[A]
The Flemings have given the name of Campine to the vast uncultivated spaces extending in the north of Belgium from the vicinity of Antwerp to Venloo. The improvement of the Campine, undertaken on a large scale within some years, has already produced the happiest results.
North of the city of Antwerp, toward the frontiers of Holland, there are but few traces of this gradual improvement. It is only along highroads that the traveller begins to observe the effect of liberal agriculture on the sandy soil, while, farther on toward the heart of the region, every thing is still bare and uncultivated. As far as the eye can penetrate15, nothing is to be seen in that quarter but arid16 plains thinly covered with stunted17 vegetation, while the horizon is bounded by that blue and cloudy line which always marks the limit of a desert. Yet, as we journey over these vast spaces, it is impossible not to observe, from time to time, that a clear and slender rivulet18 meanders19 here and there over the moor14, and that its verdant20 banks are studded with vigorous plants and thrifty10 trees; while in many places the hardy21 sons of toil2 who took advantage of the neighboring water, have opened their lonely farms, built comfortable houses, and frequently gathered themselves together in neat and thrifty villages.
In one of these spots, where meadow-land and pasturage have made agriculture profitable, and by the side of an unfrequented road, there is a farm of considerable size and value. The massive trees which spread their thick shade on every side attest22 that the spot has been occupied and cultivated for several generations. Besides, the ditches which surround it, and the stone bridge that leads to the principal gate, justify23 the belief that the estate has some right to be considered a lordly demesne24. In the neighborhood it is known as GRINSELHOF. The entire front of the property is covered by the homestead of the farmer, comprising his stables and granges; so that, in fact, every thing in their rear is concealed25 by these edifices26 as well as by dense27 thickets28 and hedges which are growing in all the wild luxuriance of nature. Indeed, the dwelling30 of the proprietor31 was a mystery even to the farmer who worked the soil; for its surrounding copses were an impenetrable veil to his eyes, beyond which neither he nor his family were ever allowed to pass without special permission.
Within this lonely and sacred precinct, buried in foliage32, was a large house, called THE CHÂTEAU, inhabited by a gentleman and his daughter, who, without a single servant, companion, or attendant, led the lonely lives of hermits33. The neighbors said that it was avarice34 or ill-humor that induced a person possessed35 of so beautiful an estate to bury himself in such a solitude36. The farmer who worked on the property carefully avoided all explanations as to the conduct or purpose of the proprietor, and sedulously38 respected the mysterious habits and fancies of his master. His business prospered39; for the soil was fertile and the rent low. Indeed, he was grateful to his landlord, and, every Sunday, lent him a horse, which carried him and his daughter, in their weather-beaten calèche, to the village church. On great occasions the farmer's son performed the duty of lackey40 for the proprietor.
It is an afternoon of one of the last days of July. The sun has nearly finished his daily course, and is declining rapidly toward the horizon; still, his rays, though less ardent41 than at noontide, are hot enough to make the air close and stifling42. At Grinselhof the last beams of the setting luminary43 play gayly over the foliage, gilding44 the tree-tops with sparkling light, while, on the eastern side of the dense foliage, the long, broad shadows begin to fall athwart the sward, and prepare the groves46 for the gentle and refreshing47 breeze that springs up at twilight48.
Sadness and gloom hang over the sombre château and its grounds; a deathlike silence weighs like a gravestone on the desolate49 scene; the birds are songless; the wind is still; not a leaf stirs; and light alone seems to be living in that dreary50 solitude. No one could observe the entire absence of noise, motion, and vitality51, without being impressed with the idea that nature had been suddenly plunged52 in a deep and magic sleep.
Suddenly the foliage at the end of a thicket29 in the distance is seen to stir, while a cloud of twittering birds, frightened from the herbage, flies rapidly across the little path, which is immediately occupied by a young female dressed entirely53 in white, who dashes from between the branches with a silken net in pursuit of a butterfly. The beautiful apparition54, with loose and streaming hair, seemed rather to fly than run, as her light and rapid steps, full of eagerness and animation55, scarcely touched the earth while darting56 after the gaudy57 insect. How graceful58 she is, as, halting for an instant beneath the coquettish moth59, she looks up to behold its gold-and-purple wings dancing round her head, mocking and playing with its gay pursuer! She thinks she has caught it; but, alas60! the edge of her net only touched the butterfly's wings, and away it dashes, over hedge and copse, far, far beyond her reach! How beautiful she is, as, in that golden light, warmed with exercise and excitement, her eyes glistening61, her lips parted, her graceful arms stretched upward, she stands gazing, half pleased, half disappointed, after the departing insect, till it is lost in the evening sky! Wind and sunshine have slightly tanned her delicate cheeks, but their roses are only heightened into the glow of perfect health. Beneath her high and polished brow, coal-black eyes shine through long and silken fringes, while a chiselled62 mouth discloses rows of faultless pearls between lips which shame the coral! Her stately head is framed in masses of long, curling hair; and, as the locks are floated over her ivory shoulders by rapid motion, the proud and arching lines of her swan-like neck are fully37 displayed in all their splendor63. Her form is lithe64 and supple65, and its graceful contour is modestly marked by a snowy dress. As she lifts her head and gazes at the sky, a poet might easily fancy her to be some fanciful "being of the air," and convert her into the fairy queen of the solitary66 realm!
For a long while this beautiful woman wandered about the paths of the lonely garden, seemingly absorbed in reveries of various kinds. At times she was gay, at times sad. At length she approached a bed of violets, which, from the training of the plants, had evidently, been carefully tended, and, observing that they languished67 under the intense heat of the past day, began to grieve over them.
"Alas! my dear little flowers, why did I neglect to water you yesterday? You are very thirsty, are you not, my charming pets?"
For a moment or two she was quiet, still gazing at the violets, and then continued, in the same dreamy tone:—
"But then, alas! since yesterday my mind has been so disturbed, so happy, so—" Her eyes fell, and a blush crimsoned68 her cheeks, as she murmured, softly, "GUSTAVE!"
Motionless as a statue, and absorbed in her enchanting69 dream, she forgot the poor little violets, and, probably, the whole world.
"His image ever, ever before me! his voice ever ringing in my ears! Why try to escape their fascination70? Oh, God! what is this that is passing within me? My heart trembles; sometimes my blood bounds wildly through my veins71, and then again it creeps and freezes; and yet how happy I am! what inexpressible joy fills my very soul!"
She was silent; then, seeming suddenly to rouse herself, she raised her head and threw back the thick curls, as if anxious to disembarrass her mind of a haunting thought.
"Wait, my dear flowers," said she, smiling, to the violets; "wait a moment: I will comfort and refresh you."
With this she disappeared in the grove45, and, in a short time, brought from it a few twigs72 and leaves, which she arranged in a little trellis over the flower-beds, so as to shadow the violets completely from the sun. After this she took a small watering-pot and ran across the grass to a basin or tank in the middle of the garden, around which a number of weeping-willows drooped74 their branches into the water. On her arrival its surface was perfectly75 smooth; but hardly had her image been reflected in the tank when it appeared to swarm76 with living creatures. Hundreds of gold-fishes, of all colors, swam toward her with their mouths gaping77 from the water, as if the poor little animals were trying to speak to her. Holding on by the trunk of the nearest willow73, she bent78 gracefully79 over the pond and tried to fill her watering-pot without touching80 the gold-fish.
"Come, come; let me alone just now," said she, as she carefully avoided them; "I haven't time to play with you; I will bring you your dinner after a while."
But the fish fluttered around the watering-pot until she withdrew it from the tank; and, even after her departure, continued to crowd toward the bank she had touched with her foot.
The young lady watered her flowers and replaced the pot gently on the ground; then, retiring slowly to the solitary house, she returned after a while at the same slow pace, and, throwing some crumbs81 to the fish, began to saunter slowly about the garden-paths, inattentive to every thing but her own absorbing thoughts. At length she reached a spot where a gigantic catalpa-tree overarched the garden and bent its branches almost to the earth. A table and a couple of chairs stood beneath the fresh and fragrant82 shade, and a book, inkstand, and embroidery83-frame, gave token that the retreat had not long been abandoned by the lady herself. She seated herself in one of the chairs, took up the book, then the embroidery, let them fall one after another, and finally leaned her beautiful head on her hand, like one who is weary in spirit and anxious for rest.
For a while her large dreamy eyes were vaguely84 fixed85, as if gazing into space; at intervals86 a smile played around her mouth, and her lips moved as if talking with a friend. Occasionally her drooping87 eyelids88 closed entirely; but the lashes89 quickly reopened, only to fall more heavily than before, till at last a profound sleep or intense reverie seemed to get possession of her mind and body.
But did she sleep? There is no doubt that her spirit watched and was happy; for a pleasant expression constantly played over her features, and, if sometimes it became serious, the joyous90 look quickly returned with all its radiance. She had long been plunged by this happy dream into complete forgetfulness of real life, when a noise of wheels and the neigh of a horse was heard at the gateway91, disturbing the silence of Grinselhof. Still the maiden92 was not aroused.
The old calèche returned from the city, drew up near the stable, and the farmer and his wife ran out to salute93 their master and put up the horse. While they were thus engaged, Monsieur De Vlierbeck got out of the vehicle and spoke94 to them kindly95, but in a voice so full of sadness that both looked at him with astonishment96. In fact, the gravity of this singular person never abandoned him even in his most affable moods; but at that moment his physiognomy indicated a degree of intense depression which was by no means habitual97. He seemed altogether worn out with fatigue98, and his eyes, which were commonly so vivacious99, drooped, dull and languishing100, beneath their heavy lids.
The horse was quickly put in the stable, and the young lackey, who had already divested101 himself of his livery, took several baskets and packets from the vehicle, carried them into the farm-house, and placed them on the table of the antechamber.
"And now, Master John," said De Vlierbeck, approaching the farmer, "I shall have need of you. There will be company to-morrow at Grinselhof. Monsieur Denecker and his nephew dine here."
The farmer, perfectly stupefied by the announcement and scarcely able to believe his own ears, looked at his master with staring eyes and gaping mouth, and, after a moment's hesitation102, stammered103 forth104,—
"That large, rich gentleman, sir, who sits near you every Sunday at high mass?"
"The same, John. Is there any thing surprising in it?"
"And young Monsieur Gustave, who spoke to mademoiselle in the churchyard when church was over?"
"The same!"
"Oh, sir, they are such rich people! They have bought all the land around Echelpoel. They have at least ten horses in the stable at their château, without counting those they have in town. Their carriage is silver from top to bottom."
"I know it; and it is exactly on that account that I desire to receive them in a becoming manner. You must be ready; your wife and your son also. I shall call you to-morrow morning very early. You will willingly lend a hand to help me, won't you?"
"Certainly, certainly, sir; a word from you is enough. I am always happy to be able to serve you in any way."
"Thank you for your kindness, John. We understand one another, my worthy105 fellow; and so farewell till to-morrow."
Monsieur De Vlierbeck entered the farm-house, gave some orders to the young man in relation to the things he had taken from the vehicle, and, passing through the screening grove, walked on to Grinselhof.
As soon as he was out of the farmer's sight his physiognomy assumed a more serene106 expression, and there was a smile on his lips as he cast his eyes around in search of some one in the solitude of the garden At a turn of the path his eye fell suddenly on the sleeping girl. How beautiful she was in her calm repose107! The golden twilight covered her with its bright reflection, and threw a rosy108 tint109 on every thing about her. Thick curls strayed in beautiful disorder110 over her cheeks, and snowy flowers, shaken from the catalpa's branches by the evening breeze, had fallen around her in profusion111. She still dreamed, and the happy smile yet rested on her features. De Vlierbeck gazed earnestly at his sleeping child, and raised his eyes to heaven as he said, tremulously,—"Thanks, Almighty112 Father! she is happy! Let my martyrdom be prolonged; but may all my sufferings render thee compassionate114 for her!"
After this short and ardent ejaculation he threw himself into a chair, leaned his arm carefully on the table, and, resting his hand on it, remained still as a statue. For a long time he watched his sleeping child, while his face seemed to reflect each emotion that flitted across the delicate features of the maiden. Suddenly a modest blush overspread her brow, and her lips began to articulate. The old gentleman watched her narrowly, and, although she had not spoken in connected sentences, he caught one of those stray words which often betoken116 what is passing in a dreamer's mind.
"'GUSTAVE!' She dreams of Gustave. May God be propitious117 to us! Ah, yes, my child," exclaimed her father, "open thy heart to hope! Dream, dream; for who knows what is in store for us? Yet, no!—let us not destroy these happy moments by cold reality! Sleep, sleep! let thy soul enjoy the heavenly enchantment118 of love which it is awakening119!"
Monsieur De Vlierbeck continued for a while his quiet observation of the sleeper120, and then, rising, passed behind her chair and imprinted121 a long kiss on her forehead.
Still half-dreaming, the sleeper slowly opened her eyes; and, the moment she perceived who had awakened122 her, she sprang into her father's arms with a bound, and, hanging round his neck, overwhelmed him with questions and kisses.
Vlierbeck gently disengaged himself from his daughter's embrace, as he remarked, in a tone of raillery,—
"It seems altogether unnecessary, Lenora, to inquire what new beauties you have discovered in Vondel's 'Lucifer.' You have not had time, I take it for granted, to begin the comparison between this masterpiece of our native tongue and Milton's 'Paradise Lost'?"
"Ah! father," murmured Lenora, "my mind is indeed strangely troubled. I do not know what is the matter with me; I cannot even read with attention."
"Come, Lenora, my child, don't be sad. Sit down: I have something of importance to tell you. You do not know why I went to town to-day, do you? It was because we are to have company to dinner to-morrow!"
Lenora gazed at her father with an earnest and questioning look.
"It is Monsieur Denecker," continued he:—"the wealthy merchant, you know, who sits near me at church and lives at the château of Echelpoel."
"Oh, yes! I remember him, father; he always speaks to me so kindly, and never fails to help me from the carriage when we go to church."
"But your eyes ask, I see, Lenora, whether he is coming alone. Another person will accompany him, my girl!"
"Gustave!" exclaimed the maiden, involuntarily and blushing.
"Exactly! Gustave will be here," replied Monsieur De Vlierbeck. "Don't tremble on that account, Lenora; and don't become frightened because your innocent heart may find itself opening to the dawn of new sensations. Between us, my child, there can be no secret that my love will not discover."
His daughter's eyes looked inquiringly into his own, as if asking an explanation of the enigma123. But all of a sudden, as if a ray had darted124 unexpectedly into her soul, she threw her arms around the old man's neck and hid her face in his bosom125.
"Oh, father! beloved father," murmured she, "your kindness is unbounded!"
For some moments the old gentleman did not put aside the affectionate caresses126 of his child; but by degrees his expression became gloomy; tears started into his eyes, and he said, in broken tones,—
"Lenora, whatever may happen to us in life, thou wilt127 always love thy father thus, wilt thou not?"
"Always, always, father!'
"Lenora, my child," continued he, with a sigh, "thy tender affection is my only recompense and happiness here below: never deprive my soul of its consolation128!"
The sad tone in which these words were uttered touched the maiden's heart so deeply that she took her father's hands, without saying a syllable129, and wept in silence with her head in his bosom.
For a long time they remained thus motionless, absorbed by a feeling which was neither joy nor sorrow but seemed to acquire its power and mastery by the mingling130 of these opposite sentiments.
Monsieur De Vlierbeck's expression was the first to change. His features became severe as he bent his head downward reproachfully. In truth, the strange words that started the tears into his daughter's eyes had excited the reflection in his own mind that another person was, perhaps, about to share his Lenora's love and probably to separate him from her forever. He was ready for every sacrifice, were it even infinitely131 greater, provided it contributed to the happiness of his child; yet the very idea of separation caused his heart to bleed at every pore. By degrees he stifled132 this selfish anxiety, and, striving to control himself, raised his daughter with a kiss.
"Come, Lenora," said he, "be gay again! Isn't it a happy thing that our hearts can sometimes get into the shade after they have been too much in the sunshine? Let us go into the house. We have many arrangements to make in order to receive our guests becomingly."
Lenora obeyed her father in silence, and followed him slowly, while the tears still dropped from her beautiful eyes.
Some hours afterward133 Monsieur De Vlierbeck might have been seen seated in the principal saloon of Grinselhof, near a little lamp, with his elbows on the table. The apartment was dark and dreary, for the feeble rushlight illuminated134 but a single spot and cast the distant and lofty ceiling into vague obscurity. The flickering135 flame threw long and sombre shadows over the wall, while a line of old portraits in the panels seemed to fix their stern and immovable eyes on the table. Amid the gloom nothing came out with distinctness but the calm and noble face of the poor old gentleman, who sat there, absorbed in his reflections, fixed as a statue.
At length, rising from his chair and cautiously walking on tiptoe to the end of the room, he stopped and listened at the closed door. "She sleeps," said he, in a low voice; and, raising his eyes to heaven, added, with a sigh, "may God protect her rest!" Then, returning to the table, he took the lamp, and, opening a large safe which was imbedded in the wall, he went down on his knees and drew forth some napkins and a table-cloth, which he unfolded carefully to see whether they were torn or stained. As he refolded the articles one after the other, a smile betokened136 that he was pleased with his examination. Rising from this task, he went back to the table, from the drawer of which he took a piece of buckskin and whiting. Mashing137 the latter with a knife-handle, he began to rub and polish several silver forks and spoons which were in a basket. The salt-cellars and other small articles of table-service, which were mostly of the same metal, were all subjected to a similar process, and soon glittered brightly in the feeble lamplight.
While he was engaged in this strange work, the soul of the poor old man was busy with a thousand conflicting thoughts and recollections. He was constantly muttering to himself; and many a tear escaped from his lids as he dreamed over the past and repeated the names of the loved and lost!
"Poor brother!" ejaculated he; "but one man alone in the world knows what I have done for thee, and yet that man accuses me of bad faith and ingratitude138! And thou, poor brother, art wandering in the icy solitudes139 of America, a prey140 perhaps to sickness and suffering, while for months no kindly look is fixed upon thee in that wilderness141 where thou earnest thy miserable142 wages! Son of a noble race! thou hast become a slave to the stranger, and thy toil serves to amass143 the fortunes which others are to enjoy! My love for thee has made me suffer martyrdom; but, as God is my judge, my affection has remained entire,—untouched! May thy soul, O brother, feel this aspiration144 of mine even in the isolation145 where thou art suffering; and may the consciousness of my love be a balm for thy misery146!"
The poor gentleman was absorbed for some time in painful meditation147; but after a while his dream seemed over, and he betook himself again to work. He placed all the silver utensils148 side by side on the table, and, after carefully counting and examining them, resumed his soliloquy:—
"Six forks! eight spoons! We shall be four at table: it will be necessary to be careful; else it will easily be seen something is wanting. I think, however, it will do. I must give very precise instructions to John's wife, for she is a clever woman, and knows what she is about!"
As be uttered the last words he replaced the silver in the basket and locked it in the safe; after which he took the lamp, and, leaving the saloon on tiptoe, descended through a little door into a large vaulted149 cellar. Here he hunted about for a considerable time amid stacks of empty bottles, and at last succeeded in finding what he was in search of; but his face became extremely pale as he drew three bottles from the sand.
"Good heavens! only three bottles!" exclaimed he; "three bottles of table-wine! and Monsieur Denecker is such a connoisseur150 of vintages! What shall I do if they ask for more when these three bottles are empty? I have it! I do not drink, and Lenora drinks very little; so there will be two bottles for Monsieur Denecker and one for his nephew! But, even at the worst, what is the use of anxiety? Let luck settle it!"
With this De Vlierbeck went into the corners of the cellar, where he gathered from the walls a quantity of cobwebs, which he wound artistically151 around the bottles and covered with dust and sand.
On reaching the saloon he went to work with paste and paper to mend some rents in the tapestry152 on the wall; and then, after passing nearly half an hour in brushing his clothes and disguising their threadbare spots with water and ink, he came back to the table and made preparations for a task which was still more singular than any he had hitherto been engaged in. Taking from the drawer a silk thread, an awl153, and a bit of wax, he put his boot on his knees and began to mend the rents in the leather with the skill of a cobbler! It will readily be supposed that this odd occupation stirred a variety of emotions in the heart of the poor gentleman; violent twitches154 and spasms155 passed over his face; his cheeks became red, then deadly pale; till at last, yielding to a passionate115 impulse, he cut the silk, threw it on the table, and, with his hands stretched toward the portraits, cried out, with struggling passion,—
"Yes! behold me,—behold me,—ye whose noble blood runs in my veins! You, brave captain, who, fighting at the side of Egmont, at St. Quentin, gave your life for your country,—you, statesman and ambassador, who, after the battle of Pavia, rendered such eminent156 services to the Emperor Charles,—you, benefactor157 of your race, who endowed so many hospitals and churches,—you, proud bishop158, who, as priest and scholar, defended so bravely your faith and your God,—behold me, all of you, not only from that senseless canvas, but from the bosom of God where you are at rest! He whom you have seen at the wretched task of mending his boots, and who devotes his life to the concealment159 of his poverty,—he is your descendant, your son! If the gaze of his fellow-men tortures him, before you at least he is not ashamed of debasing toil! glorious ancestry160! you have fought the foes161 of your native land with sword and pen; but I,—I have to contend with unmerited shame and mockery, without a hope of ultimate triumph or glory; my weary soul sinks under its burden, and the world has nothing in store for me but scorn and contempt! And, yet, have I ever stained your noble escutcheon? All that I have done is generous and honest in the sight of God;—nay, the very fountain-head of my wo is love and compassion113! Yes, yes!—fix your glittering eyes on me; contemplate162 me in the abyss of poverty where I am fallen! From the bottom of that pit I lift my brow boldly toward you, and your silent glance does not force me to grovel163 in the earth with shame! Here, in the presence of your noble images, I am alone with my soul, with my conscience;—hero, no mortification164 can touch the being who, as gentleman, Christian165, brother, and father, has sacrificed himself to duty!"
His voice ceased; and for a few moments he stood still in the midnight silence, looking at the antique portraits as the last echoes died away in the lofty apartment, with his arms stretched toward the pictures as if invoking166 the beings they represented.
"Poor, senseless creature," continued he, after a while, clasping his hands and lifting them anew to heaven, "thy soul seeks deliverance in dreams! Yes; it is, perhaps, a dream, an illusion! Yet, thanks, thanks to the Almighty that allows even a dream to fortify167 me with courage and endurance! Enough: reality once more stares me in the face; and yet I defy the mocking spectre which points to ruin and misery!"
"And then to-morrow,—to-morrow!" continued he; "wilt thou not tremble beneath the glance of those who seek the secret of thy life? Yes; study well thy part; have ready thy mask; go on bravely with thy cowardly farce168! And now begone; thy nightly task is done;—beg, beg from sleep the oblivion of what thou art and of thy threatening future! Sleep! I tremble at the very thought of it! Father in heaven, have mercy on us!"
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1
thorny
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| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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3
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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4
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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5
sterile
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| adj.不毛的，不孕的，无菌的，枯燥的，贫瘠的 | |
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6
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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8
arteries
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| n.动脉( artery的名词复数 )；干线，要道 | |
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fatten
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| v.使肥，变肥 | |
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thrifty
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| adj.节俭的；兴旺的；健壮的 | |
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11
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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12
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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16
arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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meanders
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| 曲径( meander的名词复数 )； 迂回曲折的旅程 | |
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verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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attest
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| vt.证明，证实；表明 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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demesne
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| n.领域，私有土地 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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edifices
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| n.大建筑物( edifice的名词复数 ) | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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29
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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30
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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31
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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32
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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33
hermits
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| （尤指早期基督教的）隐居修道士，隐士，遁世者( hermit的名词复数 ) | |
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34
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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35
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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36
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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37
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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38
sedulously
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| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
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39
prospered
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| 成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
lackey
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| n.侍从；跟班 | |
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41
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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42
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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43
luminary
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| n.名人，天体 | |
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44
gilding
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| n.贴金箔，镀金 | |
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45
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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46
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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47
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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48
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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49
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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50
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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51
vitality
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| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
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52
plunged
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|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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53
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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54
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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55
animation
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|
| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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56
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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57
gaudy
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|
| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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58
graceful
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|
| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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59
moth
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|
| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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60
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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61
glistening
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|
| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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62
chiselled
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|
| adj.凿过的，凿光的； （文章等）精心雕琢的v.凿，雕，镌( chisel的过去式 ) | |
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63
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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64
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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65
supple
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|
| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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66
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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67
languished
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| 长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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68
crimsoned
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| 变为深红色（crimson的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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69
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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70
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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71
veins
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|
| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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72
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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73
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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74
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
perfectly
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|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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76
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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77
gaping
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|
| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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78
bent
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|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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79
gracefully
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|
| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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80
touching
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|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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81
crumbs
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|
| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
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82
fragrant
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|
| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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83
embroidery
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|
| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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84
vaguely
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|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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85
fixed
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|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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86
intervals
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|
| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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87
drooping
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|
| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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88
eyelids
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|
| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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89
lashes
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|
| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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90
joyous
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|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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91
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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92
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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93
salute
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|
| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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94
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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95
kindly
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|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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96
astonishment
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|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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97
habitual
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|
| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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98
fatigue
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|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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99
vivacious
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|
| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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100
languishing
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|
| a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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101
divested
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|
| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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102
hesitation
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|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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103
stammered
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|
| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
forth
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|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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105
worthy
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|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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106
serene
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|
| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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107
repose
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|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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108
rosy
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|
| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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109
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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110
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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111
profusion
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|
| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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112
almighty
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|
| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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113
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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114
compassionate
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|
| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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115
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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116
betoken
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| v.预示 | |
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117
propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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118
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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119
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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120
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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121
imprinted
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| v.盖印（imprint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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122
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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123
enigma
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| n.谜，谜一样的人或事 | |
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124
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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125
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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126
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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127
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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128
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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129
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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130
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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131
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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132
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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133
afterward
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|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
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134
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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135
flickering
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|
| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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136
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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137
mashing
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| 捣碎 | |
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138
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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139
solitudes
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|
| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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140
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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141
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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142
miserable
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|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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143
amass
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| vt.积累，积聚 | |
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144
aspiration
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|
| n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出 | |
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145
isolation
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|
| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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146
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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147
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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148
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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149
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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150
connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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151
artistically
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| adv.艺术性地 | |
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152
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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153
awl
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| n.尖钻 | |
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154
twitches
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| n.（使）抽动， （使）颤动， （使）抽搐( twitch的名词复数 ) | |
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155
spasms
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|
| n.痉挛( spasm的名词复数 )；抽搐；（能量、行为等的）突发；发作 | |
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156
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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157
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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158
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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159
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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160
ancestry
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| n.祖先，家世 | |
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161
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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162
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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163
grovel
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| vi.卑躬屈膝，奴颜婢膝 | |
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164
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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165
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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166
invoking
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| v.援引( invoke的现在分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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167
fortify
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| v.强化防御，为…设防；加强，强化 | |
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168
farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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