But yet, O Nature! is there nought2 to prize,
Familiar in thy bosom3 scenes of life?
And dwells in daylight truth’s salubrious skies
No form with which the soul may sympathize?
Young, innocent, on whose sweet forehead mild
The parted ringlet shone in simplest guise4,
An inmate5 in the home of Albert smiled,
Or blessed his noonday walk — she was his only child.
Gertrude of Wyoming.
O time, thou hast played strange tricks with us; and we bless the stars that made us a novelist, and permit us now to retaliate6. Leaving Paul to the instructions of Augustus Tomlinson and the festivities of the Jolly Angler, and suffering him, by slow but sure degrees, to acquire the graces and the reputation of the accomplished7 and perfect appropriator of other men’s possessions, we shall pass over the lapse8 of years with the same heedless rapidity with which they have glided10 over us, and summon our reader to a very different scene from those which would be likely to greet his eyes, were he following the adventures of our new Telemachus. Nor wilt12 thou, dear reader, whom we make the umpire between ourself and those who never read — the critics; thou who hast, in the true spirit of gentle breeding, gone with us among places where the novelty of the scene has, we fear, scarcely atoned13 for the coarseness, not giving thyself the airs of a dainty abigail — not prating14, lacquey-like, on the low company thou has met — nor wilt thou, dear and friendly reader, have cause to dread15 that we shall weary thy patience by a “damnable iteration” of the same localities. Pausing for a moment to glance over the divisions of our story, which lies before us like a map, we feel that we may promise in future to conduct thee among aspects of society more familiar to thy habits; where events flow to their allotted16 gulf17 through landscapes of more pleasing variety and among tribes of a more luxurious18 civilization.
Upon the banks of one of fair England’s fairest rivers, and about fifty miles distant from London, still stands an old-fashioned abode19, which we shall here term Warlock Manorhouse. It is a building of brick, varied20 by stone copings, and covered in great part with ivy21 and jasmine. Around it lie the ruins of the elder part of the fabric22; and these are sufficiently23 numerous in extent and important in appearance to testify that the mansion24 was once not without pretensions25 to the magnificent. These remains26 of power, some of which bear date as far back as the reign27 of Henry the Third, are sanctioned by the character of the country immediately in the vicinity of the old manor-house. A vast tract28 of waste land, interspersed29 with groves30 of antique pollards, and here and there irregular and sinuous31 ridges32 of green mound33, betoken34 to the experienced eye the evidence of a dismantled35 chase or park, which must originally have been of no common dimensions. On one side of the house the lawn slopes towards the river, divided from a terrace, which forms the most important embellishment of the pleasure-grounds, by that fence to which has been given the ingenious and significant name of “ha-ha!” A few scattered37 trees of giant growth are the sole obstacles that break the view of the river, which has often seemed to us, at that particular passage of its course, to glide9 with unusual calmness and serenity38. On the opposite side of the stream there is a range of steep hills, celebrated39 for nothing more romantic than their property of imparting to the flocks that browse40 upon that short and seemingly stinted41 herbage a flavour peculiarly grateful to the lovers of that pastoral animal which changes its name into mutton after its decease. Upon these hills the vestige42 of human habitation is not visible; and at times, when no boat defaces the lonely smoothness of the river, and the evening has stilled the sounds of labour and of life, we know few scenes so utterly43 tranquil44, so steeped in quiet, as that which is presented by the old, quaint45-fashioned house and its antique grounds — the smooth lawn, the silent, and (to speak truly, though disparagingly) the somewhat sluggish46 river, together with the large hills (to which we know, from simple though metaphysical causes, how entire an idea of quiet and immovability peculiarly attaches itself), and the white flocks — those most peaceful of God’s creatures — that in fleecy clusters stud the ascent47.
In Warlock House, at the time we refer to, lived a gentleman of the name of Brandon. He was a widower48, and had attained49 his fiftieth year without casting much regret on the past or feeling much anxiety for the future. In a word, Joseph Brandon was one of those careless, quiescent50, indifferent men, by whom a thought upon any subject is never recurred51 to without a very urgent necessity. He was good-natured, inoffensive, and weak; and if he was not an incomparable citizen, he was at least an excellent vegetable. He was of a family of high antiquity52, and formerly53 of considerable note. For the last four or five generations, however, the proprietors54 of Warlock House, gradually losing something alike from their acres and their consequence, had left to their descendants no higher rank than that of a small country squire56. One had been a Jacobite, and had drunk out half-a-dozen farms in honour of Charley over the water; Charley over the water was no very dangerous person, but Charley over the wine was rather more ruinous. The next Brandon had been a fox-hunter, and fox-hunters live as largely as patriotic57 politicians. Pausanias tells us that the same people; who were the most notorious for their love of wine were also the most notorious for their negligence58 of affairs. Times are not much altered since Pausanias wrote, and the remark holds as good with the English as it did with the Phigalei. After this Brandon came one who, though he did not scorn the sportsman, rather assumed the fine gentleman. He married an heiress, who of course assisted to ruin him; wishing no assistance in so pleasing an occupation, he overturned her (perhaps not on purpose), in a new sort of carriage which he was learning to drive, and the good lady was killed on the spot. She left the fine gentleman two sons — Joseph Brandon, the present thane — and a brother some years younger. The elder, being of a fitting age, was sent to school, and somewhat escaped the contagion59 of the paternal60 mansion. But the younger Brandon, having only reached his fifth year at the time of his mother’s decease, was retained at home. Whether he was handsome or clever or impertinent, or like his father about the eyes (that greatest of all merits), we know not; but the widower became so fond of him that it was at a late period and with great reluctance61 that he finally intrusted him to the providence62 of a school.
Among harlots and gamblers and lords and sharpers, and gentlemen of the guards, together with their frequent accompaniments — guards of the gentlemen, namely, bailiffs — William Brandon passed the first stage of his boyhood. He was about thirteen when he was sent to school; and being a boy of remarkable64 talents, he recovered lost time so well that when at the age of nineteen he adjourned65 to the University, he had scarcely resided there a single term before he had borne off two of the highest prizes awarded to academical merit. From the University he departed on the “grand tour,” at that time thought so necessary to complete the gentleman; he went in company with a young nobleman, whose friendship he had won at the University, stayed abroad more than two years, and on his return he settled down to the profession of the law.
Meanwhile his father died, and his fortune, as a younger brother, being literally66 next to nothing, and the family estate (for his brother was not unwilling67 to assist him) being terribly involved, it was believed that he struggled for some years with very embarrassed and penurious68 circumstances. During this interval69 of his life, however, he was absent from London, and by his brother supposed to have returned to the Continent; at length, it seems, he profited by a renewal70 of his friendship with the young nobleman who had accompanied him abroad, reappeared in town, and obtained through his noble friend one or two legal appointments of reputable emolument71. Soon afterwards he got a brief on some cause where a major had been raising a corps72 to his brother officer, with the better consent of the brother-officer’s wife than of the brother officer himself. Brandon’s abilities here, for the first time in his profession, found an adequate vent11; his reputation seemed made at once, he rose rapidly in his profession, and, at the time we now speak of, he was sailing down the full tide of fame and wealth, the envy and the oracle73 of all young Templars and barristers, who, having been starved themselves for ten years, began now to calculate on the possibility of starving their clients. At an early period in his career he had, through the good offices of the nobleman we have mentioned, obtained a seat in the House of Commons; and though his eloquence75 was of an order much better suited to the bar than the senate, he had nevertheless acquired a very considerable reputation in the latter, and was looked upon by many as likely to win to the same brilliant fortunes as the courtly Mansfield — a great man, whose political principles and urbane76 address Brandon was supposed especially to affect as his own model. Of unblemished integrity in public life — for, as he supported all things that exist with the most unbending rigidity77, he could not be accused of inconsistency — William Brandon was (as we have said in a former place of unhappy memory to our hero) esteemed78 in private life the most honourable80, the most moral, even the most austere81 of men; and his grave and stern repute on this score, joined to the dazzle of his eloquence and forensic82 powers, had baffled in great measure the rancour of party hostility83, and obtained for him a character for virtues84 almost as high and as enviable as that which he had acquired for abilities.
While William was thus treading a noted86 and an honourable career, his elder brother, who had married into a clergyman’s family, and soon lost his consort87, had with his only child, a daughter named Lucy, resided in his paternal mansion in undisturbed obscurity. The discreditable character and habits of the preceding lords of Warlock, which had sunk their respectability in the county as well as curtailed88 their property, had rendered the surrounding gentry89 little anxious to cultivate the intimacy90 of the present proprietor55; and the heavy mind and retired91 manners of Joseph Brandon were not calculated to counterbalance the faults of his forefathers92, nor to reinstate the name of Brandon in its ancient popularity and esteem79. Though dull and little cultivated, the squire was not without his “proper pride;” he attempted not to intrude94 himself where he was unwelcome, avoided county meetings and county balls, smoked his pipe with the parson, and not unoften with the surgeon and the solicitor95, and suffered his daughter Lucy to educate herself with the help of the parson’s wife, and to ripen96 (for Nature was more favourable97 to her than Art) into the very prettiest girl that the whole county — we long to say the whole country — at that time could boast of. Never did glass give back a more lovely image than that of Lucy Brandon at the age of nineteen. Her auburn hair fell in the richest luxuriance over a brow never ruffled98, and a cheek where the blood never slept; with every instant the colour varied, and at every variation that smooth, pure; virgin100 cheek seemed still more lovely than before. She had the most beautiful laugh that one who loved music could imagine — silvery, low, and yet so full of joy! All her movements, as the old parson said, seemed to keep time to that laugh, for mirth made a great part of her innocent and childish temper; and yet the mirth was feminine, never loud, nor like that of young ladies who had received the last finish at Highgate seminaries. Everything joyous101 affected102 her, and at once — air, flowers, sunshine, butterflies. Unlike heroines in general, she very seldom cried, and she saw nothing charming in having the vapours. But she never looked so beautiful as in sleep; and as the light breath came from her parted lips, and the ivory lids closed over those eyes which only in sleep were silent — and her attitude in her sleep took that ineffable103 grace belonging solely104 to childhood, or the fresh youth into which childhood merges105 — she was just what you might imagine a sleeping Margaret, before that most simple and gentle of all a poet’s visions of womanhood had met with Faust, or her slumbers106 been ruffled with a dream of love.
We cannot say much for Lucy’s intellectual acquirements; she could, thanks to the parson’s wife, spell indifferently well, and write a tolerable hand; she made preserves, and sometimes riddles107 — it was more difficult to question the excellence108 of the former than to answer the queries109 of the latter. She worked to the admiration110 of all who knew her, and we beg leave to say that we deem that “an excellent thing in woman.” She made caps for herself and gowns for the poor, and now and then she accomplished the more literary labour of a stray novel that had wandered down to the Manorhouse, or an abridgment111 of ancient history, in which was omitted everything but the proper names. To these attainments112 she added a certain modicum113 of skill upon the spinet114, and the power of singing old songs with the richest and sweetest voice that ever made one’s eyes moisten or one’s heart beat.
Her moral qualities were more fully115 developed than her mental. She was the kindest of human beings; the very dog that had never seen her before knew that truth at the first glance, and lost no time in making her acquaintance. The goodness of her heart reposed116 upon her face like sunshine, and the old wife at the lodge117 said poetically118 and truly of the effect it produced, that “one felt warm when one looked on her.” If we could abstract from the description a certain chilling transparency, the following exquisite119 verses of a forgotten poet might express the purity and lustre120 of her countenance121:—
“Her face was like the milky122 way i’ the sky,
A meeting of gentle lights without a name.”
She was surrounded by pets of all kinds, ugly and handsome — from Ralph the raven123 to Beauty the pheasant, and from Bob, the sheep-dog without a tail, to Beau, the Blenheim with blue ribbons round his neck; all things loved her, and she loved all things. It seemed doubtful at that time whether she would ever have sufficient steadiness and strength of character. Her beauty and her character appeared so essentially124 womanlike — soft yet lively, buoyant yet caressing125 — that you could scarcely place in her that moral dependence126 that you might in a character less amiable127 but less yieldingly feminine. Time, however, and circumstance, which alter and harden, were to decide whether the inward nature did not possess some latent and yet undiscovered properties. Such was Lucy Brandon in the year ——; and in that year, on a beautiful autumnal evening, we first introduce her personally to our readers.
She was sitting on a garden-seat by the river side, with her father, who was deliberately128 conning129 the evening paper of a former week, and gravely seasoning130 the ancient news with the inspirations of that weed which so bitterly excited the royal indignation of our British Solomon. It happens, unfortunately for us — for outward peculiarities131 are scarcely worthy132 the dignity to which comedy, whether in the drama or the narrative133, aspires134 — that Squire Brandon possessed135 so few distinguishing traits of mind that he leaves his delineator little whereby to designate him, save a confused and parenthetical habit of speech, by which he very often appeared to those who did not profit by long experience or close observation, to say exactly, and somewhat ludicrously, that which he did not mean to convey.
“I say, Lucy,” observed Mr. Brandon, but without lifting his eyes from the paper — “I say, corn has fallen; think of that, girl, think of that! These times, in my opinion (ay, and in the opinion of wiser heads than mine, though I do not mean to say that I have not some experience in these matters, which is more than can be said of all our neighbours), are very curious and even dangerous.”
“Indeed, Papa!” answered Lucy.
“And I say, Lucy, dear,” resumed the squire, after a short pause, “there has been (and very strange it is, too, when one considers the crowded neighbourhood — Bless me! what times these are!) a shocking murder committed upon (the tobacco stopper — there it is)— think, you know, girl — just by Epping! — an old gentleman!”
“Dear, how shocking! By whom?”
“Ay, that’s the question! The coroner’s inquest has (what a blessing136 it is to live in a civilized137 country, where a man does not die without knowing the why and the wherefore!) sat on the body, and declared (it is very strange, but they don’t seem to have made much discovery; for why? we knew as much before) that the body was found (it was found on the floor, Lucy) murdered; murderer or murderers (in the bureau, which was broken open, they found the money left quite untouched) unknown!”
Here there was again a slight pause; and passing to another side of the paper, Mr. Brandon resumed, in a quicker tone — “Ha! well, now this is odd! But he’s a deuced clever fellow, Lucy! That brother of mine has (and in a very honourable manner, too, which I am sure is highly creditable to the family, though he has not taken too much notice of me lately — a circumstance which, considering I am his elder brother, I am a little angry at) distinguished138 himself in a speech, remarkable, the paper says, for its great legal (I wonder, by the by, whether William could get me that agistment-money! ‘t is a heavy thing to lose; but going to law, as my poor father used to say, is like fishing for gudgeons [not a bad little fish; we can have some for supper] with, guineas) knowledge, as well as its splendid and overpowering (I do love Will for keeping up the family honour; I am sure it is more than I have done, heigh-ho!), eloquence!”
“And on what subject has he been speaking, Papa?”
“Oh, a very fine subject; what you call a (it is astonishing that in this country there should be such a wish for taking away people’s characters, which, for my part, I don’t see is a bit more entertaining than what you are always doing — playing with those stupid birds) libel!”
“But is not my uncle William coming down to see us? He promised to do so, and it made you quite happy — Papa, for two days. I hope he will not disappoint you; and I am sure that it is not his fault if he ever seems to neglect you. He spoke139 of you to me, when I saw him, in the kindest and most affectionate manner. I do think, my dear father, that he loves you very much.”
“Ahem!” said the squire, evidently flattered, and yet not convinced. “My brother Will is a very acute fellow, and I make no — my dear little girl — question, but that (when you have seen as much of the world as I have, you will grow suspicious) he thought that any good word said of me to my daughter would (you see, Lucy, I am as clear-sighted as my neighbours, though I don’t give myself all their airs; which I very well might do, considering my great-great-great-grandfather, Hugo Brandon, had a hand in detecting the gunpowder140 plot) he told to me again!”
“Nay141, but I am quite sure my uncle never spoke of you to me with that intention.”
“Possibly, my dear child; but when (the evenings are much shorter than they were!) did you talk with your uncle about me?
“Oh, when staying with Mrs. Warner, in London; to be sure, it is six years ago, but I remember it perfectly142. I recollect143, in particular, that he spoke of you very handsomely to Lord Mauleverer, who dined with him one evening when I was there, and when my uncle was so kind as to take me to the play. I was afterwards quite sorry that he was so good-natured, as he lost (you remember I told you the story) a very valuable watch.”
“Ay, ay, I remember all about that, and so (how long friendship lasts with some people!) Lord Mauleverer dined with William! What a fine thing it is for a man (it is what I never did, indeed; I like being what they call ‘Cock of the Walk’— let me see, now I think of it, Pillum comes to-night to play a hit at backgammon) to make friends with a great man early in (yet Will did not do it very early, poor fellow! He struggled first with a great deal of sorrow — hardship, that is) life! It is many years now since Will has been hand-and-glove with my (‘t is a bit of a puppy) Lord Mauleverer. What did you think of his lordship?”
“Of Lord Mauleverer? Indeed I scarcely observed him; but he seemed a handsome man, and was very polite. Mrs. Warner said he had been a very wicked person when he was young, but he seems good-natured enough now, Papa.”
“By the by,” said the squire, “his lordship has just been made (this new ministry144 seems very unlike the old, which rather puzzles me; for I think it my duty, d’ye see, Lucy, always to vote for his Majesty’s government, especially seeing that old Hugo Brandon had a hand in detecting the gun powder plot; and it is a little odd-at least, at first-to think that good now which one has always before been thinking abominable145) Lord Lieutenant146 of the county.”
“Lord Mauleverer our Lord Lieutenant?”
“Yes, child; and since his lordship is such a friend of my brother, I should think, considering especially what an old family in the county we are — not that I wish to intrude myself where I am not thought as fine as the rest — that he would be more attentive147 to us than Lord ———— was; but that, my dear Lucy, puts me in mind of Pillum; and so, perhaps, you would like to walk to the parson’s, as it is a fine evening. John shall come for you at nine o’clock with (the moon is not up then) the lantern.”
Leaning on his daughter’s willing arm, the good old man then rose and walked homeward; and so soon as she had wheeled round his easy-chair, placed the backgammon board on the table, and wished the old gentleman an easy victory over his expected antagonist148, the apothecary149, Lucy tied down her bonnet150, and took her way to the rectory.
When she arrived at the clerical mansion and entered the drawing-room, she was surprised to find the parson’s wife, a good, homely151, lethargic152 old lady, run up to her, seemingly in a state of great nervous agitation153 and crying —
“Oh, my dear Miss Brandon! which way did you come? Did you meet nobody by the road? Oh, I am so frightened! Such an accident to poor dear Dr. Slopperton! Stopped in the king’s highway, robbed of some tithe-money he had just received from Farmer Slowforth! If it had not been for that dear angel, good young man, God only knows whether I might not have been a disconsolate155 widow by this time!”
While the affectionate matron was thus running on, Lucy’s eye glancing round the room discovered in an armchair the round and oily little person of Dr. Slopperton, with a countenance from which all the carnation156 hues157, save in one circular excrescence on the nasal member, that was left, like the last rose of summer, blooming alone, were faded into an aspect of miserable158 pallor. The little man tried to conjure159 up a smile while his wife was narrating160 his misfortune, and to mutter forth154 some syllable161 of unconcern; but he looked, for all his bravado162, so exceedingly scared that Lucy would, despite herself, have laughed outright163, had not her eye rested upon the figure of a young man who had been seated beside the reverend gentleman, but who had risen at Lucy’s entrance, and who now stood gazing upon her intently, but with an air of great respect. Blushing deeply and involuntarily, she turned her eyes hastily away, and approaching the good doctor, made her inquiries164 into the present state of his nerves, in a graver tone than she had a minute before imagined it possible that she should have been enabled to command.
“Ah! my good young lady,” said the doctor, squeezing her hand, “I— may, I may say the church — for am I not its minister? was in imminent165 danger — but this excellent gentleman prevented the sacrilege, at least in great measure. I only lost some of my dues — my rightful dues — for which I console myself with thinking that the infamous166 and abandoned villain167 will suffer hereafter.”
“There cannot be the least doubt of that,” said the young man. “Had he only robbed the mail-coach, or broken into a gentleman’s house, the offence might have been expiable168; but to rob a clergyman, and a rector too! — Oh, the sacrilegious dog!”
“Your warmth does you honour, sir,” said the doctor, beginning now to recover; “and I am very proud to have made the acquaintance of a gentleman of such truly religious opinions.”
“Ah!” cried the stranger, “my foible, sir — if I may so speak — is a sort of enthusiastic fervour for the Protestant Establishment. Nay, sir, I never come across the very nave169 of the church without feeling an indescribable emotion — a kind of sympathy, as it were — with — with — you understand me, sir — I fear I express myself ill.”
“Not at all, not at all!” exclaimed the doctor: “such sentiments are uncommon170 in one so young.”
“Sir, I learned them early in life from a friend and preceptor of mine, Mr. MacGrawler, and I trust they may continue with me to my dying day.”
Here the doctor’s servant entered with (we borrow a phrase from the novel of —————) “the tea-equipage;” and Mrs. Slopperton, betaking herself to its superintendence, inquired with more composure than hitherto had belonged to her demeanour, what sort of a looking creature the ruffian was.
“I will tell you, my dear, I will tell you, Miss Lucy, all about it. I was walking home from Mr. Slowforth’s, with his money in my pocket, thinking, my love, of buying you that topaz cross you wished to have.”
“Dear, good man!” cried Mrs. Slopperton; “what a fiend it must have been to rob so excellent a creature!”
“And,” resumed the doctor, “it also occurred to me that the Madeira was nearly out — the Madeira, I mean, with the red seal; and I was thinking it might not be amiss to devote part of the money to buy six dozen more; and the remainder, my love, which would be about one pound eighteen, I thought I would divide —‘for he that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord!’— among the thirty poor families on the common; that is, if they behaved well, and the apples in the back garden were not feloniously abstracted!”
“Excellent, charitable man!” ejaculated Mrs. Slopperton. “While I was thus meditating171, I lifted my eyes, and saw before me two men — one of prodigious172 height, and with a great profusion173 of hair about his shoulders; the other was smaller, and wore his hat slouched over his face: it was a very large hat. My attention was arrested by the singularity of the tall person’s hair, and while I was smiling at its luxuriance, I heard him say to his companion, ‘Well, Augustus, as you are such a moral dog, he is in your line, not mine; so I leave him to you.’ Little did I think those words related to me. No sooner were they uttered than the tall rascal174 leaped over a gate and disappeared; the other fellow, then marching up to me, very smoothly175 asked me the way to the church, and while I was explaining to him to turn first to the right and then to the left, and so on — for the best way is, you know, exceedingly crooked176 — the hypocritical scoundrel seized me by the collar, and cried out, ‘Your money or your life!’ I do assure you that I never trembled so much — not, my dear Miss Lucy, so much for my own sake, as for the sake of the thirty poor families on the common, whose wants it had been my intention to relieve. I gave up the money, finding my prayers and expostulations were in vain; and the dog then, brandishing177 over my head an enormous bludgeon, said — what abominable language! —‘I think, doctor, I shall put an end to an existence derogatory to your self and useless to others.’ At that moment the young gentleman beside me sprang over the very gate by which the tall ruffian had disappeared, and cried, ‘Hold, villain!’ On seeing my deliverer, the coward started back, and plunged178 into a neighbouring wood. The good young gentleman pursued him for a few minutes, but then returning to my aid, conducted me home; and as we used to say at school —
“’ Te rediisse incolumem gaudeo,’—
which, being interpreted, means (sir, excuse a pun, I am sure so great a friend to the Church understands Latin) that I am very glad to get back safe to my tea. He! he! And now, Miss Lucy, you must thank that young gentleman for having saved the life of your pastoral teacher, which act will no doubt be remembered at the Great Day!”
As Lucy, looking towards the stranger, said something in compliment, she observed a vague, and as it were covert179 smile upon his countenance, which immediately and as if by sympathy conjured180 one to her own. The hero of the adventure, however, in a very grave tone replied to her compliment, at the same time bowing profoundly —
“Mention it not, madam! I were unworthy of the name of a Briton and a man, could I pass the highway without relieving the distress181 or lightening the burden of a fellow-creature. And,” continued the stranger, after a momentary182 pause, colouring while he spoke, and concluding in the high-flown gallantry of the day, “methinks it were sufficient reward, had I saved the whole church instead of one of its most valuable members, to receive the thanks of a lady whom I might reasonably take for one of those celestial184 beings to whom we have been piously185 taught that the Church is especially the care!”
Though there might have been something really ridiculous in this overstrained compliment, coupled as it was with the preservation186 of Dr. Slopperton, yet, coming from the mouth of one whom Lucy thought the very handsomest person she had ever seen, it appeared to her anything but absurd; and for a very long time afterwards her heart thrilled with pleasure when she remembered that the cheek of the speaker had glowed, and his voice had trembled as he spoke it.
The conversation now, turning from robbers in particular, dwelt upon robberies in general. It was edifying187 to hear the honest indignation with which the stranger spoke of the lawless depredators with whom the country, in that day of Macheaths, was infested188.
“A pack of infamous rascals189!” said he, in a glow, “who attempt to justify190 their misdeeds by the example of honest men, and who say that they do no more than is done by lawyers and doctors, soldiers, clergymen, and ministers of State. Pitiful delusion191, or rather shameless hypocrisy192!”
“It all comes of educating the poor,” said the doctor. “The moment they pretend to judge the conduct of their betters, there’s an end of all order! They see nothing sacred in the laws, though we hang the dogs ever so fast; and the very peers of the land, spiritual and temporal, cease to be venerable in their eyes.”
“Talking of peers,” said Mrs. Slopperton, “I hear that Lord Mauleverer is to pass by this road to-night on his way to Mauleverer Park. Do you know his lordship, Miss Lucy: He is very intimate with your uncle.”
“I have only seen him once,” answered Lucy.
“Are you sure that his lordship will come this road?” asked the stranger, carelessly. “I heard something of it this morning, but did not know it was settled.”
“Oh, quite so!” rejoined Mrs. Slopperton. “His lordship’s gentleman wrote for post-horses to meet his lordship at Wyburn, about three miles on the other side of the village, at ten o’clock to-night. His lordship is very impatient of delay.”
“Pray,” said the doctor, who had not much heeded193 this turn in the conversation, and was now “on hospitable194 cares intent,”—“pray, sir, if not impertinent, are you visiting or lodging195 in the neighbourhood; or will you take a bed with us?”
“You are extremely kind, my dear sir, but I fear I must soon wish you good-evening. I have to look after a little property I have some miles hence, which, indeed, brought me down into this part of the world.”
“Property! — in what direction, sir, if I may ask?” quoth the doctor; “I know the country for miles.”
“Do you, indeed? Where’s my property, you say? Why, it is rather difficult to describe it, and it is, after all, a mere196 trifle; it is only some common-land near the highroad, and I came down to try the experiment of hedging and draining.”
“‘T is a good plan, if one has capital, and does not require a speedy return.”
“Yes; but one likes a good interest for the loss of principal, and a speedy return is always desirable — although, alas197! it is often attended with risk!”
“I hope, sir,” said the doctor, “if you must leave us so soon, that your property will often bring you into our neighbourhood.”
“You overpower me with so much unexpected goodness,” answered the stranger. “To tell you the truth, nothing can give me greater pleasure than to meet those again who have once obliged me.”
“Whom you have obliged, rather!” cried Mrs. Slopperton; and then added, in a loud whisper to Lucy, “How modest! but it is always so with true courage!”
“I assure you, madam,” returned the benevolent198 stranger, “that I never think twice of the little favours I render my fellow-men; my only hope is that they may be as forgetful as myself.”
Charmed with so much unaffected goodness of disposition199, the doctor and Mrs. Slopperton now set up a sort of duet in praise of their guest: after enduring their commendations and compliments for some minutes with much grimace200 of disavowal and diffidence, the stranger’s modesty201 seemed at last to take pain at the excess of their gratitude202; and accordingly, pointing to the clock, which was within a few minutes to nine, he said —
“I fear, my respected host and my admired hostess, that I must now leave you; I have far to go.”
“But are you yourself not afraid of the highwaymen?” cried Mrs. Slopperton, interrupting him.
“The highwaymen!” said the stranger, smiling; “no; I do not fear them; besides, I have little about me worth robbing.”
“Do you superintend your property yourself?” said the doctor, who farmed his own glebe and who, unwilling to part with so charming a guest, seized him now by the button.
“Superintend it myself! why, not exactly. There is a bailiff, whose views of things don’t agree with mine, and who now and then gives me a good deal of trouble.”
“Then why don’t you discharge him altogether?”
“Ah! I wish I could; but ‘t is a necessary evil. We landed proprietors, my dear sir, must always be plagued with some thing of the sort. For my part, I have found those cursed bailiffs would take away, if they could, all the little property one has been trying to accumulate. But,” abruptly203 changing his manner into one of great softness, “could I not proffer204 my services and my companionship to this young lady? Would she allow me to conduct her home, and indeed stamp this day upon my memory as one of the few delightful205 ones I have ever known?”
“Thank you, dear sir,” said Mrs. Slopperton, answering at once for Lucy; “it is very considerate of you. — And I am sure, my love, I could not think of letting you go home alone with old John, after such an adventure to the poor dear doctor.”
Lucy began an excuse which the good lady would not hear. But as the servant whom Mr. Brandon was to send with a lantern to attend his daughter home had not arrived, and as Mrs. Slopperton, despite her prepossessions in favour of her husband’s deliverer, did not for a moment contemplate206 his accompanying, without any other attendance, her young friend across the fields at that unseasonable hour, the stranger was forced, for the present, to re-assume his seat. An open harpsichord207 at one end of the room gave him an opportunity to make some remark upon music; and this introducing an eulogium on Lucy’s voice from Mrs. Slopperton, necessarily ended in a request to Miss Brandon to indulge the stranger with a song. Never had Lucy, who was not a shy girl — she was too innocent to be bashful — felt nervous hitherto in singing before a stranger; but now she hesitated and faltered208, and went through a whole series of little natural affectations before she complied with the request. She chose a song composed somewhat after the old English school, which at that time was reviving into fashion. The song, though conveying a sort of conceit209, was not, perhaps, altogether without tenderness; it was a favourite with Lucy, she scarcely knew why, and ran thus:—
Lucy’s Song.
Why sleep, ye gentle flowers, ah, why,
When tender eve is falling,
And starlight drinks the happy sigh
Of winds to fairies calling?
Calling with low and plaining note,
Most like a ringdove chiding210,
Or flute211 faint-heard from distant boat
O’er smoothest waters gliding212.
Lo, round you steals the wooing breeze;
Lo, on you falls the dew!
O sweets, awake, for scarcely these
Can charm while wanting you!
Wake ye not yet, while fast below
The silver time is fleeing?
O heart of mine, those flowers but show
Thine own contented213 being.
The twilight214 but preserves the bloom,
The sun can but decay
The warmth that brings the rich perfume
But steals the life away.
O heart, enjoy thy present calm,
Rest peaceful in the shade,
And dread the sun that gives the balm
To bid the blossom fade.
When Lucy ended, the stranger’s praise was less loud than either the doctor’s or his lady’s; but how far more sweet it was! And for the first time in her life Lucy made the discovery that eyes can praise as well as lips. For our part, we have often thought that that discovery is an epoch215 in life.
It was now that Mrs. Slopperton declared her thorough conviction that the stranger himself could sing. He had that about him, she said, which made her sure of it.
“Indeed, dear madam,” said he, with his usual undefinable, half-frank, half-latent smile, “my voice is but so-so, and any memory so indifferent that even in the easiest passages I soon come to a stand. My best notes are in the falsetto; and as for my execution — But we won’t talk of that.”
“Nay, nay; you are so modest,” said Mrs. Slopperton. “I am sure you could oblige us if you would.”
“Your command,” said the stranger, moving to the harpsichord, “is all-sufficient; and since you, madam,” turning to Lucy, “have chosen a song after the old school, may I find pardon if I do the same? My selection is, to be sure, from a lawless song-book, and is supposed to be a ballad216 by Robin217 Hood63, or at least one of his merry men — a very different sort of outlaws218 from the knaves219 who attacked you, sir!”
With this preface the stranger sung to a wild yet jovial220 air, with a tolerable voice, the following effusion:
The Love of Our Profession; or the Robber’s Life.
On the stream of the world, the robber’s life
Is borne on the blithest wave;
Now it bounds into light in a gladsome strife221,
Now it laughs in its hiding cave.
At his maiden’s lattice he stays the rein93;
How still is his courser proud
(But still as a wind when it hangs o’er the main
In the breast of the boding222 cloud),
With the champed bit and the archd crest223,
And the eye of a listening deer,
Like valour, fretful most in rest,
Least chafed224 when in career.
Fit slave to a lord whom all else refuse
To save at his desperate need;
By my troth! I think one whom the world pursues
Hath a right to a gallant183 steed.
“Away, my beloved, I hear their feet!
I blow thee a kiss, my fair,
And I promise to bring thee, when next we meet,
A braid for thy bonny hair.
Hurrah225! for the booty! — my steed, hurrah!
Thorough bush, thorough brake, go we;
And the coy moon smiles on our merry way,
Like my own love — timidly.”
The parson he rides with a jingling226 pouch227,
How it blabs of the rifled poor!
The courtier he lolls in his gilded228 coach,
— How it smacks229 of a sinecure230!
The lawyer revolves231 in his whirling chaise
Sweet thoughts of a mischief232 done;
And the lady that knoweth the card she plays
Is counting her guineas won!
“He, lady! — What, holla, ye sinless men!
My claim ye can scarce refuse;
For when honest folk live on their neighbours, then
They encroach on the robber’s dues!”
The lady changed cheek like a bashful maid,
The lawyer talked wondrous233 fair,
The parson blasphemed, and the courtier prayed,
And the robber bore off his share.
“Hurrah! for the revel234! my steed, hurrah!
Thorough bush, thorough brake, go we!
It is ever a virtue85, when others pay,
To ruffle99 it merrily!”
Oh, there never was life like the robber’s,
— so Jolly and bold and free!
And its end-why, a cheer from the crowd below,
And a leap from a leafless tree!
This very moral lay being ended, Mrs. Slopperton declared it was excellent; though she confessed she thought the sentiments rather loose. Perhaps the gentleman might be induced to favour them with a song of a more refined and modern turn — something sentimental235, in short. Glancing towards Lucy, the stranger answered that he only knew one song of the kind Mrs. Slopperton specified236, and it was so short that he could scarcely weary her patience by granting her request.
At this moment the river, which was easily descried237 from the windows of the room, glimmered238 in the starlight; and directing his looks towards the water, as if the scene had suggested to him the verses he sung, he gave the following stanzas239 in a very low, sweet tone, and with a far purer taste, than, perhaps, would have suited the preceding and ruder song.
The Wish.
As sleeps the dreaming Eve below,
Its holiest star keeps ward36 above,
And yonder wave begins to glow,
Like friendship bright’ning into Love!
Ah, would thy bosom were that stream,
Ne’er wooed save by the virgin air! —
Ah, would that I were that star, whose beam
Looks down and finds its image there!
Scarcely was the song ended, before the arrival of Miss Brandon’s servant was announced; and her destined240 escort, starting up, gallantly241 assisted her with her cloak and her hood — happy, no doubt, to escape in some measure the overwhelming compliments of his entertainers.
“But,” said the doctor, as he shook hands with his deliverer, “by what name shall I remember and” (lifting his reverend eyes) “pray for the gentleman to whom I am so much indebted?”
“You are very kind,” said the stranger; “my name is Clifford. Madam,” turning to Lucy, “may I offer my hand down the stairs?”
Lucy accepted the courtesy; and the stranger was half-way down the staircase, when the doctor, stretching out his little neck, exclaimed —
“Good-evening, sir! I do hope we shall meet again.”
“Fear not!” said Mr. Clifford, laughing gayly; “I am too great a traveller to make that hope a matter of impossibility. Take care, madam — one step more.”
The night was calm and tolerably clear, though the moon had not yet risen, as Lucy and her companion passed through the fields, with the servant preceding them at a little distance with the lantern.
After a pause of some length, Clifford said, with a little hesitation242, “Is Miss Brandon related to the celebrated barrister of her name?”
“He is my uncle,” said Lucy; “do you know him?”
“Only your uncle?” said Clifford, with vivacity243, and evading244 Lucy’s question. “I feared — hem74! hem! — that is, I thought he might have been a nearer relation.” There was another, but a shorter pause, when Clifford resumed, in a low voice: “Will Miss Brandon think me very presumptuous245 if I say that a countenance like hers, once seen, can never be forgotten; and I believe, some years since, I had the honour to see her in London, at the theatre? It was but a momentary and distant glance that I was then enabled to gain; and yet,” he added significantly, “it sufficed!”
“I was only once at the theatre while in London, some years ago,” said Lucy, a little embarrassed; “and indeed an unpleasant occurrence which happened to my uncle, with whom I was, is sufficient to make me remember it.”
“Ha! and what was it?”
“Why, in going out of the play-house his watch was stolen by some dexterous246 pickpocket247.”
“Was the rogue248 caught?” asked the stranger.
“Yes; and was sent the next day to Bridewell. My uncle said he was extremely young, and yet quite hardened. I remember that I was foolish enough, when I heard of his sentence, to beg very hard that my uncle would intercede249 for him; but in vain.”
“Did you, indeed, intercede for him?” said the stranger, in so earnest a tone that Lucy coloured for the twentieth time that night, without seeing any necessity for the blush. Clifford continued, in a gayer tone: “Well, it is surprising how rogues250 hang together. I should not be greatly surprised if the person who despoiled251 your uncle were one of the same gang as the rascal who so terrified your worthy friend the doctor. But is this handsome old place your home?”
“This is my home,” answered Lucy; “but it is an old-fashioned, strange place; and few people, to whom it was not endeared by associations, would think it handsome.”
“Pardon me!” said Lucy’s companion, stopping, and surveying with a look of great interest the quaint pile, which now stood close before them; its dark bricks, gable-ends, and ivied walls, tinged252 by the starry253 light of the skies, and contrasted by the river, which rolled in silence below. The shutters254 to the large oriel window of the room in which the squire usually sat were still unclosed, and the steady and warm light of the apartment shone forth, casting a glow even to the smooth waters of the river; at the same moment, too, the friendly bark of the house-dog was heard, as in welcome; and was followed by the note of the great bell, announcing the hour for the last meal of the old-fashioned and hospitable family.
“There is a pleasure in this,” said the stranger, unconsciously, and with a half-sigh; “I wish I had a home!”
“And have you not a home?” said Lucy, with naivety255. “As much as a bachelor can have, perhaps,” answered Clifford, recovering without an effort his gayety and self-possession. “But you know we wanderers are not allowed the same boast as the more fortunate Benedicts; we send our hearts in search of a home, and we lose the one without gaining the other. But I keep you in the cold, and we are now at your door.”
“You will come in, of course!” said Miss Brandon, “and partake of our evening cheer.”
The stranger hesitated for an instant, and then said in a quick tone —
“No! many, many thanks; it is already late. Will Miss Brandon accept my gratitude for her condescension256 in permitting the attendance of one unknown to her?” As he thus spoke, Clifford bowed profoundly over the hand of his beautiful charge; and Lucy, wishing him good-night, hastened with a light step to her father’s side.
Meanwhile Clifford, after lingering a minute, when the door was closed on him, turned abruptly away; and muttering to himself, repaired with rapid steps to whatever object he had then in view.
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收听单词发音
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1
rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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2
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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6
retaliate
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| v.报复，反击 | |
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7
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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8
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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9
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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10
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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11
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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12
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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13
atoned
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| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的过去式和过去分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
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14
prating
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| v.（古时用语）唠叨，啰唆( prate的现在分词 ) | |
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15
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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16
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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18
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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19
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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20
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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21
ivy
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| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
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22
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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23
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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24
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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25
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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26
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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27
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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28
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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29
interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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30
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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31
sinuous
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| adj.蜿蜒的，迂回的 | |
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32
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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33
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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34
betoken
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| v.预示 | |
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35
dismantled
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| 拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消 | |
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36
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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37
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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38
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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39
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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40
browse
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| vi.随意翻阅，浏览；(牛、羊等)吃草 | |
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41
stinted
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| v.限制，节省（stint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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42
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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43
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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44
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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45
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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46
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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47
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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48
widower
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| n.鳏夫 | |
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49
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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50
quiescent
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| adj.静止的，不活动的，寂静的 | |
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51
recurred
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| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
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52
antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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53
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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54
proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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55
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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56
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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57
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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58
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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59
contagion
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| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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60
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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61
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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62
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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63
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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64
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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65
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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67
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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68
penurious
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| adj.贫困的 | |
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69
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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70
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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71
emolument
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| n.报酬，薪水 | |
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72
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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73
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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74
hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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75
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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76
urbane
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| adj.温文尔雅的，懂礼的 | |
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77
rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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78
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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79
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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80
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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81
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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82
forensic
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| adj.法庭的，雄辩的 | |
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83
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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84
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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85
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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86
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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87
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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88
curtailed
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| v.截断，缩短( curtail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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90
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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91
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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92
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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93
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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94
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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95
solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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96
ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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97
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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98
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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99
ruffle
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| v.弄皱，弄乱；激怒，扰乱；n.褶裥饰边 | |
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100
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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101
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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102
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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103
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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104
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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105
merges
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| （使）混合( merge的第三人称单数 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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106
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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107
riddles
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| n.谜（语）( riddle的名词复数 )；猜不透的难题，难解之谜 | |
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108
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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109
queries
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| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
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110
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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111
abridgment
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| n.删节，节本 | |
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112
attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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113
modicum
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| n.少量，一小份 | |
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114
spinet
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| n.小型立式钢琴 | |
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115
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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116
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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118
poetically
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| adv.有诗意地，用韵文 | |
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119
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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120
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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121
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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122
milky
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| adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的 | |
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123
raven
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| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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124
essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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125
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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126
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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127
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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128
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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129
conning
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| v.诈骗，哄骗( con的现在分词 )；指挥操舵( conn的现在分词 ) | |
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130
seasoning
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| n.调味；调味料；增添趣味之物 | |
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131
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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132
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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133
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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134
aspires
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的第三人称单数 ) | |
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135
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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136
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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137
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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138
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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139
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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140
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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141
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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142
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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143
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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144
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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145
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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146
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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147
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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148
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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149
apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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150
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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151
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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152
lethargic
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| adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的 | |
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153
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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154
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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155
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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156
carnation
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| n.康乃馨（一种花） | |
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157
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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158
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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159
conjure
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| v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法 | |
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160
narrating
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| v.故事( narrate的现在分词 ) | |
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161
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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162
bravado
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| n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能 | |
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163
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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164
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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165
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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166
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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167
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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168
expiable
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| adj.可赎的，可偿的 | |
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169
nave
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| n.教堂的中部；本堂 | |
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170
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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171
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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172
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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173
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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174
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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175
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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176
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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177
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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178
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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179
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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180
conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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181
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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182
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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183
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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184
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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185
piously
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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186
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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187
edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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188
infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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189
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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190
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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191
delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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192
hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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193
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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194
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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195
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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196
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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197
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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198
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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199
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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200
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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201
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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202
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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203
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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204
proffer
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| v.献出，赠送；n.提议，建议 | |
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205
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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206
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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207
harpsichord
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| n.键琴（钢琴前身） | |
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208
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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209
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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210
chiding
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| v.责骂，责备( chide的现在分词 ) | |
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211
flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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213
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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214
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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215
epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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216
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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218
outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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knaves
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| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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222
boding
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| adj.凶兆的，先兆的n.凶兆，前兆，预感v.预示，预告，预言( bode的现在分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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223
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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225
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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226
jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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229
smacks
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| 掌掴（声）( smack的名词复数 )； 海洛因； （打的）一拳； 打巴掌 | |
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230
sinecure
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| n.闲差事，挂名职务 | |
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231
revolves
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的第三人称单数 )；细想 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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234
revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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238
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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stanzas
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| 节，段( stanza的名词复数 ) | |
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240
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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241
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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242
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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243
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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247
pickpocket
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| n.扒手；v.扒窃 | |
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248
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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249
intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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250
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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251
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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252
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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253
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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254
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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255
naivety
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| n.天真，纯朴，幼稚 | |
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256
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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