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XVII A LETTER AND A CONFESSION
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 Sir Edward Parkington and Sir Charles Brandon arrived at Whitehall just before supper, and were greeted by the Governor and his guests on the esplanade.
 
Brandon was dignified1 yet affable, he was properly appreciative2 of his Excellency's courtesy, a bit diffident about imposing3 upon his hospitality, and thoroughly4 considerate in everything; in short, the well-bred gentleman—natural, free from affectations, and, apparently5, sincere.
 
So he impressed Colonel Sharpe; so he impressed every one. He would be an addition to the company, they all agreed, when he and Parkington had gone to their room to dress.
 
The Nelson was arrived that morning from England, and the Governor's mail had been sent down by the pinnace. In the bag, were several communications for Miss Stirling, which he passed over with a jocular remark. Excusing herself, she retired6 to a quiet corner of the library to read them. While thus engaged, Captain Herford entered, and tried to engage her in talk; but she sent him away, rather petulantly7, and then, hiding herself in a window embrasure, went on with her reading.
 
Two of the letters were of casual interest—the[Pg 272] doings of the writers on their country estates—and were not remarkable8 either for correct spelling or polished diction. The third and last, however, was of better stuff.
 
It was from Lady Catherwood, written from London,—before she had received Miss Stirling's letter to her, of course—and had in it much gossip, a little scandal, and, then, just before the close, was this:—
 
"There is an interesting Piece of Gossip, which I all but forgot to tell you. It seems, Lord Baltimore has tired of certain Gentlemen, who are his particular Toad-eaters, and has taken Means to get rid of them.
 
"One has gone to Maryland, with letters of Introduction to the Governor, your Uncle, trusting to make his way with the Gentlemen of the Colony, and, incidentally, to make as much Money off them as they will permit—which, I Dare say, will not be Excessive, for a more Unattractive little Rogue9 it would be hard to find outside a jail. He is small, and fat, and bald, and is scarcely ever Sober, when he has some one to pay for the Liquor; and, naturally, he is a Vile10 little Beast in other ways—Comprenez vous? A thoroughly disreputable fellow, Catherwood says, and one whom Baltimore ought to be Ashamed to send his Colony; but Baltimore is not Ashamed of anything, save leading a decent life.
 
[Pg 273]
 
"I give you this, for your own Information—not because I think there is any likelihood of your falling a Victim to Sir Edward's wiles—but to warn you, and also Colonel Sharpe, if you think well to meddle11 in his business. The name of this wretch12 is Sir Edward Parkington——"
 
Martha Stirling read the last line thrice, to make sure she saw aright.
 
"Sir Edward Parkington!" she reflected—"is small, and fat, and bald, and scarcely ever sober! and a vile little beast in other ways—Comprenez vous? Yes, my dear, I comprehend. And what is more, I comprehend that he is not our Sir Edward. Between the leaving London and the arrival at Annapolis, there was a change of men.—But the letters of introduction are the same—how did they happen to change hands?"
 
She sat a while, thinking deeply. Should she tell the Governor? Should she preserve the secret, tell no one? Should she demand the truth of Parkington himself, and let his story determine her future action? She heard him and Brandon descend13 the stairs, and go out on the esplanade. Brandon! he knew the secret—he knew that Parkington was an impostor—he knew all. She had heard Constable14's story of the meeting at the Coffee-house—the surprise shown. Bah! it was prearranged, determined15 upon beforehand; a play, acted for the express benefit of the onlookers16.—Should she block[Pg 274] it, now, walk out and, before the whole company, read Lady Catherwood's letter? It would be effective—far more so than his play at the Coffee-house. In fact, it would be conclusive17.—Yet, he had always been very gallant18 to her, very devoted19, very sympathetic. (She looked out through the window.) Yes, and he was a gentleman, too. No man had such manners, such grace, such ease of bearing, otherwise.
 
The longer she looked, the more her heart misgave20 her. She could not do it. She would wait until after supper, take him for a walk, down to the water, and get him to confess the masquerade and the reason for it. She refused to think that there was any wrong intended. He was better than the real Sir Edward, a thousand times better. And she liked him—liked him more than any man she had ever met, save only Richard Maynadier; and Richard Maynadier (she had known it since the night he kissed her, at Hedgely Hall) was not for her. There was no love in his lips, though there had been plenty of ardor21.
 
