‘We are your grateful servants, mistress,’ said he, when the smoking joint8 and the batter9 pudding had been placed upon the table. ‘We have robbed you of your room. Will you not honour us so far as to sit down with us and share our repast?’
‘Nay10, kind sir,’ said the portly dame, much flattered by the proposal; ‘it is not for me to sit with gentles like yourselves.’
‘Beauty has a claim which persons of quality, and above all cavalieros of the sword, are the first to acknowledge,’ cried Saxon, with his little twinkling eyes fixed11 in admiration12 upon her buxom13 countenance14. ‘Nay, by my troth, you shall not leave us. I shall lock the door first. If you will not eat, you shall at least drink a cup of Alicant with me.’
‘Nay, sir, it is too much honour,’ cried Dame Hobson, with a simper. ‘I shall go down into the cellars and bring a flask15 of the best.’
‘Nay, by my manhood, you shall not,’ said Saxon, springing up from his seat. ‘What are all these infernal lazy drawers here for if you are to descend16 to menial offices?’ Handing the widow to a chair he clanked away into the tap-room, where we heard him swearing at the men-servants, and cursing them for a droning set of rascals17 who had taken advantage of the angelic goodness of their mistress and her incomparable sweetness of temper.
‘Here is the wine, fair mistress,’ said he, returning presently with a bottle in either hand. ‘Let me fill your glass. Ha! it flows clear and yellow like a prime vintage. These rogues18 can stir their limbs when they find that there is a man to command them.’
‘Would that there were ever such,’ said the widow meaningly, with a languishing19 look at our companion. ‘Here is to you, sir — and to ye, too, young sirs,’ she added, sipping20 at her wine. ‘May there be a speedy end to the insurrection, for I judge, from your gallant21 equipment, that ye be serving the King.’
‘His business takes us to the West,’ said Reuben, ‘and we have every reason to hope that there will be a speedy end to the insurrection.’
‘Aye, aye, though blood will be shed first,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘They tell me that the rebels are as many as seven thousand, and that they swear to give an’ take no quarter, the murderous villains22! Alas23! how any gentleman can fall to such bloody24 work when he might have a clean honourable25 occupation, such as innkeeping or the like, is more than my poor mind can understand. There is a sad difference betwixt the man who lieth on the cold ground, not knowing how long it may be before he is three feet deep in it, and he who passeth his nights upon a warm feather bed, with mayhap a cellar beneath it stocked with even such wines as we are now drinking.’ She again looked hard at Saxon as she spoke26, while Reuben and I nudged each other beneath the table.
‘This business hath doubtless increased your trade, fair mistress,’ quoth Saxon.
‘Aye, and in the way that payeth best,’ said she. ‘The few kilderkins of beer which are drunk by the common folk make little difference one way or the other. But now, when we have lieutenants27 of counties, officers, mayors, and gentry28 spurring it for very life down the highways, I have sold more of my rare old wines in three days than ever I did before in a calendar month. It is not ale, or strong waters, I promise you, that those gentles drink, but Priniac, Languedoc, Tent, Muscadine, Chiante, and Tokay — never a flask under the half-guinea.’
‘So indeed!’ quoth Saxon thoughtfully. ‘A snug29 home and a steady income.’
‘Would that my poor Peter had lived to share it with me,’ said Dame Hobson, laying down her glass, and rubbing her eyes with a corner of her kerchief. ‘He was a good man, poor soul, though in very truth and between friends he did at last become as broad and as thick as one of his own puncheons. All well, the heart is the thing! Marry come up! if a woman were ever to wait until her own fancy came her way, there would be more maids than mothers in the land.’
‘Prythee, good dame, how runs your own fancy?’ asked Reuben mischievously30.
‘Not in the direction of fat, young man,’ she answered smartly, with a merry glance at our plump companion.
‘She has hit you there, Reuben,’ said I.
‘I would have no pert young springald,’ she continued, ‘but one who hath knowledge of the world, and ripe experience. Tall he should be, and of sinewy31 build, free of speech that he might lighten the weary hours, and help entertain the gentles when they crack a flagon of wine. Of business habits he must be, too, forsooth, for is there not a busy hostel32 and two hundred good pounds a year to pass through his fingers? If Jane Hobson is to be led to the altar again it must be by such a man as this.’
