No doubt remained in Ling’s mind that the process of frequently making smooth his surfaces would yield an amount of gold enough to suffice for his own needs, but a brief consideration of the matter convinced him that this source would be inadequate21 to maintain an entire household even if he continually denuded22 himself to an almost ignominious23 extent. As he fully weighed these varying chances the certainty became more clear to him with every thought that for the virtuous24 enjoyment of Mian’s society one great sacrifice was required of him. This act, it seemed to be intimated, would without delay provide for an affluent25 and lengthy26 future, and at the same time would influence all the spirits—even those who had been hitherto evilly-disposed towards him—in such a manner that his enemies would be removed from his path by a process which would expose them to public ridicule27, and he would be assured in founding an illustrious and enduring line. To accomplish this successfully necessitated28 the loss of at least the greater part of one entire member, and for some time the disadvantages of going through an existence with only a single leg or arm seemed more than a sufficient price to pay even for the definite advantages which would be made over to him in return. This unworthy thought, however, could not long withstand the memory of Mian’s steadfast29 and high-minded affection, and the certainty of her enlightened gladness at his return even in the imperfect condition which he anticipated. Nor was there absent from his mind a dimly-understood hope that the matter did not finally rest with him, but that everything which he might be inspired to do was in reality only a portion of the complete and arranged system into which he had been drawn30, and in which his part had been assigned to him from the beginning without power for him to deviate31, no matter how much to the contrary the thing should appear.
As no advantage would be gained by making any delay, Ling at once sought the most favourable32 means of putting his resolution into practice, and after many skilful33 and insidious34 inquiries35 he learnt of an accomplished36 person who made a consistent habit of cutting off limbs which had become troublesome to their possessors either through accident or disease. Furthermore, he was said to be of a sincere and charitable disposition37, and many persons declared that on no occasion had he been known to make use of the helpless condition of those who visited him in order to extort38 money from them.
Coming to the ill-considered conclusion that he would be able to conceal39 within his own breast the true reason for the operation, Ling placed himself before the person in question, and exhibited the matter to him so that it would appear as though his desires were promoted by the presence of a small but persistent40 sprite which had taken its abode41 within his left thigh42, and there resisted every effort of the most experienced wise persons to induce it to come forth43 again. Satisfied with this explanation of the necessity of the deed, the one who undertook the matter proceeded, with Ling’s assistance, to sharpen his cutting instruments and to heat the hardening irons; but no sooner had he made a shallow mark to indicate the lines which his knife should take, than his subtle observation at once showed him that the facts had been represented to him in a wrong sense, and that his visitor, indeed, was composed of no common substance. Being of a gentle and forbearing disposition, he did not manifest any indication of rage at the discovery, but amiably44 and unassumingly pointed45 out that such a course was not respectful towards himself, and that, moreover, Ling might incur46 certain well-defined and highly undesirable47 maladies as a punishment for the deception48.
Overcome with remorse49 at deceiving so courteous50 and noble-minded a person, Ling fully explained the circumstances to him, not even concealing51 from him certain facts which related to the actions of remote ancestors, but which, nevertheless, appeared to have influenced the succession of events. When he had made an end of the narrative52, the other said:
“Behold now, it is truly remarked that every Mandarin has three hands and every soldier a like number of feet, yet it is a saying which is rather to be regarded as manifesting the deep wisdom and discrimination of the speaker than as an actual fact which can be taken advantage of when one is so minded—least of all by so valiant53 a Commander as the one before me, who has clearly proved that in time of battle he has exactly reversed the position.”