A little twinge of bitterness took possession of her. Why was she born poor?—why could she not have had rank and riches instead of beauty?
 
Presently, she saw the butler go out and announce supper; she arose and joined the party as they came trooping in.
 
She had Parkington and Brandon on either hand, and she watched them, covertly22, all through the[Pg 275] meal, trying to pick some flaw in their bearing, something that would not be quite right in their behaviour. But she failed—as she had felt sure she would. They had only to be natural, to be themselves, to ring true. Parkington he was not, and Brandon might be false, also, but, assuredly, they came of the stock they professed—and, may be, of better.
 
"I have got something to say to you, when you join us," she whispered to Sir Edward, as the ladies arose to retire. "Don't be overlong."
 
"I will come at once," he said, as he drew back her chair.
 
"No—in a half hour. I will be down in the rose-walk, you may join me there."
 
"On the instant!" he exclaimed—and watched her as she went slowly down the table, flinging a bantering23 word, here and there, the men bowing, and smiling, and flinging it back again.
 
"Yes, you may well look at her," said Brandon. "She has the beauty and grace of the best of them at Court. She is the Governor's niece, I take it?"
 
Parkington nodded. "But she is poor—and, I think, has a little too much morals to get on at Court."
 
"She will not let her face and figure purchase her place, you mean? I see.—You have decided24 to go home?" he asked suddenly.
 
"I am strongly tempted25, Brandon, strongly tempted."
 
[Pg 276]
 
"And do you want to be sure of the old Earl's forgiveness?"
 
"I should not refuse it," said Parkington, smiling.
 
"Then, marry Miss Stirling—she can wheedle26 him, I warrant; and, besides, he will be forced to admit that you have given some evidence of reform by doing it."
 
"And Miss Stirling, shall I carry her off by force and marry her, or simply drug her!" laughed Parkington.
 
"Neither—tell her the truth. I will be much surprised, if she does not jump at the chance to get the son of the Earl of Doncaster, even though he is not the heir. Moreover, man, she is fond of you; one did not need to do more than see her at table, this evening, to appreciate it."
 
"You are fertile of schemes," was the answer.
 
"I am—and they are usually good schemes; it is an indispensable requisite27 of the pirate business."
 
Parkington drew over the port, and replenished28 his glass.
 
"But it risks everything on the Earl," he objected. "If he refuse to be lenient—if he prosecutes29?"
 
"He will not."
 
"I must think over it—and, then, marriage is a serious question, my friend, a serious question!"
 
"Is it any more serious to marry Miss Stirling, than it is to marry Miss Marbury?" asked Brandon.
 
[Pg 277]
 
"Well, in the one case, my mind was made up."
 
"How about the lady's mind?"
 
"I admit I do not know."
 
"Was it she in blue and pink, at the other end of the table?"
 
"The same—she sat next to Constable."
 
Brandon laughed lightly, "I am a stranger, here," he said, "but there is only one, in this company, who has any attraction for her:—the tall, grave, exceedingly good-looking man of middle age across the table. Maynadier, I think the Governor called him."
 
"He is only a friend of the family—the best friend, likely—nothing more."
 
"I am not answering as to him," said Brandon. "You are not thinking of marrying Mr. Maynadier, I take it." He pushed back his chair with the others, and arose. "Consider it—sound Miss Stirling—see if she be likely to accept. At any rate, I tell you, again, Miss Marbury is not for you—and neither is residence in Maryland."
 
"Very good—I shall sound her, and tell you how it appears. I have an appointment with her, now," said Parkington.
 
On the way out, Miss Marbury hailed him.
 
"Come here!" she said, with pretty peremptoriness30. "Come here, and tell me how you are—I have not seen you for a long, long time."
 
"And my days have been dreary31 as winter in[Pg 278] consequence, full of rain and melancholy," replied Parkington.
 
"Then, cheer up, Sir Mournful—the sun is shining; you may bask32 in its rays a while."
 
He offered her his arm.
 
"To the Bay and back again?" he asked.
 
"Why, back again?" she laughed.
 
"Because I thought it the only way to get you. But, if you will," (bending down) "it shall be to Annapolis and St. Anne's Rector, ere we come back again."
 
She looked up at him with merry eyes—a charming picture in the moonlight.
 
"Let us first go to the Bay," she said; "perhaps, we shall not care to go farther."
 
And Martha Stirling, from the rose-walk, saw them go. And surprise grew slowly to amazement33, and then—as the minutes fled, and they returned not—the surprise changed into anger, sharp and sudden. And she left the rose-walk, and hastened to the Governor.
 
She found him in his apartment, in converse34 with Richard Maynadier. Both men arose, when she entered, and the latter made a move to retire. She stopped him.
 
"Just a moment, Mr. Maynadier," she said—"I want only to give this letter to Colonel Sharpe. It contains some information which it seems well he should have at once.—It is from Lady Catherwood, sir," she added; "it came this evening, and, though[Pg 279] only a woman's letter, this part," (indicating) "will prove very interesting reading."
 
She handed the letter to him, shot Maynadier a bewitching smile, dropped them both a curtsy, and was gone.
 
"Your pardon, a moment!" said the Governor.... At the end, he passed the letter across to Maynadier, and his face was troubled.
 
"Miss Stirling was right," he said. "But it is more than interesting—unfortunate, I should term it."
 
Maynadier read it carefully before answering—then, he put it slowly down.
 
"What course will you pursue?" he asked. "The evidence is all but conclusive, now."
 
The Governor sent cloud after cloud of smoke ceiling-ward.
 
"I shall demand an explanation," he replied; "lay down the proofs, and give him a chance to disprove; and do it quietly—there is no need to proclaim my error."
 
"You are not at fault—the letters were authentic," said Maynadier.
 
"Possibly not—but I shall bear the blame, nevertheless, of having made the imposition possible. I do not like it! Maynadier, I do not like it! If I thought he would depart with Brandon, I would——" he broke off and shook his head in indecision. "He has done no one, so far as we know, an injury—other than to enter their houses[Pg 280] under a false name. He has, even then, compensated35 for his entertainment by his genialness and his courtesy. It will raise a nasty scandal, and accomplish no real good. If there were any crime, for which he was responsible, it would be quite different. I grant you, he played cards for a high stake, and usually with success, but no one accuses him of cheating—and there were those who were willing to play."
 
"And, in addition, you like him!" laughed Maynadier.
 
"Yes, I like him—I reckon that does influence my judgment36."
 
"But the fact remains37, that he is not Sir Edward Parkington. How will you answer, if it ever become known—even after he has departed? 'I knew it,' or, 'I did not know'?"
 
"I knew it."
 
"Then, how explain your failure to unmask him?"
 
"I should decline to explain," said the Governor.
 
"Such would be your privilege. I admit the matter (as it appears now) is purely38 one of ethics39, and expediency—and there are things to be said on both sides."
 
"How would you decide it, Maynadier?"
 
"I do not know—I am glad it is not necessary that I decide it."
 
Colonel Sharpe flung his pipe on the table, scattering40 the hot ashes broadcast.
 
[Pg 281]
 
"Damn it! Maynadier, I do not know what to do!" he exclaimed. "I shall put it off until morning; sleep, sometimes, solves problems."
 
Maynadier arose. "And Miss Stirling," he said—"she will not disclose what is in the letter?"
 
"No—but to make sure, I will caution her, at once," and, seizing his cane41, he hurried out.
 
"Where have you been, sir?" Miss Marbury inquired, as Maynadier came face to face with her in the drawing-room doorway42.
 
"Not where I wanted to be," he said.
 
"And where is that?"
 
"Where I am, now."
 
"A very pretty place," she answered, with a glance around; "but I should think one, out of doors on such a night, were vastly preferable."
 
"With you in it?" he asked.
 
She seemed to hesitate, watching him, the while, through half-closed eyes.
 
"If you wish, sir—wait until I get a fan.... Now, I am ready."
 
"I may select the place?" he said.
 
"You may," laughing; "will it be in the centre of the party, or just to one side?"
 
"A little to one side," he answered—"by as far as the Bay is from the house."
 
"Goodness, Dick, you are growing very venturesome—next you will be inviting43 me to go where Sir Edward——"
 
"Yes," he said—"where Sir Edward?"
 
[Pg 282]
 
"No—no, that would be telling."
 
"You used to tell me everything," he said.
 
"Yes—before I grew up and put on the ways of society."
 
"And how long has that been?"
 
"Since the last night of the party at Hedgely Hall," she answered.
 
"You mean, since you saw me kiss Miss Stirling?"
 
"Perhaps."
 
"It was a mistake, I admit it!"
 
"A mistake to be caught?" she laughed. "I grant it."
 
"Yes—a mistake to be caught—and a mistake to kiss her."
 
"Only when you have been caught! No! no! Dick, you cannot make me think it ever a mistake to kiss a pretty girl—and the girl be willing."
 
"You have learned the ways of society very thoroughly."
 
"I have had excellent teachers."
 
"Teachers?" he inflected—"there have been more than myself?"
 
"Monsieur! am I a pretty girl? Think you that I have never been—that no one has ever wanted to kiss me?"
 
"You cannot do it, Judith!" he laughed.
 
"Cannot do what?"
 
"Make me believe that any one ever——"
 
[Pg 283]
 
"Wanted to kiss me? Thank you, Mr. Maynadier!" with a toss of her head.
 
"No, that any one ever kissed you—until this moment."
 
And straightway he took her in his arms.
 
She pushed him from her, at last, and sprang back.
 
"Just what do you mean, sir?" she demanded—"just what do you mean?"
 
She was making a desperate effort to appear indignant.
 
"Mean?" he exclaimed, "you know what it means! Judith, you love me, don't you, sweetheart?"
 
"Am I to take that as a proposal?" she asked.
 
"Surely, dear——"
 
"Then, do you not think, sir, it would be a trifle more appropriate to confess your own feelings, rather than to inquire as to mine?"
 
"But you know I love you!"
 
"You have never taken the trouble to tell me."
 
"My lips told you?"
 
"I did not hear them."
 
"When I kissed you?"
 
"I am not familiar with the language, sir," retreating.
 
He stopped.
 
"I love you, Judith—will you marry me?" he said, humbly44.
 
"That is better, sir," she replied; "more [Pg 284]according to custom. Have you spoken to my father?"
 
"I have his permission—if you are willing?"
 
She laughed—a joyous45, happy laugh.
 
"Why, Dick, I think I have been always willing," she said, and went to him. "It is you—who—have—not—known."
 
The last words were whispered and broken.
 
*         *         *         *         *         *         *         *         *
 
"You are frightfully hard on one's coiffure, dear," she said, presently, putting him aside, and stepping back. "Did you disarrange Miss Stirling's so completely?"
 
He surveyed her critically.
 
"Rather more so, I think," he answered.
 
She made a little grimace46.
 
"You wretch!" she exclaimed. "You need not have confessed it!"
 
"But you wanted the truth," with a sly smile.
 
"No, I did not want the truth!—No, sir! go away—I will not! Not another one until we say good night. Is it a bargain?"
 
"I suppose so—yes, it is a bargain," he replied.
 
"Very well, sir—now, because you are so good, I shall tell you a secret."
 
"A sugar plum for the child!" he laughed.
 
"A man always wants a sugar plum for being good," she reflected.
 
"And the secret?" he said.
 
"It has to do with Sir Edward Parkington," she answered.—"We walked down to the water,[Pg 285] after supper, and he was—very devoted," (with a sidelong glance at Maynadier).
 
"I should hope so," he remarked.
 
"He took my hand——"
 
"Huh!" said Maynadier.
 
"And commented on the contour of my cheek——"
 
"Huh!" said Maynadier, again.
 
"And the beauty of my hair——"
 
No response!
 
"And the flawlessness of my complexion——"
 
A savage47 cut at the grass, with his walking stick!
 
"And he was good enough to say my mouth was a perfect bow——"
 
Another cut with the walking stick, more savage!
 
"Just made for kisses——"
 
"Yes!" said Maynadier, and stopped.
 
"And then,——" she went on.
 
"I suppose he kissed you!" Maynadier exclaimed.
 
"No!" she said—"No, he only proposed—Oh! he did it much nicer than you, Dick! No man could ever have done it better."
 
"And what did you do?" said Maynadier, frowning.
 
"What do you think I did?"
 
He made a gesture, signifying that she might have done anything.
 
She laughed softly, and slipped her hand through his arm.
 
[Pg 286]
 
"You are a little, just a little jealous, dear,—confess it?" she said.
 
"No—I am not exactly jealous—but, oh hang it! Judith, what did you do?"
 
"You remember the evening at Hedgely Hall, when you told me that Sir Edward was not Sir Edward?" she asked. "Well, it happened he had been growing a little ardent48 about that time, and I thought I would try an experiment. (It was not, I reckon, an altogether nice thing to do—but I did it; and I am telling it only to you, Dick, remember!) I drew him on—rather, I let him draw himself on; he needed very little encouragement. And I did it, because, it seemed to me, when he proposed, he also would have to disclose his real name, and the reason for the masquerade. Nothing would kill a prospect49 of marriage so effectively as concealment50."
 
"That can be true only if he intended to remain in America," observed Maynadier.
 
"And he had already sounded me, tentatively, on that very idea," she answered. "I thought it was all fol-de-rol, at first; but I concluded differently, when he deliberately51 referred to it several times, and insisted that he was considering it very seriously. At all events, we played the game. We made fair progress at Hedgely Hall——"
 
"Yes, I rather think you did——"
 
"Particularly, when I saw how rapidly you had progressed with Miss Stirling," she retorted.—"And we did better at Montpelier,"—she went on—"and [Pg 287]still better at Sotterly. But he never quite reached the point—he came up almost to it, many times, then veered52 off, as gracefully53 as ship before the wind. I could see, or thought I could, what was in his mind. He was not quite sure, whether it was safe, yet, to doff54 his borrowed identity, either because he was not quite certain of himself, or because he was not quite sure of me. Such was the situation, when I left Sotterly, being called suddenly to Hedgely Hall.
 
"I did not see him, again, until this evening—and, at once, when we started on our walk after supper, I noticed the change. He was going to declare himself; indeed, we had not got to the rose-walk, until he had suggested, in a laughing way, that we continue on to Annapolis and St. Anne's Rectory on Hanover Street.... When we came back, half an hour or so later, I had the story. He did not bind55 me to secrecy56. He was the high-bred gentleman in that, as he always has been with me—he even told me I should tell you, if I cared to do so. He assumed that you were—the one, Dick. And this is his story:—
 
"He is the son of the Earl of Doncaster—a second son. He disgraced himself, somehow, and, to avoid prosecution57, fled to this country. On the voyage, he became acquainted with Sir Edward Parkington—their ship went down, near St. Mary's, during a storm, and all the rest on board were lost. He and Parkington's dead body were cast up on[Pg 288] the sands, together. He took Parkington's letters, presented them to Governor Sharpe as his own,—and that is all.—He is going back to England with his friend, Sir Charles Brandon."
 
"And how did Sir Charles——" Maynadier began; then, he stopped. (He was about to ask, how Brandon, knowing his rightful name, yet called him Parkington at the Coffee-house, when, according to report, it was a genuine surprise)—"how do you know," he amended58, "that the confession59 is not false—how do you know that he is the son of the Earl of Doncaster, or that Brandon is Brandon?"
 
"I do not know," she answered—"more than this: he is a gentleman—and I believe his story."
 
"The tenderness which a woman always feels for the man who has proposed to her," thought Maynadier, looking down at her with steady eyes.
 
"You are not angry, Dick?" she said.
 
He laughed joyously60.
 
"Angry, sweetheart!" he said. "No! no! but let us forget Parkington, and Brandon, and all else, and talk of you, and Rose Hill, and the Mistress Richard Maynadier that is to be."
 

