There was in Moscow a society of rich gamesters, presided over by the celebrated8 Chekalinsky, who had passed all his life at the card-table and had amassed9 millions, accepting bills of exchange for his winnings and paying is losses in ready money. His long experience secured for him the confidence of his companions, and his open house, his famous cook, and his agreeable and fascinating manners gained for him the respect of the public. He came to St. Petersburg. The young men of the capital flocked to his rooms, forgetting balls for cards, and preferring the emotions of faro to the seductions of flirting10. Naroumoff conducted Hermann to Chekalinsky's residence.
They passed through a suite11 of magnificent rooms, filled with attentive12 domestics. The place was crowded. Generals and Privy13 Counsellors were playing at whist; young men were lolling carelessly upon the velvet-covered sofas, eating ices and smoking pipes. In the drawing-room, at the head of a long table, around which were assembled about a score of players, sat the master of the house keeping the bank. He was a man of about sixty years of age, of a very dignified14 appearance; his head was covered with silvery-white hair; his full, florid countenance15 expressed good-nature, and his eyes twinkled with a perpetual smile. Naroumoff introduced Hermann to him. Chekalinsky shook him by the hand in a friendly manner, requested him not to stand on ceremony, and then went on dealing16.
The game occupied some time. On the table lay more, than thirty cards. Chekalinsky paused after each throw, in order to give the players time to arrange their cards and note down their losses, listened politely to their requests, and more politely still, put straight the corners of cards that some player's hand had chanced to bend. At last the game was finished. Chekalinsky shuffled17 the cards and prepared to deal again.
"Will you allow me to take a card?" said Hermann, stretching out his hand from behind a stout gentleman who was punting.
Chekalinsky smiled and bowed silently, as a sign of acquiescence18. Naroumoff laughingly congratulated Hermann on his abjuration19 of that abstention from cards which he had practised for so long a period, and wished him a lucky beginning.
"Stake!" said Hermann, writing some figures with chalk on the back of his card.
"How much?" asked the banker, contracting the muscles of his eyes; "excuse me, I cannot see quite clearly."
"Forty-seven thousand roubles," replied Hermann.
At these words every head in the room turned suddenly round, and all eyes were fixed upon Hermann.
"He has taken leave of his senses!" thought Naroumoff.
"Allow me to inform you," said Chekalinsky, with his eternal smile, "that you are playing very high; nobody here has ever staked more than two hundred and seventy-five roubles at once."
"Very well," replied Hermann; "but do you accept my card or not?"
Chekalinsky bowed in token of consent.
"I only wish to observe," said he, "that although I have the greatest confidence in my friends, I can only play against ready money. For my own part, I am quite convinced that your word is sufficient, but for the sake of the order of the game, and to facilitate the reckoning up, I must ask you to put the money on your card."
Hermann drew from his pocket a bank-note and handed it to Chekalinsky, who, after examining it in a cursory22 manner, placed it on Hermann's card.
He began to deal. On the right a nine turned up, and on the left a three.
"I have won!" said Hermann, showing his card.
A murmur23 of astonishment24 arose among the players. Chekalinsky frowned, but the smile quickly returned to his face.
"Do you wish me to settle with you?" he said to Hermann.
"If you please," replied the latter.
Chekalinsky drew from his pocket a number of banknotes and paid at once. Hermann took up his money and left the table. Naroumoff could not recover from his astonishment. Hermann drank a glass of lemonade and returned home.
The next evening he again repaired to Chekalinsky's. The host was dealing. Hermann walked up to the table; the punters immediately made room for him. Chekalinsky greeted him with a gracious bow.
Hermann waited for the next deal, took a card and placed upon it his forty-seven thousand roubles, together with his winnings of the previous evening.
Hermann showed his seven.
There was a general exclamation26. Chekalinsky was evidently ill at ease, but he counted out the ninety-four thousand roubles and handed them over to Hermann, who pocketed them in the coolest manner possible and immediately left the house.
The next evening Hermann appeared again at the table. Everyone was expecting him. The generals and Privy Counsellors left their whist in order to watch such extraordinary play. The young officers quitted their sofas, and even the servants crowded into the room. All pressed round Hermann. The other players left off punting, impatient to see how it would end. Hermann stood at the table and prepared to play alone against the pale, but still smiling Chekalinsky. Each opened a pack of cards. Chekalinsky shuffled. Hermann took a card and covered it with a pile of bank-notes. It was like a duel27. Deep silence reigned28 around.
Chekalinsky began to deal; his hands trembled. On the right a queen turned up, and on the left an ace. "Ace has won!" cried Hermann, showing his card.
"Your queen has lost," said Chekalinsky, politely.
Hermann started; instead of an ace, there lay before him the queen of spades! He could not believe his eyes, nor could he understand how he had made such a mistake.
At that moment it seemed to him that the queen of spades smiled ironically and winked29 her eye at him. He was struck by her remarkable30 resemblance....
"The old Countess!" he exclaimed, seized with terror.
Chekalinsky gathered up his winnings. For some time, Hermann remained perfectly31 motionless. When at last he left the table, there was a general commotion32 in the room.
"Splendidly punted!" said the players. Chekalinsky shuffled the cards afresh, and the game went on as usual.
Hermann went out 01 ms mind, and is now confined in room Number 17 of the Oboukhoff Hospital. He never answers any questions, but he constantly mutters with unusual rapidity: "Three, seven, ace! Three, seven, queen!"
Lizaveta Ivanovna has married a very amiable33 young man, a son of the former steward34 of the old Countess. He is in the service of the State somewhere, and is in receipt of a good income. Lizaveta is also supporting a poor relative.
Tomsky has been promoted to the rank of captain, and has become the husband of the Princess Pauline.
AN AMATEUR PEASANT GIRL.
In one of our most distant governments was situated35 the domain36 of Ivan Petrovitch Berestoff. In his youth he had served in the Guards, but having quitted the service at the beginning of the year 1797, he repaired to his estate, and since that time he had not stirred away from it. He had married a poor but noble lady, who died in child-bed at a time when he was absent from home on a visit to one of the outlying fields of his domain. He soon found consolation37 in domestic occupations. He built a house on a plan of his own, established a cloth manufactory, made good use of his revenues, and began to consider himself the most sensible man in the whole country roundabout, and in this he was not contradicted by those of his neighbours who came to visit him with their families and their dogs. On week-days he wore a plush jacket, but on Sundays and holidays he appeared in a surtout of cloth that had been manufactured on his own premises38. He himself kept an account of all his expenses, and he never read anything except the "Senate Gazette."
In general he was liked, although he was considered proud. There was only one person who was not on good terms with him, and that was Gregory Ivanovitch Mouromsky, his nearest neighbour. This latter was a genuine Russian noble of the old stamp. After having squandered40 in Moscow the greater part of his fortune, and having become a widower41 about the same time, he retired42 to his last remaining estate, where he continued to indulge in habits of extravagance, but of a new kind. He laid out an English garden, on which he expended43 nearly the whole of his remaining revenue. His grooms44 were dressed like English jockeys, his daughter had an English governess, and his fields were cultivated after the English method.
"But after the foreign manner Russian corn does not bear fruit," and in spite of a considerable reduction in his expenses, the revenues of Gregory Ivanovitch did not increase. He found means, even in the country, of contracting new debts. Nevertheless he was not considered a fool, for he was the first landowner in his government who conceived the idea of placing his estate under the safeguard of a council of tutelage—a proceeding45 which at that time was considered exceedingly complicated and venturesome. Of all those who censured46 him, Berestoff showed himself the most severe. Hatred48 of all innovation was a distinguishing trait in his character. He could not bring himself to speak calmly of the Anglomania of his neighbour, and he constantly found occasion to criticise49 him. If he showed his possessions to a guest, in reply to the praises bestowed50 upon him for his economical arrangements, he would say with a sly smile:—
"Ah yes, it is not the same with me as with my neighbour Gregory Ivanovitch. What need have we to ruin ourselves in the English style, when we have enough to do to keep the wolf from the door in the Russian style?"
These, and similar sarcastic51 remarks, thanks to the zeal52 of obliging neighbours, did not fail to reach the ears of Gregory Ivanovitch greatly embellished53. The Anglomaniac bore criticism as impatiently as our journalists. He became furious, and called his traducer54 a bear and a countryman.
Such were the relations between the two proprietors56, when the son of Berestoff returned home to his father's estate. He had been educated at the University of ——, and was anxious to enter the military service, but to this his father would not give his consent. For the civil service the young man had not the slightest inclination57, and as neither felt inclined to yield to the other, the young Alexei lived in; the meantime like a nobleman, and allowed his moustache to grow at all events.[1]
Alexei was indeed a fine young fellow, and it would really have been a pity were his slender figure never to be set off to advantage by a military uniform, and were he to be compelled to spend his youth in bending over the papers of the chancery office, instead of bestriding a gallant58 steed. The neighbours, observing how he was always first in the chase, and always out of the beaten tracks, unanimously agreed I, that he would never make a useful official. The young ladies gazed after him, and sometimes cast stolen glances at him, but Alexei troubled himself very little about them, and they attributed this insensibility to some secret love affair. Indeed, there passed from hand to hand a copy of the address of one of his letters: "To Akoulina Petrovna Kourotchkin, in Moscow, opposite the Alexeivsky Monastery59, in the house of the coppersmith Saveleff, with the request that she will forward this letter to A. N. R."
Those of my readers who have never lived in the country, cannot imagine how charming these provincial61 young ladies are! Brought up in the pure air, under the shadow of the apple trees of their gardens, they derive62 their knowledge of the world and of life chiefly from books. Solitude63, freedom, and reading develop very early within them sentiments and passions unknown to our town-bred beauties. For the young ladies of the country the sound of the post-bell is an event; a journey to the nearest town marks an epoch64 in their lives, and the visit of a guest leaves behind a long, and sometimes an eternal recollection. Of course everybody is at liberty to laugh at some of their peculiarities65, but the jokes of a superficial observer cannot nullify their essential merits, the chief of which is that personality of character, that individualité without which, in Jean Paul's opinion, there can be no human greatness. In the capitals, women receive perhaps a better instruction, but intercourse66 with the world soon levels the character and makes their souls as uniform as their head-dresses. This is said neither by way of praise nor yet by way of censure47, but "nota nostra manet," as one of the old commentators67 writes.
It can easily be imagined what impression Alexei would produce among the circle of our young ladies. He was the first who appeared before them gloomy and disenchanted, the first who spoke69 to them of lost happiness and of his blighted70 youth; in addition to which he wore a mourning ring engraved71 with a death's head. All this was something quite new in that distant government. The young ladies simply went, out of their minds about him.
But not one of them felt so much interest in him as the daughter of our Anglomaniac Liza, or Betsy, as Gregory Ivanovitch usually called her. As their parents did not visit each other, she had not yet seen Alexei, even when he had become the sole topic of conversation among all the young ladies of the neighbourhood. She was seventeen years of age. Dark eyes illuminated72 her swarthy and exceedingly pleasant countenance. She was an only child, and consequently she was perfectly spoiled. Her wantonness and continual pranks73 delighted her father and filled with despair the heart of Miss Jackson, her governess, an affected75 old maid of forty, who powdered her face and darkened her eyebrows76, read through "Pamela"[2] twice a year, for which she received two thousand roubles, and felt almost bored to death in this barbarous Russia of ours.
