"That would she," one of the knights3 said with a laugh. "I doubt not that she would buckle5 on armour6 if need were. But we must make some allowance for her heat; it is no pleasant thing to be taken away from her castle and brought hither as a hostage, to be held for how long a time she knows not."
"It was the safest way of securing the castle," the duke said. "Can one doubt that, with her by his side, her husband would open his gates to the English, should they appear before it? He himself is a vassal7 both of England and France, and should the balance be placed before him, there can be little doubt that her weight would incline him to England. How well these English women keep their youth! One might believe her to be but a few years past twenty, and yet she is the mother of that girl, who is well-nigh as tall as herself."
"And who bids to be as fair, my lord duke."
"And as English, De Porcelet. She would be a difficult eaglet to tame, if I mistake not; and had she been the spokeswoman, methinks she would have answered as haughtily9 as did her mother. But it might be no bad plan to mate her to a Frenchman. It is true that there is the boy, but the fief might well be bestowed10 upon her if so mated, on the ground that the boy would likely take after his father and mother and hold Villeroy for England rather than for France. However, she is young yet; in a couple of years, De Porcelet, it will be time for you to urge your suit, if so inclined."
There was a general smile from the circle standing11 round, but the young knight4 said gravely, "When the time comes, my lord duke, I may remind you of what you have said. 'Tis a fair young face, honest and good, though at present she must naturally feel with her mother at being thus haled away from her home."
Sir Victor escorted Margaret to the court-yard. As they appeared at the entrance a knight came up and saluted12 her.
"I am intrusted by the duke with the honour of escorting you to your lodgings13," he said; "I am Hugo de Chamfort, the duke's chamberlain."
After assisting her into the saddle he mounted a horse which an attendant brought up and placed himself by her side. Two men-at-arms with their surtouts embroidered14 with the cognizance of Burgundy led the way, and the rest of the party followed in the same order in which they had come. The distance was short, and beyond a few questions by the knight as to the journey and how she had been cared for on the way, and Margaret's replies, little was said until they reached the house of the provost of the silversmiths. As they rode up to the door Ma?tre Leroux himself came out from the house.
"Welcome, lady," he said, "to my abode15. My wife will do all that she can to make you comfortable."
"I am sorry indeed, good sir," Margaret said, "to be thus forced upon your hospitality, and regret the trouble that my stay will impose upon you."
"Say not so, lady," he said, "we deem it an honour that his grace the Duke of Burgundy should have selected us for the honour of entertaining you. The house is large, and we have no family. Chambers16 are already prepared for yourself, your daughter, and son, while there are others at your disposal for your following."
"I would not trespass17 too much upon you," she said. "My daughter can sleep with me, and I am sure that my esquire here, Master Guy Aylmer, will gladly share a room with my boy. I can obtain lodgings for my four followers18 without."
"You will grieve me much if you propose it, lady. There is a large room upstairs unoccupied, and I will place pallets for them there; and as for their meals they can have them apart."
By this time they had mounted a fine flight of stairs, at the top of which Dame Leroux was standing to receive her guests. She was a kindly-looking woman between thirty and forty years of age.
"Welcome, Lady Margaret," she said with a cordiality that made Margaret feel at once that her visit was not regarded as an infliction19. "We are quiet people, but will do our best to render your stay here a pleasant one."
"Thanks indeed, mistress!" Margaret replied. "I feared much that my presence would be felt as a burden, and had hardly hoped for so kind a welcome. This is my daughter Agnes, and my son Charles." Then she turned to Sir Hugo: "I pray you to give my thanks to his grace the Duke of Burgundy, and to thank him for having so well bestowed me. I thank you also for your courtesy for having conducted me here."
"I will convey your message to the duke," he said, "who will, I am sure, be pleased to hear of your contentment."
Ma?tre Leroux accompanied the knight downstairs again, and when he had mounted and ridden off he called two servitors, and bade one carry the luggage upstairs, and the other conduct the men to the stables he had taken for the horses.