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 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。
2 appreciative 9vDzr     
adj.有鉴赏力的,有眼力的;感激的
参考例句:
  • She was deeply appreciative of your help.她对你的帮助深表感激。
  • We are very appreciative of their support in this respect.我们十分感谢他们在这方面的支持。
3 imposing 8q9zcB     
adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的
参考例句:
  • The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
  • He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。
4 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地
参考例句:
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
5 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。
6 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
参考例句:
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
7 petulantly 6a54991724c557a3ccaeff187356e1c6     
参考例句:
  • \"No; nor will she miss now,\" cries The Vengeance, petulantly. “不会的,现在也不会错过,”复仇女神气冲冲地说。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
8 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
9 rogue qCfzo     
n.流氓;v.游手好闲
参考例句:
  • The little rogue had his grandpa's glasses on.这淘气鬼带上了他祖父的眼镜。
  • They defined him as a rogue.他们确定他为骗子。
10 vile YLWz0     
adj.卑鄙的,可耻的,邪恶的;坏透的
参考例句:
  • Who could have carried out such a vile attack?会是谁发起这么卑鄙的攻击呢?
  • Her talk was full of vile curses.她的话里充满着恶毒的咒骂。
11 meddle d7Xzb     
v.干预,干涉,插手
参考例句:
  • I hope he doesn't try to meddle in my affairs.我希望他不来干预我的事情。
  • Do not meddle in things that do not concern you.别参与和自己无关的事。
12 wretch EIPyl     
n.可怜的人,不幸的人;卑鄙的人
参考例句:
  • You are really an ungrateful wretch to complain instead of thanking him.你不但不谢他,还埋怨他,真不知好歹。
  • The dead husband is not the dishonoured wretch they fancied him.死去的丈夫不是他们所想象的不光彩的坏蛋。
13 descend descend     
vt./vi.传下来,下来,下降
参考例句:
  • I hope the grace of God would descend on me.我期望上帝的恩惠。
  • We're not going to descend to such methods.我们不会沦落到使用这种手段。
14 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。
15 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
16 onlookers 9475a32ff7f3c5da0694cff2738f9381     
n.旁观者,观看者( onlooker的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • A crowd of onlookers gathered at the scene of the crash. 在撞车地点聚集了一大群围观者。
  • The onlookers stood at a respectful distance. 旁观者站在一定的距离之外,以示尊敬。
17 conclusive TYjyw     
adj.最后的,结论的;确凿的,消除怀疑的
参考例句:
  • They produced some fairly conclusive evidence.他们提供了一些相当确凿的证据。
  • Franklin did not believe that the French tests were conclusive.富兰克林不相信这个法国人的实验是结论性的。
18 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。
19 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。
20 misgave 0483645f5fa7ca7262b31fba8a62f215     
v.使(某人的情绪、精神等)疑虑,担忧,害怕( misgive的过去式 )
参考例句:
  • Her mind misgave her about her friend. 她对她的朋友心存疑虑。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • The air was pitilessly raw and already my heart misgave me. 寒气透骨地阴冷,我心里一阵阵忐忑不安。 来自辞典例句
21 ardor 5NQy8     
n.热情,狂热
参考例句:
  • His political ardor led him into many arguments.他的政治狂热使他多次卷入争论中。
  • He took up his pursuit with ardor.他满腔热忱地从事工作。
22 covertly 9vgz7T     
adv.偷偷摸摸地
参考例句:
  • Naval organizations were covertly incorporated into civil ministries. 各种海军组织秘密地混合在各民政机关之中。 来自辞典例句
  • Modern terrorism is noteworthy today in that it is being done covertly. 现代的恐怖活动在今天是值得注意的,由于它是秘密进行的。 来自互联网
23 bantering Iycz20     
adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑,说笑,逗乐( banter的现在分词 );(善意地)取笑,逗弄
参考例句:
  • There was a friendly, bantering tone in his voice. 他的声音里流露着友好诙谐的语调。
  • The students enjoyed their teacher's bantering them about their mistakes. 同学们对老师用风趣的方式讲解他们的错误很感兴趣。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
24 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
25 tempted b0182e969d369add1b9ce2353d3c6ad6     
v.怂恿(某人)干不正当的事;冒…的险(tempt的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚,但还是没开口。
  • I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。
26 wheedle kpuyX     
v.劝诱,哄骗
参考例句:
  • I knew he was trying to wheedle me into being at his beck and call.我知道这是他拉拢我,好让我俯首贴耳地为他效劳。
  • They tried to wheedle her into leaving the house.他们想哄骗她离开这屋子。
27 requisite 2W0xu     
adj.需要的,必不可少的;n.必需品
参考例句:
  • He hasn't got the requisite qualifications for the job.他不具备这工作所需的资格。
  • Food and air are requisite for life.食物和空气是生命的必需品。
28 replenished 9f0ecb49d62f04f91bf08c0cab1081e5     
补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 ); 重新装满
参考例句:
  • She replenished her wardrobe. 她添置了衣服。
  • She has replenished a leather [fur] coat recently. 她最近添置了一件皮袄。
29 prosecutes 6c21832d6ab1d85d6c19dc366f6ff1bc     
检举、告发某人( prosecute的第三人称单数 ); 对某人提起公诉; 继续从事(某事物); 担任控方律师
参考例句:
  • In Great Britain, the Attorney General prosecutes for the Grown in certain cases. 在英国,检察总长在某些案件中代表王室进行公诉。 来自口语例句
30 peremptoriness 8ae90e4b8652804055845143d527f643     
n.专横,强制,武断
参考例句:
  • The membership ejected the chairman for his peremptoriness. 全体成员因为会武断专横而罢免了他的职务。 来自互联网
31 dreary sk1z6     
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的
参考例句:
  • They live such dreary lives.他们的生活如此乏味。
  • She was tired of hearing the same dreary tale of drunkenness and violence.她听够了那些关于酗酒和暴力的乏味故事。
32 bask huazK     
vt.取暖,晒太阳,沐浴于
参考例句:
  • Turtles like to bask in the sun.海龟喜欢曝于阳光中。
  • In winter afternoons,he likes to bask in the sun in his courtyard.冬日的午后,他喜欢坐在院子晒太阳。
33 amazement 7zlzBK     
n.惊奇,惊讶
参考例句:
  • All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
  • He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。
34 converse 7ZwyI     
vi.谈话,谈天,闲聊;adv.相反的,相反
参考例句:
  • He can converse in three languages.他可以用3种语言谈话。
  • I wanted to appear friendly and approachable but I think I gave the converse impression.我想显得友好、平易近人些,却发觉给人的印象恰恰相反。
35 compensated 0b0382816fac7dbf94df37906582be8f     
补偿,报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 ); 给(某人)赔偿(或赔款)
参考例句:
  • The marvelous acting compensated for the play's weak script. 本剧的精彩表演弥补了剧本的不足。
  • I compensated his loss with money. 我赔偿他经济损失。
36 judgment e3xxC     
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见
参考例句:
  • The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
  • He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。
37 remains 1kMzTy     
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹
参考例句:
  • He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
  • The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。
38 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。
39 ethics Dt3zbI     
n.伦理学;伦理观,道德标准
参考例句:
  • The ethics of his profession don't permit him to do that.他的职业道德不允许他那样做。
  • Personal ethics and professional ethics sometimes conflict.个人道德和职业道德有时会相互抵触。
40 scattering 91b52389e84f945a976e96cd577a4e0c     
n.[物]散射;散乱,分散;在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的;分散在不同范围的;广泛扩散的;(选票)数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式);散布;驱散
参考例句:
  • The child felle into a rage and began scattering its toys about. 这孩子突发狂怒,把玩具扔得满地都是。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The farmers are scattering seed. 农夫们在播种。 来自《简明英汉词典》
41 cane RsNzT     
n.手杖,细长的茎,藤条;v.以杖击,以藤编制的
参考例句:
  • This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。
  • English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。
42 doorway 2s0xK     
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径
参考例句:
  • They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
  • Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。
43 inviting CqIzNp     
adj.诱人的,引人注目的
参考例句:
  • An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
  • The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人,使人感到亲切温馨。
44 humbly humbly     
adv. 恭顺地,谦卑地
参考例句:
  • We humbly beg Your Majesty to show mercy. 我们恳请陛下发发慈悲。
  • "You must be right, Sir,'said John humbly. “你一定是对的,先生,”约翰恭顺地说道。
45 joyous d3sxB     
adj.充满快乐的;令人高兴的
参考例句:
  • The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene.轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。
  • They conveyed the joyous news to us soon.他们把这一佳音很快地传递给我们。
46 grimace XQVza     
v.做鬼脸,面部歪扭
参考例句:
  • The boy stole a look at his father with grimace.那男孩扮着鬼脸偷看了他父亲一眼。
  • Thomas made a grimace after he had tasted the wine.托马斯尝了那葡萄酒后做了个鬼脸。
47 savage ECxzR     
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人
参考例句:
  • The poor man received a savage beating from the thugs.那可怜的人遭到暴徒的痛打。
  • He has a savage temper.他脾气粗暴。
48 ardent yvjzd     
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的
参考例句:
  • He's an ardent supporter of the local football team.他是本地足球队的热情支持者。
  • Ardent expectations were held by his parents for his college career.他父母对他的大学学习抱着殷切的期望。
49 prospect P01zn     
n.前景,前途;景色,视野
参考例句:
  • This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
  • The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。
50 concealment AvYzx1     
n.隐藏, 掩盖,隐瞒
参考例句:
  • the concealment of crime 对罪行的隐瞒
  • Stay in concealment until the danger has passed. 把自己藏起来,待危险过去后再出来。
51 deliberately Gulzvq     
adv.审慎地;蓄意地;故意地
参考例句:
  • The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
  • They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。
52 veered 941849b60caa30f716cec7da35f9176d     
v.(尤指交通工具)改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 );(指谈话内容、人的行为或观点)突然改变;(指风) (在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向)逐渐转向;风向顺时针转
参考例句:
  • The bus veered onto the wrong side of the road. 公共汽车突然驶入了逆行道。
  • The truck veered off the road and crashed into a tree. 卡车突然驶离公路撞上了一棵树。 来自《简明英汉词典》
53 gracefully KfYxd     
ad.大大方方地;优美地
参考例句:
  • She sank gracefully down onto a cushion at his feet. 她优雅地坐到他脚旁的垫子上。
  • The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line. 新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。
54 doff gkAzs     
v.脱,丢弃,废除
参考例句:
  • The peasants doff their hats.农民脱下了他们的帽子。
  • When he received me informally,he doffed the uniform of state and always wore a long chinese coat.当他非正式接见我的时候,他不穿礼服而总是穿中国长袍。
55 bind Vt8zi     
vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬
参考例句:
  • I will let the waiter bind up the parcel for you.我让服务生帮你把包裹包起来。
  • He wants a shirt that does not bind him.他要一件不使他觉得过紧的衬衫。
56 secrecy NZbxH     
n.秘密,保密,隐蔽
参考例句:
  • All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。
  • Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。
57 prosecution uBWyL     
n.起诉,告发,检举,执行,经营
参考例句:
  • The Smiths brought a prosecution against the organizers.史密斯家对组织者们提出起诉。
  • He attempts to rebut the assertion made by the prosecution witness.他试图反驳原告方证人所作的断言。
58 Amended b2abcd9d0c12afefe22fd275996593e0     
adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • He asked to see the amended version. 他要求看修订本。
  • He amended his speech by making some additions and deletions. 他对讲稿作了些增删修改。
59 confession 8Ygye     
n.自白,供认,承认
参考例句:
  • Her confession was simply tantamount to a casual explanation.她的自白简直等于一篇即席说明。
  • The police used torture to extort a confession from him.警察对他用刑逼供。
60 joyously 1p4zu0     
ad.快乐地, 高兴地
参考例句:
  • She opened the door for me and threw herself in my arms, screaming joyously and demanding that we decorate the tree immediately. 她打开门,直扑我的怀抱,欣喜地喊叫着要马上装饰圣诞树。
  • They came running, crying out joyously in trilling girlish voices. 她们边跑边喊,那少女的颤音好不欢快。 来自名作英译部分


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