Tonight Blidah seemed to be en fête, noisier and more blatant19 than usual. And to Carew, fresh from nearly a year in the desert, the scene was distasteful. It was not new to him, years spent in Algeria had familiarised him with the nightly aspect of the garrison20 towns, and he was in no mood to be either interested or amused by what he saw. He had no love for Blidah at the best of times and he had already been there once before that day.
At the cavalry barracks he handed over Captain André’s grey to the sleepy groom21 who was waiting and, dismissing the Kabyle lad, turned with a sigh of relief in the direction of the Bab-el-Rabah. Passing through the gateway22 he headed towards the east, intending to return by the same route by which he had brought Major Meredith. Once clear of the town Suliman broke of his own accord into the long, swinging gallop23 to which he was accustomed and for a time Carew let him take his own pace. But soon he checked him, drawing him into a reluctant walk. And as the bay sidled and reared, snorting impatiently, his master bent24 forward in the saddle and ran his hand caressingly25 over the glossy26 arched neck. “Gently, gently, core of my heart,” he murmured in the language that came more readily to his lips than his own, “there is no need for haste. Tomorrow is also a day.” And pacing slowly forward through the quiet night he set himself at last to face the torturing recollections of the past that for years he had put resolutely27 out of his mind but which had been cruelly awakened28 by the wholly unexpected advent29 of his old friend. Inscrutable as the Arabs amongst whom he lived, he exhibited no outward sign of agitation30, but under the passivity that had become second nature with him there was raging a bitter storm of anger and revolt against fate that had thrown Micky Meredith across his path to shatter the hard-won peace that had come to him in the desert. Meredith was bound up with all he wished to forget, was the living reminder31 of the home and happiness he had lost. His coming had reopened the wound that Carew had thought healed forever. Memories, like stabs of actual pain, crowded in upon him. The old struggle, the old bitterness he had conquered once was overwhelming him again, shaking him to the very depths of his being. The past he had resolved to forget rose up anew with terrible distinctness. Royal Carew—and the woman he had loved! With the sweat of agony thick on his forehead he lived again through the horror of that ghastly homecoming. He saw again, clearly as though they stood before him, the pitying, terrified faces of the old servants from whom he learned the sordid32 story of his betrayal. He passed once more through the hours of anguish33 when he had knelt in dumb, helpless misery34 beside the tiny cot in the luxurious35 nursery and watched the death struggle of the child whom, worse than motherless, he loved so passionately36. The dark waters of despair had closed over his head that night. Weak from the terrible wound that had brought him back to England, crushed by the double tragedy, he had longed and prayed for death. And when he had at last found courage to go forward with what remained to him of life, it was as a changed man, embittered38 out of any semblance39 to his former self. He had divorced his wife that she might marry the man for whom she had left him, and with grim justice, because she had been the mother of his son, he had settled upon her an adequate fortune. But for the woman herself he had no feeling left but loathing40 and contempt. She had deceived him, lied to him. She had destroyed his faith, his trust. She had opened his eyes at last to the unworthiness that had been patent to all but the husband who worshipped her. She had killed his love—and with it had died esteem42 and belief in the sex she represented. With her his ideal of womanhood, pinnacled43 high with chivalrous44 regard, had shattered into nothingness. Because of her he had become the cynical45 misogynist46 he was, seeing in all women the one woman whose falseness had poisoned his life. The thought of her stirred him now to nothing but a sense of cold disgust.
But the memory of the little son who had died was a living force within him. It had gone with him through all the years of loneliness and disillusion47, a grief as bitter now as on that first night of his bereavement48. Not for the woman, but for the child his starved heart still yearned49 with passionate37 intensity50. The tiny face was present with him always, even yet he could remember the clinging touch of the fragile baby fingers closing convulsively on his in that last moment of terrible struggle. It was to try and deaden the pain of memory, to ease the burden of his solitude51, that he had kept the little waif of the desert. And the blind boy in his helplessness and dependence52 had in some measure filled the blank in his life. But tonight the remembrance of his loss was heavy upon him. Even with the child Meredith was connected, for his visit to Royal Carew had been made a few months after the birth of the heir who had been born to such high hopes. Together the two men had discussed in all solemnity the probable career of the sleepy scrap53 of pink humanity who at that time had shown no sign of the delicacy54 which had developed later.
And Royal Carew! For the first time in years he let his thoughts turn to the beautiful property he had voluntarily surrendered and a wave of intense home sickness passed over him. He crushed it down with a feeling of contempt for his own weakness. Once it had seemed to him the fairest place on God’s earth, he had loved every stick and stone of it. He loved it still, but with his love was the remembrance of bitter pain that made him shrink from ever seeing it again. Childless, it was for him purposeless. If the child had lived—but the child was dead, and things were better as they were. Regrets were useless. There was nothing to be gained by harking back to what might have been. Carew’s lips tightened55 and he forced his mind into another channel of thought. After all, it had been no fault of Meredith’s. Carew had guessed the reason of the soldier’s restrained manner at the moment of meeting and the knowledge had added warmth to his own greeting. Pride had stirred him, that and a vague idea of testing his own command over himself. Naturally long-sighted he had seen and known Meredith even before Doctor Chalmers had hailed him. Almost he had been tempted56 to pass by with no sign of recognition. Then he had cursed himself for a coward and had reined58 in Suliman with that sudden jerk that had made Mrs. Chalmers’ heart stand still. And now was he glad or sorry for Meredith’s coming? It was a question that in his present mood he found himself unable to answer. He had no wish to further analyse his feelings. He had become unaccustomed to self-consideration. For once he had relaxed the rigid59 control he exercised over his own thoughts—and once was enough. During the years of strenuous60 work in the desert he had succeeded in suppressing self, and in that work he would endeavour to regain61 the contentment that was all he had to hope for.