Saxon had listened with much attention to the widow’s words, and had just opened his mouth to make some reply to her when a clattering33 and bustle34 outside announced the arrival of some traveller. Our hostess drank off her wine and pricked35 up her ears, but when a loud authoritative36 voice was heard in the passage, demanding a private room and a draught37 of sack, her call to duty overcame her private concerns, and she bustled38 off with a few words of apology to take the measure of the new-comer.
‘Body o’ me, lads!’ quoth Decimus Saxon the moment that she disappeared, ‘ye can see how the land lies. I have half a mind to let Monmouth carve his own road, and to pitch my tent in this quiet English township.’
‘Your tent, indeed!’ cried Reuben; ‘it is a brave tent that is furnished with cellars of such wine as we are drinking. And as to the quiet, my illustrious, if you take up your residence here I’ll warrant that the quiet soon comes to an end.’
‘You have seen the woman,’ said Saxon, with his brow all in a wrinkle with thought. ‘She hath much to commend her. A man must look to himself. Two hundred pounds a year are not to be picked off the roadside every June morning. It is not princely, but it is something for an old soldier of fortune who hath been in the wars for five-and-thirty years, and foresees the time when his limbs will grow stiff in his harness. What sayeth our learned Fleming —“an mulier —” but what in the name of the devil have we here?’
Our companion’s ejaculation was called forth39 by a noise as of a slight scuffle outside the door, with a smothered40 ‘Oh, sir!’ and ‘What will the maids think?’ The contest was terminated by the door being opened, and Dame Hobson re-entering the room with her face in a glow, and a slim young man dressed in the height of fashion at her heels.
‘I am sure, good gentlemen,’ said she, ‘that ye will not object to this young nobleman drinking his wine in the same room with ye, since all the others are filled with the townsfolk and commonalty.’
‘Faith! I must needs be mine own usher,’ said the stranger, sticking his gold-laced cap under his left arm and laying his hand upon his heart, while he bowed until his forehead nearly struck the edge of the table. ‘Your very humble41 servant, gentlemen, Sir Gervas Jerome, knight42 banneret of his Majesty’s county of Surrey, and at one time custos rotulorum of the district of Beacham Ford43.’
‘Welcome, sir,’ quoth Reuben, with a merry twinkle in his eye. ‘You have before you Don Decimo Saxon of the Spanish nobility, together with Sir Micah Clarke and Sir Reuben Lockarby, both of his Majesty’s county of Hampshire.’
‘Proud and glad to meet ye, gentlemen!’ cried the newcomer, with a flourish. ‘But what is this upon the table? Alicant? Fie, fie, it is a drink for boys. Let us have some good sack with plenty of body in it. Claret for youth, say I, sack for maturity44, and strong waters in old age. Fly, my sweetest, move those dainty feet of thine, for egad! my throat is like leather. Od’s ‘oons, I drank deep last night, and yet it is clear that I could not have drunk enough, for I was as dry as a concordance when I awoke.’
Saxon sat silently at the table, looking so viciously at the stranger out of his half-closed glittering eyes that I feared that we should have another such brawl45 as occurred at Salisbury, with perhaps a more unpleasant ending. Finally, however, his ill-humour at the gallant’s free and easy attention to our hostess spent itself in a few muttered oaths, and he lit his long pipe, the never-failing remedy of a ruffled46 spirit. As to Reuben and myself, we watched our new companion half in wonder and half in amusement, for his appearance and manners were novel enough to raise the interest of inexperienced youngsters like ourselves.
I have said that he was dressed in the height of fashion, and such indeed was the impression which a glance would give. His face was thin and aristocratic, with a well-marked nose, delicate features, and gay careless expression. Some little paleness of the cheeks and darkness under the eyes, the result of hard travel or dissipation, did but add a chastening grace to his appearance. His white periwig, velvet49 and silver riding coat, lavender vest and red satin knee-breeches were all of the best style and cut, but when looked at closely, each and all of these articles of attire50 bore evidence of having seen better days. Beside the dust and stains of travel, there was a shininess or a fading of colour here and there which scarce accorded with the costliness51 of their material or the bearing of their wearer. His long riding-boots had a gaping52 seam in the side of one of them, whilst his toe was pushing its way through the end of the other. For the rest, he wore a handsome silver-hilted rapier at his side, and had a frilled cambric shirt somewhat the worse for wear and open at the front, as was the mode with the gallants of those days. All the time he was speaking he mumbled53 a toothpick, which together with his constant habit of pronouncing his o’s as a’s made his conversation sound strange to our ears. [Note D Appendix] Whilst we were noting these peculiarities54 he was reclining upon Dame Hobson’s best taffatta-covered settee, tranquilly55 combing his wig48 with a delicate ivory comb which he had taken from a small satin bag which hung upon the right of his sword-belt.
