Early in the season of 1857–’8, our friend Mrs. Senator Gwin announced her intention of giving a ball which should eclipse every gathering2 of the kind that had ever been seen in Washington. Just what its character was to be was not yet decided3; but, after numerous conferences with her friends in which many and various suggestions were weighed, the advocates for the fancy ball prevailed over those in favour of a masquerade, to which, indeed, Senator Gwin himself was averse4, and these carried the day.
Surely no hostess ever more happily realised her ambitions! When the function was formally announced, all Washington was agog5. For the ensuing weeks men as well as women were busy consulting costumers, ransacking6 the private collections in the capital, and conning7 precious volumes of coloured engravings in a zealous9 search for original and accurate costuming. Only the Senators who were to be present were exempt10 from this anticipatory11 excitement, for Senator Gwin, declaring that nothing was more dignified12 for members of this body than their usual garb13, refused to appear in an assumed one, and so set the example for his colleagues.
As the time approached, expectation ran high. Those who were to attend were busy rehearsing their characters and urging the dressmakers and costumers to the perfect completion of their tasks, while those who were debarred deplored14 their misfortune. I recall a pathetic lament15 from my friend Lieutenant16 Henry Myers, who was 127obliged to leave on the United States ship Marion on the fourth of April (the ball was to occur on the ninth), in which he bemoaned17 the deprivations18 of a naval19 officer’s life, and especially his inability to attend the coming entertainment.
When the evening of the ball arrived there was a flutter in every boudoir in Washington, in which preparation for the great event was accelerated by the pleasurable nervousness of maid and mistress. Mrs. Gwin’s costume, and those of other leading Washingtonians, it was known, had been selected in New York, and rumours20 were rife22 on the elegant surprises that were to be sprung upon the eventful occasion.
With Senator Clay and me that winter were three charming cousins, the Misses Comer, Hilliard and Withers23. They impersonated, respectively, a gypsy fortune-teller, a Constantinople girl, and “Titania”; and, to begin at the last (as a woman may do if she will), a wonderful “Titania” the tiny Miss Withers was, robed in innumerable spangled tulle petticoats that floated as she danced, her gauze wings quivering like those of a butterfly, and her unusually small feet glistening24 no less brilliantly with spangles.
“Miss Withers, yon tiny fairy,” wrote Major de Havilland, who in his “Metrical Glance at the Fancy Ball” immortalised the evening, “as ‘Titania’ caused many a Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Miss Hilliard, whose beauty was well set off in a costly25 and picturesque26 costume of the East, owed her triumph of the evening to the kindness of Mrs. Joseph Holt, who had bought the costume (which she generously placed at my cousin’s disposal) during a tour of the Orient. So attractive was my cousin’s charming array, and so correct in all its details, that as she entered Mrs. Gwin’s ballroom27, a party of Turkish onlookers28, seeing the familiar garb, broke into applause.
128Miss Comer, in a brilliant gown that was plentifully29 covered with playing-cards, carried also a convenient pack of the same, with which she told fortunes in a mystifying manner, for I had coached her carefully in all the secrets of the day. I must admit she proved a clever pupil, for she used her knowledge well whenever an opportunity presented, to the confusion of many whose private weaknesses she most tormentingly30 exposed.
My chosen character was an unusual one, being none other than that remarkable31 figure created by Mr. Shillaber, Aunt Ruthy Partington. It was the one character assumed during that memorable32 evening, by one of my sex, in which age and personal attractions were sacrificed ruthlessly for its more complete delineation33.
I was not the only one anxious to impersonate the quaint34 lady from Beanville, over whose grammatical faux pas all America was amusing itself. Ben Perley Poore no sooner heard of my selection of this character than he begged me to yield to him, but I was not to be deterred35, having committed to heart the whole of Mrs. Partington’s homely36 wit. Moreover, I had already, the previous summer, experimented with the character while at Red Sweet Springs, where a fancy ball had been given with much success, and I was resolved to repeat the amusing experience at Mrs. Gwin’s ball.
Finding me inexorable, Mr. Poore at last desisted and chose another character, that of Major Jack37 Downing. He made a dashing figure, too, and we an amusing pair, as, at the “heel of the morning,” we galloped38 wildly over Mrs. Gwin’s wonderfully waxed floors. The galop, I may add in passing, was but just introduced in Washington, and its popularity was wonderful.