With a powerful effort of will he put away all thoughts of Meredith and the memories he had awakened and, touching62 Suliman with his heel, concentrated on the results of the difficult mission from which he was now returning to Algiers.
It had been a delicate business, attended with considerable danger that had not disturbed him, and subtle oriental intrigue63, in dealing64 with which Hosein’s help had been invaluable65. The man had been Carew’s body-servant and faithful companion for all the years he had lived in Algeria. The son of his father’s old dragoman, Carew remembered him as a singularly intelligent urchin66, a year or two older than himself, employed about the villa67 on Mustapha Superieur where the winters of his own boyhood had been spent, and he had sought him out on his first return to the country. He had never regretted it. Devoted68 and singleminded in his service the Arab had been friend as well as servant and a loyal cooperator in Carew’s chosen work. A wanderer by instinct, it was not only in Algeria that Hosein had travelled and the green band of the Mecca pilgrim that he wore gave him a prestige which had carried his master and himself through some sufficiently69 awkward situations. Carew had owed his life to him not once nor twice, and he knew that but for Hosein’s watchfulness71 he would never have returned alive from this last dangerous undertaking72. The report he was carrying back to the Governor in Algiers was due as much to Hosein as to himself. And the Arab should not be the loser if he could help it, he thought with a sudden rare smile.
Immersed in his thoughts he had taken little notice of his surroundings and had not realised how far he had come on his homeward journey. A whistling snort from Suliman and a sudden wild swerve73 that would have unseated a less practised horseman brought him back abruptly74 to the immediate75 present, and looking round sharply he saw that they had arrived at the outskirts76 of the deserted village. Dragging his horse to a standstill he looked keenly about him, but in spite of the brilliant moonlight, he could see nothing moving. Yet Suliman was accustomed to night work and it was unlike him to shy at shadows. The deserted village had a bad reputation in the neighbourhood but Carew had never avoided it on that account, he had a reputation himself that was sufficiently widely known.
He glanced perfunctorily to right and left as he rode through the winding77, grass-grown street, but to all appearances, the place seemed empty as it had been when he passed through it earlier in the evening. He was nearing the last group of tumbled-down huts when the sound of a piercing shriek78 breaking weirdly79 on the silence of the night sent Suliman high on his heels in furious protest. Hauling him down, Carew twisted in the saddle, listening intently. It came again, echoing from a little lane that straggled from the main street, the wail80 of a woman’s voice crying wildly in French for help. A woman—in such a place and at such an hour! Carew’s compressed lips parted in a mirthless grin and he relaxed his strained attention. What was a woman doing at midnight in that village of ill repute? Some little fool, doubtless, who had tempted providence81 too highly, paying the price of her folly82! Well, let her pay. In all probability she had brought it on herself—she could abide83 by the consequences. It was no business of his, anyhow. Why should he, of all men, interfere84 to help a woman in her need—what was a woman’s suffering to him? His face was set and grimly hard as he soothed85 his plunging86 horse and prepared to ride on. But as Suliman started forward the cry was repeated with words that made Carew check him with an iron hand and bring him, quivering to his haunches. Clear and distinct they came to him—words of frenzied87 entreaty88 to a higher power than his, words in a language he least expected to hear.
“Help, help! oh, God, send help!”
An Englishwoman! For a moment he battled with himself. Then with a terrible oath he wrenched89 his horse’s head round savagely91 and drove him down the little lane at a headlong gallop.
The lane was a cul-de-sac, the house he sought at the far end of it, for there only did a dim light filtering through an unshuttered window show any sign of habitation. Deep shadows masked the entrance and a few feet short of it, in a patch of vivid moonlight, he pulled up and, leaping to the ground, raced towards the hidden doorway92. His foot was on the crumbling93 step when out of the gloom three figures rose up to bar his entrance and hurled94 themselves upon him. The attack was silent, and in silence he met it. There was no time to reach for the revolver he had neglected to draw. Straining, heaving, he wrestled95 in the darkness with opponents whose faces he could not see, whose arms encircled him and whose clutching sinewy96 hands tore murderously at his throat. A knife pricked97 him and with a blind instinct he caught at and held the hand that brandished98 it, crushing it in his strong fingers till he felt the yielding bones crack and the weapon slipped to the ground with a faint tinkle99. In perfect physical condition, with steely muscles toughened by years of strenuous and active life, he knew that singly he could have matched any one of the men who were hemming100 him in, but against three even his great strength was unavailing. Struggling to free his arms, he gave back step by step as they pressed him closer in a continued silence that was menacing by its very unusualness. Even the man whose hand he had maimed had made no sound beyond a muffled101 growl102. Only the shuffling103 of feet on the dry ground, the panting, animal-like grunts104 of exertion106 as they grappled with him, were audible. The rank stench of filthy107, sweat-drenched garments was pungent108 in his nostrils109; hot, fetid breath fanning his face gave him—accustomed though he was to the dirt and squalor of the Arabs—a feeling of nausea110 that sent a shiver of disgust through him. At last with a tremendous effort he wrenched himself free and reeled back, gasping111, into the patch of moonlight, his heart pounding against his ribs112, perspiration113 pouring from him. And as the bright light struck across his face the men who had followed him swiftly drew back with sudden indetermination, muttering amongst themselves. He caught the words “El Hakim,” the title he bore amongst the desert people, and almost before he realised it they had vanished into the shadows of the neighbouring houses and he was alone. For a moment he fought for breath, wiping the blinding moisture from his dripping face, fumbling114 for the revolver in his waistcloth. Then another strangled cry from within the lighted hut spurred him into action and he sprang forward, flinging back the heavy burnous from his shoulders as he ran. The rotting door crashed open under the sudden impact of his weight and in the entrance he halted with levelled revolver. For a second only. His eyes sweeping115 the tiny room met those of a gigantic, evil-faced Arab who, startled at his appearance, had flung to the ground the woman who struggled in his arms and turned to meet the intruder with a scowl116 of murderous ferocity. A grim smile of recognition flickered117 across Carew’s stern face. “Thou—dog?” he thundered, and leaped at him. For a moment the Arab wavered, then a knife flashed in his hand. But with a quick feint Carew dodged118 the sweeping blow and caught the upraised wrist in a vice-like grip. With his revolver pressing into the man’s stomach he forced him back slowly against the wall of the hut, his fingers tightening119 their hold until the paralysed hand unclenched and the knife clattered121 to the floor. Kicking it beyond reach, Carew backed a few paces and, still keeping the Arab covered, turned his attention for the first time to the woman he had come reluctantly to aid. Only a girl apparently122, her face almost childish in its strained, white piteousness, she had dragged herself up from the floor and was standing123 rocking on her feet in the middle of the room. He looked with a kind of cruel deliberation on the slender, shaking limbs which, clothed in boyish riding dress that intimately revealed their delicate beauty, would have been the joy of an artist, but which filled him only with an acute feeling of antagonism124. The folly of it, the shameless, senseless folly of it! A woman must be a fool and worse than a fool to expose herself thus in a land of veiled femininity. His antagonism augmented125 and he viewed unmoved the signs of terrible struggle through which she had passed. That she had fought desperately126 was evidenced in the marks of violent handling she bore, in the unbound hair that lay in curling chestnut127 waves about her shoulders, in the tattered128 silk shirt that, ripped from throat to waist, bared the soft whiteness of her heaving breasts to the austere129 gaze bent so pitilessly on her. She seemed unaware130 of Carew’s nearness. Panting for breath, her hands clenching131 and unclenching mechanically, she stood like a driven animal at bay, her eyes fixed132 on the Arab in a wild, unblinking stare. Carew broke the silence abruptly with a blunt question addressed to her that was brutally133 direct. He spoke134 in French that both could understand and because he had no wish tonight to pass as other than an Arab himself. The harsh voice roused her to a realisation of his presence. She started violently, her hunted eyes turning slowly to him as if she dared not lose sight of the sinister135 figure by the wall. For a few seconds she stared at him uncomprehendingly, then her cheeks flamed suddenly as the meaning of his words penetrated136. Her lips quivered and she shrank back, dragging the tangle137 of soft hair over her uncovered bosom138 with an instinctive139 gesture of modesty140. She tried to speak, but for some time no words would come, then a wail of entreaty burst from her. “Take me away, oh, for God’s sake take me away!” she cried, and buried her face in her hands with a convulsive shudder141.
He jerked his head impatiently. The life he had led for the last twelve years had made him intolerant of convention, he had no intention of allowing it to interfere now with the rough and ready justice he was fully142 prepared to administer. He had no reason to hesitate. The Arab was a well-known criminal, the abduction of an English visitor an offence the Algerian Government could not in any sense condone143.
“I will take you away when you have answered my question, Madame,” he said coldly. “This is no time or place for false modesty. Does he go free or—” he raised his revolver with a gesture that was unmistakable. But the sharp cry of protest arrested him, and shuddering144 again she drew further from him till she leant against the opposite wall, clinging to it and hiding her face like a child fearful of some impending145 horror. “No—no—not that,” she gasped146, “let him go. You came—in time.” The last words trailed into an almost inaudible whisper and with a little moan she slipped to the floor as if the last remnant of her strength had left her.
“What shame is this, O Abdul?” he said sternly, relapsing into Arabic. Shuffling his feet the man glanced past him towards the open doorway from which Carew’s tall figure effectually barred him. He knew that in the few minutes that had passed he had been nearer to death than was comfortable to contemplate148. He had no desire to enter into a detailed149 history of his offence, his sole wish at the moment was to remove himself as speedily as might be from the proximity150 of the accusing eyes fixed on him. True, a reprieve151 had been granted—but for how long? Memories of past dealings with the man who stood before him made him keep a wary152 eye on the revolver that Carew still held with unpleasant suggestiveness.
“Shame indeed, O Sidi,” he whined153 with a cringing154 salaam155, “had I known that the lalla was under thy protection. But is not my lord known throughout all Algeria as one who deigns156 not to stoop his eyes to the face of a woman?”
There was cunning mixed with curiosity in the swift upward glance that met Carew’s frowning stare for an instant and then wavered to earth again. The scowl on the Englishman’s face deepened.
“Yet would I have killed thee for what thou hast done tonight,” he said quickly, “be very sure of that, O Abdul. But the lalla has given thee thy life. Give thanks—and go.”
He cut short the Arab’s glib157 protestations and hustled158 him towards the door. But on the threshold the man paused irresolutely159, with another obsequious salaam.
“I have served my lord in the past,” he muttered sullenly160, “for the sake of that service will not my lord forget—tonight?”
“To suit thine own ends hast thou served me,” he said pointedly162, “and forgetfulness comes not readily to those who live with a sharp reminder—as I shall live,” he added, stooping swiftly and catching163 up the knife that lay near his foot. With a cold smile he thrust it into his waistcloth and turned slowly back into the room. He did not trouble to wait and watch the man off the premises164. He had known Abdul el Dhib for years and his knowledge made him confident that in the meantime he was safe from any form of revenge from the human jackal on whose head the Algerian Government had set a price. Usually his activities were confined to more remote districts and Carew had been surprised to see him so near to civilisation165. But it was no part of his business to act as a common police spy and he knew that Abdul had counted on the fact when he had endeavoured to make terms with him. Remained the more perplexing problem of the woman thrust, wholly undesired, on his hands. She was still crouched166 on the dusty mud floor where she had fallen and he went to her reluctantly.
She shivered at his touch, staggering to her feet with a swift glance of apprehension167 round the room. Clutching the screening mass of curls about her she passed a hand over her eyes as though clearing away the remembrance of some horrible vision. She showed no fear of the tall Arab-clad figure standing beside her, by some curious instinct she seemed sensible that his presence constituted a protection and not a menace. But equally she displayed no haste to explain the predicament in which he had found her or to disclose her identity. Stunned168 by the terrible experience through which she had passed, she appeared to be only half conscious and incapable169 of any initiative. Carew, passionately anxious to be quit of the whole business, was not inclined to beat about the bush, but came to the point with characteristic directness.
“You come from Blidah, Madame?”
She looked at him blankly, her puzzled eyes still shadowy with pain, and he repeated the question slower and more distinctly.
A look of dismay crossed Carew’s face. Algiers was thirty miles away. He could have taken her back to Blidah easily enough, but Algiers with Suliman, who had already done a hard day’s work, carrying double—it was out of the question. He jerked his head with a gesture of annoyance171 and scowled172 thoughtfully, mentally cursing Abdul el Dhib and the woman beside him with fine impartiality173.
“Where in Algiers?” he asked shortly, by way of gaining time to think out the awkward situation. But the girl was past all explanations. “Algiers—” she repeated weakly and, reeling, would have fallen but for the strong arm slipped round her. That settled it. Half fainting and wholly unable to express herself she could give him no assistance and he realised there was nothing for it but the expedient174 he least desired—that of taking her to his own camp. His own camp—good God! Antagonism grew into actual dislike as he glanced down at the slender boyish figure leaning against him. With a grunt105 of disgust he half led, half carried her out of the hut.
Suliman, trained to stand, was waiting in the patch of moonlight, jerking the dangling175 bridle176 impatiently. Unhooking his heavy burnous Carew rolled it into a long, soft pad and flung it across the horse’s neck in front of the high-peaked saddle. Then he swung the girl up with a curt “Hold on to his mane” and leaped up behind her, wondering what would be the result of Suliman’s first excited plunge177. But with instinctive good grace the horse refrained from his usual display of light-hearted exuberance178 and set off soberly at a slow canter to which Carew held him. There were no signs of Abdul and his band of cut-throats, no lurking180 shadows in the vicinity of the silent houses and in a few minutes the village was behind them.
Carew rode with a tight rein57 and a watchful70 eye on the drooping181 little figure in front of him. His own tall, muscular form was drawn182 up in the saddle taut183 and rigid with repugnance184 at her nearness, every fibre in his being revolting from the proximity of her woman’s body. The subtle torture of it made him grit185 his teeth and thick, cold drops of moisture gathered on his forehead. He raged at the necessity that had forced him to a step that an hour ago he would have thought beyond the bounds of possibility. And tonight of all nights, when his senses were already raw and aching with the recollections of the past that had racked him almost beyond bearing.
The calm to which he had schooled himself through years of self-discipline and self-suppression had been swept away and he was aghast at the tumult186 within him which seemed to be tearing down every defence and barrier he had raised so strenuously187.
The need of one fragile girl had caused him to break a resolution from which he had sworn never to turn. And at the moment he could cheerfully have thrown the fragile girl behind the clump188 of rocks they were passing and washed his hands of the whole affair. Because she was English—it was the sole reason for the action that had so surprised himself. Race loyalty189 had, in an extreme moment, proved stronger than his determination and her sex had been swamped in her nationality. But for those few words in English he would have ridden on. The appeal coming in another language had left him unmoved, but repeated in the mother-tongue that had become almost foreign to him had stirred him powerfully, even against his own inclination190. But the call of the blood that had triumphed so unexpectedly over him did not in any way mitigate191 the constraint192 of his present situation. It was an embarrassment193 that grew momentarily more acute and distasteful. He was impatient of every little circumstance that augmented his discomfiture194. His nerves on edge he found cause for annoyance even in the slow pace at which he was compelled to ride. It irked him as badly as it was irking Suliman who, with his nose turned towards home, was snatching at his bit and endeavouring to break into the usual gallop. The girl herself settled the last problem. She had been drooping more and more over the horse’s neck, clutching instinctively195 at the thick mane in which her fingers were twined, but now without a word or sound she collapsed196 and fell back in a dead faint.
With his face gone suddenly ghastly Carew lifted her until she lay across his thighs198, his left arm crooked199 about her shoulders, her dishevelled little head pressing against his breast. God in heaven, it only wanted this! Cursing savagely he drove his spurs with unwonted cruelty into his horse’s sides and gave him his head. And in the wild rush through the cool night that followed he tried to forget that he carried a woman in his arms. But the slender little body, warm and yielding against his own, was a reminder that obtruded200 too powerfully to allow of forgetfulness. So had he carried his wife once after a minor201 accident in the hunting field, and then, as now, a thick strand202 of scented203 hair had blown across his face blinding him with its soft fragrance204. He tore it away with shaking fingers.
