小说搜索     点击排行榜   最新入库
首页 » 英文短篇小说 » The Impostor » VIII THE MEANING OF A SHRUG
选择底色: 选择字号:【大】【中】【小】
VIII THE MEANING OF A SHRUG
关注小说网官方公众号(noveltingroom),原版名著免费领。
 In the late afternoon, the Snowdens arrived from Montpelier, and, a little later, the Platers from Sotterly. They were young married people and added much to the company. Mrs. Snowden was a Leigh of Virginia, and Mrs. Plater was the only daughter and heiress of Colonel John Rousby, of Rousby Hall in Calvert County.
 
The former came down the Patuxent in their barge1, rowed by a dozen sturdy blacks; the Platers by coach and four, with postilions and footmen, and made a gallant2 show as they dashed up the avenue and drew up, with a grand flourish, before the entrance.
 
The company was on the lawn, at the side of the house, playing at bowls or idling the day away as they saw fit, but they crowded forward, and made a great to do over them.
 
"I vow3 I am almost dead," said Mrs. Plater, at last; "pray, get me away, Judith, or I shall faint. The roads are terrific, and the jolting4 has well nigh finished me."
 
"You poor dear!" exclaimed Miss Marbury, and straightway carried her off to her room.
 
Miss Stirling was not in the company that received the Snowdens and the Platers. She saw them come, from behind the curtains of her window, but did not show herself. She was in déshabillé, which[Pg 105] was sufficient excuse, and she was engaged in writing a letter, which was abundant excuse—more especially, as it was of exceeding length and filled with gossip.
 
It was to Lady Catherwood, in London, and essayed to relate all that had happened since she left, and besought5 her to reply, in kind. Much of it had to do with the men she had met, less, with the women—though they came in for a share. Mr. Worthington, Mr. Paca, Mr. Brice, and Mr. Constable6 she found most agreeable and charming, Captain Herford was mainly a bore, though, at times, he could be most entertaining. He was a good catch, as he was reputed to be wealthy, and, in addition, was an officer in the Royal American Regiment7. He had conceived a most absurd fondness for herself, however; which was most embarrassing, because he did not want to give any of the other men a chance to be nice to her. She did not care to snub him, on her uncle's account, but it was pretty hard, sometimes, not to do it.
 
There was one man, who had attracted her more than all the others—indeed, she could grow very fond of him, if he would only respond in the slightest degree. Mr. Richard Maynadier was his name. He was considerable older, was, in fact, a member of the Council and a man of material importance in the Colony. She had done everything to attract him, consistent with maidenly8 reserve—and, may be, a bit more; and he knew it, too, and laughed her, good naturedly, aside. He was courteous9, of[Pg 106] course, in the very best way, but steadily10 refused to be brought nearer. And it piqued11 her. To have all the men devoted12, except the one she desired! It was not at all serious, but, mainly, because he would not have it. In fact, if there was any one in Maryland who might persuade her to remain, it was Richard Maynadier.
 
At the end, she wrote this postscript—which was the real object of the letter:
 
"P. S. Did you ever Chance to Meet a Sir Edward Parkington, or do you Know of Him? He is arrived, lately, at Annapolis, bringing Letters of Introduction to Governor Sharpe and Mr. Dulany. He tells a wondrous13 story of Shipwreck14, and being cast up by the waves, some miles below here, and All on board being lost, Save only him. He is exceedingly Affable, and pleasant, and has made a Good Impression on Every one. I wish you would Ascertain—if you do not already know—whether he is Married—his actions are those of a Bachelor, but no one has Inquired, and I care not to ask him. He has the loveliest Manners, he dances the Minuet with Marvelous Grace, and he can make love better than any Man I ever Met. He says he is going to stay the Summer. He is Tall and slender, with black hair, blue eyes and fair complexion15. Be sure to tell me, when you Answer—and anything else you know concerning him.
 
"M. S."
 
[Pg 107]
 
"I wish I had written three weeks ago," she reflected. "It will require nine or ten weeks for this letter to reach England, and as many coming back, and, allowing for the necessary delay at both ends and the time she takes to reply, it will be all of five months and, maybe, six, before I can hope for an answer. That will be the first of November, at least—and, like enough, you will be gone before, then, Sir Edward," she said, looking out at the man standing16 in the group on the lawn below her.
 
