And every tongue brings in a several tale,
—Richard III. V. 3.
In response to Ayloffe's whisper, Stowmaries had asked hurriedly:
"Is this the man?"
The older man nodded, and Stowmaries gazed long and searchingly upon his cousin, vaguely3 wondering if Sir John's astuteness4 had pointed6 in the right direction, if indeed this were the man most likely to lend himself for a large sum of money to the furtherance of an ignoble7 scheme.
Stowmaries saw before him a man—still in the prime of life but on whom dissipation, sleeplessness8 by night and starvation by day had already boldly writ9 their impress; a man like unto himself in feature, a distinct family resemblance being noticeable between the two cousins, but in Michael Kestyon—the reckless adventurer—the evenly placid10 expression born of a contented11 life had long ago yielded to the wild, hunted look, the mirror of a turbulent soul. He wore a surcoat which was obviously of rich cloth though the many vicissitudes12 of camp life had left severe imprints13 upon its once immaculate surface: beneath this coat there peeped out innocent of vest, the shirt, which once had been wrought14 by loving fingers, of fine linen15 and delicate stitchery, but now presented the appearance of a miscellaneous collection of tatters and darns with[104] here and there a dark stain on it, which spoke16 of more than one sword thrust in the breast, of the miseries17 of that life of fighting and of toil18, of aches and pains and of ill-tended wounds.
The rest of Michael's attire19 was in keeping with the surcoat and the shirt: the faded silk sash long since deprived of tassels20, the collar free from starch21, the breeches a veritable motley of patchwork22, and the high boots of untanned leather, stained a dark greenish brown from exposure to constant damp.
This then was the man who was most like to sell himself for so much money, and Stowmaries noting the squalor of Michael's attire, the dissipated yet wearied look in his face, ceased to wonder how it came that Sir John had thought of this wastrel23, and in his mind fully24 approved of the choice.
Suddenly Michael Kestyon caught sight of the two men standing26 under the lintel of the door. He greeted them at once with a shout of welcome.
"My worthy27 coz!" he said gaily28, "and if I mistake not 'tis gallant29 Sir John Ayloffe, the finest rogue30 that ever graced a court. Gentlemen!" he continued mocking, and advancing with mincing31 and unsteady steps towards the two men, "pray tell us—though by the Mass I call you right welcome—what procures32 this humble33 abode34 the honour of such distinguished35 company?"
Whilst the young man spoke, most of his companions had ceased both song and laughter; several faces—all flushed with heady liquor—were turned towards the door, whilst glances wherein suspicion fought with the confusing fumes36 of alcohol, were directed on the newcomers.
But Sir John Ayloffe with determined37 good humour had returned Michael's greeting with easy bonhomie.
[105]
"Nay38, friend Michael," he said, the while he prudently39 closed the door behind him and Stowmaries, lest the noise in the coffee room awaken40 his sleeping friends, "your amiable41 cousin and I myself were tired of the sober assembly in the parlour and had desire for more merry company. I hope your call of welcome was no mere42 empty word, and that of a truth we may join your hospitable43 board."
With much gravity Michael surveyed Ayloffe and Stowmaries up and down, from the diamond buckles44 on their shoes to the elaborate curls of their gigantic perruques; then he turned to his friends, who had followed his every movement with that solemn attention peculiar45 to the drunkard, which tries yet fails to comprehend what is going on before him.
"What say you, gentlemen?" he said, "shall we admit these noble rogues46 to our table? My cousin here, as you see, has but lately emerged from the surveillance of his keeper, he inhabited a monkey garden for a considerable time, and hath collected a vast amount of hair on his head from the shavings of his many companions."
A terrific and prolonged shout of laughter shook the very walls of the room, the while Stowmaries, who suddenly had became pale with rage, placed a quivering hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Insolent47 beggar!—" he murmured in a hoarse48 voice, which, however, was completely drowned in the bibulous49 noise which had greeted Michael's impertinent sally and which rose and fell in a continuous roar for some considerable time, the while Michael himself, satisfied at the effect which he had produced, struck up the refrain of a drinking song.
"In the name of the lady whom you honour with your love, good my lord," whispered Ayloffe close to Stow[106]maries' ear and with impressive earnestness, "I entreat50 you to keep your temper. We have need of this wastrel for the success of our scheme, and a quarrel would of a surety ruin it completely."
Michael Kestyon now turned to his cousin once more.
"I pray you take your seats, gentlemen," he said pointing with unsteady gesture to a couple of empty chairs placed at the head of the table, "though you may not be aware of it, my friends here have shown a desire for the continuance of your presence amongst us. Had they not desired it they would have shown their disapproval51 by various hints more or less gentle, such as the throwing of a pewter mug at you or the elevation52 of their toe to the level of your majestic53 persons. But as it is ye may rest assured, ye are welcome here."
"I thank you, good Michael," said Ayloffe pleasantly, as in response to Michael's invitation he now advanced further into the room and took his seat at the head of the board, followed by Stowmaries who was making vain attempts to conceal55 his contempt of the proceedings56, and to master his ill-humour.
"Indeed," continued Sir John addressing with gracious familiarity the united company present, "I know not what we have done to deserve your favours. Believe me, we came as suppliants57 desiring to be entertained by the most noted58 merrimakers in London."
Michael with the same mock gravity once more resumed his place at the table close beside Sir John Ayloffe. He drew two mugs towards him and from a gigantic pewter jug59, he poured out full measures of a thick red liquid, which had the appearance of spiced wine.
The beverage60 certainly exhaled61 a remarkable62 methylic[107] odour, which from the nostrils63 seemed to strike straight into the brain making the blood seethe64 in the head and the eyes glow as with the heat of running fire. Moreover the mugs which Michael had filled, and then pushed towards the newcomers were not over clean. Even Sir John had much ado to keep his outward show of geniality65 and to mask his friend's more and more marked impatience66 and disgust.
"By the Mass, merry sirs," quoth Michael with boisterous67 hilarity68, "an you really desire to be of our company we will grant you admittance. But first must ye pledge us in a full bumper69 of this nectar, concocted70 by good Master Foorde for the complete undoing71 of his most favoured guests. We drink to you, gentlemen, brother rogues an you please. If you are saints do not drink. The liquid will poison you."
"To you all, brother rogues," came in lusty accents from Sir John Ayloffe as he jumped to his feet, bumper in hand, "and may you accept us as two of the worst rogues that ever graced your hospitable board."
He quaffed72 the sickly, very heady liquid at one draught73. He had kept himself uncommonly74 sober throughout the evening and the potion he knew could not do him a great deal of harm. He had a solid head and was not unused to the rough concoctions75 made up of cheap wines, of alcohol and sundry76 spices wherewith these noisy louts were wont77 still further to addle78 their over-confused pates79.
Stowmaries would have demurred80, despite the warning look thrown at him from beneath Sir John's heavy lids, but, looking up, he saw Michael's deep-set eyes fixed81 upon him with a measure of amusement not altogether free from sarcasm82 which vastly irritated him and without attempt[108]ing to hide his disgust he raised the heavy mug with a gesture of recklessness and contempt and he too drank it down at one draught.
There were loud shouts of approval at this, and the occasion was further improved by more drinking and the singing of various snatches culled83 from the most noted and most licentious84 songs.
But Michael was now examining Sir John Ayloffe very attentively86. The latter having drunk expressed distinct appreciation87 of the beverage, and even made pretence88, as he once more resumed his seat, of asking for more.
"You are looking at me with strange persistence89, good Michael," he said at last with unalterable blandness90, as he returned the younger man's questioning gaze.
"May not a cat look at a king," retorted the other lightly, "or a beggar gaze on the exalted91 personality of Sir John Ayloffe?"
"By all means, and welcome. But, on my faith, my personality is in no wise exalted, therefore, I may be permitted to ask again what is the cause of your flattering attention?"
"Curiosity?"
"Yes. I was wondering in my mind why you are here to-night, and why you have brought mine estimable if somewhat weak-minded cousin with you here, in the very midst of the most evil-reputed crowd in London?"
"Oh!" protested Sir John gallantly93, "'tis not the most evil-reputed crowd by any means. We, who are accustomed to the profligate94 life of a gentleman, look over leniently95 on the innocent if somewhat flashy debaucheries of these pleasure-lovers here."
"Yet are we no mere pleasure lovers, Sir John," said[109] Michael with a sudden air of seriousness which contrasted strangely with his flushed face and his slovenly96 and ragged97 attire. "You see here before you the very scum of humanity, the bits of flotsam and jetsam which the tide of fortune throws upon the shores of life; tattered98 rags of manhood, shattered lives, disappointed hopes! This room is full of these wreckages, like morsels99 of poisonous seaweed or of empty shells that litter the earth and make it foul100 with their noisome101 putrefaction102. Elegant gentlemen like you and my fair cousin here should not join in this mêlée wherein crime falls against crime, and moral foulness103 pollutes the air. We are rogues here, sir, all of us," he added bringing his hand open-palmed crashing down upon the table, "rogues that have long ago ceased to blush, rogues that shrink neither before crime nor before shame. Rogues! rogues! all of us—not born so remember, but made rogues because of some one else's crime, some one else's shame!—but damned rogues for all that!"
He drank another bumper full of spiced wine! He had spoken loudly and hoarsely104 with wrathful eyes gazing straight ahead before him, as if striving through the foul smoke and vitiated air of this den25 of thieves to perceive that nook in a Kentish village, where in a tumble-down, miserable105 cottage, a woman who should have been Countess of Stowmaries was often on her knees scrubbing the tiled floors.
"Ay, ay! Well said!" he shouted as loudly, as hilariously107 as had done the others. "Well said, Michael, for you at least, an rumour108 doth not lie, are a damned rogue for all that!"
"Nay! Nay!" interposed Ayloffe with mild amiability,[110] "you do your cousin Michael a grave injustice109. I know that my lord of Rochester would back me up in what I say. All these gentlemen here are rogues but in name. They shout and they sing, they parade the streets and make merry, but they are, of a truth, of a right good sort, and if only a pleasing turn of fortune came their way, they would all become peaceful citizens in a trice and forswear all their deeds of profligacy110, of which they are often cordially ashamed."
'Twas Michael's turn to laugh. He threw back his head so that the muscles of his neck stood out like cords, and he laughed loudly and immoderately, with a laugh that had absolutely no mirth in it.
"Ashamed of our roguery," he said at last, when that outburst had ceased and he was once more learning forward across the table with dark, glowing eyes wandering from one flushed face to another. "Hark at him, gentlemen! Sir John Ayloffe here would make saints of us! Hark ye, sir," he continued bringing his excited face close to that of Sir John, "I for one delight in mine own roguery. I am what I am, do you hear? what the buffetings of Fate and the injustice of man have made me. The more my mealy-mouthed cousin here exults111 in his courtliness and in his honour, the more do I glory in mine own disgrace. If that is honour," he said pointing with a trembling hand at Stowmaries who despite his brave attire cut but a sorry figure at the present moment, for he felt supremely112 ill at ease, "then am I content to be a rogue. The greater the villainy, the prouder am I to accomplish it, and if I am to go to Hell for it, then let my damnation be on the head of those who have driven me thither113."
Stowmaries shrugged114 his shoulders in moody116 contempt.[111] Sir John looked like one profoundly impressed at an unforeseen aspect of affairs.
"As for me," growled117 one of the men sulkily, "pay me for it and I'll stick a knife into any person you list."
He was an elderly man with a red face and straggly white hair. He had been a scholar once, drunkenness and an inordinate118 love of gambling119 had made him what he now was.
"For ten golden sovereigns I'd poison the King!" quoth another thickly.
"For less than that I'd sell my soul!" added another.
"Thou canst not sell what thou hast not got," comes in a quick reply from the further end of the table.
"And you, friend Michael, what would you do for a fortune?" asked Sir John returning Michael's gaze with a firm, earnest look.
"I'd ask the devil to spare my cousin here!" replied Michael flippantly.
"You would not play the part of an hired assassin, I am sure."
"If I hated any one well enough, I'd kill him without pay," retorted the other.
"An she pleased me, I'd not want money to tell her so."
"Then meseems," sighed Sir John with a deprecating shrug115 of the shoulders, "that I have come to the wrong man with mine offer."
"There was no offer," quoth Michael curtly.
"Ay! of a fortune," rejoined the other calmly.
"Not a serious one."
"As serious as mine own presence here."
"You have come here prepared to make me an offer?"[112] reiterated121 the young man now, with contemptuous incredulity.
"The offer of a fortune," reiterated Ayloffe quietly.
"How much?"
"One hundred and twenty thousand pounds."
"One hundred—"
"And twenty thousand pounds," repeated Sir John with slow emphasis.
"Bah!—'tis a stupid and a purposeless lie!"
And Michael striving to look indifferent leaned back in his chair, then fell forward again with elbows resting heavily on the table the while his eyes glowing with the excitement of heady liquor and the vague suggestion only half expressed searched the face of the older man.
"Who would give a ne'er-do-well one hundred and twenty thousand pounds?" he reiterated in an unsteady voice, "and for what purpose? Are you fooling me, Sir John?"
"On my solemn word of honour, no!" asserted the latter calmly.
"Then for what purpose?" repeated Michael, whilst a sneer122 which looked almost evil for a moment quite distorted his face. "Am I to murder some offending stranger in the dark? bribe123 the King's physician to poison him, or turn informant against my cousin's co-religionists in England as is the fashion nowadays? Well! tell me what it is? Have I not told you that I am rogue enough to accomplish mine own damnation—at a price."
"My good Michael, you mistake my meaning. I propose no roguery unworthy a gentleman. An you'll accept my offer you'd have no cause to regret it, for you'd be a rich, happy and contented man to the last day of your life."
[113] "An it were so simple as that, man," quoth Michael drily, "you'd have no need to offer a fortune to a rogue in order to get what you want. As for the rest, methinks that most rogueries are unworthy a gentleman. But then you see I am no gentleman, else I were not here now, and probably had long ere this flung my glove in your face. So out with it—you offer me one hundred and twenty thousand pounds—for what?"
Instinctively124 for the last five minutes or so as their conversation drew into more serious channels, the two men had gradually dropped their voices, speaking almost in a whisper. They had drawn125 their chairs closely together to the corner of the table, with Lord Stowmaries between them, silent and attentive85.
Sir John at this stage was sitting close to the end of the table, the full length of which stretched out on his right. He raised his head now and gave a quick glance at the rest of the assembly.
Those of the revellers who were not wholly incapable126, either sprawling127 across the table, or lying prone128 upon the floor, had drawn up their chairs in groups. The rattle129 of dice130 in boxes was distinctly audible above the snoring of the sleepers131, also muttered curses from the gamblers who were losing and the clink of brass132 money passing from hand to hand. Satisfied that the attention of the company had long since wandered away from himself and Michael, he once more turned to the young man and said quietly in response to that impatient: "For what?"
"For marrying the pretty daughter of an amiable Paris bourgeois133, the wench being over-ready to fall into your arms."
Michael made no movement but he studied Sir John's face, as if he thought that the man was not completely sane134, or had succumbed135 to the fumes of spiced wine.
[114] "I do not understand," he murmured quite bewildered.
"Must I repeat my words?" said Sir John imperturbably136. "There is a wench over in Paris, as pure and good as the day on which she lisped her first Ave Maria at her mother's knee. For certain simple reasons which you will hear anon, a husband must be found for her within the next fourteen days. An you'll be that happy man there will be fifty thousand pounds for you as soon as you agree to the bargain, and seventy more on the day that you bring home the bride."
"The hitch?"
"Yes. The hitch which forces you to ask a blackguard like myself to do the work for you. Why do you not become the happy man yourself for instance?"
"Oh! I am not young enough, nor yet well-favoured. The first fifty thousand pounds will help to make of you the most dashing gallant in the two kingdoms."
"But why a blackguard?" persisted Michael with cutting sarcasm. He felt agitated138, even strangely excited. He was shrewd enough to see that Sir John was not fooling him, that there was more than a mere undercurrent of seriousness in this extraordinary offer made across this common supper table. His fingers were beating an incessant139 tattoo140 upon the boards, and his eyes restless, keen as those of a wild beast scenting141 a trap, searched the face of his interlocutor.
"Why a blackguard if the wench is a saint as you say, why a blackguard?" he insisted.
"A blackguard? Perish the thought!" said Sir John lightly. "Nay! the reason why your personality com[115]mended itself to me and to my lord of Stowmaries was because you are a gentleman, despite the many vicissitudes of an adverse142 Fate, and that you would render the girl happy and proud to be your wife."
"In Heaven's name, man," he added with almost savage144 impatience, "why cannot you speak up like a man? Cards on the table, by the Mass, or my hand will come in contact with your mealy mouth—"
He checked himself, angry at his own outburst of rage which he had been unable to control.
"Have I not said that I am on my way to Hell," he added more quietly, "why should you hesitate to show me a short cut?"
"Cards on the table, friend Michael, since you'll have it so," now said Ayloffe in a quiet impressive whisper, "bear that one hundred and twenty thousand pounds in your mind all the while you listen to me. The wench over in Paris was made to go through a marriage ceremony with your cousin here, eighteen years ago, when she was a babe in arms and he a mere lad, unable to defend himself against this encroachment145 on his future liberty. Since then my lord of Stowmaries has never met his bride, nor did her parents—worthy yet mercenary tradespeople of Paris—desire him to see their daughter. He was poor Rupert Kestyon then, an undesirable146 son-in-law if ever there was one: they would have broken the marriage then, only the Church would not allow it. Then my lord became what he now is, rich, influential147, desirable, and promptly148 the Paris shopkeepers changed their tactics. They demanded that your cousin shall acknowledge and take to his heart and[116] home a woman whom he has never seen, whom he can never love; for the affection of his heart, of his whole manhood is pledged to another whom he adores. In his despair my lord hath come to me and I am proud to be his friend. I would help him to regain149 that liberty which an untoward150 Fate hath fettered151. Is not my lord a wholly innocent victim? He did not ask to wed—for long he was spurned152 as one unworthy. Now because he is rich, he is to be made the tool of rapacious153 bourgeois, who would see their daughter Countess of Stowmaries. They have invoked154 the aid of the Church who spurred by their gold hath threatened anathema155 and excommunication on my lord. The King—sorely inclined to Catholicism—will not hear of breaking marriage vows156 which he calls solemn, and which under such circumstances sensible men cannot fail to call a farce157. My lord hath come to me and I have thought of a scheme—"
So far Michael had listened with unswerving attention to this long exposé delivered by Sir John in clear, even voice that was hardly raised above a whisper. He had listened, his head resting in his right hand, his left lying clenched158 and motionless on the table. But now he interrupted Ayloffe's placid flow of eloquence159.
"You need not tell me your scheme, man," he said, "I have guessed it already. I know now why you had need of a rogue for the furtherance of your project. I, Michael Kestyon, am to go to Paris and there impersonate my love-sick cousin, carry away the bride by that trick, and thus forever so shame her, that a dissolution of that child-marriage will readily be granted by Church and State."
"And that for the sum of one hundred and twenty thousand pounds, friend Michael! one hundred and twenty[117] thousand pounds—a fortune that would tempt54 a King!" added Sir John earnestly.
Michael made no comment, and there was thus an instant's silence at this end of the table where sat the three men: only a second or two mayhap during which a blasphemous160 oath uttered at the further end of the room seemed in some strange and occult way to mark the descent of a soul one step further down on its way to Hell. One instant during which the tempter watched the tempted161, and from the giddy heights of future satisfied ambition showed him the world conquered at the paltry162 price of momentary163 dishonour164.
One fitful ray of a ghoulish moon searched, through a narrow slit165 between swishing curtains, the fleshy face of Ayloffe, the descendant of the Hebrew bondswoman; the thickly-lidded eyes fixed like those of some poison-giving reptile166 upon the trapped victim. It played weird167 and ghost-like upon the dull scarlet168 of his cloak, and made strange shadows beneath his heavy brows, giving him an eerie169, satanic expression, which Stowmaries—whose brain was on fire—was quick to note.
He shuddered170 and instinctively drew away. But Michael Keyston who had not stirred a muscle, who had scarce breathed during that moment's solemn pause, now leaned forward and said quietly:
"For the sum of one hundred and twenty thousand pounds, I will do what you wish."
Then noting that the look of satisfaction on Stowmaries' face was not wholly unmixed with contempt, he added with a quick return to his flippant mood:
"Nay, Cousin, look not so loftily from adown the giddy heights of supposed integrity. 'Tis useless at this stage to[118] despise the hand that will help you in your need. Methinks that my share in the intrigue171 is no more unavowable than your own. 'Tis you are married to the lady and owe her protection, yet you offer money to further treachery against her. Now I have never seen the wench and am no traitor172 to her since I do not know her. I owe her no allegiance; she is but one woman out of a million to me. Have you never tried to win a woman by trickery, good Coz?"
He spoke lightly, even gaily, only Sir John—the keen observer of his fellowmen—noted that the laugh which accompanied this tirade173 had a hollow ring in it, also that Michael after he had spoken drank down one after another two large goblets174 full of wine.
"Do not let us split hairs, gentlemen, over the meaning of a word," said Ayloffe pleasantly. "Friend Michael, my hand on it. I devised the scheme, and confess that my thoughts flew to you for its accomplishment175." He put out his hand, but Michael seemed to ignore the gesture. With a shrug of the shoulders indicating good-tempered toleration, the other continued glibly176, "Let us own to it, gentlemen, we are all rogues, every one of us here present; I, who made the proposal, my lord of Stowmaries who pays the piper, and Michael who takes a fortune in exchange for a trick. Bah, gentlemen, 'tis but a merry jest, and, on my honour, no harm can come to any one. Is not Michael Kestyon henceforth rich, as well as highly-connected and amiable of mien177. By Gad178 the practised hand of his future father-in-law together with that of a court barber, would soon turn him into the most gallant gentleman in the two kingdoms."
"A truce179 on this nonsense," interposed Michael with a quick return to his impatient mood. "Tell me what you expect me to do, and I'll do it; but there's no cause for[119] such empty talk. I am being paid to act and not to listen."
"We'll be serious, old sobersides," quoth Sir John with imperturbable180 good humour, "and think of the best schemes to bring our scheme to a successful issue. My lord of Stowmaries, have I your leave to place the details of our plan before our friend here?"
Scarce waiting for the impatient assent181 of the other, Ayloffe continued, speaking directly to Michael:
"Firstly, then: to-morrow as soon as the shopkeepers have taken down their shutters182 you shall go to the King's tailor in Holborn and there order yourself various suits of clothes, befitting the many occasions when you shall have need of them in Paris and on your honeymoon183. Once the bargain sealed between us, by word of honour as between gentlemen, your gracious cousin will place fifty thousand pounds in your hands. You will be a rich man to-morrow, friend Michael, and can attire yourself in accordance with your whim184. From the tailor's in Holborn you had best proceed to the barber's in Fleet Street, who will provide you with the most fashionable perruques—"
"I know all that, man," interrupted Michael with ever-growing impatience. "I know that the monkey hath to be tricked out for parade. When I have been made to look like a fool in motley garb185, what further shall I do?"
"You'll hie over to France as soon as may be; for already at break of day to-morrow you—in your temporary name of Earl of Stowmaries—will write a letter to M. Legros, merchant tailor of Paris apprising186 him of your intentions no longer to disobey the decrees of the Church, or the dictates187 of your own heart, which of a truth has ever been true to your baby bride; also you will tell him of your desire to proceed forthwith to Paris in order to claim your wife, to have the marriage ceremony of eighteen years ago[120] formally ratified188 and finally to bring her back in state and solemnity to her new home in England."
"Am I to write all these lies myself?" asked Michael.
"Nay! I'll constitute myself your secretary," replied Ayloffe, "you need only to sign 'Stowmaries.' As I mistake not, 'tis a name you would gladly sign always, 'twill not come amiss for once. You may have to sign papers over there, 'twere better that your handwriting be known at once."
"When do I start for Paris?"
"What say you to a fortnight's hence from this day? 'Twill give you ample time for the completion of your toilet. An you will allow me I will provide you with a retinue189 worthy of your rank. It must be composed of men whom we can trust, and men who do not know my lord of Stowmaries by sight and are not like to guess that something is amiss. Three will be sufficient. I will engage them at the last, so that there may be no fear of our secret reaching their knowledge."
"Clothes, men, money," quoth Michael, "methinks, Sir John, you have thought of everything. Once I am in Paris?"
"And no doubt seventy thousand pounds is a good guide to judgment."
Michael's somewhat defiant191 manner seemed completely to have vanished. He appeared to be yielding himself quite freely to the delights of the promised adventure; at least this was what good Sir John hoped whilst congratulating himself on the remarkable attainment192 of his fondly-cherished desire.
But remember that this same good Sir John was no superficial observer of human nature. He was not altogether[121] deceived by Michael's outward show of flippancy193. That excitement had got hold of the adventurer's imagination was undoubted and probably the obstinacy194 of an untamed nature would prevent his drawing back from a promise once given.
At the same time the glint of excitement in Michael's eyes had but little genuine merriment in it. It was more like the unnatural195 fire produced by fever-heated blood.
It was the money which had tempted Michael—so concluded Ayloffe in his own mind. The money which mayhap would help the claimant to bring forward his cause once again into the light of day. Money which would mean bribes196, high enough to tempt corrupt197 judges or even—who knows—a pleasure-loving King.
What Michael thought of the adventure itself, what it cost him to acquiesce198 in it with an outward show of careless gaiety even the astute5 Sir John could not have said: he himself had achieved his own ends and personally he cared little what Michael felt so long as the young man fulfilled his share of the ignoble contract.
Was it so ignoble after all? Sir John with a smile of self-contempt found himself wondering in his mind whether any one would indeed be the loser by it. Stowmaries? certainly not!—he could well afford to pay twice a hundred thousand pounds for the gratification of his most ardent199 desire: his freedom to marry the woman whom he loved. Michael?—of a truth Michael would lose a little more self-respect than he had already done, but then he must have so little left—and he would become passing rich.
As for the tailor's wench, bah!—one husband was as good as another, concluded Sir John with a splendid cynicism, and if Michael Kestyon was not actually Earl of Stowmaries, by Gad he was mighty200 near to it, and—who knows?—with[122] one hundred and twenty thousand pounds in his pocket might yet oust201 his cousin from that enviable state.
And he—Sir John Ayloffe—gambler on his beam ends, would henceforth look forward to a comfortable old age with Mistress Julia Peyton's twelve thousand pounds carefully placed at interest so that there might be no temptation to dribble202 it away.
All was for the best in the best possible world!
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
condemns
|
|
| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
vaguely
|
|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
astuteness
|
|
| n.敏锐；精明；机敏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
astute
|
|
| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
ignoble
|
|
| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
sleeplessness
|
|
| n.失眠，警觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
writ
|
|
| n.命令状，书面命令 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
placid
|
|
| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
vicissitudes
|
|
| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
imprints
|
|
| n.压印( imprint的名词复数 )；痕迹；持久影响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
wrought
|
|
| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
linen
|
|
| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
miseries
|
|
| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
toil
|
|
| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
tassels
|
|
| n.穗( tassel的名词复数 )；流苏状物；（植物的）穗；玉蜀黍的穗状雄花v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须( tassel的第三人称单数 )；使抽穗， （为了使作物茁壮生长）摘去穗状雄花；用流苏装饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
starch
|
|
| n.淀粉；vt.给...上浆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
patchwork
|
|
| n.混杂物；拼缝物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
wastrel
|
|
| n.浪费者；废物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
gaily
|
|
| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
rogue
|
|
| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
mincing
|
|
| adj.矫饰的；v.切碎；切碎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
procures
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的第三人称单数 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
fumes
|
|
| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
prudently
|
|
| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
awaken
|
|
| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hospitable
|
|
| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
buckles
|
|
| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
rogues
|
|
| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
insolent
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
bibulous
|
|
| adj.高度吸收的，酗酒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
entreat
|
|
| v.恳求，恳请 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
disapproval
|
|
| n.反对，不赞成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
elevation
|
|
| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
majestic
|
|
| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
tempt
|
|
| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
suppliants
|
|
| n.恳求者，哀求者( suppliant的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
58
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
jug
|
|
| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
beverage
|
|
| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
exhaled
|
|
| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的过去式和过去分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
nostrils
|
|
| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
seethe
|
|
| vi.拥挤，云集；发怒，激动，骚动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
geniality
|
|
| n.和蔼，诚恳；愉快 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
boisterous
|
|
| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
hilarity
|
|
| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
bumper
|
|
| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
concocted
|
|
| v.将（尤指通常不相配合的）成分混合成某物( concoct的过去式和过去分词 )；调制；编造；捏造 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
undoing
|
|
| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
quaffed
|
|
| v.痛饮( quaff的过去式和过去分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
draught
|
|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
uncommonly
|
|
| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
concoctions
|
|
| n.编造，捏造，混合物( concoction的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
sundry
|
|
| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
addle
|
|
| v.使腐坏，使昏乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
pates
|
|
| n.头顶，（尤指）秃顶，光顶( pate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
demurred
|
|
| v.表示异议，反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
sarcasm
|
|
| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
culled
|
|
| v.挑选，剔除( cull的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
licentious
|
|
| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
attentive
|
|
| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
attentively
|
|
| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
appreciation
|
|
| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
pretence
|
|
| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
persistence
|
|
| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
blandness
|
|
| n.温柔，爽快 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
exalted
|
|
| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
curtly
|
|
| adv.简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
gallantly
|
|
| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
profligate
|
|
| adj.行为不检的；n.放荡的人，浪子，肆意挥霍者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
leniently
|
|
| 温和地，仁慈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
slovenly
|
|
| adj.懒散的，不整齐的，邋遢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
ragged
|
|
| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
tattered
|
|
| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
morsels
|
|
| n.一口( morsel的名词复数 )；（尤指食物）小块，碎屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
noisome
|
|
| adj.有害的，可厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
putrefaction
|
|
| n.腐坏，腐败 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
foulness
|
|
| n. 纠缠, 卑鄙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
hoarsely
|
|
| adv.嘶哑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
malignant
|
|
| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
hilariously
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
rumour
|
|
| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
injustice
|
|
| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
profligacy
|
|
| n.放荡，不检点，肆意挥霍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
exults
|
|
| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
supremely
|
|
| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
shrug
|
|
| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
moody
|
|
| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
inordinate
|
|
| adj.无节制的；过度的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
gambling
|
|
| n.赌博；投机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
abduct
|
|
| vt.诱拐，拐带，绑架 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
reiterated
|
|
| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
bribe
|
|
| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
instinctively
|
|
| adv.本能地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
incapable
|
|
| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
sprawling
|
|
| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
prone
|
|
| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
dice
|
|
| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
sleepers
|
|
| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
bourgeois
|
|
| adj./n.追求物质享受的(人)；中产阶级分子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
sane
|
|
| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
succumbed
|
|
| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
imperturbably
|
|
| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
hitch
|
|
| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
incessant
|
|
| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
tattoo
|
|
| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
scenting
|
|
| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
adverse
|
|
| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
queried
|
|
| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
encroachment
|
|
| n.侵入，蚕食 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
undesirable
|
|
| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
influential
|
|
| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
regain
|
|
| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
untoward
|
|
| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
fettered
|
|
| v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
spurned
|
|
| v.一脚踢开，拒绝接受( spurn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
rapacious
|
|
| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
invoked
|
|
| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
anathema
|
|
| n.诅咒；被诅咒的人(物)，十分讨厌的人(物) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
vows
|
|
| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
farce
|
|
| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
clenched
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
eloquence
|
|
| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
blasphemous
|
|
| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
tempted
|
|
| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
paltry
|
|
| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
momentary
|
|
| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
dishonour
|
|
| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
slit
|
|
| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
reptile
|
|
| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
weird
|
|
| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
eerie
|
|
| adj.怪诞的；奇异的；可怕的；胆怯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
intrigue
|
|
| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
traitor
|
|
| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
tirade
|
|
| n.冗长的攻击性演说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
goblets
|
|
| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
accomplishment
|
|
| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
glibly
|
|
| adv.流利地，流畅地；满口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
mien
|
|
| n.风采；态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
gad
|
|
| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
truce
|
|
| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
imperturbable
|
|
| adj.镇静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
assent
|
|
| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
shutters
|
|
| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
honeymoon
|
|
| n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
whim
|
|
| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
garb
|
|
| n.服装，装束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
apprising
|
|
| v.告知，通知( apprise的现在分词 )；评价 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
187
dictates
|
|
| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
ratified
|
|
| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
retinue
|
|
| n.侍从；随员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
defiant
|
|
| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
attainment
|
|
| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
193
flippancy
|
|
| n.轻率；浮躁；无礼的行动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
194
obstinacy
|
|
| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
195
unnatural
|
|
| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
196
bribes
|
|
| n.贿赂( bribe的名词复数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂v.贿赂( bribe的第三人称单数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
197
corrupt
|
|
| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
198
acquiesce
|
|
| vi.默许，顺从，同意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
199
ardent
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
200
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
201
oust
|
|
| vt.剥夺，取代，驱逐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
202
dribble
|
|
| v.点滴留下，流口水；n.口水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |