As soon as I was left alone with the Sclavonian woman, she took me up to the garret, where she pointed1 out my bed in a row with four others, three of which belonged to three young boys of my age, who at that moment were at school, and the fourth to a servant girl whose province it was to watch us and to prevent the many peccadilloes2 in which school-boys are wont3 to indulge. After this visit we came downstairs, and I was taken to the garden with permission to walk about until dinner-time.
I felt neither happy nor unhappy; I had nothing to say. I had neither fear nor hope, nor even a feeling of curiosity; I was neither cheerful nor sad. The only thing which grated upon me was the face of the mistress of the house. Although I had not the faintest idea either of beauty or of ugliness, her face, her countenance4, her tone of voice, her language, everything in that woman was repulsive5 to me. Her masculine features repelled7 me every time I lifted my eyes towards her face to listen to what she said to me. She was tall and coarse like a trooper; her complexion8 was yellow, her hair black, her eyebrows9 long and thick, and her chin gloried in a respectable bristly beard: to complete the picture, her hideous10, half-naked bosom11 was hanging half-way down her long chest; she may have been about fifty. The servant was a stout12 country girl, who did all the work of the house; the garden was a square of some thirty feet, which had no other beauty than its green appearance.
Towards noon my three companions came back from school, and they at once spoke13 to me as if we had been old acquaintances, naturally giving me credit for such intelligence as belonged to my age, but which I did not possess. I did not answer them, but they were not baffled, and they at last prevailed upon me to share their innocent pleasures. I had to run, to carry and be carried, to turn head over heels, and I allowed myself to be initiated14 into those arts with a pretty good grace until we were summoned to dinner. I sat down to the table; but seeing before me a wooden spoon, I pushed it back, asking for my silver spoon and fork to which I was much attached, because they were a gift from my good old granny. The servant answered that the mistress wished to maintain equality between the boys, and I had to submit, much to my disgust. Having thus learned that equality in everything was the rule of the house, I went to work like the others and began to eat the soup out of the common dish, and if I did not complain of the rapidity with which my companions made it disappear, I could not help wondering at such inequality being allowed. To follow this very poor soup, we had a small portion of dried cod15 and one apple each, and dinner was over: it was in Lent. We had neither glasses nor cups, and we all helped ourselves out of the same earthen pitcher16 to a miserable17 drink called graspia, which is made by boiling in water the stems of grapes stripped of their fruit. From the following day I drank nothing but water. This way of living surprised me, for I did not know whether I had a right to complain of it. After dinner the servant took me to the school, kept by a young priest, Doctor Gozzi, with whom the Sclavonian woman had bargained for my schooling18 at the rate of forty sous a month, or the eleventh part of a sequin.
The first thing to do was to teach me writing, and I was placed amongst children of five and six years, who did not fail to turn me into ridicule19 on account of my age.
On my return to the boarding-house I had my supper, which, as a matter of course, was worse than the dinner, and I could not make out why the right of complaint should be denied me. I was then put to bed, but there three well-known species of vermin kept me awake all night, besides the rats, which, running all over the garret, jumped on my bed and fairly made my blood run cold with fright. This is the way in which I began to feel misery20, and to learn how to suffer it patiently. The vermin, which feasted upon me, lessened21 my fear of the rats, and by a very lucky system of compensation, the dread22 of the rats made me less sensitive to the bites of the vermin. My mind was reaping benefit from the very struggle fought between the evils which surrounded me. The servant was perfectly23 deaf to my screaming.
As soon as it was daylight I ran out of the wretched garret, and, after complaining to the girl of all I had endured during the night, I asked her to give me a Clean shirt, the one I had on being disgusting to look at, but she answered that I could only change my linen25 on a Sunday, and laughed at me when I threatened to complain to the mistress. For the first time in my life I shed tears of sorrow and of anger, when I heard my companions scoffing26 at me. The poor wretches27 shared my unhappy condition, but they were used to it, and that makes all the difference.
Sorely depressed28, I went to school, but only to sleep soundly through the morning. One of my comrades, in the hope of turning the affair into ridicule at my expense, told the doctor the reason of my being so sleepy. The good priest, however, to whom without doubt Providence29 had guided me, called me into his private room, listened to all I had to say, saw with his own eyes the proofs of my misery, and moved by the sight of the blisters30 which disfigured my innocent skin, he took up his cloak, went with me to my boarding-house, and shewed the woman the state I was in. She put on a look of great astonishment31, and threw all the blame upon the servant. The doctor being curious to see my bed, I was, as much as he was, surprised at the filthy32 state of the sheets in which I had passed the night. The accursed woman went on blaming the servant, and said that she would discharge her; but the girl, happening to be close by, and not relishing33 the accusation34, told her boldly that the fault was her own, and she then threw open the beds of my companions to shew us that they did not experience any better treatment. The mistress, raving35, slapped her on the face, and the servant, to be even with her, returned the compliment and ran away. The doctor left me there, saying that I could not enter his school unless I was sent to him as clean as the other boys. The result for me was a very sharp rebuke36, with the threat, as a finishing stroke, that if I ever caused such a broil37 again, I would be ignominiously38 turned out of the house.
I could not make it out; I had just entered life, and I had no knowledge of any other place but the house in which I had been born, in which I had been brought up, and in which I had always seen cleanliness and honest comfort. Here I found myself ill-treated, scolded, although it did not seem possible that any blame could be attached to me. At last the old shrew tossed a shirt in my face, and an hour later I saw a new servant changing the sheets, after which we had our dinner.
My schoolmaster took particular care in instructing me. He gave me a seat at his own desk, and in order to shew my proper appreciation39 of such a favour, I gave myself up to my studies; at the end of the first month I could write so well that I was promoted to the grammar class.
The new life I was leading, the half-starvation system to which I was condemned40, and most likely more than everything else, the air of Padua, brought me health such as I had never enjoyed before, but that very state of blooming health made it still more difficult for me to bear the hunger which I was compelled to endure; it became unbearable41. I was growing rapidly; I enjoyed nine hours of deep sleep, unbroken by any dreams, save that I always fancied myself sitting at a well-spread table, and gratifying my cruel appetite, but every morning I could realize in full the vanity and the unpleasant disappointment of flattering dreams! This ravenous42 appetite would at last have weakened me to death, had I not made up my mind to pounce43 upon, and to swallow, every kind of eatables I could find, whenever I was certain of not being seen.
Necessity begets44 ingenuity45. I had spied in a cupboard of the kitchen some fifty red herrings; I devoured46 them all one after the other, as well as all the sausages which were hanging in the chimney to be smoked; and in order to accomplish those feats47 without being detected, I was in the habit of getting up at night and of undertaking48 my foraging49 expeditions under the friendly veil of darkness. Every new-laid egg I could discover in the poultry-yard, quite warm and scarcely dropped by the hen, was a most delicious treat. I would even go as far as the kitchen of the schoolmaster in the hope of pilfering50 something to eat.
The Sclavonian woman, in despair at being unable to catch the thieves, turned away servant after servant. But, in spite of all my expeditions, as I could not always find something to steal, I was as thin as a walking skeleton.
My progress at school was so rapid during four or five months that the master promoted me to the rank of dux. My province was to examine the lessons of my thirty school-fellows, to correct their mistakes and report to the master with whatever note of blame or of approval I thought they deserved; but my strictness did not last long, for idle boys soon found out the way to enlist51 my sympathy. When their Latin lesson was full of mistakes, they would buy me off with cutlets and roast chickens; they even gave me money. These proceedings52 excited my covetousness53, or, rather, my gluttony, and, not satisfied with levying54 a tax upon the ignorant, I became a tyrant55, and I refused well-merited approbation56 to all those who declined paying the contribution I demanded. At last, unable to bear my injustice57 any longer, the boys accused me, and the master, seeing me convicted of extortion, removed me from my exalted58 position. I would very likely have fared badly after my dismissal, had not Fate decided59 to put an end to my cruel apprenticeship60.
Doctor Gozzi, who was attached to me, called me privately61 one day into his study, and asked me whether I would feel disposed to carry out the advice he would give me in order to bring about my removal from the house of the Sclavonian woman, and my admission in his own family. Finding me delighted at such an offer, he caused me to copy three letters which I sent, one to the Abbe Grimani, another to my friend Baffo, and the last to my excellent grandam. The half-year was nearly out, and my mother not being in Venice at that period there was no time to lose.
In my letters I gave a description of all my sufferings, and I prognosticated my death were I not immediately removed from my boarding-house and placed under the care of my school-master, who was disposed to receive me; but he wanted two sequins a month.
M. Grimani did not answer me, and commissioned his friend Ottaviani to scold me for allowing myself to be ensnared by the doctor; but M. Baffo went to consult with my grandmother, who could not write, and in a letter which he addressed to me he informed me that I would soon find myself in a happier situation. And, truly, within a week the excellent old woman, who loved me until her death, made her appearance as I was sitting down to my dinner. She came in with the mistress of the house, and the moment I saw her I threw my arms around her neck, crying bitterly, in which luxury the old lady soon joined me. She sat down and took me on her knees; my courage rose again. In the presence of the Sclavonian woman I enumerated62 all my grievances63, and after calling her attention to the food, fit only for beggars, which I was compelled to swallow, I took her upstairs to shew her my bed. I begged her to take me out and give me a good dinner after six months of such starvation. The boarding-house keeper boldly asserted that she could not afford better for the amount she had received, and there was truth in that, but she had no business to keep house and to become the tormentor64 of poor children who were thrown on her hands by stinginess, and who required to be properly fed.
My grandmother very quietly intimated her intention to take me away forthwith, and asked her to put all my things in my trunk. I cannot express my joy during these preparations. For the first time I felt that kind of happiness which makes forgiveness compulsory66 upon the being who enjoys it, and causes him to forget all previous unpleasantness. My grandmother took me to the inn, and dinner was served, but she could hardly eat anything in her astonishment at the voracity67 with which I was swallowing my food. In the meantime Doctor Gozzi, to whom she had sent notice of her arrival, came in, and his appearance soon prepossessed her in his favour. He was then a fine- looking priest, twenty-six years of age, chubby69, modest, and respectful. In less than a quarter of an hour everything was satisfactorily arranged between them. The good old lady counted out twenty-four sequins for one year of my schooling, and took a receipt for the same, but she kept me with her for three days in order to have me clothed like a priest, and to get me a wig70, as the filthy state of my hair made it necessary to have it all cut off.
At the end of the three days she took me to the doctor’s house, so as to see herself to my installation and to recommend me to the doctor’s mother, who desired her to send or to buy in Padua a bedstead and bedding; but the doctor having remarked that, his own bed being very wide, I might sleep with him, my grandmother expressed her gratitude71 for all his kindness, and we accompanied her as far as the burchiello she had engaged to return to Venice.
The family of Doctor Gozzi was composed of his mother, who had great reverence72 for him, because, a peasant by birth, she did not think herself worthy73 of having a son who was a priest, and still more a doctor in divinity; she was plain, old, and cross; and of his father, a shoemaker by trade, working all day long and never addressing a word to anyone, not even during the meals. He only became a sociable75 being on holidays, on which occasions he would spend his time with his friends in some tavern76, coming home at midnight as drunk as a lord and singing verses from Tasso. When in this blissful state the good man could not make up his mind to go to bed, and became violent if anyone attempted to compel him to lie down. Wine alone gave him sense and spirit, for when sober he was incapable77 of attending to the simplest family matter, and his wife often said that he never would have married her had not his friends taken care to give him a good breakfast before he went to the church.
But Doctor Gozzi had also a sister, called Bettina, who at the age of thirteen was pretty, lively, and a great reader of romances. Her father and mother scolded her constantly because she was too often looking out of the window, and the doctor did the same on account of her love for reading. This girl took at once my fancy without my knowing why, and little by little she kindled78 in my heart the first spark of a passion which, afterwards became in me the ruling one.
Six months after I had been an inmate79 in the house, the doctor found himself without scholars; they all went away because I had become the sole object of his affection. He then determined80 to establish a college, and to receive young boys as boarders; but two years passed before he met with any success. During that period he taught me everything he knew; true, it was not much; yet it was enough to open to me the high road to all sciences. He likewise taught me the violin, an accomplishment81 which proved very useful to me in a peculiar82 circumstance, the particulars of which I will give in good time. The excellent doctor, who was in no way a philosopher, made me study the logic83 of the Peripatetics, and the cosmography of the ancient system of Ptolemy, at which I would laugh, teasing the poor doctor with theorems to which he could find no answer. His habits, moreover, were irreproachable84, and in all things connected with religion, although no bigot, he was of the greatest strictness, and, admitting everything as an article of faith, nothing appeared difficult to his conception. He believed the deluge85 to have been universal, and he thought that, before that great cataclysm86, men lived a thousand years and conversed87 with God, that Noah took one hundred years to build the ark, and that the earth, suspended in the air, is firmly held in the very centre of the universe which God had created from nothing. When I would say and prove that it was absurd to believe in the existence of nothingness, he would stop me short and call me a fool.
He could enjoy a good bed, a glass of wine, and cheerfulness at home. He did not admire fine wits, good jests or criticism, because it easily turns to slander89, and he would laugh at the folly90 of men reading newspapers which, in his opinion, always lied and constantly repeated the same things. He asserted that nothing was more troublesome than incertitude91, and therefore he condemned thought because it gives birth to doubt.
His ruling passion was preaching, for which his face and his voice qualified92 him; his congregation was almost entirely93 composed of women of whom, however, he was the sworn enemy; so much so, that he would not look them in the face even when he spoke to them. Weakness of the flesh and fornication appeared to him the most monstrous94 of sins, and he would be very angry if I dared to assert that, in my estimation, they were the most venial95 of faults. His sermons were crammed96 with passages from the Greek authors, which he translated into Latin. One day I ventured to remark that those passages ought to be translated into Italian because women did not understand Latin any more than Greek, but he took offence, and I never had afterwards the courage to allude97 any more to the matter. Moreover he praised me to his friends as a wonder, because I had learned to read Greek alone, without any assistance but a grammar.
During Lent, in the year 1736, my mother, wrote to the doctor; and, as she was on the point of her departure for St. Petersburg, she wished to see me, and requested him to accompany me to Venice for three or four days. This invitation set him thinking, for he had never seen Venice, never frequented good company, and yet he did not wish to appear a novice98 in anything. We were soon ready to leave Padua, and all the family escorted us to the ‘burchiello’.
My mother received the doctor with a most friendly welcome; but she was strikingly beautiful, and my poor master felt very uncomfortable, not daring to look her in the face, and yet called upon to converse88 with her. She saw the dilemma99 he was in, and thought she would have some amusing sport about it should opportunity present itself. I, in the meantime, drew the attention of everyone in her circle; everybody had known me as a fool, and was amazed at my improvement in the short space of two years. The doctor was overjoyed, because he saw that the full credit of my transformation100 was given to him.
The first thing which struck my mother unpleasantly was my light- coloured wig, which was not in harmony with my dark complexion, and contrasted most woefully with my black eyes and eyebrows. She inquired from the doctor why I did not wear my own hair, and he answered that, with a wig, it was easier for his sister to keep me clean. Everyone smiled at the simplicity102 of the answer, but the merriment increased when, to the question made by my mother whether his sister was married, I took the answer upon myself, and said that Bettina was the prettiest girl of Padua, and was only fourteen years of age. My mother promised the doctor a splendid present for his sister on condition that she would let me wear my own hair, and he promised that her wishes would be complied with. The peruke-maker was then called, and I had a wig which matched my complexion.
Soon afterwards all the guests began to play cards, with the exception of my master, and I went to see my brothers in my grandmother’s room. Francois shewed me some architectural designs which I pretended to admire; Jean had nothing to skew me, and I thought him a rather insignificant103 boy. The others were still very young.
At the supper-table, the doctor, seated next to my mother, was very awkward. He would very likely not have said one word, had not an Englishman, a writer of talent, addressed him in Latin; but the doctor, being unable to make him out, modestly answered that he did not understand English, which caused much hilarity104. M. Baffo, however, explained the puzzle by telling us that Englishmen read and pronounced Latin in the same way that they read and spoke their own language, and I remarked that Englishmen were wrong as much as we would be, if we pretended to read and to pronounce their language according to Latin rules. The Englishman, pleased with my reasoning, wrote down the following old couplet, and gave it to me to read:
‘Dicite, grammatici, cur mascula nomina cunnus,
Et cur femineum mentula nomen habet.’
After reading it aloud, I exclaimed, “This is Latin indeed.”
“We know that,” said my mother, “but can you explain it,”
“To explain it is not enough,” I answered; “it is a question which is worthy of an answer.” And after considering for a moment, I wrote the following pentameter
‘Disce quod a domino nomina servus habet.’
This was my first literary exploit, and I may say that in that very instant the seed of my love for literary fame was sown in my breast, for the applause lavished105 upon me exalted me to the very pinnacle106 of happiness. The Englishman, quite amazed at my answer, said that no boy of eleven years had ever accomplished107 such a feat6, embraced me repeatedly, and presented me with his watch. My mother, inquisitive108 like a woman, asked M. Grimani to tell her the meaning of the lines, but as the abbe was not any wiser than she was M. Baffo translated it in a whisper. Surprised at my knowledge, she rose from her chair to get a valuable gold watch and presented to my master, who, not knowing how to express his deep gratitude, treated us to the most comic scene. My mother, in order to save him from the difficulty of paying her a compliment, offered him her cheek. He had only to give her a couple of kisses, the easiest and the most innocent thing in good company; but the poor man was on burning coals, and so completely out of countenance that he would, I truly believe, rather have died than give the kisses. He drew back with his head down, and he was allowed to remain in peace until we retired109 for the night.
When we found ourselves alone in our room, he poured out his heart, and exclaimed that it was a pity he could not publish in Padua the distich and my answer.
“And why not?” I said.
“Because both are obscene.”
“But they are sublime110.”
“Let us go to bed and speak no more on the subject. Your answer was wonderful, because you cannot possibly know anything of the subject in question, or of the manner in which verses ought to be written.”
As far as the subject was concerned, I knew it by theory; for, unknown to the doctor, and because he had forbidden it, I had read Meursius, but it was natural that he should be amazed at my being able to write verses, when he, who had taught me prosody111, never could compose a single line. ‘Nemo dat quod non habet’ is a false axiom when applied112 to mental acquirements.
Four days afterwards, as we were preparing for our departure, my mother gave me a parcel for Bettina, and M. Grimani presented me with four sequins to buy books. A week later my mother left for St. Petersburg.
After our return to Padua, my good master for three or four months never ceased to speak of my mother, and Bettina, having found in the parcel five yards of black silk and twelve pairs of gloves, became singularly attached to me, and took such good care of my hair that in less than six months I was able to give up wearing the wig. She used to comb my hair every morning, often before I was out of bed, saying that she had not time to wait until I was dressed. She washed my face, my neck, my chest; lavished on me childish caresses113 which I thought innocent, but which caused me to, be angry with myself, because I felt that they excited me. Three years younger than she was, it seemed to me that she could not love me with any idea of mischief114, and the consciousness of my own vicious excitement put me out of temper with myself. When, seated on my bed, she would say that I was getting stouter115, and would have the proof of it with her own hands, she caused me the most intense emotion; but I said nothing, for fear she would remark my sensitiveness, and when she would go on saying that my skin was soft, the tickling116 sensation made me draw back, angry with myself that I did not dare to do the same to her, but delighted at her not guessing how I longed to do it. When I was dressed, she often gave me the sweetest kisses, calling me her darling child, but whatever wish I had to follow her example, I was not yet bold enough. After some time, however, Bettina laughing at my timidity, I became more daring and returned her kisses with interest, but I always gave way the moment I felt a wish to go further; I then would turn my head, pretending to look for something, and she would go away. She was scarcely out of the room before I was in despair at not having followed the inclination117 of my nature, and, astonished at the fact that Bettina could do to me all she was in the habit of doing without feeling any excitement from it, while I could hardly refrain from pushing my attacks further, I would every day determine to change my way of acting118.
In the early part of autumn, the doctor received three new boarders; and one of them, who was fifteen years old, appeared to me in less than a month on very friendly terms with Bettina.