Liza was waited upon by Nastia, who, although somewhat older, was quite as giddy as her mistress. Liza was very fond of her, revealed to her all her secrets, and planned pranks together with her; in a word, Nastia was a far more important person in the village of Priloutchina, than the trusted confidante in a French tragedy.
"Will you allow me to go out to-day on a visit?" said Nastia one morning, as she was dressing77 her mistress.
"Very well; but where are you going to?"
"To Tougilovo, to the Berestoffs. The wife of their cook is going to celebrate her name-day to-day, and she came over yesterday to invite us to dinner."
"That's curious," said Liza: "the masters are at daggers78 drawn79, but the servants fête each other."
"What have the masters to do with us?" replied Nastia. "Besides, I belong to you, and not to your papa. You have not had any quarrel with young Berestoff; let the old ones quarrel and fight, if it gives them any pleasure."
"Try and see Alexei Berestoff, Nastia, and then tell me what he looks like and what sort of a person he is."
Nastia promised to do so, and all day long Liza waited with impatience80 for her return. In the evening Nastia made her appearance.
"Well, Lizaveta Gregorievna," said she, on entering the room, "I have seen young Berestoff, and I had ample opportunity for taking a good look at him, for we have been together all day."
"How did that happen? Tell me about it, tell me everything about it."
"Very well. We set out, I, Anissia Egorovna, Nenila, Dounka...."
"Yes, yes, I know. And then?"
"With your leave, I will tell you everything in detail. We arrived just in time for dinner. The room was full of people. The Kolbinskys were there, as well as the Zakharevskys, the Khloupinskys, the bailiff's wife and her daughters...."
"Well, and Berestoff?"
"Wait a moment. We sat down to table; the bailiff's wife had the place of honour. I sat next to her ... the daughters pouted81 and didn't like it, but I didn't care about them...."
"How impatient you are! Well, we rose from the table we had been sitting down for three hours, and the dinner was excellent: pastry83, blanc-manges, blue, red and striped.... Well, we left the table and went into the garden to have a game at catching84 one another, and it was then that the young lord made his appearance."
"Well, and is it true that he is so very handsome?"
"Exceedingly handsome: tall, well-built, and with red cheeks...."
"Really? And I was under the impression that he was fair. Well, and how did he seem to you? Sad, thoughtful?"
"Nothing of the kind! I have never in my life seen such a frolicsome85 person. He wanted to join in the game with us."
"Join in the game with you? Impossible!"
"Not all impossible. And what else do you think he wanted to do? To kiss us all round!"
"With your permission, Nastia, you are talking nonsense."
"With your permission, I am not talking nonsense. I had the greatest trouble in the world to get away from him, He spent the whole day along with us."
"But they say that he is in love, and hasn't eyes for anybody."
"I don't know anything about that, but I know that he looked at me a good deal, and so he did at Tania, the bailiff's daughter, and at Pasha[3] Kolbinsky also. But it cannot be said that he offended anybody—he is so very agreeable."
"That is extraordinary! And what do they say about him in the house?"
"They say that he is an excellent master—so kind, so cheerful. They have only one fault to find with him: he is too fond of running after the young girls. But for my part, I don't think that is a very great fault: he will grow steady with age."
"How I should like to see him!" said Liza, with a sigh.
"What is there to hinder you from doing so? Tougilovo is not far from us—only about three versts. Go and take a walk in that direction, or a ride on horseback, and you will assuredly meet him. He goes out early every morning with his gun."
"No, no, that would not do. He might think that I was running after him. Besides, our fathers are not on good terms, so that I cannot make his acquaintance.... Ah! Nastia, do you know what I'll do? I will dress myself up as a peasant girl!"
"Exactly! Put on a coarse chemise and a sarafan, and then go boldly to Tougilovo; I will answer for it that Berestoff will not pass by without taking notice of you."
"And I know how to imitate the style of speech of the peasants about here. Ah, Nastia! my dear Nastia! what an excellent idea!"
And Liza went to bed, firmly resolved on putting her plan into execution.
The next morning she began to prepare for the accomplishment86 of her scheme. She sent to the bazaar87 and bought some coarse linen88, some blue nankeen and some copper60 buttons, and with the help of Nastia she cut out for herself a chemise and sarafan. She then set all the female servants to work to do the necessary sewing, so that by the evening everything was ready. Liza tried on the new costume, and as she stood before the mirror, she confessed to herself that she had never looked so charming. Then she practised her part. As she walked she made a low bow, and then tossed her head several times, after the manner of a china cat, spoke in the peasants' dialect, smiled behind her sleeve, and did everything to Nastia's complete satisfaction. One thing only proved irksome to her: she tried to walk barefooted across the courtyard, but the turf pricked89 her tender feet, and she found the stones and gravel90 unbearable91. Nastia immediately came to her assistance. She took the measurement of Liza's foot, ran to the fields to find Trophim the shepherd, and ordered him to make a pair of bast shoes of the same measurement.
The next morning, almost before it was dawn, Liza was already awake. Everybody in the house was still asleep. Nastia went to the gate to wait for the shepherd. The sound of a horn was heard, and the village flock defiled92 past the manor-house. Trophim, on passing by Nastia, gave her a small pair of coloured bast shoes, and received from her a half-rouble in exchange. Liza quietly dressed herself in the peasant's costume, whispered her instructions to Nastia with reference to Miss Jackson, descended93 the back staircase and made her way through the garden into the field beyond.
The eastern sky was all aglow94, and the golden lines of clouds seemed to be awaiting the sun, like courtiers await their monarch95. The bright sky, the freshness of the morning, the dew, the light breeze, and the singing of the birds filled the heart of Liza with childish joy. The fear of meeting some acquaintance seemed to give her wings, for she flew rather than walked. But as she approached the wood which formed the boundary of her father's estate, she slackened her pace. Here she resolved to wait for Alexei.
Her heart beat violently, she knew not why; but is not the fear which accompanies our youthful escapades that which constitutes their greatest charm? Liza advanced into the depth of the wood. The deep murmur of the waving branches seemed to welcome the young girl. Her gaiety vanished. Little by little she abandoned herself to sweet reveries. She thought—but who cap say exactly what a young lady of seventeen thinks of, alone in a wood, at six o'clock of a spring morning? And so she walked musingly96 along the pathway, which was shaded on both sides by tall trees, when suddenly a magnificent hunting dog came barking and bounding towards her. Liza became alarmed and cried out. But at the same moment a voice called out: "Tout4 beau, Sbogar, ici!"... and a young hunter emerged from behind a clump97 of bushes.
"Don't be afraid, my dear," said he to Liza: "my dog does not bite."
Liza had already recovered from her alarm, and she immediately took advantage of her opportunity.
"But, sir," said she, assuming a half-frightened, half-bashful expression, "I am so afraid; he looks so fierce—he might fly at me again."
"I will accompany you if you are afraid," said he to her: "will you allow me to walk along with you?"
"Who is to hinder you?" replied Liza. "Wills are free, and the road is open to everybody."
"Where do you come from?"
"From Priloutchina; I am the daughter of Vassili the blacksmith, and I am going to gather mushrooms." (Liza carried a basket on her arm.) "And you, sir? From Tougilovo, I have no doubt."
"Exactly so," replied Alexei: "I am the young master's valet-de-chambre."
Alexei wanted to put himself on an equality with her, but Liza looked at him and began to smile.
"That is a fib," said she: "I am not such a fool as you may think. I see very well that you are the young master himself."
"Why do you think so?"
"I think so for a great many reasons."
"But——"
"As if it were not possible to distinguish the master from the servant! You are not dressed like a servant, you do not speak like one, and you address your dog in a different way to us."
Liza began to please Alexei more and more. As he was not accustomed to standing99 upon ceremony with peasant girls, he wanted to embrace her; but Liza drew back from him, and suddenly assumed such a cold and severe look, that Alexei, although much amused, did not venture to renew the attempt.
"If you wish that we should remain good friends," said she with dignity, "be good enough not to forget yourself."
"Who taught you such wisdom?" asked Alexei, bursting into a laugh. "Can it be my friend Nastenka,[4] the chambermaid to your young mistress? See by what paths enlightenment becomes diffused100!"
Liza felt that she had stepped out of her r?le, and she immediately recovered herself.
"Do you think," said she, "that I have never been to the manor-house? Don't alarm yourself; I have seen and heard a great many things.... But," continued she, "if I talk to you, I shall not gather my mushrooms. Go your way, sir, and I will go mine. Pray excuse me."
And she was about to move off, but Alexei seized hold of her hand.
"What is your name, my dear?"
"Akoulina," replied Liza, endeavouring to disengage her fingers from his grasp: "but let me go, sir; it is time for me to return home."
"Well, my friend Akoulina, I will certainly pay a visit to your father, Vassili the blacksmith."
"What do you say?" replied Liza quickly: "for Heaven's sake, don't think of doing such a thing! If it were known at home that I had been talking to a gentleman alone in the wood, I should fare very badly,—my father, Vassili the blacksmith, would beat me to death."
"But I really must see you again."
"Well, then, I will come here again some time to gather mushrooms."
"When?"
"Well, to-morrow, if you wish it."
"My dear Akoulina, I would kiss you, but I dare not.... To-morrow, then, at the same time, isn't that so?"
"Yes, yes!"
"And you will not deceive me?"
"I will not deceive you."
"Swear it."
"Well, then, I swear by Holy Friday that I will come."
The young people separated. Liza emerged from the wood, crossed the field, stole into the garden and hastened to the place where Nastia awaited her. There she changed her costume, replying absently to the questions of her impatient confidante, and then she repaired to the parlour. The cloth was laid, the breakfast was ready, and Miss Jackson, already powdered and laced up, so that she looked like a wine-glass, was cutting thin slices of bread and butter.
Her father praised her for her early walk.
"There is nothing so healthy," said he, "as getting up at daybreak."
Then he cited several instances of human longevity101, which he had derived102 from the English journals, and observed that all persons who had lived to be upwards103 of a hundred, abstained104 from brandy and rose at daybreak, winter and summer.
Liza did not listen to him. In her thoughts she was going over all the circumstances of the meeting of that morning, all the conversation of Akoulina with the young hunter, and her conscience began to torment105 her. In vain did she try to persuade herself that their conversation had not gone beyond the bounds of propriety106, and that the frolic would be followed by no serious consequences—her conscience spoke louder than her reason. The promise given for the following day troubled her more than anything else, and she almost felt resolved not to keep her solemn oath. But then, might not Alexei, after waiting for her in vain, make his way to the village and search out the daughter of Vassili the blacksmith, the veritable Akoulina—a fat, pockmarked peasant girl—and so discover the prank74 she had played upon him? This thought frightened Liza, and she resolved to repair again to the little wood the next morning in the same disguise as at first.
On his side, Alexei was in an ecstasy107 of delight. All day long he thought of his new acquaintance; and in his dreams at night the form of the dark-skinned beauty appeared before him. The morning had scarcely begun to dawn, when he was already dressed. Without giving himself time to load his gun, he set out for the fields with his faithful Sbogar, and hastened to the place of the promised rendezvous108. A half hour of intolerable waiting passed by; at last he caught a glimpse of a blue sarafan between the bushes, and he rushed forward to meet his charming Akoulina. She smiled at the ecstatic nature of his thanks, but Alexei immediately observed upon her face traces of sadness and uneasiness. He wished to know the cause. Liza confessed to him that her act seemed to her very frivolous109, that she repented111 of it, that this time she did not wish to break her promised word, but that this meeting would be the last, and she therefore entreated112 him to break off an acquaintanceship which could not lead to any good.
All this, of course, was expressed in the language of a peasant; but such thoughts and sentiments, so unusual in a simple girl of the lower class, struck Alexei with astonishment. He employed all his eloquence113 to divert Akoulina from her purpose; he assured her that his intentions were honourable114, promised her that he would never give her cause to repent110, that he would obey her in everything, and earnestly entreated her not to deprive him of the joy of seeing her alone, if only once a day, or even only twice a week. He spoke the language of true passion, and at that moment he was really in love. Liza listened to him in silence.
"Give me your word," said she at last, "that you will never come to the village in search of me, and that you will never seek a meeting with me except those that I shall appoint myself."
Alexei swore by Holy Friday, but she stopped him with a smile.
After that they began to converse116 together in a friendly manner, strolling about the wood, until Liza said to him:
"It is time for me to return home."
They separated, and when Alexei was left alone, he could not understand how, in two interviews, a simple peasant girl had succeeded in acquiring such influence over him. His relations with Akoulina had for him all the charm of novelty, and although the injunctions of the strange young girl appeared to him to be very severe, the thought of breaking his word never once entered his mind. The fact was that Alexei, in spite of his fatal ring, his mysterious correspondence and his gloomy disenchantment, was a good and impulsive117 young fellow, with a pure heart capable of enjoying the pleasures of innocence118.
Were I to listen to my own wishes only, I would here enter into a minute description of the interviews of the young people, of their growing passion for each other, their confidences, occupations and conversations; but I know that the greater part of my readers would not share my satisfaction. Such details are usually considered tedious and uninteresting, and therefore I will omit them, merely observing, that before two months had elapsed, Alexei was already hopelessly in love, and Liza equally so, though less demonstrative in revealing the fact. Both were happy in the present and troubled themselves little about the future.
The thought of indissoluble ties frequently passed through their minds, but never had they spoken to each other about the matter. The reason was plain: Alexei, however much attached he might be to his lovely Akoulina, could not forget the distance that separated him from the poor peasant girl; while Liza, knowing the hatred that existed between their parents, did not dare to hope for a mutual119 reconciliation120. Moreover, her self-love was stimulated121 in secret by the obscure and romantic hope of seeing at last the proprietor55 of Tougilovo at the feet of the blacksmith's daughter of Priloutchina. All at once an important event occurred which threatened to interrupt their mutual relations.
One bright cold morning—such a morning as is very common during our Russian autumn—Ivan Petrovitch Berestoff went out for a ride on horseback, taking with him three pairs of hunting dogs, a gamekeeper and several stable-boys with clappers. At the same time, Gregory Ivanovitch Mouromsky, seduced122 by the beautiful weather, ordered his bob-tailed mare123 to be saddled, and started out to visit his domains124 cultivated in the English style. On approaching the wood, he perceived his neighbour, sitting proudly on his horse, in his cloak lined with fox-skin, waiting for a hare which his followers125, with loud cries and the rattling126 of their clappers, had started out of a thicket127. If Gregory Ivanovitch had foreseen this meeting, he would certainly have proceeded in another direction, but he came upon Berestoff so unexpectedly, that he suddenly found himself no farther than the distance of a pistol-shot away from him. There was no help for it: Mouromsky, like a civilized128 European, rode forward towards his adversary129 and politely saluted130 him. Berestoff returned the salute131 with the characteristic grace of a chained bear, who salutes132 the public in obedience133 to the order of his master.
At that moment the hare darted134 out of the wood and started off across the field. Berestoff and the gamekeeper raised a loud shout, let the dogs loose, and then galloped135 off in pursuit. Mouromsky's horse, not being accustomed to hunting, took fright and bolted. Mouromsky, who prided himself on being a good horseman, gave it full rein136, and inwardly rejoiced at the incident which delivered him from a disagreeable companion. But the horse, reaching a ravine which it had not previously137 noticed, suddenly sprang to one side, and Mouromsky was thrown from the saddle. Striking the frozen ground with considerable force, he lay there cursing his bob-tailed mare, which, as if recovering from its fright, had suddenly come to a standstill as soon as it felt that it was without a rider.
Ivan Petrovitch hastened towards him and inquired if he had injured himself. In the meantime the gamekeeper had secured the guilty horse, which he now led forward by the bridle138. He helped Mouromsky into the saddle, and Berestoff invited him to his house. Mouromsky could not refuse the invitation, for he felt indebted to him; and so Berestoff returned home, covered with glory for having hunted down a hare and for bringing with him his adversary wounded and almost a prisoner of war.
The two neighbours took breakfast together and conversed139 with each other in a very friendly manner. Mouromsky requested Berestoff to lend him a droshky, for he was obliged to confess that, owing to his bruises140, he was not in a condition to return home on horseback. Berestoff conducted him to the steps, and Mouromsky did not take leave of him until he had obtained a promise from him that he would come the next day in company with Alexei Ivanovitch, and dine in a friendly way at Priloutchina. In this way was a deeply-rooted enmity of long standing apparently141 brought to an end by the skittishness142 of a bob-tailed mare.
Liza ran forward to meet Gregory Ivanovitch.
"What does this mean, papa?" said she with astonishment. "Why are you walking lame143? Where is your horse? Whose is this droshky?"
"You will never guess, my dear," replied Gregory Ivanovitch; and then he related to her everything that had happened.
Liza could not believe her ears. Without giving her time to collect herself, Gregory Ivstpovitch then went on to inform her that the two Berestoffs—father and son—would dine with them on the following day.
"What do you say?" she exclaimed, turning pale. "The Berestoffs, father and son, will dine with us to-morrow! No, papa, you can do as you please, but I shall not show myself."
"Have you taken leave of your senses?" replied her father. "Since when have you been so bashful? Or do you cherish an hereditary144 hatred towards him like a heroine of romance? Enough, do not act the fool."
"No, papa, not for anything in the world, not for any treasure would I appear before the Berestoffs."
Gregory Ivanovitch shrugged145 his shoulders, and did not dispute with her any further, for he knew that by contradiction he would obtain nothing from her. He therefore went to rest himself after his remarkable ride.
Lizaveta Gregorievna repaired to her room and summoned Nastia. They both conversed together for a long time about the impending146 visit. What would Alexei think if, in the well-bred young lady, he recognized his Akoulina? What opinion would he have of her conduct, of her manners, of her good sense? On the other hand, Liza wished very much to see what impression would be produced upon him by a meeting so unexpected.... Suddenly an idea flashed through her mind. She communicated it to Nastia; both felt delighted with it, and they resolved to carry it into effect.
The next day at breakfast, Gregory Ivanovitch asked his daughter if she still intended to avoid the Berestoffs.
"Papa," replied Liza, "I will receive them if you wish it, but on one condition, and that is, that however I may appear before them, or whatever I may do, you will not be angry with me, or show the least sign of astonishment or displeasure."
"Some new freak!" said Gregory Ivanovitch, laughing. "Very well, very well, I agree; do what you like, my dark-eyed romp147."
With these words he kissed her on the forehead, and Liza ran off to put her plan into execution.
At two o'clock precisely148, a Russian calèche drawn by six horses, entered the courtyard and rounded the lawn. The elder Berestoff mounted the steps with the assistance of two lackeys149 in the Mouromsky livery. His son came after him on horseback, and both entered together into the dining-room, where the table was already laid. Mouromsky received his neighbours in the most gracious manner, proposed to them to inspect his garden and park before dinner, and conducted them along paths carefully kept and gravelled. The elder Berestoff inwardly deplored151 the time and labour wasted in such useless fancies, but he held his tongue out of politeness. His son shared neither the disapprobation of the economical landowner, nor the enthusiasm of the vain-glorious Anglomaniac, but waited with impatience for the appearance of his host's daughter, of whom he had heard a great deal; and although his heart, as we know, was already engaged, youthful beauty always had a claim upon his imagination.
Returning to the parlour, they all three sat down; and while the old men recalled their young days, and related anecdotes152 of their respective careers, Alexei considered in his mind what r?le he should play in the presence of Liza. He came to the conclusion that an air of cold indifference153 would be the most becoming under the circumstances, and he prepared to act accordingly. The door opened; he turned his head with such indifference, with such haughty154 carelessness, that the heart of the most inveterate155 coquette would inevitably156 have shuddered157. Unfortunately, instead of Liza, it was old Miss Jackson, who, painted and bedecked, entered the room with downcast eyes and with a low bow, so that Alexei's dignified military salute was lost upon her. He had not succeeded in recovering from his confusion, when the door opened again, and this time it was Liza herself who entered.
All rose; her father was just beginning to introduce his guests, when suddenly he stopped short and bit his lips.... Liza, his dark-complexioned Liza, was painted white up to the ears, and was more bedizened than even Miss Jackson herself; false curls, much lighter159 than her own hair, covered her head like the perruque of Louis the Fourteenth; her sleeves à l'imbécile stood out like the hooped160 skirts of Madame de Pompadour; her figure was pinched in like the letter X, and all her mother's jewels, which had not yet found their way to the pawnbroker's, shone upon her fingers, her neck and in her ears.
Alexei could not possibly recognize his Akoulina in the grotesque161 and brilliant young lady. His father kissed her hand, and he followed his example, though much against his will; when he touched her little white fingers, it seemed to him that they trembled. In the meantime he succeeded in catching a glimpse of her little foot, intentionally162 advanced and set off to advantage by the most coquettish shoe imaginable. This reconciled him somewhat to the rest of her toilette. As for the paint and powder, it must be confessed that, in the simplicity163 of his heart, he had not noticed them at the first glance, and afterwards had no suspicion of them. Gregory Ivanovitch remembered his promise, and endeavoured not to show any astonishment; but his daughter's freak seemed to him so amusing, that he could scarcely contain himself. But the person who felt no inclination to laugh was the affected English governess. She had a shrewd suspicion that the paint and powder had been extracted from her chest of drawers, and the deep flush of anger was distinctly visible beneath the artificial whiteness of her face. She darted angry glances at the young madcap, who, reserving her explanations for another time, pretended that she did not notice them.
They sat down to table. Alexei continued to play his r?le of assumed indifference and absence of mind. Liza put on an air of affectation, spoke through her teeth, and only in French. Her father kept constantly looking at her, not understanding her aim, but finding it all exceedingly amusing. The English governess fumed164 with rage and said not a word. Ivan Petrovitch alone seemed at home: he ate, like two, drank heavily, laughed at his own jokes, and grew more talkative, and hilarious165 at every moment.
At last they all rose up from the table; the guests took their departure, and Gregory Ivanovitch gave free vent21 to his laughter and to his interrogations.
"What put the idea into your head of acting20 the fool like that with them?" he said to Liza. "But do you know what? The paint suits you admirably. I do not wish to fathom166 the mysteries of a lady's toilette, but if I were in your place, I would very soon begin to paint; not too much, of course, but just a little."
Liza was enchanted68 with the success of her stratagem167. She embraced her father, promised him that she would consider his advice, and then hastened to conciliate the indignant Miss Jackson, who, with great reluctance168 consented to open the door and listen to her explanations. Liza was ashamed to appear before strangers with her dark complexion158; she had not dared to ask she felt sure that dear, good Miss Jackson would pardon her, etc., etc. Miss Jackson, feeling convinced that Liza had not wished to make her a laughing-stock by imitating her, calmed down, kissed her, and as a token of reconciliation, made her a present of a small pot of English paint, which Liza accepted with every appearance of sincere gratitude169.
The reader will readily imagine that Liza lost no time in repairing to the rendezvous in the little wood the next morning.
"You were at our master's yesterday," she said at once to Alexei: "what do you think of our young mistress?"
Alexei replied that he had not observed her.
"That's a pity!" replied Liza.
"Why so?" asked Alexei.
"Because I wanted to ask you if it is true what they say——"
"What do they say?"
"Is it true, as they say, that I am very much like her?"
"What nonsense! She is a perfect monstrosity compared with you."
"Oh, sir, it is very wrong of you to speak like that. Our young mistress is so fair and so stylish170! How could I be compared wither171!"
Alexei vowed172 to her that she was more beautiful than all the fair young ladies in creation, and in order to pacify174 her completely, he began to describe her mistress in such comical terms, that Liza laughed heartily175.
"But," said she with a sigh, "even though our young mistress may be ridiculous, I am but a poor ignorant thing in comparison with her."
"Oh!" said Alexei; "is that anything to break your heart about? If you wish it, I will soon teach you to read and write."
"Yes, indeed," said Liza, "why should I not try?"
"Very well, my dear; we will commence at once."
They sat down. Alexei drew from his pocket a pencil and note-book, and Akoulina learnt the alphabet with astonishing rapidity. Alexei could not sufficiently176 admire her intelligence. The following morning she wished to try to write. At first the pencil refused to obey her, but after a few minutes she was able to trace the letters with tolerable accuracy.
"It is really wonderful!" said Alexei. "Our method certainly produces quicker results than the Lancaster system."[5]
And indeed, at the third lesson Akoulina began to spell through "Nathalie the Boyard's Daughter," interrupting her reading by observations which really filled Alexei with astonishment, and she filled a whole sheet of paper with aphorisms177 drawn from the same story.
A week went by, and a correspondence was established between them. Their letter-box was the hollow of an old oak-tree, and Nastia acted as their messenger. Thither178 Alexei carried his letters written in a bold round hand, and there he found on plain blue paper the delicately-traced strokes of his beloved. Akoulina perceptibly began to acquire an elegant style of expression, and her mental faculties179 commenced to develop themselves with astonishing rapidity.
Meanwhile, the recently-formed acquaintance between Ivan Petrovitch Berestoff and Gregory Ivanovitch Mouromsky soon became transformed into a sincere friendship, under the following circumstances. Mouromsky frequently reflected that, on the death of Ivan Petrovitch, all his possessions would pass into the hands of Alexei Ivanovitch, in which case the latter would be one of the wealthiest landed proprietors in the government, and there would be nothing to hinder him from marrying Liza. The elder Berestoff, on his side, although recognizing in his neighbour a certain extravagance (or, as he termed it, English folly), was perfectly ready to admit that he possessed180 many excellent qualities, as for example, his rare tact181. Gregory Ivanovitch was closely related to Count Pronsky, a man of distinction and of great influence. The Count could be of great service to Alexei, and Mouromsky (so thought Ivan Petrovitch) would doubtless rejoice to see his daughter marry so advantageously. By dint182 of constantly dwelling183 upon this idea, the two old men came at last to communicate their thoughts to one another. They embraced each other, both promised to do their best to arrange the matter, and they immediately set to work, each on his own side. Mouromsky foresaw that he would have some difficulty in persuading his Betsy to become more intimately acquainted with Alexei, whom she had not seen since the memorable184 dinner. It seemed to him that they had not been particularly well pleased with each other; at least Alexei had not paid any further visits to Priloutchina, and Liza had retired to her room every time that Ivan Petrovitch had honoured them with a visit.
"But," thought Gregory Ivanovitch, "if Alexei came to see us every day, Betsy could not help falling in love with him. That is the natural order of things. Time will settle everything."
Ivan Petrovitch was no less uneasy about the success of his designs. That same evening he summoned his son into his cabinet, lit his pipe, and, after a long pause, said:
"Well, Alesha,[6] what do you think about doing? You have not said anything for a long time about the military service. Or has the Hussar uniform lost its charm for you?"
"No, father," replied Alexei respectfully; "but I see that you do not like the idea of my entering the Hussars, and it is my duty to obey you."
"Good," replied Ivan Petrovitch; "I see that you are an obedient son; that is very consoling to me.... On my side, I do not wish to compel you; I do not want to force you to enter ... at once ... into the civil service, but, in the meanwhile, I intend you to get married."
"To whom, father?" asked Alexei in astonishment.
"To Lizaveta Gregorievna Mouromsky," replied Ivan Petrovitch. "She is a charming bride, is she not?"
"Father, I have not thought of marriage yet."
"You have not thought of it, and therefore I have thought of it for you."
"As you please, but I do not care for Liza Mouromsky in the least."
"You will get to like her afterwards. Love comes with time."
"I do not feel capable of making her happy."
"Do not distress185 yourself about making her happy. What? Is this how you respect your father's wish? Very well!"
"As you please. I do not wish to marry, and I will not marry."
"You will marry, or I will curse you; and as for my possessions, as true as God is holy, I will sell them and squander39 the money, and not leave you a farthing. I will give you three days to think about the matter; and in the meantime, don't show yourself in my sight."
Alexei knew that when his father once took an idea into his head, a nail even would not drive it out, as Taras Skotinin[7] says in the comedy. But Alexei took after his father, and was just as head-strong as he was. He went to his room and began to reflect upon the limits of paternal186 authority; Then his thoughts reverted187 to Lizaveta Gregorievna, to his father's solemn vow173 to make him a beggar, and last of all to Akoulina. For the first time he saw clearly that he was passionately188 in love with her; the romantic idea of marrying a peasant girl and of living by the labour of their hands came into his head, and the more he thought of such a decisive step, the more reasonable did it seem to him. For some time the interviews in the wood had ceased on account of the rainy weather. He wrote to Akoulina a letter in his most legible handwriting, informing her of the misfortune that threatened them, and offering her his hand. He took the letter at once to the post-office in the wood, and then went to bed, well satisfied with himself.
The next day Alexei, still firm in his resolution, rode over early in the morning to visit Mouromsky, in order to explain matters frankly189 to him. He hoped to excite his generosity190 and win him over to his side.
"Is Gregory Ivanovitch at home?" asked he, stopping his horse in front of the steps of the Priloutchina mansion191.
"No," replied the servant; "Gregory Ivanovitch rode out early this morning, and has not yet returned."
"How annoying!" thought Alexei.... "Is Lizaveta Gregorievna at home, then?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
Alexei sprang from his horse, gave the reins192 to the lackey150, and entered without being announced.
"Everything is now going to be decided," thought he, directing his steps towards the parlour: "I will explain everything to Lizaveta herself."
He entered ... and then stood still as if petrified193! Liza ... no ... Akoulina, dear, dark-haired Akoulina, no longer in a sarafan, but in a white morning robe, was sitting in front of the window, reading his letter; she was so occupied that she had not heard him enter.
Alexei could not restrain an exclamation of joy. Liza started, raised her head, uttered a cry, and wished to fly from the room. But he threw himself before her and held her back.
"Akoulina! Akoulina!"
"Mais laissez-moi donc, Monsieur! ... Mais êtes-vous fou?" she said, twisting herself round.
"Akoulina! my dear Akoulina!" he repeated, kissing her hand.
Miss Jackson, a witness of this scene, knew not what to think of it. At that moment the door opened, and Gregory Ivanovitch entered the room.
"Ah! ah!" said Mouromsky; "but it seems that you have already arranged matters between you."
The reader will spare me the unnecessary obligation of describing the dénouement.
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1
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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ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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tout
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| v.推销，招徕；兜售；吹捧，劝诱 | |
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aces
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| abbr.adjustable convertible-rate equity security (units) 可调节的股本证券兑换率；aircraft ejection seat 飞机弹射座椅；automatic control evaluation simulator 自动控制评估模拟器n.擅长…的人( ace的名词复数 )；精于…的人；（ 网球 ）（对手接不到发球的）发球得分；爱司球 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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amassed
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| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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flirting
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的现在分词 ) | |
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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privy
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| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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abjuration
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| n.发誓弃绝 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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cursory
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| adj.粗略的；草率的；匆促的 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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squander
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| v.浪费，挥霍 | |
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squandered
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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widower
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| n.鳏夫 | |
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42
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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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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45
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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censured
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| v.指责，非难，谴责( censure的过去式 ) | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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48
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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criticise
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| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
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50
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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52
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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53
embellished
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| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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54
traducer
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| n.诽谤者 | |
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55
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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60
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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67
commentators
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| n.评论员( commentator的名词复数 )；时事评论员；注释者；实况广播员 | |
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68
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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69
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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70
blighted
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| adj.枯萎的，摧毁的 | |
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71
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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72
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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73
pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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74
prank
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| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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75
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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76
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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77
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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78
daggers
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| 匕首，短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
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79
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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80
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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81
pouted
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| v.撅（嘴）( pout的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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82
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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83
pastry
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| n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点 | |
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84
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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85
frolicsome
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| adj.嬉戏的，闹着玩的 | |
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86
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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87
bazaar
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| n.集市，商店集中区 | |
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88
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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89
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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90
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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91
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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92
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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93
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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94
aglow
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| adj.发亮的；发红的；adv.发亮地 | |
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95
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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96
musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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97
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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98
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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99
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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100
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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101
longevity
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| n.长命；长寿 | |
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102
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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103
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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104
abstained
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| v.戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的过去式和过去分词 )；弃权（不投票） | |
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105
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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106
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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107
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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108
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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109
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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110
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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111
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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112
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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114
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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115
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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116
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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117
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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118
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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119
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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120
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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121
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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122
seduced
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| 诱奸( seduce的过去式和过去分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷 | |
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123
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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124
domains
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| n.范围( domain的名词复数 )；领域；版图；地产 | |
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125
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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126
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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127
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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128
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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129
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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130
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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131
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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132
salutes
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| n.致敬，欢迎，敬礼( salute的名词复数 )v.欢迎，致敬( salute的第三人称单数 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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133
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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134
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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135
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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136
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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137
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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138
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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139
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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140
bruises
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| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
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141
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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142
skittishness
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| n.活泼好动；难以驾驭 | |
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143
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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144
hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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145
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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146
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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147
romp
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| n.欢闹；v.嬉闹玩笑 | |
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148
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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149
lackeys
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| n.听差( lackey的名词复数 )；男仆（通常穿制服）；卑躬屈膝的人；被待为奴仆的人 | |
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150
lackey
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| n.侍从；跟班 | |
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151
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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152
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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153
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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154
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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155
inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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156
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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157
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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158
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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159
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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160
hooped
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| adj.以环作装饰的；带横纹的；带有环的 | |
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161
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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162
intentionally
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| ad.故意地，有意地 | |
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163
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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164
fumed
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| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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165
hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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166
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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167
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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168
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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169
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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170
stylish
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| adj.流行的，时髦的；漂亮的，气派的 | |
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171
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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172
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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173
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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174
pacify
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| vt.使(某人)平静(或息怒)；抚慰 | |
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175
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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176
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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177
aphorisms
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| 格言，警句( aphorism的名词复数 ) | |
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178
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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179
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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180
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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181
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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182
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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183
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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184
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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185
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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186
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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187
reverted
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| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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188
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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189
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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190
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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191
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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192
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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193
petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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194
liberate
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| v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由 | |
参考例句： |
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