1. Policy Tempered with Singing
"And so," said the Sieur d'Arnaye, as he laid down the letter, "we may look for the coming of Monsieur de Puysange to-morrow."
The Demoiselle Matthiette contorted her features in an expression of disapproval3. "So soon!" said she. "I had thought—"
"Ouais, my dear niece, Love rides by ordinary with a dripping spur, and is still as arbitrary as in the day when Mars was taken with a net and amorous4 Jove bellowed5 in Europa's kail-yard. My faith! if Love distemper thus the spectral7 ichor of the gods, is it remarkable8 that the warmer blood of man pulses rather vehemently9 at his bidding? It were the least of Cupid's miracles that a lusty bridegroom of some twenty-and-odd should be pricked10 to outstrip11 the dial by a scant12 week. For love—I might tell you such tales—"
Sieur Raymond crossed his white, dimpled hands over a well-rounded paunch and chuckled14 reminiscently; had he spoken doubtless he would have left Master Jehan de Troyes very little to reveal in his Scandalous Chronicle: but now, as if now recalling with whom Sieur Raymond conversed17, d'Arnaye's lean face assumed an expression of placid18 sanctity, and the somewhat unholy flame died out of his green eyes. He was like no other thing than a plethoric19 cat purring over the follies20 of kittenhood. You would have taken oath that a cultured taste for good living was the chief of his offences, and that this benevolent21 gentleman had some sixty well-spent years to his credit. True, his late Majesty22, King Louis XI, had sworn Pacque Dieu! that d'Arnaye loved underhanded work so heartily23 that he conspired24 with his gardener concerning the planting of cabbages, and within a week after his death would be heading some treachery against Lucifer; but kings are not always infallible, as his Majesty himself had proven at Peronne.
"—For," said the Sieur d'Arnaye, "man's flesh is frail25, and the devil is very cunning to avail himself of the weaknesses of lovers."
"Love!" Matthiette cried. "Ah, do not mock me, my uncle! There can be no pretence26 of love between Monsieur de Puysange and me. A man that I have never seen, that is to wed6 me of pure policy, may look for no Alcestis in his wife."
"You speak like a very sensible girl," said Sieur Raymond, complacently27. "However, so that he find her no Guinevere or Semiramis or other loose-minded trollop of history, I dare say Monsieur de Puysange will hold to his bargain with indifferent content. Look you, niece, he, also, is buying—though the saying is somewhat rustic—a pig in a poke16."
Matthiette glanced quickly toward the mirror which hung in her apartment. The glass reflected features which went to make up a beauty already be-sonneted in that part of France; and if her green gown was some months behind the last Italian fashion, it undeniably clad one who needed few adventitious28 aids. The Demoiselle Matthiette at seventeen was very tall, and was as yet too slender for perfection of form, but her honey-colored hair hung heavily about the unblemished oval of a countenance29 whose nose alone left something to be desired; for this feature, though well shaped, was unduly30 diminutive31. For the rest, her mouth curved in an irreproachable32 bow, her complexion33 was mingled34 milk and roses, her blue eyes brooded in a provoking calm; taking matters by and large, the smile that followed her inspection35 of the mirror's depths was far from unwarranted. Catherine de Vaucelles reanimate, you would have sworn; and at the abbey of Saint Maixent-en-Poitou there was a pot-belly monk36, a Brother François, who would have demonstrated it to you, in an unanswerable ballad37, that Catherine's daughter was in consequence all that an empress should be and so rarely is. Harembourges and Bertha Broadfoot and white Queen Blanche would have been laughed to scorn, demolished38 and proven, in comparison (with a catalogue of very intimate personal detail), the squalidest sluts conceivable, by Brother François.
But Sieur Raymond merely chuckled wheezily, as one discovering a fault in his companion of which he disapproves39 in theory, but in practice finds flattering to his vanity.
"I grant you, Monsieur de Puysange drives a good bargain," said Sieur Raymond. "Were Cleopatra thus featured, the Roman lost the world very worthily40. Yet, such is the fantastic disposition41 of man that I do not doubt the vicomte looks forward to the joys of to-morrow no whit13 more cheerfully than you do: for the lad is young, and, as rumor42 says, has been guilty of divers43 verses,—ay, he has bearded common-sense in the vext periods of many a wailing44 rhyme. I will wager45 a moderate amount, however, that the vicomte, like a sensible young man, keeps these whimsies46 of flames and dames47 laid away in lavender for festivals and the like; they are somewhat too fine for everyday wear."
Sieur Raymond sipped49 the sugared wine which stood beside him. "Like any sensible young man," he repeated, in a meditative50 fashion that was half a query51.
Matthiette stirred uneasily. "Is love, then, nothing?" she murmured.
"Love!" Sieur Raymond barked like a kicked mastiff. "It is very discreetly52 fabled53 that love was brought forth54 at Cythera by the ocean fogs. Thus, look you, even ballad-mongers admit it comes of a short-lived family, that fade as time wears on. I may have a passion for cloud-tatters, and, doubtless, the morning mists are beautiful; but if I give rein55 to my admiration56, breakfast is likely to grow cold. I deduce that beauty, as represented by the sunrise, is less profitably considered than utility, as personified by the frying-pan. And love! A niece of mine prating57 of love!" The idea of such an occurrence, combined with a fit of coughing which now came upon him, drew tears to the Sieur d'Arnaye's eyes. "Pardon me," said he, when he had recovered his breath, "if I speak somewhat brutally58 to maiden59 ears."
Matthiette sighed. "Indeed," said she, "you have spoken very brutally!" She rose from her seat, and went to the Sieur d'Arnaye. "Dear uncle," said she, with her arms about his neck, and with her soft cheek brushing his withered60 countenance, "are you come to my apartments to-night to tell me that love is nothing—you who have shown me that even the roughest, most grizzled bear in all the world has a heart compact of love and tender as a woman's?"
The Sieur d'Arnaye snorted. "Her mother all over again!" he complained; and then, recovering himself, shook his head with a hint of sadness.
He said: "I have sighed to every eyebrow61 at court, and I tell you this moonshine is—moonshine pure and simple. Matthiette, I love you too dearly to deceive you in, at all events, this matter, and I have learned by hard knocks that we of gentle quality may not lightly follow our own inclinations62. Happiness is a luxury which the great can very rarely afford. Granted that you have an aversion to this marriage. Yet consider this: Arnaye and Puysange united may sit snug63 and let the world wag; otherwise, lying here between the Breton and the Austrian, we are so many nuts in a door-crack, at the next wind's mercy. And yonder in the South, Orléans and Dunois are raising every devil in Hell's register! Ah, no, ma mie; I put it to you fairly is it of greater import that a girl have her callow heart's desire than that a province go free of Monsieur War and Madame Rapine?"
"Yes, but—" said Matthiette.
Sieur Raymond struck his hand upon the table with considerable heat. "Everywhere Death yawps at the frontier; will you, a d'Arnaye, bid him enter and surfeit64? An alliance with Puysange alone may save us. Eheu, it is, doubtless, pitiful that a maid may not wait and wed her chosen paladin, but our vassals65 demand these sacrifices. For example, do you think I wedded66 my late wife in any fervor67 of adoration68? I had never seen her before our marriage day; yet we lived much as most couples do for some ten years afterward69, thereby70 demonstrating—"
He smiled, evilly; Matthiette sighed.
"—Well, thereby demonstrating nothing new," said Sieur Raymond. "So do you remember that Pierre must have his bread and cheese; that the cows must calve undisturbed; that the pigs—you have not seen the sow I had to-day from Harfleur?—black as ebony and a snout like a rose-leaf!—must be stied in comfort: and that these things may not be, without an alliance with Puysange. Besides, dear niece, it is something to be the wife of a great lord."
A certain excitement awoke in Matthiette's eyes. "It must be very beautiful at Court," said she, softly. "Masques, fêtes, tourneys every day;—and they say the new King is exceedingly gallant71—"
Sieur Raymond caught her by the chin, and for a moment turned her face toward his. "I warn you," said he, "you are a d'Arnaye; and King or not—"
He paused here. Through the open window came the voice of one singing to the demure72 accompaniment of a lute73.
"Hey?" said the Sieur d'Arnaye.
Sang the voice:
"When you are very old, and I am gone,
Not to return, it may be you will say—
Hearing my name and holding me as one
Long dead to you,—in some half-jesting way
Of speech, sweet as vague heraldings of May
'He loved me once.' And straightway murmuring
My half-forgotten rhymes, you will regret
So very lightly, 'Love runs into debt.'"
"Now, may I never sit among the saints," said the Sieur d'Arnaye, "if that is not the voice of Raoul de Prison, my new page."
"Hush," Matthiette whispered. "He woos my maid, Alys. He often sings under the window, and I wink77 at it."
Sang the voice:
For good or ill, I shall have gone my way,
And know you, love, no longer,—nor the sun,
Perchance, nor any light of earthly day,
Nor any joy nor sorrow,—while at play
The world speeds merrily, nor reckoning
Our coming or our going. Lips will cling,
Where once our tombs were, and our children sing—
So very lightly!—'Love runs into debt.'
Will that wild cry not quicken the wise clay,
Some joy untasted, some lost holiday,—
All death's large wisdom? Will that wisdom lay
The ghost of any sweet familiar thing
Come haggard from the Past, or ever bring
Forgetfulness of those two lovers met
When all was April?—nor too wise to sing
So very lightly, 'Love runs into debt.'
"Yet, Matthiette, though vain remembering
Draw nigh, and age be drear, yet in the spring
So very lightly love runs into debt."_
"Dear, dear!" said the Sieur d'Arnaye. "You mentioned your maid's name, I think?"
"Alys," said Matthiette, with unwonted humbleness84.
Sieur Raymond spread out his hands in a gesture of commiseration85. "This is very remarkable," he said. "Beyond doubt, the gallant beneath has made some unfortunate error. Captain Gotiard," he called, loudly, "will you ascertain86 who it is that warbles in the garden such queer aliases87 for our good Alys?"
Gotiard was not long in returning; he was followed by two men-at-arms, who held between them the discomfited89 minstrel. Envy alone could have described the lutanist as ill-favored; his close-fitting garb90, wherein the brave reds of autumn were judiciously91 mingled, at once set off a well-knit form and enhanced the dark comeliness93 of features less French than Italian in cast. The young man now stood silent, his eyes mutely questioning the Sieur d'Arnaye.
"Oh, la, la, la!" chirped94 Sieur Raymond. "Captain, I think you are at liberty to retire." He sipped his wine meditatively95, as the men filed out. "Monsieur de Frison," d'Arnaye resumed, when the arras had fallen, "believe me, I grieve to interrupt your very moving and most excellently phrased ballad in this fashion. But the hour is somewhat late for melody, and the curiosity of old age is privileged. May one inquire, therefore, why you outsing my larks96 and linnets and other musical poultry97 that are now all abed? and warble them to rest with this pleasing but—if I may venture a suggestion—rather ill-timed madrigal98?"
The young man hesitated for an instant before replying. "Sir," said he, at length, "I confess that had I known of your whereabouts, the birds had gone without their lullaby. But you so rarely come to this wing of the chateau99, that your presence here to-night is naturally unforeseen. As it is, since chance has betrayed my secret to you, I must make bold to acknowledge it; and to confess that I love your niece."
"Hey, no doubt you do," Sieur Raymond assented100, pleasantly. "Indeed, I think half the young men hereabout are in much the same predicament. But, my question, if I mistake not, related to your reason for chaunting canzonets beneath her window."
"You mentioned that before," Sieur Raymond suggested. "And I agreed, as I remember, that it was more than probable; for my niece here—though it be I that speak it—is by no means uncomely, has a commendable102 voice, the walk of a Hebe, and sufficient wit to deceive her lover into happiness. My faith, young man, you show excellent taste! But, I submit, the purest affection is an insufficient103 excuse for outbaying a whole kennel104 of hounds beneath the adored one's casement105."
"Sir," said Raoul, "I believe that lovers have rarely been remarkable for sanity106; and it is an immemorial custom among them to praise the object of their desires with fitting rhymes. Conceive, sir, that in your youth, had you been accorded the love of so fair a lady, you yourself had scarcely done otherwise. For I doubt if your blood runs so thin as yet that you have quite forgot young Raymond d'Arnaye and the gracious ladies whom he loved,—I think that your heart must needs yet treasure the memories of divers moonlit nights, even such as this, when there was a great silence in the world, and the nested trees were astir with desire of the dawn, and your waking dreams were vext with the singular favor of some woman's face. It is in the name of that young Raymond I now appeal to you."
"H'm!" said the Sieur d'Arnaye. "As I understand it, you appeal on the ground that you were coerced107 by the moonlight and led astray by the bird-nests in my poplar-trees; and you desire me to punish your accomplices108 rather than you."
"Sir,—" said Raoul.
Sieur Raymond snarled109. "You young dog, you know that in the most prosaic110 breast a minor111 poet survives his entombment,—and you endeavor to make capital of the knowledge. You know that I have a most sincere affection for your father, and have even contracted since you came to Arnaye more or less tolerance112 for you,—which emboldens113 you, my friend, to keep me out of a comfortable bed at this hour of the night with an idiotic114 discourse115 of moonlight and dissatisfied shrubbery! As it happens, I am not a lank116 wench in her first country dance. Remember that, Raoul de Frison, and praise the good God who gave me at birth a very placable disposition! There is not a seigneur in all France, save me, but would hang you at the crack of that same dawn for which you report your lackadaisical117 trees to be whining118; but the quarrel will soon be Monsieur de Puysange's, and I prefer that he settle it at his own discretion119. I content myself with advising you to pester120 my niece no more."
Sieur Raymond glanced at Matthiette, who sat with downcast head. "H'm!" said he. "She moderates her transports indifferently well. Though, again, why not? You are not an ill-looking lad. Indeed, Monsieur de Frison, I am quite ready to admit that my niece is breaking her heart for you. The point on which I wish to dwell is that she weds123 Monsieur de Puysange early to-morrow morning."
"Uncle," Matthiette cried, as she started to her feet, "such a marriage is a crime! I love Raoul!"
"Undoubtedly," purred Sieur Raymond, "you love the lad unboundedly, madly, distractedly! Now we come to the root of the matter." He sank back in his chair and smiled. "Young people," said he, "be seated, and hearken to the words of wisdom. Love is a divine insanity125, in which the sufferer fancies the world mad. And the world is made up of madmen who condemn126 and punish one another."
"Surely not," Sieur Raymond readily agreed; "for there was never an ordinary case in all the history of the universe. Oh, but I, too, have known this madness; I, too, have perceived how infinitely128 my own skirmishes with the blind bow-god differed in every respect from all that has been or will ever be. It is an infallible sign of this frenzy129. Surely, I have said, the world will not willingly forget the vision of Chloris in her wedding garments, or the wonder of her last clinging kiss. Or, say Phyllis comes to-morrow: will an uninventive sun dare to rise in the old, hackneyed fashion on such a day of days? Perish the thought! There will probably be six suns, and, I dare say, a meteor or two."
"I perceive, sir," Raoul said here, "that after all you have not forgotten the young Raymond of whom I spoke."
"That was a long while ago," snapped Sieur Raymond. "I know a deal more of the world nowadays; and a level-headed world would be somewhat surprised at such occurrences, and suggest that for the future Phyllis remain at home. For whether you—or I—or any one—be in love or no is to our fellow creatures an affair of astonishingly trivial import. Not since Noé that great admiral, repeopled the world by begetting130 three sons upon Dame48 Noria has there been a love-business worthy131 of consideration; nor, if you come to that, not since sagacious Solomon went a-wenching has a wise man wasted his wisdom on a lover. So love one another, my children, by all means: but do you, Matthiette, make ready to depart into Normandy as a true and faithful wife to Monsieur de Puysange; and do you, Raoul de Prison, remain at Arnaye, and attend to my falcons132 more carefully than you have done of late,—or, by the cross of Saint Lo! I will clap the wench in a convent and hang the lad as high as Haman!"
Whereon Sieur Raymond smiled pleasantly, and drained his wine-cup as one considering the discussion ended.
Raoul sat silent for a moment. Then he rose. "Monsieur d'Arnaye, you know me to be a gentleman of unblemished descent, and as such entitled to a hearing. I forbid you before all-seeing Heaven to wed your niece to a man she does not love! And I have the honor to request of you her hand in marriage."
"Which offer I decline," said Sieur Raymond, grinning placidly,—"with every imaginable civility. Niece," he continued, "here is a gentleman who offers you a heartful of love, six months of insanity, and forty years of boredom133 in a leaky, wind-swept château. He has dreamed dreams concerning you: allow me to present to you the reality."
With some ceremony Sieur Raymond now grasped Matthiette's hand and led her mirror-ward. "Permit me to present the wife of Monsieur de Puysange. Could he have made a worthier134 choice? Ah, happy lord, that shall so soon embrace such perfect loveliness! For, frankly135, my niece, is not that golden hair of a shade that will set off a coronet extraordinarily136 well? Are those wondrous137 eyes not fashioned to surfeit themselves upon the homage138 and respect accorded the wife of a great lord? Ouais, the thing is indisputable: and, therefore, I must differ from Monsieur de Frison here, who would condemn this perfection to bloom and bud unnoticed in a paltry139 country town."
There was an interval140, during which Matthiette gazed sadly into the mirror. "And Arnaye—?" said she.
"Undoubtedly," said Sieur Raymond,—"Arnaye must perish unless Puysange prove her friend. Therefore, my niece conquers her natural aversion to a young and wealthy husband, and a life of comfort and flattery and gayety; relinquishes141 you, Raoul; and, like a feminine Mettius Curtius, sacrifices herself to her country's welfare. Pierre may sleep undisturbed; and the pigs will have a new sty. My faith, it is quite affecting! And so," Sieur Raymond summed it up, "you two young fools may bid adieu, once for all, while I contemplate142 this tapestry143." He strolled to the end of the room and turned his back. "Admirable!" said he; "really now, that leopard144 is astonishingly lifelike!"
Raoul came toward Matthiette. "Dear love," said he, "you have chosen wisely, and I bow to your decision. Farewell, Matthiette,—O indomitable heart! O brave perfect woman that I have loved! Now at the last of all, I praise you for your charity to me, Love's mendicant,—ah, believe me, Matthiette, that atones145 for aught which follows now. Come what may, I shall always remember that once in old days you loved me, and, remembering this, I shall always thank God with a contented146 heart." He bowed over her unresponsive hand. "Matthiette," he whispered, "be happy! For I desire that very heartily, and I beseech147 of our Sovereign Lady—not caring to hide at all how my voice shakes, nor how the loveliness of you, seen now for the last time, is making blind my eyes—that you may never know unhappiness. You have chosen wisely, Matthiette; yet, ah, my dear, do not forget me utterly148, but keep always a little place in your heart for your boy lover!"
Sieur Raymond concluded his inspection of the tapestry, and turned with a premonitory cough. "Thus ends the comedy," said he, shrugging, "with much fine, harmless talking about 'always,' while the world triumphs. Invariably the world triumphs, my children. Eheu, we are as God made us, we men and women that cumber149 His stately earth!" He drew his arm through Raoul's. "Farewell, niece," said Sieur Raymond, smiling; "I rejoice that you are cured of your malady150. Now in respect to gerfalcons—" said he. The arras fell behind them.
Matthiette sat brooding in her room, as the night wore on. She was pitifully frightened, numb152. There was in the room, she dimly noted153, a heavy silence that sobs154 had no power to shatter. Dimly, too, she seemed aware of a multitude of wide, incurious eyes which watched her from every corner, where panels snapped at times with sharp echoes. The night was well-nigh done when she arose.
"After all," she said, wearily, "it is my manifest duty." Matthiette crept to the mirror and studied it.
"Madame de Puysange," said she, without any intonation156; then threw her arms above her head, with a hard gesture of despair. "I love him!" she cried, in a frightened voice.
Matthiette went to a great chest and fumbled157 among its contents. She drew out a dagger158 in a leather case, and unsheathed it. The light shone evilly scintillant159 upon the blade. She laughed, and hid it in the bosom160 of her gown, and fastened a cloak about her with impatient fingers. Then Matthiette crept down the winding161 stair that led to the gardens, and unlocked the door at the foot of it.
A sudden rush of night swept toward her, big with the secrecy162 of dawn. The sky, washed clean of stars, sprawled163 above,—a leaden, monotonous164 blank. Many trees whispered thickly over the chaos165 of earth; to the left, in an increasing dove-colored luminousness166, a field of growing maize167 bristled168 like the chin of an unshaven Titan.
Matthiette entered an expectant world. Once in the tree-chequered gardens, it was as though she crept through the aisles169 of an unlit cathedral already garnished170 for its sacred pageant171. Matthiette heard the querulous birds call sleepily above; the margin172 of night was thick with their petulant173 complaints; behind her was the monstrous174 shadow of the Chateau d'Arnaye, and past that was a sullen175 red, the red of contused flesh, to herald74 dawn. Infinity176 waited a-tiptoe, tense for the coming miracle, and against this vast repression177, her grief dwindled178 into irrelevancy179: the leaves whispered comfort; each tree-bole hid chuckling180 fauns. Matthiette laughed. Content had flooded the universe all through and through now that yonder, unseen as yet, the scarlet-faced sun was toiling181 up the rim124 of the world, and matters, it somehow seemed, could not turn out so very ill, in the end.
Matthiette came to a hut, from whose open window a faded golden glow spread out into obscurity like a tawdry fan. From without she peered into the hut and saw Raoul. A lamp flickered182 upon the table. His shadow twitched183 and wavered about the plastered walls,—a portentous184 mass of head upon a hemisphere of shoulders,—as Raoul bent185 over a chest, sorting the contents, singing softly to himself, while Matthiette leaned upon the sill without, and the gardens of Arnaye took form and stirred in the heart of a chill, steady, sapphire-like radiance.
Sang Raoul:
_"Lord, I have worshipped thee ever,—
Through all these years
As a child between laughter and tears.
Hast thou no more to afford,—
Love, my lord?
"I have borne thy heaviest burden,
Nor served thee amiss:
Now thou hast given a guerdon;
Lo, it was this—
Hast thou no more to accord!
I would have more than this,
Love, my lord.
"I am wearied of love that is pastime
And gifts that it brings;
"Inèffable things.
Stricken no subtler chord,
Whereof the memory clings,
Love, my lord?
"But for a little we live;
Hast thou no more to give,
Love, my lord?"_
4. Raymond Psychopompos
Matthiette went to the hut's door: her hands fell irresolutely192 upon the rough surface of it and lay still for a moment. Then with the noise of a hoarse193 groan194 the door swung inward, and the light guttered195 in a swirl196 of keen morning air, casting convulsive shadows upon her lifted countenance, and was extinguished. She held out her arms in a gesture that was half maternal197. "Raoul!" she murmured.
He turned. A sudden bird plunged198 through the twilight199 without, with a glad cry that pierced like a knife through the stillness which had fallen in the little room. Raoul de Frison faced her, with clenched200 hands, silent. For that instant she saw him transfigured.
But his silence frightened her. There came a piteous catch in her voice.
"Fair friend, have you not bidden me—be happy?"
He sighed. "Mademoiselle," he said, dully, "I may not avail myself of your tenderness of heart; that you have come to comfort me in my sorrow is a deed at which, I think, God's holy Angels must rejoice: but I cannot avail myself of it."
"Raoul, Raoul," she said, "do you think that I have come in—pity!"
"Matthiette," he returned, "your uncle spoke the truth. I have dreamed dreams concerning you,—dreams of a foolish, golden-hearted girl, who would yield—yield gladly—all that the world may give, to be one flesh and soul with me. But I have wakened, dear, to the braver reality,—that valorous woman, strong enough to conquer even her own heart that her people may be freed from their peril201."
"Blind! blind!" she cried.
Raoul smiled down upon her. "Mademoiselle," said he, "I do not doubt that you love me."
She went wearily toward the window. "I am not very wise," Matthiette said, looking out upon the gardens, "and it appears that God has given me an exceedingly tangled202 matter to unravel203. Yet if I decide it wrongly I think the Eternal Father will understand it is because I am not very wise."
Matthiette for a moment was silent. Then with averted204 face she spoke again. "My uncle commands me, with many astute205 saws and pithy206 sayings, to wed Monsieur de Puysange. I have not skill to combat him. Many times he has proven it my duty, but he is quick in argument and proves what he will; and I do not think it is my duty. It appears to me a matter wherein man's wisdom is at variance207 with God's will as manifested to us through the holy Evangelists. Assuredly, if I do not wed Monsieur de Puysange there may be war here in our Arnaye, and God has forbidden war; but I may not insure peace in Arnaye without prostituting my body to a man I do not love, and that, too, God has forbidden. I speak somewhat grossly for a maid, but you love me, I think, and will understand. And I, also, love you, Monsieur de Frison. Yet—ah, I am pitiably weak! Love tugs208 at my heart-strings, bidding me cling to you, and forget these other matters; but I cannot do that, either. I desire very heartily the comfort and splendor209 and adulation which you cannot give me. I am pitiably weak, Raoul! I cannot come to you with an undivided heart,—but my heart, such as it is, I have given you, and to-day I deliver my honor into your hands and my life's happiness, to preserve or to destroy. Mother of Christ, grant that I have chosen rightly, for I have chosen now, past retreat! I have chosen you, Raoul, and that love which you elect to give me, and of which I must endeavor to be worthy."
Matthiette turned from the window. Now, her bright audacity210 gone, her ardors chilled, you saw how like a grave, straightforward211 boy she was, how illimitably tender, how inefficient212. "It may be that I have decided213 wrongly in this tangled matter," she said now. "And yet I think that God, Who loves us infinitely, cannot be greatly vexed214 at anything His children do for love of one another."
He came toward her. "I bid you go," he said. "Matthiette, it is my duty to bid you go, and it is your duty to obey."
She smiled wistfully through unshed tears. "Man's wisdom!" said Matthiette. "I think that it is not my duty. And so I disobey you, dear,—this once, and no more hereafter."
"And yet last night—" Raoul began.
"Last night," said she, "I thought that I was strong. I know now it was my vanity that was strong,—vanity and pride and fear, Raoul, that for a little mastered me. But in the dawn all things seem very trivial, saving love alone."
They looked out into the dew-washed gardens. The daylight was fullgrown, and already the clear-cut forms of men were passing beneath the swaying branches. In the distance a trumpet215 snarled.
"Dear love," said Raoul, "do you not understand that you have brought about my death? For Monsieur de Puysange is at the gates of Arnaye; and either he or Sieur Raymond will have me hanged ere noon."
"I do not know," she said, in a tired voice. "I think that Monsieur de Puysange has some cause to thank me; and my uncle loves me, and his heart, for all his gruffness, is very tender. And—see, Raoul!" She drew the dagger from her bosom. "I shall not survive you a long while, O man of all the world!"
Perplexed216 joy flushed through his countenance. "You will do this—for me?" he cried, with a sort of sob155. "Matthiette, Matthiette, you shame me!"
"But I love you," said Matthiette. "How could it be possible, then, for me to live after you were dead?"
He bent to her. They kissed.
Hand in hand they went forth into the daylight. The kindly217, familiar place seemed in Matthiette's eyes oppressed and transformed by the austerity of dawn. It was a clear Sunday morning, at the hightide of summer, and she found the world unutterably Sabbatical; only by a vigorous effort could memory connect it with the normal life of yesterday. The cool edges of the woods, vibrant218 now with multitudinous shrill219 pipings, the purple shadows shrinking eastward220 on the dimpling lawns, the intricate and broken traceries of the dial (where they had met so often), the blurred221 windings222 of their path, above which brooded the peaked roofs and gables and slender clerestories of Arnaye, the broad river yonder lapsing223 through deserted224 sunlit fields,—these things lay before them scarce heeded225, stript of all perspective, flat as an open scroll226. To them all this was alien. She and Raoul were quite apart from these matters, quite alone, despite the men of Arnaye, hurrying toward the courtyard, who stared at them curiously227, but said nothing. A brisk wind was abroad in the tree-tops, scattering228 stray leaves, already dead, over the lush grass. Tenderly Raoul brushed a little golden sycamore leaf from the lovelier gold of Matthiette's hair.
"I do not know how long I have to live," he said. "Nobody knows that. But
I wish that I might live a great while to serve you worthily."
She answered: "Neither in life nor death shall we be parted now. That only matters, my husband."
They came into the crowded court-yard just as the drawbridge fell. A troop of horse clattered229 into Arnaye, and the leader, a young man of frank countenance, dismounted and looked about him inquiringly. Then he came toward them.
Behind them some one chuckled. "Love one another, young people," said
Sieur Raymond; "but do you, Matthiette, make ready to depart into
Normandy as a true and faithful wife to Monsieur de Puysange."
She stared into Raoul's laughing face; there was a kind of anguish231 in her swift comprehension. Quickly the two men who loved her glanced at each other, half in shame.
But the Sieur d'Arnaye was not lightly dashed. "Oh, la, la, la!" chuckled the Sieur d'Arnaye, "she would never have given you a second thought, monsieur le vicomte, had I not labelled you forbidden fruit. As it is, my last conspiracy, while a little ruthless, I grant you, turns out admirably. Jack232 has his Jill, and all ends merrily, like an old song. I will begin on those pig-sties the first thing to-morrow morning."
* * * * *
OCTOBER 6, 1519
"Therefore, like as May month flowereth and flourisheth in many gardens, so in likewise let every man of worship flourish his heart in this world; first unto God, and next unto the joy of them that he promiseth his faith unto."
_The quondam Raoul de Prison stood high in the graces of the Lady Regent of France, Anne de Beaujeu, who was, indeed, tolerably notorious for her partiality to well-built young men. Courtiers whispered more than there is any need here to rehearse. In any event, when in 1485 the daughter of Louis XI fitted out an expedition to press the Earl of Richmond's claim to the English crown, de Puysange sailed from Havre as commander of the French fleet. He fought at Bosworth, not discreditably; and a year afterward, when England had for the most part accepted Henry VII, Matthiette rejoined her husband.
They never subsequently quitted England. During the long civil wars, de Puysange was known as a shrewd captain and a judicious92 counsellor to the King, who rewarded his services as liberally as Tudorian parsimony233 would permit. After the death of Henry VII, however, the vicomte took little part in public affairs, spending most of his time at Tiverton Manor234, in Devon, where, surrounded by their numerous progeny235, he and Matthiette grew old together in peace and concord236.
Indeed, the vicomte so ordered all his cool love-affairs that, having taken a wife as a matter of expediency237, he continued as a matter of expediency to make her a fair husband, as husbands go. It also seemed to him, they relate, a matter of expediency to ignore the interpretation238 given by scandalous persons to the paternal239 friendship extended to Madame de Puysange by a high prince of the Church, during the last five years of the great Cardinal240 Morton's life, for the connection was useful.
The following is from a manuscript of doubtful authenticity241 still to be seen at Allonby Shaw. It purports242 to contain the autobiography243 of Will Sommers, the vicomte's jester, afterward court-fool to Henry VIII.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
conspiracy
|
|
| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
disapproval
|
|
| n.反对，不赞成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
amorous
|
|
| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
bellowed
|
|
| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
wed
|
|
| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
spectral
|
|
| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
vehemently
|
|
| adv. 热烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
pricked
|
|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
outstrip
|
|
| v.超过，跑过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
scant
|
|
| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
whit
|
|
| n.一点，丝毫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
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： |
|
|
|
|
16
poke
|
|
| n.刺，戳，袋；vt.拨开，刺，戳；vi.戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
conversed
|
|
| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
placid
|
|
| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
plethoric
|
|
| adj.过多的，多血症的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
20
follies
|
|
| 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 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
benevolent
|
|
| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
conspired
|
|
| 密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
frail
|
|
| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
pretence
|
|
| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
complacently
|
|
| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
adventitious
|
|
| adj.偶然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
unduly
|
|
| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
diminutive
|
|
| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
irreproachable
|
|
| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
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： |
|
|
|
|
35
inspection
|
|
| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
monk
|
|
| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
ballad
|
|
| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
demolished
|
|
| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
disapproves
|
|
| v.不赞成( disapprove的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
worthily
|
|
| 重要地，可敬地，正当地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
rumor
|
|
| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
divers
|
|
| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
wailing
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
wager
|
|
| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
whimsies
|
|
| n.怪念头( whimsy的名词复数 )；异想天开；怪脾气；与众不同的幽默感 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
47
dames
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
dame
|
|
| n.女士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
sipped
|
|
| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
meditative
|
|
| adj.沉思的，冥想的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
query
|
|
| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
discreetly
|
|
| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
fabled
|
|
| adj.寓言中的，虚构的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
rein
|
|
| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
prating
|
|
| v.（古时用语）唠叨，啰唆( prate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
brutally
|
|
| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
withered
|
|
| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
eyebrow
|
|
| n.眉毛，眉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
inclinations
|
|
| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
snug
|
|
| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
surfeit
|
|
| v.使饮食过度；n.(食物)过量，过度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
vassals
|
|
| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
wedded
|
|
| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
fervor
|
|
| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
adoration
|
|
| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
thereby
|
|
| adv.因此，从而 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
demure
|
|
| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
lute
|
|
| n.琵琶，鲁特琴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
herald
|
|
| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
rumored
|
|
| adj.传说的，谣传的v.传闻( rumor的过去式和过去分词 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
Forsaken
|
|
| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
dominion
|
|
| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
taunt
|
|
| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
beset
|
|
| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
attain
|
|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
humbleness
|
|
| n.谦卑，谦逊；恭顺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
commiseration
|
|
| n.怜悯，同情 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
aliases
|
|
| n.别名，化名( alias的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
glosses
|
|
| n.（页末或书后的）注释( gloss的名词复数 )；（表面的）光滑；虚假的外表；用以产生光泽的物质v.注解( gloss的第三人称单数 )；掩饰（错误）；粉饰；把…搪塞过去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
discomfited
|
|
| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
garb
|
|
| n.服装，装束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
judiciously
|
|
| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
judicious
|
|
| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
comeliness
|
|
| n. 清秀, 美丽, 合宜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
chirped
|
|
| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
meditatively
|
|
| adv.冥想地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
larks
|
|
| n.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的名词复数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了v.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的第三人称单数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
poultry
|
|
| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
madrigal
|
|
| n.牧歌；（流行于16和17世纪无乐器伴奏的）合唱歌曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
chateau
|
|
| n.城堡，别墅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
assented
|
|
| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
commendable
|
|
| adj.值得称赞的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
insufficient
|
|
| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
kennel
|
|
| n.狗舍，狗窝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
casement
|
|
| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
sanity
|
|
| n.心智健全，神智正常，判断正确 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
coerced
|
|
| v.迫使做( coerce的过去式和过去分词 )；强迫；（以武力、惩罚、威胁等手段）控制；支配 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
accomplices
|
|
| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
snarled
|
|
| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
prosaic
|
|
| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
minor
|
|
| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
tolerance
|
|
| n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
emboldens
|
|
| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
idiotic
|
|
| adj.白痴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
discourse
|
|
| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
lank
|
|
| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
lackadaisical
|
|
| adj.无精打采的，无兴趣的；adv.无精打采地，不决断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
whining
|
|
| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
discretion
|
|
| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
pester
|
|
| v.纠缠，强求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
erect
|
|
| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
weds
|
|
| v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
rim
|
|
| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
insanity
|
|
| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
condemn
|
|
| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
dissented
|
|
| 不同意，持异议( dissent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
infinitely
|
|
| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
frenzy
|
|
| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
begetting
|
|
| v.为…之生父( beget的现在分词 )；产生，引起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
falcons
|
|
| n.猎鹰( falcon的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
boredom
|
|
| n.厌烦，厌倦，乏味，无聊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
worthier
|
|
| 应得某事物( worthy的比较级 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
frankly
|
|
| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
extraordinarily
|
|
| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
wondrous
|
|
| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
homage
|
|
| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
paltry
|
|
| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
interval
|
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
relinquishes
|
|
| 交出，让给( relinquish的第三人称单数 )； 放弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
contemplate
|
|
| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
tapestry
|
|
| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
leopard
|
|
| n.豹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
atones
|
|
| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的第三人称单数 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
beseech
|
|
| v.祈求，恳求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
cumber
|
|
| v.拖累，妨碍；n.妨害；拖累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
malady
|
|
| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
obdurate
|
|
| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
numb
|
|
| adj.麻木的，失去感觉的；v.使麻木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
sobs
|
|
| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
sob
|
|
| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
intonation
|
|
| n.语调，声调；发声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
fumbled
|
|
| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
dagger
|
|
| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
scintillant
|
|
| adj.产生火花的，闪烁（耀）的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
160
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
secrecy
|
|
| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
sprawled
|
|
| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
monotonous
|
|
| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
chaos
|
|
| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
luminousness
|
|
| 透光率 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
167
maize
|
|
| n.玉米 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
bristled
|
|
| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
aisles
|
|
| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
garnished
|
|
| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
pageant
|
|
| n.壮观的游行；露天历史剧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
margin
|
|
| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
petulant
|
|
| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
infinity
|
|
| n.无限，无穷，大量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
repression
|
|
| n.镇压，抑制，抑压 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
dwindled
|
|
| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
irrelevancy
|
|
| n.不恰当，离题，不相干的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
180
chuckling
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
toiling
|
|
| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
flickered
|
|
| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
twitched
|
|
| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
portentous
|
|
| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
forsaking
|
|
| 放弃( forsake的现在分词 )； 弃绝； 抛弃； 摒弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
187
veers
|
|
| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的第三人称单数 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
shudder
|
|
| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
entreat
|
|
| v.恳求，恳请 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
hoard
|
|
| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
irresolutely
|
|
| adv.优柔寡断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
193
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
194
groan
|
|
| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
195
guttered
|
|
| vt.形成沟或槽于…（gutter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
196
swirl
|
|
| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
197
maternal
|
|
| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
198
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
199
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
200
clenched
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
201
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
202
tangled
|
|
| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
203
unravel
|
|
| v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
204
averted
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
205
astute
|
|
| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
206
pithy
|
|
| adj.(讲话或文章)简练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
207
variance
|
|
| n.矛盾，不同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
208
tugs
|
|
| n.猛拉( tug的名词复数 )；猛拖；拖船v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
209
splendor
|
|
| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
210
audacity
|
|
| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
211
straightforward
|
|
| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
212
inefficient
|
|
| adj.效率低的，无效的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
213
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
214
vexed
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
215
trumpet
|
|
| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
216
perplexed
|
|
| adj.不知所措的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
217
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
218
vibrant
|
|
| adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
219
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
220
eastward
|
|
| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
221
blurred
|
|
| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
222
windings
|
|
| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
223
lapsing
|
|
| v.退步( lapse的现在分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
224
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
225
heeded
|
|
| 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 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
226
scroll
|
|
| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
227
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
228
scattering
|
|
| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
229
clattered
|
|
| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
230
nuptials
|
|
| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
231
anguish
|
|
| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
232
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
233
parsimony
|
|
| n.过度节俭，吝啬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
234
manor
|
|
| n.庄园，领地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
235
progeny
|
|
| n.后代，子孙；结果 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
236
concord
|
|
| n.和谐；协调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
237
expediency
|
|
| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
238
interpretation
|
|
| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
239
paternal
|
|
| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
240
cardinal
|
|
| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
241
authenticity
|
|
| n.真实性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
242
purports
|
|
| v.声称是…，（装得）像是…的样子( purport的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
243
autobiography
|
|
| n.自传 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |