chapter 19

‘I went, and sadly enough. In a small town such an occurrence is sure to be talked about, and to make a great deal of mischief¹. When I went home to dinner I was so full of it, and foresaw so clearly that I should need some advocate soon to set the case in its right light, that I determined² on making a confidante of good Mrs. Rose. I could not eat. She watched rite³ tenderly, and sighed when she saw my want of appetite.

‘“I am sure you have something on Your mind, Mr. Harrison. Would it be — would it not be — a relief to impart it to some sympathising friend?”

‘It was just what I wanted to do.

‘“My dear, kind Mrs. Rose”, said I, “I must tell you, if you will listen.”

‘She took up the fire-screen, and held it, as yesterday, between me and her.

‘“The most unfortunate misunderstanding has taken place. Miss Tomkinson thinks that I have been paying attentions to Miss Caroline; when, in fact — may I tell you, Mrs. Rose? — my affections are placed elsewhere. Perhaps you have found it out already?” for indeed I thought I had been too much in love to conceal⁴ my attachment⁵ to Sophy from any one who knew my movements as well as Mrs. Rose.

‘She hung down her head, and said she believed she had found out my secret.

‘“Then only think how miserably⁶ I am situated⁷. If I have any hope — oh, Mrs. Rose, do you think I have any hope — ”

‘She put the hand-screen still more before her face, and after some hesitation⁸ she said she thought, “If I persevered⁹ — in time — I might have hope.” And then she suddenly got up, and left the room.

1 mischief   

n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹

参考例句：

• Nobody took notice of the mischief of the matter. 没有人注意到这件事情所带来的危害。
• He seems to intend mischief.看来他想捣蛋。

2 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

3 rite   

n.典礼，惯例，习俗

参考例句：

• This festival descends from a religious rite.这个节日起源于宗教仪式。
• Most traditional societies have transition rites at puberty.大多数传统社会都为青春期的孩子举行成人礼。

4 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。

5 attachment   

n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附

参考例句：

• She has a great attachment to her sister.她十分依恋她的姐姐。
• She's on attachment to the Ministry of Defense.她现在隶属于国防部。

6 miserably   

adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地

参考例句：

• The little girl was wailing miserably. 那小女孩难过得号啕大哭。
• It was drizzling, and miserably cold and damp. 外面下着毛毛细雨，天气又冷又湿，令人难受。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 situated   

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
• She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

8 hesitation   

n.犹豫，踌躇

参考例句：

• After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天，他终于直说了。
• There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。

9 persevered   

v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She persevered with her violin lessons. 她孜孜不倦地学习小提琴。
• Hard as the conditions were, he persevered in his studies. 虽然条件艰苦，但他仍坚持学习。 来自辞典例句