This nervous strain brought him to such a state that the physician judged his condition serious enough to prescribe absolute rest as well as an interminable course of treatment. They feared brain fever. In eight days, however, he was about again and resumed his work at the office. But he dare not yet, he believed, approach the conjugal10 bed. He hesitated and trembled as a general who is going to give battle, a battle on which depends his future. Each evening he awaited the next day, hoping for an access of virility11 and energy, a happy moment in which he might accomplish his desire. He felt his pulse every minute, and if it was too feeble or too rapid, he took a tonic12, ate raw meat, and strengthened himself in every possible way. As his improvement was not very rapid, Lesable determined to pass the hot months in the country. He persuaded himself that the country air would be a sovereign balm for his weakness, and he assured himself of the accomplishment13 of the hoped-for success. He said to his father-in-law, in a confidential14 tone: "When we are once in the country my health will improve, and all will go well." That one word "country" seemed to carry for him a mysterious significance.
They rented a small house in the village of Bezons, and the whole family took up their residence there. The two men started out on foot every morning for the station of Colombes, returning in the evening.
Cora, enchanted15 at living thus on the banks of the peaceful river, would seat herself on the sward, gather flowers, and bring home great bunches of delicate, trembling ferns.
Every evening they all three walked along the river as far as the tollgate of Morue, and, entering, drank a bottle of beer at the Restaurant des Tilleuls. The river, retarded16 by the long file of stakes, poured between them and leaped, bubbled, and foamed17 for the distance of a hundred feet. The roaring of the falls made the ground tremble, while a fine mist of vapour floated in the air, rising from the cascade18 like a light smoke, throwing on the surroundings a delightful19 odour of spray and a savour of wet earth. As night fell, a great light below and in front indicated Paris, and Cachelin exclaimed every evening: "What a city, after all!"
From time to time, a train, passing on the iron bridge which crossed the end of the island, made a rolling as of thunder and suddenly disappeared, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, toward Paris or toward the sea. They returned home slowly, seating themselves on the bank, watching the moon rise and pour on the river her soft and yellow light, which seemed to fuse with the water, and the wrinkles of the current moved like waves of fire. The toads20 uttered their short and metallic21 cries. The calls of the night birds rang out on the air, and sometimes a large, mute shadow glided22 on the river, troubling her calm and luminous23 course. It was a band of freebooters who, throwing in suddenly their net, drew it back without noise into their boat, dragging in its vast and sombre mesh24 a shoal of shining and trembling gudgeons, like a treasure drawn25 from the bottom of the sea, a living treasure of silver fish.
Cora, deeply moved, leaned tenderly upon the arm of her husband, whose design she suspected, although nothing of it had been spoken between them. It was for them like a new betrothal27, a second expectation of the kiss of love. Sometimes he would bestow28 a furtive29 caress30 behind her ear, on that charming spot of tender flesh where curls the first hair. She responded by a pressure of the hand, and they attracted while refusing each other, incited31 and held back by a will more energetic, by the phantom32 of the million. Cachelin, appeased33 by the hope which he felt around him, was happy. He drank deeply and ate much, feeling, born in him at twilight34, the hour of poetry, that foolish tenderness which comes to the dullest persons in certain aspects of nature: a rain of light through the branches, a sunset behind the distant hills, with purple reflections on the water. He declared: "As for me, in the presence of such things I believe in God. It touches me here," and he indicated the pit of his stomach. "I feel myself turned upside down. I feel queer. It seems to me I have been steeped in a bath which makes me want to cry."
As for Lesable, his health rapidly improved. He was seized with sudden ardours, which he did not understand, and he felt a desire to run like a young colt, to roll in the grass and neigh with delight.
He thought the favoured time was approaching. It was a true wedding night. Then they had a new-honeymoon full of caresses35 and hopes. Later they perceived that their experiments were fruitless and their confidence was in vain.