"After you have seen to their comfort," he said to Robert Picard, "you will return hither; you will find a meal prepared for you, and will be bestowed together in a chamber upstairs."
In the meantime his wife had ushered20 Dame Margaret into a very handsomely furnished apartment. "This is at your entire service, Lady Margaret," she said. "The bedroom behind it is for yourself, the one next to it for your daughter, unless you would prefer that she should sleep with you."
"I thank you. I was telling your husband that I should prefer that; and my son and esquire can therefore occupy the second room. But I fear greatly that I am disturbing yourself and your husband."
"No, indeed; our sitting-room21 and bedroom are on the other side of the landing. These are our regular guest-chambers, and your being here will make no change whatever in our arrangements. I only regret that the apartments are not larger."
"Do not apologize, I beg of you, madam. I can assure you that the room is far handsomer than that to which I have been accustomed. You citizens of Paris are far in advance of us in your ideas of comfort and luxury, and the apartments both at Villeroy and in my English home cannot compare with these, except in point of size. I never dreamt that my prison would be so comfortable."
"Say not prison, I pray you, lady. I heard, indeed, that your visit to the court was not altogether one of your own choice; but, believe me, here at least you will be but a guest, and an honoured and welcome one. I will leave you now. If there is aught that you desire, I pray you to ring that bell on the table; refreshments22 will be quickly served. Had I known the precise hour at which you would come we should have been in readiness for you, but I thought not that you would arrive till evening."
"I hope that you will give me much of your company, mistress," Margaret said warmly. "We know no one in this great city, and shall be glad indeed if, when you can spare time, you will sit with us."
"Well, children, what do you think of this?" she asked when their hostess had left the room.
"It is lovely, mother," Agnes said. "Look at the inlaid cabinets, and the couches and tables, and this great warm rug that covers all the floor, how snug23 and comfortable it all is. Why, mother, I never saw anything like this."
"You might have seen something like it had you ever been in the house of one of our rich London traders, Agnes; at least so I have heard, though in truth I have never myself been in so luxuriously24 furnished a room. I only hope that we may stay here for some time. The best of it is that these good people evidently do not regard us as a burden. No doubt they are pleased to oblige the Duke of Burgundy, but, beyond that, their welcome seemed really sincere. Now let us see our bedroom. I suppose that is yours, Charlie, through the door in the corner."
The valises had already been brought to the rooms by another entrance, and Margaret and her daughter were charmed with their bedroom. A large ewer25 and basin of silver stood on a table which was covered with a white cloth, snowy towels hung beside it; the hangings of the bed were of damask silk, and the floor was almost covered by an Eastern carpet. An exquisitely26 carved wardrobe stood in one corner.
"It is all lovely!" Agnes said, clapping her hands. "You ought to have your room at home fitted up like this, mother."
"It would take a large slice out of a year's revenue, Agnes," her mother said with a smile, "to furnish a room in this fashion. That wardrobe alone is worth a knight's ransom27, and the ewer and basin are fit for a king. I would that your father could see us here; it would ease his anxiety about us. I must ask how I can best despatch29 a messenger to him."
When they returned to the other apartment they found the table already laid, and in a short time a dainty repast was served. To this Guy sat down with them, for except when there were guests, when his place was behind his lord's chair, he had always been treated as one of the family, and as the son of Sir Aylmer rather than as a page.
"Well, Master Guy, what think you of affairs?"
"They seem well to the eye, mistress, but I would not trust that Duke of Burgundy for an hour. With that long face of his and the hooked nose and his crafty30 look he resembles little a noble of France. He has an evil face, and one which accords well with the foul31 murder of the king's brother. However, as I see not that he has aught to gain by holding you here,—save that he thinks it will ensure our lord's keeping his castle for him,—there is no reason why he should not continue to treat you honourably32 and courteously33. We have yet to learn whether Master Leroux is one of his party, or whether he is in favour of Armagnac."
"I should think that he cannot be for Armagnac," she said, "or Duke John would hardly have quartered us upon him. No doubt it was done under the semblance34 of goodwill35, but most men would have considered it a heavy tax, even though, as I expect, we shall not remain here long. Doubtless, however, the trader considers that his complaisance36 in the matter would be taken by the duke as a sign of his desire to show that at least he is not hostile to him."
When they rose from the table Guy, at his mistress's suggestion, went below and found the four men sitting in the great kitchen, where they had just finished an ample meal.
"You have seen to the horses, Robert?"
"I am going out to see how matters stand in the town. Our lady says that at all times two of you must remain here, as it may be necessary to send messages, or should she wish to go out, to escort her, but the other two can be out and about as they please, after first inquiring of me whether there is aught for them to do. You can arrange among yourselves which shall stay in, taking turns off duty. Tom, you had better not go out till after dark. There is something in the cut of your garments which tells that you are not French. Robert will go out with me now, and find a clothier, and bid him send garments here for you to choose from, or if he has none to fit, which may likely enough be, send him to measure you. It might lead to broils39 and troubles were any of the rabble40 to notice that you were a stranger."
"That is right enough, Master Guy; and in sooth I have no desire to go out at present, for after riding for the last six days I am well content to sit quiet and take my ease here."
Guy then started with Robert Picard. Except in the streets where the principal merchants dwelt, the town struck him as gloomy and sombre. The palaces of the nobles were veritable fortresses41, the streets were ill-paved and evil-smelling, and the people in the poorer quarters had a sinister42 aspect.
"I should not care to wander about in this district after nightfall, Robert," Guy said to the man-at-arms, who kept close to his elbow.
"Nor I," the man growled43. "It is as much as I can do to keep my hands off my dagger44 now, for methinks that nine out of ten of the fellows loitering about would cut our throats willingly, if they thought that we had but a crown in our pockets."
Presently they found themselves on the quays45, and, hailing a boat, rowed up the river a little beyond the walls. Hearing the sound of music they landed, and on seeing a number of people gather round some booths they discharged the boat and went on. They found that it was a sort of fair. Here were sword-players and mountebanks, pedlars who vended47 their wares48 at a lower price than those at which they were sold within the limits of the city, booths at which wine and refreshments could be obtained. Here many soldiers were sitting drinking, watching the passers-by, and exchanging ribald jests with each other, and sometimes addressing observations to the wives and daughters of the citizens, amid fits of laughter at the looks of indignation on the part of their husbands or fathers.
"It is evidently a holiday of some sort," Guy remarked, as they found that the fair extended for a considerable distance, and that the crowd was everywhere large. They stopped for a minute or two in front of a booth of more pretensions49 than the generality. In front of it a man was beating a drum, and a negro walking up and down attired50 in showy garments. The drum ceased and the latter shouted:
"Those of you who wish to see my master, the famous Elminestres, the most learned doctor in Europe, who can read the stars, cast your horoscope, foretell51 your future, and cure your ailments52, should not lose this opportunity."
The curtains opened behind, and a man dressed in dark garments with a long black cloak spotted53 with silver stars came forward.
"You have heard, good people, what my slave has said. He speaks with knowledge. I saved his life in the deserts of Africa when he was all but dead with fever, by administering to him one of my wonderful potions; he at once recovered and devoted54 himself to my service. I have infallible remedies for every disease, therefore do you who are sick come to me and be cured; while for you who do not suffer I can do as much or more, by telling you of your future, what evils to avoid and what chances to grasp."
He stood for a minute silent, his eyes wandering keenly over the spectators. "I see," he said, "one among you who loves a fair maiden55 standing beside him. At present her parents are unfavourable to his suit, but if he will take my advice he will be able to overcome their objections and to win the damsel. Another I see who has come to Paris with the intention of enlisting56 in the service of our good duke, and who, I foresee, will attain57 rank and honour and become a distinguished58 soldier if he does but act prudently59 at the critical moment, while if he takes a wrong turn misfortune and death will befall him. I see a youth of gentle blood who will become a brave knight, and will better his condition by marriage. He has many dangers to go through before that, and has at present a serious charge for one so young; but as he has circumspection60 as well as courage he may pass through them unharmed. To him too I could give advice that may be valuable, more especially as he is a stranger to the land, as are those of whom he is in charge."
"The knave62 doubtless saw us ride in this morning, and recognized me again. There is naught63 of magic in it, but the fellow must be shrewd, or he would not have so quickly drawn64 his conclusions. I will go in and speak to him presently, for though I believe not his prophecies one jot65, a fellow of this sort may be useful. Let us be moving on at present."
They passed two monks66, who were scowling67 angrily at the man, who was just exciting the laughter of the crowd by asserting that there was a holy man present who usually preferred a flask68 of good wine to saying his vespers.
"Ay, ay," the other agreed: "and yet," he added slyly, "it may be that he has not altogether missed his mark this time. We are not the only two monks here," he went on as the other turned upon him angrily, "and it may well be that among them is one who answers to the fellow's lewd70 description."
On the outskirts71 of the fair were many people of higher degree. Knights and ladies strolled on the turf exchanging greetings, looking for a minute or two at the gambols72 of a troupe73 of performing dogs, or at a bout28 of cudgel play—where two stout74 fellows belaboured each other heartily75, and showed sufficient skill to earn from the crowd a shower of small pieces of money, when at last they ceased from pure exhaustion76. Half an hour later Guy returned to the booth of the doctor, and went in by a side entrance, to which those who wished to consult the learned man had been directed by the negro. The latter was at the entrance, and, observing that Guy's condition was above that of the majority of his master's clients, at once took him into an inner apartment divided from the rest of the tent by a hanging. Over the top of this was stretched a black cloth spotted with silver stars, and similar hangings surrounded it; thus all light was cut off, and the room was dimly illuminated77 by two lamps. A table with a black cloth stood at the back. On this stood a number of phials and small boxes, together with several retorts and alembics. The doctor was seated on a tripod stool. He rose and was about to address Guy in his usual style, when the latter said:
"So you saw us ride in this morning, Master Doctor, and guessed shrewdly as to our condition and nationality. As to the latter, indeed, it needed no sorcery, for it must have been plain to the dullest that my mistress and her daughter were not of French blood, and though I am much less fair, it was a pretty safe guess to suppose that I also was of their country. I need not tell you that I have not come here either for charms or nostrums78, but it seemed to me that being, as you said, strangers here, we might benefit by the advice of one who like yourself notes things quickly, and can form his own conclusions."
The doctor removed his tall conical cap, and placed it on the table.
"You guess rightly," he said with a smile. "I was in the crowd and marked you enter, and a soldier standing next to me observed to a comrade that he had heard that Burgundy had sent the herald79 to demand the surrender of a castle held by one Sir Eustace, a knight who was known to have friendly leanings towards the English, being a vassal of their king for estates that had come to him with an English wife, and that doubtless this was the lady. When my eye fell on you in the crowd I said: Here is a youth of shrewdness and parts, he is alone and is a foreigner, and maybe I can be of service to him; therefore I shot my shaft80, and, as you see, with success. I said to myself: This youth, being a stranger, will know of no one to whom he can turn for information, and I can furnish him with almost any that he may require. I come in contact with the highest and the lowest, for the Parisians are credulous81, and after dark there are some of rank and station who come to my doors for filtres and nostrums, or to have their horoscope cast and their futures82 predicted. You will ask why one who has such clients should condescend83 to stand at a booth and talk to this rabble; but it has its purpose. Were I known only as one whom men and women visit in secret, I should soon become suspected of black arts, the priests would raise an outcry against me, and one of these days I might be burned. Here, however, I ostensibly earn my living as a mountebank46 vendor84 of drugs and nostrums, and therefore no one troubles his head about me."
"There is one thing that you have not told me," Guy said when he ceased speaking. "Having, as you say, good clients besides your gains here, why should you trouble to interest yourself in our affairs?"
"Shrewdly put, young sir. I will be frank with you. I too am a stranger, and sooner or later I may fall into discredit85, and the power of the church be too much for me. When I saw your mistress to-day I said to myself: Here is an English lady of rank, with a castle and estate in England; should I have to fly—and I have one very dear to me, for whose sake I value my life—it might be well for me that I should have one friend in England who would act as protectress to her should aught befall me. Your mistress is a stranger here, and in the hands of enemies. I may be of use to her. I know this population of Paris, and can perhaps give her better information of what is going on both at the court and in the gutter86 than any other man, and may be able to render her assistance when she most needs it; and would ask but in payment that, should I come to England, she will extend her protection to my daughter until I can find a home and place her there. You see I am playing an open game with you."
"I will reply as frankly," Guy said. "When I came in here it was, as I told the man-at-arms my companion, with the thought that one who had noticed us so shrewdly, and had recognized me so quickly in the crowd, was no ordinary mountebank, but a keen, shrewd man who had some motive87 for thus addressing me, and I see that my view was a right one. As to your proposal I can say naught before I have laid it before my mistress, but for myself I may say at once that it recommends itself to me as excellent. We are, as you say, strangers here, and know of no one from whom we might obtain information as to what is going on. My mistress, if not an actual prisoner, is practically so, being held with her children as hostages for my lord's loyalty88 to France. She is the kindest of ladies, and should she authorize89 me to enter into further communication with you, you may be sure that she would execute to the full the undertaking90 you ask for on behalf of your daughter. Where can I see you again? This is scarce a place I could often resort to without my visits being noticed, if, as is likely enough, the Duke of Burgundy may occasionally set spies to inform him as to what we are doing, and whether my mistress is in communication with any who are regarded as either doubtful or hostile to his faction91."
"If you will be in front of Notre Dame this evening at nine o'clock, I will meet you there and conduct you to my abode, where you can visit me free of any fear of observation."
"What name shall I call you?" Guy asked.
"My name is Montepone. I belong to a noble family of Mantua, but mixing myself up with the factions92 there, I was on the losing side, and unfortunately it happened that in a fray93 I killed a noble connected with all the ruling families; sentence of death was passed upon me in my absence, my property was confiscated94. Nowhere in Italy should I have been safe from the dagger of the assassin, therefore I fled to France, and for ten years have maintained myself by the two arts which so often go together, astrology and buffoonery. I had always been fond of knowledge, and had learned all that could be taught in the grand science of astrology, so that however much I may gull95 fools here, I have obtained the confidence of many powerful personages by the accuracy of my forecasts. Had Orleans but believed my solemn assurance he would not have ridden through the streets of Paris to his death that night, and in other cases where I have been more trusted I have rendered valuable assistance."
The belief in astrology had never gained much hold upon the mass of the English people, many as were the superstitions96 that prevailed among them. Guy had never even given the matter a thought. Montepone, however, evidently believed in his powers of foreseeing the future, and such powers did not in themselves seem altogether impossible to the lad; he therefore made no direct reply, but saying that he would not fail to be at the appointed place at nine that evening, took his leave.
"Truly, Master Guy, I began to be uneasy about you," Robert Picard said when he rejoined him, "and was meditating97 whether I had best enter the tent, and demand what had become of you. It was only the thought that there might have been others before you, and that you had to wait your turn before seeing him, that restrained me. You have not been taking his nostrums, I trust; for they say that some of those men sell powders by which a man can be changed into a wolf."
Guy laughed. "I have taken nothing, Robert, and if I had I should have no fear of such a change happening to me. I have but talked to the man as to how he came to know me, and it is as I thought,—he saw us as we entered. He is a shrewd fellow, and may well be of some use to us."
"I like not chaffering with men who have intercourse98 with the devil," Picard said, shaking his head gravely; "nothing good comes of it. My mother knew a man who bought a powder that was to cure his wife of jealousy99; and indeed it did, for it straightway killed her, and he was hung. I think that I can stand up against mortal man as well as another, but my blood ran cold when I saw you enter yon tent, and I fell into a sweat at your long absence."
"The man is not of that kind, Robert, so you can reassure100 yourself. I doubt not that the nostrums he sells are perfectly101 harmless, and that though they may not cure they will certainly not kill."
They made their way back to the house of the provost of the silversmiths.
"Well, what do you think of Paris, Guy?" Dame Margaret asked when he entered.
"It is a fine city, no doubt, lady, but in truth I would rather be in the country than in this wilderness102 of narrow streets. But indeed I have had somewhat of an adventure, and one which I think may prove of advantage;" and he then related to his mistress his visit to the booth of the supposed doctor.
"Do you think that he is honest, Guy?" she asked when he concluded.
"I think so, madam. He spoke8 honestly enough, and there was a ring of truth in what he said; nor do I see that he could have had any motive for making my acquaintance save what he stated. His story seemed to me to be a natural one; but I shall be able to judge better when I see him in his own house and with this daughter he speaks of; that is, if your ladyship is willing that I should meet him."
"I am willing enough," she said, "for even if he is a spy of Burgundy's there is nothing that we wish to conceal103. I have come here willingly, and have no thought of making my escape, or of mixing myself up in any of the intrigues104 of the court. Therefore there is no harm that he can do us, while on the other hand you may learn much from him, and will gather in a short time whether he can be trusted. Then by all means go and meet him this evening. But it would be as well to take Tom with you. It does not seem to me at all likely that any plot can be intended, but at any rate it will be well that you should have one with you whom you can thoroughly105 trust, in case there is any snare106 set, and to guard you against any lurking107 cut-throats."
"I will tell him to be in readiness to go with me. It will be his turn to go out with one of the others this evening, and he might not be back in time if I did not warn him."
"What arms shall I take with me?" Long Tom said, when Guy told him of their expedition.
"Nothing but your sword and quarter-staff. I see that many of the beggars and others that one meets in the streets carry long staffs, and yours is not much longer than the generality. You brought it tied up with your bow, so you would do well to carry it, for in a street broil38, where there is room to swing it, you could desire no better weapon, in such strong hands as yours, Tom. Besides, you can knock down and disable with it and no great harm is done, whereas if you used your sword there would be dead men; and although by all I hear these are not uncommon108 objects in the streets of Paris, there might be trouble if the town watch came up, as we are strangers. I shall carry a stout cudgel myself, as well as my sword."
Accordingly at half-past eight they set out. Guy put on a long cloak and a cap such as was worn by the citizens, but strengthened inside by a few bands of steel forming sufficient protection to the head against any ordinary blow. This he had purchased at a stall on his way home. Tom had put on the garments that had been bought for him that afternoon, consisting of a doublet of tanned leather that could be worn under armour or for ordinary use, and was thick enough to afford considerable protection. The streets were already almost deserted109; those who were abroad hurried along looking with suspicion at all whom they met, and walking in the middle of the road so as to avoid being taken by surprise by anyone lurking in the doorways110 or at the corners of alleys111. Once or twice men came out and stared at Guy and his companion by the light of the lanterns suspended across the streets, but there was nothing about their appearance to encourage an attack, and the stalwart figure of the archer112 promised hard blows rather than plunder113. Arriving at the square in front of Notre Dame they waited awhile. Here there were still people about, for it was a rendezvous114 both for roistering young gallants, thieves, and others starting on midnight adventures. After walking backwards115 and forwards two or three times Guy said, "You had best stand here in the shadow of this buttress116 while I go and place myself beneath that hanging lamp; seeing that we are together, and he, looking perhaps only for one, may not recognize me."
On reaching the lamp, Guy took off his hat, so that the light should fall on his face, waited for a minute, and then replaced it. As soon as he did so a slightly-built lad came up to him.
"Were you not at the fair by the river to-day, sir, and are you not expecting some one to meet you here?"