‘Lard preserve us from country inns!’ he remarked. ‘What with the boors56 that swarm57 in every chamber58, and the want of mirrors, and jasmine water, and other necessaries, blister59 me if one has not to do one’s toilet in the common room. ‘Oons! I’d as soon travel in the land of the Great Mogul!’
‘When you shall come to be my age, young sir,’ Saxon answered, ‘you may know better than to decry60 a comfortable country hostel.’
‘Very like, sir, very like!’ the gallant answered, with a careless laugh. ‘For all that, being mine own age, I feel the wilds of Wiltshire and the inns of Bruton to be a sorry change after the Mall, and the fare of Pontack’s or the Coca Tree. Ah, Lud! here comes the sack! Open it, my pretty Hebe, and send a drawer with fresh glasses, for these gentlemen must do me the honour of drinking with me. A pinch of snuff, sirs? Aye, ye may well look hard at the box. A pretty little thing, sirs, from a certain lady of title, who shall be nameless; though, if I were to say that her title begins with a D and her name with a C, a gentleman of the Court might hazard a guess.’
Our hostess, having brought fresh glasses, withdrew, and Decimus Saxon soon found an opportunity for following her. Sir Gervas Jerome continued, however, to chatter62 freely to Reuben and myself over the wine, rattling63 along as gaily64 and airily as though we were old acquaintances.
‘Sink me, if I have not frighted your comrade away!’ he remarked, ‘Or is it possible that he hath gone on the slot of the plump widow? Methought he looked in no very good temper when I kissed her at the door. Yet it is a civility which I seldom refuse to anything which wears a cap. Your friend’s appearance smacked65 more of Mars than of Venus, though, indeed, those who worship the god are wont66 to be on good terms with the goddess. A hardy67 old soldier, I should judge, from his feature and attire.’
‘One who hath seen much service abroad,’ I answered.
‘Ha! ye are lucky to ride to the wars in the company of so accomplished68 a cavalier. For I presume that it is to the wars that ye are riding, since ye are all so armed and accoutred.’
‘We are indeed bound for the West,’ I replied, with some reserve, for in Saxon’s absence I did not care to be too loose-tongued.
‘And in what capacity?’ he persisted. ‘Will ye risk your crowns in defence of King James’s one, or will ye strike in, hit or miss, with these rogues of Devon and Somerset? Stop my vital breath, if I would not as soon side with the clown as with the crown, with all due respect to your own principles!’
‘You are a daring man,’ said I, ‘if you air your opinions thus in every inn parlour. Dost not know that a word of what you have said, whispered to the nearest justice of the peace, might mean your liberty, if not your life?’
‘I don’t care the rind of a rotten orange for life or liberty either,’ cried our acquaintance, snapping his finger and thumb. ‘Burn me if it wouldn’t be a new sensation to bandy words with some heavy-chopped country justice, with the Popish plot still stuck in his gizzard, and be thereafter consigned69 to a dungeon70, like the hero in John Dryden’s latest. I have been round-housed many a time by the watch in the old Hawkubite days; but this would be a more dramatic matter, with high treason, block, and axe71 all looming72 in the background.’
‘And rack and pincers for a prologue,’ said Reuben. ‘This ambition is the strangest that I have ever heard tell of.’
‘Anything for a change,’ cried Sir Gervas, filling up a bumper73. ‘Here’s to the maid that’s next our heart, and here’s to the heart that loves the maids! War, wine, and women, ‘twould be a dull world without them. But you have not answered my question.’
‘Why truly, sir,’ said I, ‘frank as you have been with us, I can scarce be equally so with you, without the permission of the gentleman who has just left the room. He is the leader of our party. Pleasant as our short intercourse74 has been, these are parlous75 times, and hasty confidences are apt to lead to repentance76.’
‘A Daniel come to judgment77!’ cried our new acquaintance. ‘What ancient, ancient words from so young a head! You are, I’ll warrant, five years younger than a scatterbrain like myself, and yet you talk like the seven wise men of Greece. Wilt61 take me as a valet?’
‘A valet!’ I exclaimed.