“The loss would undoubtedly54 be of considerable inconvenience occasionally,” admitted Ling, “yet none the less the sage1 remark of Huai Mei-shan, ‘When actually in the embrace of a voracious55 and powerful wild animal, the desirability of leaving a limb is not a matter to be subjected to lengthy consideration,’ is undoubtedly a valuable guide for general conduct. This person has endured many misfortunes and suffered many injustices56; he has known the wolf-gnawings of great hopes, which have withered57 and daily grown less when the difficulties of maintaining an honourable58 and illustrious career have unfolded themselves within his sight. Before him still lie the attractions of a moderate competency to be shared with the one whose absence would make even the Upper Region unendurable, and after having this entrancing future once shattered by the tiger-like cupidity59 of a depraved and incapable Mandarin, he is determined60 to welcome even the sacrifice which you condemn61 rather than let the opportunity vanish through indecision.”
“It is not an unworthy or abandoned decision,” said the one whose aid Ling had invoked62, “nor a matter in which this person would refrain from taking part, were there no other and more agreeable means by which the same results may be attained63. A circumstance has occurred within this superficial person’s mind, however: A brother of the one who is addressing you is by profession one of those who purchase large undertakings64 for which they have not the money to pay, and who thereupon by various expedients65 gain the ear of the thrifty66, enticing67 them by fair offers of return to entrust68 their savings69 for the purpose of paying off the debt. These persons are ever on the watch for transactions by which they inevitably70 prosper71 without incurring72 any obligation, and doubtless my brother will be able to gather a just share of the value of your highly-remunerative body without submitting you to the insufferable annoyance73 of losing a great part of it prematurely74.”
Without clearly understanding how so inviting75 an arrangement could be effected, the manner of speaking was exceedingly alluring76 to Ling’s mind, perplexed77 as he had become through weighing and considering the various attitudes of the entire matter. To receive a certain and sufficient sum of money without his person being in any way mutilated would be a satisfactory, but as far as he had been able to observe an unapproachable, solution to the difficulty. In the mind of the amiable78 person with whom he was conversing79, however, the accomplishment80 did not appear to be surrounded by unnatural81 obstacles, so that Ling was content to leave the entire design in his hands, after stating that he would again present himself on a certain occasion when it was asserted that the brother in question would be present.
So internally lightened did Ling feel after this inspiring conversation, and so confident of a speedy success had the obliging person’s words made him become, that for the first time since his return to Canton he was able to take an intellectual interest in the pleasures of the city. Becoming aware that the celebrated82 play entitled “The Precious Lamp of Spotted83 Butterfly Temple” was in process of being shown at the Tea Garden of Rainbow Lights and Voices, he purchased an entrance, and after passing several hours in this conscientious84 enjoyment, returned to his chamber85, and passed a night untroubled by any manifestations86 of an unpleasant nature.
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1
sage
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n.圣人,哲人;adj.贤明的,明智的 | |
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cypress
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n.柏树 | |
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incapable
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adj.无能力的,不能做某事的 | |
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treacherous
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adj.不可靠的,有暗藏的危险的;adj.背叛的,背信弃义的 | |
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Mandarin
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n.中国官话,国语,满清官吏;adj.华丽辞藻的 | |
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deities
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n.神,女神( deity的名词复数 );神祗;神灵;神明 | |
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frustrate
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v.使失望;使沮丧;使厌烦 | |
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obstinate
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adj.顽固的,倔强的,不易屈服的,较难治愈的 | |
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justified
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a.正当的,有理的 | |
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10
fully
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adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
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11
transmute
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vt.使变化,使改变 | |
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12
benevolent
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adj.仁慈的,乐善好施的 | |
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inevitable
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adj.不可避免的,必然发生的 | |
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enjoyment
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n.乐趣;享有;享用 | |
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honourably
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adv.可尊敬地,光荣地,体面地 | |
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complimentary
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adj.赠送的,免费的,赞美的,恭维的 | |
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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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thereby
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adv.因此,从而 | |
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lessening
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减轻,减少,变小 | |
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posterity
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n.后裔,子孙,后代 | |
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inadequate
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adj.(for,to)不充足的,不适当的 | |
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denuded
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adj.[医]变光的,裸露的v.使赤裸( denude的过去式和过去分词 );剥光覆盖物 | |
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ignominious
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adj.可鄙的,不光彩的,耻辱的 | |
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virtuous
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adj.有品德的,善良的,贞洁的,有效力的 | |
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affluent
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adj.富裕的,富有的,丰富的,富饶的 | |
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lengthy
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adj.漫长的,冗长的 | |
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ridicule
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v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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necessitated
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使…成为必要,需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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steadfast
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adj.固定的,不变的,不动摇的;忠实的;坚贞不移的 | |
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drawn
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v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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deviate
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v.(from)背离,偏离 | |
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favourable
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adj.赞成的,称赞的,有利的,良好的,顺利的 | |
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skilful
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(=skillful)adj.灵巧的,熟练的 | |
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insidious
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adj.阴险的,隐匿的,暗中为害的,(疾病)不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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inquiries
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n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听 | |
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accomplished
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adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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disposition
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n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
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extort
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v.勒索,敲诈,强要 | |
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conceal
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v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽 | |
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persistent
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adj.坚持不懈的,执意的;持续的 | |
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abode
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n.住处,住所 | |
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thigh
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n.大腿;股骨 | |
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forth
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adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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amiably
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adv.和蔼可亲地,亲切地 | |
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pointed
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adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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incur
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vt.招致,蒙受,遭遇 | |
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undesirable
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adj.不受欢迎的,不良的,不合意的,讨厌的;n.不受欢迎的人,不良分子 | |
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deception
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n.欺骗,欺诈;骗局,诡计 | |
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remorse
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n.痛恨,悔恨,自责 | |
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50
courteous
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adj.彬彬有礼的,客气的 | |
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51
concealing
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v.隐藏,隐瞒,遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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52
narrative
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n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 | |
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53
valiant
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adj.勇敢的,英勇的;n.勇士,勇敢的人 | |
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54
undoubtedly
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adv.确实地,无疑地 | |
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55
voracious
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adj.狼吞虎咽的,贪婪的 | |
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56
injustices
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不公平( injustice的名词复数 ); 非正义; 待…不公正; 冤枉 | |
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57
withered
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adj. 枯萎的,干瘪的,(人身体的部分器官)因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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58
honourable
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adj.可敬的;荣誉的,光荣的 | |
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59
cupidity
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n.贪心,贪财 | |
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60
determined
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adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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61
condemn
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vt.谴责,指责;宣判(罪犯),判刑 | |
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62
invoked
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v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 );行使(权利等);祈求救助;恳求 | |
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63
attained
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(通常经过努力)实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况) | |
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64
undertakings
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企业( undertaking的名词复数 ); 保证; 殡仪业; 任务 | |
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expedients
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n.应急有效的,权宜之计的( expedient的名词复数 ) | |
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thrifty
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adj.节俭的;兴旺的;健壮的 | |
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enticing
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adj.迷人的;诱人的 | |
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entrust
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v.信赖,信托,交托 | |
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savings
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n.存款,储蓄 | |
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inevitably
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adv.不可避免地;必然发生地 | |
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prosper
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v.成功,兴隆,昌盛;使成功,使昌隆,繁荣 | |
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incurring
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遭受,招致,引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
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annoyance
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n.恼怒,生气,烦恼 | |
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prematurely
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adv.过早地,贸然地 | |
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inviting
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adj.诱人的,引人注目的 | |
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alluring
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adj.吸引人的,迷人的 | |
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perplexed
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adj.不知所措的 | |
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amiable
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adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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conversing
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v.交谈,谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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80
accomplishment
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n.完成,成就,(pl.)造诣,技能 | |
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unnatural
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adj.不自然的;反常的 | |
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celebrated
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adj.有名的,声誉卓著的 | |
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spotted
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adj.有斑点的,斑纹的,弄污了的 | |
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conscientious
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adj.审慎正直的,认真的,本着良心的 | |
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85
chamber
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n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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manifestations
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n.表示,显示(manifestation的复数形式) | |
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