She folded the letter carefully, and affixed17 the seals, then laid it aside, to be sent to Annapolis and included in his Excellency's mail for forwarding. In that way, she would save postage, and as the missive was several ounces in weight, at five shillings the ounce, it made purely18 friendly communications rather expensive.
 
It was nearly supper-time when she appeared on the lawn, looking exceedingly sweet in a flowered pink silk, to find a new arrival—Mr. Richard Maynadier. He had ridden across from his place, Rose Hill, which adjoined Hedgely Hall on the North.
 
"Ah, Miss Stirling!" he said, with a low bow. "The evening star shines pale beside you."
 
"And the morning star not at all!" she laughed. "Thanks, monsieur, my warmest thanks.—But I wonder that you are not afraid to pay me compliments."
 
"No," he said. "Compliments are safe—they lead to nothing."
 
[Pg 108]
 
"Because they are mainly false?" she asked.
 
"Not exactly—because they do not commit one, I should say—and every one takes them at their value; there is no danger of being misunderstood."
 
"You are dreadfully afraid of being misunderstood!" she mocked.
 
"Perhaps!" he smiled. "What these young macaronies" (with a motion, indicating those around him) "could venture with impunity19, we older heads dare not. It is not dignified20 for us."
 
"Then do not ever fall in love, Mr. Maynadier; love is the most undignified of all our frailties21."
 
"In what way is it undignified?" he asked.
 
"In every way—particularly, in the exhibition of one's feelings. Every one makes sport of the lover—every one laughs at him."
 
"Then the world is overrun with fools—for they are but laughing at themselves. No, no, my lady! I find no fault with love, ever—only with him who simulates it, and is old enough to know better. Comprenez vous?"
 
"Oh, yes, I understand," she said, with a frank smile; "but I do not agree with you."
 
"A woman's privilege! she never agrees, and is fascinating always."
 
"Perversity22, you think?"
 
"Diversity!" he laughed, and bowed himself away.
 
At supper, a little later, he occupied a place beside Miss Marbury. Parkington was at the opposite end of the table, one removed from the silent[Pg 109] host, whom he was trying, as best he could, to bring into the conversation, but with indifferent success. A word, a nod, a short sentence, rarely, was all that he could elicit23. But even Maynadier could not have got as much out of him—and he watched them, contemplatively, through the meal....
 
What was the man's idea—what was his purpose? What was there about him to make old Marbury talk—why was he taking the trouble to make him talk? In short, had he an object in it? But, then, why was he in Maryland at all? What was he doing here? Was he a spy—a secret agent, sent hither for a purpose; and what was that purpose? He came duly accredited24, and his letters were in form and regular—the signature, indeed, the entire writing, was Lord Baltimore's own.... It was very peculiar25, surely. Of course, the Governor knew—he would have been informed—but the Governor had seen fit to be silent, and even they, of the Council, did not pry26 in matters which did not concern them—his Excellency had a way about him that forbade it.
 
He had met Sir Edward Parkington in London, two years before, and this was not he. But he had seen Colonel Sharpe, at the Races, introduced him as Sir Edward, and so, a little later, when he himself was presented by Miss Stirling, he had accepted it. The man knew how to act the part—indeed, he appeared to be far above the calibre of Parkington. Parkington, as he remembered, was pretty much of a rake—one of Baltimore's own. But[Pg 110] this man had been very circumspect27, and his deportment most proper.... He might be a great noble—his manner suggested it—come over incog. to view the country, and to get information at first hand on the temper of the people. Indeed, he might be anything and any one—but, assuredly, he was not Sir Edward Parkington. However, it was not his business to unmask him, after Colonel Sharpe had accepted him and vouched28 for him.
 
"Why did you shrug29 your shoulders?" Miss Marbury asked, suddenly.
 
"Did I shrug my shoulders?" he said. "I did not know it."
 
"Yes, you did; now why did you do it?"
 
"I do not know."
 
"Which is another way of saying, I should not have asked."
 
"You may ask me anything," he said.
 
"And not give offense30, you mean," she supplemented. "But you reserve the right to answer only what you choose."
 
"Do you think so?" smiling.
 
"Yes, I do.—Please tell me, Dick?" she plead.
 
"Please tell you what?" he said, indulgently.
 
"Why you shrugged31 your shoulders—you were looking toward father—has he done anything—I mean, was he the cause?"
 
"No, child, he had nothing to do with it."
 
"You are not deceiving me?"
 
"Have I ever deceived you?" he asked.
 
"No! no!" she said. "I did not mean it—but[Pg 111] I thought that, maybe, he had—you understand."
 
"I understand that you are unnecessarily sensitive," he answered. "Your father is a bit eccentric, but he is neither churlish nor ill-mannered—and he is rich enough to be both, if he so wished."
 
"You believe in wealth, then?" she asked. "You believe that wealth is equal to birth?"
 
"In a social sense, yes," said he. "Both are the keys to good society.—By birth one belongs, by wealth one buys a right to belong. It is all the same. For my part, I would rather be the wealthy buyer than the poor belonger—it is so much more satisfactory."
 
"But when one has both wealth and birth—like you," she persisted, "how do the buyers appear—what do you think of them?"
 
He leaned close over. "Just what they are worth," he answered—"just what they are worth."
 
"And what are we worth, Dick?" she said impulsively32; "we are buyers—what are we worth?"
 
"As a general proposition," laying his hand on her arm, and speaking very earnestly, "the Marburys are worth exactly what they measure. You, my dear, have measured up, far up."
 
She looked at him with searching eyes. "You mean it—you are sure you mean it?"
 
"Sure—absolutely sure!"
 
She gave a little sigh of relief. "You are very good—I am satisfied now—if you approve, there will be none who dare disapprove33."
 
[Pg 112]
 
"There will be none who care to disapprove," he said. "Yours was a more difficult case than George's—he had only the men to satisfy, and that is easy, where one is a good fellow and a manly34. You had the women—and women are jealous, vindictive35 and irresponsible. But you won. They all are for you—there is not one that is even undecided."
 
"I am glad, very glad," she said. "I want to please them—I was afraid I had failed. You are a dear to tell me this—a perfect dear, Dick."
 
The sweet unaffectedness was refreshing36. It is not possible, he thought, that the girl does not know she is beautiful. One look in her mirror would tell her, one glance at her figure—her complexion, her eyes, her hair—oh! assuredly, she must know it.
 
He had seen it coming, had seen it grow. Six years ago, when they first came to Annapolis, he had marked her—the young girl just budding into womanhood. He had been of those who early accepted the Marburys, and four years later, when Hedgely Hall was offered for sale, the fact that his place adjoined it, was, he knew, a consideration for its purchase. Since then, he had watched the woman beside him perfect into the beauty of to-day—with all the winsomeness37, all the freshness, of the unspoiled and unaffected. He had seen it as none other, for he had a place in the household which was for him alone—he was guide and mentor[Pg 113] and elder brother to her, all in one. The parents were not capable, at times, of advising, so he took the duty on himself—not that she needed much counsel, but, when she did, she knew where to find it. It was at his own request that she had come to call him "Dick," dropping the Mr. Maynadier, as quite too formal, and evading38 Richard "because that was what all his other friends called him." He was so much older,—later, he had liked the intimacy39 of it, the spirit of comradeship—to-night, he had suddenly realized that, even to him, she was no longer the sweet-faced girl, whom he had petted, and chided, and advised, by turns. She was able to stand alone, to be made love to—and had been these many months!... Yet none had sought her, as a lover seeks! And, why? Was it because of her birth? Was it because of him—the friend? Was it because of herself—would she have none of them?——
 
"What is the matter, Dick?" she said, "why do you not answer? Your eyes are on me, but your mind is far away."
 
"I beg your pardon!" he exclaimed, "it was rude, I know—what did you say?"
 
"I asked why it was you shrugged your shoulders—why was it?"
 
"I was cold—it is drafty here."
 
"Nonsense!—be serious——"
 
"I cannot. I am——"
 
[Pg 114]
 
"Dick, you are possessed40!" she laughed. "You are——"
 
"I am," he cut in—"I am possessed of shrugs—they come and go as they will—I am not responsible—I am——"
 
"You are trying to avoid telling me—confess it."
 
"Now, Judith——"
 
"Do you not see, Dick, that you have aroused my curiosity to an ungovernable pitch. You must tell me—and now—now—now!"
 
He threw up his hands in mock despair.
 
"But suppose I cannot," he said.
 
"Cannot?" she echoed—"You do not appear to have lost the power of speech."
 
"Touché!" he laughed. "May, would be the better word—I may not tell."
 
"Why?" she said—"why may you not tell?"
 
