Some time passed away, after the memorable1 fête which had celebrated2 the majority of Miss Meriton Baldwin of the Deane, during which, to an uninitiated observer, the aspect of affairs in that splendid and well-regulated mansion3 remained unchanged. County festivities took place; and the importance of the young ladies at the Deane was not a better established fact than their popularity.
With the comic seriousness which distinguished4 him, the Honourable5 Matthew Dort had "gone in for Nelly." He visited at the Deane with tranquil6 regularity7, he played croquet imperturbably8; only that he now watched Eleanor's balls, and was as confident she would "croquet" everybody as he had formerly9 been free from doubt about Gertrude's prowess; he rehearsed his speeches, and uttered them with entire self-possession. In due time he proposed to Eleanor, in the exact terms in which he had already done Gertrude that honour: and he was refused by her quite as definitively10, but less politely than he had been refused by her sister. On this occasion also he went home to his mother, and related to her his defeat with a happy absence of embarrassment11.
Lady Gelston was very angry. She really did not know what the world--and especially the young women who were in it--was coming to; she wondered who the Baldwin girls expected to get. But of one thing she was convinced--Matthew must have made a fool of himself somehow, or he could not have failed in both instances. The accused Matthew did not defend himself. Very likely he had made a fool of himself, but it could not be helped. Neither Gertrude nor Eleanor would marry him, and it was quite clear he could not make either of them do so. His mother had much better not worry herself about them; and when the shooting was over, or he was tired of it, he would "look-up that girl of Lady Jane Tarbert's."
With this prospect12, and with the intention of snubbing the Baldwins, Lady Gelston was forced to be content. But the snubbing, though her ladyship was an adept13 in the practice, did not succeed. The Baldwins declined to perceive that they were snubbed, and the neighbourhood declined to follow Lady Gelston's lead in this particular. The Deane was the most popular house in the county, and the Baldwins were the happiest and most enviable people.
This fair surface was but a deceitful seeming; at least, so far as the sisters were concerned. An estrangement14, which had had its commencement on Gertrude's birthday, and had since increased by insensible degrees, had grown up between them; an estrangement which not all their efforts--made in the case of Eleanor from pride, in that of Gertrude from wounded feeling--could hide from the notice of their uncle and aunt, from James Dugdale and Rose Doran; an estrangement which made each eagerly court external associations, and find relief, in the frequent presence of others, from the constant sense of their changed relation. James Dugdale saw this change with keen sorrow; but when he attempted to investigate it, he was met by Gertrude with an earnest assurance that she was entirely15 ignorant of its origin, and an equally earnest entreaty16 that he would not speak to Eleanor about it. It would be useless, Gertrude said, and she must put her faith in time and her sister's truer interpretation17 of her.
Appeal to Eleanor was met with flat denial, and an angry refusal to submit to interference, which in itself betrayed the evil root of all this dissension. Gertrude was supreme18, the angry sister said; _she_ was nothing. Gertrude of course could not err19; all the good things of this world were for Gertrude, including the absolute subservience20 of her sister. But she might not, indeed she should not, find it quite so easy to command _that_. A good deal of harm was done by Mrs. Carteret, not intentionally21, but yet after her characteristic fashion. She much preferred Eleanor to Gertrude, and she made herself a partisan22 of the former, by pitying her, because _she_ only could know how little she was really to blame. Haldane treated the matter very lightly. He regarded it as a girlish squabble, which would resolve itself into nothing in a very short time, and at the worst would be dissipated by a stronger feeling. So soon as a lover should appear on the scene, their good-humoured uncle believed it would be all right,--provided indeed they did not happen to fall in love with the same man, and quarrel desperately23 about him.
Rose Doran regarded the state of things with anger and horror.
"It's just the devil's work, sir," she said to Mr. Dugdale; "puttin' jealousy24 and bitterness between them two, fatherless and motherless as they are, and no one to show them the only kind of love in which there's no room for more or less. It's just the devil's work, and he's doing it bravely; and Miss Nelly's to his hand, for that jealousy was always in her; not but there's somebody behindhand, I'm sure of it, puttin' coals on the fire."
Rose was at first disposed to suspect Mrs. Carteret of this supererogatory work, but she did not continue to suspect her. She knew the girls so thoroughly25, she was in no doubt respecting the amount of influence their aunt could exert over them, and in Nelly's case she was aware this was much less than in that of Gertrude. Besides, Mrs. Doran's practical wisdom controlled her feminine suspicion; she could not discern an adequate motive26, and she therefore exonerated27 aunt Lucy. But she was no less convinced that, in this unhappy matter, Eleanor was not left alone to the unassisted promptings of her disposition28, in which Rose had early perceived the terrible taint29 of jealousy. And her acute observation guided her aright before long; it guided her to an individual whom she had instinctively31 distrusted in his boyhood--to Robert Meredith.
Though she had hardly seen him for many years past, and though, in her position in the household at the Deane, she had not come into any contact with him of late. Rose Doran had never got over the dislike of Robert Meredith which she had conceived at the terrible time of her beloved mistress's death. On that occasion James Dugdale had obeyed Margaret's instructions so faithfully and promptly33, that Rose Moore had reached the Deane in time to kneel beside her unclosed coffin34, and whisper, on her cold lips, the promise on which she had instinctively relied,--the promise that her children should be henceforth Rose's sacred charge and care. Among the mourners at the funeral of Mrs. Baldwin were Hayes Meredith and his son; the former entirely absorbed in grief for the event, and in thoughts of the future, as his secret knowledge forced him to contemplate35 it; the latter, with ample leisure of mind to look about him, to observe and admire, and with the pleasant conviction that every one was too much occupied to take any notice of him. He conducted himself with propriety36 at the funeral, and afterwards, while he was in sight of the family; and he was far from supposing that Rose Moore was watching his looks and his manner, on other occasions, with mingled37 disgust and curiosity, and that she said to herself, "The Lord be good to us! but I believe, upon my soul and faith, _the boy is glad she's taken_."
Rose had never deliberately38 recalled this impression during all the years which had witnessed her faithful fulfilment of her vow39, but she had never lost it; and the conviction which now came to her, during Robert Meredith's stay at the Deane, and which gained strength with every day which ensued on his departure, had its origin in it. Had it needed confirmation40, it would have obtained it from the utter and peremptory41 rejection42 of her good offices, on Nelly's part, and the burst of angry disdain43 with which the infatuated girl met her suggestion, that Mr. Meredith was no friend of Gertrude's. Eleanor Baldwin had travelled no small distance on the thorny44 road of evil, when she rewarded Rose's suggestion with a haughty45 request, which fired Rose's Irish blood, but with a flame quickly quenched46 in healing waters of love and pity,--that she would in future remember, and keep, _her place_.
"It's because I never forget my place, the place your mother put me in, Miss Nelly, that I warn you," said her faithful friend.
Then Eleanor felt ashamed of herself; but pride and anger and deadly jealousy carried the day over the wholesome47 sentiment, and she turned away hastily, leaving Rose without a word.
In much more than its external meaning was that festival time of deep importance to Gertrude and Eleanor Meriton Baldwin. It was fraught48 with the fate of both. While Robert Meredith and his friend remained at the Deane, the relation of the sisters was unchanged in appearance. It seemed as if their mysterious quarrel had had no lasting49 effect. The after estrangement was, however, its legitimate50 fruit, as well as the consequence of the pernicious ideas which Robert Meredith had set himself assiduously to cultivate in the mind of Nelly. An explanation of the state of mind of Robert Meredith, at the termination of his visit to the Deane, will sufficiently51 elucidate52 the quarrel of the sisters, and its distressing53 results.
Robert Meredith had arrived at the Deane full of one purpose, which had been vaguely55 present to his mind for some years, but to which certain circumstances had of late lent consistency56, fixedness58, and urgency. This purpose was to make himself acceptable in the eyes of Miss Baldwin. He had hitherto troubled himself but little about the young lady. When she should have reached her majority, his time should have come. It had arrived; and not Mr. M'llwaine himself--who had gone to the Deane, accompanied by the huge mass of papers to which Haldane Carteret had found it difficult to induce his niece to give reasonable attention--had proceeded thither59 with a more strictly60 business-like purpose in view than that which actuated the handsome barrister. Robert would have despised himself as sincerely, and almost as much, as he was in the habit of despising his neighbours, if he had been capable of permitting sentiment to influence him in so grave an affair as that of securing his fortune for life,--which was precisely61 his purpose; and he had formed his plans totally irrespective of Gertrude's attractions, or their possible influence upon himself. He had two schemes in his mind, both, in his belief, equally practicable; and he determined62 to be guided by circumstances as to which of the two he should adopt. If the second should present itself as the more advisable, an indispensable preliminary to the secure playing of the long game it would involve was the alienation63 of the sisters. It could do no harm, in any case, to make an immediate64 move in that direction; and therefore Robert Meredith made it.
When Eleanor Baldwin made her escape from the ballroom65 on that memorable night, leaving her sister to the cares which her superior importance devolved upon her, Robert Meredith's eager words of admiration66, and still more expressive67 looks, had filled the girl's heart--already dangerously trembling towards him--with a strange tumultuous joy, contending with the jealous bitterness he had contrived68 to implant70 in it. But when he and George Ritherdon bade one another good-night at the door of George's room, after a brief commentary upon the beauty of the morning, he had enough that was ever in his thoughts to keep him from sleep. The comparative advantages of the first of his plans over the second had immensely increased in his estimation.
The beauty, the simplicity71, the tender pathetic grace of Gertrude, had struck with a strange attractive freshness upon his palled72 sense, and he had awakened73, with a delicious consciousness, to the conviction that he might combine the utmost gratification of two passions by the successful prosecution74 of his scheme. To make that delicate, refined, lovely girl love him as passionately75, as foolishly, as the dark beauty, her sister, would love him, if it suited his purpose to encourage the dawning feeling he had seen in her eyes, and felt in every movement and word of hers during the evening, would indeed be triumph, adding a delicious flavour to the wealth and station which should be his. He understood now what the charm was which Gertrude's mother, whom he had hated, had had for men,--the charm of a pure and refined intellectuality, with underlying76 possibilities of intense and exalted77 feeling,--these were to be divined in the depths of the clear gray, unabashed eyes, and in the sensitive curves of a mouth as delicate as her mother's, but less ascetic78.
Had he made a favourable79 impression on Gertrude? Had she learned from her sister's report to regard him with favour, and had he confirmed that report? He did not feel comfortably certain on this point. Gertrude had not given him any indication beyond the additional attention which he claimed as Mr. Dugdale's particular friend. But Robert Meredith did not trouble himself much on this point; he had time before him, and he knew perfectly80 well how to use it. But it was characteristic of the man that, though he dwelt, to his last waking moment, upon Gertrude's beauty and charm, he thought, just as he fell asleep, "If she thwarts81 me, it will all add zest83 to the revenge which Miss Eleanor's eyes tell me is secure in any case."
The story of the remainder of Robert Meredith's visit may be briefly84 told. Gertrude did thwart82 him. Not intentionally; for she, being the most candid85 of girls, was wholly incapable86 of understanding his double-dealing policy. She frankly87 regarded him as her sister's admirer, and she unreservedly regretted that he should be so. She did not like Robert Meredith; between him and her there was an absolute absence of sympathy, and she shrank with an inexplicable88 repugnance89 and fear from his looks--covert and yet bold--and from the admiration which he insinuated90, the understanding which he attempted to imply, whenever he could take or contrive69 an opportunity of doing so, unobserved and unheard by Eleanor. She avoided him whenever it was possible, and she never remained alone with him.
Robert Meredith was a vain man--but vanity was not his ruling passion, one or two others had precedence of it--therefore he did not fail to see, or hesitate to confess to himself, that Gertrude had thwarted91 him, that there would not be room, in the accomplishment92 of his scheme; for the delicious gratification of two passions at once, and that he would do well to fall back upon the second game, for playing which he had the cards in his hand. It was not without intense mortification93 he made this avowal94 to himself. He was a man to whom failure was indeed bitter; but he speedily found consolation95 in musing96 upon the perfection of a certain revenge which he meditated97.
"If she would marry me, in ignorance," he said to himself, "I should be the Deane's master and hers; but, if she would not marry me under any circumstances, to escape any penalty--and I begin to think that is certain now--I have her in my power, and _all, all, all_ will be mine."
These reflections, made by Robert Meredith during the week which was to conclude his stay at the Deane, led him to take a certain resolution, whose execution was fraught with immediate results to the sisters.
A small but very animated98 dancing-party had taken place at the Deane; and Robert had closely studied the demeanour of Gertrude and Eleanor to him and to each other. The estrangement of the sisters had not then become manifest; but he detected and exulted99 in it. On Gertrude's part there was a nervous anxiety to put Eleanor forward, to consult her, to defer101 to her in everything; on Eleanor's there was an affectation of indifference102, an assumption of deference103, a giving of herself the appearance of being a guest, which was in extremely bad taste, but thoroughly delightful104 to Robert Meredith. If a servant asked Eleanor a question, she pointedly105 referred him to her sister; she professed106 an entire ignorance of Miss Baldwin's plans for the evening; she divided herself from her in innumerable little expressive ways, which Gertrude noted107 with a sick heart and a manner which betrayed painful nervousness; and she abandoned herself to the influence of the flattery and the insidious108 suggestions of the tempter to a degree which justified109 him in believing that he might be entirely sure of her, whether the pursuit of his purpose should lead him to break her heart by marrying her sister, or crown her hopes by marrying herself.
It was Gertrude's custom to resort to the library every morning after breakfast, and there to occupy herself with her drawing, at a table beside a large window which opened on the lawn. She was usually undisturbed, as Mr. Dugdale remained in his own rooms all the morning, her uncle frequented the stable and farmyard, Eleanor devoted110 the morning hours to music, and Mrs. Carteret had no attraction towards the library. George Ritherdon had sometimes found his way thither; and Gertrude had, on those occasions, found it not unpleasant to lay aside her pencil, and discuss with her guest some of the contents of her amply-stored bookshelves. But George was engaged in writing letters on the morning which followed the before-mentioned dancing-party; and Robert Meredith found Miss Baldwin, as he expected, alone. Gertrude tried hard to receive him in the most ordinary way, but her embarrassment was distressingly111 apparent; and he coolly showed her that he perceived it. After a few words--she could hardly have told what words--she collected her drawing-materials, and said something confusedly about being waited for by Mrs. Carteret, as she rose to leave the room. But Robert Meredith, with a bold fixed57 look, which, in spite of herself, she saw and felt in every nerve, detained her; and gravely informing her that he had purposely selected that opportunity of finding her alone, in order to make a communication of importance to her, requested her to listen to him. His manner was not loverlike, it was even, under all the formality of his address, slightly contemptuous; but she knew instantly what it was she had to listen to, and a prayer arose in her heart by a sudden inexplicable impulse. She resumed her seat, and leaning her arm on the table which divided her from Robert Meredith, she shaded her eyes with her hand, and prepared to listen to him.
It was as her instinctive30 dread112 had told her. In set phrase, and with his bold covetous113 eyes fixed upon her, Meredith told her his errand,--told her he loved her, and asked her to marry him--made mention too of her wealth, and the risk he ran of being misinterpreted by the world, of having base motives114 imparted to him--a risk more than counterbalanced by his love, and his faith in his ability to make her understand and believe that she was sought by him for herself alone.
Robert Meredith spoke115 well, and with fire and energy; but, as Gertrude listened to him, her distress54 and embarrassment subsided116, and she removed the sheltering hand from her eyes. When he urgently entreated117 her to reply, she said very gently:
"I should feel more pain, Mr. Meredith, in telling you that I cannot return the preference with which you honour me, if I did not feel so convinced that your love for me is only imaginary. Had it been real, you would not have remembered my wealth, or cared about the opinion of the world."
This answer staggered the man to whom it was addressed more than any indignation could have done. He burst out into renewed protestations; but Gertrude, with grave dignity, begged him to desist, and again asserting that as her guardian's friend he should ever be esteemed118 hers, assured him it was useless to pursue his suit. Then she rose, and moved towards the door.
"Is this a final answer, Miss Baldwin?" asked Meredith.
"Quite final, Mr. Meredith."
"Stay a moment. May I hope you will not add to the mortification of this refusal the injury of making it known to Mr. Dugdale or Mrs. Carteret, indeed to any one? I confess I could hardly endure the ridicule119 or the compassion120 which must attend a rejected suitor of the heiress of the Deane."
There was a devil's sneer121 in his voice and on his face; but Gerty took no heed122 of it, as she replied, with quiet dignity,
"We have a code of honour also, we women, Mr. Meredith; and you may be quite sure I shall never so far offend against it as to mention this matter to _any one_." Then she added, with a sweet smile, in which her perfect incredulity regarding his professions was fully32 though unconsciously expressed:
"I will leave you now; and I hope you will forget all this as soon and as completely as I shall."
Robert Meredith followed her with his eyes as she left the room, and passing along the terrace, went down into her flower-garden, and lingered there, utterly123 oblivious124 of him; and a deadly feeling of hatred125, such hatred as springs most profusely126 from baffled passion, arose in his heart, and blossomed into sudden strength and purpose.
"Yes," he muttered; "you have taken up the thread of your mother's story, and you shall spin it out to some purpose. A little while, and Eleanor will be of age; and then, my fine heiress of the Deane, then we shall see who has won to-day. A little while, and if I can only keep Oakley quiet till then, I am safe. Safe! more than safe,--triumphant, victorious127!"
It was on the next day that Nelly, intoxicated128 by the artful flatteries of Robert Meredith, and tortured by the jealousy which he had fostered, taunted129 her sister with the powerlessness of money to purchase love. The taunt130 fell harmlessly on Gertrude's pure and upright heart; but it startled her, uttered by her sister. How had Nelly come by such knowledge, and why did she apply it to her? She hastily asked her why; and to her astonishment131 was answered, that in one treasure at least Nelly was richer than she was--the treasure of a brave and true man's love! The reply shook Gertrude like a reed. There was indeed one man who answered to this description; there was one man to win whose love would be the most blissful lot which Heaven could bestow132. There was one man, who never, by word or deed or look, had implied to Gertrude Baldwin that such a lot might be hers--had her sister won _him_? Well indeed might she exult100, if she were so supremely133 blest, and hold not Gertrude only, but all womankind her inferiors. Pale and breathless, she awaited the complete elucidation134 to be expected from Eleanor's taunting135 wrath136, and it came. It came, not as her fearful shrinking heart had foreboden, but in the avowal that Eleanor spoke of Robert Meredith.
With the passing away of the great pang137 of terror that had clutched at her heart, Gertrude was again calm and clear-sighted; but she was deeply grieved. She felt how unworthy was the man her sister loved, how baseless her belief that she possessed138 his affections. She was far from being able to comprehend such a nature as that of Robert Meredith; but she had a vague consciousness that, in his binding139 her to secrecy140 respecting his proposal to her, there had been a treacherous141 intent; and though she would not break her promise, she appealed to her sister on grounds and terms which a little more knowledge of human nature would have taught her must be in vain. Then came the inevitable142 result, a bitter and lasting quarrel, and an ineradicable belief on Eleanor's part that Gertrude's refusal to credit Meredith's love for her sister arose from the most despicable motives--pride, envy, and jealousy. Where was the sisterly love, where was the unbroken confidence of years now? Blasted by the fierce breath of passion, poisoned by the insidious art of the tempter.
So a treacherous appearance of calm and happiness existed at the Deane during the months which succeeded the departure of the friends, and none but those concerned were aware of two circumstances which had entirely changed the lives of the bright and beautiful sisters. One was the fact that Eleanor Baldwin was secretly betrothed143 to Robert Meredith, with the understanding that on her coming of age she would marry him, with or without the consent of her relatives. The other was that the plodding144 industrious145 barrister George Ritherdon, who carried back to his chambers146 in the Temple more than one unaccustomed sensation, had taken with him, unconsciously, the unasked heart of the young mistress of the Deane.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
memorable
|
|
| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
celebrated
|
|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
honourable
|
|
| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
regularity
|
|
| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
imperturbably
|
|
| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
definitively
|
|
| adv.决定性地，最后地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
embarrassment
|
|
| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
adept
|
|
| adj.老练的，精通的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
estrangement
|
|
| n.疏远，失和，不和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
entreaty
|
|
| n.恳求，哀求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
interpretation
|
|
| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
supreme
|
|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
err
|
|
| vi.犯错误，出差错 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
subservience
|
|
| n.有利，有益；从属（地位），附属性；屈从，恭顺；媚态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
intentionally
|
|
| ad.故意地，有意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
partisan
|
|
| adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
exonerated
|
|
| v.使免罪，免除( exonerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
taint
|
|
| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
instinctive
|
|
| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
instinctively
|
|
| adv.本能地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
coffin
|
|
| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
contemplate
|
|
| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
propriety
|
|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
vow
|
|
| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
confirmation
|
|
| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
peremptory
|
|
| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
rejection
|
|
| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
disdain
|
|
| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
thorny
|
|
| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
quenched
|
|
| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
wholesome
|
|
| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
fraught
|
|
| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
lasting
|
|
| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
legitimate
|
|
| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
elucidate
|
|
| v.阐明，说明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
distressing
|
|
| a.使人痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
distress
|
|
| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
vaguely
|
|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
consistency
|
|
| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
fixedness
|
|
| n.固定；稳定；稳固 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
strictly
|
|
| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
alienation
|
|
| n.疏远；离间；异化 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
ballroom
|
|
| n.舞厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
expressive
|
|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
contrived
|
|
| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
contrive
|
|
| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
implant
|
|
| vt.注入，植入，灌输 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
palled
|
|
| v.（因过多或过久而）生厌，感到乏味，厌烦( pall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
prosecution
|
|
| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
passionately
|
|
| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
underlying
|
|
| adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
exalted
|
|
| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
ascetic
|
|
| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
favourable
|
|
| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
thwarts
|
|
| 阻挠( thwart的第三人称单数 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
thwart
|
|
| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
zest
|
|
| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
candid
|
|
| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
incapable
|
|
| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
frankly
|
|
| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
inexplicable
|
|
| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
repugnance
|
|
| n.嫌恶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
insinuated
|
|
| v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
thwarted
|
|
| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
accomplishment
|
|
| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
mortification
|
|
| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
avowal
|
|
| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
consolation
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
musing
|
|
| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
meditated
|
|
| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
animated
|
|
| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
exulted
|
|
| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
exult
|
|
| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
defer
|
|
| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
pointedly
|
|
| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
professed
|
|
| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
insidious
|
|
| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
justified
|
|
| a.正当的，有理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
distressingly
|
|
| adv. 令人苦恼地；悲惨地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
covetous
|
|
| adj.贪婪的，贪心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
subsided
|
|
| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
entreated
|
|
| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
esteemed
|
|
| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
ridicule
|
|
| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
compassion
|
|
| n.同情，怜悯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
oblivious
|
|
| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
profusely
|
|
| ad.abundantly | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
victorious
|
|
| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
intoxicated
|
|
| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
taunted
|
|
| 嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
taunt
|
|
| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
bestow
|
|
| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
supremely
|
|
| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
elucidation
|
|
| n.说明，阐明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
taunting
|
|
| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
pang
|
|
| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
binding
|
|
| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
secrecy
|
|
| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
treacherous
|
|
| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
betrothed
|
|
| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
plodding
|
|
| a.proceeding in a slow or dull way | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
industrious
|
|
| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |