Miss Baldwin's mind had not changed on the subject of the superiority of her Scottish home to anything which a London residence could offer, and which would certainly wear an air of triumph for her, however false that air might be. Gertrude was by no means worldly wise. She had none of the cynical9 foresight10 leading her to see in every one who approached her a covetous11 idolater of her wealth. She would have regarded herself with horror if she had lost her faith in love or friendship; and indeed she had been so accustomed to the presence of wealth all her life, that she did not understand its effect on others, and had no mental standard by which to estimate its value, either material or moral. It was not, therefore, from any unwomanly disdain12 of the motives14 of those whom she was to sojourn15 amongst in London that Gertrude took the prospect16 coolly, showing none of the excitement and exultation17 to which Eleanor gave unrestrained expression, and which made her amiable18 to Gertrude to an extent unparalleled for many months past. The truth was that there was a secret in Gertrude's heart, a preoccupation of Gertrude's mind, to which everything beside, so far as she was individually concerned, had to yield. This pervading19 sentiment did not render her selfish, she was as ready with her sympathies for others as ever, but it did make her absent and indifferent.
Robert Meredith and his friend had passed a fortnight at Christmas at the Deane, and there the plans of the family for the coming season had been discussed. Gertrude had learned with surprise and discomfiture21 that her living in London, where he lived, would not imply her seeing very much of George Ritherdon. She fancied he had been at some pains to make her understand this, and the consciousness rendered her uneasy. Why had he dwelt upon the busy nature of his life, the diversity between his occupations and hers? Why had he drawn22 a merry sketch23 for her of the wide difference between the society, such as it was, in which alone he had a footing, and the gilded24 saloons which were to throw their doors open for her? He had not offended her by cynicism, which was as far from his happy and loyal nature as from hers; but he had made her thoughtful and uncomfortable by an insistence25 upon this point, which she could but refer to a wish to make her understand that she must not expect him to contribute to the anticipated pleasures of her sojourn in London. And with this conviction vanished all such anticipations26 from Gertrude's fancy.
That was an enchanted27 fortnight. The hours had flown, and a beautiful new world had opened itself to the girl's perception. She had been too happy to be afraid of Robert Meredith, or ungracious to him. She had utterly28 forgotten the rule of action she had laid down for herself, in consideration of her sister's perverse29 jealousy30 and alienation31. She had determined32 to treat Meredith with cold politeness, to show him and Eleanor that she imputed33 to his sinister34 influence the state of things which occasioned her so much pain. But she forgot the pain; she was happy, and the sunshine of her content spread all around her.
Robert Meredith had a difficult game to play at this time, but he played it with skill and success. It is not a light test of skill when an elderly coquette is persuaded by a _ci-devant_ admirer to abandon the conquering for the confidential35 _r?le_, and this was precisely36 the test which Robert Meredith applied37 to his _savoir faire_. The secret betrothal38 between himself and Eleanor placed them on so secure a footing, that he was able, without annoying Eleanor, notwithstanding her exacting40 disposition42, to devote much of his time to Mrs. Carteret, towards whom his tone modified itself from the slightly vulgar, somewhat obtrusive43 gallantry which had been wont44 to characterise it, to the very perfection of deferential45 observance and highly-prized intimacy46. He had appealed to some of Eleanor's best feelings in order to induce her to consent to the secrecy47 of their engagement--to her disinclination to produce family discord49, to her duty of avoiding the rendering50 of her aunt's position as between her and Gertrude difficult, and to her noble confidence in his judgment51 and fidelity52, which it should be his loftiest aim in life to justify53 and reward.
He had not only poisoned Eleanor's mind against her sister, but he had succeeded in undermining the grateful affection which the misguided girl had once entertained for Mr. Dugdale. He had made her remark the preference which, in many small ways, the old man showed for Gertrude--a preference of whose origin and justification54 Eleanor had no knowledge to enable her to understand it aright--and assured her that in him too, in deference55 to that universal baseness which dictated56 subservience57 to her sister's wealth, Eleanor would find a bitter opponent to her love, a ruthless adversary58 of her happiness. His wicked counsels prevailed. Something romantic in the girl's disposition responded to the idea of a persecuted59 passion; and the demon60 of jealousy, now thoroughly61 awakened62 in her, wrought63 unrestrained all the mischief64 her human evil genius desired. Meredith counselled Eleanor to soften65 her manner towards Gertrude, for the better security of their secret against the danger of her awakened suspicions; and she obeyed him. He forbade her to tell Mrs. Carteret all the truth, lest it might hereafter compromise her with her husband and Mr. Dugdale, but told her to cultivate her good graces in every way, so that in the time to come her aid might be sure; and she obeyed him. The result of all this was much more peace for Gertrude; and as Meredith kept himself out of her way, devoting himself to Mrs. Carteret and Eleanor, and leaving George Ritherdon to her society, it had the additional effect of increasing and consolidating66 her attachment67 to George.
Major Carteret was habitually68 unobservant; his wife confined her attention to Robert Meredith, of whose wishes she was the delighted confidante, and Eleanor, whom she did not at present suspect of more than an incipient69 inclination48 towards Robert. Mr. Dugdale,--whose health had declined considerably70 since the autumn, did not leave his rooms, and saw the different members of the family singly,--was totally unconscious of the drama being played out so near him. Things were better between the sisters, and he rejoiced at that. The favourable71 impression which George Ritherdon had made upon him on his first visit to the Deane was deepened during his second, and he greatly enjoyed his society. Gertrude passed many happy hours, working or drawing, beside her old friend's sofa, while the two men talked with mutual72 pleasure and sympathy. When that happy fortnight ended and the friends had returned to London, Gertrude found her greatest consolation73 in Mr. Dugdale's frequent allusions74 to George, and in the eulogiums which he pronounced on his mind and his manners, the latter being a point on which the old gentleman was difficult and fastidious.
During and since that time, Gertrude, who was singularly free from vanity and quite incapable75 of pretence76, had frequently asked herself whether she had not given her heart to one who did not love her. Even if it had been so to her indisputable knowledge, she would not have striven to withdraw the gift. She loved him, once and for ever, and she would, sanctify that love in her heart, if he were never to be more to her than the truest and most valued of friends. She was utterly sincere and candid77 in this resolution; she had no foreknowledge of the difficulty, the impossibility of maintaining it. She was content, ay, even happy, in her uncertainty78, which was sometimes hope, but never despair. Such a possibility as that George should love her and refrain from telling her so, because of her wealth, literally79 never occurred to her, any more than that, if he loved her, and told her so, the most unscrupulous calumniator80 in the world could accuse him of caring for that wealth, of even remembering it. It had no place in her thoughts at all. She lived her dream-life happily; sometimes her dreams were brighter, sometimes more sombre; but their glitter did not come from her gold, their shadow was not cast by cynical doubt, by worldly-wise suspicion.
When the time came for their journey to London, Gertrude was more sad than elated. Her best friend, the one on whom she leaned with the trusting reliance of a daughter, from whom she had ever experienced the fond indulgence of a parent, was to remain at the Deane. Mr. Dugdale's health rendered it impossible for him to accompany the family, and Mrs. Carteret and Eleanor did not regret his absence. Their feelings were in accord on every point connected with the expedition. Eleanor foresaw no impediment to her frequent enjoyment81 of Robert Meredith's society, under the auspices82 of Mrs. Carteret, who, on her part, had great satisfaction in the prospect of partaking in the gaieties of a London season, for which she still retained an unpalled taste, and maintaining a splendid establishment at the expense of her niece.
More than half the interval83 which had to elapse between Gertrude's attainment84 of her majority and Eleanor's reaching a similar period had now elapsed, and Robert Meredith's successful prosecution85 of his schemes with respect to the Baldwins was uncheckered by any reverse. In other respects things were not progressing quite so favourably86 with him. He had been negligent87 in his professional business of late, since his mind had been full of the mysterious game he was playing, and the inevitable88, inexorable result of this negligence89 was making itself felt. George Ritherdon, on the contrary, was getting on rapidly for a barrister, and was beginning to be talked about as a man with a name and a standing39. The relations between the two had insensibly relaxed, as was only natural, considering that the strongest tie between them, their common industry, their common ambition, had so considerably slackened. Nothing approaching to a quarrel had taken place; but they were tired of one another, and each was aware of the fact. The sentiment dated from their second visit to the Deane, whence each had returned preoccupied90 with his own thoughts, his own preferences, and profoundly conscious that no sympathy existed between them.
Little had been said between the two relative to the Baldwins' sojourn in London; and when George Ritherdon, made aware of their arrival by the _Morning Post_, asked his friend when he intended to present himself at their house in Portman-square, he was disagreeably surprised by the cold brevity of Meredith's reply that he had been there already, had indeed seen the ladies on the very day of their arrival, and was going to dine with them the same evening.
George made no remark upon this communication, and left a card for Major Carteret on the following day. An invitation to dinner followed, and on his mentioning the circumstance to Meredith, George was surprised and offended by his manner. He laughed unpleasantly, and said something about the futility91 of George's expecting to be received on the same footing as he had been in the country, which made him decidedly angry.
"I don't understand you, Meredith," he said. "You brought me to the Deane, I owe the acquaintance entirely92 to you, and now you talk as if you resented it."
"Nonsense, old fellow," returned Robert with good humour, which cost him an effort; "I only discourage your going to the Baldwins, because I do not want to hear you talked of as an unsuccessful competitor for the heiress's money-bags, and because I know, if you have any leaning in that direction, it will be quite useless. The young ladies fly at higher game than you or I."
A deep flush overspread George Ritherdon's face as he replied:
"I beg you will not include me, in your own mind, in the category of fortune-hunters; as for what other people think or say, you need not trouble yourself."
"As you please. I only warn you that Gertrude Baldwin is an interested coquette, determined to make the most of her money,--to buy rank with it, at all events, but by no means averse93 to numbering her thousands of victims in the mean time."
"You speak harshly of this girl, Meredith, and cruelly."
"I speak candidly94, because I am speaking to _you_. You don't suppose I would put another fellow on his guard. I might have got bit myself, you know, if I had not understood her in time. However, we had better not talk about it. Forewarned, forearmed, they say, though I can't say I ever knew any good come of warning any one."
Thereupon Meredith pretended to be very busy with his papers, and the subject dropped. But it left a very unpleasant impression on George's mind. "An interested coquette!" No more revolting description could be given of any woman within the category of those whom an honest man could ever think of marrying. Had George Ritherdon thought of marrying Gertrude? No. Did he love her? He knew in his heart he did; but he did not question for a moment his power of keeping the fact hidden from the object of his love, and every other person. He would have regarded the declaration of his feelings to an inexperienced girl, who had had no opportunity of choice, of seeing the world, of forming her judgment of character, to whom the language of love was utterly unknown, on the eve of her entrance upon a scene on which she ought to enter perfectly95 untrammelled, as in the highest degree dishonourable. He would have held this opinion concerning any woman whose wealth should have made her position so exceptionally difficult as that of Gertrude; but in her particular instance he had an additional motive13 for his strict self-conquest and reticence97, which, if it ever could be explained, must remain concealed98 for the present.
George Ritherdon had no coxcombry99 or conceit100 about him, and he had not made up his mind by any means that Gertrude loved him, or was likely to be brought to love him in the future, should he find that the ordeal101 to which she was about to be exposed had left her still fancy-free, and his own circumstances be such as to enable him to believe he might try for the great prize of her heart and hand without dishonour96. He did not deceive himself as to the obstacles and the rivals he might have to encounter; he gave all the fascinations102 of the new sphere in which Gertrude was about to shine their full credit and importance, and he contented103 himself with this conclusion:
"If, when she has had full experience, ample time, when she knows her position and her own mind perfectly, I can be sure that she prefers me to all the world beside, I will win her, and marry her, without bestowing104 a thought on her fortune, or caring a straw for any one's interpretation105 of my motives, caring only for _hers_."
Steadily106 acting41 upon the plan he had laid down for himself, George Ritherdon frequented Gertrude's society not often enough to make his visits a subject of comment, not sufficiently107 seldom to induce her to think him indifferent or estranged108. She and Eleanor were going through the ordinary routine of the life of London in the season; he rarely participated in its more tumultuous and irrational109 pleasures. But he kept a tolerably strict watch upon Gertrude for all that; and he had no reason to believe, at the end of the second month of her stay in London, that any one of the numerous admirers with whom rumour110 and his own observation had accredited111 her, had found the slightest favour with the young lady of the Deane.
Before the end of that second month, Robert Meredith and George Ritherdon had parted company. The former could perhaps have given a plain and conclusive112 reason for his desire that so it should be; but, in the case of the latter, the actuating motive was more vague. George felt that they did not get on together. The Baldwins were hardly ever mentioned between them, though each knew the terms on which the other stood with the family, and they not unfrequently met at the house in Portman-square. The dissolution of the old arrangement, once so pleasant to them both, was plainly imminent113 to each before it actually occurred, and it might have come about after a disagreeable fashion but for a fortunate accident. The gentleman who had been George's university tutor, and with whom he had always maintained intimate relations, died, and bequeathed to George his numerous and valuable library. What was he to do with the books? Their joint114 chambers115 would not accommodate them. George took a large set in another building, and the difficulty was solved, to their mutual relief, without a quarrel.
The season was a brilliant one, and Gertrude and Eleanor Baldwin had their full share of its glories and its pleasures. They enjoyed it, after their different fashions, but Gertrude more than Eleanor. In the heart of each there was indeed a disquieting116 secret; but in the one case there was no self-reproach, no misgiving117, while in the other that voice would occasionally make itself heard. As time passed over, Gertrude felt more and more hopeful that George Ritherdon loved her, though for some reason which she could not penetrate118, but to which it was not difficult for her docile119 nature to submit, he did not at present avow120 the sentiment. Her happiness was not lost, it was only deferred121; she would be patient, and then she could always comfort herself with the knowledge that her love for him--pure, lofty, with no element of torment122 in it--could never die, or be taken from her, while she lived.
Eleanor's lot was by no means so favoured, and she proved more difficult to manage than Robert Meredith had foreseen. She chafed123 under the restraint of her position, and suffered agonies of suspicion and jealousy. The evil passion which he had been quick to see and skilful124 to cultivate, for his own purposes, was easily turned against him, a contingency125 which with all his astuteness126 he had failed to apprehend127; and Eleanor's daily increasing imperiousness and distrust made him tremble for the safety of his secret and the success of his plans.
Nothing made Eleanor so suspicious of the falsehood of his professions, nothing exasperated128 her so much, as Robert Meredith's imperviousness129 to the feeling which had obtained so fearful a dominion130 over her. If she could but have roused his jealousy, as she ceaselessly endeavoured to do, by such reckless flirtations as brought her into trouble with even her careless uncle, and furnished plentiful131 food for ill-natured tongues, she would have been more easy, less unhappy, more convinced. But Robert would not be made jealous, and his easy tranquil132 assumption of confident power, not laid aside even during the stolen interviews in which he bewildered her with his passionate133 protestations and caresses134, sometimes nearly drove her mad. An instinct, which it had been well for her if she had heeded135, told her that this man was not true to her. But she loved him madly. He had changed her whole nature, it seemed to her, in the few seldom-recurring moments in which she saw clearly into the past, and strained fearful eyes into the future; he had ruined the peace and happiness of her home, he had estranged her from her sister, he had taught her lessons of scorn and suspicion towards all her kind. But she loved him, him only in all the world.
Towards the close of the season, Haldane Carteret grew extremely impatient. He had been, he considered, quite an unreasonable136 time on duty, and he declared his intention of at once returning to the Deane. The men-servants would suffice for an escort for Mrs. Carteret and her nieces; or, if they did not like that arrangement, he was sure Meredith, who was coming down for the shooting at all events, would make it convenient to leave town a week or so sooner, and take care of them on the journey. No one had any objection to urge against this proposal; and Major Carteret took himself off, hardly more to his own satisfaction than to that of his wife, who declared herself worn out by his "crossness," and disgusted with his selfishness.
On the following evening Robert Meredith had a guest at his chambers, who, to judge by the moody137 and impatient expression of his host's countenance138, was anything but welcome. Meredith had dined at Portman-square, where he had met George Ritherdon, to whom Miss Baldwin, with her simplest and yet most dignified139 air, had given, in her own and her uncle's name, an invitation to the Deane for the shooting season. This incident was highly displeasing140 to Meredith, who, distracted by an uneasy suspicion that his friend had found him out to a certain extent, desired nothing less than his presence during any part of the critical time which must elapse before he could make his _coup_. Robert had returned to his chambers in a sullen141 and exasperated temper, which was intensified142 by the spectacle which met his view. An old man, shabby of aspect, and anything but venerable in appearance or bearing--an old man with bleared watery143 eyes, bushy gray eyebrows144, and dirty gray hair--was seated in an arm-chair by the open window, smoking a churchwarden pipe and drinking hot brandy-and water. The mingled145 odours of tobacco and spirits perfumed the room after a fashion which harmonised ill with the sweet autumnal air and the flowers which adorned146 the sitting-room147, in accordance with one of the owner's most harmless tastes.
"What, you here, Oakley!" said Meredith, in a tone which did not dissemble his disgust. "What are you doing here? What has brought you up from Cheltenham?"
"Business," replied the unvenerable visitor quietly, without rising or making any attempt at a salutation of his reluctant host. "Business," he repeated with an emphatic148 nod.
"With me?" Meredith threw his hat and gloves upon a table, and sat down, sullenly149 facing his visitor.
"With you. Look here, I'm tired of all this. You see, I am not so young as you are, and at my time of life I can't afford to play a waiting game. You can't, if you would, make it worth my while to do it; and as the case actually stands, you _don't_ make it worth my while to play any game at all--of yours, I mean. Of course I should, in any case, play mine."
"I don't understand you," said Meredith, making a strong effort to keep his temper and speak with indifference150. "I have kept the terms I made with you to the letter. What do you mean by _your_ game, as apart from mine?"
"Just this. I have no interest whatever in your marrying this girl rather than in any other man's marrying her. It does not matter to me where my price comes from; I'm sure of it from her husband, whoever he may be, and I don't believe you're sure that she _will_ marry you. You have tried to keep me dark, and in the dark, cunningly enough; but I have found out more about them than you think for, for all that; and I know she has more than one string to her bow, and at least one of them more profitable to play upon than you are. If you can't persuade the girl to marry you before she's of age, and raise money for me upon her expectations, or if you can't in some way make things more comfortable, I shall try whether I cannot carry my information to a better market. Indeed, I am so tired of living respectably upon a pittance151, paid with a dreary152 exactitude which is distressingly153 like Somerset House, I have been seriously contemplating154 an affecting visit to my relative Mrs. Carteret, and a family arrangement to buy me off at once at a long price."
"Not quite so much as _you_ make of it in _your_ rascally calculation, my good friend; for it is not knowledge at all, it is only guesswork; and you have not an atom of proof without my evidence, which I am quite as willing to withhold156 as to give, for Mr. Trapbois' omnipotent157 motive--a consideration."
For all answer, Robert Meredith rose, opened an iron safe let into the wall of the room, and hidden by a curtain--greedily followed the while by the old man's eyes, which watched for the gold he hoped he had extorted--and took out a red-leather pocket-book, with a clasp of brass158 wirework. He came up to the old man's side, and opening a page of the memorandum-book, pointed159 to an entry upon it.
"No evidence, I think you said. Not so fast, my faithful colleague. What is _that?_"
"And this?" Robert Meredith took an oblong slip of paper out of a pocket in the book, and held it up to the old man's eyes. "An attested161 copy of the marriage-register is evidence, I fancy."
"Yes," said Mr. Oakley reluctantly; "that's evidence of one part of the story, to be sure; but not of the material part, the only part that's profitable to _you_. You can't do without me--you can't indeed; but I can do very well without you. You will save time and trouble by acknowledging the fact, and acting on it."
"What the d--l do you want me to do?" said Meredith fiercely, as he threw the pocket-book back into the safe and locked the doors in a rage. "I can't marry the girl till she is of age. I tell you I am perfectly sure of her. Do you think I am such a fool as to allow any doubt to exist on that point? But I don't choose to change my plans, and _I won't_ change them, let you threaten as you will. You old idiot! you would ruin yourself by thwarting162 me. You don't know these people--_I do_; and you could as soon induce them to join you in robbing a church as to buy you off in the way you propose. You had much better stick to the bargain you've made, and have patience. I think if _I_ can find patience, _you_ may."
Mr. Oakley reflected for some minutes, his bushy gray eyebrows meeting above his frowning eyes. At last he said:
"Then I'll tell you what it is, Meredith. You shall give me 20_l_. extra now, to-night, and introduce me at once, to-morrow, to the family, and we'll go on playing on the square again."
"No," said Meredith; "it won't do. I can't give you 20_l_.; I can't spare the money. I'll give you 10_l_., on condition you don't show yourself here until I send for you. And as to introducing you to the family just yet, it is out of the question. It would only embarrass our proceedings163, and do you no good."
"What do you mean?" said Oakley furiously. "Why should you not introduce me to my own relative? I choose to partake of the advantages of her capital match. I intend to be Mrs. Carteret's guest at the Deane this autumn, whether the prospect be agreeable to you or not."
Meredith smiled, a slow exasperating164 smile, carefully exaggerated into distinctness for the old man's dimmed vision, as he said:
"_I_ could have no objection to do my good friend Mrs. Carteret the kindness of reuniting her with a long-severed member of her family, and to introduce you as a visitor at Portman-square, during the few days they will be in town, would not be any trouble to me; but as for your being invited to the Deane, the idea is _too_ absurd."
"And why?"
"Because Miss Baldwin, and not your relative, is the mistress of that very eligible165 mansion166; because you are not the style of person Miss Baldwin admires; and because, you may take my word for it, you will never set your foot within those doors while the Deane belongs to Miss Baldwin."
The old man's face turned a fiery167 red, and the angry colour showed itself under his thin gray hair.
"While the Deane belongs to Miss Baldwin!" he repeated low and slowly. "Well, then, there's no use talking about it. Hand over the 10_l_., and I'll be off."
In a few minutes Robert Meredith was alone, and as he listened to Mr. Oakley's heavy tread upon the stairs, he muttered:
"It's a useful study, that of the ruling passions of one's fellow-creatures. An expert finds it tolerably easy to work them to his advantage. Avarice168 and pride! eh, Mr. Oakley? and pride the stronger of the two. You won't give me much more trouble. No danger of your being bribed169 to abstain170 from saying or doing anything that can harm Miss Baldwin."
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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wiles
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| n.（旨在欺骗或吸引人的）诡计，花招；欺骗，欺诈( wile的名词复数 ) | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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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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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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covetous
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| adj.贪婪的，贪心的 | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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exultation
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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pervading
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的现在分词 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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insistence
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| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
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anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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29
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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30
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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31
alienation
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| n.疏远；离间；异化 | |
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32
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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33
imputed
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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35
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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36
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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37
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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38
betrothal
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| n. 婚约, 订婚 | |
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39
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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40
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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41
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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42
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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43
obtrusive
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| adj.显眼的；冒失的 | |
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44
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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45
deferential
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| adj. 敬意的，恭敬的 | |
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46
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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47
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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48
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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49
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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50
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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51
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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52
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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53
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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54
justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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55
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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56
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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57
subservience
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| n.有利，有益；从属（地位），附属性；屈从，恭顺；媚态 | |
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58
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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59
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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60
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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61
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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62
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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63
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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64
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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65
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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66
consolidating
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| v.（使）巩固， （使）加强( consolidate的现在分词 )；（使）合并 | |
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67
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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68
habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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69
incipient
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| adj.起初的，发端的，初期的 | |
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70
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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71
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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72
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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73
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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74
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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75
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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76
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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77
candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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78
uncertainty
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|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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79
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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80
calumniator
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| n.中伤者，诽谤者 | |
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81
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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82
auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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83
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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84
attainment
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| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
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85
prosecution
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|
| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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86
favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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87
negligent
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|
| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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88
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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89
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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90
preoccupied
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|
| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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91
futility
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| n.无用 | |
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92
entirely
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|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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93
averse
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|
| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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94
candidly
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|
| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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95
perfectly
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|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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96
dishonour
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|
| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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97
reticence
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| n.沉默，含蓄 | |
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98
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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99
coxcombry
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| n.（男子的）虚浮，浮夸，爱打扮 | |
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100
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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101
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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102
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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103
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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104
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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105
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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106
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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107
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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108
estranged
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| adj.疏远的，分离的 | |
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109
irrational
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|
| adj.无理性的，失去理性的 | |
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110
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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111
accredited
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|
| adj.可接受的；可信任的；公认的；质量合格的v.相信( accredit的过去式和过去分词 )；委托；委任；把…归结于 | |
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112
conclusive
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|
| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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113
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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114
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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115
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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116
disquieting
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|
| adj.令人不安的，令人不平静的v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的现在分词 ) | |
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117
misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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118
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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119
docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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120
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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121
deferred
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|
| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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122
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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123
chafed
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|
| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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124
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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125
contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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126
astuteness
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| n.敏锐；精明；机敏 | |
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127
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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128
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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129
imperviousness
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| 不透性；不通透性；不透水 | |
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130
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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131
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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132
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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133
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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134
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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135
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
unreasonable
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|
| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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137
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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138
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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139
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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140
displeasing
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| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
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141
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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142
intensified
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| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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143
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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144
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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145
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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146
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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147
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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148
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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149
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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150
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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151
pittance
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| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
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152
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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153
distressingly
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| adv. 令人苦恼地；悲惨地 | |
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154
contemplating
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|
| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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155
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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156
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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157
omnipotent
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| adj.全能的，万能的 | |
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158
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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159
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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160
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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161
attested
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| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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162
thwarting
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| 阻挠( thwart的现在分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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163
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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164
exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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165
eligible
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| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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166
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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167
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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168
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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169
bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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170
abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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