a licence from the Cadi.’
BLUE BEARD
‘The visits of the stranger were interrupted for some time, and when he returned, it seemed as if their purpose was no longer the same. He no longer attempted to corrupt3 her principles, or sophisticate her understanding, or mystify her views of religion. On the latter subject he was quite silent, seemed to regret he had ever touched on it, and not all her restless avidity of knowledge, or caressing5 importunity6 of manner, could extract from him another syllable7 on the subject. He repayed her amply, however, by the rich, varied8, and copious9 stores of a mind, furnished with matter apparently10 beyond the power of human experience to have collected, confined, as it is, within the limits of threescore years and ten. But this never struck Immalee; she took ‘no note of time;’ and the tale of yesterday, or the record of past centuries, were synchronized11 in a mind to which facts and dates were alike unknown; and which was alike unacquainted with the graduating shades of manner, and the linked progress of events.
‘They often sat on the shore of the isle12 in the evening, where Immalee always prepared a seat of moss13 for her visitor, and gazed together on the blue deep in silence; for Immalee’s newly-awaked intellect and heart felt that bankruptcy14 of language, which profound feeling will impress on the most cultivated intellect, and which, in her case, was increased alike by her innocence15 and her ignorance; and her visitor had perhaps reasons still stronger for his silence. This silence, however, was often broken. There was not a vessel16 that sailed in the distance which did not suggest an eager question from Immalee, and did not draw a slow and extorted18 reply from the stranger. His knowledge was immense, various, and profound, (but this was rather a subject of delight than of curiosity to his beautiful pupil); and from the Indian canoe, rowed by naked natives, to the splendid, and clumsy, and ill-managed vessels19 of the Rajahs, that floated like huge and gilded20 fish tumbling in uncouth21 and shapeless mirth on the wave, to the gallant22 and well-manned vessels of Europe, that came on like the gods of ocean bringing fertility and knowledge, the discoveries of art, and the blessings23 of civilization, wherever their sails were unfurled and their anchors dropt, — he could tell her all, — describe the destination of every vessel, — the feelings, characters, and national habits of the many-minded inmates24, — and enlarge her knowledge to a degree which books never could have done; for colloquial25 communication is always the most vivid and impressive medium, and lips have a prescriptive right to be the first intelligencers in instruction and in love.
‘Perhaps this extraordinary being, with regard to whom the laws of mortality and the feelings of nature seemed to be alike suspended, felt a kind of sad and wild repose26 from the destiny that immitigably pursued him, in the society of Immalee. We know not, and can never tell, what sensations her innocent and helpless beauty inspired him with, but the result was, that he ceased to regard her as his victim; and, when seated beside her listening to her questions, or answering them, seemed to enjoy the few lucid27 intervals28 of his insane and morbid30 existence. Absent from her, he returned to the world to torture and to tempt2 in the mad-house where the Englishman Stanton was tossing on his straw — ’
‘Hold!’ said Melmoth; ‘what name have you mentioned?’ — ‘Have patience with me, Senhor,’ said Mon?ada, who did not like interruption; ‘have patience, and you will find we are all beads31 strung on the same string. Why should we jar against each other? our union is indissoluble.’ He proceeded with the story of the unhappy Indian, as recorded in the parchments of Adonijah, which he had been compelled to copy, and of which he was anxious to impress every line and letter on his listener, to substantiate32 his own extraordinary story.
‘When absent from her, his purpose was what I have described; but while present, that purpose seemed suspended; he gazed often on her with eyes whose wild and fierce lustre33 was quenched35 in a dew that he hastily wiped away, and gazed on her again. While he sat near her on the flowers she had collected for him, — while he looked on those timid and rosy36 lips that waited his signal to speak, like buds that did not dare to blow till the sun shone on them, — while he heard accents issue from those lips which he felt it would be as impossible to pervert37 as it would be to teach the nightingale blasphemy38, — he sunk down beside her, passed his hand over his livid brow, and, wiping off some cold drops, thought for a moment he was not the Cain of the moral world, and that the brand was effaced39, — at least for a moment. The habitual40 and impervious41 gloom of his soul soon returned. He felt again the gnawings of the worm that never dies, and the scorchings of the fire that is never to be quenched. He turned the fatal light of his dark eyes on the only being who never shrunk from their expression, for her innocence made her fearless. He looked intensely at her, while rage, despair, and pity, convulsed his heart; and as he beheld42 the confiding43 and conciliating smile with which this gentle being met a look that might have withered45 the heart of the boldest within him, — a Semele gazing in supplicating46 love on the lightnings that were to blast her, — one human drop dimmed their portentous47 lustre, as its softened48 rays fell on her. Turning fiercely away, he flung his view on the ocean, as if to find, in the sight of human life, some fuel for the fire that was consuming his vitals. The ocean, that lay calm and bright before them as a sea of jasper, never reflected two more different countenances49, or sent more opposite feelings to two hearts. Over Immalee’s, it breathed that deep and delicious reverie, which those forms of nature that unite tranquillity50 and profundity51 diffuse52 over souls whose innocence gives them a right to an unmingled and exclusive enjoyment54 of nature. None but crimeless and unimpassioned minds ever truly enjoyed earth, ocean, and heaven. At our first transgression55, nature expels us, as it did our first parents, from her paradise for ever.
‘To the stranger the view was fraught56 with far different visions. He viewed it as a tiger views a forest abounding57 with prey58; there might be the storm and the wreck59; or, if the elements were obstinately60 calm, there might be the gaudy61 and gilded pleasure barge62, in which a Rajah and the beautiful women of his haram were inhaling63 the sea breeze under canopies64 of silk and gold, overturned by the unskilfulness of their rowers, and their plunge65, and struggle, and dying agony, amid the smile and beauty of the calm ocean, produce one of those contrasts in which his fierce spirit delighted. Or, were even this denied, he could watch the vessels as they floated by, and, from the skiff to the huge trader, be sure that every one bore its freight of woe67 and crime. There came on the European vessels full of the passions and crimes of another world, — of its sateless68 cupidity69, remorseless cruelty, its intelligence, all awake and ministrant in the cause of its evil passions, and its very refinement70 operating as a stimulant71 to more inventive indulgence, and more systematized vice72. He saw them approach to traffic for ‘gold, and silver, and the souls of men;’ — to grasp, with breathless rapacity73, the gems74 and precious produce of those luxuriant climates, and deny the inhabitants the rice that supported their inoffensive existence; — to discharge the load of their crimes, their lust34 and their avarice75, and after ravaging76 the land, and plundering77 the natives, depart, leaving behind them famine, despair, and execration79; and bearing with them back to Europe, blasted constitutions, inflamed80 passions, ulcerated hearts, and consciences that could not endure the extinction81 of a light in their sleeping apartment.
‘Such were the objects for which he watched; and one evening, when solicited82 by Immalee’s incessant83 questions about the worlds to which the vessels were hastening, or to which they were returning, he gave her a description of the world, after his manner, in a spirit of mingled53 derision, malignity84, and impatient bitterness at the innocence of her curiosity. There was a mixture of fiendish acrimony, biting irony85, and fearful truth, in his wild sketch86, which was often interrupted by the cries of astonishment87, grief, and terror, from his hearer. ‘They come,’ said he, pointing to the European vessels, ‘from a world where the only study of the inhabitants is how to increase their own sufferings, and those of others, to the utmost possible degree; and, considering they have only had 4000 years practice at the task, it must be allowed they are tolerable proficients88.’ — ‘But is it possible?’ — ‘You shall judge. In aid, doubtless, of this desirable object, they have been all originally gifted with imperfect constitutions and evil passions; and, not to be ungrateful, they pass their lives in contriving89 how to augment90 the infirmities of the one, and aggravate91 the acerbities of the other. They are not like you, Immalee, a being who breathes amid roses, and subsists92 only on the juices of fruits, and the lymph of the pure element. In order to render their thinking powers more gross, and their spirits more fiery93, they devour94 animals, and torture from abused vegetables a drink, that, without quenching95 thirst, has the power of extinguishing reason, inflaming96 passion, and shortening life — the best result of all — for life under such circumstances owes its only felicity to the shortness of its duration.’
‘Immalee shuddered97 at the mention of animal food, as the most delicate European would at the mention of a cannibal feast; and while tears trembled in her beautiful eyes, she turned them wistfully on her peacocks with an expression that made the stranger smile. ‘Some,’ said he, by way of consolation99, ‘have a taste by no means so sophisticated, — they content themselves at their need with the flesh of their fellow-creatures; and as human life is always miserable100, and animal life never so, (except from elementary causes), one would imagine this the most humane101 and salutary way of at once gratifying the appetite, and diminishing the mass of human suffering. But as these people pique102 themselves on their ingenuity103 in aggravating104 the sufferings of their situation, they leave thousands of human beings yearly to perish by hunger and grief, and amuse themselves in feeding on animals, whom, by depriving of existence, they deprive of the only pleasure their condition has allotted105 them. When they have thus, by unnatural106 diet and outrageous107 stimulation108, happily succeeded in corrupting109 infirmity into disease, and exasperating110 passion into madness, they proceed to exhibit the proofs of their success, with an expertness and consistency111 truly admirable. They do not, like you, Immalee, live in the lovely independence of nature — lying on the earth, and sleeping with all the eyes of heaven unveiled to watch you — treading the same grass till your light step feels a friend in every blade it presses — and conversing112 with flowers, till you feel yourself and them children of the united family of nature, whose mutual113 language of love you have almost learned to speak to each other — no, to effect their purpose, their food, which is of itself poison, must be rendered more fatal by the air they inhale114; and therefore the more civilized115 crowd all together into a space which their own respiration116, and the exhalation of their bodies, renders pestilential, and which gives a celerity inconceivable to the circulation of disease and mortality. Four thousand of them will live together in a space smaller than the last and lightest colonnade117 of your young banyan-tree, in order, doubtless, to increase the effects of foetid air, artificial heat, unnatural habits, and impracticable exercise. The result of these judicious118 precautions is just what may be guessed. The most trifling119 complaint becomes immediately infectious, and, during the ravages120 of the pestilence121, which this habit generates, ten thousand lives a-day are the customary sacrifice to the habit of living in cities.’ — ‘But they die in the arms of those they love,’ said Immalee, whose tears flowed fast at this recital122; ‘and is not that better than even life in solitude123, — as mine was before I beheld you?’