If I dwell on that evening with particular satisfaction, the onus39 of such egotism must be laid at the door of my flattering friends; for even now, when nearly twoscore years and ten have passed, those who remain of that 129merry assemblage of long ago recall it with a smile and a tender recollection. “I can see you now, in my mind’s eye,” wrote General George Wallace Jones, in 1894; “how you vexed40 and tortured dear old President Buchanan at Doctor and Mrs. Gwin’s famous fancy party! You were that night the observed of all observers!” And still more recently another, recalling the scene, said, “The orchestra stopped, for the dancers lagged, laughing convulsively at dear Aunt Ruthy!”
Nor would I seem to undervalue by omitting the tribute in verse paid me by the musical Major de Havilland:
Whose ready tongue and easy blundering wit
But—denser grows the crowd round Partington;
’T’were vain to try to name them one by one.”[14]
It was not without some trepidation49 of spirit that I surrendered myself into the hands of a professional maker-up of theatrical50 folk and saw him lay in the shadows and wrinkles necessary to the character, and adjust my front piece of grey hair into position; and, as my conception of the quaint Mrs. Partington was that 130of a kindly51 soul, I counselled the attendant—a Hungarian attaché of the local theatre—to make good-natured vertical52 wrinkles over my brow, and not horizontal ones, which indicate the cynical53 and harsh character.
My disguise was soon so perfect that my friend Mrs. L. Q. C. Lamar, who came in shortly after the ordeal54 of making-up was over, utterly55 failed to recognise me in the country woman before her. She looked about the room with a slight reserve aroused by finding herself thus in the presence of a stranger, and asked of Emily, “Where is Mrs. Clay?” At this my cousins burst into merry laughter, in which Mrs. Lamar joined when assured of my identity.
Thus convinced of the success of my costume, I was glad to comply with a request that came by messenger from Miss Lane, for our party to go to the White House on our way to Mrs. Gwin’s, to show her our “pretty dresses,” a point of etiquette56 intervening to prevent the Lady of the White House from attending the great ball of a private citizen. Forthwith we drove to the Executive Mansion58, where we were carried sans cérémonie to Miss Lane’s apartments. Here Mrs. Partington found herself in the presence of her first audience. Miss Lane and the President apparently59 were much amused at her verdancy60, and, after a few initiative malapropisms, some pirouettes by “Titania” and our maid from the Orient, done to the shuffling61 of our little fortune-teller’s cards, we departed, our zest stimulated62, for the Gwin residence.
My very first conquest as Mrs. Partington, as I recall it now, was of Mrs. Representative Pendleton, whom I met on the stairs. She was radiantly beautiful as the “Star-Spangled Banner,” symbolising the poem by which her father, Francis Scott Key, immortalised himself. As we met, her face broke into a smile of delicious surprise.
131“How inimitable!” she cried. “Who is it? No! you shan’t pass till you tell me!” And when I laughingly informed her in Aunt Ruthy’s own vernacular63, she exclaimed: “What! Mrs. Clay? Why! there isn’t a vestige64 of my friend left!”
My costume was ingeniously devised. It consisted of a plain black alpaca dress and black satin apron65; stockings as blue as a certain pair of indigos66 I have previously67 described, and large, loose-fitting buskin shoes. Over my soft grey front piece I wore a high-crowned cap, which, finished with a prim68 ruff, set closely around the face. On the top was a diminutive69 bow of narrowest ribbon, while ties of similarly economical width secured it under the chin. My disguise was further completed by a pair of stone-cutter’s glasses with nickel rims70, which entirely71 concealed72 my eyes. A white kerchief was drawn73 primly74 over my shoulders, and was secured by a huge medallion pin, in which was encased the likeness75, as large as the palm of my hand, of “my poor Paul.”
On my arm I carried a reticule in which were various herbs, elecampane and catnip, and other homely remedies, and a handkerchief in brilliant colours on which was printed with fearless and emphatic76 type the Declaration of Independence. This bit of “stage property” was used ostentatiously betimes, especially when Aunt Ruthy’s tears were called forth57 by some sad allusion77 to her lost “Paul.” In my apron pocket was an antique snuff-box which had been presented to me, as I afterward78 told Senator Seward, by the Governor of Rhode Island, “a lover of the Kawnstitution, Sir.”
But, that nothing might be lacking, behind me trotted79 my boy “Ike,” dear little “Jimmy” Sandidge (son of the member from Louisiana), aged80 ten, who for days, in the secrecy81 of my parlour, I had drilled in the aid he was to lend me. He was a wonderful little second, and the 132fidelity to truth in his make-up was so amusing that I came near to losing him at the very outset. His ostentatiously darned stockings and patched breeches, long since outgrown82, were a surprising sight in the great parlours of our host, and Senator Gwin, seeing the little urchin83 who, he thought, had strayed in from the street, took him by the shoulder and was about to lead him out when some one called to him, “Look out, Senator! You’ll be getting yourself into trouble! That’s Aunt Ruthy’s boy, Ike!”
Mrs. Partington was not the only Yankee character among that throng84 of princes and queens, and dames85 of high degree, for Mr. Eugene Baylor, of Louisiana, impersonated a figure as amusing—that of “Hezekiah Swipes,” of Vermont. He entered into his part with a zest as great as my own, and kept “a-whittlin’ and a-whittlin’ jes’ as if he was ter hum!” For myself, I enjoyed a peculiar86 exhilaration in the thought that, despite my amusing dress, the belles87 of the capital (and many were radiant beauties, too) gave way before Aunt Ruthy and her nonsense. As I observed this my zeal8 increased, and not even Senator Clay, who feared my gay spirits would react and cause me to become exhausted88, could prevail upon me to yield a serious word or one out of my character throughout the festal night. If I paid for it, as I did, by several days’ retirement89, I did not regret it, since the evening itself went off so happily.
Mrs. Gwin, as the Queen of Louis Quatorze, a regal lady, stood receiving her guests with President Buchanan beside her as Aunt Ruthy entered, knitting industriously90, but stopping ever and anon to pick up a stitch which the glory of her surroundings caused her to drop. Approaching my hostess and her companion, I first made my greetings to Mrs. Gwin, with comments on her “invite,” and wondered, looking up at the windows, if she “had 133enough venerators to take off the execrations of that large assemblage”; but, when she presented Mrs. Partington to the President, “Lor!” exclaimed that lady, “Air you ralely ‘Old Buck91’? I’ve often heern tell o’ Old Buck up in Beanville, but I don’t see no horns!”
“No, Madam,” gravely responded the President, assuming for the nonce the cynic, “I’m not a married man!”
It was at this memorable function that Lord Napier (who appeared in the character of Mr. Hammond, the first British Minister to the United States) paid his great tribute to Mrs. Pendleton. Her appearance on that occasion was lovely. She was robed in a white satin gown made dancing length, over which were rare lace flounces. A golden eagle with wings outstretched covered her corsage, and from her left shoulder floated a long tricolour sash on which, in silver letters, were the words “E Pluribus Unum.” A crown of thirteen flashing stars was set upon her well-poised head, and a more charming interpretation92 in dress of the national emblem93 could scarcely have been devised.
Ah! but that was a remarkable throng! My memory, as I recall that night, seems like a long chain, of which, if I strike but a single link, the entire length rattles94! Beautiful Thérèse Chalfant Pugh as “Night”—what a vision she was, and what a companion picture Mrs. Douglas, who, as “Aurora,” was radiant in the pale tints95 of the morning! There were mimic96 Marchionesses, and Kings of England and France and Prussia; White Ladies of Avenel and Dukes of Buckingham, Maids of Athens and Saragossa, gypsies and fairies, milkmaids, and even a buxom97 barmaid; Antipholus himself and the Priestess Norma, Pierrots and Follies98, peasants and Highland99 chiefs moving in heterogeneous100 fashion in the great ballrooms101.
Barton Key, as an English hunter, clad in white satin 134breeks, cherry-velvet jacket, and jaunty102 cap, with lemon-coloured high-top boots, and a silver bugle103 (upon which he blew from time to time) hung across his breast, was a conspicuous104 figure in that splendid happy assemblage, and Mlle. de Montillon was a picture in the Polish character costume in which her mother had appeared when she danced in a Polonaise before the Empress at the Tuilleries.
Sir William Gore105 Ouseley, the “Knight106 of the Mysterious Mission,” attracted general attention in his character of Knight Commander of the Bath. The Baroness107 de Staeckl and Miss Cass were models of elegance108 as French Court beauties, and Mrs. Jefferson Davis as Mme. de Sta?l dealt in caustic109 repartee110 as became her part, delivered now in French and again in broken English, to the annihilation of all who had the temerity111 to cross swords with her.
Among the guests “our furrin relations” were numerously represented, and I remember well the burst of laughter which greeted Mrs. Partington when she asked Lady Napier, with a confidential112 and sympathetic air, “whether the Queen had got safely over her last encroachment113.” Incidentally she added some good advice on the bringing up of children, illustrating114 its efficacy by pointing to Ike, whom she “was teaching religiously both the lethargy and the cataplasm!”
My memories of Mrs. Gwin’s ball would be incomplete did I not mention two or more of Aunt Ruthy’s escapades during the evening. The rumour21 of my intended impersonation had aroused in the breast of a certain Baltimorean youth the determination to disturb, “to break up Mrs. Clay’s composure.” I heard of the young man’s intention through some friend early in the evening, and my mother-wit, keyed as it was to a pitch of alertness, promptly115 aided me to the overthrow116 of the venturesome hero. He came garbed117 as a newsboy, and, nature having provided him with lusty lungs, he made amusing announcements as to the attractions of his wares118, at the most unexpected moments. Under his arm he carried a bundle of papers which he hawked119 about in a most professional manner. At an unfortunate moment he walked hurriedly by as if on his rounds, and stopping beside me he called out confidently, “Baltimore Sun! Have a ‘Sun,’ Madam?”
MRS. JEFFERSON DAVIS
of Mississippi
135“Tut, tut! Man!” said Mrs. Partington, horrified120. “How dare you ask such a question of a virtuous121 female widow woman?” Then bursting into sobs122 and covering her eyes with the broad text of the “Declaration of Independence,” she cried, “What would my poor Paul think of that?” To the hilarious123 laughter of those who had gathered about us, the routed hero retreated hastily, and, for the remainder of the evening, restrained by a wholesome124 caution, he gave Aunt Ruthy a wide berth125.
Such kind greetings as came to this unsophisticated visitor to the ball! “You’re the sweetest-looking old thing!” exclaimed “Lushe” Lamar before he had penetrated126 my disguise. “I’d just like to buss you!”
I had an amusing rencontre with Senator Seward that evening. That this pronounced Northerner had made numerous efforts in the past to meet me I was well aware; but my Southern sentiments were wholly disapproving127 of him, and I had resisted even my kinder-hearted husband’s plea, and had steadily128 refused to permit him to be introduced to me. “Not even to save the Nation could I be induced to eat his bread, to drink his wine, to enter his domicile, to speak to him!” I once impetuously declared, when the question came up in private of attending some function which the Northern Senator was projecting.
At Mrs. Gwin’s ball, however, I noticed Mr. Seward hovering129 in my neighbourhood, and I was not surprised when he, “who could scrape any angle to attain130 an end,” as my cousin Miss Comer said so aptly, finding none 136brave enough to present him, took advantage of my temporary merging131 into Mr. Shillaber’s character, and presented himself to “Mrs. Partington.” He was very courteous132, if a little uncertain of his welcome, as he approached me, and said, “Aunt Ruthy, can’t I, too, have the pleasure of welcoming you to the Federal City? May I have a pinch of snuff with you?” It was here that Mrs. Partington reminded him that the donor133 of her snuff-box “loved the Kawnstitewtion.” I gave him the snuff and with it a number of Partingtonian shots about his opinions concerning “Slave Oligawky,” which were fearless even if “funny,” as the Senator seemed to find them, and I passed on. This was my first and only meeting with Mr. Seward.[15]
I was so exhilarated at the success of my r?le that I had scarce seen our cousins during the evening (I am sure they thought me an ideal chaperone), though I caught an occasional glimpse of the gauzy-winged “Titania,” and once I saw the equally tiny Miss Comer go whirling down the room in a wild galop with the tall Lieutenant Scarlett, of Her Majesty’s Guards, who was conspicuous in a uniform as rubescent as his patronymic. And I recall seeing an amusing little bit of human nature in connection with our hostess, which showed how even the giving of this superb entertainment could not disturb Mrs. Gwin’s perfect oversight134 of her household.
The “wee sma’ hours” had come, and I had just finished complimenting my hostess on her “cold hash and cider,” when the butler stepped up to her and, in discreet135 pantomime, announced that the wine had given out.
137Then she, Queen for the nonce of the most magnificent of the Bourbons, did step aside and, lifting her stiff moiré skirt and its costly train of cherry satin (quilled with white, it was), did extract from some secret pocket the key to the wine cellar, and pass it right royally to her menial. This functionary136 shortly afterward returned and rendered it again to her, when, by the same deft137 manipulation of her rich petticoats, the implement138 was replaced in its repository, and the Queen once more emerged to look upon her merrymakers.
For years Mrs. Gwin’s fancy ball has remained one of the most brilliant episodes in the annals of ante-bellum days in the capital. For weeks after its occurrence the local photograph and daguerreotype139 galleries were thronged140 with patrons who wished to be portrayed141 in the costumes they had worn upon the great occasion; and a few days after the ball, supposing I would be among that number, Mr. Shillaber sent me a request for my likeness, adding that he “would immortalise me.” But, flushed with my own success, and grown daring by reason of it, I replied that, being hors de combat, I could not respond as he wished. I thanked him for his proffer142, however, and reminded him that the public had anticipated him, and that by their verdict I had already immortalised myself!
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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agog
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| adj.兴奋的，有强烈兴趣的； adv.渴望地 | |
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ransacking
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的现在分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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conning
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| v.诈骗，哄骗( con的现在分词 )；指挥操舵( conn的现在分词 ) | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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anticipatory
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| adj.预想的，预期的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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bemoaned
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| v.为（某人或某事）抱怨( bemoan的过去式和过去分词 )；悲悼；为…恸哭；哀叹 | |
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deprivations
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naval
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rumours
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rumour
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rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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withers
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| 马肩隆 | |
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glistening
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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ballroom
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onlookers
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| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
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plentifully
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tormentingly
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remarkable
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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delineation
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| n.记述；描写 | |
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quaint
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deterred
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| v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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onus
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| n.负担；责任 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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gilds
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| 把…镀金( gild的第三人称单数 )； 给…上金色； 作多余的修饰（反而破坏原已完美的东西）； 画蛇添足 | |
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zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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loquacious
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| adj.多嘴的，饶舌的 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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tempts
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| v.引诱或怂恿（某人）干不正当的事( tempt的第三人称单数 )；使想要 | |
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meekness
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| n.温顺，柔和 | |
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trepidation
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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51
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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52
vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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53
cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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54
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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55
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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56
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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57
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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58
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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59
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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60
verdancy
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| n.幼稚；嫩绿 | |
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61
shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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62
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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63
vernacular
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| adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名 | |
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64
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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65
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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66
indigos
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| n.靛蓝色( indigo的名词复数 )；溶靛素 | |
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67
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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68
prim
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| adj.拘泥形式的，一本正经的；n.循规蹈矩，整洁；adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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69
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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70
rims
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| n.（圆形物体的）边( rim的名词复数 )；缘；轮辋；轮圈 | |
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71
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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72
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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73
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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74
primly
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| adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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75
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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76
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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77
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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78
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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79
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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80
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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81
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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82
outgrown
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| 长[发展] 得超过（某物）的范围( outgrow的过去分词 )； 长[发展]得不能再要（某物）； 长得比…快； 生长速度超过 | |
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83
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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84
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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85
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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86
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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87
belles
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| n.美女( belle的名词复数 )；最美的美女 | |
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88
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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89
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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90
industriously
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91
buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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92
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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93
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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94
rattles
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| （使）发出格格的响声， （使）作嘎嘎声( rattle的第三人称单数 )； 喋喋不休地说话； 迅速而嘎嘎作响地移动，堕下或走动； 使紧张，使恐惧 | |
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95
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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96
mimic
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| v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
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97
buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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98
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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99
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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100
heterogeneous
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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101
ballrooms
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| n.舞厅( ballroom的名词复数 ) | |
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102
jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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103
bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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104
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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105
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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106
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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107
baroness
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| n.男爵夫人，女男爵 | |
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108
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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109
caustic
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| adj.刻薄的，腐蚀性的 | |
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110
repartee
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| n.机敏的应答 | |
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111
temerity
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| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
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112
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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113
encroachment
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| n.侵入，蚕食 | |
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114
illustrating
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| 给…加插图( illustrate的现在分词 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明 | |
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115
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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116
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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117
garbed
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| v.（尤指某类人穿的特定）服装，衣服，制服( garb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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119
hawked
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| 通过叫卖主动兜售（hawk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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120
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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121
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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122
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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123
hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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124
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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125
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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126
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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127
disapproving
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| adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 ) | |
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128
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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129
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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130
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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131
merging
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| 合并（分类） | |
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132
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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133
donor
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| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
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134
oversight
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| n.勘漏，失察，疏忽 | |
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135
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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136
functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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137
deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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138
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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139
daguerreotype
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| n.银板照相 | |
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140
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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141
portrayed
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| v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 )；描述；描绘；描画 | |
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142
proffer
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| v.献出，赠送；n.提议，建议 | |
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