At last he drew near the wooden bench on which he was in the habit of sitting in summer time, at the hour when the birds are silent on the trees. Here, where he often sat resting with Abbé Lantaigne, under the beautiful elm that overheard all their grave talk, he saw that some words had been recently traced by a clumsy hand in chalk on the green back of the seat. At first he was seized with a fear lest he should find his own name written there, for it was quite familiar by now to all the blackguards of the town. But he soon saw that he need have no trouble on that score, since it was merely a lewd11 inscription12 in which Narcissus announced to the world the pleasures he had enjoyed on this very bench in the arms of his Ernestine, doubtless under cover of the kindly13 night. The style of the legend was simple and concise14, but coarse and uncomely in its terms.
174 M. Bergeret was just about to sit down in his accustomed place, but he changed his mind, since it did not seem a fitting action for a decent man to lean publicly against this obscene memorial, dedicated15 to the Venus of cross-roads and gardens, especially as it stood on the very spot where he had expressed so many noble and ironic16 thoughts and had so often invoked17 the muse18 of seemly meditation19. Turning away, therefore, from the bench, he said to himself:
“O vain desire for fame! We long to live in the memory of men, and unless we are consummately20 well-bred men of the world, we would fain publish in the market-place our loves, our joys, our sorrows and our hates. Narcissus, here, can only really believe that he has actually won his Ernestine, when all the world has heard of it. It was the same spirit that drove Phidias to trace a beloved name on the great toe of the Olympian Jove. O thirst of the soul to unburden itself, to plunge21 into the ocean of the not-self! ‘To-day, on this bench, Narcissus....’
“Yet,” thought M. Bergeret once more, “the first virtue22 of civilised man and the corner-stone of society is dissimulation23. It is just as incumbent24 on us to hide our thoughts as it is for us to wear clothes. A man who blurts25 out all his thoughts, just as they arise in his mind, is as inconceivable as175 the spectacle of a man walking naked through a town. Talk in Paillot’s shop is free enough, yet were I, for instance, to express all the fancies that crowd my mind at this moment, all the notions which pass through my head, like a swarm26 of witches riding on broomsticks down a chimney, if I were to describe the manner in which I suddenly see Madame de Gromance, the incongruous attitudes in which I picture her, the vision of her which comes to me, more ludicrous, more weird27, more chimerical28, more quaint29, more monstrous30, more perverted31 and alien to all seemly conventions, a thousand times more waggish32 and indecent than that famous figure introduced in the scene of the Last Judgment33 on the north portal of Saint-Exupère by a masterly craftsman34 who had caught a glimpse of Lust35 himself as he leant over a vent-hole of hell; if I were accurately36 to reveal the strangeness of my dream, it would be concluded that I am a prey37 to some repulsive38 mania39. Yet, all the same, I know that I am an honourable40 man, naturally inclined to purity, disciplined by life and reflection to self-control, a modest man wholly dedicated to the peaceful pleasures of the mind, a foe41 to all excess, and hating vice42 as a deformity.”
As he walked on, deep in this singular train of thought, M. Bergeret caught sight, along the Mall,176 of Abbé Lantaigne, the principal of the high seminary, and Abbé Tabarit, the chaplain of the prison. The two were in close conversation and M. Tabarit was waggling his long body, with his little pointed43 head, while he emphasised his words by sweeping44 gestures of his bony arms. Abbé Lantaigne, with head erect45 and chest projecting, held his breviary under his arm and listened gravely with far-away gaze and lips locked tightly between stolid46 cheeks that were never distended47 by a smile.
M. Lantaigne answered M. Bergeret’s bow by a gesture and a word of greeting:
“Stop, Monsieur Bergeret,” he cried, “M. Tabarit is not afraid of infidels.”
But the prison chaplain was not to be interrupted in the full tide of his thoughts.
“Who,” said he, “could have remained unmoved at what I saw? This lad has taught every one of us a lesson by the sincerity48 of his repentance49, by the simple, truthful50 expression of the most Christian51 sentiments. His bearing, his looks, his words, his whole being spoke52 plainly enough of gentleness and humility53, of utter submission54 to the will of God. He never ceased to offer a most consoling spectacle, a most salutary example. Perfect resignation, an awakened55 faith too long stifled56 in his heart, a supreme57 abasement58 before the God who177 pardons: such were the blessed fruits of my exhortations59.”
The old man was moved with the easy earnestness of the blameless, buoyant, self-absorbed nature. Real grief stirred in his great, prominent eyes and his poor, meagre red nose. After a momentary60 sigh, he began again, this time turning towards M. Bergeret:
“Ah, sir,” said he, “in the course of my painful ministry61 I have encountered many thorns. But also what fruit I find! Many times in the course of my long life have I snatched lost souls from the devil, who was on the alert to lay hold of them. But none of the poor creatures with whom I have journeyed to the gates of death presented such an edifying62 spectacle in their last moments as this young Lec?ur.”
“What!” cried M. Bergeret, “you surely are not speaking like this of the murderer of Madame Houssieu? Isn’t it well known that——”
He was just going on to say that, according to the unanimous account of all those who had witnessed the execution, the poor wretch63 had been carried to the scaffold, already half dead with fear. He stopped short, however, lest he should afflict64 the old man, who continued in his own way:
“It is true that he made no long speeches and indulged in no noisy demonstrations65. But if you178 had only heard the sighs, the ejaculations, by which he testified to his repentance! In his melancholy journey from the prison to the place of expiation66, when I reminded him of his mother and his first communion, he wept.”
“Certainly,” said M. Bergeret, “Madame Houssieu didn’t die so edifyingly.”
At these words M. Tabarit rolled his great eyes from east to west. He always sought for the solution of metaphysical problems, not within himself, but without, and whenever he fell into a day dream at table his old servant, misunderstanding his look, would inquire: “Are you looking for the cork67 of the bottle, sir? It’s in your hand.”
But M. Tabarit’s roving glance had fallen on a great bearded man in cyclist’s dress who was passing along the Mall. This was Eusèbe Boulet, editor in chief of the radical68 paper le Phare. Instantly M. Tabarit bade a hasty good-bye to the professor and the head of the seminary, and hurrying up to the journalist with great strides, wished him good-day. Then, with a face reddened by excitement, he drew some crumpled69 papers out of his pocket and handed them to him with a hand that trembled. These were rectifications and supplementary70 communications as to the last moments of young Lec?ur. For at the end of his secluded179 life and humble71 ministry, a passion for print, a thirst for interviews and articles, had come upon this holy man.
It was with something approaching a smile that M. Lantaigne watched the poor old fellow, with his quick, birdlike movements, handing up his scrawls72 to the radical editor.
“Look!” said he to M. Bergeret, “the miasma73 of this age has even infected a man who was marching deathwards by a path long paved with goodness and virtue. This old fellow, though he is humble and modest about everything else, is craving74 for notoriety. He yearns75 to appear in print at any cost, even though it be in the pages of an anti-clerical paper.”
Then, vexed76 at having betrayed one of his own people to the enemy, M. Lantaigne added with a brisk air of indifference77:
“Not much harm done. It’s absurd, that’s all.”
Thereupon, relapsing into silence, he was his own gloomy self once more.
M. Lantaigne was a masterful man, and his will forced M. Bergeret towards their usual seat. Entirely78 indifferent to the vulgar phenomena79 by which the world outside themselves is manifested to the generality of men, he scorned to notice the lewd inscription of Narcissus and Ernestine, written in chalk in large running characters on the back of180 the seat. Sinking down on the bench with a placid80 air of mental detachment, he covered a third of this inscribed81 memorial with his broad back. M. Bergeret sat down by M. Lantaigne’s side, first, however, spreading out his newspaper over the back, so as to conceal82 that part of the text which seemed to him the most outspoken83. In his estimation this was the verb—a word which, according to the grammarians, denotes the existence of an attribute to the subject. But inadvertently, he had merely substituted one inscription for another. The paper, in fact, announced in a side-note one of those episodes that have become so common in parliamentary life since the memorable84 triumph of democratic institutions. This spring the scandal period had come round once more with astronomical85 exactitude, following the change of the Seasons and the Dance of the Hours, and during the month several deputies had been prosecuted86, according to custom. The sheet unfolded by M. Bergeret bore in huge letters this notice: “A Senator at Mazas. Arrest of M. Laprat-Teulet.” Although there was nothing unusual about the fact itself, which merely indicated the regular working of the parliamentary machine, it struck M. Bergeret that there was perhaps an uncalled-for display of indifference in posting up this notice on a bench on the Mall, in the very shadow of those elms under181 which the honourable M. Laprat-Teulet had so often been the recipient87 of the honours which democracy loves to bestow88 on her greatest citizens. Here on the Mall, M. Laprat-Teulet, sitting at the right hand of the President of the Republic, on a rostrum draped in ruby89 velvet90 beneath a trophy91 of flags, had, on different ceremonial occasions in honour of great local or national rejoicings, uttered those words which are so well calculated to exalt92 the blessings93 of government, while at the same time they recommend patience to the toiling95 and devoted97 masses. Laprat-Teulet, who had started as a republican, had now been for five-and-twenty years the powerful and highly respected leader of the opportunist party in the department. Now that his hair had grown white with age and parliamentary toil96, he stood out in his native town like an oak adorned98 with tricoloured garlands. His enemies had been ruined and his friends enriched through his exertions99 and he was loaded with public honours. He was, moreover, not only august, but also affable, and every year at prize distributions, he spoke of his poverty to the little children: he could call himself poor without injuring himself in any way, for no one believed him, and everyone felt certain that he was very rich. The sources of his wealth, in fact, were well known, the thousand channels by means of which182 his labour and his astuteness100 had drained off the money into his own pockets. They could calculate perfectly101 what funds had poured into his coffers from the undertakings102 that were based on his political credit and from all the concessions103 granted on account of his parliamentary interest. For he was a deputy with famous business capacities, a capital financial orator104, and his friends knew, as well as, and even better, than his enemies, what he had pocketed through the Panama affair and similar enterprises. Very far-seeing, moderate in his desires and, above all, anxious not to tempt105 fortune too far, this great guardian106 of our industrious107 and intelligent democracy had given up high finance for the last ten years, thus bowing before the first breath of the storm. He had even left the Palais-Bourbon and retired108 to the Luxembourg, to that great Council of the Commons of France where his wisdom and devotion to the Republic were duly appreciated. There he was able to pull the strings109 without being seen by the public. He only spoke on secret commissions. But there he still showed those brilliant qualities which for many years the princes of cosmopolitan110 finance had justly learnt to appraise111 at a high value. He remained the outspoken defender112 of the fiscal113 system introduced at the Revolution and founded, as we are all aware, on the principles of liberty183 and justice. He upheld the rights of capital with that emotion which is always so touching114 in an old hand at the game. Even the turn-coats themselves revered115 in the person of Laprat-Teulet a pacific and truly conservative mind, regarding him as the guardian angel of personal property.
“His notions are honourable enough,” said M. de Terremondre. “But the worst aspect of it is that to-day he is burdened with the weight of a difficult past.” But Laprat-Teulet had enemies who were implacable in their hatred116 of him. “I have earned this hatred,” said he magnanimously, “by defending the interests which were entrusted117 to me.”
His enemies pursued him even into the sacred precincts of the Senate, where his misfortunes gave him an air of still greater dignity, for he had once before been in difficulties and even actually on the verge118 of ruin. This came about through a mistake made by a Keeper of the Seals who was not a member of the syndicate and who had rashly handed him over into the astonished hands of justice. Neither the honourable M. Laprat-Teulet, nor his examining judge, nor his barrister, nor the Public Prosecutor119, nor the Keeper of the Seals himself, was capable of foreseeing, or even understanding, the cause of those sudden partial cleavages in the machine of government, those catastrophes120,184 farcical as the collapse122 of a platform at a show and terrible as the outcome of what the orator called immanent justice, catastrophes which sometimes hurl123 the most respected statesmen from their seats in both Chambers124. M. Laprat-Teulet felt a melancholy surprise at his fate and he scorned to give any explanation to the authorities, but the number and splendour of his connections saved him. A plea that there was not sufficient cause for prosecution125 was interposed. At first Laprat-Teulet accepted it with humble gratitude126, and next he bore it into the official world as a regular certificate of innocence127. “Almighty God,” said Madame Laprat-Teulet, who was pious128, “Almighty God has been very merciful to my husband, for to him He has granted the stay of proceedings129 he so much desired.” It is matter of common knowledge that Madame Laprat-Teulet was so grateful that she had a votive-offering hung up in the chapel130 of Saint-Antoine, a marble slab131 bearing the following inscription: “From a Christian wife, in gratitude for an unhoped-for blessing94.”
This stay of proceedings reassured132 Laprat-Teulet’s political friends, the crowd of ex-ministers and big officials who had shared with him, not only the time of struggle, but the fruitful years, who had known both the seven lean kine and the seven fat kine. This stay was a safeguard, or at185 any rate was regarded as such. It could be relied upon for several years to come. Then suddenly, by a stroke of bad luck, by one of those ill-omened and unforeseen accidents that come secretly and from underneath133, like sudden leaks in rotten vessels134, without any political or moral reason, in the full glory of his honours, this old servant of the democracy, this heir of its achievements whom M. Worms-Clavelin had instanced only the night before in the comitia as a shining light to the whole department, this man of order and progress, this defender of capital and opponent of clericalism, this intimate friend of ex-ministers and ex-presidents, this Senator Laprat-Teulet, this man, though exculpated135 on the former occasion, was sent to prison with a batch136 of members of parliament. And the local paper announced in large type: “A Senator at Mazas. Arrest of M. Laprat-Teulet.” M. Bergeret, being a man of delicacy137, turned the paper round on the back of the seat.
“Well,” said M. Lantaigne in a morose138 voice, “do you like the look of what you see there, and do you think it can last long?”
“What do you mean?” asked M. Bergeret. “Are you referring to the parliamentary scandals? But let us first ask what a scandal really is. A scandal is the effect that usually results from the revelation of some secret deed. For men don’t in186 general act furtively139, save when they are doing something that runs counter to morality and public opinion. It is also noticeable that, although public scandals occur in every period and every nation, they happen most frequently when the Government is least skilled in dissimulation. It is also evident that state secrets are never well kept in a democracy. The number of people concerned, indeed, and the powerful party jealousies140 invite revelations, sometimes hushed up, sometimes startling. It should also be observed that the parliamentary system actually multiplies the number of those who betray trusts, by putting a crowd of people in a position where they can do it easily. Louis XIV was robbed by Fouquet on a large and splendid scale. But in our days, all the while the melancholy President, who had been chosen merely as a creditable figure-head, confronted the chastened departments with the mute countenance141 of a bearded Minerva, he was distributing largesse142 at the Palais Bourbon at a rate past checking. In itself this was no great evil, for every Government always has a number of needy143 folks hanging about it, and it is too much to demand of human nature to ask that they shall all be honest. Besides, what these paltry144 thieves have taken is very little in comparison with what our honest administration wastes every hour of the day. One point alone should187 be observed, for it is of primary importance. The revenue farmers of olden days, this Pauquet de Sainte-Croix, for instance, who in the time of Louis XV heaped up the wealth of the province in the very mansion145 where I now live ‘in the third room,’ those shameless plunderers robbed their nation and their king without being in collusion with any of their country’s enemies. Now, on the contrary, our parliamentary sharks are betraying France to a foreign power, Finance, to wit. For it is true that Finance is to-day one of the Powers of Europe, and of her it may be said, as was formerly146 said of the Church, that among the nations she remains147 a splendid alien. Our representatives, whom she buys over, are not only robbers but traitors148. And, in truth, they rob and betray in paltry, huckstering fashion. Each one in himself is merely an object of pity: it is their rapid swarming149 that alarms me.
“Meanwhile the honourable M. Laprat-Teulet is at Mazas! He was taken there on the morning of the very day on which he was due here to preside over the Social Defence League banquet. This arrest, which was carried out on the day after the vote that authorised the prosecution, has taken M. Worms-Clavelin completely by surprise. He had arranged for M. Dellion to preside at the banquet, since his integrity, guaranteed by inherited wealth188 and by forty years of commercial prosperity, is universally respected. Though the préfet deplores150 the fact that the most prominent officials of the Republic are continually subject to suspicion, yet, at the same time, he congratulates himself on the loyalty151 of their constituents152, who remain true to the established system, even when it seems the general wish to bring it into disrepute. He declares, in fact, that parliamentary episodes such as the one which has just occurred, even when they follow on others of the same kind, leave the working-classes of the department absolutely indifferent. And M. Worms-Clavelin is quite right: he is by no means exaggerating the phlegmatic153 calm of these classes, which seem no longer capable of surprise. The herd154 of nobodies read in the newspapers that Senator Laprat-Teulet has been sent to solitary155 confinement156; they manifest no surprise at the news, and they would have received with the same phlegm the information that he had been sent as ambassador to some foreign court. It is even probable that, if the arm of justice sends him back to parliamentary life, M. Laprat-Teulet will sit next year on the budget commission. There is, at any rate, no doubt whatever that at the end of his sentence he will be re-elected.”
The abbé here interrupted M. Bergeret.
“There, Monsieur Bergeret, you put your finger189 on the weak point; there you make the void to echo. The public is becoming used to the spectacle of wrong-doing and is losing the power to discriminate157 between good and evil. That’s where the danger lies. Now one public scandal after another arises, only to be at once hushed up. Under the Monarchy158 and the Empire there was such a thing as public opinion; there is none to-day. This nation, once so high-spirited and generous, has suddenly become incapable159 of either hatred or love, of either admiration160 or scorn.”
“Like you,” said M. Bergeret, “I have been struck by this change and I have sought in vain for the causes of it. We read in many Chinese fables161 of a very ugly spirit, of lumpish gait, but subtle mind, who loves to play pranks162. He makes his way by night into inhabited houses, then opening a sleeper’s brain, as though it were a box, he takes out the brain, puts another in its place and softly closes the skull163. He takes infinite delight in passing thus from house to house, interchanging brains as he goes, and when, at dawn, this tricksy elf has returned to his temple, the mandarin164 awakes with the mind of a courtesan, and the young girl with the dreams of a hardened opium-eater. Some spirit of this sort must assuredly have been busy bartering165 French brains for those of some tame, spiritless people, who drag out a melancholy existence without190 rising to the height of a new desire, indifferent alike to justice and injustice166. For, indeed, we are no longer at all like ourselves.”
Stopping suddenly, M. Bergeret shrugged167 his shoulders. Then he went on, in a tone of gentle sadness:
“Yet, it is the effect of age and the sign of a certain wisdom. Infancy168 is the age of awe169 and wonder; youth, of fiery170 revolt. It is the mere10 passing of the years that has brought us this mood of peaceful indifference: I ought to have understood it better. Our condition of mind, at any rate, assures us both internal and external peace.”
“Do you think so?” asked Abbé Lantaigne. “And have you no presentiment171 of approaching catastrophe121?”
“Life in itself is a catastrophe,” answered M. Bergeret. “It is a constant catastrophe, in fact, since it can only manifest itself in an unstable172 environment, and since the essential condition of its existence is the instability of the forces which produce it. The life of a nation, like that of an individual, is a never-ceasing ruin, a series of downfalls, an endless prospect173 of misery174 and crime. Our country, though it is the finest in the world, only exists, like others, by the perpetual renewal175 of its miseries176 and mistakes. To live is to destroy. To act is to injure. But at this particular191 moment, Monsieur Lantaigne, the finest country in the world is feeble in action, and plays but a sluggard’s part in the drama of existence. It is that fact which reassures177 me, for I detect no signs in the heavens. I foresee no evils approaching with special and peculiar178 menace to our peaceful land. Tell me, Monsieur l’abbé, when you foretell179 catastrophe, is it from within or from without that you see it coming?”
“The danger is all round us,” answered M. Lantaigne, “and yet you laugh.”
“I feel no desire whatever to laugh,” answered M. Bergeret. “There is little enough for me to laugh at in this sublunary world, on this terrestrial globe whose inhabitants are almost all either hateful or ridiculous. But I do not believe that either our peace or our independence is threatened by any powerful neighbour. We inconvenience no one. We are not a menace to the comity180 of nations. We are restrained and reasonable. So far as we know, our statesmen are not formulating181 extravagant182 schemes which, if successful, would establish our power, or if unsuccessful, would bring about our ruin. We make no claim to the sovereignty of the globe. Europe of to-day finds us quite bearable: the feeling must be a happy novelty.
“Just look for a moment at the portraits of our192 statesmen that Madame Fusellier, the stationer, keeps in her shop-window. Tell me if there is a single one of them who looks as if he were made to unleash183 the dogs of war and lay the world waste. Their talents match their power, for both are but mediocre184. They are not made to be the perpetrators of great crimes, for, thank God! they are not great men. Hence, we can sleep in peace. Besides, although Europe is armed to the teeth, I believe she is by no means inclined to war. For in war there breathes a generous spirit unpopular nowadays. True, they set the Turks fighting the Greeks: that is, they bet on them, as men bet on cocks or horses. But they will not fight between themselves. In 1840 Auguste Comte foretold185 the end of war and, of course, the prophecy was not exactly and literally186 fulfilled. Yet possibly the vision of this great man penetrated187 into the far-distant future. War is, indeed, the everyday condition of a feudal188 and monarchical189 Europe, but the feudal system is now dead and the ancient despotisms are opposed by new forces. The question of peace or war in our days depends less on absolute sovereigns than on the great international banking190 interests, more influential191 than the Powers themselves. Financial Europe is in a peaceful temper, or, if that be not quite true, she certainly has no love for war as193 war, no respect for any sentiment of chivalry192. Besides, her barren influence is not destined193 to live long and she will one day be engulfed194 in the abyss of industrial revolution. Socialistic Europe will probably be friendly to peace, for there will be a socialistic Europe, Monsieur Lantaigne, if indeed that unknown power which is approaching can be rightly called Socialism.”
“Sir,” answered Abbé Lantaigne, “only one Europe is possible, and that is Christian Europe. There will always be wars, for peace is not ordained195 for this world. If only we could recover the courage and faith of our ancestors! As a soldier of the Church militant196, I know well that war will only end with the consummation of the ages. And, like Ajax in old Homer, I pray God that I may fight in the light of day. What terrifies me is neither the number nor the boldness of our enemies, but the weakness and indecision which prevail in our own camp. The Church is an army, and I grieve when I see chasms197 and openings right along her battle-front; I rage when I see atheists slipping into her ranks and the worshippers of the Golden Calf198 volunteering for the defence of the sanctuary199. I groan200 when I see the struggle going on all around me, amidst the confusion of a great darkness propitious201 to cowards and traitors. The will of God be done! I am certain of the final194 triumph, of the ultimate conquest of sin and error at the last day, which will be the day of glory and justice.”
He rose with firm and steady glance, yet his heavy face was downcast. His soul within him was sorrowful, and not without good reason. For under his administration the high seminary was on its way to ruin. There was a financial deficit202, and now that he was being prosecuted by Lafolie the butcher, to whom he owed ten thousand, two hundred and thirty-one francs, his pride lived in perpetual dread203 of a rebuke204 from the Cardinal-Archbishop. The mitre towards which he had stretched out his hand was eluding205 his grasp and already he saw himself banished206 to some poor country benefice. Turning towards M. Bergeret, he said:
“The most terrible storm-cloud is ready to burst over France.”
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orchards
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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thither
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melancholy
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mere
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lewd
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inscription
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kindly
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concise
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dedicated
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ironic
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invoked
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muse
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meditation
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consummately
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plunge
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virtue
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dissimulation
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24
incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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25
blurts
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的第三人称单数 ) | |
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swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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28
chimerical
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| adj.荒诞不经的，梦幻的 | |
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29
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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30
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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31
perverted
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| adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 )；腐蚀；败坏；使堕落 | |
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32
waggish
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| adj.诙谐的，滑稽的 | |
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33
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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34
craftsman
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| n.技工，精于一门工艺的匠人 | |
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35
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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36
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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37
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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38
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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39
mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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40
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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41
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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42
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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43
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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44
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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45
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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46
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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47
distended
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| v.（使）膨胀，肿胀( distend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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49
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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50
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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51
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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52
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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53
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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54
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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55
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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56
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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57
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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58
abasement
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| n.滥用 | |
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59
exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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60
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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61
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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62
edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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63
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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64
afflict
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| vt.使身体或精神受痛苦，折磨 | |
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65
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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66
expiation
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| n.赎罪，补偿 | |
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67
cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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68
radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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69
crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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70
supplementary
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| adj.补充的，附加的 | |
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71
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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72
scrawls
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| 潦草的笔迹( scrawl的名词复数 ) | |
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73
miasma
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| n.毒气；不良气氛 | |
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74
craving
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| n.渴望,热望 | |
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75
yearns
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的第三人称单数 ) | |
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76
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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77
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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78
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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79
phenomena
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| n.现象 | |
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80
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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81
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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82
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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83
outspoken
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| adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的 | |
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84
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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85
astronomical
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| adj.天文学的，（数字）极大的 | |
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86
prosecuted
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| a.被起诉的 | |
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87
recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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88
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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89
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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90
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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91
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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92
exalt
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| v.赞扬，歌颂，晋升，提升 | |
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93
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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94
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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95
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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96
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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97
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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98
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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99
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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100
astuteness
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| n.敏锐；精明；机敏 | |
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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
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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103
concessions
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| n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权 | |
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104
orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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105
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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106
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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107
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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108
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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109
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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110
cosmopolitan
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| adj.世界性的，全世界的，四海为家的，全球的 | |
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111
appraise
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| v.估价，评价，鉴定 | |
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112
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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113
fiscal
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| adj.财政的，会计的，国库的，国库岁入的 | |
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114
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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115
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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117
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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119
prosecutor
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| n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人 | |
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120
catastrophes
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| n.灾祸( catastrophe的名词复数 )；灾难；不幸事件；困难 | |
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121
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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122
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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123
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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124
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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125
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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126
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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127
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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128
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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129
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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130
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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131
slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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132
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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133
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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134
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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135
exculpated
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| v.开脱，使无罪( exculpate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
batch
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| n.一批(组，群)；一批生产量 | |
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137
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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138
morose
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| adj.脾气坏的，不高兴的 | |
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139
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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140
jealousies
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| n.妒忌( jealousy的名词复数 )；妒羡 | |
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141
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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142
largesse
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| n.慷慨援助，施舍 | |
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143
needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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144
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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145
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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146
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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147
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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148
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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149
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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150
deplores
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的第三人称单数 ) | |
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151
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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152
constituents
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| n.选民( constituent的名词复数 )；成分；构成部分；要素 | |
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153
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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154
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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155
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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156
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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157
discriminate
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| v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待 | |
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158
monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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159
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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160
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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161
fables
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| n.寓言( fable的名词复数 )；神话，传说 | |
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162
pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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163
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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164
Mandarin
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| n.中国官话，国语，满清官吏；adj.华丽辞藻的 | |
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165
bartering
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| v.作物物交换，以货换货( barter的现在分词 ) | |
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166
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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167
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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168
infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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169
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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170
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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171
presentiment
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| n.预感，预觉 | |
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172
unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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173
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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174
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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175
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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176
miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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177
reassures
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| v.消除恐惧或疑虑，恢复信心( reassure的第三人称单数 ) | |
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178
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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179
foretell
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| v.预言，预告，预示 | |
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180
comity
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| n.礼让，礼仪；团结，联合 | |
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181
formulating
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| v.构想出( formulate的现在分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
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182
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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183
unleash
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| vt.发泄，发出；解带子放开 | |
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184
mediocre
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| adj.平常的，普通的 | |
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185
foretold
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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186
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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187
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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188
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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189
monarchical
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| adj. 国王的，帝王的，君主的，拥护君主制的 =monarchic | |
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190
banking
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| n.银行业，银行学，金融业 | |
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191
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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192
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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193
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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194
engulfed
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| v.吞没，包住( engulf的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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195
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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196
militant
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| adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士 | |
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197
chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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198
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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199
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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200
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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201
propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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202
deficit
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| n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差 | |
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203
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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204
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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205
eluding
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的现在分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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206
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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