‘The stranger was too intent on his description to heed124 her. ‘To these cities they resort nominally125 for security and protection, but really for the sole purpose to which their existence is devoted126, — that of aggravating its miseries127 by every ingenuity of refinement. For example, those who live in uncontrasted and untantalized misery128, can hardly feel it — suffering becomes their habit, and they feel no more jealousy129 of their situation than the bat, who clings in blind and famishing stupefaction to the cleft130 of a rock, feels of the situation of the butterfly, who drinks of the dew, and bathes in the bloom of every flower. But the people of the other worlds have invented, by means of living in cities, a new and singular mode of aggravating human wretchedness — that of contrasting it with the wild and wanton excess of superfluous132 and extravagant133 splendour.’
‘Here the stranger had incredible difficulty to make Immalee comprehend how there could be an unequal division of the means of existence; and when he had done his utmost to explain it to her, she continued to repeat, (her white finger on her scarlet135 lip, and her small foot beating the moss), in a kind of pouting136 inquietude, ‘Why should some have more than they can eat, and others nothing to eat?’ — ‘This,’ continued the stranger, ‘is the most exquisite137 refinement on that art of torture which those beings are so expert in — to place misery by the side of opulence138 — to bid the wretch131 who dies for want feed on the sound of the splendid equipages which shake his hovel as they pass, but leave no relief behind — to bid the industrious139, the ingenious, and the imaginative, starve, while bloated mediocrity pants from excess — to bid the dying sufferer feel that life might be prolonged by one drop of that exciting liquor, which, wasted, produces only sickness or madness in those whose lives it undermines; — to do this is their principal object, and it is fully98 attained140. The sufferer through whose rags the wind of winter blows, like arrows lodging141 in every pore — whose tears freeze before they fall — whose soul is as dreary142 as the night under whose cope his resting-place must be — whose glued and clammy lips are unable to receive the food which famine, lying like a burning coal at his vitals, craves143 — and who, amid the horrors of a houseless winter, might prefer its desolation to that of the den66 that abuses the name of home — without food — without light — where the howlings of the storm are answered by the fiercer cries of hunger — and he must stumble to his murky144 and strawless nook over the bodies of his children, who have sunk on the floor, not for rest, but despair. Such a being, is he not sufficiently145 miserable?’
‘Immalee’s shudderings were her only answer, (though of many parts of his description she had a very imperfect idea). ‘No, he is not enough so yet,’ pursued the stranger, pressing the picture on her; ‘let his steps, that know not where they wander, conduct him to the gates of the affluent146 and the luxurious147 — let him feel that plenty and mirth are removed from him but by the interval29 of a wall, and yet more distant than if severed148 by worlds — let him feel that while his world is darkness and cold, the eyes of those within are aching with the blaze of light, and hands relaxed by artificial heat, are soliciting149 with fans the refreshment150 of a breeze — let him feel that every groan151 he utters is answered by a song or a laugh — and let him die on the steps of the mansion152, while his last conscious pang153 is aggravated154 by the thought, that the price of the hundredth part of the luxuries that lie untasted before heedless beauty and sated epicurism155, would have protracted156 his existence, while it poisons theirs — let him die of want on the threshold of a banquet-hall, and then admire with me the ingenuity that displays itself in this new combination of misery. The inventive activity of the people of the world, in the multiplication157 of calamity158, is inexhaustibly fertile in resources. Not satisfied with diseases and famine, with sterility159 of the earth, and tempests of the air, they must have laws and marriages, and kings and tax-gatherers, and wars and fetes, and every variety of artificial misery inconceivable to you.’
‘Immalee, overpowered by this torrent160 of words, to her unintelligible161 words, in vain asked a connected explanation of them. The demon163 of his superhuman misanthropy had now fully possessed164 him, and not even the tones of a voice as sweet as the strings165 of David’s harp166, had power to expel the evil one. So he went on flinging about his fire-brands and arrows, and then saying, ‘Am I not in sport? These people,’1 said he, ‘have made unto themselves kings, that is, beings whom they voluntarily invest with the privilege of draining, by taxation167, whatever wealth their vices168 have left to the rich, and whatever means of subsistence their want has left to the poor, till their extortion is cursed from the castle to the cottage — and this to support a few pampered169 favourites, who are harnessed by silken reins170 to the car, which they drag over the prostrate171 bodies of the multitude. Sometimes exhausted172 by the monotony of perpetual fruition, which has no parallel even in the monotony of suffering, (for the latter has at least the excitement of hope, which is for ever denied to the former), they amuse themselves by making war, that is, collecting the greatest number of human beings that can be bribed173 to the task, to cut the throats of a less, equal, or greater number of beings, bribed in the same manner for the same purpose. These creatures have not the least cause of enmity to each other — they do not know, they never beheld each other. Perhaps they might, under other circumstances, wish each other well, as far as human malignity would suffer them; but from the moment they are hired for legalized massacre174, hatred175 is their duty, and murder their delight. The man who would feel reluctance176 to destroy the reptile177 that crawls in his path, will equip himself with metals fabricated for the purpose of destruction, and smile to see it stained with the blood of a being, whose existence and happiness he would have sacrificed his own to promote, under other circumstances. So strong is this habit of aggravating misery under artificial circumstances, that it has been known, when in a sea-fight a vessel has blown up, (here a long explanation was owed to Immalee, which may be spared the reader), the people of that world have plunged178 into the water to save, at the risk of their own lives, the lives of those with whom they were grappling amid fire and blood a moment before, and whom, though they would sacrifice to their passions, their pride refused to sacrifice to the elements.’ — ‘Oh that is beautiful! — that is glorious!’ said Immalee, clasping her white hands; ‘I could bear all you describe to see that sight!’
1 As, by a mode of criticism equally false and unjust, the worst sentiments of my worst characters, (from the ravings of Bertram to the blasphemies179 of Cardonneau), have been represented as my own, I must here trespass180 so far on the patience of the reader as to assure him, that the sentiments ascribed to the stranger are diametrically opposite to mine, and that I have purposely put them into the mouth of an agent of the enemy of mankind.
‘Her smile of innocent delight, her spontaneous burst of high-toned feeling, had the usual effect of adding a darker shade to the frown of the stranger, and a sterner curve to the repulsive181 contraction182 of his upper lip, which was never raised but to express hostility183 or contempt.
‘But what do the kings do?’ said Immalee, ‘while they are making men kill each other for nothing?’ — ‘You are ignorant, Immalee,’ said the stranger, ‘very ignorant, or you would not have said it was for nothing. Some of them fight for ten inches of barren sand — some for the dominion184 of the salt wave — some for any thing — and some for nothing — but all for pay and poverty, and occasional excitement, and the love of action, and the love of change, and the dread185 of home, and the consciousness of evil passions, and the hope of death, and the admiration186 of the showy dress in which they are to perish. The best of the jest is, they contrive187 not only to reconcile themselves to these cruel and wicked absurdities188, but to dignify189 them with the most imposing190 names their perverted191 language supplies — the names of fame, of glory, of recording192 memory, and admiring posterity193.
‘Thus a wretch whom want, idleness, or intemperance194, drives to this reckless and heart-withering195 business, — who leaves his wife and children to the mercy of strangers, or to famish, (terms nearly synonimous), the moment he has assumed the blushing badge that privileges massacre, becomes, in the imagination of this intoxicated196 people, the defender197 of his country, entitled to her gratitude198 and to her praise. The idle stripling, who hates the cultivation199 of intellect, and despises the meanness of occupation, feels, perhaps, a taste for arraying his person in colours as gaudy as the parrot’s or the peacock’s; and this effeminate propensity200 is baptised by the prostituted name of the love of glory — and this complication of motives201 borrowed from vanity and from vice, from the fear of distress202, the wantonness of idleness, and the appetite for mischief203, finds one convenient and sheltering appellation204 in the single sound — patriotism205. And those beings who never knew one generous impulse, one independent feeling, ignorant of either the principles or the justice of the cause for which they contend, and wholly uninterested in the result, except so far as it involves the concerns of their own vanity, cupidity, and avarice, are, while living, hailed by the infatuated world as its benefactors206, and when dead, canonized as its martyrs207. He died in his country’s cause, is the epitaph inscribed208 by the rash hand of indiscriminating eulogy209 on the grave of ten thousand, who had ten thousand different motives for their choice and their fate, — who might have lived to be their country’s enemies if they had not happened to fall in her defence, — and whose love of their country, if fairly analysed, was, under its various forms of vanity, restlessness, the love of tumult210, or the love of show — purely211 love of themselves. There let them rest — nothing but the wish to disabuse212 their idolaters, who prompt the sacrifice, and then applaud the victim they have made, could have tempted1 me to dwell thus long on beings as mischievous213 in their lives, as they are insignificant214 in their death.
‘Another amusement of these people, so ingenious in multiplying the sufferings of their destiny, is what they call law. They pretend to find in this a security for their persons and their properties — with how much justice, their own felicitous215 experience must inform them! Of the security it gives to the latter, judge, Immalee, when I tell you, that you might spend your life in their courts, without being able to prove that those roses you have gathered and twined in your hair were your own — that you might starve for this day’s meal, while proving your right to a property which must incontestibly be yours, on the condition of your being able to fast on a few years, and survive to enjoy it — and that, finally, with the sentiments of all upright men, the opinions of the judges of the land, and the fullest conviction of your own conscience in your favour, you cannot obtain the possession of what you and all feel to be your own, while your antagonist216 can start an objection, purchase a fraud, or invent a lie. So pleadings go on, and years are wasted, and property consumed, and hearts broken, — and law triumphs. One of its most admirable triumphs is in that ingenuity by which it contrives217 to convert a difficulty into an impossibility, and punish a man for not doing what it has rendered impracticable for him to do.
‘When he is unable to pay his debts, it deprives him of liberty and credit, to insure that inability still further; and while destitute218 alike of the means of subsistence, or the power of satisfying his creditors220, he is enabled, by this righteous arrangement, to console himself, at least, with the reflection, that he can injure his creditor219 as much as he has suffered from him — that certain loss is the reward of immitigable cruelty — and that, while he famishes in prison, the page in which his debt is recorded rots away faster than his body; and the angel of death, with one obliterating221 sweep of his wing, cancels misery and debt, and presents, grinning in horrid222 triumph, the release of debtor223 and debt, signed by a hand that makes the judges tremble on their seats.’ — ‘But they have religion,’ said the poor Indian, trembling at this horrible description; ‘they have that religion which you shewed me — its mild and peaceful spirit — its quietness and resignation — no blood — no cruelty.’ — ‘Yes, — true,’ said the stranger, with some reluctance, ‘they have religion; for in their zeal224 for suffering, they feel the torments225 of one world not enough, unless aggravated by the terrors of another. They have such a religion, but what use have they made of it? Intent on their settled purpose of discovering misery wherever it could be traced, and inventing it where it could not, they have found, even in the pure pages of that book, which, they presume to say, contains their title to peace on earth, and happiness hereafter, a right to hate, plunder78, and murder each other. Here they have been compelled to exercise an extraordinary share of perverted ingenuity. The book contains nothing but what is good, and evil must be the minds, and hard the labour of those evil minds, to extort17 a tinge226 from it to colour their pretensions227 withal. But mark, in pursuance of their great object, (the aggravation228 of general misery), mark how subtilly they have wrought229. They call themselves by various names, to excite passions suitable to the names they bear. Thus some forbid the perusal230 of that book to their disciples231, and others assert, that from the exclusive study of its pages alone, can the hope of salvation232 be learned or substantiated233. It is singular, however, that with all their ingenuity, they have never been able to extract a subject of difference from the essential contents of that book, to which they all appeal — so they proceed after their manner.
‘They never dare to dispute that it contains irresistible234 injunctions, — that those who believe in it should live in habits of peace, benevolence235, and harmony, — that they should love each other in prosperity, and assist each other in adversity. They dare not deny that the spirit that book inculcates and inspires, is a spirit whose fruits are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, mildness, and truth. On these points they never presumed to differ. — They are too plain to be denied, so they contrive to make matter of difference out of the various habits they wear; and they cut each other’s throats for the love of God, on the important subject,1 whether their jackets should be red or white — or whether their priests should be arrayed in silk ribbons,2 or white linen,3 or black household garments4 — or whether they should immerse their children in water, or sprinkle them with a few drops of it — or whether they should partake of the memorials of the death of him they all profess236 to love, standing4 or on their knees — or — But I weary you with this display of human wickedness and absurdity237. One point is plain, they all agree that the language of the book is, ‘Love one another,’ while they all translate that language, ‘Hate one another.’ But as they can find neither materials or excuse from that book, they search for them in their own minds, — and there they are never at a loss, for human minds are inexhaustible in malignity and hostility; and when they borrow the name of that book to sanction them, the deification of their passions becomes a duty, and their worst impulses are hallowed and practised as virtues238.’ — ‘Are there no parents or children in these horrible worlds?’ said Immalee, turning her tearful eyes on this traducer239 of humanity; ‘none that love each other as I loved the tree under which I was first conscious of existence, or the flowers that grew with me?’ — ‘Parents? — children?’ said the stranger; ‘Oh yes! There are fathers who instruct their sons — ‘ And his voice was lost — he struggled to recover it.
1 The Catholics and Protestants were thus distinguished240 in the wars of the League.’
2 Catholics.
3 Protestants.
4 Dissenters241.
‘After a long pause, he said, ‘There are some kind parents among those sophisticated people.’ — ‘And who are they?’ said Immalee, whose heart throbbed242 spontaneously at the mention of kindliness243. — ‘Those,’ said the stranger, with a withering smile, ‘who murder their children at the hour of their birth, or, by medical art, dismiss them before they have seen the light; and, in so doing, they give the only credible134 evidence of parental244 affection.’
‘He ceased, and Immalee remained silent in melancholy245 meditation246 on what she had heard. The acrid247 and searing irony of his language had made no impression on one with whom ‘speech was truth,’ and who could have no idea why a circuitous248 mode of conveying meaning could be adopted, when even a direct one was often attended with difficulty to herself. But she could understand, that he had spoken much of evil and of suffering, names unknown to her before she beheld him, and she turned on him a glance that seemed at once to thank and reproach him for her painful initiation250 into the mysteries of a new existence. She had, indeed, tasted of the tree of knowledge, and her eyes were opened, but its fruit was bitter to her taste, and her looks conveyed a kind of mild and melancholy gratitude, that would have wrung251 the heart for giving its first lesson of pain to the heart of a being so beautiful, so gentle, and so innocent. The stranger marked this blended expression, and exulted252.
‘He had distorted life thus to her imagination, perhaps with the purpose of terrifying her from a nearer view of it; perhaps in the wild hope of keeping her for ever in this solitude, where he might sometimes see her, and catch, from the atmosphere of purity that surrounded her, the only breeze that floated over the burning desert of his own existence. This hope was strengthened by the obvious impression his discourse253 had made on her. The sparkling intelligence, — the breathless curiosity, — the vivid gratitude of her former expression, — were all extinguished, and her down cast and thoughtful eyes were full of tears.
‘Has my conversation wearied you, Immalee?’ said he. — ‘It has grieved me, yet I wish to listen still,’ answered the Indian. ‘I love to hear the murmur254 of the stream, though the crocodile may be beneath the waves.’ — ‘Perhaps you wish to encounter the people of this world, so full of crime and misfortune.’ — ‘I do, for it is the world you came from, and when you return to it all will be happy but me.’ — ‘And is it, then, in my power to confer happiness?’ said her companion; ‘is it for this purpose I wander among mankind?’ A mingled and indefinable expression of derision, malevolence255, and despair, overspread his features, as he added, ‘You do me too much honour, in devising for me an occupation so mild and so congenial to my spirit.’
‘Immalee, whose eyes were averted256, did not see this expression, and she replied, ‘I know not, but you have taught me the joy of grief; before I saw you I only smiled, but since I saw you, I weep, and my tears are delicious. Oh! they are far different from those I shed for the setting sun, or the faded rose! And yet I know not — ‘ And the poor Indian, oppressed by emotions she could neither understand or express, clasped her hands on her bosom257, as if to hide the secret of its new palpitations, and, with the instinctive258 diffidence of her purity, signified the change of her feelings, by retiring a few steps from her companion, and casting on the earth eyes which could contain their tears no longer. The stranger appeared troubled, — an emotion new to himself agitated259 him for a moment, — then a smile of self-disdain curled his lip, as if he reproached himself for the indulgence of human feeling even for a moment. Again his features relaxed, as he turned to the bending and averted form of Immalee, and he seemed like one conscious of agony of soul himself, yet inclined to sport with the agony of another’s . This union of inward despair and outward levity260 is not unnatural. Smiles are the legitimate261 offspring of happiness, but laughter is often the misbegotten child of madness, that mocks its parent to her face. With such an expression he turned towards her, and asked, ‘But what is your meaning, Immalee?’ — A long pause followed this question, and at length the Indian answered, ‘I know not,’ with that natural and delicious art which teaches the sex to disclose their meaning in words that seem to contradict it. ‘I know not,’ means, ‘I know too well.’ Her companion understood this, and enjoyed his anticipated triumph. ‘And why do your tears flow, Immalee?’ — ‘I know not,’ said the poor Indian, and her tears flowed faster at the question.
‘At these words, or rather at these tears, the stranger forgot himself for a moment. He felt that melancholy triumph which the conqueror262 is unable to enjoy; that triumph which announces a victory over the weakness of others, obtained at the expence of a greater weakness in ourselves. A human feeling, in spite of him, pervaded263 his whole soul, as he said, in accents of involuntary softness, ‘What would you have me do, Immalee?’ The difficulty of speaking a language that might be at once intelligible162 and reserved, — that might convey her wishes without betraying her heart, — and the unknown nature of her new emotions, made Immalee faulter long before she could answer, ‘Stay with me, — return not to that world of evil and sorrow. — Here the flowers will always bloom, and the sun be as bright as on the first day I beheld you. — Why will you go back to the world to think and to be unhappy?’ The wild and discordant264 laugh of her companion, startled and silenced her. ‘Poor girl,’ he exclaimed, with that mixture of bitterness and commiseration265, that at once terrifies and humiliates266; ‘and is this the destiny I am to fulfil? — to listen to the chirping267 of birds, and watch the opening of buds? Is this to be my lot?’ and with another wild burst of unnatural laughter, he flung away the hand which Immalee had extended to him as she had finished her simple appeal. — ‘Yes, doubtless, I am well fitted for such a fate, and such a partner. Tell me,’ he added, with still wilder fierceness, ‘tell me from what line of my features, — from what accent of my voice, — from what sentiment of my discourse, have you extracted the foundation of a hope that insults me with the view of felicity?’ Immalee, who might have replied, ‘I understand a fury in your words, but not your words,’ had yet sufficient aid from her maiden268 pride, and female penetration269, to discover that she was rejected by the stranger; and a brief emotion of indignant grief struggled with the tenderness of her exposed and devoted heart. She paused a moment, and then checking her tears, said, in her firmest tones, ‘Go, then, to your world, — since you wish to be unhappy — go! — Alas270! it is not necessary to go there to be unhappy, for I must be so here. Go, — but take with you these roses, for they will all wither44 when you are gone! — take with you these shells, for I shall no longer love to wear them when you no longer see them!’ And as she spoke249, with simple, but emphatic271 action, she untwined from her bosom and hair the shells and flowers with which they were adorned272, and threw them at his feet; then turning to throw one glance of proud and melancholy grief at him, she was retiring. ‘Stay, Immalee, — stay, and hear me for a moment,’ said the stranger; and he would, at that moment, have perhaps discovered the ineffable273 and forbidden secret of his destiny, but Immalee, in silence, which her look of profound grief made eloquent274, shook sadly her averted head, and departed.’
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1
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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importunity
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| n.硬要，强求 | |
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syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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8
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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synchronized
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| 同步的 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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bankruptcy
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| n.破产；无偿付能力 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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extort
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| v.勒索，敲诈，强要 | |
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extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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19
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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20
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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21
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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23
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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24
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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colloquial
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| adj.口语的，会话的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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lucid
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| adj.明白易懂的，清晰的，头脑清楚的 | |
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28
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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29
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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30
morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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31
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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32
substantiate
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| v.证实；证明...有根据 | |
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33
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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35
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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36
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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37
pervert
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| n.堕落者，反常者；vt.误用，滥用；使人堕落，使入邪路 | |
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38
blasphemy
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| n.亵渎，渎神 | |
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39
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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40
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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41
impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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42
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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43
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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44
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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45
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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46
supplicating
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| v.祈求，哀求，恳求( supplicate的现在分词 ) | |
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47
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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48
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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49
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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50
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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51
profundity
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| n.渊博；深奥，深刻 | |
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52
diffuse
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| v.扩散；传播；adj.冗长的；四散的，弥漫的 | |
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53
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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54
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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55
transgression
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| n.违背；犯规；罪过 | |
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56
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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57
abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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58
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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59
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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60
obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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61
gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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62
barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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63
inhaling
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| v.吸入( inhale的现在分词 ) | |
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64
canopies
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| （宝座或床等上面的）华盖( canopy的名词复数 )； （飞行器上的）座舱罩； 任何悬于上空的覆盖物； 森林中天棚似的树荫 | |
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65
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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66
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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67
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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68
sateless
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| adj.无厌的 | |
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69
cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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70
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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71
stimulant
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| n.刺激物，兴奋剂 | |
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72
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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73
rapacity
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| n.贪婪，贪心，劫掠的欲望 | |
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74
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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75
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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76
ravaging
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| 毁坏( ravage的现在分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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78
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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79
execration
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| n.诅咒，念咒，憎恶 | |
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80
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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82
solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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83
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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84
malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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85
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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86
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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87
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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88
proficients
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| 精通的，熟练的( proficient的名词复数 ) | |
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89
contriving
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| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的现在分词 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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augment
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| vt.(使)增大，增加，增长，扩张 | |
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91
aggravate
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| vt.加重(剧)，使恶化；激怒，使恼火 | |
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92
subsists
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的第三人称单数 ) | |
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93
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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94
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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95
quenching
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| 淬火，熄 | |
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96
inflaming
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| v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的现在分词 ) | |
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97
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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98
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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99
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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100
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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101
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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102
pique
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| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
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103
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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104
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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105
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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107
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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108
stimulation
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| n.刺激，激励，鼓舞 | |
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109
corrupting
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的现在分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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110
exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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111
consistency
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| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
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112
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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113
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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114
inhale
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| v.吸入(气体等)，吸(烟) | |
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115
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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116
respiration
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| n.呼吸作用；一次呼吸；植物光合作用 | |
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117
colonnade
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| n.柱廊 | |
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118
judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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119
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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120
ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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121
pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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122
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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123
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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124
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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125
nominally
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| 在名义上，表面地； 应名儿 | |
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126
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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127
miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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128
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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129
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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130
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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131
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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132
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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133
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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134
credible
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| adj.可信任的，可靠的 | |
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135
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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136
pouting
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| v.撅（嘴）( pout的现在分词 ) | |
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137
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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138
opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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139
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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140
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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141
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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142
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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143
craves
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| 渴望，热望( crave的第三人称单数 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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144
murky
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| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
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145
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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146
affluent
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| adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的 | |
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147
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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148
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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149
soliciting
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| v.恳求( solicit的现在分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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150
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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151
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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152
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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153
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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154
aggravated
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| 使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火 | |
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155
epicurism
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| n.贪口福，美食主义 | |
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156
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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157
multiplication
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| n.增加，增多，倍增；增殖，繁殖；乘法 | |
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158
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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159
sterility
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| n.不生育，不结果，贫瘠，消毒，无菌 | |
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160
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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161
unintelligible
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|
| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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162
intelligible
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|
| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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163
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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164
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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165
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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166
harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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167
taxation
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| n.征税，税收，税金 | |
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168
vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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169
pampered
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| adj.饮食过量的，饮食奢侈的v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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171
prostrate
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|
| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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172
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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173
bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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174
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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175
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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176
reluctance
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|
| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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177
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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178
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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179
blasphemies
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| n.对上帝的亵渎，亵渎的言词[行为]( blasphemy的名词复数 )；侮慢的言词（或行为） | |
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180
trespass
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| n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地 | |
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181
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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182
contraction
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| n.缩略词，缩写式，害病 | |
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183
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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184
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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185
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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186
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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187
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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188
absurdities
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| n.极端无理性( absurdity的名词复数 )；荒谬；谬论；荒谬的行为 | |
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189
dignify
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| vt.使有尊严；使崇高；给增光 | |
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190
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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191
perverted
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| adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 )；腐蚀；败坏；使堕落 | |
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192
recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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193
posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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194
intemperance
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| n.放纵 | |
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195
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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196
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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197
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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198
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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199
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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200
propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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201
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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202
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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203
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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204
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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205
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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206
benefactors
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| n.捐助者，施主( benefactor的名词复数 )；恩人 | |
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207
martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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208
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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209
eulogy
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| n.颂词；颂扬 | |
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210
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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211
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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212
disabuse
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| v.解惑；矫正 | |
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213
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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214
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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215
felicitous
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| adj.恰当的，巧妙的；n.恰当，贴切 | |
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216
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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217
contrives
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| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的第三人称单数 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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218
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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219
creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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220
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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221
obliterating
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| v.除去( obliterate的现在分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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222
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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223
debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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224
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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225
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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226
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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227
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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228
aggravation
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| n.烦恼，恼火 | |
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229
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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230
perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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231
disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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232
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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substantiated
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| v.用事实支持（某主张、说法等），证明，证实( substantiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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234
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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235
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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236
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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237
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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238
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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239
traducer
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| n.诽谤者 | |
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240
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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241
dissenters
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| n.持异议者，持不同意见者( dissenter的名词复数 ) | |
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242
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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243
kindliness
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| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
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244
parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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245
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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246
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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247
acrid
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| adj.辛辣的，尖刻的，刻薄的 | |
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248
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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249
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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250
initiation
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| n.开始 | |
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251
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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252
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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253
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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254
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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255
malevolence
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| n.恶意，狠毒 | |
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256
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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257
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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258
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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259
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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260
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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261
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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262
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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263
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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264
discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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265
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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266
humiliates
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| 使蒙羞，羞辱，使丢脸( humiliate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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267
chirping
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 ) | |
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268
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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269
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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270
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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271
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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272
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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273
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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274
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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