Vladimir Paulitch was forty years of age; his face was striking but unattractive. His eyes had the color and the hard brightness of steel; his keen glances, subject to his will, often questioned, but never allowed themselves to be interrogated1. Well made, slender, a slight and graceful2 figure, he had in his gait and movements a feline3 suppleness4 and stealthiness. He was slow, but easy of speech, and never animated5; the tone of his voice was cold and veiled, and whatever the subject of conversation might be, he neither raised nor lowered it; no modulations; everyone of his sentences terminated in a little minor6 cadence7, which fell sadly on the ear. He sometimes smiled in speaking, it is true, but it was a pale smile which did not light up his face. This smile signified simply: "I do not give you my best reason, and I defy you to divine it."
One morning when Ivan had come by order of the doctor to dress Gilbert's wound, our friend questioned him as to the character and life of Vladimir Paulitch. Of the man Ivan knew nothing, and confined himself to extolling8 the genius of the physician; he expressed himself in regard to him in a mysterious tone. The imposing9 face of this impenetrable personage, the extraordinary power of his glance, his impassible gravity, the miraculous10 cures which he had wrought11, it needed no more to convince the honest serf that Vladimir Paulitch dealt in magic and held communications with spirits; and he felt for his person a profound veneration12 mingled13 with superstitious14 terror. He told Gilbert that since the age of twenty-five, Vladimir had been directing a hospital and private asylum15 which Count Kostia had founded upon his estates, and that, thanks to him, these two establishments had not their equals in all Russia.
"Last year," added the serf, "he came to attend the barine, and told him that his malady16 would return this year, but more feebly, and that this would be the last. You will see that all will come to pass as he has said. Kostia Petrovitch is already much better, and I wager17 that next summer will come and go without his feeling his nerves."
As Ivan prepared to go, Gilbert detained him to ask news of Stephane. The serf had been very discreet18, and had related the adventure upon the terrace to his master without compromising anyone. The only trouble he had had was in persuading him that it was not on a sign from Stephane that the dog had attacked Gilbert.
The next day Gilbert dined in the great hall of the castle with M.
Leminof and Father Alexis.
"Do not disturb yourself because Stephane does not dine with us," said the Count to him. "He is not sick; but he has a new grievance19 against you; you have caused the death of his dog. I ask your pardon, my dear Gilbert, for the irrational20 conduct of my son. I have given him three days for the sulks. When that time has passed, I intend that he shall put on his good looks for you, and that he shall take his place at the table opposite you without frowning."
"And how is it that Doctor Vladimir is not with us?"
"He has begged me to excuse him for a time. He finds himself much fatigued21 with the care he has given me. A magnetic treatment, you understand. I should inform you that every year, some time during the summer, I am subject to attacks of neuralgia from which I suffer intensely. By the way, you have seen our admirable doctor several times. What do you think of him?"
"I don't know whether he is a great savant, but I am inclined to think he is a first-class artist."
"You cannot pay him a finer compliment; medicine is an art rather than a science. He is also a man capable of the greatest devotion. I am indebted to him for my life, it was not as physician that he saved me either. A pair of stallions ran away within twenty paces of a precipice22; the doctor, appearing from behind a thicket23, darted24 to the heads of the horses and hung on to them by their nostrils25, which he held in an iron grip. You have the whole scene from these windows. What was amusing in it was, that having thanked him, with what warmth you can imagine, he answered, in a tranquil26 tone, and wiping his knees—for the horses in falling had laid him full length in the dust—'It is I who am obliged to you; for the first time I have been suspended between life and death, and it is a singular sensation. But for you I should not have known it.' This will give you an idea of the man and his sangfroid27!"
"I am not surprised at his having the agility28 of a wildcat," replied Gilbert; "but I suspect the sangfroid is feigned29, and that his placidity30 of face is a mask which hides a very passionate31 soul."
"Passionate is not the word, or at least the doctor knows only the passions of the head. There was a time when he thought himself desperately32 in love; an unpardonable weakness in such a distinguished33 man; but he was not long in undeceiving himself, and he has not fallen into such a fatal error since."
The night having come, Gilbert, who had inquiries34 to make, crossed the yard of which the chapel35 formed one side, and gaining the rear by a private door, went in search of Father Alexis. It was not long before he discovered him, for the priest had left his shutters36 open, and he was seated in the embrasure of the window, peaceably smoking his pipe, when he perceived Gilbert.
"Oh, the good boy!" cried he, "let him come in quickly! My room and my heart are open to him."
Gilbert raised himself by his right arm, and Father Alexis drawing him up, they soon found themselves seated face to face, uniting to their heart's content the blue smoke of their chibouques.
"Have you not noticed," said Father Alexis, "that Kostia Petrovitch has been in a charming humor to-day? I told you that he had his pleasant moments! Vladimir Paulitch has already done him much good. What a physician this Vladimir is! It is a great pity that he does not believe in God; but some day, perhaps, grace will touch his heart, and then he will be a complete man."
"If I were in your place, father, I should be afraid of this Vladimir," said Gilbert. "Ivan pretends that he is something of a sorcerer. Aren't you afraid that some fine day he may rob you of your secret?"
"Ivan talks foolishly," said he. "If Vladimir Paulitch were a sorcerer, would he not have long since penetrated40 the mystery which he burns to fathom41? for he does more than love Count Kostia; he is devoted42 to him even to fanaticism43. It is certain that having discovered that the Countess Olga was enceinte, he had the barbarity to become her denouncer; and that letter which announced to Count Kostia his dishonor, that letter which made him return from Paris like a thunder-clap, that letter in short which caused the death of Olga Vassilievna, was written by him—Vladimir Paulitch."
"And Morlof," said Gilbert, "was it this Vladimir who denounced him to the unjust fury of the Count?"
"On the contrary, Vladimir pleaded his cause; but his eloquence44 failed against the blind prejudices of Kostia Petrovitch. This Morlof was, unfortunately for himself, a fashionable gentleman, well known for his gallantries. A man of honor, however, incapable46 of betraying a friend; this reputation for gallant45 successes, of which he boasted, was his destruction. When Count Kostia interrogated his wife, and she refused to denounce her seducer47, it occurred to him to name Morlof, and the energy with which she defended him confirmed the Count's suspicion. To disabuse48 him, it needed but that tragic49 meeting of which I was informed too late. In breathing his last sigh, Morlof extended his hand to his murderer and gasped50 'I die innocent!' And in these last words of a dying man, there was such an accent of truth that Count Kostia could not resist it: light broke in upon his soul."
As the darkness increased, Father Alexis closed the shutters and lit a candle.
"My child," said he, refilling and lighting51 his pipe, "I must tell you something I learned to-day, a few moments before dinner, which appeared to me very strange. Listen attentively52, and I am sure you will share in my astonishment53."
Gilbert opened his ears, for he had a presentiment54 that Father
Alexis was about to speak of Stephane.
"It is a singular fact," resumed the priest, "and one that I should not wish to relate to the first-comer, but I am very glad to impart it to you, because you have a serious and reflective mind, though unfortunately you are not orthodox; would to God you were. Know then, my child, that to-day, Saturday, I went according to my custom to Stephane to catechize him, and for reasons which you know, I redoubled my efforts to impress his unruly head with the holy truths of our faith. Now it appears that without intending it, you have caused him sorrow; and you can believe that such a character, far from having pardoned you, has taken the greatest pains to get me to espouse55 his side in the difficulty. However he, who will usually fly into a passion and talk fiercely if a fly tickles56 him, recited his griefs to me with an air of moderation and a tranquillity57 of tone which astonished me to the last degree. As I endeavored to discover a reason for this, I happened to raise my eyes to the images of St. George and St. Sergius which decorate one of the corners of his room, and before which he was in the habit of saying his prayers every morning. What was my surprise, my grief, when I perceived that the two saints had suffered shameful58 outrages59. One had no legs, the other was disfigured by a horrible scar. With hands raised to Heaven, I threatened him with the thunder of God. Without being excited, without changing countenance60, he left his chair, came to me and placed his hand on my mouth. 'Father,' said he, with an air of assurance which awed61 me, 'listen to me. I have been wrong, if you wish it so, and still, under the same circumstances, I should do it again, for since I have chastised62 them, the two saints have decided63 to come to my aid, and the very day after their punishment, without any change in my life, all at once I felt my heart become lighter64; for the first time, I swear to you, a ray of celestial65 hope penetrated my soul.' What do you say to that, my child? I had often heard similar things related, but I did not believe them. Little boys may be whipped, but as for saints!—Ah! my dear child, the ways of God are very strange, and there are many great mysteries in this world."