"That is so, lad. If you will tell me whom I am expecting I shall know that he has sent you, though, indeed, I looked to meet himself and not a messenger."
"Montepone," the lad said.
"That is right. Why is he not here himself?"
"He received a message before starting that one whose orders he could not neglect would call upon him this evening, and he therefore sent me to the rendezvous. I have been looking anxiously for you, but until now had not seen you."
"I have a companion with me; being a stranger here in Paris, I did not care to be wandering through the streets alone. He is a countryman of mine, and can be trusted."
"It is indeed dangerous to be out alone. It is seldom that I am in the streets after dark, but the doctor came with me and placed me in a corner of the porch, and then returned by himself, telling me to stir not until I saw you; and that should you not come, or should I not be able to make you out, I was to remain until he came for me even if I waited until morning."
"I will fetch my follower," Guy said, "and am ready to accompany you."
The lad was evidently unwilling117 to be left there for a moment alone, and he walked back with Guy to the buttress where the archer was standing.
"This is our guide, Tom," Guy said, as the archer stepped out to join him; "the person I expected was unable to come himself. Now, lad, I am ready; you see we are well guarded."
The boy nodded, evidently reassured118 by the bulk of the archer, and was about to step on ahead of them, when Guy said, "You had best walk with us. If you keep in front, it will seem as if you were guiding us, and that would point us out at once as strangers. Is it far to the place you are taking us to?"
"A short quarter of an hour's walk, sir."
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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knight
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buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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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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haughtily
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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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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13
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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trespass
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| n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地 | |
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18
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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19
infliction
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| n.（强加于人身的）痛苦，刑罚 | |
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20
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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22
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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23
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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25
ewer
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| n.大口水罐 | |
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exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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27
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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28
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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29
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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30
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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31
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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32
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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33
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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34
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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35
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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36
complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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37
provender
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| n.刍草；秣料 | |
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38
broil
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| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
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39
broils
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| v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的第三人称单数 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
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40
rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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41
fortresses
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| 堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 ) | |
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42
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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43
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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44
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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45
quays
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| 码头( quay的名词复数 ) | |
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46
mountebank
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| n.江湖郎中；骗子 | |
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47
vended
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| v.出售（尤指土地等财产）( vend的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指在公共场所）贩卖；发表（意见，言论）；声明 | |
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48
wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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49
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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50
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
foretell
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| v.预言，预告，预示 | |
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52
ailments
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| 疾病（尤指慢性病），不适( ailment的名词复数 ) | |
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53
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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54
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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56
enlisting
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| v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的现在分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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57
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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58
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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59
prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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60
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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61
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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62
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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63
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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64
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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65
jot
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| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
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66
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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67
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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68
flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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69
rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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70
lewd
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| adj.淫荡的 | |
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71
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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72
gambols
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| v.蹦跳，跳跃，嬉戏( gambol的第三人称单数 ) | |
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73
troupe
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| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
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75
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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76
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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77
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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78
nostrums
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| n.骗人的疗法，有专利权的药品( nostrum的名词复数 )；妙策 | |
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79
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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80
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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81
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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82
futures
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| n.期货，期货交易 | |
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83
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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84
vendor
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| n.卖主；小贩 | |
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85
discredit
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| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
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86
gutter
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| n.沟，街沟，水槽，檐槽，贫民窟 | |
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87
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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88
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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89
authorize
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| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
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90
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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91
faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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92
factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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93
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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94
confiscated
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| 没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
gull
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| n.鸥；受骗的人；v.欺诈 | |
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96
superstitions
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| 迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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97
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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98
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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99
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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100
reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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101
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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102
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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103
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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104
intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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105
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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106
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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107
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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108
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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109
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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110
doorways
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| n.门口，门道( doorway的名词复数 ) | |
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111
alleys
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| 胡同，小巷( alley的名词复数 )； 小径 | |
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112
archer
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| n.射手，弓箭手 | |
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113
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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114
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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115
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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116
buttress
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| n.支撑物；v.支持 | |
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117
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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118
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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