"For I am of the opinion," John Bulmer meditated2, "that France just now is too much like a flower-garden situate upon the slope of a volcano. The eye is pleasantly titillated3, but the ear catches eloquent4 rumblings. This is not a very healthy country, I think. These shaggy-haired, dumb peasants trouble me. I had thought France a nation of de Puysanges; I find it rather a nation of beasts who are growing hungry. Presently they will begin to feed, and I am not at all certain as to the urbanity of their table manners."
However, it was no affair of his; so he put the matter out of mind, and as he rode through the forest, carolled blithely5. Trees were marshalled on each side with an effect of colonnades6; everywhere there was a sniff7 of the cathedral, of a cheery cathedral all green and gold and full-bodied browns, where the industrious8 motes9 swam, like the fishes fairies angle for, in every long and rigid10 shaft11 of sunlight,—or rather (John Bulmer decided12), as though Time had just passed by with a broom, intent to garnish13 the least nook of Acaire against Spring's occupancy of it. Then there were tiny white butterflies, frail14 as dream-stuff. There were anemones15; and John Bulmer sighed at their insolent16 perfection. Theirs was a frank allure17; in the solemn forest they alone of growing things were wanton, for they coquetted with the wind, and their pink was the pink of flesh.
He recollected18 that he was corpulent—and forty-five. "And yet, praise
Sang John Bulmer:
"April wakes, and the gifts are good
Which April grants in this lonely wood
Whose immemorial murmuring
Is the voice of Spring
"April wakes, and her heart is high,
For the Bassarids and the Fauns are nigh,
And prosperous leaves lisp busily
Over flattered brakes, whence the breezes bring
Vext twittering
"April wakes, and afield, astray,
She calls to whom at the end I say.
Heart o' my Heart, I am thine alway,—
And I follow, follow her carolling,
For I hear her sing
Above the burden of burgeoning.
"April wakes;—it were good to live
(Yet April passes), though April give
No other gift for our pleasuring
Than the old, old burden of burgeoning—"
He paused here. Not far ahead a woman's voice had given a sudden scream, followed by continuous calls for aid.
"Now, if I choose, will begin the first fytte of John Bulmer's adventures," he meditated, leisurely25. "The woman is in some sort of trouble. If I go to her assistance I shall probably involve myself in a most unattractive mess, and eventually be arrested by the constable,—if they have any constables26 in this operatic domain27, the which I doubt. I shall accordingly emulate28 the example of the long-headed Levite, and sensibly pass by on the other side. Halt! I there recognize the voice of the Duke of Ormskirk. I came into this country to find John Bulmer; and John Bulmer would most certainly have spurred his gallant29 charger upon the craven who is just now molesting30 yonder female. In consequence, my gallant charger, we will at once proceed to confound the dastardly villain31."
He came presently into an open glade32, which the keen sunlight lit without obstruction33. Obviously arranged, was his first appraisal34 of the tableau35 there presented. A woman in blue half-knelt, half-lay, upon the young grass, while a man, bending over, fettered36 her hands behind her back. A swarthy and exuberantly37 bearded fellow, attired38 in green-and-russet, stood beside them, displaying magnificent teeth in exactly the grin which hieratic art imputes39 to devils. Yet farther off a Dominican Friar sat upon a stone and displayed rather more unctuous40 amusement. Three horses and a mule41 diversified42 the background. All in all, a thought larger than life, a shade too obviously posed, a sign-painter's notion of a heroic picture, was John Bulmer's verdict. From his holster he drew a pistol.
The lesser43 rascal44 rose from the prostrate45 woman. "Finished, my captain,—" he began. Against the forest verdure he made an excellent mark. John Bulmer shot him neatly46 through the head.
Startled by the detonation47, the Friar and the man in green-and-russet wheeled about to find Mr. Bulmer, with his most heroical bearing, negligently48 replacing the discharged pistol. The woman lay absolutely still, face downward, in a clump50 of fern.
"Gentlemen," said John Bulmer, "I lament51 that your sylvan52 diversions should be thus interrupted by the fact that an elderly person like myself, quite old enough to know better, has seen fit to adopt the pursuit of knight-errantry. You need not trouble yourselves about your companion, for I have blown out most of the substance nature intended him to think with. One of you, I regret to observe, is rendered immune by the garb53 of an order which I consider misguided, indeed, but with which I have no quarrel. With the other I beg leave to request the honor of exchanging a few passes as the recumbent lady's champion."
"Sacred blue!" remarked the bearded man; "you presume to oppose, then, of all persons, me! You fool, I am Achille Cazaio!"
"I deplore55 the circumstance that I am not overwhelmed by the revelation," John Bulmer said, as he dismounted, "and I entreat56 you to bear in mind, friend Achille, that in Poictesme I am a stranger. And, unhappily, the names of many estimable persons have not an international celebrity57." Thus speaking, he drew and placed himself on guard.
With a shrug58 the Friar turned and reseated himself upon the stone. He appeared a sensible man. But Cazaio flashed out a long sword and hurled59 himself upon John Bulmer.
Cazaio thus obtained a butcherly thrust in the shoulder, "Friend Achille," said John Bulmer, "that was tolerably severe for a first hit. Does it content you?"
The hairy man raged. "Eh, my God!" Cazaio shrieked60, "do you mock me, you misbegotten one! Before you can give me such another I shall have settled you outright61. Already hell gapes62 for you. Fool, I am Achille Cazaio!"
"Yes, yes, you had mentioned that," said his opponent. "And, in return, allow me to present Mr. John Bulmer, thoroughly63 enjoying himself for the first time in a quarter of a century, Angelo taught me this thrust. Can you parry it, friend Achille?" Mr. Bulmer cut open the other's forehead.
"Well done!" Cazaio grunted64. He attacked with renewed fury, but now the blood was streaming down his face and into his eyes in such a manner that he was momentarily compelled to carry his hand toward his countenance65 in order to wipe away the heavy trickle66. John Bulmer lowered his point.
"Friend Achille, it is not reasonable I should continue our engagement to its dénouement, since by that boastful parade of skill I have inadvertently turned you into a blind man. Can you not stanch67 your wound sufficiently68 to make possible a renewal69 of our exercise on somewhat more equal terms?"
"Not now," the other replied, breathing heavily,—"not now, Monsieur Bulmaire. You have conquered, and the woman is yours. Yet lend me my life for a little till I may meet you more equitably70. I will not fail you,—I swear it—I, Achille Cazaio."
"Why, God bless my soul!" said John Bulmer, "do you imagine that I am forming a collection of vagrant71 females? Permit me, pray, to assist you to your horse. And if you would so far honor me as to accept the temporary loan of my handkerchief—"
Solicitously72 Mr. Bulmer bound up his opponent's head, and more lately aided him to mount one of the grazing horses. Cazaio was moved to say:
"You are a gallant enemy, Monsieur Bulmaire. I shall have the pleasure of cutting your throat on Thursday next, if that date be convenient to you."
"Believe me," said John Bulmer, "I am always at your disposal. Let this spot, then, be our rendezvous73, since I am wofully ignorant concerning your local geography. And meantime, my friend, if I may be so bold, I would suggest a little practice in parrying. You are of Boisrobert's school, I note, and in attack undeniably brilliant, whereas your defence—unvarying defect of Boisrobert's followers74!—is lamentably75 weak."
"I perceive that monsieur is a connoisseur76 in these matters," said Cazaio; "I am the more highly honored. Till Thursday, then." And with an inclination77 of his bandaged head—and a furtive78 glance toward the insensate woman,—he rode away singing.
Sang Achille Cazaio:
"But, oh, the world is wide, dear lass,
That I must wander through,
And many a wind and tide, dear lass,
Must flow 'twixt me and you,
Ere love that may not be denied
Shall bring me back to you,
—Dear lass!
Shall bring me back to you."
Thus singing, he disappeared; meantime John Bulmer had turned toward the woman. The Dominican sat upon the stone, placidly79 grinning.
"And now," said John Bulmer, "we revert80 to the origin of all this tomfoolery,—who, true to every instinct of her sex, has caused as much trouble as lay within her power and then fainted. A little water from the brook81, if you will be so good. Master Friar,—Hey!—why, you damned rascal!"
As John Bulmer bent54 above the woman, the Friar had stabbed John Bulmer between the shoulders. The dagger82 broke like glass.
"Oh, the devil!" said the churchman; "what sort of a duellist83 is this who fights in a shirt of Milanese armor!" He stood for a moment, silent, in sincere horror. "I lack words," he said,—"Oh, vile84 coward! I lack words to arraign85 this hideous86 revelation! There is a code of honor that obtains all over the world, and any duellist who descends87 to secret armor is, as you are perfectly88 aware, guilty of supersticery. He is no fit associate for gentlemen, he is rather the appropriate companion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in their fiery89 pit. Faugh, you sneak-thief!"
John Bulmer was a thought abashed90, and for an instant showed it. Then, "Permit me," he equably replied, "to point out that I did not come hither with any belligerent91 intent. My undershirt, therefore, I was entitled to regard as a purely92 natural advantage,—as much so as would have been a greater length of arm, which, you conceive, does not obligate a gentleman to cut off his fingers before he fights."
"I scent93 the casuist," said the Friar, shaking his head. "Frankly94, you had hoodwinked me: I was admiring you as a second Palmerin; and all the while you were letting off those gasconades, adopting those heroic postures95, and exhibiting such romantic magnanimity, you were actually as safe from poor Cazaio as though you had been in Crim Tartary rather than Acaire!"
"But the pose was magnificent," John Bulmer pleaded, "and I have a leaning that way when one loses nothing by it. Besides, I consider secret armor to be no more than a rational precaution in any country where the clergy96 are addicted97 to casual assassination98."
"It is human to err," the Friar replied, "and Cazaio would have given me a thousand crowns for your head. Believe me, the man is meditating99 some horrible mischief100 against you, for otherwise he would not have been so damnably polite."
"The information is distressing," said John Bulmer; and added, "This Cazaio appears to be a personage?"
"I retort," said the Friar, "that your ignorance is even more remarkable101 than my news. Achille Cazaio is the bugbear of all Poictesme, he is as powerful in these parts as ever old Manuel was."
"But I have never heard of this old Manuel either—"
"In fact, your ignorance seems limitless. For any child could tell you that Cazaio roosts in the Taunenfels yonder, with some hundreds of brigands103 in his company. Poictesme is, in effect, his pocket-book, from which he takes whatever he has need of, and the Duc de Puysange, our nominal104 lord, pays him an annual tribute to respect Bellegarde."
"This appears to be an unusual country," quoth John Bulmer; "where a brigand102 rules, and the forests are infested105 by homicidal clergymen and harassed106 females. Which reminds me that I have been guilty of an act of ungallantry,—and faith! while you and I have been chatting, the lady, with a rare discretion107, has peacefully come back to her senses."
"She has regained108 nothing very valuable," said the Friar, with a shrug, "Alone in Acaire!" But John Bulmer had assisted the woman to her feet, and had given a little cry at sight of her face, and now he stood quite motionless, holding both her unfettered hands.
"You!" he said. And when speech returned to him, after a lengthy109 interval110, he spoke111 with odd irrelevance112. "Now I appear to understand why God created me."
He was puzzled. For there had come to him, unheralded and simply, a sense of something infinitely113 greater than his mind could conceive; and analysis might only pluck at it, impotently, as a wearied swimmer might pluck at the sides of a well. Ormskirk and Ormskirk's powers now somehow dwindled114 from the zone of serious consideration, as did the radiant world, and even the woman who stood before him; trifles, these: and his contentment spurned115 the stars to know that, somehow, this woman and he were but a part, an infinitesimal part, of a scheme which was ineffably116 vast and perfect…. That was the knowledge he sensed, unwordably, as he regarded this woman now.
She was tall, just as tall as he. It was a blunt-witted devil who whispered John Bulmer that, inch paralleling inch, the woman is taller than the man and subtly renders him absurd; and that in a decade this woman would be stout117. There was no meaning now in any whispering save hers. John Bulmer perceived, with a blurred118 thrill,—as if of memory, as if he were recollecting119 something once familiar to him, a great while ago,—that the girl was tall and deep-bosomed, and that her hair was dark, all crinkles, but (he somehow knew) very soft to the touch. The full oval of her face had throughout the rich tint120 of cream, so that he now understood the blowziness of pink cheeks; but her mouth was vivid. It was a mouth not wholly deficient121 in attractions, he estimated. Her nose managed to be Roman without overdoing122 it. And her eyes, candid123 and appraising124, he found to be the color that blue is in Paradise; it was odd their lower lids should be straight lines, so that when she laughed her eyes were converted into right-angled triangles; and it was still more odd that when you gazed into them your reach of vision should be extended until you saw without effort for miles and miles.
And now for a longish while these eyes returned his scrutiny125, without any trace of embarrassment126; and whatever may have been the thoughts of Mademoiselle de Puysange, she gave them no expression. But presently the girl glanced down toward the dead man.
"It was you who killed him?" she said. "You!"
"I had that privilege," John Bulmer admitted. "And on Thursday afternoon,
God willing, I shall kill the other."
"You are kind, Monsieur Bulmer. And I am not ungrateful. And for that which happened yesterday I entreat your pardon."
"I can pardon you for calling me a lackey127, mademoiselle, only upon condition that you permit me to be your lackey for the remainder of your jaunt128. Poictesme appears a somewhat too romantic country for unaccompanied women to traverse in any comfort."
"My thought to a comma," the Dominican put in,—"unaccompanied ladies do not ordinarily drop from the forest oaks like acorns129. I said as much to Cazaio a half-hour ago. Look you, we two and Michault,—who formerly130 incited131 this carcass and, from what I know of him, is by this time occupying hell's hottest gridiron,—were riding peacefully toward Beauséant. Then this lady pops out of nowhere, and Cazaio promptly132 expresses an extreme admiration133 for her person."
"The rest," John Bulmer said, "I can imagine. Oh, believe me, I look forward to next Thursday!"
"But for you," the girl said, "I would now be the prisoner of that devil upon the Taunenfels! Three to one you fought,—and you conquered! I have misjudged you, Monsieur Bulmer. I had thought you only an indolent old gentleman, not very brave,—because—"
"Because otherwise I would not have been the devil's lackey?" said John Bulmer. "Eh, mademoiselle, I have been inspecting the world for more years than I care to confess; I have observed the king upon his throne, and the caught thief upon his coffin134 in passage for the gallows135: and I suspect they both came thither136 through taking such employment as chance offered. Meanwhile, we waste daylight. You were journeying—?"
"To Perdigon," Claire answered. She drew nearer to him and laid one hand upon his arm. "You are a gallant man, Monsieur Bulmer. Surely you understand. Two weeks ago my brother affianced me to the Duke of Ormskirk. Ormskirk!—ah, I know he is your kinsman,—your patron,—but you yourself could not deny that the world reeks137 with his infamy138. And my own brother, monsieur, had betrothed139 me to this perjurer140, to that lewd141 rake, to that inhuman142 devil who slaughters143 defenceless prisoners, men, women, and children alike. Why, I had sooner marry the first beggar or the ugliest fiend in hell!" the girl wailed144, and she wrung145 her plump little hands in desperation.
"Good, good!" he cried, in his soul. "It appears my eloquence146 of yesterday was greater than I knew of!"
Claire resumed: "But you cannot argue with Gaston—he merely shrugs147. So I decided to go over to Perdigon and marry Gérard des Roches. He has wanted to marry me for a long while, but Gaston said he was too poor. And, O Monsieur Bulmer, Gérard is so very, very stupid!—but he was the only person available, and in any event," she concluded, with a sigh of resignation, "he is preferable to that terrible Ormskirk."
John Bulmer gazed on her considerately. "'Beautiful as an angel, and headstrong as a devil,'" was his thought, "You have an eye, Gaston!" Aloud John Bulmer said: "Your remedy against your brother's tyranny, mademoiselle, is quite masterly, though perhaps a trifle Draconic148. Yet if on his return he find you already married, he undoubtedly149 cannot hand you over to this wicked Ormskirk. Marry, therefore, by all means,—but not with this stupid Gérard."
"With whom, then?" she wondered.
"Fate has planned it," he laughed; "here are you and I, and yonder is the clergyman whom Madam Destiny has thoughtfully thrown in our way."
"Not you," she answered, gravely. "I am too deeply in your debt, Monsieur
Bulmer, to think of marrying you."
"You refuse," he said, "because you have known for some days past that I loved you. Yet it is really this fact which gives me my claim to become your husband. You have need of a man to do you this little service. I know of at least one person whose happiness it would be to die if thereby150 he might save you a toothache. This man you cannot deny—you have not the right to deny this man his single opportunity of serving you."
"I like you very much," she faltered151; and then, with disheartening hastiness, "Of course, I like you very much; but I am not in love with you."
He shook his head at her, "I would think the worse of your intellect if you were. I adore you. Granted: but that constitutes no cut-throat mortgage. It is merely a state of mind which I have somehow blundered into, and with which you have no concern. So I ask nothing of you save to marry me. You may, if you like, look upon me as insane; it is the view toward which I myself incline. However, mine is a domesticated152 mania153 and vexes154 no one save myself; and even I derive155 no little amusement from its manifestations156. Eh, Monsieur Jourdain may laugh at me for a puling lover!" cried John Bulmer; "but, heavens! if only he could see the unplumbed depths of ludicrousness I discover in my own soul! The mirth of Atlas157 could not do it justice."
Claire meditated for a while, her eyes inscrutable and yet not unkindly. "It shall be as you will," she said at last. "Yes, certainly, I will marry you."
"O Mother of God!" said the Dominican, in profound disgust; "I cannot marry two maniacs158." But, in view of John Bulmer's sword and pistol, he went through the ceremony without further protest.
And something embryonic159 in John Bulmer seemed to come, with the knave's benediction160, into flowerage. He saw, as if upon a sudden, how fine she was; all the gracious and friendly youth of her: and he deliberated, dizzily, the awe161 of her spirited and alert eyes; why, the woman was afraid of him! That sunny and vivid glade had become, to him, an island about which past happenings lapped like a fretted162 sea. "Dear me!" he reflected, "but I am really in a very bad way indeed."
Now Mistress Bulmer gazed shyly at her husband. "We will go back to
Bellegarde," Claire began, "and inform Louis de Soyecourt that I cannot
marry the Duke of Ormskirk, because I have already married you, Jean
Bulmer,—"
"I would follow you," said John Bulmer, "though hell yawned between us. I employ the particular expression as customary in all these cases of romantic infatuation."
"Yet I," the Friar observed, "would, to the contrary, advise removal from
Poictesme as soon as may be possible. For I warn you that if you return to
Bellegarde, Monsieur de Soyecourt will have you hanged."
"Reverend sir," John Bulmer replied, "do you actually believe this consideration would be to me of any moment?"
The Friar inspected his countenance. By and by the Friar said: "I emphatically do not. And to think that at the beginning of our acquaintanceship I took you for a sensible person!" Afterward163 the Friar mounted his mule and left them.
Then silently John Bulmer assisted his wife to the back of one of the horses, and they turned eastward164 into the Forest of Acaire. Mr. Bulmer's countenance was politely interested, and he chatted pleasantly of the forenoon's adventure. Claire told him something of her earlier memories of Cazaio. So the two returned to Bellegarde. Then Claire led the way toward the western façade, where her apartments were, and they came to a postern-door, very narrow and with a grating.
"Help me down," the girl said. Immediately this was done; Claire remained quite still. Her cheeks were smouldering and her left hand was lying inert165 in John Bulmer's broader palm.
"Wait here," she said, "and let me go in first. Someone may be on watch.
There is perhaps danger—"
"My dear," said John Bulmer, "I perfectly comprehend you are about to enter that postern, and close it in my face, and afterward hold discourse166 with me through that little wicket. I assent167, because I love you so profoundly that I am capable not merely of tearing the world asunder168 like paper at your command, but even of leaving you if you bid me do so."
"Your suspicions," she replied, "are prematurely169 marital170. I am trying to protect you, and you are the first to accuse me of underhand dealing171! I will prove to you how unjust are your notions." She entered the postern, closed and bolted it, and appeared at the wicket.
"The Friar was intelligent," said Claire de Puysange, "and beyond doubt the most sensible thing you can do is to get out of Poictesme as soon as possible. You have been serviceable to me, and for that I thank you: but the master of Bellegarde has the right of the low, the middle, and the high justice, and if my husband show his face at Bellegarde he will infallibly be hanged. If you claim me in England, Ormskirk will have you knifed in some dark alleyway, just as, you tell me, he disposed of Monsieur Traquair and Captain Dungelt. I am sorry, because I like you, even though you are fat."
"You bid me leave you?" said John Bulmer. He was comfortably seated upon the turf.
"For your own good," said she, "I advise you to." And she closed the wicket.
"The acceptance of advice," said John Bulmer, "is luckily optional. I shall therefore go down into the village, purchase a lute49, have supper, and I shall be here at sunrise to greet you with an aubade, according to the ancient custom of Poictesme."
The wicket remained closed.
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1
disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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titillated
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| v.使觉得痒( titillate的过去式和过去分词 )；逗引；激发；使高兴 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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blithely
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| adv.欢乐地，快活地，无挂虑地 | |
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colonnades
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| n.石柱廊( colonnade的名词复数 ) | |
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7
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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9
motes
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| n.尘埃( mote的名词复数 )；斑点 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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garnish
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| n.装饰，添饰，配菜 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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anemones
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| n.银莲花( anemone的名词复数 )；海葵 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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allure
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| n.诱惑力，魅力；vt.诱惑，引诱，吸引 | |
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recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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murmurs
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burgeoning
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| adj.迅速成长的，迅速发展的v.发芽，抽枝( burgeon的现在分词 )；迅速发展；发（芽），抽（枝） | |
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swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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constables
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| n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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emulate
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| v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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molesting
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| v.骚扰( molest的现在分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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32
glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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33
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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34
appraisal
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| n.对…作出的评价；评价，鉴定，评估 | |
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35
tableau
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| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
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36
fettered
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| v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
exuberantly
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| adv.兴高采烈地，活跃地，愉快地 | |
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38
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
imputes
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的第三人称单数 ) | |
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40
unctuous
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| adj.油腔滑调的，大胆的 | |
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41
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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42
diversified
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| adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域 | |
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43
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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44
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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45
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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46
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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47
detonation
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| n.爆炸；巨响 | |
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48
negligently
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49
lute
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| n.琵琶，鲁特琴 | |
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50
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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51
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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52
sylvan
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| adj.森林的 | |
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53
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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54
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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55
deplore
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| vt.哀叹，对...深感遗憾 | |
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56
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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57
celebrity
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| n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望 | |
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58
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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59
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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60
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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62
gapes
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的第三人称单数 )；张开，张大 | |
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63
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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64
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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65
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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66
trickle
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| vi.淌，滴，流出，慢慢移动，逐渐消散 | |
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67
stanch
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| v.止住（血等）；adj.坚固的；坚定的 | |
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68
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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69
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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70
equitably
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| 公平地 | |
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71
vagrant
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|
| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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72
solicitously
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| adv.热心地，热切地 | |
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73
rendezvous
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|
| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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74
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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75
lamentably
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| adv.哀伤地，拙劣地 | |
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76
connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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77
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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78
furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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79
placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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80
revert
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| v.恢复，复归，回到 | |
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81
brook
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|
| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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82
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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83
duellist
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|
| n.决斗者；[体]重剑运动员 | |
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84
vile
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|
| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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85
arraign
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| v.提讯；控告 | |
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86
hideous
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|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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87
descends
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|
| v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 )；下去；下降；下斜 | |
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88
perfectly
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|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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89
fiery
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|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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90
abashed
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|
| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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91
belligerent
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|
| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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92
purely
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|
| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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93
scent
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|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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94
frankly
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|
| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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95
postures
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| 姿势( posture的名词复数 )； 看法； 态度； 立场 | |
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96
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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97
addicted
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|
| adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的 | |
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98
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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99
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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100
mischief
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|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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101
remarkable
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|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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102
brigand
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| n.土匪，强盗 | |
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103
brigands
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| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
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104
nominal
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|
| adj.名义上的；(金额、租金)微不足道的 | |
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105
infested
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|
| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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106
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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107
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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108
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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109
lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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110
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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111
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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112
irrelevance
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| n.无关紧要；不相关；不相关的事物 | |
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113
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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114
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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115
spurned
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| v.一脚踢开，拒绝接受( spurn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
ineffably
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| adv.难以言喻地，因神圣而不容称呼地 | |
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118
blurred
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| 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 | |
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119
recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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120
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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121
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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122
overdoing
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| v.做得过分( overdo的现在分词 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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123
candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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124
appraising
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| v.估价( appraise的现在分词 )；估计；估量；评价 | |
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125
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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126
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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127
lackey
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| n.侍从；跟班 | |
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128
jaunt
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| v.短程旅游；n.游览 | |
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129
acorns
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| n.橡子，栎实( acorn的名词复数 ) | |
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130
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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131
incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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132
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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133
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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134
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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135
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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136
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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137
reeks
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| n.恶臭( reek的名词复数 )v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的第三人称单数 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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138
infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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139
betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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140
perjurer
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| n.伪誓者，伪证者 | |
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141
lewd
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| adj.淫荡的 | |
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142
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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143
slaughters
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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144
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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146
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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147
shrugs
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| n.耸肩（以表示冷淡，怀疑等）( shrug的名词复数 ) | |
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148
draconic
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|
| adj.龙的，似龙的； 非常严厉的，非常严酷的 | |
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149
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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150
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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151
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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152
domesticated
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|
| adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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153
mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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154
vexes
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| v.使烦恼( vex的第三人称单数 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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155
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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156
manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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157
atlas
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| n.地图册，图表集 | |
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158
maniacs
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| n.疯子（maniac的复数形式） | |
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159
embryonic
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| adj.胚胎的 | |
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160
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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161
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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162
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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163
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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164
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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165
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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166
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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167
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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168
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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169
prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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marital
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| adj.婚姻的，夫妻的 | |
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171
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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