Months slipped away, and Jeanne was still convalescent. August came, and she had not quitted her bed. When evening fell she would rise for an hour or two; but even the crossing of the room to the window--where she reclined on an invalid2-chair and gazed out on Paris, flaming with the ruddy light of the dying sun--seemed too great a strain for her wearied frame. Her attenuated3 limbs could scarce bear their burden, and she would declare with a wan4 smile that the blood in her veins5 would not suffice for a little bird, and that she must have plenty of soup. Morsels6 of raw meat were dipped in her broth7. She had grown to like this mixture, as she longed to be able to go down to play in the garden.
The weeks and the months which slipped by were ever instinct with the same delightful8 monotony, and Helene forgot to count the days. She never left the house; at Jeanne's side she forgot the whole world. No news from without reached her ears. Her retreat, though it looked down on Paris, which with its smoke and noise stretched across the horizon, was as secret and secluded9 as any cave of holy hermit10 amongst the hills. Her child was saved, and the knowledge of it satisfied all her desires. She spent her days in watching over her return to health, rejoicing in a shade of bright color returning to her cheeks, in a lively look, or in a gesture of gladness. Every hour made her daughter more like what she had been of old, with lovely eyes and wavy11 hair. The slower Jeanne's recovery, the greater joy was yielded to Helene, who recalled the olden days when she had suckled her, and, as she gazed on her gathering12 strength, felt even a keener emotion than when in the past she had measured her two little feet in her hand to see if she would soon be able to walk.
At the same time some anxiety remained to Helene. On several occasions she had seen a shadow come over Jeanne's face--a shadow of sudden distrust and sourness. Why was her laughter thus abruptly13 turned to sulkiness? Was she suffering? was she hiding some quickening of the old pain?
"Tell me, darling, what is the matter? You were laughing just a moment ago, and now you are nearly crying! Speak to me: do you feel a pain anywhere?"
But Jeanne abruptly turned away her head and buried her face in the pillow.
And she would lie brooding the whole afternoon, with her eyes fixed16 on the wall, showing no sign of affectionate repentance17, but plunged18 in a sadness which baffled her forlorn mother. The doctor knew not what to say; these fits of gloom would always break out when he was there, and he attributed them to the sufferer's nervousness. He impressed on Helene the necessity of crossing her in nothing.
One afternoon Jeanne had fallen asleep. Henri, who was pleased with her progress, had lingered in the room, and was carrying on a whispered conversation with Helene, who was once more busy with her everlasting19 needlework at her seat beside the window. Since the terrible night when she had confessed she loved him both had lived on peacefully in the consciousness of their mutual20 passions, careless of the morrow, and without a thought of the world. Around Jeanne's bed, in this room that still reverberated21 with her agony, there was an atmosphere of purity which shielded them from any outburst. The child's innocent breath fell on them with a quieting influence. But as the little invalid slowly grew well again, their love in very sympathy took new strength, and they would sit side by side with beating hearts, speaking little, and then only in whispers, lest the little one might be awakened22. Their words were without significance, but struck re-echoing chords within the breast of each. That afternoon their love revealed itself in a thousand ways.
"I assure you she is much better," said the doctor. "In a fortnight she will be able to go down to the garden."
Helene went on stitching quickly.
"Yesterday she was again very sad," she murmured, "but this morning she was laughing and happy. She has given me her promise to be good."
A long silence followed. The child was still plunged in sleep, and their souls were enveloped24 in a profound peace. When she slumbered25 thus, their relief was intense; they seemed to share each other's hearts the more.
"Have you not seen the garden yet?" asked Henri. "Just now it's full of flowers."
"The asters are out, aren't they?" she questioned.
"Yes; the flower-bed looks magnificent. The clematises have wound their way up into the elms. It is quite a nest of foliage27."
There was another silence. Helene ceased sewing, and gave him a smile. To their fancy it seemed as though they were strolling together along high-banked paths, dim with shadows, amidst which fell a shower of roses. As he hung over her he drank in the faint perfume of vervain that arose from her dressing-gown. However, all at once a rustling28 of the sheets disturbed them.
"She is wakening!" exclaimed Helene, as she started up.
Henri drew himself away, and simultaneously29 threw a glance towards the bed. Jeanne had but a moment before gripped the pillow with her arms, and, with her chin buried in it, had turned her face towards them. But her eyelids31 were still shut, and judging by her slow and regular breathing, she had again fallen asleep.
"Are you always sewing like this?" asked Henri, as he came nearer to Helene.
"I cannot remain with idle hands," she answered. "It is mechanical enough, but it regulates my thoughts. For hours I can think of the same thing without wearying."
He said no more, but his eye dwelt on the needle as the stitching went on almost in a melodious32 cadence33; and it seemed to him as if the thread were carrying off and binding34 something of their lives together. For hours she could have sewn on, and for hours he could have sat there, listening to the music of the needle, in which, like a lulling35 refrain, re-echoed one word that never wearied them. It was their wish to live their days like this in that quiet nook, to sit side by side while the child was asleep, never stirring from their places lest they might awaken23 her. How sweet was that quiescent36 silence, in which they could listen to the pulsing of hearts, and bask37 in the delight of a dream of everlasting love!
"How good you are!" were the words which came several times from his lips, the joy her presence gave him only finding expression in that one phrase.
Again she raised her head, never for a moment deeming it strange that she should be so passionately38 worshipped. Henri's face was near her own, and for a second they gazed at one another.
"Let me get on with my work," she said in a whisper. "I shall never have it finished."
But just then an instinctive39 dread40 prompted her to turn round, and indeed there lay Jeanne, lowering upon them with deadly pale face and great inky-black eyes. The child had not made the least movement; her chin was still buried in the downy pillow, which she clasped with her little arms. She had only opened her eyes a moment before and was contemplating41 them.
"Jeanne, what's the matter?" asked Helene. "Are you ill? do you want anything?"
The little one made no reply, never stirred, did not even lower the lids of her great flashing eyes. A sullen43 gloom was on her brow, and in her pallid44 cheeks were deep hollows. She seemed about to throw back her hands as though a convulsion was imminent45. Helene started up, begging her to speak; but she remained obstinately46 stiff, darting48 such black looks on her mother that the latter's face became purple with blushes, and she murmured:
"Doctor, see; what is the matter with her?"
Henri had drawn49 his chair away from Helene's. He ventured near the bed, and was desirous of taking hold of one of the little hands which so fiercely gripped the pillow. But as he touched Jeanne she trembled in every limb, turned with a start towards the wall, and exclaimed:
"Leave me alone; you, I mean! You are hurting me!"
She pulled the coverlet over her face, and for a quarter of an hour they attempted, without success, to soothe51 her with gentle words. At last, as they still persevered52, she sat up with her hands clasped in supplication53: "Oh, please leave me alone; you are tormenting55 me! Leave me alone!"
Helene, in her bewilderment, once more sat down at the window, but Henri did not resume his place beside her. They now understood: Jeanne was devoured56 by jealousy57. They were unable to speak another word. For a minute or two the doctor paced up and down in silence, and then slowly quitted the room, well understanding the meaning of the anxious glances which the mother was darting towards the bed. As soon as he had gone, she ran to her daughter's side and pressed her passionately to her breast, with a wild outburst of words.
"Hear me, my pet, I am alone now; look at me, speak to me. Are you in pain? Have I vexed59 you then? Tell me everything! Is it I whom you are angry with? What are you troubled about?"
But it was useless to pray for an answer, useless to plead with all sorts of questions; Jeanne declared that she was quite well. Then she started up with a frenzied60 cry: "You don't love me any more, mamma! you don't love me any more!"
She burst into grievous sobbing61, and wound her arms convulsively round her mother's neck, raining greedy kisses on her face. Helene's heart was rent within her, she felt overwhelmed with unspeakable sadness, and strained her child to her bosom62, mingling63 her tears with her own, and vowing64 to her that she would never love anybody save herself.
From that day onward65 a mere66 word or glance would suffice to awaken Jeanne's jealousy. While she was in the perilous67 grip of death some instinct had led her to put her trust in the loving tenderness with which they had shielded and saved her. But now strength was returning to her, and she would allow none to participate in her mother's love. She conceived a kind of spite against the doctor, a spite which stealthily grew into hate as her health improved. It was hidden deep within her self-willed brain, in the innermost recesses68 of her suspicious and silent nature. She would never consent to explain things; she herself knew not what was the matter with her; but she felt ill whenever the doctor drew too near to her mother; and would press her hands violently to her bosom. Her torment54 seemed to sear her very heart, and furious passion choked her and made her cheeks turn pale. Nor could she place any restraint on herself; she imagined every one unjust, grew stiff and haughty69, and deigned70 no reply when she was charged with being very ill-tempered. Helene, trembling with dismay, dared not press her to explain the source of her trouble; indeed, her eyes turned away whenever this eleven-year-old child darted71 at her a glance in which was concentrated the premature72 passion of a woman.
"Oh, Jeanne, you are making me very wretched!" she would sometimes say to her, the tears standing58 in her eyes as she observed her stifling73 in her efforts to restrain a sudden bubbling up of mad anger.
But these words, once so potent74 for good, which had so often drawn the child weeping to Helene's arms, were now wholly without influence. There was a change taking place in her character. Her humors varied75 ten times a day. Generally she spoke76 abruptly and imperiously, addressing her mother as though she were Rosalie, and constantly plaguing her with the pettiest demands, ever impatient and loud in complaint.
"Give me a drink. What a time you take! I am left here dying of thirst!" And when Helene handed the glass to her she would exclaim: "There's no sugar in it; I won't have it!"
Then she would throw herself back on her pillow, and a second time push away the glass, with the complaint that the drink was too sweet. They no longer cared to attend to her, she would say; they were doing it purposely. Helene, dreading77 lest she might infuriate her to a yet greater extent, made no reply, but gazed on her with tears trembling on her cheeks.
However, Jeanne's anger was particularly visible when the doctor made his appearance. The moment he entered the sick-room she would lay herself flat in bed, or sullenly78 hang her head in the manner of savage79 brutes80 who will not suffer a stranger to come near. Sometimes she refused to say a word, allowing him to feel her pulse or examine her while she remained motionless with her eyes fixed on the ceiling. On other days she would not even look at him, but clasp her hands over her eyes with such a gust1 of passion that to remove them would have necessitated81 the violent twisting of her arms. One night, as her mother was about to give her a spoonful of medicine, she burst out with the cruel remark: "I won't have it; it will poison me."
Helene's heart, pierced to the quick, sank within her, and she dreaded82 to elicit83 what the remark might mean.
"What are you saying, my child?" she asked. "Do you understand what you are talking about? Medicine is never nice to take. You must drink this."
But Jeanne lay there in obstinate47 silence, and averted84 her head in order to get rid of the draught85. From that day onward she was full of caprices, swallowing or rejecting her medicines according to the humor of the moment. She would sniff86 at the phials and examine them suspiciously as they stood on the night-table. Should she have refused to drink the contents of one of them she never forgot its identity, and would have died rather than allow a drop from it to pass her lips. Honest Monsieur Rambaud alone could persuade her at times. It was he whom she now overwhelmed with the most lavish87 caresses88, especially if the doctor were looking on; and her gleaming eyes were turned towards her mother to note if she were vexed by this display of affection towards another.
"Oh, it's you, old friend!" she exclaimed the moment he entered. "Come and sit down near me. Have you brought me any oranges?"
She sat up and laughingly fumbled89 in his pockets, where goodies were always secreted90. Then she embraced him, playing quite a love comedy, while her revenge found satisfaction in the anguish91 which she imagined she could read on her mother's pallid face. Monsieur Rambaud beamed with joy over his restoration to his little sweetheart's good graces. But Helene, on meeting him in the ante-room, was usually able to acquaint him with the state of affairs, and all at once he would look at the draught standing on the table and exclaim: "What! are you having syrup92?"
Jeanne's face clouded over, and, in a low voice, she replied: "No, no, it's nasty, it's nauseous; I can't take it."
"What! you can't drink this?" questioned Monsieur Rambaud gaily93. "I can wager94 it's very good. May I take a little of it?"
Then without awaiting her permission he poured out a large spoonful, and swallowed it with a grimace95 that seemed to betoken96 immeasurable satisfaction.
"How delicious!" he murmured. "You are quite wrong; see, just take a little to try."
Jeanne, amused, then made no further resistance. She would drink whatever Monsieur Rambaud happened to taste. She watched his every motion greedily, and appeared to study his features with a view to observing the effects of the medicine. The good man for a month gorged97 himself in this way with drugs, and, on Helene gratefully thanking him, merely shrugged98 his shoulders.
"Oh! it's very good stuff!" he declared, with perfect conviction, making it his pleasure to share the little one's medicines.
He passed his evenings at her bedside. The Abbe, on the other hand, came regularly every second day. Jeanne retained them with her as long as possible, and displayed vexation when she saw them take up their hats. Her immediate99 dread lay in being left alone with her mother and the doctor, and she would fain have always had company in the room to keep these two apart. Frequently, without reason, she called Rosalie to her. When they were alone with her, her eyes never quitted them, but pursued them into every corner of the bedroom. Whenever their hands came together, her face grew ashy white. If a whispered word was exchanged between them, she started up in anger, demanding to know what had been said. It was a grievance100 to her that her mother's gown should sweep against the doctor's foot. They could not approach or look at one another without the child falling immediately into violent trembling. The extreme sensitiveness of her innocent little being induced in her an exasperation101 which would suddenly prompt her to turn round, should she guess that they were smiling at one another behind her. She could divine the times when their love was at its height by the atmosphere wafted102 around her. It was then that her gloom became deeper, and her agonies were those of nervous women at the approach of a terrible storm.
Every one about Helene now looked on Jeanne as saved, and she herself had slowly come to recognize this as a certainty. Thus it happened that Jeanne's fits were at last regarded by her as the bad humors of a spoilt child, and as of little or no consequence. A craving103 to live sprang up within her after the six weeks of anguish which she had just spent. Her daughter was now well able to dispense104 with her care for hours; and for her, who had so long become unconscious of life, these hours opened up a vista105 of delight, of peace, and pleasure. She rummaged106 in her drawers, and made joyous107 discoveries of forgotten things; she plunged into all sorts of petty tasks, in the endeavor to resume the happy course of her daily existence. And in this upwelling of life her love expanded, and the society of Henri was the reward she allowed herself for the intensity108 of her past sufferings. In the shelter of that room they deemed themselves beyond the world's ken14, and every hindrance109 in their path was forgotten. The child, to whom their love had proved a terror, alone remained a bar between them.
Jeanne became, indeed, a veritable scourge110 to their affections. An ever-present barrier, with her eyes constantly upon them, she compelled them to maintain a continued restraint, an affectation of indifference111, with the result that their hearts were stirred with even greater motion than before. For days they could not exchange a word; they knew intuitively that she was listening even when she was seemingly wrapped in slumber26. One evening, when Helene had quitted the room with Henri, to escort him to the front door, Jeanne burst out with the cry, "Mamma! mamma!" in a voice shrill112 with rage. Helene was forced to return, for she heard the child leap from her bed; and she met her running towards her, shivering with cold and passion. Jeanne would no longer let her remain away from her. From that day forward they could merely exchange a clasp of the hand on meeting and parting. Madame Deberle was now spending a month at the seaside, and the doctor, though he had all his time at his own command, dared not pass more than ten minutes in Helene's company. Their long chats at the window had come to an end.
What particularly tortured their hearts was the fickleness113 of Jeanne's humor. One night, as the doctor hung over her, she gave way to tears. For a whole day her hate changed to feverish114 tenderness, and Helene felt happy once more; but on the morrow, when the doctor entered the room, the child received him with such a display of sourness that the mother besought115 him with a look to leave them. Jeanne had fretted116 the whole night in angry regret over her own good-humor. Not a day passed but what a like scene was enacted117. And after the blissful hours the child brought them in her moods of impassioned tenderness these hours of misery118 fell on them with the torture of the lash42.
A feeling of revulsion at last awoke within Helene. To all seeming her daughter would be her death. Why, when her illness had been put to flight, did the ill-natured child work her utmost to torment her? If one of those intoxicating119 dreams took possession of her imagination--a mystic dream in which she found herself traversing a country alike unknown and entrancing with Henri by her side Jeanne's face, harsh and sullen, would suddenly start up before her and thus her heart was ever being rent in twain. The struggle between her maternal120 affection and her passion became fraught121 with the greatest suffering.
One evening, despite Helene's formal edict of banishment122, the doctor called. For eight days they had been unable to exchange a word together. She would fain that he had not entered; but he did so on learning that Jeanne was in a deep sleep. They sat down as of old, near the window, far from the glare of the lamp, with the peaceful shadows around them. For two hours their conversation went on in such low whispers that scarcely a sound disturbed the silence of the large room. At times they turned their heads and glanced at the delicate profile of Jeanne, whose little hands, clasped together, were reposing123 on the coverlet. But in the end they grew forgetful of their surroundings, and their talk incautiously became louder. Then, all at once, Jeanne's voice rang out.
She writhed125 about in her bed, her eyelids still heavy with sleep, and then struggled to reach a sitting posture126.
"Hide, I beseech127 you!" whispered Helene to the doctor in a tone of anguish. "You will be her death if you stay here."
In an instant Henri vanished into the window-recess, concealed128 by the blue velvet129 curtain; but it was in vain, the child still kept up her pitiful cry: "Oh, mamma! mamma! I suffer so much."
"I am here beside you, my darling; where do you feel the pain?"
"I don't know. Oh, see, it is here! Oh, it is scorching130 me!" With eyes wide open and features distorted, she pressed her little hands to her bosom. "It came on me in a moment. I was asleep, wasn't I? But I felt something like a burning coal."
"But it's all gone now. You're not pained any longer, are you?"
"Yes, yes, I feel it still."
She glanced uneasily round the room. She was now wholly awake; the sullen gloom crept over her face once more, and her cheeks became livid.
"Are you by yourself, mamma?" she asked.
"Of course I am, my darling!"
Nevertheless Jeanne shook her head and gazed about, sniffing131 the air, while her agitation visibly increased. "No, you're not; I know you're not. There's some one--Oh, mamma! I'm afraid, I'm afraid! You are telling me a story; you are not by yourself."
She fell back in bed in an hysterical132 fit, sobbing loudly and huddling133 herself beneath the coverlet, as though to ward30 off some danger. Helene, crazy with alarm, dismissed Henri without delay, despite his wish to remain and look after the child. But she drove him out forcibly, and on her return clasped Jeanne in her arms, while the little one gave vent50 to the one pitiful cry, with every utterance134 of which her sobbing was renewed louder than ever: "You don't love me any more! You don't love me any more!"
"Hush135, hush, my angel! don't say that," exclaimed the mother in agony. "You are all the world to me. You'll see yet whether I love you or not."
She nursed her until the morning broke, intent on yielding up to her all her heart's affections, though she was appalled136 at realizing how completely the love of herself possessed137 this darling child. Next day she deemed a consultation138 necessary. Doctor Bodin, dropping in as though by chance, subjected the patient with many jokes to a careful examination; and a lengthy139 discussion ensued between him and Doctor Deberle, who had remained in the adjacent room. Both readily agreed that there were no serious symptoms apparent at the moment, but they were afraid of complex developments, and cross-questioned Helene for some time. They realized that they were dealing140 with one of those nervous affections which have a family history, and set medical skill at defiance141. She told them, what they already partly knew, that her grandmother[*] was confined in the lunatic asylum142 of Les Tulettes at a short distance from Plassans, and that her mother had died from galloping143 consumption, after many years of brain affection and hysterical fits. She herself took more after her father; she had his features and the same gravity of temperament144. Jeanne, on the other hand, was the facsimile of her grandmother; but she never would have her strength, commanding figure, or sturdy, bony frame. The two doctors enjoined145 on her once more that the greatest care was requisite146. Too many precautions could not be taken in dealing with chloro-anaemical affections, which tend to develop a multitude of dangerous diseases.
[*] Adelaide Fouque, already mentioned, who figures so prominently in "The Fortune of the Rougons," and dies under such horrible circumstances in "Doctor Pascal."
Henri had listened to old Doctor Bodin with a deference147 which he had never before displayed for a colleague. He besought his advice on Jeanne's case with the air of a pupil who is full of doubt. Truth to tell, this child inspired him with dread; he felt that her case was beyond his science, and he feared lest she might die under his hands and her mother be lost to him for ever. A week passed away. He was no longer admitted by Helene into the little one's presence; and in the end, sad and sick at heart, he broke off his visits of his own accord.
As the month of August verged148 on its close, Jeanne recovered sufficient strength to rise and walk across the room. The lightness of her heart spoke in her laughter. A fortnight had elapsed since the recurrence149 of any nervous attack. The thought that her mother was again all her own and would ever cling to her had proved remedy enough. At first distrust had rankled150 in her mind; while letting Helene kiss her she had remained uneasy at her least movement, and had imperiously besought her hand before she fell asleep, anxious to retain it in her own during her slumber. But at last, with the knowledge that nobody came near, she had regained151 confidence, enraptured152 by the prospect153 of a reopening of the old happy life when they had sat side by side, working at the window. Every day brought new roses to her cheeks; and Rosalie declared that she was blossoming brighter and brighter every hour.
There were times, however, as night fell, when Helene broke down. Since her daughter's illness her face had remained grave and somewhat pale, and a deep wrinkle, never before visible, furrowed154 her brow. When Jeanne caught sight of her in these hours of weariness, despair, and voidness, she herself would feel very wretched, her heart heavy with vague remorse155. Gently and silently she would then twine156 her arms around her neck.
"Are you happy, mother darling?" came the whisper.
A thrill ran through Helene's frame, and she hastened to answer: "Yes, of course, my pet."
Still the child pressed her question:
"Are you, oh! are you happy? Quite sure?"
"Quite sure. Why should I feel unhappy?"
With this Jeanne would clasp her closer in her little arms, as though to requite157 her. She would love her so well, she would say--so well, indeed, that nowhere in all Paris could a happier mother be found.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
gust
|
|
| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
invalid
|
|
| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
attenuated
|
|
| v.（使）变细( attenuate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）变薄；（使）变小；减弱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
wan
|
|
| (wide area network)广域网 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
veins
|
|
| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
morsels
|
|
| n.一口( morsel的名词复数 )；（尤指食物）小块，碎屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
broth
|
|
| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
secluded
|
|
| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
hermit
|
|
| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
wavy
|
|
| adj.有波浪的，多浪的，波浪状的，波动的，不稳定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
ken
|
|
| n.视野，知识领域 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
curtly
|
|
| adv.简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
repentance
|
|
| n.懊悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
everlasting
|
|
| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
reverberated
|
|
| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
awaken
|
|
| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
enveloped
|
|
| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
slumbered
|
|
| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
rustling
|
|
| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
simultaneously
|
|
| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
ward
|
|
| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
eyelids
|
|
| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
melodious
|
|
| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
cadence
|
|
| n.（说话声调的）抑扬顿挫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
binding
|
|
| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
lulling
|
|
| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
quiescent
|
|
| adj.静止的，不活动的，寂静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
bask
|
|
| vt.取暖，晒太阳，沐浴于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
passionately
|
|
| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
instinctive
|
|
| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
contemplating
|
|
| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
lash
|
|
| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
pallid
|
|
| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
imminent
|
|
| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
obstinately
|
|
| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
darting
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
vent
|
|
| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
soothe
|
|
| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
persevered
|
|
| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
supplication
|
|
| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
torment
|
|
| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
tormenting
|
|
| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
devoured
|
|
| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
vexed
|
|
| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
frenzied
|
|
| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
sobbing
|
|
| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
mingling
|
|
| adj.混合的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
vowing
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
onward
|
|
| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
perilous
|
|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
recesses
|
|
| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
deigned
|
|
| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
darted
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
premature
|
|
| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
stifling
|
|
| a.令人窒息的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
potent
|
|
| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
varied
|
|
| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
dreading
|
|
| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
sullenly
|
|
| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
brutes
|
|
| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
necessitated
|
|
| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
dreaded
|
|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
elicit
|
|
| v.引出,抽出,引起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
averted
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
draught
|
|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
sniff
|
|
| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
lavish
|
|
| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
caresses
|
|
| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
fumbled
|
|
| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
secreted
|
|
| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的过去式和过去分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
anguish
|
|
| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
syrup
|
|
| n.糖浆，糖水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
gaily
|
|
| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
wager
|
|
| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
grimace
|
|
| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
betoken
|
|
| v.预示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
gorged
|
|
| v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的过去式和过去分词 )；作呕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
grievance
|
|
| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
exasperation
|
|
| n.愤慨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
wafted
|
|
| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
craving
|
|
| n.渴望,热望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
dispense
|
|
| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
vista
|
|
| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
rummaged
|
|
| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的过去式和过去分词 )； 已经海关检查 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
intensity
|
|
| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
hindrance
|
|
| n.妨碍，障碍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
scourge
|
|
| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
fickleness
|
|
| n.易变；无常；浮躁；变化无常 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
feverish
|
|
| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
besought
|
|
| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
fretted
|
|
| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
enacted
|
|
| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
intoxicating
|
|
| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
maternal
|
|
| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
fraught
|
|
| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
banishment
|
|
| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
reposing
|
|
| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
writhed
|
|
| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
posture
|
|
| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
beseech
|
|
| v.祈求，恳求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
scorching
|
|
| adj. 灼热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
sniffing
|
|
| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
hysterical
|
|
| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
huddling
|
|
| n. 杂乱一团, 混乱, 拥挤 v. 推挤, 乱堆, 草率了事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
utterance
|
|
| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
appalled
|
|
| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
consultation
|
|
| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
lengthy
|
|
| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
dealing
|
|
| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
asylum
|
|
| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
galloping
|
|
| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
temperament
|
|
| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
enjoined
|
|
| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
requisite
|
|
| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
verged
|
|
| 接近，逼近（verge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
recurrence
|
|
| n.复发，反复，重现 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
rankled
|
|
| v.（使）痛苦不已，（使）怨恨不已( rankle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
regained
|
|
| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
enraptured
|
|
| v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
furrowed
|
|
| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
remorse
|
|
| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
twine
|
|
| v.搓，织，编饰；（使）缠绕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
requite
|
|
| v.报酬，报答 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |