1. I Glimpse the Castle
"And so, dearie," she ended, "you may seize the revenues of Allonby with unwashed hands."
I said, "Why have you done this?" I was half-frightened by the sudden whirl of Dame1 Fortune's wheel.
Allonby and all his accursed race that I have kept the secret thus long.
"Nay5, I elect for a more flattering reason. I begin to suspect you, cousin, of some human compunction."
"Well, Willie, well, I never hated you as much as I had reason to," she grumbled6, and began to cough very lamentably7. "So at the last I must make a marquis of you—ugh! Will you jest for them in counsel, Willie, and lead your henchman to battle with a bawdy8 song—ugh, ugh!"
Her voice crackled like burning timber, and sputtered9 in groans10 that would have been fanged11 curses had breath not failed her: for my aunt Elinor possessed12 a nimble tongue, whetted13, as rumor14 had it, by the attendance of divers15 Sabbats, and the chaunting of such songs as honest men may not hear and live, however highly the succubi and warlocks and were-cats, and Satan's courtiers generally, commend them.
I squinted16 down at one green leg, scratched the crimson17 fellow to it with my bauble18, and could not deny that, even so, the witch was dealing19 handsomely with me to-night.
'Twas a strange tale which my Aunt Elinor had ended, speaking swiftly lest the worms grow impatient and Charon weigh anchor ere she had done: and the proofs of the tale's verity21, set forth22 in a fair clerkly handwriting, rustled23 in my hand,—scratches of a long-rotted pen that transferred me to the right side of the blanket, and transformed the motley of a fool into the ermine of a peer.
All Devon knew I was son to Tom Allonby, who had been Marquis of Falmouth at his uncle's death, had not Tom Allonby, upon the very eve of that event, broken his neck in a fox-hunt; but Dan Gabriel, come post-haste from Heaven had with difficulty convinced the village idiot that Holy Church had smiled upon Tom's union with a tanner's daughter, and that their son was lord of Allonby Shaw. I doubted it, even as I read the proof. Yet it was true,—true that I had precedence even of the great Monsieur de Puysange, who had kept me to make him mirth on a shifty diet, first coins, then curses, these ten years past,—true that my father, rogue24 in all else, had yet dealt equitably25 with my mother ere he died,—true that my aunt, less honorably used by him, had shared their secret with the priest who married them, maliciously26 preserving it till this, when her words fell before me as anciently Jove's shower before the Argive Danaë, coruscant and awful, pregnant with undreamed-of chances which stirred as yet blindly in Time's womb.
A sick anger woke in me, remembering the burden of ignoble28 years this hag had suffered me to bear; yet my so young gentility bade me avoid reproach of the dying peasant woman, who, when all was said, had been but ill-used by our house. Death hath a strange potency29: commanding as he doth, unquestioned and unchidden, the emperor to have done with slaying30, the poet to rise from his unfinished rhyme, the tender and gracious lady to cease from nice denying words (mixed though they be with pitiful sighs that break their sequence like an amorous31 ditty heard through the strains of a martial32 stave), and all men, gentle or base, to follow Death's gaunt standard into unmapped realms, something of majesty33 enshrines the paltriest34 knave35 on whom the weight of Death's chill finger hath fallen. I doubt not that Cain's children wept about his deathbed, and that the centurions36 spake in whispers as they lowered Iscariot from the elder-tree: and in like manner the reproaches which stirred in my brain had no power to move my lips. The frail37 carnal tenement38, swept and cleansed39 of all mortality, was garnished40 for Death's coming; and I could not sorrow at his advent41 here: but I perforce must pity rather than revile42 the prey43 which Age and Poverty, those ravenous44 forerunning hounds of Death yet harried45, at the door of the tomb.
Running over these considerations in my mind, I said, "I forgive you."
"You posturing46 lack-wit!" she returned, and her sunk jaws47 quivered angrily. "D'ye play the condescending48 gentleman already! Dearie, your master did not take the news so calmly."
"You have told him?"
I had risen, for the wried49, and yet sly, malice50 of my aunt's face was rather that of Bellona, who, as clerks avow51, ever bore carnage and dissension in her train, than that of a mortal, mutton-fed woman. Elinor Sommers hated me—having God knows how just a cause—for the reason that I was my father's son; and yet, for this same reason as I think, there was in all our intercourse52 an odd, harsh, grudging53 sort of tenderness.
She laughed now,—flat and shrill54, like the laughter of the damned heard in Hell between the roaring of flames. "Were it not common kindness to tell him, since this old sleek55 fellow's fine daughter is to wed56 the cuckoo that hath your nest? Yes, Willie, yes, your master hath known since morning."
"And Adeliza?" I asked, in a voice that tricked me.
"Heh, my Lady-High-and-Mighty hath, I think, heard nothing as yet. She will be hearing of new suitors soon enough, though, for her father, Monsieur Fine-Words, that silky, grinning thief, is very keen in a money-chase,—keen as a terrier on a rat-track, may Satan twist his neck! Pshutt, dearie! here is a smiling knave who means to have the estate of Allonby as it stands; what live-stock may go therewith, whether crack-brained or not, is all one to him. He will not balk57 at a drachm or two of wit in his son-in-law. You have but to whistle,—but to whistle, Willie, and she'll come!"
I said, "Eh, woman, and have you no heart?"
"I gave it to your father for a few lying speeches," she answered, "and Tom Allonby taught me the worth of all such commerce." There was a smile upon her lips, sister to that which Clytemnestra may have flaunted58 in welcome of that old Emperor Agamemnon, come in gory59 opulence60 from the sack of Troy Town. "I gave it—" Her voice rose here to a despairing wail61. "Ah, go, before I lay my curse upon you, son of Thomas Allonby! But do you kiss me first, for you have just his lying mouth. So, that is better! And now go, my lord marquis; it is not fitting that death should intrude62 into your lordship's presence. Go, fool, and let me die in peace!"
I no longer cast a cautious eye toward the whip (ah, familiar unkindly whip!) that still hung beside the door of the hut; but, I confess, my aunt's looks were none too delectable64, and ancient custom rendered her wrath65 yet terrible. If the farmers thereabouts were to be trusted, I knew Old Legion's bailiff would shortly be at hand, to distrain66 upon a soul escheat and forfeited67 to Dis by many years of cruel witchcrafts, close wiles68, and nameless sorceries; and I could never abide69 unpared nails, even though they be red-hot. Therefore, I relinquished71 her to the village gossips, who waited without, and I tucked my bauble under my arm.
"Dear aunt," said I, "farewell!"
"Good-bye, Willie!" said she; "I shall often laugh in Hell to think of the crack-brained marquis that I made on earth. It was my will to make a beggar of Tom's son, but at the last I play the fool and cannot do it. But do you play the fool, too, dearie, and"—she chuckled72 here—"and have your posture73 and your fine long words, whatever happens."
2. At the Ladder's Foot
I came to Tiverton Manor75 through a darkness black as the lining76 of Baalzebub's oldest cloak. The storm had passed, but clouds yet hung heavy as feather-beds between mankind and the stars; as I crossed the bridge the swollen77 Exe was but dimly visible, though it roared beneath me, and shook the frail timbers hungrily. The bridge had long been unsafe: Monsieur de Puysange had planned one stronger and less hazardous78 than the former edifice79, of which the arches yet remained, and this was now in the making, as divers piles of unhewn lumber80 and stone attested81: meanwhile, the roadway was a makeshift of half-rotten wood that even in this abating83 wind shook villainously. I stood for a moment and heard the waters lapping and splashing and laughing, as though they would hold it rare and desirable mirth to swallow and spew forth a powerful marquis, and grind his body among the battered85 timber and tree-boles and dead sheep swept from the hills, and at last vomit86 him into the sea, that a corpse87, wide-eyed and livid, might bob up and down the beach, in quest of a quiet grave where the name of Allonby was scarcely known. The imagination was so vivid that it frightened me as I picked my way cat-footed through the dark.
The folk of Tiverton Manor were knotting on their nightcaps, by this; but there was a light in the Lady Adeliza's window, faint as a sick glowworm. I rolled in the seeded grass and chuckled, as I thought of what a day or two might bring about, and I murmured to myself an old cradle-song of Devon which she loved and often sang; and was, ere I knew it, carolling aloud, for pure wantonness and joy that Monsieur de Puysange was not likely to have me whipped, now, however blatantly88 I might elect to discourse89.
Sang I:
_"Through the mist of years does it gleam as yet—
That fair and free extent
Which castled, once, Content?
"Ei ho! Ei ho! the Castle of Content,
And frolicking frail Loves made light of all,—
Ei ho! the vanished Castle of Content!"_
As I ended, the casement93 was pushed open, and the Lady Adeliza came upon the balcony, the light streaming from behind her in such fashion as made her appear an angel peering out of Heaven at our mortal antics. Indeed, there was always something more than human in her loveliness, though, to be frank, it savored94 less of chilling paradisial perfection than of a vision of some great-eyed queen of faery, such as those whose feet glide95 unwetted over our fen-waters when they roam o' nights in search of unwary travellers. Lady Adeliza was a fair beauty; that is, her eyes were of the color of opals, and her complexion96 as the first rose of spring, blushing at her haste to snare97 men's hearts with beauty; and her loosened hair rippled98 in such a burst of splendor99 that I have seen a pale brilliancy, like that of amber100, reflected by her bared shoulders where the bright waves fell heavily against the tender flesh, and ivory vied with gold in beauty. She was somewhat proud, they said; and to others she may have been, but to me, never. Her voice was a low, sweet song, her look that of the chaste101 Roman, beneficent Saint Dorothy, as she is pictured in our Chapel102 here at Tiverton. Proud, they called her! to me her condescensions were so manifold that I cannot set them down: indeed, in all she spoke103 and did there was an extreme kindliness104 that made a courteous105 word from her of more worth than a purse from another.
She said, "Is it you, Will Sommers?"
"Madonna," I answered, "with whom else should the owls107 confer? It is a venerable saying that extremes meet. And here you may behold108 it exemplified, as in the conference of an epicure109 and an ostrich110: though, for this once, Wisdom makes bold to sit above Folly111."
"Hand upon heart," said I, "my grim gossips care less for my melody than for the squeaking113 of a mouse; and I sang rather for joy that at last I may enter into the Castle of Content."
The Lady Adeliza replied, "But nobody enters there alone."
"Madonna," said I, "your apprehension114 is nimble. I am in hope that a woman's hand may lower the drawbridge."
She said only "You—!" Then she desisted, incredulous laughter breaking the soft flow of speech.
"Now, by Paul and Peter, those eminent115 apostles! the prophet Jeremy never spake more veraciously116 in Edom! The fool sighs for a fair woman,—what else should he do, being a fool? Ah, madonna, as in very remote times that notable jester, Love, popped out of Night's wind-egg, and by his sorcery fashioned from the primeval tangle117 the pleasant earth that sleeps about us,—even thus, may he not frame the disorder118 of a fool's brain into the semblance119 of a lover's? Believe me, the change is not so great as you might think. Yet if you will, laugh at me, madonna, for I love a woman far above me,—a woman who knows not of my love, or, at most, considers it but as the homage120 which grateful peasants accord the all-nurturing sun; so that, now chance hath woven me a ladder whereby to mount to her, I scarcely dare to set my foot upon the bottom rung."
"A ladder?" she said, oddly: "and are you talking of a rope ladder?"
"I would describe it, rather," said I, "as a golden ladder."
There came a silence. About us the wind wailed121 among the gaunt, deserted122 choir123 of the trees, and in the distance an owl106 hooted124 sardonically125.
The Lady Adeliza said: "Be bold. Be bold, and know that a woman loves once and forever, whether she will or no. Love is not sold in the shops, and the grave merchants that trade in the ultimate seas, and send forth argosies even to jewelled Ind, to fetch home rich pearls, and strange outlandish dyes, and spiceries, and the raiment of imperious queens of the old time, have bought and sold no love, for all their traffic. It is above gold. I know"—here her voice faltered126 somewhat—"I know of a woman whose birth is very near the throne, and whose beauty, such as it is, hath been commended, who loved a man the politic127 world would have none of, for he was not rich nor famous, nor even very wise. And the world bade her relinquish70 him; but within the chambers128 of her heart his voice rang more loudly than that of the world, and for his least word said she would leave all and go with him whither he would. And—she waits only for the speaking of that word."
"Be bold?" said I.
"Ay," she returned; "that is the moral of my tale. Make me a song of it to-night, dear Will,—and tomorrow, perhaps, you may learn how this woman, too, entered into the Castle of Content."
"Madonna—!" I cried.
"It is late," said she, "and I must go."
"Ay, to-morrow,—the morrow that by this draws very near. Farewell!" She was gone, casting one swift glance backward, even as the ancient Parthians are fabled130 to have shot their arrows as they fled; and, if the airier missile, also, left a wound, I, for one, would not willingly have quitted her invulnerate.
3. Night, and a Stormed Castle
I went forth into the woods that stand thick about Tiverton Manor, where I lay flat on my back among the fallen leaves, dreaming many dreams to myself,—dreams that were frolic songs of happiness, to which the papers in my jerkin rustled a reassuring131 chorus.
I have heard that night is own sister to death; now, as the ultimate torn cloud passed seaward, and the new-washed harvest-moon broke forth in a red glory, and stars clustered about her like a swarm132 of golden bees, I thought this night was rather the parent of a new life. But, indeed, there is a solemnity in night beyond all jesting: for night knits up the tangled133 yarn134 of our day's doings into a pattern either good or ill; it renews the vigor135 of the living, and with the lapsing136 of the tide it draws the dying toward night's impenetrable depths, gently; and it honors the secrecy137 of lovers as zealously138 as that of rogues139. In the morning our bodies rise to their allotted140 work; but our wits have had their season in the night, or of kissing, or of junketing, or of high resolve; and the greater part of such noble deeds as day witnesses have been planned in the solitude141 of night. It is the sage142 counsellor, the potent143 physician that heals and comforts the sorrows of all the world: and night proved such to me, as I pondered on the proud race of Allonby, and knew that in the general record of time my name must soon be set as a sonorous144 word significant, as the cat might jump, for much good or for large evil.
And Adeliza loved me, and had bidden me be bold! I may not write of what my thoughts were as I considered that stupendous miracle.
But even the lark145 that daily soars into the naked presence of the sun must seek his woven nest among the grass at twilight146; and so, with many yawns, I rose after an hour of dreams to look for sleep. Tiverton Manor was a formless blot147 on the mild radiance of the heavens, but I must needs pause for a while, gazing up at the Lady Adeliza's window, like a hen drinking water, and thinking of divers matters.
It was then that something rustled among the leaves, and, turning, I stared into the countenance148 of Stephen Allonby, until to-day Marquis of Falmouth, a slim, comely149 youth, and son to my father's younger brother.
"Fool," said he, "you walk late."
"Faith!" said I, "instinct warned me that a fool might find fit company here,—dear cousin." He frowned at the word, for he was never prone150 to admit the relationship, being in disposition151 somewhat precise.
"Eh?" said he; then paused for a while. "I have more kinsmen152 than I knew of," he resumed, at length, "and to-day spawns153 them thick as herrings. Your greeting falls strangely pat with that of a brother of yours, alleged154 to be begot155 in lawful156 matrimony, who hath appeared to claim the title and estates, and hath even imposed upon the credulity of Monsieur de Puysange."
I said, "And who is this new kinsman157?" though his speaking had brought my heart into my mouth. "I have many brethren, if report speak truly as to how little my poor father slept at night."
"I do not know," said he. "The vicomte had not told me more than half the tale when I called him a double-faced old rogue. Thereafter we parted—well, rather hastily!"
I was moved with a sort of pity, since it was plainer than a pike-staff that Monsieur de Puysange had bundled this penniless young fellow out of Tiverton, with scant27 courtesy and a scantier158 explanation. Still, the wording of this sympathy was a ticklish159 business. I waved my hand upward. "The match, then, is broken off, between you and the Lady Adeliza?"
"Ay!" my cousin said, grimly.
Again I was nonplussed160. Since their betrothal161 was an affair of rank conveniency, my Cousin Stephen should, in reason, grieve at this miscarriage162 temperately163, and yet if by some awkward chance he, too, adored the delicate comeliness164 asleep above us, equity165 conceded his taste to be unfortunate rather than remarkable166. Inwardly I resolved to bestow167 upon my Cousin Stephen a competence168, and to pick out for him somewhere a wife better suited to his station. Meanwhile a silence fell.
He cleared his throat; swore softly to himself; took a brief turn on the grass; and approached me, purse in hand. "It is time you were abed," said my cousin.
I assented169 to this. "And since one may sleep anywhere," I reasoned, "why not here?" Thereupon, for I was somewhat puzzled at his bearing, I lay down upon the gravel170 and snored.
"Fool," he said. I opened one eye. "I have business here"—I opened the other—"with the Lady Adeliza." He tossed me a coin as I sprang to my feet.
"Sir—!" I cried out.
"Ho, she expects me."
"In that case—" said I.
"The difficulty is to give a signal."
Sang I:
That the troops of Time were sent
To seise the treasures and fell the towers
Of the Castle of Content.
"Ei ho! Ei ho! the Castle of Content,
With flaming tower and tumbling battlement
Where Time hath conquered, and the firelight streams
Above sore-wounded Loves and dying Dreams,—
Ei ho! the vanished Castle of Content!"_
And I had scarcely ended when the casement opened.
"Stephen!" said the Lady Adeliza.
"Dear love!" said he.
"Humph!" said I.
Here a rope-ladder unrolled from the balcony and hit me upon the head.
My cousin indignantly protested, "I have company,—a burr that sticks to me."
"A fool," I explained,—"to keep him in countenance."
"It was ever the part of folly," said she, laughing yet again, "to be swayed by a woman; and it is the part of wisdom to be discreet174. In any event, there must be no spectators."
So we two Allonbys held each a strand175 of the ladder and stared at the ripening176 apples, black globes among the wind-vext silver of the leaves. In a moment the Lady Adeliza stood between us. Her hand rested upon mine as she leapt to the ground,—the tiniest velvet-soft ounce-weight that ever set a man's blood a-tingle.
"I did not know—" said she.
"Faith, madonna!" said I, "no more did I till this. I deduce but now that the Marquis of Falmouth is the person you discoursed177 of an hour since, with whom you hope to enter the Castle of Content."
"Ah, Will! dear Will, do not think lightly of me," she said. "My father—"
"Is as all of them have been since Father Adam's dotage," I ended; "and therefore is keeping fools and honest horses from their rest."
My cousin said, angrily, "You have been spying!"
"Because I know that there are horses yonder?" said I. "And fools here—and everywhere? Surely, there needs no argent-bearded Merlin come yawning out of Brocheliaunde to inform us of that."
He said, "You will be secret?"
"In comparison," I answered, "the grave is garrulous178, and a death's-head a chattering179 magpie180; yet I think that your maid, madonna,—"
"Beatris is sworn to silence."
"Which signifies she is already on her way to Monsieur de Puysange. She was coerced181; she discovered it too late; and a sufficiency of tears and pious182 protestations will attest82 her innocence183. It is all one." I winked184 an eye very sagely185.
"Your jesting is tedious," my cousin said. "Come, Adeliza!"
Blaise, my lord marquis' French servant, held three horses in the shadow, so close that it was incredible I had not heard their trampling186. Now the lovers mounted and were off like thistledown ere Blaise put foot to stirrup.
"Blaise," said I.
"Ohé!" said he, pausing.
"—if, upon this pleasurable occasion, I were to borrow your horse—"
"Impossible!"
"If I were to take it by force—" I exhibited my coin.
"Eh?"
"—no one could blame you."
"And yet perhaps—"
"The deduction187 is illogical," said I. And pushing him aside, I mounted and set out into the night after my cousin and the Lady Adeliza.
They rode leisurely189 enough along the winding190 highway that lay in the moonlight like a white ribbon in a pedlar's box; and staying as I did some hundred yards behind, they thought me no other than Blaise, being, indeed, too much engrossed191 with each other to regard the outer world very strictly192. So we rode a matter of three miles in the whispering, moonlit woods, they prattling193 and laughing as though there were no such monster in all the universe as a thrifty-minded father, and I brooding upon many things beside my marquisate, and keeping an ear cocked backward for possible pursuit.
In any ordinary falling out of affairs they would ride unhindered to Teignmouth, and thence to Allonby Shaw; they counted fully194 upon doing this; but I, knowing Beatris, who was waiting-maid to the Lady Adeliza, and consequently in the plot, to be the devil's own vixen, despite an innocent face and a wheedling195 tongue, was less certain.
I shall not easily forget that riding away from the old vicomte's preparations to make a match of it between Adeliza and me. About us the woods sighed and whispered, dappled by the moonlight with unstable196 chequerings of blue and silver. Tightly he clung to my crupper, that swart tireless horseman, Care; but ahead rode Love, anterior197 to all things and yet eternally young, in quest of the Castle of Content. The horses' hoofs198 beat against the pebbles199 as if in chorus to the Devon cradle-song that rang idly in my brain. 'Twas little to me—now—whether the quest were won or lost; yet, as I watched the Lady Adeliza's white cloak tossing and fluttering in the wind, my blood pulsed more strongly than it is wont200 to do, and was stirred by the keen odors of the night and by many memories of her gracious kindliness and by a desire to serve somewhat toward the attainment201 of her happiness. Thus it was that my teeth clenched203, and a dog howled in the distance, and the world seemed very old and very incurious of our mortal woes204 and joys.
Then that befell which I had looked for, and I heard the clatter205 of horses' hoofs behind us, and knew that Monsieur de Puysange and his men were at hand to rescue the Lady Adeliza from my fine-looking young cousin, to put her into the bed of a rich fool. So I essayed a gallop206.
"Spur!" I cried;—"in the name of Saint Cupid!"
With a little gasp207, she bent208 forward over her horse's mane, urging him onward209 with every nerve and muscle of her tender body. I could not keep my gaze from her as we swept through the night. Picture Europa in her traverse, bull-borne, through the summer sea, the depths giving up their misshapen deities210, and the blind sea-snakes writhing211 about her in hideous212 homage, while she, a little frightened, thinks resolutely213 of Crete beyond these unaccustomed horrors and of the god desirous of her contentation; and there, to an eyelash, you have Adeliza as I saw her.
But steadily214 our pursuers gained on us: and as we paused to pick our way over the frail bridge that spanned the Exe, their clamor was very near.
"Take care!" I cried,—but too late, for my horse swerved215 under me as I spoke, and my lord marquis' steed caught foot in a pile of lumber and fell heavily. He was up in a moment, unhurt, but the horse was lamed216.
"You!" cried my Cousin Stephen. "Oh, but what fiend sends me this burr again!"
I said: "My fellow-madmen, it is all one if I have a taste for night-riding and the shedding of noble blood. Alack, though, that I have left my brave bauble at Tiverton! Had I that here, I might do such deeds! I might show such prowess upon the person of Monsieur de Puysange as your Nine Worthies217 would quake to hear of! For I have the honor to inform you, my doves, that we are captured."
Indeed, we were in train to be, for even the two sound horses were well-nigh foundered218: Blaise, the idle rogue, had not troubled to provide fresh steeds, so easy had the flitting seemed; and it was conspicuous219 that we would be overtaken in half an hour.
"So it seems," said Stephen Allonby. "Well! one can die but once." Thus speaking, he drew his sword with an air which might have been envied by Captain Leonidas at Thermopylae.
"Together, my heart!" she cried.
"Madonna," said I, dismounting as I spoke, "pray you consider! With neither of you, is there any question of death; 'tis but that Monsieur de Puysange desires you to make a suitable match. It is not yet too late; his heart is kindly63 so long as he gets his will and profit everywhere, and he bears no malice toward my lord marquis. Yield, then, to your father's wishes, since there is no choice."
She stared at me, as thanks for this sensible advice. "And you—is it you that would enter into the Castle of Content?" she cried, with a scorn that lashed220.
I said: "Madonna, bethink you, you know naught221 of this man your father desires you to wed. Is it not possible that he, too, may love—or may learn to love you, on provocation222? You are very fair, madonna. Yours is a beauty that may draw a man to Heaven or unclose the gates of Hell, at will; indeed, even I, in my poor dreams, have seen your face as bright and glorious as is the lighted space above the altar when Christ's blood and body are shared among His worshippers. Men certainly will never cease to love you. Will he—your husband that may be—prove less susceptible223, we will say, than I? Ah, but, madonna, let us unrein imagination! Suppose, were it possible, that he—even now—yearns to enter into the Castle of Content, and that your hand, your hand alone, may draw the bolt for him,—that the thought of you is to him as a flame before which honor and faith shrivel as shed feathers, and that he has loved you these many years, unknown to you, long, long before the Marquis of Falmouth came into your life with his fair face and smooth sayings. Suppose, were it possible, that he now stood before you, every pulse and fibre of him racked with an intolerable ecstasy224 of loving you, his heart one vast hunger for you, Adeliza, and his voice shaking as my voice shakes, and his hands trembling as my hands tremble,—ah, see how they tremble, madonna, the poor foolish hands! Suppose, were it possible,—"
"Fool! O treacherous225 fool!" my cousin cried, in a fine rage.
She rested her finger-tips upon his arm. "Hush226!" she bade him; then turned to me an uncertain countenance that was half pity, half wonder. "Dear Will," said she, "if you have ever known aught of love, do you not understand how I love Stephen here?"
But she did not any longer speak as a lord's daughter speaks to the fool that makes mirth for his betters.
"In that case," said I,—and my voice played tricks,—"in that case, may I request that you assist me in gathering227 such brushwood as we may find hereabout?"
They both stared at me now. "My lord," I said, "the Exe is high, the bridge is of wood, and I have flint and steel in my pocket. The ford228 is five miles above and quite impassable. Do you understand me, my lord?"
He clapped his hands. "Oh, excellent!" he cried.
Then, each having caught my drift, we heaped up a pile of broken boughs229 and twigs230 and brushwood on the bridge, all three gathering it together. And I wondered if the moon, that is co-partner in the antics of most rogues and lovers, had often beheld231 a sight more reasonless than the foregathering of a marquis, a peer's daughter, and a fool at dead of night to make fagots.
When we had done I handed him the flint and steel. "My lord," said I, "the honor is yours."
"Udsfoot!" he murmured, in a moment, swearing and striking futile232 sparks, "but the late rain has so wet the wood that it will not kindle233."
I said, "Assuredly, in such matters a fool is indispensable." I heaped before him the papers that made an honest woman of my mother and a marquis of me, and seizing the flint, I cast a spark among them that set them crackling cheerily. Oh, I knew well enough that patience would coax234 a flame from those twigs without my paper's aid, but to be patient does not afford the posturing which youth loves. So it was a comfort to wreck235 all magnificently: and I knew that, too, as we three drew back upon the western bank and watched the writhing twigs splutter and snap and burn.
The bridge caught apace and in five minutes afforded passage to nothing short of the ardent236 equipage of the prophet Elias. Five minutes later the bridge did not exist: only the stone arches towered above the roaring waters that glistened237 in the light of the fire, which had, by this, reached the other side of the river, to find quick employment in the woods of Tiverton. Our pursuers rode through a glare which was that of Hell's kitchen on baking-day, and so reached the Exe only to curse vainly and to shriek238 idle imprecations at us, who were as immune from their anger as though the severing239 river had been Pyriphlegethon.
"My lord," I presently suggested, "it may be that your priest expects you?"
"Indeed," said he, laughing, "it is possible. Let us go." Thereupon they mounted the two sound horses. "Most useful burr," said he, "do you follow on foot to Teignmouth; and there—"
"Sir," I replied, "my home is at Tiverton."
He wheeled about. "Do you not fear—?"
"The whip?" said I. "Ah, my lord, I have been whipped ere this. It is not the greatest ill in life to be whipped."
He began to protest.
"But, indeed, I am resolved," said I. "Farewell!"
He tossed me his purse. "As you will," he retorted, shortly. "We thank you for your aid; and if I am still master of Allonby—"
"No fear of that!" I said. "Farewell, good cousin marquis! I cannot weep at your going, since it brings you happiness. And we have it on excellent authority that the laughter of fools is as the crackling of thorns under a pot. Accordingly, I bid you God-speed in a discreet silence."
I said: "Madonna, earlier in this crowded night, you told me of love's nature: must my halting commentary prove the glose upon your text? Look, then, to be edified243 while the fool is delivered of his folly. For upon the maternal244 side, love was born of the ocean, madonna, and the ocean is but salt water, and salt water is but tears; and thus may love claim love's authentic245 kin20 with sorrow. Ay, certainly, madonna, Fate hath ordained246 for her diversion that through sorrow alone we lovers may attain202 to the true Castle of Content."
There was a long silence, and the wind wailed among the falling, tattered247 leaves. "Had I but known—" said Adeliza, very sadly.
I said: "Madonna, go forward and God speed you! Yonder your lover waits for you, and the world is exceedingly fair; here is only a fool. As for this new Marquis of Falmouth, let him trouble you no longer. 'Tis an Eastern superstition248 that we lackbrains are endowed with peculiar249 gifts of prophecy: and as such, I predict, very confidently, madonna, that you will see and hear no more of him in this life."
I caught my breath. In the moonlight she seemed God's master-work. Her eyes were big with half-comprehended sorrow, and a slender hand stole timorously250 toward me. I laughed, seeing how she strove to pity my great sorrow and could not, by reason of her great happiness. I laughed and was content. "As surely as God reigns251 in Heaven," I cried aloud, "I am content, and this moment is well purchased with a marquisate!"
Indeed, I was vastly uplift and vastly pleased with my own nobleness, just then, and that condition is always a comfort.
More alertly she regarded me; and in her eyes I saw the anxiety and the wonder merge252 now into illimitable pity. "That, too!" she said, smiling sadly. "That, too, O son of Thomas Allonby!" And her mothering arms were clasped about me, and her lips clung and were one with my lips for a moment, and her tears were wet upon my cheek. She seemed to shield me, making of her breast my sanctuary253.
"My dear, my dear, I am not worthy254!" said Adeliza, with a tenderness I cannot tell you of; and presently she, too, was gone.
I mounted the lamed horse, who limped slowly up the river bank; very slowly we came out from the glare of the crackling fire into the cool darkness of the autumn woods; very slowly, for the horse was lamed and wearied, and patience is a discreet virtue255 when one journeys toward curses and the lash84 of a dog-whip: and I thought of many quips and jests whereby to soothe256 the anger of Monsieur de Puysange, and I sang to myself as I rode through the woods, a nobleman no longer, a tired Jack-pudding whose tongue must save his hide.
Sang I:
_"The towers are fallen; no laughter rings
In the Castle of Content.
"Ei ho! Ei ho! the Castle of Content,
Rased in the Land of Youth, where mirth was meant!
Nay, all is ashes 'there; and all in vain
Disastrous260 memories of that dear domain,—
Ei ho! the vanished Castle of Content!"_
* * * * *
MAY 27, 1559
"'O welladay!' said Beichan then,
'That I so soon have married thee!
For it can be none but Susie Pie,
That sailed the sea for love of me.'"
_How Will Sommers encountered the Marchioness of Falmouth in the Cardinal's house at Whitehall, and how in Windsor Forest that noble lady died with the fool's arms about her, does not concern us here. That is matter for another tale.
You are not, though, to imagine any scandal. Barring an affair with Sir Henry Rochford, and another with Lord Norreys, and the brief interval261 in 1525 when the King was enamored of her, there is no record that the marchioness ever wavered from the choice her heart had made, or had any especial reason to regret it.
So she lived and died, more virtuously262 and happily than most, and found the marquis a fair husband, as husbands go; and bore him three sons and a daughter.
But when the ninth Marquis of Falmouth died long after his wife, in the November of 1557, he was survived by only one of these sons, a junior Stephen, born in 1530, who at his father's demise263 succeeded to the title. The oldest son, Thomas, born 1531, had been killed in Wyatt's Rebellion in 1554; the second, George, born 1526, with a marked look of the King, was, in February, 1556, stabbed in a disreputable tavern264 brawl265.
Now we have to do with the tenth Marquis of Falmouth's suit for the hand of Lady Ursula Heleigh, the Earl of Brudenel's co-heiress. You are to imagine yourself at Longaville Court, in Sussex, at a time when Anne Bullen's daughter was very recently become Queen of England.
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1
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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spawn
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| n.卵，产物，后代，结果；vt.产卵，种菌丝于，产生，造成；vi.产卵，大量生产 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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lamentably
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| adv.哀伤地，拙劣地 | |
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bawdy
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| adj.淫猥的，下流的；n.粗话 | |
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sputtered
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| v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的过去式和过去分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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fanged
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| adj.有尖牙的，有牙根的，有毒牙的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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13
whetted
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| v.（在石头上）磨（刀、斧等）( whet的过去式和过去分词 )；引起，刺激（食欲、欲望、兴趣等） | |
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rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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squinted
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| 斜视( squint的过去式和过去分词 )； 眯着眼睛； 瞟； 从小孔或缝隙里看 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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bauble
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| n.美观而无价值的饰物 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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verity
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| n.真实性 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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equitably
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| 公平地 | |
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maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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potency
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| n. 效力，潜能 | |
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slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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paltriest
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| paltry（微小的）的最高级形式 | |
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knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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centurions
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| n.百人队长，百夫长（古罗马的军官，指挥百人）( centurion的名词复数 ) | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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cleansed
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| 弄干净，清洗( cleanse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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garnished
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| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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revile
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| v.辱骂，谩骂 | |
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43
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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45
harried
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| v.使苦恼( harry的过去式和过去分词 )；不断烦扰；一再袭击；侵扰 | |
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posturing
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| 做出某种姿势( posture的现在分词 ) | |
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47
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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48
condescending
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| adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
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49
wried
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| 歪曲，扭曲（wry的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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51
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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52
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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53
grudging
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| adj.勉强的，吝啬的 | |
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54
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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55
sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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57
balk
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| n.大方木料；v.妨碍；不愿前进或从事某事 | |
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58
flaunted
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| v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的过去式和过去分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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gory
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| adj.流血的；残酷的 | |
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opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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61
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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62
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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63
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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64
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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66
distrain
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| n.为抵债而扣押 | |
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67
forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
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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69
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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70
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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72
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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78
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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80
lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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81
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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82
attest
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| vt.证明，证实；表明 | |
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83
abating
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| 减少( abate的现在分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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84
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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85
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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86
vomit
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| v.呕吐，作呕；n.呕吐物，吐出物 | |
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87
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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88
blatantly
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| ad.公开地 | |
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89
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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90
turret
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| n.塔楼，角塔 | |
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91
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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92
carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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savored
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| v.意味，带有…的性质( savor的过去式和过去分词 )；给…加调味品；使有风味；品尝 | |
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glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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rippled
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| 使泛起涟漪（ripple的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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101
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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103
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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104
kindliness
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| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
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105
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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106
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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107
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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108
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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109
epicure
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| n.行家，美食家 | |
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110
ostrich
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| n.鸵鸟 | |
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111
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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112
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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113
squeaking
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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114
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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115
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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116
veraciously
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| adv.诚实地 | |
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117
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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118
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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119
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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120
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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121
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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123
choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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124
hooted
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
sardonically
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| adv.讽刺地，冷嘲地 | |
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126
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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127
politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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128
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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129
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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130
fabled
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| adj.寓言中的，虚构的 | |
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131
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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132
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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133
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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134
yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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135
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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136
lapsing
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| v.退步( lapse的现在分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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137
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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138
zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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139
rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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140
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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141
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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142
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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143
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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144
sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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145
lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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146
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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147
blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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148
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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149
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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150
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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151
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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152
kinsmen
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| n.家属，亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
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153
spawns
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| （鱼、蛙等的）子，卵( spawn的名词复数 ) | |
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154
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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155
begot
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| v.为…之生父( beget的过去式 )；产生，引起 | |
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156
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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157
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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158
scantier
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| adj.（大小或数量）不足的，勉强够的( scanty的比较级 ) | |
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159
ticklish
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| adj.怕痒的；问题棘手的；adv.怕痒地；n.怕痒，小心处理 | |
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160
nonplussed
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| adj.不知所措的，陷于窘境的v.使迷惑( nonplus的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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161
betrothal
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| n. 婚约, 订婚 | |
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162
miscarriage
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| n.失败，未达到预期的结果；流产 | |
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163
temperately
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| adv.节制地，适度地 | |
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164
comeliness
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| n. 清秀, 美丽, 合宜 | |
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165
equity
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| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
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166
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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167
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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168
competence
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| n.能力，胜任，称职 | |
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169
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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171
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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172
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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173
orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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174
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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175
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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176
ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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177
discoursed
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| 演说（discourse的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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178
garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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179
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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180
magpie
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| n.喜欢收藏物品的人，喜鹊，饶舌者 | |
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181
coerced
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| 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 | |
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182
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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183
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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184
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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185
sagely
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| adv. 贤能地，贤明地 | |
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186
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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187
deduction
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| n.减除，扣除，减除额；推论，推理，演绎 | |
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188
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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189
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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190
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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191
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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192
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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193
prattling
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| v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话( prattle的现在分词 )；发出连续而无意义的声音；闲扯；东拉西扯 | |
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194
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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195
wheedling
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| v.骗取（某物），哄骗（某人干某事）( wheedle的现在分词 ) | |
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196
unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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197
anterior
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| adj.较早的；在前的 | |
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198
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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199
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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200
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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201
attainment
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| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
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202
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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203
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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204
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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205
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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206
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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207
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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208
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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209
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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210
deities
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| n.神，女神( deity的名词复数 )；神祗；神灵；神明 | |
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211
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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212
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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213
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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214
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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215
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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216
lamed
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| 希伯莱语第十二个字母 | |
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217
worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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218
foundered
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| v.创始人( founder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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219
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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220
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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221
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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222
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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223
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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224
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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225
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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226
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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227
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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228
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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229
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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230
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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231
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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232
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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233
kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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234
coax
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| v.哄诱，劝诱，用诱哄得到，诱取 | |
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235
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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236
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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237
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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238
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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239
severing
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的现在分词 )；断，裂 | |
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240
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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241
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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242
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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243
edified
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| v.开导，启发( edify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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244
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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246
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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247
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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248
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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249
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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250
timorously
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| adv.胆怯地，羞怯地 | |
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251
reigns
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| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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252
merge
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| v.(使)结合，(使)合并，(使)合为一体 | |
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253
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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254
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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255
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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256
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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257
charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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258
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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259
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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260
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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261
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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262
virtuously
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| 合乎道德地，善良地 | |
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263
demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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264
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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265
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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