"Because it is inexpedient," he answered.
 
"A matter of State?" she demanded.
 
"No."
 
"Violating a confidence?"
 
"No."
 
"Inexpedient!" she reflected—"Inexpedient!—there can be but one more reason:—it might provoke scandal, if known. Is that it?"
 
"You are the very devil, Judith!" he exclaimed;—"yes, that is it."
 
"Oh, delightful41! delightful! Come, sir, what is it? Now, I will not be put off."
 
[Pg 115]
 
He looked at her doubtfully, undecided what to do. He thought he could trust her—he felt sure that he could. But, what if she babbled42?
 
"You do not trust me," she said. "You fear that I shall tell."
 
"No, not exactly," he said, "I trust you, but I fear that, inadvertently, you might tell.—However, you shall know it."
 
She turned toward him, impulsively——
 
"But, not now—some one might overhear. Take me for a walk down the avenue, after supper."
 
"Would you rather not tell?" she asked. "Because, if you would——"
 
"How like a woman!" he laughed. "Work one up to the pitch, and then grow faint-hearted. No, you will have to hear it, now—and be bored."
 
"There is no danger," she replied.—"I'll take you the walk, after supper—and I'll take you whether you tell me, or whether you do not." And she gave him a deliberate and dazzling smile which set Mr. Richard Maynadier to thinking more than ever.
 
A little later, when, the supper ended and her duties as hostess were done for the time, she came out on the lawn, it was to find Richard Maynadier seated alone and waiting. He arose at once and bowed, and, without further ado she slipped her hand through his arm, and they strolled down the avenue toward the water. The full moon had just pushed its way through the fringe of trees beyond[Pg 116] the Patuxent, the breath of the evening came to them, the fragrance43 of the roses and the lilacs, a gentle breeze sang softly through the leaves, and whispered among the branches.
 
A faint laugh floated to them, and then another—and, presently, up the avenue, strolled Miss Stirling and Sir Edward Parkington.
 
"Ah! what have we here?" exclaimed Miss Stirling. "Another couple!"
 
"Going out into the moonlight," said Maynadier, quickly, "not into the dark."
 
"Ho, ho!" Sir Edward laughed, "what have you to say now, my lady?"
 
"That he is most impertinent."
 
"Granted," returned Maynadier. "What else?"
 
"Nothing, now," came over her shoulder; "I shall consider the penalty."
 
"What did she mean by 'the penalty'?" Judith asked, when they were out of hearing.
 
"I have not the slightest notion," said he.
 
"Has she caught you, too,—I mean, have you joined the others in dancing attendance on her?"
 
"Not to my knowledge," he smiled—"and, I am sure, not to hers."
 
"Well, you are about the only one who has escaped—you and George. And George is too busy with every one to specialize—just yet."
 
"Give him his head," said Maynadier; "he will settle into his stride, some day."
 
[Pg 117]
 
"If he does not settle pretty soon, father will have the fainting sickness. He bought Hedgely Hall for George's wedding gift—and he still has it on his hands, with no prospects44. However, no match is much better than a bad one."
 
"George will never make a bad marriage, trust him for that—and trust your father, too."
 
"Trust father!" she exclaimed. "I reckon I do—he is the dearest parent any girl ever had. I was only trying to be funny, and without success—even with you. It is not in me."
 
"The trouble is with me—I took you seriously——"
 
"They all do—every body takes me seriously. They will not let me be absurd, even when I try."
 
He looked at her with a puzzled frown—was she in jest or earnest? At all events, she was showing a new side to him, to-night—or he was seeing it, for the first time——
 
Her light laugh broke in on him. "Confess that you do not understand me, to-night!—Well, I do not understand myself, so, let us drop me, and take up the secret—the great secret you were afraid some one would overhear, at table:—why did you shrug your shoulders, sir?"
 
"The specific reason is of no value," he answered, "it simply fitted in with my thoughts, at the time. But the secret itself is very different. It may result in nothing, that is, nothing may come of it (which I doubt), but assuredly it is a fact."
 
[Pg 118]
 
"Bravo!" she cried. "You do it well, Dick, splendidly, indeed. You almost convince me you have discovered something."
 
"Discovered conveys the idea of going in search of," he said, thoughtfully.—"No, I did not discover this—it was thrust upon me. I just noticed it, casually45. I——"
 
"Dick, do get on!" she exclaimed. "You've got me all on edge. Out with it!"
 
He chuckled46 softly to himself. "You know Sir Edward Parkington?"
 
"Casually—he is a guest, at present, at Hedgely Hall," as though she were imparting information of the most confidential47 sort.
 
"Oh, no, he is not!"
 
"Do be serious, Dick—what about him?"
 
"You thought you passed him, a moment ago, with Miss Stirling, did you not?"
 
"Of course!"
 
"Well, that shows how easy it is to be deceived. You did not."
 
"Are you crazy, Dick? Certainly it was Sir Edward."
 
He shook his head.
 
"Who was it, then?" she demanded.
 
"I do not know—I only know it was not Sir Edward. He is not he!"
 
She stared at him.
 
"He is not he!" she repeated. "What do you mean?"
 
[Pg 119]
 
"I mean," he said, the smile broadening into a gentle laugh, "that the man you know as Sir Edward Parkington is not Sir Edward Parkington. He is an impostor."
 
"Dick!" she cried. "Do you mean it—are you sure?"
 
"Perfectly48 sure," he answered, "perfectly sure."
 
"But I do not understand—he brought letters to Governor Sharpe and Mr. Dulany. Were they forged?"
 
"No, they were genuine enough."
 
"Then what——"
 
"That is just the difficulty. I do not know anything more than this: the man who presented them is not Parkington."
 
"And how do you know it?"
 
"I met Parkington, in London, two years ago——"
 
"And this man is not he?"
 
"Exactly. I saw him several times; he seemed to be interested in the Colonies. He was a small man—very much inclined to stoutness49. Oh, I cannot possibly be mistaken. I detected the imposture50 the moment I met him."
 
"And that was when?" she asked.
 
"At the Annapolis races, the day subsequent to his arrival."
 
"And you have permitted him to masquerade—to be received by your friends—to enter their houses?—Oh, Dick!"
 
[Pg 120]
 
"Your criticism may be just," he said. "And I be wrong in my surmise51. The fellow may be a rogue—but, somehow, I doubt it. In manners, and bearing, and address he is far superior to the real Sir Edward—and, also, in breeding, if I am any judge. If this be true, then he is of superior birth. Now, why should such a man be here, in disguise, and with his letters apparently52 regular. I do not know—but they do queer things in London. Besides, the Governor has accepted him. He must have been informed—and, if so, it is not for me to tear off the mask."
 
"But if he be an impostor—if he has stolen the letters, and the name?"
 
"That is scarcely probable; at any rate, I have given him the benefit of the doubt, and, thus far, he has deported53 himself perfectly—much better than Parkington could have done. For my part, I believe he is sent here for a purpose and is, in rank, very much above the one he personates."
 
She nodded her head, gravely.
 
"You know best," she said; "but, now, if ever you want to unmask him, you must lie. It would sound very well, indeed, for Richard Maynadier to say: 'I knew him, at once, for an impostor, but I let him fool you for a month (or two months, or three months, as the case may be), before I told.'"
 
"And for that very reason, I shall not tell," said he. "I am not my brother's keeper. I will[Pg 121] look out for myself, and my friends, if need be, the rest may protect themselves, as best they can."
 
"Are the Marburys your friends?" she asked.
 
"Have the Marburys needed my protection, yet?"
 
"There is an impostor a guest in their house."
 
"My dear girl, you assume he is an impostor for personal gain—I, that he is an impostor for purposes of State. I would receive him as a guest at Rose Hill."
 
"You are warned—we were not."
 
"Whom his Excellency sponsors, a citizen may entertain without discredit54."
 
"I reckon you are right," she agreed, after a moment's thought. "The Governor vouches55 for him, and that is sufficient. But, all the same, it gives me a queer sort of feeling to be in the same house with—Sir Edward."
 
"You see, it would have been much better not to tell you—but you are so persistent56!" and he laughed.
 
They had come out into the open moonlight, on the river bank. She looked at him with an odd smile.
 
"Yes, I am," she replied. "But it has not had much success, thus far."
 
And though Maynadier besought her earnestly, she would not explain.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 barge munzH     
n.平底载货船,驳船
参考例句:
  • The barge was loaded up with coal.那艘驳船装上了煤。
  • Carrying goods by train costs nearly three times more than carrying them by barge.通过铁路运货的成本比驳船运货成本高出近3倍。
2 gallant 66Myb     
adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的
参考例句:
  • Huang Jiguang's gallant deed is known by all men. 黄继光的英勇事迹尽人皆知。
  • These gallant soldiers will protect our country.这些勇敢的士兵会保卫我们的国家的。
3 vow 0h9wL     
n.誓(言),誓约;v.起誓,立誓
参考例句:
  • My parents are under a vow to go to church every Sunday.我父母许愿,每星期日都去做礼拜。
  • I am under a vow to drink no wine.我已立誓戒酒。
4 jolting 5p8zvh     
adj.令人震惊的
参考例句:
  • 'she should be all right from the plane's jolting by now. “飞机震荡应该过了。
  • This is perhaps the most jolting comment of all. 这恐怕是最令人震惊的评论。
5 besought b61a343cc64721a83167d144c7c708de     
v.恳求,乞求(某事物)( beseech的过去式和过去分词 );(beseech的过去式与过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The prisoner besought the judge for mercy/to be merciful. 囚犯恳求法官宽恕[乞求宽大]。 来自辞典例句
  • They besought him to speak the truth. 他们恳求他说实话. 来自辞典例句
6 constable wppzG     
n.(英国)警察,警官
参考例句:
  • The constable conducted the suspect to the police station.警官把嫌疑犯带到派出所。
  • The constable kept his temper,and would not be provoked.那警察压制着自己的怒气,不肯冒起火来。
7 regiment JATzZ     
n.团,多数,管理;v.组织,编成团,统制
参考例句:
  • As he hated army life,he decide to desert his regiment.因为他嫌恶军队生活,所以他决心背弃自己所在的那个团。
  • They reformed a division into a regiment.他们将一个师整编成为一个团。
8 maidenly maidenly     
adj. 像处女的, 谨慎的, 稳静的
参考例句:
  • The new dancer smiled with a charming air of maidenly timidity and artlessness. 新舞蹈演员带著少女般的羞怯和单纯迷人地微笑了。
9 courteous tooz2     
adj.彬彬有礼的,客气的
参考例句:
  • Although she often disagreed with me,she was always courteous.尽管她常常和我意见不一,但她总是很谦恭有礼。
  • He was a kind and courteous man.他为人友善,而且彬彬有礼。
10 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
11 piqued abe832d656a307cf9abb18f337accd25     
v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 );激起(好奇心)
参考例句:
  • Their curiosity piqued, they stopped writing. 他们的好奇心被挑起,停下了手中的笔。 来自辞典例句
  • This phenomenon piqued Dr Morris' interest. 这一现象激起了莫里斯医生的兴趣。 来自辞典例句
12 devoted xu9zka     
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的
参考例句:
  • He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
  • We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
13 wondrous pfIyt     
adj.令人惊奇的,奇妙的;adv.惊人地;异乎寻常地;令人惊叹地
参考例句:
  • The internal structure of the Department is wondrous to behold.看一下国务院的内部结构是很有意思的。
  • We were driven across this wondrous vast land of lakes and forests.我们乘车穿越这片有着湖泊及森林的广袤而神奇的土地。
14 shipwreck eypwo     
n.船舶失事,海难
参考例句:
  • He walked away from the shipwreck.他船难中平安地脱险了。
  • The shipwreck was a harrowing experience.那次船难是一个惨痛的经历。
15 complexion IOsz4     
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格
参考例句:
  • Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
  • Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。
16 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
17 affixed 0732dcfdc852b2620b9edaa452082857     
adj.[医]附着的,附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 );粘贴;加以;盖(印章)
参考例句:
  • The label should be firmly affixed to the package. 这张标签应该牢牢地贴在包裹上。
  • He affixed the sign to the wall. 他将标记贴到墙上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
18 purely 8Sqxf     
adv.纯粹地,完全地
参考例句:
  • I helped him purely and simply out of friendship.我帮他纯粹是出于友情。
  • This disproves the theory that children are purely imitative.这证明认为儿童只会单纯地模仿的理论是站不住脚的。
19 impunity g9Qxb     
n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除
参考例句:
  • You will not escape with impunity.你不可能逃脱惩罚。
  • The impunity what compulsory insurance sets does not include escapement.交强险规定的免责范围不包括逃逸。
20 dignified NuZzfb     
a.可敬的,高贵的
参考例句:
  • Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中,他始终沉默以保持尊严。
  • He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。
21 frailties 28d94bf15a4044cac62ab96a25d3ef62     
n.脆弱( frailty的名词复数 );虚弱;(性格或行为上的)弱点;缺点
参考例句:
  • The fact indicates the economic frailties of this type of farming. 这一事实表明,这种类型的农业在经济上有其脆弱性。 来自辞典例句
  • He failed therein to take account of the frailties of human nature--the difficulties of matrimonial life. 在此,他没有考虑到人性的种种弱点--夫妻生活的种种难处。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
22 perversity D3kzJ     
n.任性;刚愎自用
参考例句:
  • She's marrying him out of sheer perversity.她嫁给他纯粹是任性。
  • The best of us have a spice of perversity in us.在我们最出色的人身上都有任性的一面。
23 elicit R8ByG     
v.引出,抽出,引起
参考例句:
  • It was designed to elicit the best thinking within the government. 机构的设置是为了在政府内部集思广益。
  • Don't try to elicit business secrets from me. I won't tell you anything. 你休想从我这里套问出我们的商业机密, 我什么都不会告诉你的。
24 accredited 5611689a49c15a4c09d7c2a0665bf246     
adj.可接受的;可信任的;公认的;质量合格的v.相信( accredit的过去式和过去分词 );委托;委任;把…归结于
参考例句:
  • The discovery of distillation is usually accredited to the Arabs of the 11th century. 通常认为,蒸馏法是阿拉伯人在11世纪发明的。
  • Only accredited journalists were allowed entry. 只有正式认可的记者才获准入内。
25 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
26 pry yBqyX     
vi.窥(刺)探,打听;vt.撬动(开,起)
参考例句:
  • He's always ready to pry into other people's business.他总爱探听别人的事。
  • We use an iron bar to pry open the box.我们用铁棍撬开箱子。
27 circumspect 0qGzr     
adj.慎重的,谨慎的
参考例句:
  • She is very circumspect when dealing with strangers.她与陌生人打交道时十分谨慎。
  • He was very circumspect in his financial affairs.他对于自己的财务十分细心。
28 vouched 409b5f613012fe5a63789e2d225b50d6     
v.保证( vouch的过去式和过去分词 );担保;确定;确定地说
参考例句:
  • He vouched his words by his deeds. 他用自己的行动证明了自己的言辞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Have all those present been vouched for? 那些到场的人都有担保吗? 来自互联网
29 shrug Ry3w5     
v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等)
参考例句:
  • With a shrug,he went out of the room.他耸一下肩,走出了房间。
  • I admire the way she is able to shrug off unfair criticism.我很佩服她能对错误的批评意见不予理会。
30 offense HIvxd     
n.犯规,违法行为;冒犯,得罪
参考例句:
  • I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
  • His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。
31 shrugged 497904474a48f991a3d1961b0476ebce     
vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀,什么也没说。
  • She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩,装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
32 impulsively 0596bdde6dedf8c46a693e7e1da5984c     
adv.冲动地
参考例句:
  • She leant forward and kissed him impulsively. 她倾身向前,感情冲动地吻了他。
  • Every good, true, vigorous feeling I had gathered came impulsively round him. 我的一切良好、真诚而又强烈的感情都紧紧围绕着他涌现出来。
33 disapprove 9udx3     
v.不赞成,不同意,不批准
参考例句:
  • I quite disapprove of his behaviour.我很不赞同他的行为。
  • She wants to train for the theatre but her parents disapprove.她想训练自己做戏剧演员,但她的父母不赞成。
34 manly fBexr     
adj.有男子气概的;adv.男子般地,果断地
参考例句:
  • The boy walked with a confident manly stride.这男孩以自信的男人步伐行走。
  • He set himself manly tasks and expected others to follow his example.他给自己定下了男子汉的任务,并希望别人效之。
35 vindictive FL3zG     
adj.有报仇心的,怀恨的,惩罚的
参考例句:
  • I have no vindictive feelings about it.我对此没有恶意。
  • The vindictive little girl tore up her sister's papers.那个充满报复心的小女孩撕破了她姐姐的作业。
36 refreshing HkozPQ     
adj.使精神振作的,使人清爽的,使人喜欢的
参考例句:
  • I find it'so refreshing to work with young people in this department.我发现和这一部门的青年一起工作令人精神振奋。
  • The water was cold and wonderfully refreshing.水很涼,特别解乏提神。
37 winsomeness 2c6a7de2202170ec6eb7b14952a9c3bc     
参考例句:
38 evading 6af7bd759f5505efaee3e9c7803918e5     
逃避( evade的现在分词 ); 避开; 回避; 想不出
参考例句:
  • Segmentation of a project is one means of evading NEPA. 把某一工程进行分割,是回避《国家环境政策法》的一种手段。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
  • Too many companies, she says, are evading the issue. 她说太多公司都在回避这个问题。
39 intimacy z4Vxx     
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行
参考例句:
  • His claims to an intimacy with the President are somewhat exaggerated.他声称自己与总统关系密切,这有点言过其实。
  • I wish there were a rule book for intimacy.我希望能有个关于亲密的规则。
40 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
41 delightful 6xzxT     
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的
参考例句:
  • We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
  • Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
42 babbled 689778e071477d0cb30cb4055ecdb09c     
v.喋喋不休( babble的过去式和过去分词 );作潺潺声(如流水);含糊不清地说话;泄漏秘密
参考例句:
  • He babbled the secret out to his friends. 他失口把秘密泄漏给朋友了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She babbled a few words to him. 她对他说了几句不知所云的话。 来自《简明英汉词典》
43 fragrance 66ryn     
n.芬芳,香味,香气
参考例句:
  • The apple blossoms filled the air with their fragrance.苹果花使空气充满香味。
  • The fragrance of lavender filled the room.房间里充满了薰衣草的香味。
44 prospects fkVzpY     
n.希望,前途(恒为复数)
参考例句:
  • There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
  • They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。
45 casually UwBzvw     
adv.漠不关心地,无动于衷地,不负责任地
参考例句:
  • She remarked casually that she was changing her job.她当时漫不经心地说要换工作。
  • I casually mentioned that I might be interested in working abroad.我不经意地提到我可能会对出国工作感兴趣。
46 chuckled 8ce1383c838073977a08258a1f3e30f8     
轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
  • She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情,她就轻轻地暗自发笑。
47 confidential MOKzA     
adj.秘(机)密的,表示信任的,担任机密工作的
参考例句:
  • He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
  • We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。
48 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
49 stoutness 0192aeb9e0cd9c22fe53fa67be7d83fa     
坚固,刚毅
参考例句:
  • He has an inclination to stoutness/to be fat. 他有发福[发胖]的趋势。
  • The woman's dignified stoutness hinted at beer and sausages. 而那女人矜持的肥胖的样子则暗示着她爱喝啤酒爱吃香肠。
50 imposture mcZzL     
n.冒名顶替,欺骗
参考例句:
  • Soiled by her imposture she remains silent.她背着冒名顶替者的黑锅却一直沉默。
  • If they knew,they would see through his imposture straight away.要是他们知道,他们会立即识破他的招摇撞骗行为。
51 surmise jHiz8     
v./n.猜想,推测
参考例句:
  • It turned out that my surmise was correct.结果表明我的推测没有错。
  • I surmise that he will take the job.我推测他会接受这份工作。
52 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
53 deported 97686e795f0449007421091b03c3297e     
v.将…驱逐出境( deport的过去式和过去分词 );举止
参考例句:
  • They stripped me of my citizenship and deported me. 他们剥夺我的公民资格,将我驱逐出境。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The convicts were deported to a deserted island. 罪犯们被流放到一个荒岛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
54 discredit fu3xX     
vt.使不可置信;n.丧失信义;不信,怀疑
参考例句:
  • Their behaviour has bought discredit on English football.他们的行为败坏了英国足球运动的声誉。
  • They no longer try to discredit the technology itself.他们不再试图怀疑这种技术本身。
55 vouches 9293404d45b43af3bcc251d4bad0c693     
v.保证( vouch的第三人称单数 );担保;确定;确定地说
参考例句:
  • Who vouches for your good conduct?" 谁是你的保人?” 来自子夜部分
  • This paper vouches for the authenticity of the painting. 这份文件担保这幅画的可信赖姓。 来自互联网
56 persistent BSUzg     
adj.坚持不懈的,执意的;持续的
参考例句:
  • Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
  • She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤,使她很难为情。


欢迎访问英文小说网

©英文小说网 2005-2010

有任何问题,请给我们留言,管理员邮箱:[email protected]  站长QQ :点击发送消息和我们联系56065533