels were rife--then came the crowning delight of the banquet, and the female portion of the Great-Adullam-Street community was nearly delirious130 with excitement. Although old Mrs. Churchill, from her kind-heartedness and simplicity131, had always been a great favourite with her neighbours, she had no idea of the extent of her popularity until this period. Her little rooms were literally132 beset with female friends; and she had invitations to tea-parties three-deep. To these invitations--to as many of them, at least, as was possible--she invariably responded. By nature the old lady hated the character of a gossip, and would have been highly indignant had she been charged with any propensity133 for chattering134; but easily impressible by those with whom she was brought into contact, she had acquired a little of the prevalent failing of the region, and moreover, she thought it her duty to tell all she knew about the then favourite subject, in order, as she phrased it, "that poor Frank's position might be set right." But if poor Frank's position was properly looked after, it must be acknowledged that poor Barbara received her meed of popular disapprobation. Not that her mother-in-law ever said one direct word of condemnation135; old Mrs. Churchill was far too good a Christian136 willingly to start or give currency to harsh criticism, more especially on one so closely allied137 to her. But, it was very difficult to absolve138 her son from blame without shifting the onus139 of the avowed140 quarrel on to the shoulders of her daughter-in-law; and when the ladies surrounding the tea-table, groaning141 over "poor Mr. Churchill's" domestic woes142, shook their cap-strings in virtuous143 indignation at her who had caused them, the old lady made but a feeble protest, which speedily closed in a string of doleful ejaculations. In the minds of the members of this Mesopotamian Vehmgericht, of which Mrs. Harding might be considered president, Barbara stood fully79 convicted of the charge which they had themselves brought against her. Her indolence, her carelessness, her "fal-lal ways," her pride and squeamishness had brought--only rather sooner than was expected--their natural result; and "isn't it better, my dear, to have a little less good looks and a little less fondness for jingling144 the piano and reading trashy novels, and keep a tidy house over your head and live happily with your husband?"
The stories of all that passed in Churchill's house, collected with care from old Mrs. Churchill and her servant Lucy,--whose habitual145 puritanical146 taciturnity was melted by the course of events, and who gave way to that hatred147 against Barbara which she had felt from the first moment of seeing her,--and duly dressed, illustrated148, and annotated149 by Mrs. Harding, who had a special talent in that way, of course before long reached Mr. Harding's ears.
It is difficult to explain how that good fellow was affected150 by the news. He had the warmest personal regard for Frank, loving him with something of paternal151 fondness; he had always impressed him with the propriety152 of marriage, and had looked forward with real anxiety to the time when he should see his friend settled for life. Not until then, he thought, would those talents which he knew Frank possessed enable him to take his proper position in the world: what he did now was well enough; but it was merely the evanescent sparkle of his genius. Soberly settled down with a woman worthy153 of him, the real products of his intellect and his reading would come forth154, and he would step into the first rank of the men of his time. And now it had all come to this! Frank was married; but he had made a wrong selection, and was a moody, discontented, blighted155 man. The aspect of affairs was horrible; and when told of their real condition by his wife, George Harding determined156 that he would exercise his prerogative157 of friend, and speak to Churchill on the subject.
Accordingly the next day when he saw Frank at the usual consultation158 at the office, Harding waited until the other man had left the room, and then, placing his hand affectionately on his friend's shoulder, said: "I want two minutes with you, Frank."
"Two hours, if you like, Harding; it's all the same to me," replied Churchill wearily.
"I want you to tell me what ails159 you,--what has worked such a complete change in you, physically160 and morally; or rather, I don't want you to tell me, for I know."
Churchill looked up defiantly161 with flushed cheeks, as he exclaimed, "What do you know? are my private affairs topics for the tittle-tattle of--there, God help me! I'm weak as water. Now I want to quarrel with my best friend!"
"No, you don't, old man; and you would get no quarrel out of me, if you wished it ever so much. But I can't bear this any longer; I can't bear to see you losing your health and your spirits; and wearing yourself out day by day as you are, without coming to the rescue. Let us look the matter boldly in the face at once. You're--you're not quite happy at home, Frank, eh?"
"Well, that's a bad thing; but it's curable. At all events, giving way to moping and misery won't help it. Many men have begun their married life in wretchedness, and emerged, when they least expected it, into sunshine. Here are two young people who have not known each other above a couple of months, both of whom have very possibly been spoiled beforehand, and they arrive each with their own particular stock of whims163 and fancies, which they declare shall be carried out by the other. It takes time to rub down all the angles and points, and to provide for the regular working of the machinery164; and it is never done by a jump. You've fine material to work upon too; if Mrs. Churchill were vulgar or uneducated, or did not care for you, you would have great difficulties to contend with. But as she is exactly the reverse of all this, she ought to be easily managed. Don't you understand that in these matters one or the other must have the upperhand? and that one should be the husband! The supremacy165 once asserted, all works well; not until then, and generally the struggle, though sharp, is very short. Every thing is wrong, and the whole machine is out of gear. You've let her have her own way too much, my friend. You must tighten166 the curb167 and see the result."
"If you were a horseman, Harding," said Frank with a dreary smile, "you would know that tightening168 the curb sometimes produces the worst of rebellious169 vices--rearing!"
"Oh, no fear of that; no fear of that. Try it! You really must do something, Frank; I can't bear to see you giving way like this. You must assert yourself, my good fellow, and at once; for though it may be bad now, it will be ten times worse hereafter, and you'll bitterly rue40 not having taken my advice."
And George Harding went home and told, his wife what he had done, and assured her that she would find matters speedily set to rights in Great Adullam Street now.
And Frank Churchill walked home, pondering on the advice he had just received and finally determining within himself to adopt it. He supposed he had been weak and wanting in proper self-respect. Harding was always the reflex of his wife's sentiments, and doubtless that whole set of wretched tabbies had been pitying him as a poor spiritless creature. He would take Harding's advice and bring the matter to an issue at once.
He went into his little study and had just seated himself at his desk to commence his work when Barbara entered the room. She was dressed in her bonnet67 and shawl; her eyes were swollen170 and there were traces of recent tears still on her cheeks; the muscles round her mouth were working visibly, and her whole frame was quivering with excitement. As she closed the door behind her, she seemed to control herself with one great effort, then walking straight to the desk she said, in a broken and trembling voice, "I want you to answer me a question."
"Barbara!" said Frank, whose intended firmness had all melted away before her haggard appearance, "Barbara!" and he rose and put out his hand to draw her to him.
"Don't touch me!" she screamed, starting back. "Don't lay one finger upon me until until you have answered my question. This morning you left this envelope on the dressing-table; tell me who is the writer and what were the contents."
She tossed an envelope on to the desk as she spoke, and leant with one hand against the wall.
"That envelope," said Frank, speaking very slowly, "is mine. I utterly deny your right to ask me any thing about it; I utterly refuse to satisfy your curiosity."
"Curiosity! it is not that; God knows it is not that feeling merely that prompts me: This is the second time you have, to my knowledge, received letters in that writing. The first time was at Bissett, when you left suddenly, immediately after its receipt. I suspected then, but had no right to ask; now I have the right, and I demand to know!"
"I can only repeat what I said before: I most positively171 decline to tell you."
"Beware, Frank! You ought to know me by this time; but you don't. If you don't satisfy me on this point, I leave you for ever."
"You have your answer," said Frank; "now let me get to my work."
"You still refuse?"
"You heard what I said."
She drew herself up and left the room; the next minute he heard the street-door shut, and, running to the dining-room window, saw her hail a cab and get into it.
"There's the first lesson, at all events," said he to himself. "When she comes back to dinner, she will be cooler, and more amenable172 to reason."
He finished his work, and walked down with it to the Statesman Office. On his return he found a commissionaire in the hall talking to his servant. He asked the latter where her mistress was, but the girl said she had not come in, at the same time handing him a letter. It was very brief; it merely said:
"You have decided173; and henceforth you and I never meet again. Mrs. Schr?der, with whom I am staying, will send her maid for a box which I have left ready packed. I hope you may be more happy with your correspondent, and in your return to your old life, than you have been with B. C."
As Frank Churchill read this, the lines wavered before his eyes, and he reeled against the wall.
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1
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fealty
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| n.忠贞，忠节 | |
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throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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blatant
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| adj.厚颜无耻的；显眼的；炫耀的 | |
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reviling
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| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的现在分词 ) | |
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jealousies
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| n.妒忌( jealousy的名词复数 )；妒羡 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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prop
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| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
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irritable
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| adj.急躁的；过敏的；易怒的 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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accruing
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| v.增加( accrue的现在分词 )；（通过自然增长）产生；获得；（使钱款、债务）积累 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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promenading
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equivocate
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| v.模棱两可地，支吾其词 | |
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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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whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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29
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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31
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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32
tableau
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| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
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33
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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34
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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35
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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36
spoke
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| 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 | |
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37
consistency
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| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
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38
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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39
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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40
rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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41
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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42
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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43
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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44
forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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46
flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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47
organisation
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| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
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48
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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49
paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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50
luminary
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| n.名人，天体 | |
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51
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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52
glamour
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| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
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53
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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54
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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55
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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56
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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57
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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58
hazily
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| ad. vaguely, not clear | |
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59
dowdy
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| adj.不整洁的；过旧的 | |
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60
second-hand
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| adj.用过的，旧的，二手的 | |
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61
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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62
ballroom
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| n.舞厅 | |
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63
peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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64
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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65
dreariness
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| 沉寂，可怕，凄凉 | |
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66
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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67
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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68
bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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69
slating
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| 批评 | |
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70
scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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71
respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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72
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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73
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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74
reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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75
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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76
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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77
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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78
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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79
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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80
longings
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| 渴望，盼望( longing的名词复数 ) | |
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81
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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82
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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83
loathing
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| n.厌恶，憎恨v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的现在分词)；极不喜欢 | |
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84
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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85
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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86
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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87
counteracted
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| 对抗，抵消( counteract的过去式 ) | |
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88
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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89
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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90
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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91
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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92
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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93
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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94
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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95
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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96
sifted
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| v.筛( sift的过去式和过去分词 )；筛滤；细查；详审 | |
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97
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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98
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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99
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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100
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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101
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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102
pettishness
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103
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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104
vagaries
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| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
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105
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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106
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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107
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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108
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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109
rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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110
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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111
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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112
estrangement
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| n.疏远，失和，不和 | |
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113
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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114
pique
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| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
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115
implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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116
conjured
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| 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 | |
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117
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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118
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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119
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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120
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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121
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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122
ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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123
hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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124
perverted
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| adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 )；腐蚀；败坏；使堕落 | |
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125
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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126
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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127
morsels
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| n.一口( morsel的名词复数 )；（尤指食物）小块，碎屑 | |
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128
sardines
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| n. 沙丁鱼 | |
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129
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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130
delirious
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| adj.不省人事的，神智昏迷的 | |
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131
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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132
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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133
propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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134
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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135
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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136
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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137
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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138
absolve
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| v.赦免，解除（责任等） | |
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139
onus
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| n.负担；责任 | |
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140
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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141
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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142
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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143
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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144
jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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145
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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146
puritanical
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| adj.极端拘谨的；道德严格的 | |
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147
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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148
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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149
annotated
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| v.注解，注释( annotate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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151
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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152
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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153
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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154
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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155
blighted
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| adj.枯萎的，摧毁的 | |
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156
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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157
prerogative
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| n.特权 | |
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158
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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159
ails
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| v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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160
physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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161
defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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162
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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163
WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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164
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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165
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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166
tighten
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| v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧 | |
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167
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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168
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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169
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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170
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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171
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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amenable
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| adj.经得起检验的；顺从的；对负有义务的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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