‘Aye, a valet, a man-servant. I have been waited upon so long that it is my turn to wait now, and I would not wish a more likely master. By the Lard! I must, in applying for a place, give an account of my character and a list of my accomplishments. So my rascals ever did with me, though in good truth I seldom listened to their recital78. Honesty — there I score a trick. Sober — Ananias himself could scarce say that I am that. Trustworthy — indifferently so. Steady — hum! about as much so as Garraway’s weathercock. Hang it, man, I am choke full of good resolutions, but a sparkling glass or a roguish eye will deflect79 me, as the mariners80 say of the compass. So much for my weaknesses. Now let me see what qualifications I can produce. A steady nerve, save only when I have my morning qualms81, and a cheerful heart; I score two on that. I can dance saraband, minuet, or corranto; fence, ride, and sing French chansons. Good Lard! who ever heard a valet urge such accomplishments? I can play the best game of piquet in London. So said Sir George Etherege when I won a cool thousand off him at the Groom82 Parter. But that won’t advance me much, either. What is there, then, to commend me? Why, marry, I can brew2 a bowl of punch, and I can broil83 a devilled fowl84. It is not much, but I can do it well.’
‘Truly, good sir,’ I said, with a smile, ‘neither of these accomplishments is like to prove of much use to us on our present errand. You do, however, but jest, no doubt, when you talk of descending85 to such a position.’
‘Not a whit47! not a whit!’ he replied earnestly. ‘“To such base uses do we come,” as Will Shakespeare has it. If you would be able to say that you have in your service Sir Gervas Jerome, knight banneret, and sole owner of Beacham Ford Park, with a rent-roll of four thousand good pounds a year, he is now up for sale, and will be knocked down to the bidder86 who pleases him best. Say but the word, and we’ll have another flagon of sack to clinch87 the bargain.’
‘But,’ said I, ‘if you are indeed owner of this fair property, why should you descend to so menial an occupation?’
‘The Jews, the Jews, oh most astute88 and yet most slow-witted master! The ten tribes have been upon me, and I have been harried89 and wasted, bound, ravished, and despoiled90. Never was Agag, king of Amalek, more completely in the hands of the chosen, and the sole difference is that they have hewed91 into pieces mine estate instead of myself.’
‘Have you lost all, then?’ Reuben asked, open-eyed.
‘Why no — not all — by no means all!’ he answered, with a merry laugh; ‘I have a gold Jacobus and a guinea or two in my purse. ’Twill serve for a flask or so yet. There is my silver-hilted rapier, my rings, my gold snuff-box, and my watch by Tompion at the sign of the Three Crowns. It was never bought under a hundred, I’ll warrant. Then there are such relics92 of grandeur93 as you see upon my person, though they begin to look as frail94 and worn as a waiting-woman’s virtue95. In this bag, too, I retain the means for preserving that niceness and elegance96 of person which made me, though I say it, as well groomed97 a man as ever set foot in St. James’s Park. Here are French scissors, eyebrow98 brush, toothpick case, patch-box, powder-bag, comb, puff99, and my pair of red-heeled shoes. What could a man wish for more? These, with a dry throat, a cheerful heart, and a ready hand, are my whole stock in trade.’
Reuben and I could not forbear from laughing at the curious inventory100 of articles which Sir Gervas had saved from the wreck101 of his fortunes. He upon seeing our mirth was so tickled102 at his own misfortunes, that he laughed in a high treble key until the whole house resounded103 with his merriment. ‘By the Mass,’ he cried at last, ‘I have never had so much honest amusement out of my prosperity as hath been caused in me by my downfall. Fill up your glasses!’
‘We have still some distance to travel this evening, and must not drink more,’ I observed, for prudence104 told me that it was dangerous work for two sober country lads to keep pace with an experienced toper.
‘So!’ said he in surprise. ‘I should have thought that would be a “raison de plus,” as the French say. But I wish your long-legged friend would come back, even if he were intent upon slitting105 my weazand for my attention to the widow. He is not a man to flinch107 from his liquor, I’ll warrant. Curse this Wiltshire dust that clings to my periwig!’
‘Until my comrade returns, Sir Gervas,’ said I, ‘you might, since the subject does not appear to be a painful one to you, let us know how these evil times, which you bear with such philosophy, came upon you.’
‘The old story!’ he answered, flicking108 away a few grains of snuff with his deeply-laced cambric handkerchief. ‘The old, old story! My father, a good, easy country baronet, finding the family purse somewhat full, must needs carry me up to town to make a man of me. There as a young lad I was presented at Court, and being a slim active youngster with a pert tongue and assured manner, I caught the notice of the Queen, who made me one of her pages of honour. This post I held until I grew out of it, when I withdrew from town, but egad! I found I must get back to it again, for Beacham Ford Park was as dull as a monastery109 after the life which I had been living. In town I stayed then with such boon110 companions as Tommy Lawson, my Lord Halifax, Sir Jasper Lemarck, little Geordie Chichester, aye, and old Sidney Godolphin of the Treasury111; for with all his staid ways and long-winded budgets he could drain a cup with the best of us, and was as keen on a main of cocks as on a committee of ways and means. Well, it was rare sport while it lasted, and sink me if I wouldn’t do the same again if I had my time once more. It is like sliding down a greased plank112 though, for at first a man goes slow enough, and thinks he can pull himself up, but presently he goes faster and faster, until he comes with a crash on to the rocks of ruin at the bottom.’
‘And did you run through four thousand pounds a year?’ I exclaimed.
‘Od’s bodikins, man, you speak as if this paltry113 sum were all the wealth of the Indies. Why, from Ormonde or Buckingham, with their twenty thousand, down to ranting114 Dicky Talbot, there was not one of my set who could not have bought me out. Yet I must have my coach and four, my town house, my liveried servants, and my stable full of horses. To be in the mode I must have my poet, and throw him a handful of guineas for his dedication115. Well, poor devil, he is one who will miss me. I warrant his heart was as heavy as his verses when he found me gone, though perchance he has turned a few guineas by this time by writing a satire116 upon me. It would have a ready sale among my friends. Gad’s life! I wonder how my levees get on, and whom all my suitors have fastened on to now. There they were morning after morning, the French pimp, the English bully117, the needy118 man o’ letters, the neglected inventor — I never thought to have got rid of them, but indeed I have shaken them off very effectually now. When the honey-pot is broken it is farewell to the flies.’
‘And your noble friends?’ I asked. ‘Did none of them stand by you in your adversity?’
‘Well, well, I have nought119 to complain of!’ exclaimed Sir Gervas. ‘They were brave-hearted boys for the most part. I might have had their names on my bills as long as their fingers could hold a pen, but slit106 me if I like bleeding my own companions. They might have found a place for me, too, had I consented to play second-fiddle where I had been used to lead the band. I’ faith, I care not what I turn my hand to amongst strangers, but I would fain leave my memory sweet in town.’
‘As to what you proposed, of serving us as a valet,’ said I, ‘it is not to be thought of. We are, in spite of my friend’s waggishness120, but two plain blunt countrymen, and have no more need of a valet than one of those poets which you have spoken of. On the other hand, if you should care to attach yourself to our party, we shall take you where you will see service which shall be more to your taste than the curling of periwigs or the brushing of eyebrows121.’
‘Nay, nay, my friend. Speak not with unseemly levity122 of the mysteries of the toilet,’ he cried. ‘Ye would yourselves be none the worse for a touch of mine ivory comb, and a closer acquaintance with the famous skin-purifying wash of Murphy which I am myself in the habit of using.’
‘I am beholden to you, sir,’ said Reuben, ‘but the famous spring water wash by Providence123 is quite good enough for the purpose.’
‘And Dame Nature hath placed a wig of her own upon me,’ I added, ‘which I should be very loth to change.’
‘Goths! Perfect Goths!’ cried the exquisite124, throwing up his white hands. ‘But here comes a heavy tread and the clink of armour125 in the passage. ’Tis our friend the knight of the wrathful countenance, if I mistake not.’
It was indeed Saxon, who strode into the room to tell us that our horses were at the door, and that all was ready for our departure. Taking him aside I explained to him in a whisper what had passed between the stranger and ourselves, with the circumstances which had led me to suggest that he should join our party. The old soldier frowned at the news.
‘What have we to do with such a coxcomb126?’ he said. ‘We have hard fare and harder blows before us. He is not fit for the work.’
‘You said yourself that Monmouth will he weak in horse,’ I answered. ‘Here is a well-appointed cavalier, who is to all appearance a desperate man and ready for anything. Why should we not enrol127 him?’
‘I fear,’ said Saxon, ‘that his body may prove to be like the bran of a fine cushion, of value only for what it has around it. However, it is perhaps for the best. The handle to his name may make him welcome in the camp, for from what I hear there is some dissatisfaction at the way in which the gentry stand aloof128 from the enterprise.’
‘I had feared,’ I remarked, still speaking in a whisper, ‘that we were about to lose one of our party instead of gaining one in this Bruton inn.’
‘I have thought better of it,’ he answered, with a smile. ‘Nay, I’ll tell you of it anon. Well, Sir Gervas Jerome,’ he added aloud, turning to our new associate, ‘I hear that you are coming with us. For a day you must be content to follow without question or remark. Is that agreed!’
‘With all my heart,’ cried Sir Gervas.
‘Then here’s a bumper to our better acquaintance,’ cried Saxon, raising his glass.
‘I pledge ye all,’ quoth the gallant. ‘Here’s to a fair fight, and may the best men win.’
‘Donnerblitz, man!’ said Saxon. ‘I believe there’s mettle129 in you for all your gay plumes130. I do conceive a liking131 for you. Give me your hand!’
The soldier of fortune’s great brown grip enclosed the delicate hand of our new friend in a pledge of comradeship. Then, having paid our reckoning and bade a cordial adieu to Dame Hobson, who glanced methought somewhat reproachfully or expectantly at Saxon, we sprang on our steeds and continued our journey amidst a crowd of staring villagers, who huzzaed lustily as we rode out from amongst them.
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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brew
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| v.酿造，调制 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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knack
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| n.诀窍，做事情的灵巧的，便利的方法 | |
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dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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batter
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| v.接连重击；磨损；n.牛奶面糊；击球员 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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languishing
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| a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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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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villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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26
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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27
lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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28
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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29
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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30
mischievously
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| adv.有害地；淘气地 | |
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31
sinewy
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| adj.多腱的，强壮有力的 | |
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32
hostel
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| n.（学生）宿舍，招待所 | |
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33
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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34
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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35
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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36
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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37
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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38
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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39
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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40
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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41
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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42
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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43
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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44
maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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45
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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46
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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47
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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48
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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49
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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50
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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51
costliness
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| 昂贵的 | |
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52
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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53
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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55
tranquilly
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| adv. 宁静地 | |
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56
boors
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| n.农民( boor的名词复数 )；乡下佬；没礼貌的人；粗野的人 | |
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57
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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58
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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59
blister
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| n.水疱；(油漆等的)气泡；v.(使)起泡 | |
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60
decry
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| v.危难，谴责 | |
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61
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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62
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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63
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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64
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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65
smacked
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| 拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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67
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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68
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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69
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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70
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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71
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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72
looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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73
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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74
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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75
parlous
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| adj.危险的，不确定的，难对付的 | |
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76
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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77
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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78
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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79
deflect
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| v.(使)偏斜，(使)偏离，(使)转向 | |
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80
mariners
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| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
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81
qualms
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| n.不安；内疚 | |
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82
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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83
broil
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| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
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84
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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85
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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86
bidder
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| n.(拍卖时的)出价人，报价人，投标人 | |
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87
clinch
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| v.敲弯，钉牢；确定；扭住对方 [参]clench | |
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88
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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89
harried
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| v.使苦恼( harry的过去式和过去分词 )；不断烦扰；一再袭击；侵扰 | |
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90
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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91
hewed
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的过去式和过去分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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92
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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93
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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94
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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95
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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96
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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97
groomed
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| v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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98
eyebrow
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| n.眉毛，眉 | |
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99
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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100
inventory
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| n.详细目录，存货清单 | |
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101
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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102
tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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103
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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104
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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105
slitting
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| n.纵裂（缝）v.切开，撕开( slit的现在分词 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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106
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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107
flinch
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| v.畏缩，退缩 | |
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108
flicking
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的现在分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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109
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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110
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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111
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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112
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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113
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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114
ranting
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| v.夸夸其谈( rant的现在分词 )；大叫大嚷地以…说教；气愤地)大叫大嚷；不停地大声抱怨 | |
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115
dedication
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| n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞 | |
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116
satire
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| n.讽刺，讽刺文学，讽刺作品 | |
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117
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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118
needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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119
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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120
waggishness
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121
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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122
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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123
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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124
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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125
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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126
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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127
enrol
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| v.（使）注册入学，（使）入学，（使）入会 | |
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128
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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129
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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130
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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131
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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