Impossible now to stem the flood of recollection. It was stronger than his will to put it from him. More painful, more crushing even than before it swept him with a force he was powerless to resist and he made no further effort, surrendering his mind to its bitter memories while he urged Suliman recklessly, careless whether he broke his neck and the girl’s or not. And with a madness almost equal to his own, goaded205 by the sharp spurs that Carew used so seldom the bay tore on at racing206 speed, breasting the tiny hillocks and thundering down their gentle declivities, taking rocks and pitfalls207 in his stride, as if tireless. And when at last the open plain was reached he turned of his own accord in the direction of the camp, hardly slackening his pace until he arrived with a great slithering rush before the tent door. A couple of grooms208 sprang forward, but the last spurt209 had been his final effort and he made no attempt to evade210 them, standing with down-drooping head and widely planted feet, breathing heavily and trembling with exhaustion211.
Gathering212 the girl closer in his arms Carew slipped to the ground. To Hosein, imperturbable213 even in the face of this unprecedented214 spectacle, he vouchsafed215 only the curt explanation “Abdul el Dhib” and ordering coffee to be brought to him carried his slight burden into the tent.
Prejudiced and angry he scowled down at her with fierce resentment216 as he laid her among the silk cushions on the divan217. That he had himself been compelled to bring her here did not in any way lessen218 his anger or make his task easier. But since she was here, helpless and dependent on him, common humanity demanded that he should do all in his power to aid her. Striving to sink the man in the doctor he endeavoured to regard her only as a case and set to work to combat the prolonged fainting fit that seemed to argue something more than a mere1 collapse197 from fear and fatigue219. And as his sombre eyes dwelt on her he found himself reluctantly admitting the uncommon220 beauty of her face and form. But her beauty made him no more kindly221 disposed towards her. A woman’s beauty—the transient snare222 that lured223 trusting fools to their undoing—what was it to him who had learned the vileness224 and hypocrisy225 that lay beneath seeming outward loveliness? With a shrug226 of disdain227 he raised her higher on the cushions.
And at last she stirred, the long, dark lashes228 that lay like a dusky fringe on her pale cheek fluttering tremulously. And, as he bent over her, two deep blue eyes looked suddenly into his, blankly at first, then with quick apprehension that in turn gave place to dawning recognition.
The colour crept back slowly into her face and with a whispered enquiry she struggled to sit up. But he pressed her back, slipping another cushion under her head. “Lie still for a little while,” he said slowly, “you fainted. I had to bring you to my camp. You are quite safe.”
The curious trust she had shown earlier was manifested again for she obeyed him without protest, her rigid limbs relaxing against the soft cushions. But the colour in her cheeks deepened as she glanced wonderingly about the room and then at her own disordered appearance.
“I’ve never fainted before in my life,” she murmured, “I’m sorry to have been so stupid—to have given so much trouble.” Then, all at once, her lips quivered and with a sharp, dry sob179 she flung her arm across her face. But the natural outburst of womanly weeping that Carew expected did not follow, only, watching her, he saw from time to time spasms230 of terrible shuddering shake her from head to foot.
The coffee that Hosein brought a few minutes later steadied her, and when Carew turned to her again after giving his servant further orders she staggered unsteadily to her feet with a half shy, half nervous glance about the tent.
“You have been very kind—I don’t know how to thank you,” she said hurriedly, “but I can’t trespass231 on your hospitality any longer. I—my husband—oh, I must get back—if—if you could lend me a horse—” But even as she spoke she swayed giddily and caught at the divan for support. Carew looked at her narrowly. “When did you eat last?” he asked abruptly, ignoring her request. Her eyes closed wearily. “I don’t know,” she faltered232, “this morning, I think. A cup of coffee—before I left home. Oh, it seems ten years ago!” she burst out shuddering.
It was a simple explanation of her exhaustion that had already occurred to him, and for which he had provided. Want of food, combined with reaction following a nerve-racking experience—small wonder she had collapsed, he reflected.
“Algiers is thirty miles away,” he explained gravely, “you are not fit to ride now. You must eat, and rest for a few hours before you attempt to return.”
But she shook her head vehemently233. “I couldn’t eat,” she panted, a desperate urgency in her voice, “I couldn’t rest, I mustn’t rest. I’ve got to get back home. Oh, you don’t understand—but I must get back to Algiers.” She was shaking with nervousness but Carew felt instinctively that it was not of him she was afraid. And consequently who or what inspired her fear was no business of his, though as he watched her restlessly twisting the golden circlet that gleamed so incongruously on her slim, boyish hand he made a shrewd guess at the cause of her agitation. But that was her affair. He was concerned only with the need of the moment.
“Be reasonable, Madame,” he said sharply, “I do not keep you to amuse myself, but because you are not in a fit state at the moment to ride thirty miles. Eat what my servant is bringing, rest for a couple of hours, and then I will take you back to Algiers. If your—your friends are anxious about you they must be anxious for a few hours longer.”
He spoke almost brutally and though she flinched234 from his tone she seemed to realise the necessity of submitting to his decision. But her distress was still obvious and he could see that she was fighting hard to maintain the restraint she imposed upon herself. And grudgingly235 he conceded admiration236 he was loath41 to accord. Usually courage of any kind appealed to him, but, morbidly237 prejudiced, he was irritated now by the unexpected moral courage she displayed. He did not want to admit it, did not want to be forced to admire where he preferred to condemn238, and he turned away with a sudden rush of unreasonable239 anger. The entrance of Hosein with the food he had ordered put a period to an awkward silence. And when the man withdrew, Carew followed him out under the awning229 leaving the girl alone, for it seemed to him that his presence must be as distasteful to her as her own was to him. He detained the Arab for a few moments to explain his further requirements, and then subsided240 into the deck chair with a stifled241 yawn. Like Suliman, he had already put in a hard day’s work and there were still thirty miles to ride before sunrise. But he was used to turning night into day and inured242 to fatigue, and it was mental rather than physical weariness that made him relax in his chair with a heavy sigh. In spite of his efforts to control his thoughts, his mind was in a ferment243, and brain and body alike were in a state of nervous tension that sapped his strength and left him at the mercy of an overwhelming tide of long forgotten emotions. The strain of the meeting with Micky Meredith had weakened him for the further developments of the evening. He could still feel the soft weight of the girl’s limp body in his arms, he brushed his hand across his face as though the thick strand of hair was again smothering244 him with its soft fragrance. Angry with himself, angry with her, he tried to forget her—and found himself suddenly wondering who she was. Good Lord, as if it mattered! Cursing under his breath he pitched his cigarette away and went back into the tent.
The girl met his glance with a shy smile. “I was hungry, after all,” she said, pointing to the empty tray, “and I’m so sleepy I can hardly keep my eyes open.”
But determined245 to go no further than bare courtesy demanded he vouchsafed only a brief nod to her tentative advance and led the way to the inner room. She paused on the threshold, looking curiously246 at the little sleeping apartment, then turned to him with a swift imploring247 glance. “You won’t let me sleep too long?”
For a moment Carew’s gloomy eyes looked deeply into the troubled depths of the blue ones fixed so earnestly on his, then: “The horses will be ready in two hours,” he said curtly248, and dropped the portiere into place. For some time he paced the big tent restlessly, a prey249 to violent agitation. He swore at himself angrily. What in God’s name was the matter with him! Why did his thoughts, despite himself, keep turning to the woman in the adjoining room? Woman! She was only a girl, little more than a child in spite of the wedding ring that seemed to lie so uneasily on her slim finger. Any woman or child, what did she matter to him. Once safely back in Algiers she could go to the devil for all he cared.
Swinging on his heel he crossed the room and taking a medical book from a small case by the door, flung himself on the divan to read until the waiting time was over.
He was still reading when Hosein came back two hours later.
Laying the book aside with no particular haste he took a white burnous his servant tendered him and went slowly towards the inner room, scowling250 with annoyance and disinclination. Yet somebody had to wake the girl and he could hardly relegate251 the job to Hosein. He swept the curtains aside with an impatient jerk. She was still asleep, lying in an attitude of unconscious grace, her face hidden in the mass of tangled252 curls spread over the pillow. And from her his frowning gaze went swiftly round the room as if the alien presence made him see it with new eyes. His stern lips set more rigidly253 as he touched her shoulder. She woke with a start and leaped to her feet with a sharp cry that changed quickly to a nervous little laugh of embarrassment. “I was dreaming—I—is it time?” she stammered254, stifling255 a yawn and blinking like a sleepy child. Sparing of speech he held out the white cloak. “The night is cool,” he said briefly256, and turned away too quickly to notice the vivid blush that suffused257 her face.
At the door of the tent, under the awning, he found Hosein, who was to accompany them, waiting for him and together they watched the three black horses Carew had selected for the journey being walked to and fro in the moonlight by the grooms.
And in an incredibly short space of time the girl joined them. The enveloping258 burnous was clasped securely, hiding her tattered clothing, and she seemed to have regained259 her self-possession for she was quite at ease and looked about with eager curiosity at the scattered260 camp, and then with even greater interest at the waiting horses. The stallion Carew was to ride was almost unapproachable, wild-eyed and savage90, held with difficulty by the two men who clung to his head. But the mount he had chosen for his unwelcome guest was a steadier, friendly beast that nozzled her inquisitively261 as she went to him. She caught at his velvety262 nose with a little cry of delight, “Oh, what a darling!” and rubbed her cheek against his muzzle263, crooning to him softly. Then before Carew could aid her she was in the saddle, backing to make room for the screaming fury that was demonstrating his own reluctance264 to be mounted by every device known to his equine intelligence. But his rage was futile265 and Carew was up in a flash. And for five minutes Marny Geradine, who had ridden from babyhood, watched with breathless interest the sharpest tussle266 she had ever seen between a horse and its rider, and marvelled267 at the infinite patience of the man who sat the plunging, frenzied brute268 like a centaur269, handling him perfectly270 without exhibiting the smallest trace of annoyance. His methods were not the cruel ones which, for five miserable271 years, she had been compelled to witness, she thought with sudden bitterness. And yet this man was an Arab in whom cruelty might be excused.
Then as Carew wheeled alongside of her she put away the painful thoughts that had risen in her mind and gave herself up to the delights of this strange ride with this equally strange companion.
It was all like a dream, fantastic and unreal, but a dream that gave her more happiness than she had known for years. The swift gallop through the night, the cool wind blowing against her face, the easy movements of the horse between her knees, were all sheer joy to her. She had no wish to talk, even if the taciturn manner of the man beside her had not made speech difficult. She wanted nothing but the pleasure of the moment, the beauty of the moonlit scene and the charm of the wonderful solitude. For her Algeria had been Algiers, she had not been asked to accompany her husband on his occasional shooting expeditions, and she had wearied of the town and its immediate surroundings. She had longed to go further afield, to get right out into the desert, but she had been given no opportunity and she had long since learned to suppress inclinations272 that were ridiculed273 and never gratified. She craved274 for open spaces and the lonely places of the earth, and she had been chained to towns or crowded country houses and forced into a company whose society nauseated275 her; she had dreamt of nights like this, of the silence and peace of the wilderness276, of solitary277 camps where she would sleep in happy dreamlessness under the radiant stars—and the nights that were her portion had been her chiefest torment278. But this one night she could revel279 in her dream come true and rejoice in the freedom that might never again be hers. That she might have to pay, and perhaps pay hideously280, for what had occurred did not matter, almost she did not care. She had suffered so much already that further suffering seemed almost inevitable281 and she would not spoil the rare joy of this wonderful ride by anticipating trouble. But even as she argued bravely with herself, she blanched282 at the possible consequences of the terrible adventure that had been no fault of her own. If when she reached the villa at Mustapha, Clyde had already returned! She clenched120 her teeth on her quivering lip. He had gone for a fortnight’s shooting and the fortnight would be up tomorrow—today, she remembered with a sudden glance of apprehension at the sky, where the pinky flush of dawn was already showing. He might be back now! And if he were—what would her punishment be, what would she have to endure from one who knew his strength and used it brutally, who was cruel and merciless by nature as if he, too, were an Arab. Her mind leapt to the man who had abducted283 her. When, at the close of an appalling284 day, she had been brought to the hut in the deserted village, when she had finally realised the sinister purpose intended against her, the ghastly fear that had come to her, the paralysing sense of helplessness she had felt as she struggled against the crushing arms that held her, the horror of the relentless285 face thrust close to hers quivering with lust286 and desire, was no new thing. So did Clyde look at her, so did she shrink and sicken when he touched her. Were all men alike—sensual brutes287 with no consideration or pity? One, at least, had shown himself to be different—and he was an Arab! She turned and looked at him curiously. By the light of the brilliant moon she studied the lean, tanned face, wondering at its grave austerity. And as her gaze lingered on the white seam of an old scar that ran diagonally across his cheek above the curve of his square-cut jaw288, she remembered suddenly that the stern, sombre eyes that had looked into hers were blue. Were there, then, blue-eyed Arabs, as there were blue-eyed Afghans? Who was he? A personage of importance, obviously—the rich appointments of the camp to which he had taken her, proved it. The embroidered289 cloth burnous, the wide silk scarf swathed about the haick that shaded his face, the scarlet290 leather boots he wore was the dress of a Chief. One of the wealthy Sheiks from the far south, perhaps, coming into Algiers for the Governor’s annual ball. Whoever he was, he had saved her honour, had saved her from worse than death. And a sudden inexplicable291 desire came to her to explain to this strange, taciturn Arab the situation in which he had found her. She swung her horse nearer. “I oughtn’t to have ridden alone,” she began jerkily. “I know that, but I was quite close to Algiers—it seemed safe enough—and I had a reason for what I did. One has to—be alone—sometimes. I didn’t think there could be any danger. It all happened so suddenly—” she broke off, chilled with his silence, wondering how she had found courage to speak to him at all, for his frigid292 manner did not invite confidence. And his brief answer did not tend to put her more at ease.
“It is always dangerous for a woman to ride alone in Algeria,” he said gravely. It was his tone rather than the actual words that sent the hot blood rushing to her face and reduced her to a silence that lasted until they sighted the outskirts of Algiers. The dawn was brightening, already the stars were paling and dying, one by one, and the red glow of the rising sun was warming in the east.
With a sign to Hosein, Carew drew rein. “My servant will attend you, Madame. I can go no further,” he said, abruptly, his eyes fixed on the distant city. She sat for a moment without answering, then she looked up quickly, her lips quivering, uncontrollably. “I don’t know what to say—how to thank you—” He cut her short almost rudely. “I need no thanks, Madame. Put the one deed against the other—and do not judge the Arabs too harshly. They are as other men—no better, and perhaps no worse.” She shook her head with a tremulous little smile, and for a time she seemed to be struggling with herself. Then she flung her hand out with an odd gesture of appeal. “If you won’t let me thank you, will you let me be still further in your debt?” she said, unsteadily.
“As how?”
“The horse I rode,” she faltered, “I—I——my husband values him. Can you help me get him back—and soon?”
Surprised that she should seek his aid in what was clearly a police matter, Carew glanced at her with a gathering frown, but what he saw in her eyes made him look away quickly.
“You shall have your horse, Madame. I pledge you my word,” he said, shortly. A look of curious relief swept over her tense face.
“Then I shan’t worry about him—any more,” she said, with a shaky laugh. And reigning293 her horse nearer, again she held out her hand. “Won’t you tell me your name? I should like to know it, to remember it in—in—” she choked back a rising sob. “Please,” she whispered.
He turned to her slowly, his eyes almost black in their sombre intensity. “I have many names,” he replied, unwillingly294, as though he were forcing himself to speak.
“Then tell me one,” she pleaded, wistfully.
Still he hesitated, his square chin thrust out obstinately295.
“I am called—El Hakim,” he said at last, reluctantly. And touching his forehead in a perfunctory salaam, he wheeled his impatient horse and spurred him into a headlong gallop.
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收听单词发音
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1
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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heterogeneous
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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8
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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flaring
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| a.火焰摇曳的，过份艳丽的 | |
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10
garishness
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| n.鲜艳夺目，炫耀 | |
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thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
cosmopolitan
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| adj.世界性的，全世界的，四海为家的，全球的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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14
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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15
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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16
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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jibes
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| n.与…一致( jibe的名词复数 )；（与…）相符；相匹配v.与…一致( jibe的第三人称单数 )；（与…）相符；相匹配 | |
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19
blatant
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| adj.厚颜无耻的；显眼的；炫耀的 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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21
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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23
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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caressingly
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| 爱抚地，亲切地 | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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28
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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29
advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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30
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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38
embittered
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| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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40
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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41
loath
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| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
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42
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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43
pinnacled
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| 小尖塔般耸立的，顶处的 | |
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44
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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45
cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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46
misogynist
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| n.厌恶女人的人 | |
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47
disillusion
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| vt.使不再抱幻想，使理想破灭 | |
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48
bereavement
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| n.亲人丧亡，丧失亲人，丧亲之痛 | |
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49
yearned
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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51
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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52
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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53
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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54
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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55
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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56
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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57
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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58
reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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59
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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60
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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61
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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62
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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63
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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64
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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65
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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67
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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68
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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69
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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70
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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71
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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72
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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73
swerve
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| v.突然转向，背离；n．转向，弯曲，背离 | |
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74
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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75
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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76
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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77
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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78
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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79
weirdly
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| 古怪地 | |
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80
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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81
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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82
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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83
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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84
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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85
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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86
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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87
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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88
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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89
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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90
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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91
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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92
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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93
crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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94
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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95
wrestled
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| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
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96
sinewy
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| adj.多腱的，强壮有力的 | |
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97
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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98
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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99
tinkle
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| vi.叮当作响；n.叮当声 | |
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100
hemming
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| 卷边 | |
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101
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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102
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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103
shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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104
grunts
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的第三人称单数 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说； 石鲈 | |
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105
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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106
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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107
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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108
pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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109
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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110
nausea
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| n.作呕，恶心；极端的憎恶(或厌恶) | |
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111
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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112
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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113
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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114
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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115
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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116
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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117
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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119
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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120
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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121
clattered
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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122
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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123
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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124
antagonism
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| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
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125
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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126
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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127
chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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128
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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129
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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130
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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131
clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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132
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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133
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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134
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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135
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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136
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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137
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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138
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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139
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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140
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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141
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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142
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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143
condone
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| v.宽恕；原谅 | |
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144
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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145
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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146
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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147
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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148
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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149
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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150
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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151
reprieve
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| n.暂缓执行（死刑）；v.缓期执行；给…带来缓解 | |
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152
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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153
whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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154
cringing
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| adj.谄媚，奉承 | |
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155
salaam
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| n.额手之礼，问安，敬礼；v.行额手礼 | |
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156
deigns
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的第三人称单数 ) | |
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157
glib
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| adj.圆滑的，油嘴滑舌的 | |
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158
hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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159
irresolutely
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| adv.优柔寡断地 | |
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160
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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161
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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162
pointedly
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| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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163
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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164
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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165
civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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166
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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167
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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168
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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169
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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170
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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171
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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172
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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173
impartiality
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| n. 公平, 无私, 不偏 | |
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174
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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175
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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176
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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177
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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178
exuberance
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| n.丰富；繁荣 | |
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179
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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180
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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181
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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182
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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183
taut
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| adj.拉紧的，绷紧的，紧张的 | |
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184
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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185
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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186
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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187
strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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188
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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189
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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190
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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191
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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192
constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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193
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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194
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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195
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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196
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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197
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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198
thighs
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| n.股，大腿( thigh的名词复数 )；食用的鸡（等的）腿 | |
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199
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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200
obtruded
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| v.强行向前，强行，强迫( obtrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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201
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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202
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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203
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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204
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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205
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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206
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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207
pitfalls
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| （捕猎野兽用的）陷阱( pitfall的名词复数 )； 意想不到的困难，易犯的错误 | |
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208
grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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209
spurt
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| v.喷出；突然进发；突然兴隆 | |
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210
evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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211
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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212
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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213
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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214
unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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215
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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216
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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217
divan
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| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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218
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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219
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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220
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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221
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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222
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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223
lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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224
vileness
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| n.讨厌，卑劣 | |
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225
hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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226
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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227
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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228
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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229
awning
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| n.遮阳篷；雨篷 | |
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230
spasms
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| n.痉挛( spasm的名词复数 )；抽搐；（能量、行为等的）突发；发作 | |
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231
trespass
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| n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地 | |
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232
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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233
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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234
flinched
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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235
grudgingly
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236
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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237
morbidly
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| adv.病态地 | |
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238
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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239
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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240
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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241
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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242
inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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243
ferment
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| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
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244
smothering
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的现在分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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245
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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246
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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247
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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248
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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249
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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250
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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251
relegate
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| v.使降级，流放，移交，委任 | |
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252
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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253
rigidly
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| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
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254
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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255
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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256
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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257
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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258
enveloping
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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259
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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260
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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261
inquisitively
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| 过分好奇地； 好问地 | |
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262
velvety
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| adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的 | |
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263
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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264
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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265
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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266
tussle
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| n.&v.扭打，搏斗，争辩 | |
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267
marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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268
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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269
centaur
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| n.人首马身的怪物 | |
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270
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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271
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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272
inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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273
ridiculed
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| v.嘲笑，嘲弄，奚落( ridicule的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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274
craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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275
nauseated
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| adj.作呕的，厌恶的v.使恶心，作呕( nauseate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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276
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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277
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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278
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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279
revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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280
hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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281
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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282
blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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283
abducted
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| 劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展 | |
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284
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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285
relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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286
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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287
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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288
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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289
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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290
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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291
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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292
frigid
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| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
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293
reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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294
unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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295
obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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