But in the midst of despair Lesable did not lose courage; he continued to make the most superhuman efforts. His wife, moved by the same desire and trembling with the same fear, more robust36 too than he, encouraged him in his attempts and stimulated37 his flagging ardour. They returned to Paris in the early days of October.
Life became hard for them again. Unkind words fell from their lips, and Cachelin, who scented38 the situation, harassed39 them with the coarse and venomous epigrams of an old trooper.
And one incessant40 thought pursued them, tortured them, and sharpened their mutual41 rancour—that of the unattainable legacy42. Cora now carried a sharp tongue, and lashed43 her husband. She treated him like a little boy, a mere44 brat45, a man of no importance. Cachelin at every meal repeated: "If I were rich, I should have children in plenty; when one is poor it is necessary to be reasonable." Then turning to his daughter he added: "You must be like me; but there—" and he looked at his son-in-law significantly, accompanying the look with a movement of the shoulders full of contempt.
At the Ministry48 they noticed the alteration49 in his manner, and even the chief one day asked him: "Are you not ill? You appear to me to be somewhat changed."
Lesable replied: "Not at all, my dear sir. I am a little tired, perhaps, having worked very constantly, as you may have seen."
He counted very surely on his promotion50 at the end of the year, and he had resumed, in this hope, the laborious51 life of a model employee. But among the meagre bonuses that were distributed Lesable's was the smallest of all, and Cachelin received nothing. Struck to the heart, Lesable sought the chief, whom, for the first time, he addressed as "Monsieur."
"Of what use is it, Monsieur, to work as I do, if I do not reap any reward?"
"I have already told you. Monsieur Lesable, that I will admit of no discussion of this nature between us. I repeat to you again that your claim is unreasonable53, your actual fortune being so great as compared to the poverty of your colleagues—"
Lesable could not contain himself. "But I have nothing, Monsieur. Our aunt has left her fortune to the first child which shall be born of our marriage. We live, my father-in-law and I, on our salaries."
The chief was greatly surprised. "If you have no fortune to-day, you will be rich, in any case, at some future day. It amounts to the same thing."
Lesable withdrew, more cast down by his failure than by the uncertainty54 of Aunt Charlotte's million.
As Cachelin came to his desk some days later the handsome Maze55 entered with a smile on his lips; next Pitolet appeared, his eyes shining; then Boissel opened the door, and advanced with an excited air, tittering and exchanging meaning looks with the others. Old Savon continued his copying, his clay pipe in the corner of his mouth, seated on his high chair, his feet twisted about the rounds after the fashion of little boys. Nobody spoke26. They seemed to be waiting for something, and Cachelin continued to register his papers, announcing in a loud voice according to his custom: "Toulon: Furniture for the officers of the Richelieu. Lorient: Diving apparatus56 for the Desaix. Brest: Samples of sails of English manufacture."
Lesable entered. He came now every morning for information in regard to the affairs which concerned him, his father-in-law no longer taking the trouble to send him instructions by the office boy.
While he was looking amongst the papers spread out on the table of the chief-clerk, Maze watched him from his corner, rubbing his hands, and Pitolet, who was rolling a cigarette, seemed full of mirth he could not control. He turned toward the copying-clerk:
"Say now, papa Savon, you have learned many things in your time, haven't you?"
The old man, knowing they meant to tease him and to speak to him of his wife, did not reply.
Pitolet began: "You must have discovered the secret of begetting57 children, since you have had several."
The old clerk raised his head. "You know, M. Pitolet, that I do like any joking on this subject. I have had the misfortune to marry an unworthy woman, and when I became convinced of her faithlessness I separated from her."
Maze asked in an indifferent tone: "You have had several proofs of her infidelity, have you not?"
And the old man gravely replied: "I have."
Pitolet put in again: "That has not prevented you from becoming the father of three or four children, I am told."
The poor old man, growing very red, stammered59: "You are trying to wound me. Monsieur Pitolet; but you will not succeed. My wife has had, in fact, three children. I have reason to believe that the first born is mine, but I deny the two others."