This circumstance caused me a feeling of which until then I had no idea, and which I only analyzed119 a few years afterwards. It was neither jealousy120 nor indignation, but a noble contempt which I thought ought not to be repressed, because Cordiani, an ignorant, coarse boy, without talent or polite education, the son of a simple farmer, and incapable of competing with me in anything, having over me but the advantage of dawning manhood, did not appear to me a fit person to be preferred to me; my young self-esteem whispered that I was above him. I began to nurse a feeling of pride mixed with contempt which told against Bettina, whom I loved unknown to myself. She soon guessed it from the way I would receive her caresses, when she came to comb my hair while I was in bed; I would repulse121 her hands, and no longer return her kisses. One day, vexed122 at my answering her question as to the reason of my change towards her by stating that I had no cause for it, she, told me in a tone of commiseration123 that I was jealous of Cordiani. This reproach sounded to me like a debasing slander. I answered that Cordiani was, in my estimation, as worthy of her as she was worthy of him. She went away smiling, but, revolving124 in her mind the only way by which she could be revenged, she thought herself bound to render me jealous. However, as she could not attain125 such an end without making me fall in love with her, this is the policy she adopted.
One morning she came to me as I was in bed and brought me a pair of white stockings of her own knitting. After dressing74 my hair, she asked my permission to try the stockings on herself, in order to correct any deficiency in the other pairs she intended to knit for me. The doctor had gone out to say his mass. As she was putting on the stocking, she remarked that my legs were not clean, and without any more ado she immediately began to wash them. I would have been ashamed to let her see my bashfulness; I let her do as she liked, not foreseeing what would happen. Bettina, seated on my bed, carried too far her love for cleanliness, and her curiosity caused me such intense voluptuousness127 that the feeling did not stop until it could be carried no further. Having recovered my calm, I bethought myself that I was guilty and begged her forgiveness. She did not expect this, and, after considering for a few moments, she told me kindly128 that the fault was entirely her own, but that she never would again be guilty of it. And she went out of the room, leaving me to my own thoughts.
They were of a cruel character. It seemed to me that I had brought dishonour129 upon Bettina, that I had betrayed the confidence of her family, offended against the sacred laws of hospitality, that I was guilty of a most wicked crime, which I could only atone130 for by marrying her, in case Bettina could make up her mind to accept for her husband a wretch24 unworthy of her.
These thoughts led to a deep melancholy131 which went on increasing from day to day, Bettina having entirely ceased her morning visits by my bedside. During the first week, I could easily account for the girl’s reserve, and my sadness would soon have taken the character of the warmest love, had not her manner towards Cordiani inoculated132 in my veins133 the poison of jealousy, although I never dreamed of accusing her of the same crime towards him that she had committed upon me.
I felt convinced, after due consideration, that the act she had been guilty of with me had been deliberately134 done, and that her feelings of repentance135 kept her away from me. This conviction was rather flattering to my vanity, as it gave me the hope of being loved, and the end of all my communings was that I made up my mind to write to her, and thus to give her courage.
I composed a letter, short but calculated to restore peace to her mind, whether she thought herself guilty, or suspected me of feelings contrary to those which her dignity might expect from me. My letter was, in my own estimation, a perfect masterpiece, and just the kind of epistle by which I was certain to conquer her very adoration136, and to sink for ever the sun of Cordiani, whom I could not accept as the sort of being likely to make her hesitate for one instant in her choice between him and me. Half-an-hour after the receipt of my letter, she told me herself that the next morning she would pay me her usual visit, but I waited in vain. This conduct provoked me almost to madness, but my surprise was indeed great when, at the breakfast table, she asked me whether I would let her dress me up as a girl to accompany her five or six days later to a ball for which a neighbour of ours, Doctor Olivo, had sent letters of invitation. Everybody having seconded the motion, I gave my consent. I thought this arrangement would afford a favourable137 opportunity for an explanation, for mutual138 vindication139, and would open a door for the most complete reconciliation140, without fear of any surprise arising from the proverbial weakness of the flesh. But a most unexpected circumstance prevented our attending the ball, and brought forth65 a comedy with a truly tragic141 turn.
Doctor Gozzi’s godfather, a man advanced in age, and in easy circumstances, residing in the country, thought himself, after a severe illness, very near his end, and sent to the doctor a carriage with a request to come to him at once with his father, as he wished them to be present at his death, and to pray for his departing soul. The old shoemaker drained a bottle, donned his Sunday clothes, and went off with his son.
I thought this a favourable opportunity and determined to improve it, considering that the night of the ball was too remote to suit my impatience142. I therefore managed to tell Bettina that I would leave ajar the door of my room, and that I would wait for her as soon as everyone in the house had gone to bed. She promised to come. She slept on the ground floor in a small closet divided only by a partition from her father’s chamber143; the doctor being away, I was alone in the large room. The three boarders had their apartment in a different part of the house, and I had therefore no mishap144 to fear. I was delighted at the idea that I had at last reached the moment so ardently145 desired.
The instant I was in my room I bolted my door and opened the one leading to the passage, so that Bettina should have only to push it in order to come in; I then put my light out, but did not undress. When we read of such situations in a romance we think they are exaggerated; they are not so, and the passage in which Ariosto represents Roger waiting for Alcine is a beautiful picture painted from nature.
Until midnight I waited without feeling much anxiety; but I heard the clock strike two, three, four o’clock in the morning without seeing Bettina; my blood began to boil, and I was soon in a state of furious rage. It was snowing hard, but I shook from passion more than from cold. One hour before day-break, unable to master any longer my impatience, I made up my mind to go downstairs with bare feet, so as not to wake the dog, and to place myself at the bottom of the stairs within a yard of Bettina’s door, which ought to have been opened if she had gone out of her room. I reached the door; it was closed, and as it could be locked only from inside I imagined that Bettina had fallen asleep. I was on the point of knocking at the door, but was prevented by fear of rousing the dog, as from that door to that of her closet there was a distance of three or four yards. Overwhelmed with grief, and unable to take a decision, I sat down on the last step of the stairs; but at day-break, chilled, benumbed, shivering with cold, afraid that the servant would see me and would think I was mad, I determined to go back to my room. I arise, but at that very moment I hear some noise in Bettina’s room. Certain that I am going to see her, and hope lending me new strength, I draw nearer to the door. It opens; but instead of Bettina coming out I see Cordiani, who gives me such a furious kick in the stomach that I am thrown at a distance deep in the snow. Without stopping a single instant Cordiani is off, and locks himself up in the room which he shared with the brothers Feltrini.
I pick myself up quickly with the intention of taking my revenge upon Bettina, whom nothing could have saved from the effects of my rage at that moment. But I find her door locked; I kick vigorously against it, the dog starts a loud barking, and I make a hurried retreat to my room, in which I lock myself up, throwing myself in bed to compose and heal up my mind and body, for I was half dead.
Deceived, humbled146, ill-treated, an object of contempt to the happy and triumphant147 Cordiani, I spent three hours ruminating148 the darkest schemes of revenge. To poison them both seemed to me but a trifle in that terrible moment of bitter misery. This project gave way to another as extravagant149, as cowardly-namely, to go at once to her brother and disclose everything to him. I was twelve years of age, and my mind had not yet acquired sufficient coolness to mature schemes of heroic revenge, which are produced by false feelings of honour; this was only my apprenticeship in such adventures.
I was in that state of mind when suddenly I heard outside of my door the gruff voice of Bettina’s mother, who begged me to come down, adding that her daughter was dying. As I would have been very sorry if she had departed this life before she could feel the effects of my revenge, I got up hurriedly and went downstairs. I found Bettina lying in her father’s bed writhing150 with fearful convulsions, and surrounded by the whole family. Half dressed, nearly bent151 in two, she was throwing her body now to the right, now to the left, striking at random152 with her feet and with her fists, and extricating153 herself by violent shaking from the hands of those who endeavoured to keep her down.
With this sight before me, and the night’s adventure still in my mind, I hardly knew what to think. I had no knowledge of human nature, no knowledge of artifice154 and tricks, and I could not understand how I found myself coolly witnessing such a scene, and composedly calm in the presence of two beings, one of whom I intended to kill and the other to dishonour. At the end of an hour Bettina fell asleep.
A nurse and Doctor Olivo came soon after. The first said that the convulsions were caused by hysterics, but the doctor said no, and prescribed rest and cold baths. I said nothing, but I could not refrain from laughing at them, for I knew, or rather guessed, that Bettina’s sickness was the result of her nocturnal employment, or of the fright which she must have felt at my meeting with Cordiani. At all events, I determined to postpone155 my revenge until the return of her brother, although I had not the slightest suspicion that her illness was all sham126, for I did not give her credit for so much cleverness.
To return to my room I had to pass through Bettina’s closet, and seeing her dress handy on the bed I took it into my head to search her pockets. I found a small note, and recognizing Cordiani’s handwriting, I took possession of it to read it in my room. I marvelled156 at the girl’s imprudence, for her mother might have discovered it, and being unable to read would very likely have given it to the doctor, her son. I thought she must have taken leave of her senses, but my feelings may be appreciated when I read the following words: “As your father is away it is not necessary to leave your door ajar as usual. When we leave the supper-table I will go to your closet; you will find me there.”
When I recovered from my stupor157 I gave way to an irresistible158 fit of laughter, and seeing how completely I had been duped I thought I was cured of my love. Cordiani appeared to me deserving of forgiveness, and Bettina of contempt. I congratulated myself upon having received a lesson of such importance for the remainder of my life. I even went so far as to acknowledge to myself that Bettina had been quite right in giving the preference to Cordiani, who was fifteen years old, while I was only a child. Yet, in spite of my good disposition159 to forgiveness, the kick administered by Cordiani was still heavy upon my memory, and I could not help keeping a grudge160 against him.
At noon, as we were at dinner in the kitchen, where we took our meals on account of the cold weather, Bettina began again to raise piercing screams. Everybody rushed to her room, but I quietly kept my seat and finished my dinner, after which I went to my studies. In the evening when I came down to supper I found that Bettina’s bed had been brought to the kitchen close by her mother’s; but it was no concern of mine, and I remained likewise perfectly indifferent to the noise made during the night, and to the confusion which took place in the morning, when she had a fresh fit of convulsions.
Doctor Gozzi and his father returned in the evening. Cordiani, who felt uneasy, came to inquire from me what my intentions were, but I rushed towards him with an open penknife in my hand, and he beat a hasty retreat. I had entirely abandoned the idea of relating the night’s scandalous adventure to the doctor, for such a project I could only entertain in a moment of excitement and rage. The next day the mother came in while we were at our lesson, and told the doctor, after a lengthened161 preamble162, that she had discovered the character of her daughter’s illness; that it was caused by a spell thrown over her by a witch, and that she knew the witch well.
“It may be, my dear mother, but we must be careful not to make a mistake. Who is the witch?”
“Our old servant, and I have just had a proof of it.”
“How so?”
“I have barred the door of my room with two broomsticks placed in the shape of a cross, which she must have undone163 to go in; but when she saw them she drew back, and she went round by the other door. It is evident that, were she not a witch, she would not be afraid of touching164 them.”
“It is not complete evidence, dear mother; send the woman to me.”
The servant made her appearance.
“Why,” said the doctor, “did you not enter my mother’s room this morning through the usual door?”
“I do not know what you mean.”
“Did you not see the St. Andrew’s cross on the door?”
“What cross is that?”
“It is useless to plead ignorance,” said the mother; “where did you sleep last Thursday night?”
“At my niece’s, who had just been confined.”
“Nothing of the sort. You were at the witches’ Sabbath; you are a witch, and have bewitched my daughter.”
The poor woman, indignant at such an accusation, spits at her mistress’s face; the mistress, enraged165, gets hold of a stick to give the servant a drubbing; the doctor endeavours to keep his mother back, but he is compelled to let her loose and to run after the servant, who was hurrying down the stairs, screaming and howling in order to rouse the neighbours; he catches her, and finally succeeds in pacifying166 her with some money.
After this comical but rather scandalous exhibition, the doctor donned his vestments for the purpose of exorcising his sister and of ascertaining167 whether she was truly possessed68 of an unclean spirit. The novelty of this mystery attracted the whole of my attention. All the inmates168 of the house appeared to me either mad or stupid, for I could not, for the life of me, imagine that diabolical169 spirits were dwelling170 in Bettina’s body. When we drew near her bed, her breathing had, to all appearance, stopped, and the exorcisms of her brother did not restore it. Doctor Olivo happened to come in at that moment, and inquired whether he would be in the way; he was answered in the negative, provided he had faith.
Upon which he left, saying that he had no faith in any miracles except in those of the Gospel.
Soon after Doctor Gozzi went to his room, and finding myself alone with Bettina I bent down over her bed and whispered in her ear.
“Take courage, get well again, and rely upon my discretion171.”
She turned her head towards the wall and did not answer me, but the day passed off without any more convulsions. I thought I had cured her, but on the following day the frenzy172 went up to the brain, and in her delirium173 she pronounced at random Greek and Latin words without any meaning, and then no doubt whatever was entertained of her being possessed of the evil spirit. Her mother went out and returned soon, accompanied by the most renowned174 exorcist of Padua, a very ill- featured Capuchin, called Friar Prospero da Bovolenta.
The moment Bettina saw the exorcist, she burst into loud laughter, and addressed to him the most offensive insults, which fairly delighted everybody, as the devil alone could be bold enough to address a Capuchin in such a manner; but the holy man, hearing himself called an obtrusive175 ignoramus and a stinkard, went on striking Bettina with a heavy crucifix, saying that he was beating the devil. He stopped only when he saw her on the point of hurling176 at him the chamber utensil177 which she had just seized. “If it is the devil who has offended thee with his words,” she said, “resent the insult with words likewise, jackass that thou art, but if I have offended thee myself, learn, stupid booby, that thou must respect me, and be off at once.”
I could see poor Doctor Gozzi blushing; the friar, however, held his ground, and, armed at all points, began to read a terrible exorcism, at the end of which he commanded the devil to state his name.
“My name is Bettina.”
“It cannot be, for it is the name of a baptized girl.”
“Then thou art of opinion that a devil must rejoice in a masculine name? Learn, ignorant friar, that a devil is a spirit, and does not belong to either sex. But as thou believest that a devil is speaking to thee through my lips, promise to answer me with truth, and I will engage to give way before thy incantations.”
“Very well, I agree to this.”
“Tell me, then, art thou thinking that thy knowledge is greater than mine?”
“No, but I believe myself more powerful in the name of the holy Trinity, and by my sacred character.”
“If thou art more powerful than I, then prevent me from telling thee unpalatable truths. Thou art very vain of thy beard, thou art combing and dressing it ten times a day, and thou would’st not shave half of it to get me out of this body. Cut off thy beard, and I promise to come out.”
“Father of lies, I will increase thy punishment a hundred fold.”
“I dare thee to do it.”
After saying these words, Bettina broke into such a loud peal178 of laughter, that I could not refrain from joining in it. The Capuchin, turning towards Doctor Gozzi, told him that I was wanting in faith, and that I ought to leave the room; which I did, remarking that he had guessed rightly. I was not yet out of the room when the friar offered his hand to Bettina for her to kiss, and I had the pleasure of seeing her spit upon it.
This strange girl, full of extraordinary talent, made rare sport of the friar, without causing any surprise to anyone, as all her answers were attributed to the devil. I could not conceive what her purpose was in playing such a part.
The Capuchin dined with us, and during the meal he uttered a good deal of nonsense. After dinner, he returned to Bettina’s chamber, with the intention of blessing179 her, but as soon as she caught sight of him, she took up a glass full of some black mixture sent from the apothecary180, and threw it at his head. Cordiani, being close by the friar, came in for a good share of the liquid-an accident which afforded me the greatest delight. Bettina was quite right to improve her opportunity, as everything she did was, of course, put to the account of the unfortunate devil. Not overmuch pleased, Friar Prospero, as he left the house, told the doctor that there was no doubt of the girl being possessed, but that another exorcist must be sent for, since he had not, himself, obtained God’s grace to eject the evil spirit.
After he had gone, Bettina kept very calm for six hours, and in the evening, to our great surprise, she joined us at the supper table. She told her parents that she felt quite well, spoke to her brother, and then, addressing me, she remarked that, the ball taking place on the morrow, she would come to my room in the morning to dress my hair like a girl’s. I thanked her, and said that, as she had been so ill, she ought to nurse herself. She soon retired to bed, and we remained at the table, talking of her.
When I was undressing for the night, I took up my night-cap, and found in it a small note with these words: “You must accompany me to the ball, disguised as a girl, or I will give you a sight which will cause you to weep.”
I waited until the doctor was asleep, and I wrote the following answer: “I cannot go to the ball, because I have fully101 made up my mind to avoid every opportunity of being alone with you. As for the painful sight with which you threaten to entertain me, I believe you capable of keeping your word, but I entreat181 you to spare my heart, for I love you as if you were my sister. I have forgiven you, dear Bettina, and I wish to forget everything. I enclose a note which you must be delighted to have again in your possession. You see what risk you were running when you left it in your pocket. This restitution182 must convince you of my friendship.”
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1
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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2
peccadilloes
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| n.轻罪，小过失( peccadillo的名词复数 ) | |
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3
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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4
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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5
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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7
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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8
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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9
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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10
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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11
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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13
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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14
initiated
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| n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入 | |
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15
cod
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| n.鳕鱼；v.愚弄；哄骗 | |
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16
pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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17
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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18
schooling
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| n.教育；正规学校教育 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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21
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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22
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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23
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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24
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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25
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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26
scoffing
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| n. 嘲笑, 笑柄, 愚弄 v. 嘲笑, 嘲弄, 愚弄, 狼吞虎咽 | |
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27
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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28
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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29
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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30
blisters
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| n.水疱( blister的名词复数 )；水肿；气泡 | |
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31
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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32
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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33
relishing
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| v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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34
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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35
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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36
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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37
broil
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| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
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38
ignominiously
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| adv.耻辱地，屈辱地，丢脸地 | |
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39
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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40
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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41
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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42
ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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43
pounce
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| n.猛扑；v.猛扑，突然袭击，欣然同意 | |
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44
begets
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| v.为…之生父( beget的第三人称单数 )；产生，引起 | |
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45
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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46
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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47
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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48
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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49
foraging
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| v.搜寻（食物），尤指动物觅（食）( forage的现在分词 )；（尤指用手）搜寻（东西） | |
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50
pilfering
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| v.偷窃（小东西），小偷( pilfer的现在分词 )；偷窃（一般指小偷小摸） | |
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51
enlist
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| vt.谋取(支持等)，赢得；征募；vi.入伍 | |
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52
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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53
covetousness
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54
levying
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| 征（兵）( levy的现在分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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55
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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56
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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57
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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58
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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59
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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60
apprenticeship
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| n.学徒身份；学徒期 | |
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61
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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62
enumerated
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| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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64
tormentor
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| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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65
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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66
compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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67
voracity
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| n.贪食，贪婪 | |
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68
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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69
chubby
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| adj.丰满的，圆胖的 | |
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70
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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71
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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72
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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73
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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74
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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75
sociable
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| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
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76
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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77
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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78
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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79
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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80
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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81
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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82
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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83
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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84
irreproachable
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| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
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85
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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86
cataclysm
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| n.洪水，剧变，大灾难 | |
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87
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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88
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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89
slander
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| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
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90
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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91
incertitude
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| n.疑惑，不确定 | |
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92
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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93
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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94
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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95
venial
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| adj.可宽恕的；轻微的 | |
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96
crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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97
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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98
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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99
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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100
transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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101
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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102
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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103
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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104
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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105
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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107
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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108
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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109
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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110
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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111
prosody
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| n.诗体论，作诗法 | |
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112
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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113
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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114
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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115
stouter
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| 粗壮的( stout的比较级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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116
tickling
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| 反馈，回授，自旋挠痒法 | |
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117
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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118
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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119
analyzed
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| v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析 | |
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120
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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121
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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122
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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123
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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124
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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125
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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126
sham
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| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
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127
voluptuousness
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| n.风骚，体态丰满 | |
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128
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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129
dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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130
atone
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| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
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131
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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132
inoculated
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| v.给…做预防注射( inoculate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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133
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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134
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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135
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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136
adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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137
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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138
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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139
vindication
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| n.洗冤，证实 | |
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140
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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141
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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142
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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143
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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144
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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145
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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146
humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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147
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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148
ruminating
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| v.沉思( ruminate的现在分词 )；反复考虑；反刍；倒嚼 | |
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149
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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150
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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151
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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152
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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153
extricating
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的现在分词 ) | |
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154
artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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155
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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156
marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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157
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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158
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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159
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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160
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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161
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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162
preamble
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| n.前言；序文 | |
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163
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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164
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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165
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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166
pacifying
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| 使（某人）安静( pacify的现在分词 )； 息怒； 抚慰； 在（有战争的地区、国家等）实现和平 | |
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167
ascertaining
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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168
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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169
diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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170
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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171
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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172
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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173
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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174
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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175
obtrusive
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| adj.显眼的；冒失的 | |
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176
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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177
utensil
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| n.器皿，用具 | |
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178
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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179
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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180
apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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181
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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182
restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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