Father Alexis had such an impressive air in speaking of this great mystery, that Gilbert was tempted66 to laugh; but he controlled himself; he was too grateful for his obliging narrative67, and could have embraced him with all his heart.
"Good news!" said he to himself. "That heart has become lighter; that 'ray of celestial hope.' Ah! God be praised, my effort has not been thrown away. St. George, St. Sergius, you rob me of my glory, but what matters it? I am content!"
"And what reply did you make to Stephane?" said he to the priest.
"Did you reprimand him? Did you congratulate him?"
"The case was delicate," said the good father, with the air of a philosopher meditating68 on the most abstruse69 subject; "but I am not wanting in judgment70, and I drew out of the affair with honor."
"You managed admirably," cried I, looking at him with admiration71; then immediately putting on a serious face, "but the sin is enormous."
The third day after, Gilbert didn't wait for the bell to ring for dinner before going down to the great hall. He was not very much surprised to find Stephane there. Leaning with his back against the sideboard, the young man, on seeing him appear, lost his composure, blushed, and turned his head towards the wall. Gilbert stopped a few steps from him. Then in an agitated72 manner, and with a voice at once gentle and abrupt73, he said:
"And your arm?"
"It is nearly well. To-morrow I shall take off my sling."
Stephane was silent for a moment. Then in a still lower voice:
"What do you mean to do?" murmured he; "what are your plans?"
"I wait to know your good pleasure," replied Gilbert.
The young man covered his eyes with both hands, and, as Gilbert said no more, he seemed to feel a thrill of impatience74 and vexation.
"His pride demands some mercy," thought Gilbert. "I will spare him the mortification75 of making the first advances."
"I should like very much to have a conversation with you," said he gently. "This cannot be upon the terrace, Ivan will not leave you alone there. Does he keep you company in your room in the evening?"
"Are you jesting?" answered Stephane, raising his head. "After nine o'clock Ivan never comes near my room."
"And his room, if I am not mistaken," answered Gilbert, "is separated from you by a corridor and a staircase. So we shall run no risk of being overheard."
Stephane turned towards him and looked him in the face. "You think
"Apparently77, to reach me, you will be obliged to mount a swallow.
Have you made your arrangements with one?"
"I shall come over the roofs," said Gilbert quietly.
"Impossible!" cried Stephane. "In the first place, I do not wish you to risk your life for me again. And then—"
"And then you do not care for my visit?"
Stephane only answered him by a look.
At this moment steps sounded in the vestibule. When the Count entered, Gilbert was pacing the further end of the hall, and Stephane, with his back turned, was attentively observing one of the carved figures upon the wainscoting. M. Leminof, stopping at the threshold of the door, looked at them both with a quizzical air.
"It was time for me to arrive," said he, laughing. "This is an embarrassing tete-a-tete."
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1
interrogated
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| v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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feline
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| adj.猫科的 | |
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suppleness
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| 柔软； 灵活； 易弯曲； 顺从 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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7
cadence
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| n.（说话声调的）抑扬顿挫 | |
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8
extolling
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| v.赞美( extoll的现在分词 )；赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的现在分词 ) | |
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imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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13
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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14
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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15
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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16
malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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17
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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18
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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19
grievance
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| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
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20
irrational
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| adj.无理性的，失去理性的 | |
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21
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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23
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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24
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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25
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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26
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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sangfroid
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| n.沉着冷静 | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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placidity
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| n.平静，安静，温和 | |
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31
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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32
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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33
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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34
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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35
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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36
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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37
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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38
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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39
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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40
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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41
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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42
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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43
fanaticism
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| n.狂热，盲信 | |
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44
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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45
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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46
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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47
seducer
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| n.诱惑者,骗子,玩弄女性的人 | |
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48
disabuse
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| v.解惑；矫正 | |
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49
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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50
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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51
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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52
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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53
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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54
presentiment
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| n.预感，预觉 | |
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55
espouse
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| v.支持，赞成，嫁娶 | |
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56
tickles
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| （使）发痒( tickle的第三人称单数 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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57
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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58
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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59
outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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60
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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61
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
chastised
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| v.严惩（某人）（尤指责打）( chastise的过去式 ) | |
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63
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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64
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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65
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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66
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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67
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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68
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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69
abstruse
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| adj.深奥的，难解的 | |
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70
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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71
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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72
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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73
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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74
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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75
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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76
ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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77
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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