Pitolet continued: "Everybody says, in truth, that the first one is yours. That is sufficient. It is very gratifying to have a child, very gratifying and very delightful. I wager60 Lesable there would be enchanted to have one—only one, like you."
Cachelin had stopped writing. He did not laugh, although old Savon was his butt61 ordinarily, and he had poured out his stock of cruel jokes on the subject of the old clerk's conjugal sorrows.
Lesable had collected his papers; but feeling himself attacked he wished to remain, held back by pride, confused and irritated, and wishing to know who had betrayed his secret.
Then the recollection of the confidence he had made to his chief came back to him, and he at once understood it was necessary to express his indignation if he did not wish to become the butt of the whole Ministry.
Boissel marched up and down the room, all the time tittering. He imitated the hoarse62 voices of the street criers, and bellowed63: "The secret of begetting children, for ten centimes—two sous! Buy the secret of begetting children—revealed by Monsieur Savon, with many horrible details." Everybody began to laugh except Lesable and his father-in-law, and Pitolet, turning toward the order-clerk, said: "What is the matter with you, Cachelin? You seem to have lost your habitual64 gaiety. One would think that you do not find it amusing to believe that old Savon could have had a child by his wife. I think it very funny. Everybody cannot do as much."
Lesable pretended to be deeply absorbed in his papers and to hear nothing of what was going on about him, but he was as white as a ghost.
Boissel took up the strain in the same mocking voice: "The utility of heirs for getting an inheritance, ten centimes, two sous; who will buy?"
Then Maze, who thought this was very poor sort of wit, and who personally was enraged65 at Lesable having robbed him of the hope of a fortune which he had secretly cherished, said pointedly66: "What is the matter with you, Lesable? You are very pale."
Lesable raised his head and looked his colleague full in the face. He hesitated a second, while his lip trembled as he tried to formulate67 a bitter reply, but, unable to find the phrase he sought, he responded: "There is nothing the matter with me. I am only astonished that you display so much delicacy68."
Maze, who stood with his back to the fire and his hands under his coat-tails, replied, laughing: "One does the best one can, old man. We are like you, we do not always succeed—"
An explosion of laughter interrupted his words. Old Savon, who now vaguely69 comprehended that the clerks no longer addressed their railleries to him, looked around with his mouth gaping70 and his pen suspended in the air. And Cachelin waited, ready to come to blows with the first person who came in his way.
Lesable stammered: "I do not understand. In what have I not succeeded?"
The handsome Maze dropped the tails of his coat, and began to stroke his mustache. "I know that you ordinarily succeed in all that you undertake. I have done wrong to speak of you. Besides, we were speaking of old Savon's children, and not of yours, as you haven't any. Now since you succeed in all your enterprises, it is evident that, if you do not have children, it is because you do not want them."
"What business is it of yours?" demanded Lesable sharply.
At this provoking tone Maze in his turn raised his voice: "Hold on! what do you take me for? Try to be polite, or I'll settle you!"
Lesable trembled with anger, and losing all self-control, replied: "Monsieur Maze, I am not, like you, a great booby, or a great coxcomb71. And I forbid you ever to speak to me again. I care neither for you nor your kind." And he threw a look of defiance72 at Pitolet and Boissel.
Maze suddenly understood that true force is in calmness and irony73, but wounded in his most vulnerable part—his vanity—he wished to strike his enemy to the very heart, and replied in the protecting tone of a benevolent74 well-wisher, but with rage in his eyes: "My dear Lesable, you pass all bounds. But I understand your vexation. It is pitiful to lose a fortune, and to lose it for so little, for a thing so easy, so simple. If you wish, I will do you this service myself, for nothing, out of pure friendship. It is only an affair of five minutes—"
A flood of ink covered his face and metamorphosed him into a negro with surprising rapidity. He sprang forward, rolling the whites of his eyes, with his hands raised ready to strike. But Cachelin covered his son-in-law, and grasping Maze by the arms pushed him aside, and, after pounding him well, dashed him against the wall. Maze disengaged himself with a violent effort, and rushed through the door, crying to the two men: "You shall soon hear from me!" Pitolet and Boissel followed him.
Boissel explained his moderation by declaring he should have killed some one if he had taken part in the struggle.
As soon as he entered his room Maze endeavoured to remove the stain, but without success. The ink was violet, and was indelible and ineffaceable. He stood before his glass furious and disconsolate76, rubbing savagely77 at his face with a napkin rolled in a knot. He obtained only a richer black, mixed with red, the blood coming to the surface with the friction78.
Boissel and Pitolet strove to advise and console him. One suggested the application of pure olive oil, the other prescribed a bath of ammonia. The office boy was sent to ask the advice of a chemist. He brought back a yellow liquid and pumice stone, which was used with no result.
Maze, disheartened, sank into a chair and declared: "Now it only remains79 to settle the question of honour. Will you act as seconds for me, and demand of Monsieur Lesable a sufficient apology, or the reparation by arms?"
They both at once consented, and began to discuss the steps to be taken. They had no idea about affairs of this kind, but not wishing to betray their ignorance, and desiring to appear correct, their advice were timorous80 and conflicting. It was finally decided81 that they should consult a sea captain who was attached to the Ministry to look after the coal distribution. But he was as ignorant as they were. After some moments of reflection, however, he advised them to go and see Lesable and ask to be put in touch with two of his friends.
As they proceeded to the office of their colleague, Boissel suddenly stopped. "Is it not imperative82 that we should have gloves?" he asked.
Pitolet hesitated an instant. "Perhaps it is," he replied seriously. But in order to procure83 the gloves it would have been necessary to go out, and the chief was rather severe.
They sent the office boy to bring an assortment84 from the nearest glove-store.
To decide upon the colour was a question of time. Boissel preferred black. Pitolet thought that shade out of place in the circumstances. At last they chose violet.
Seeing the two men enter gloved and solemn, Lesable raised his head and brusquely demanded: "What do you want?"
Pitolet replied: "Monsieur, we are charged by our friend. Monsieur Maze, to ask of you an apology, or a reparation by arms for the insult you have inflicted85 on him."
Lesable, still greatly exasperated86, cried: "What, he insults me, and sends you to provoke me? Tell him that I despise him—that I despise all he can say or do."
Boissel advanced with a tragic87 air. "You will force us. Monsieur, to publish in the papers an official report, which will be very disagreeable to you."
Pitolet maliciously88 added: "And which will gravely injure your honour, and your future advancement89."
Lesable, overwhelmed, looked at them. What should he do? He sought to gain time. "Will you wait a moment in the office of Monsieur Pitolet? You shall have my answer in ten minutes."
When at last alone he looked around him, seeking for some counsel, some protection.
He sat terrified, with a beating heart. He, a peaceful man, who had never dreamed of such a possibility, who was not prepared for the risk, whose courage was not equal to such a formidable event. He rose from his chair and sat down again, his heart wildly beating, his legs sinking under him. His anger and his strength had totally deserted91 him.
But the thought of the opinion of the Ministry, the gossip the story would make among his acquaintances, aroused his failing pride, and, not knowing what to decide, he sought his chief to ask his advice. M. Torchebeuf was surprised and perplexed92. An armed encounter seemed to him unnecessary, and he thought a duel would demoralise the service. He replied: "I can give you no advice. It is a question of honour, which does not concern me. Do you wish that I should give you a note to Commandant Bouc? He is a competent man in such matters, and will be able to advise you."
Lesable accepted the offer, and saw the commandant, who even consented to be his second; he took an under-chief for another.
Boissel and Pitolet waited with their gloves on. They had borrowed two chairs from another office, in order to have four seats.
They saluted93 gravely and took their places, while Pitolet explained the situation. The commandant, having listened attentively94, replied: "The case is serious, but it does not appear to me to be irreparable. Everything depends on the intention." He was a sly old sailor, who was enjoying himself.
A long discussion began regarding the reciprocal apologies the principals should make. M. Maze acknowledging not to have had the intention to offend, M. Lesable should hasten to avow95 himself in the wrong in throwing the inkstand at the head of M. Maze, and pray to be excused for his inconsiderate violence.
Maze, seated before his table, was agitated97 by the dread98 of the possible duel, although expecting to see his adversary99 retreat, and regarded his face attentively in one of those little, round tin mirrors which the employees concealed100 in a drawer for the purpose of adjusting their hair and ties before leaving in the evening. He read the letter of apology which had been prepared by the seconds of both parties, and declared with evident satisfaction: "That appears to me to be very honourable101; I am willing to sign it."
Lesable, for his part, accepted without discussion the arrangement of his seconds, and declared: "As this is the result of your mutual consultation102, I can but acquiesce103."
The four plenipotentiaries assembled. The letters were exchanged, they saluted gravely, and so the affair terminated. An extraordinary excitement reigned104 in the Ministry. The employees, carrying the news, passed from one door to the other, and lingered to gossip about in the lobbies. When they heard how the affair had ended, there was general disappointment. Some one said: "Still, that will not get Lesable a baby." And the saying took. One employee made a rhyme upon it.
But at the moment when everything seemed adjusted, a difficulty suggested itself to Boissel: "What would be the attitude of the two adversaries105 when they found themselves face to face? Would they speak, or would they ignore each other?" It was decided that they should meet, as if by chance, in the office of the chief, and exchange, in the presence of M. Torchebeuf, some words of politeness.
This ceremony was accordingly accomplished106, and Maze, having sent for a carriage, returned home, to try to remove the stain from his face.
Lesable and Cachelin drove home together without speaking, mutually exasperated, each blaming the other for the disgraceful affair.
The moment he entered the house, Lesable threw his hat violently on the table and cried to his wife: "I have had enough of it! I have a duel on your account now!" She looked at him in angry surprise.
"A duel? How is that?"
"Because Maze has insulted me on your account."
She approached him. "On my account? How?"
He threw himself passionately107 into an armchair and exclaimed: "He has insulted me—no need to say any more about it."
But she would know. "You must repeat to me the words he used about me."
She gave a start; then recoiling109 in fury, the paternal110 rudeness showing through the woman's nature, she burst out:
"I! I am sterile, am I? What does that clown know about it? Sterile with you, yes; because you are not a man. But if I had married another, no matter who, do you hear? I should have had children. Ah, you had better talk! It has cost me dear to have married a softy like you! And what did you reply to this good-for-nothing?"
Lesable, frightened before this storm, stuttered: "I—I slapped his face."
She looked at him in astonishment111.
"And what did he do?"
"He sent me a challenge; that was all."
She was instantly interested, attracted, like all women, by the dramatic element, and she asked, immediately softened112, and suddenly seized with a sort of esteem113 for this man who was going to risk his life for her sake:
"When are you going to fight him?"
He replied tranquilly114: "We are not going to fight: the matter has been arranged by our seconds. Maze has sent me an apology."
Transported with rage, she boxed his ears. "Ah, he insults me in your presence, and you permit it, and refuse to fight him! It needed but this to make you a coward."
Enraged at this he cried: "I command you to hold your tongue. I know better than you do how to protect my honour. To convince you, here is the letter of M. Maze; take it and read it, and see for yourself."
She took the letter, ran her eye over it, and divining the whole truth, sneered115: "You wrote him a letter also? You are afraid of each other. What cowards men are! If we were in your place, we women—after all, it is I who have been insulted, your wife, and you are willing to let it pass. That need not astonish me, for you are not man enough to beget58 a child. That explains everything. You are as impotent before women as you are cowardly among men. Ah, I have married a nice worm!"
She had suddenly assumed the voice and gestures of her father, the coarse and vulgar manners of an old trooper, and the intonations116 of a man.
Standing117 before him, her hands on her hips118, tall, strong, vigorous, her chest protruding119, her cheeks flushed, her voice deep and vibrant120, she looked at this little man seated in front of her, a trifle bald, clean shaven except for the short side-whiskers of the lawyer, and she felt a desire to crush, to strangle him.
She continued: "You are capable of nothing—of nothing whatever! You allow everybody at the Ministry, even, to be promoted over your head!"
The door opened, and Cachelin entered, attracted by the sound of their voices, and demanded to know what was the matter. "I told the truth to that worm!" answered Cora.
Lesable raised his eyes, and for the first time noticed the resemblance between father and daughter. It seemed to him that a veil was lifted and the pair were revealed in their true colours—the same coarse nature was common to both; and he, a ruined man, was condemned121 to live between the two forever.
Cachelin exclaimed: "If you only could get a divorce! It is not very satisfactory to have married a capon."
At that word, trembling and blazing with fury, Lesable sprang up with a bound. He rushed at his father-in-law shouting: "Get out of here! Begone! You are in my house—do you understand?—and I order you to leave it." He seized from the table a bottle of sedative122 water and brandished123 it like a club.
Cachelin, intimidated124, backed out of the room, muttering: "What will he do next, I wonder?"
But Lesable was too angry to be easily appeased. He turned upon his wife, who regarded this outburst in astonishment, and placing the bottle on the table cried: "As for you—as for you—" But as words failed him to express his rage, he was choked into silence, and stood glaring at her with a distorted visage.
She began to laugh.
This mocking laughter put him beside himself, and springing upon her he seized her by the throat with his left hand, while he boxed her ears furiously with the right. She recoiled125, terrified and suffocating126, and fell backward on the bed, while he continued to strike her. Suddenly he raised himself, out of breath, exhausted127 and heartily128 ashamed of his brutality129; he stammered: "There—there—there—that will do!"
But she did not move; it seemed as if he had killed her. She lay on her back, on the side of the bed, her face concealed by her hands.
He approached her in alarm, wondering what had happened, and expecting her to uncover her face and look at him. She made no sign, and suspense130 becoming intolerable he murmured: "Cora, Cora, speak!" But she did not move or reply.
What was the matter with her? What was she going to do?
His rage had passed—fallen as suddenly as it had been aroused. He felt that his conduct was odious131, almost criminal. He had beaten his wife, his own wife—he who was circumspect132, cold, and courteous133. And in the softness his remorse134 awakened135, he would ask her forgiveness. He threw himself on his knees at her side and covered with kisses the cheek he had just smitten136. He softly touched the end of a finger of the hand that covered her face. She seemed to feel nothing. He coaxed137 her, caressing138 her as one caresses a beaten dog. She took no notice of him. "Cora, listen: I have done wrong! Cora, hear me!" She seemed as one dead. Then he tried to take her hand from her face. It obeyed his effort passively, and he saw an open eye, which stared at him with a fixed139 and alarming gaze.
He continued: "Listen, Cora, I was transported with fury. It was your father who drove me to do this shameful140 thing. A man cannot take such an insult as that." She made no reply, as if she heard nothing. He did not know what to say, or what to do. He kissed her under the ear, and raising himself he saw a tear in the corner of her eye, a great tear which rolled slowly down her cheek, and her eyelids141 fluttered and closed convulsively. He was seized with shame, deeply moved, and opening his arms he threw himself on his wife; he removed the other hand from her face and covered it with kisses, crying: "My poor Cora, forgive me! forgive me!"
Still she wept, without a sound, without a sob142, as one weeps from the deepest grief. He held her pressed closely against him, caressing her and whispering in her ear all the tender words he could command. But she remained insensible. However, she ceased to weep. They continued thus a long time locked in each other's arms.
The night fell, folding in its sombre shadow the little room; and when it was entirely143 dark he was emboldened144 to solicit145 her pardon in a manner that was calculated to revive their hopes.
When they had risen he resumed his ordinary voice and manner, as if nothing had happened. She appeared, on the contrary, softened, and spoke in a gentler tone than usual, regarding her husband with submissive, almost caressing eyes, as if this unexpected correction had relaxed her nerves and softened her heart.
Lesable said quietly: "Your father must be tired of being alone so long. It will soon be dinner-time; go and fetch him."
She obeyed him.
It was seven o'clock indeed, and the little maid announced dinner, as Cachelin, serene146 and smiling, appeared with his daughter. They seated themselves at table and talked on this evening with more cordiality than they had done for a long time, as if something agreeable had happened to everybody.
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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sterile
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| adj.不毛的，不孕的，无菌的，枯燥的，贫瘠的 | |
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urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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negligent
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| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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conjugal
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| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
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virility
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| n.雄劲，丈夫气 | |
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tonic
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| n./adj.滋补品，补药，强身的，健体的 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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retarded
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| a.智力迟钝的，智力发育迟缓的 | |
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foamed
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| 泡沫的 | |
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cascade
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| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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toads
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆( toad的名词复数 ) | |
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metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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24
mesh
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| n.网孔，网丝，陷阱；vt.以网捕捉，啮合，匹配；vi.适合； [计算机]网络 | |
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25
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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27
betrothal
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| n. 婚约, 订婚 | |
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28
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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29
furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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30
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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31
incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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33
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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34
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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35
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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36
robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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37
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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38
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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39
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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40
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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41
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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42
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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43
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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44
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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45
brat
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| n.孩子；顽童 | |
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46
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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47
boors
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| n.农民( boor的名词复数 )；乡下佬；没礼貌的人；粗野的人 | |
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48
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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49
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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50
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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51
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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52
bristle
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| v.（毛发）直立，气势汹汹，发怒；n.硬毛发 | |
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53
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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54
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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55
maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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56
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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57
begetting
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| v.为…之生父( beget的现在分词 )；产生，引起 | |
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58
beget
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| v.引起；产生 | |
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59
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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61
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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62
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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63
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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64
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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65
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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66
pointedly
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| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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67
formulate
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| v.用公式表示；规划；设计；系统地阐述 | |
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68
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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69
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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70
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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71
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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72
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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73
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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74
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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75
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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76
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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77
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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78
friction
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| n.摩擦，摩擦力 | |
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79
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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80
timorous
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| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
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81
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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82
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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83
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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84
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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85
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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87
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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88
maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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89
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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90
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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91
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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92
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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93
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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94
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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95
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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96
proxies
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| n.代表权( proxy的名词复数 )；（测算用的）代替物；（对代理人的）委托书；（英国国教教区献给主教等的）巡游费 | |
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97
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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98
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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99
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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100
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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101
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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102
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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103
acquiesce
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| vi.默许，顺从，同意 | |
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104
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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105
adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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106
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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107
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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108
sterility
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| n.不生育，不结果，贫瘠，消毒，无菌 | |
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109
recoiling
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| v.畏缩( recoil的现在分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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110
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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111
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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112
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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113
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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114
tranquilly
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| adv. 宁静地 | |
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115
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
intonations
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| n.语调，说话的抑扬顿挫( intonation的名词复数 )；（演奏或唱歌中的）音准 | |
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117
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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118
hips
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| abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯，耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 )；[建筑学]屋脊；臀围（尺寸）；臀部…的 | |
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119
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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120
vibrant
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| adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的 | |
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121
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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122
sedative
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| adj.使安静的，使镇静的；n. 镇静剂，能使安静的东西 | |
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123
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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124
intimidated
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| v.恐吓；威胁adj.害怕的；受到威胁的 | |
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125
recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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126
suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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127
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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128
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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129
brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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130
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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131
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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132
circumspect
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| adj.慎重的，谨慎的 | |
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133
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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134
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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135
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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136
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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137
coaxed
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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138
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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139
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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140
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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141
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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142
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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143
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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144
emboldened
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
solicit
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| vi.勾引；乞求；vt.请求，乞求；招揽(生意) | |
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146
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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