Heretofore our quarters in the historic old hostelry had been altogether satisfactory. It was the rendezvous4 of Southern Congressmen, and therefore was “very agreeable and advantageous,” as my husband wrote of it. For thirty-five years Brown’s Hotel had been the gathering5-place for distinguished6 people. So long ago as 1820, Thomas Hart Benton met there the representatives of the rich fur-trader, John Jacob Astor, who had been sent to the capital to induce Congressional indorsement in perfecting a great scheme that should secure to us the trade of Asia as well as the occupation of the Columbia River. Within its lobbies, many a portentous8 conference had taken place. Indeed, the foundations of its good reputation were laid while it was yet the Indian Queen’s Tavern9, renowned10 for its juleps and bitters. It was an unimposing structure even for Pennsylvania Avenue, then but a ragged11 thoroughfare, and, as I have said, notable for the great gaps between houses; but the cuisine12 of Brown’s Hotel, as, until a few years ago, this famous house continued to be known, was excellent.
In my days there, the presence of good Mrs. Brown, 43the hostess, and her sweet daughter Rose (who married Mr. Wallach, one of Washington’s rich citizens, and afterward entertained in the mansion13 that became famous as the residence of Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas) added much to the attractions of the old house. Nevertheless, those of the new also tempted15 us. Thither16 we went in a body, and there we spent one or two gay winters; but, the Ebbitt becoming more and more heterogeneous17, and therefore less congenial to our strictly18 legislative19 circles, we retraced20 our ways, our forces still intact, to good old Brown’s.
In the interim21, our continually enlarging numbers found the new quarters convenient and in many respects even desirable. “Our ‘mess,’ so far from being willing to separate,” I wrote to my husband’s father, late in ’57, “has insisted upon becoming enlarged. We are located in a delightful22 part of the city, on F Street, near the Treasury23 Buildings, the Court end as well as the convenient end; for all the Departments as well as the White House are in a stone’s throw. Old Guthrie’s is opposite, and we have, within two blocks, some true-line Senators, among them Bell, Slidell, Weller, Brodhead, Thomson, of New Jersey24, who are married and housekeeping, to say naught25 of Butler, Benjamin, Mason and Goode in a ‘mess’ near us. Our ‘mess’ is a very pleasant one. Orr, Shorter, Dowdell, Sandidge and Taylor, of Louisiana, with the young Senator Pugh and his bride, Governor Fitzpatrick and wife, and ourselves compose the party. Taylor is a true Democrat26, and Pugh is as strongly Anti-Free-soil as we. We keep Free-soilers, Black Republicans and Bloomers on the other side of the street. They are afraid even to inquire for board at this house.”
To the choice list then recorded were added shortly Congressmen L. Q. C. and Mrs. Lamar, David Clopton, Jabez L. M. Curry27 and Mrs. Curry, and General and Mrs. Chestnut28. Our circle included representatives from 44several States. Messrs. Fitzpatrick, Shorter, Dowdell, David Clopton and Jabez L. M. Curry were fellow-Alabamians, and had been the long-time friends of my husband and his father, ex-Governor Clay, and of my uncle, Governor Collier; Congressmen Lamar and Sandidge were from Mississippi and Louisiana, respectively; Congressmen Orr and Chestnut represented South Carolina, and Senator Pugh was from Ohio. It was a distinguished company. Scarcely a male member of it but had won or was destined29 to win a conspicuous30 position in the Nation’s affairs; scarcely a woman in the circle who was not acknowledged to be a wit or beauty.
When Mrs. Pugh joined us, her precedence over the belles31 of the capital was already established, for, as Thérèse Chalfant, her reign33 had begun a year or two previous to her marriage to the brilliant young Senator from Ohio; Miss Cutts, afterward Mrs. Douglas, and Mrs. Pendleton and the beautiful brune, Mrs. Roger A. Pryor, being estimated as next in order of beauty. Like Mrs. Chestnut, also a renowned belle32, Mrs. Pugh was something more than a woman of great personal loveliness. She was intellectual, and remarked as such even in Washington, where wits gathered. Both of these prized associates remained unspoiled by the adulation which is the common tribute to such unusual feminine comeliness34.
MRS. ROGER A. PRYOR
of Virginia
45I was not present when the Austrian Minister, the Chevalier Hulseman, paid his great compliment (now a classic in the capital) to Miss Chalfant; but it was soon thereafter repeated to me. It was at a ball at which pretty women thronged35. As the Minister’s gaze rested upon Miss Chalfant, his eyes expanded with admiration36. Approaching, he knelt suddenly before her, exclaiming, “Madame! I have from my Empress a piece of precious lace” (and he fumbled37, but, alas38! vainly, in his pockets as he spoke39) “which her Majesty40 has commanded me to present to the most beautiful woman in Washington. You—you are more, the most beautiful in the world! I have not with me the lace, but I will send it if you will permit me!” And he kept his word. We were glad to welcome to our “mess” so lovely and famous a bride. Mrs. Pugh’s beauty was of so exquisite41 a type, the bodily so permeated42 by the spiritual, that she shone pre?minent wherever she appeared, and this wholly independent of showy attire43. Though always presenting an appearance of elegance44, Mrs. Pugh’s gowns were invariably of the simplest. Our “mess” soon became aware that our beautiful favourite was primarily a lovely woman, and no mere45 gay butterfly. Her nature was grave rather than vivacious46, the maternal47 in her being exceedingly strong.
I recall the reply she gave me on the afternoon of a certain Cabinet day. It was the custom on this weekly recurring48 occasion for several of the ladies of our “mess” to make their calls together, thus obviating49 the need for more than one carriage. As my parlours were the only ones that boasted a pier-glass, and, besides, had the advantage of being on the drawing-room floor of the hotel, it became a custom for the women composing our circle to come to my rooms before going out, in order to see how their dresses hung. Those were the days of hoop-skirts, and the set of the outer skirt must needs be adjusted before beginning a round of calls. As we gathered there, it was no uncommon50 thing for one of us to remark: “Here comes Pugh, simply dressed, but superb, as usual. She would eclipse us all were she in calico!” On the occasion alluded51 to, I commented to Mrs. Pugh upon the beauty and style of her bonnet52.
“My own make,” she answered sweetly. “I can’t afford French bonnets53 for every-day use when I have ’tockies and shoes to buy for my little fellows!”
My friendship for Mrs. Pugh is a dear memory of that 46life of perpetual gaiety ere the face of Washington society was marred54 by war and scarred by the moral pestilences55 that followed in its train; nor can I resist the desire to quote her own remembrance of our association as she wrote it in a letter to Senator Clay late in ’64, when the glories of those earlier days had passed away, and the faces of erstwhile friends from the North were hidden by the smoke of cannon56 and a barrier of the slain57.
“Your dear wife,” she wrote, “was the first and best friend of my early married life; and, when I was ushered58 into a strange and trying world, she at once took me into her heart and counsel and made me a better woman and wife than I would have been alone. No one in this world ever treated me with the same love outside of my own family. When I cease to remember either of you accordingly, it will be when I forget all things!”
Strangely enough, there comes before my mind a picture of Mrs. Pugh in affliction that overshadows all the memories of the homage59 I have seen paid to her. It was late in the spring of 1859; Congress had adjourned60 and many of our “mess” had gone their several ways, to mountain or seashore, bent7 on rest or recreation, when the little daughter of Senator and Mrs. Pugh was suddenly taken ill. For weeks the distracted mother hovered61 over the sick-bed of the child, until her haggard appearance was pitiful to see. My husband and I could not bear to leave her, and often I shared her vigils, watching hours beside the dying little Alice.
On an occasion like this (it was evening), my cousin Miss Hilliard, her cheeks glowing and eyes shining with all the mysterious glow of expectant youth, came into the sick-room for a few moments on her way to some social gathering. She was dressed in a pale green, filmy gown, which lent to her appearance a flower-like semblance62 that was very fresh and lovely. As Miss Hilliard entered, Mrs. Pugh lifted her burning eyes from the couch where the rapidly declining little one lay, and gazed at her visitor like one in a dream. We were all silent for a moment. Then the worn mother spoke.
MRS. GEORGE E. PUGH (THéRèSE CHALFANT)
of Ohio
“The most beautiful woman in Washington”
47“So radiant! So beautiful!” she said in a voice of indescribable pathos63, “And to think you, too, may come to this!”
I have spoken of Mrs. Pryor, the beautiful wife of the young diplomat64, who had won general public approbation65 for his success in conducting a mission to Greece. Not of our especial mess, Mrs. Pryor frequently mingled66 with us, being the friend of Mrs. Douglas and Mrs. Pugh. They were, in truth, a very harmonious67 trio, Mrs. Pugh being a perfect brunette, Mrs. Douglas a blonde, and Mrs. Pryor a lighter68 brunette with soft-brown hair and eyes. She wore a distinctive69 coiffure, and carried her head charmingly. Even at that time Mrs. Pryor was notable for the intellectuality which has since uttered itself in several charming books.
Though not members of our resident circle, my memories of dear old Brown’s would scarcely be complete without a mention of little Henry Watterson, with whose parents our “mess” continually exchanged visits for years. Henry, their only child, was then an invalid70, debarred from the usual recreations of other boys, by weak eyes that made the light unbearable71 and reading all but impossible; yet at fifteen the boy was a born politician and eager for every item of news from the Senate or House.
“What bills were introduced to-day? Who spoke? Please tell me what took place to-day?” were among the questions (in substance) with which the lad was wont72 to greet the ladies of our “mess,” when he knew them to be returning from a few hours spent in the Senate gallery; and, though none foresaw the later distinction which awaited the invalid boy, no one of us was ever so hurried 48and impatient that she could not and did not take time to answer his earnest inquiries73.
It is safe to say that no member of our pleasant circle was more generally valued than that most lovable of men, Lucius Q. C. Lamar, “Moody Lamar,” as he was sometimes called; for he was then, as he always continued to be, full of dreams and ideals and big, warm impulses, with a capacity for the most enduring and strongest of friendships, and a tenderness rarely displayed by men so strong as was he.[2] Mr. Lamar was full of quaint74 and caressing75 ways even with his fellow-men, which frank utterance76 of his own feelings was irresistibly77 engaging. I have seen him walk softly up behind Mr. Clay, when the latter was deep in thought, touch him lightly on the shoulder, and, as my husband turned quickly to see what was wanted, “Lushe” or “big Lushe,” as all called him, would kiss him suddenly and lightly on the forehead.
Yes! Mr. Lamar and his sparkling, bright-souled wife, Jennie Longstreet, were beloved members of that memorable78 “mess” in ante-bellum Washington.
Next to Congressman79 Lamar, I suppose it may safely be said no man was more affectionately held than another of our mess-mates, Congressman Dowdell, “old Dowdell,” “dear old Dowdell,” and sometimes “poor, dear old Dowdell” being among the forms by which he was continually designated. Mr. Dowdell had a large and loose frame, and walked about with a countryman’s easy 49indifference to appearances. A born wag, he sometimes took a quiet delight in accentuating80 this seeming guilelessness.
One evening he came strolling in to dinner, prepared for a comfortable chat over the table, though all the rest of our little coterie81 were even then dressing82 for attendance at a grand concert. It was an event of great importance, for Gottschalk, the young Créole musician, of whom all the country was talking, was to be heard in his own compositions.
“What!” I exclaimed as I saw Mr. Dowdell’s every-day attire, “You don’t mean to tell me you’re not going to the concert! I can’t allow it, brother Dowdell! Go right out and get your ticket and attend that concert with all the rest of the world, or I’ll tell your constituents83 what sort of a country representative they’ve sent to the capital!”
My laughing threat had its effect, and he hurried off in quest of the ticket, which, after some difficulty, was procured84.
The concert was a memorable one. During the evening I saw Mr. Dowdell across the hall, scanning the performers with an enigmatical expression. At that time Gottschalk’s popularity was at its height. Every concert programme contained, and every ambitious amateur included in her repertory, the young composer’s “Last Hope.” At his appearance, therefore, slender, agile85 and Gallic to a degree, enthusiasm ran so high that we forgot to hunt up our friend in the short interval86 between each brilliant number.
When Mr. Dowdell appeared at the breakfast table the following morning, I asked him how he had enjoyed the evening. The Congressman’s response came less enthusiastically than I had hoped.
“Well,” he began, drawing his words out slowly and a bit quizzically, “I went out and got my ticket; did the 50right thing and got a seat as near Harriet Lane’s box as I could; even invested in new white gloves, so I felt all right; but I can’t say the music struck me exactly! Mr. Gottschalk played mighty87 pretty; hopped88 up on the black keys and then down on the white ones” (and the Congressman illustrated89 by spanning the table rapidly in a most ludicrous manner). “He played slow and then fast, and never seemed to get his hands tangled90 up once. But for all that I can’t say I was struck by his music! He played mighty pretty, but he didn’t play nary tchune!”
Two interesting members of our “mess” were General and Mrs. Chestnut. The General, a member from South Carolina, who became afterward one of the staff of Jefferson Davis, was among the princes in wealth in the South in the fifties. Approximately one thousand slaves owned by him were manumitted by Mr. Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863, when, childless, property-less, our well-loved Mrs. Chestnut suffered a terrible eclipse after her brilliant youth and middle age. She was the only daughter of Governor Miller91, of South Carolina, and having been educated abroad, was an accomplished92 linguist93 and ranked high among the cultured women of the capital.
Moreover, Mrs. Chestnut was continually the recipient94 of toilette elegancies, for which the bazaars95 of Paris were ransacked96, and in this way the curiosity of the emulative97 stay-at-home fashionables was constantly piqued98. Her part in that brilliant world was not a small one, for, in addition to her superior personal charms, Mrs. Chestnut chaperoned the lovely Preston girls of South Carolina, belles, all, and the fashionable Miss Stevens, of Stevens Castle, who married Muscoe Garnett of Virginia. Indeed, the zest99 for social pleasures among our circle was often increased by the coming of guests from other cities. Among others whom I particularly recall was my cousin Miss Collier, daughter of Governor Collier of Alabama, and who married the nephew of William Rufus King, Vice-President 51of the United States under Mr. Pierce; and our cousins Loula Comer, Hattie Withers100, and Miss Hilliard. The latter’s wedding with Mr. Hamilton Glentworth of New York was one of the social events of the winter of 1859.
Nor should I forget to mention the presence, at the Ebbitt House and at Brown’s Hotel, of another much admired South Carolinian, Mrs. General McQueen, who was a Miss Pickens, of the famous family of that name. My remembrance of Mrs. McQueen is always associated with that of the sudden death of Preston Brooks101, our neighbour at Brown’s Hotel. At the time of this fatality102, Dr. May, the eminent103 surgeon, was in the building in attendance upon Mrs. McQueen’s little boy, who was suffering from some throat trouble.
Mr. Brooks had been indisposed for several days, and, being absent from his seat in the House, it was the custom for one or the other of his confrères to drop into his room each afternoon, to give him news of the proceedings104. On that fatal day, Colonel Orr (“Larry,” as his friends affectionately designated him) had called upon the invalid and was in the midst of narrating105 the day’s doings, when Mr. Brooks clutched suddenly at his throat and cried out huskily, “Air! Orr, air!”
Mr. Orr hastily threw open the window and began to fan the sufferer, but became bewildered at the alarming continuation of his struggles. Had the Congressman but known it, even as he tried to relieve his friend, Dr. May passed the door of Mr. Brooks’s room, on his way out of the house, his surgical106 case in hand; but the suddenness of the attack, and a total absence of suspicion as to its gravity, coupled with the swiftness with which it acted, confused the watcher, and, ere assistance could be obtained, the handsome young Southern member had passed away!
Congressman Orr, as has been said, was one of our 52original “mess” in the capital. From the first he was a conspicuous figure, nature having made him so. He was of gigantic stature107, weighing then somewhat over two hundred pounds. His voice was of bugle-like clearness, and when, in 1857, he became speaker of the House of Representatives, it was a source of remark how wonderfully his words penetrated109 to the farthermost corner of the hall. He was extremely tender-hearted and devoted110 to his family, around the members of which his affections were closely bound.
Just previous to our arrival in the capital, Mr. Orr had lost a little daughter, and often, ere he brought his family to the Federal City, in a quiet hour he would come to our parlours and ask me to sing to him. He dearly loved simple ballads111, his favourite song being “Lilly Dale,” the singing of which invariably stirred him greatly. Often I have turned from the piano to find his eyes gushing112 with tears at the memories that pathetic old-fashioned ditty had awakened113. Mr. Orr was a famous flatterer, too, who ranked my simple singing as greater than that of the piquant114 Patti; and I question the success of any one who would have debated with him the respective merits of that great artiste and my modest self.
When Mr. Orr became Speaker of the House, Mrs. Orr and his children having joined him, the family resided in the famous Stockton Mansion for a season or two. Here brilliant receptions were held, and Mrs. Orr, a distinguée woman, made her entrée into Washington society, often being assisted in receiving by the members of the mess of which, for so long, Mr. Orr had formed a part. Mrs. Orr was tall and lithe115 in figure, of a Spanish type of face. She soon became a great favourite in the capital, where one daughter, now a widow, Mrs. Earle, still lives.
It was at the Stockton Mansion that Daniel E. and Mrs. Sickles116 lived when the tragedy of which they formed 53two of the principals took place. Here, too, was run the American career of another much-talked-of lady, which, for meteoric117 brilliancy and brevity, perhaps outshines any other episode in the chronicles of social life in Washington.
The lady’s husband was a statesman of prominence118, celebrated119 for his scholarly tastes and the fineness of his mental qualities. The arrival of the lady, after a marked absence abroad, during which some curious gossip had reached American ears, was attended by great éclat; and not a little conjecture120 was current as to how she would be received. For her home-coming, however, the Stockton Mansion was fitted up in hitherto undreamed-of magnificence, works of art and of vertu, which were the envy of local connoisseurs121, being imported to grace it, regardless of cost. So far, so good!
The report of these domiciliary wonders left no doubt but that entertaining on a large scale was being projected. The world was slow in declaring its intentions in its own behalf; for, notwithstanding her rumoured123 delinquencies, the lady’s husband was high in the councils of the nation, and as such was a figure of dignity. Shortly after her arrival our “mess” held a conclave124, in which we discussed the propriety125 of calling upon the new-comer, but a conclusion seeming impossible (opinions being so widely divergent), it was decided126 to submit the important question to our husbands.
This was done duly, and Senator Clay’s counsel to me was coincided in generally.
“By all means, call,” said he. “You have nothing to do with the lady’s private life, and, as a mark of esteem127 to a statesman of her husband’s prominence, it will be better to call.”
Upon a certain day, therefore, it was agreed that we should pay a “mess” call, going in a body. We drove accordingly, in dignity and in state, and, truth to tell, in 54soberness and ceremony, to the mansion aforenamed. It was the lady’s reception day. We entered the drawing-room with great circumspection128, tempering our usually cordial manner with a fine prudence129; we paid our devoirs to the hostess and retired130. But now a curious retribution overtook us, social faint-hearts that we were; for, though we heard much gossip of the regality and originality131 of one or more dinners given to the several diplomatic corps132 (the lady especially affected133 the French Legation), I never heard of a gathering of Washingtonians at her home, nor of invitations extended to them, nor, indeed, anything more of her until two months had flown. Then, Arab-like, the lady rose in the night, “silently folded her tent and stole away” (to meet a handsome German officer, it was said), leaving our calls unanswered, save by the sending of her card, and her silver and china and crystal, her paintings, and hangings, and furniture to be auctioned134 off to the highest bidder135!
Everyone in Washington now thronged to see the beautiful things, and many purchased specimens136 from among them, among others Mrs. Davis. By a curious turn of fate, the majority of these treasures were acquired by Mrs. Senator Yulee, who was so devoutly137 religious that her piety138 caused her friends to speak of her as “the Madonna of the Wickliffe sisters!” The superb furniture of the whilom hostess was carried to “Homosassa,” the romantic home of the Yulees in Florida, where in later years it was reduced to ashes.
Of the Wickliffe sisters there were three, all notably139 good as well as handsome women, with whom I enjoyed a life-time friendship. One became the wife of Judge Merrick, and another, who dearly loved Senator Clay and me, married Joseph Holt, who rose high in Federal honours after the breaking out of the war, having sold his Southern birthright for a mess of Northern pottage.
For several years before her death, Mrs. Holt was an 55invalid and a recluse140, yet she was no inconspicuous figure in Washington, where the beauty of the “three graces” (as the sisters of Governor Wickliffe were always designated) was long a criterion by which other belles were judged. Mrs. Mallory, the wife of Senator Yulee’s confrère from Florida, was particularly a favourite in the capital. The Mallorys were the owners of great orange groves141 in that lovely State, and were wont from time to time to distribute among their friends boxes of choicest fruit.
Of our “mess,” Congressman and Mrs. Curry were least frequently to be met with in social gatherings142. Mrs. Curry, who was a Miss Bowie, devoted her time wholly to her children, apparently143 feeling no interest in the gay world about her, being as gentle and retiring as her doughty144 relative (the inventor of the Bowie knife) was warlike. Mr. Curry was an uncommonly145 handsome man, who, in the fifties and early sixties, was an ambitious and strenuous146 politician. He died early in 1903, full of years and honours, while still acting147 as the General Agent of the Peabody fund.
Nor should I fail to recall the lovely Mrs. Clopton, wife of one of Senator Clay’s most trusted friends, Congressman David Clopton. She joined our “mess” late in the fifties, and at once added to its fame by her charm and beauty. She was a sister of Governor Ligon of Alabama. One of her daughters married the poet, Clifford Lanier, and another became the wife of Judge William L. Chambers148, who for several exciting years represented our Government at Samoa.
But my oldest and dearest mess-mate during nearly a decade in the capital was, as I have said elsewhere, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, whose husband, Senator Benjamin Fitzpatrick, was President of the Senate for four consecutive149 sessions. Senator Fitzpatrick was very many years older than his wife, having, indeed, held office in 561818, when Alabama was a territory, and when few of his Alabamian associates in Congress had been ushered upon the stage of life. Between Mrs. Fitzpatrick and me there was an undeviating attachment150 which was a source of wonder, as it doubtless was rare, among women in fashionable life. As confrères in the Senate, our husbands, despite the disparity in their years, were fully108 in accord; and a more congenial quartette it would have been hard to find.
I think of all the harmonious couples I have known, Senator and Mrs. Fitzpatrick easily led, though near to them I must place General and Mrs. McQueen. It was a standing122 topic in Brown’s Hotel, the devotion of the two middle-aged151 gentlemen—Messrs. Fitzpatrick and McQueen—to their young wives and to their boys, enfants terribles, both of them of a most emphatic152 type. “The Heavenly Twins” as a title had not yet been evolved, or these two young autocrats153 of the hostelry would surely have won it from the sarcastic154.
Benny Fitzpatrick was at once the idol155 of his parents and the terror of the hotel; and, as Mrs. Fitzpatrick and I were cordially united in other interests of life, so we shared the maternal duties as became two devoted sisters, “Our boy Benny” receiving the motherly oversight156 of whichsoever of us happened to be near him when occasion arose for aid or admonition. “Mrs. Fitz” delivered her rebukes157 with “Oh, Benny dear! How could you!” but I, his foster-mother, was constrained158 to resort betimes to a certain old-fashioned punishment usually administered with the broadside of a slipper159, or, what shortly became as efficacious, a threat to do so.
Benny, like George Washington, was the possessor of a little hatchet160, with which he worked a dreadful havoc161. He chopped at the rosewood furniture of his mother’s drawing-room, while his proud parents, amazed at his precocity162, not to say prowess, stood by awestruck, and—paid 57the bill! The child was plump and healthy, and boys will be boys! Thus were we all become his subjects; thus he overran Hannah, his coloured nurse, until one day Pat came—, Pat Dolan.
Pat had been a page at the Senate, and in some forgotten way he and little Benny had become inseparable friends. Thereafter, Benny was taken by his fond guardian163, into whose hands his three anxious parents consented to consign164 him, to see the varying sights and the various quarters of the city. As his experiences multiplied, so his reputation for precocity increased in exact ratio.
One day Hannah’s excitement ran high. “Lor! Miss ’Relia,” she burst out impetuously to Mrs. Fitzpatrick, “Pat Dolan done carried Benny to the Cath’lic church an’ got him sprinkled, ’n den14 he brung him to communion, an’ first thing Pat knowed, Benny he drunk up all the holy water an’ eat up the whole wafer!”
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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gathering
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distinguished
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bent
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portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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tavern
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renowned
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ragged
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cuisine
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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thither
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heterogeneous
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strictly
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legislative
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| n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的 | |
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retraced
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interim
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delightful
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treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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24
jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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25
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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26
democrat
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| n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员 | |
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27
curry
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| n.咖哩粉，咖哩饭菜；v.用咖哩粉调味，用马栉梳，制革 | |
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28
chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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29
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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30
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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31
belles
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| n.美女( belle的名词复数 )；最美的美女 | |
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32
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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33
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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34
comeliness
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| n. 清秀, 美丽, 合宜 | |
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35
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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37
fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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38
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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39
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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40
majesty
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|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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41
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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42
permeated
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|
| 弥漫( permeate的过去式和过去分词 )； 遍布； 渗入； 渗透 | |
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43
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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44
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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45
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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46
vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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47
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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48
recurring
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|
| adj.往复的，再次发生的 | |
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49
obviating
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| v.避免，消除（贫困、不方便等）( obviate的现在分词 ) | |
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50
uncommon
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|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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51
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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53
bonnets
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|
| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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54
marred
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|
| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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55
pestilences
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| n.瘟疫， （尤指）腺鼠疫( pestilence的名词复数 ) | |
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56
cannon
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|
| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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57
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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58
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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60
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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62
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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63
pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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64
diplomat
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| n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人 | |
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65
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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66
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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67
harmonious
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|
| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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68
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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69
distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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70
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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71
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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72
wont
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|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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73
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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74
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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75
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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76
utterance
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|
| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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77
irresistibly
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|
| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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78
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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79
Congressman
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| n.（美）国会议员 | |
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80
accentuating
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|
| v.重读( accentuate的现在分词 )；使突出；使恶化；加重音符号于 | |
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81
coterie
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|
| n.(有共同兴趣的)小团体，小圈子 | |
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82
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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83
constituents
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|
| n.选民( constituent的名词复数 )；成分；构成部分；要素 | |
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84
procured
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|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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85
agile
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|
| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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86
interval
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|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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87
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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88
hopped
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|
| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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89
illustrated
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|
| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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90
tangled
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|
| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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91
miller
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| n.磨坊主 | |
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92
accomplished
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|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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93
linguist
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| n.语言学家；精通数种外国语言者 | |
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94
recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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95
bazaars
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| （东方国家的）市场( bazaar的名词复数 )； 义卖； 义卖市场； （出售花哨商品等的）小商品市场 | |
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96
ransacked
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|
| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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97
emulative
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| adj.好胜 | |
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98
piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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99
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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100
withers
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| 马肩隆 | |
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101
brooks
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| n.小溪( brook的名词复数 ) | |
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102
fatality
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| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
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103
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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104
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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105
narrating
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| v.故事( narrate的现在分词 ) | |
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106
surgical
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|
| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
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107
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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108
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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109
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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110
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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111
ballads
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| 民歌，民谣，特别指叙述故事的歌( ballad的名词复数 )； 讴 | |
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112
gushing
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|
| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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113
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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114
piquant
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| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
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115
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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116
sickles
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| n.镰刀( sickle的名词复数 ) | |
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117
meteoric
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| adj.流星的，转瞬即逝的，突然的 | |
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118
prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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119
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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120
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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121
connoisseurs
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| n.鉴赏家，鉴定家，行家( connoisseur的名词复数 ) | |
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122
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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123
rumoured
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| adj.谣传的；传说的；风 | |
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124
conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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125
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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126
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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127
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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128
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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129
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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130
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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131
originality
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| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
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132
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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133
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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134
auctioned
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| v.拍卖( auction的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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135
bidder
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| n.(拍卖时的)出价人，报价人，投标人 | |
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136
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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137
devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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138
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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139
notably
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| adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地 | |
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140
recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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141
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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142
gatherings
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| 聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集 | |
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143
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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144
doughty
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| adj.勇猛的，坚强的 | |
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145
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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146
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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147
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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148
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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149
consecutive
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| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
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150
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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151
middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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152
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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153
autocrats
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| n.独裁统治者( autocrat的名词复数 )；独断专行的人 | |
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154
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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155
idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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156
oversight
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| n.勘漏，失察，疏忽 | |
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157
rebukes
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的第三人称单数 ) | |
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158
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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159
slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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160
hatchet
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| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
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161
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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162
precocity
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| n.早熟，早成 | |
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163
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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164
consign
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| vt.寄售（货品），托运，交托，委托 | |
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