And aught that wealth or lofty lineage claims,
Appear.
‘T is he — how came he thence?
What doth he here?
Lara.
There are two charming situations in life for a woman — one, the first freshness of heiressship and beauty; the other, youthful widowhood, with a large jointure. It was at least Lucy’s fortune to enjoy the first. No sooner was she fairly launched into the gay world than she became the object of universal idolatry. Crowds followed her wherever she moved nothing was talked of or dreamed of, toasted or betted on, but Lucy Brandon; even her simplicity3, and utter ignorance of the arts of fine life, enhanced the eclat4 of her reputation. Somehow or other, young people of the gentler sex are rarely ill-bred, even in their eccentricities5; and there is often a great deal of grace in inexperience. Her uncle, who accompanied her everywhere, himself no slight magnet of attraction, viewed her success with a complacent6 triumph which he suffered no one but her father or herself to detect. To the smooth coolness of his manner, nothing would have seemed more foreign than pride at the notice gained by a beauty, or exultation7 at any favour won from the caprices of fashion. As for the good old squire8, one would have imagined him far more the invalid9 than his brother. He was scarcely ever seen; for though he went everywhere, he was one of those persons who sink into a corner the moment they enter a room. Whoever discovered him in his retreat, held out their hands, and exclaimed, “God bless me! you here! We have not seen you for this age!” Now and then, if in a very dark niche10 of the room a card-table had been placed, the worthy11 gentleman toiled12 through an obscure rubber; but more frequently he sat with his hands clasped and his mouth open, counting the number of candles in the room, or calculating “when that stupid music would be over.”
Lord Mauleverer, though a polished and courteous14 man, whose great object was necessarily to ingratiate himself with the father of his intended bride, had a horror of being bored, which surpassed all other feelings in his mind. He could not therefore persuade himself to submit to the melancholy16 duty of listening to the squire’s “linked speeches long drawn17 out.” He always glided18 by the honest man’s station, seemingly in an exceeding hurry, with a “Ah, my dear sir, how do you do? How delighted I am to see you! And your incomparable daughter? Oh, there she is! Pardon me, dear sir — you see my attraction.”
Lucy, indeed, who never forgot any one (except herself occasionally), sought her father’s retreat as often as she was able; but her engagements were so incessant19 that she no sooner lost one partner than she was claimed and carried off by another. However, the squire bore his solitude20 with tolerable cheerfulness, and always declared that “he was very well amused; although balls and concerts were necessarily a little dull to one who came from a fine old place like Warlock Manor-house, and it was not the same thing that pleased young ladies (for, to them, that fiddling21 and giggling22 till two o’clock in the morning might be a very pretty way of killing23 time) and their papas!”
What considerably24 added to Lucy’s celebrity25 was the marked notice and admiration26 of a man so high in rank and ton as Lord Mauleverer. That personage, who still retained much of a youthful mind and temper, and who was in his nature more careless than haughty27, preserved little or no state in his intercourse28 with the social revellers at Bath. He cared not whither he went, so that he was in the train of the young beauty; and the most fastidious nobleman of the English court was seen in every second and third rate set of a great watering-place — the attendant, the flirt29, and often the ridicule30 of the daughter of an obscure and almost insignificant31 country squire. Despite the honour of so distinguished32 a lover, and despite all the novelties of her situation, the pretty head of Lucy Brandon was as yet, however, perfectly33 unturned; and as for her heart, the only impression that it had ever received was made by that wandering guest of the village rector, whom she had never again seen, but who yet clung to her imagination, invested not only with all the graces which in right of a singularly handsome person he possessed34, but with those to which he never could advance a claim — more dangerous to her peace, for the very circumstance of their origin in her fancy, not his merits.
They had now been some little time at Bath, and Brandon’s brief respite35 was pretty nearly expired, when a public ball of uncommon36 and manifold attraction was announced. It was to be graced not only by the presence of all the surrounding families, but also by that of royalty37 itself; it being an acknowledged fact that people dance much better and eat much more supper when any relation to a king is present.
“I must stay for this ball, Lucy,” said Brandon, who, after spending the day with Lord Mauleverer, returned home in a mood more than usually cheerful — “I must stay for this one ball, Lucy, and witness your complete triumph, even though it will be necessary to leave you the very next morning.”
“So soon!” cried Lucy.
“So soon!” echoed the uncle, with a smile. “How good you are to speak thus to an old valetudinarian38, whose company must have fatigued39 you to death! Nay40, no pretty denials! But the great object of my visit to this place is accomplished41: I have seen you, I have witnessed your debut42 in the great world, with, I may say, more than a father’s exultation, and I go back to my dry pursuits with the satisfaction of thinking our old and withered43 genealogical tree has put forth44 one blossom worthy of its freshest day.”
“Uncle!” said Lucy, reprovingly, and holding up her taper45 finger with an arch smile, mingling46 with a blush, in which the woman’s vanity spoke47, unknown to herself.
“And why that look, Lucy?” said Brandon.
“Because — because — well, no matter! you have been bred to that trade in which, as you say yourself, men tell untruths for others till they lose all truth for themselves. But let us talk of you, not me; are you really well enough to leave us?”
Simple and even cool as the words of Lucy’s question, when written, appear, in her mouth they took so tender, so anxious a tone, that Brandon, who had no friend nor wife nor child, nor any one in his household in whom interest in his health or welfare was a thing of course, and who was consequently wholly unaccustomed to the accent of kindness, felt himself of a sudden touched and stricken.
“Why, indeed, Lucy,” said he, in a less artificial voice than that in which he usually spoke, “I should like still to profit by your cares, and forget my infirmities and pains in your society; but I cannot: the tide of events, like that of nature, waits not our pleasure!”
“But we may take our own time for setting sail!” said Lucy.
“Ay, this comes of talking in metaphor,” rejoined Brandon, smiling; “they who begin it always get the worst of it. In plain words, dear Lucy, I can give no more time to my own ailments48. A lawyer cannot play truant49 in term-time without —”
“Losing a few guineas!” said Lucy, interrupting him.
“Worse than that — his practice and his name.”
“Better those than health and peace of mind.”
“Out on you, no!” said Brandon, quickly, and almost fiercely. “We waste all the greenness and pith of our life in striving to gain a distinguished slavery; and when it is gained, we must not think that an humble50 independence would have been better. If we ever admit that thought, what fools, what lavish51 fools, we have been! No!” continued Brandon, after a momentary52 pause, and in a tone milder and gayer, though not less characteristic of the man’s stubbornness of will, “after losing all youth’s enjoyments53 and manhood’s leisure, in order that in age the mind, the all-conquering mind, should break its way at last into the applauding opinions of men, I should be an effeminate idler indeed, did I suffer, so long as its jarring parts hold together, or so long as I have the power to command its members, this weak body to frustrate54 the labour of its better and nobler portion, and command that which it is ordained55 to serve.”
Lucy knew not while she listened, half in fear, half in admiration, to her singular relation, that at the very moment he thus spoke, his disease was preying56 upon him in one of its most relentless57 moods, without the power of wringing58 from him a single outward token of his torture. But she wanted nothing to increase her pity and affection for a man who in consequence, perhaps, of his ordinary surface of worldly and cold properties of temperament59 never failed to leave an indelible impression on all who had ever seen that temperament broken through by deeper though often by more evil feelings.
“Shall you go to Lady ————‘s rout60?” asked Brandon, easily sliding back into common topics. “Lord Mauleverer requested me to ask you.”
“That depends on you and my father.”
“If on me, I answer yes,” said Brandon. “I like hearing Mauleverer, especially among persons who do not understand him. There is a refined and subtle sarcasm61 running through the commonplaces of his conversation, which cuts the good fools, like the invisible sword in the fable62, that lopped off heads without occasioning the owners any other sensation than a pleasing and self-complacent titillation63. How immeasurably superior he is in manner and address to all we meet here! Does it not strike you?”
“Yes — no — I can’t say that it does exactly,” rejoined Lucy.
“Is that confusion tender?” thought Brandon.
“In a word,” continued Lucy, “Lord Mauleverer is one whom I think pleasing without fascination64, and amusing without brilliancy. He is evidently accomplished in mind and graceful66 in manner, and withal the most uninteresting person I ever met.”
“Women have not often thought so,” said Brandon. “I cannot believe that they can think otherwise.”
A certain expression, partaking of scorn, played over Brandon’s hard features. It was a noticeable trait in him, that while he was most anxious to impress Lucy with a favourable67 opinion of Lord Mauleverer, he was never quite able to mask a certain satisfaction at any jest at the earl’s expense, or any opinion derogatory to his general character for pleasing the opposite sex; and this satisfaction was no sooner conceived than it was immediately combated by the vexation he felt that Lucy did not seem to share his own desire that she should become the wife of the courtier. There appeared as if in that respect there was a contest in his mind between interest on one hand and private dislike or contempt on the other.
“You judge women wrongly!” said Brandon. “Ladies never know each other; of all persons, Mauleverer is best calculated to win them, and experience has proved my assertion. The proudest lot I know for a woman would be the thorough conquest of Lord Mauleverer; but it is impossible. He may be gallant69, but he will never be subdued70. He defies the whole female world, and with justice and impunity71. Enough of him. Sing to me, dear Lucy.”
The time for the ball approached; and Lucy, who was a charming girl and had nothing of the angel about her, was sufficiently72 fond of gayety, dancing, music, and admiration to feel her heart beat high at the expectation of the event.
At last the day itself came. Brandon dined alone with Mauleverer, having made the arrangement that he, with the earl, was to join his brother and niece at the ball. Mauleverer, who hated state, except on great occasions, when no man displayed it with a better grace, never suffered his servants to wait at dinner when he was alone or with one of his peculiar73 friends. The attendants remained without, and were summoned at will by a bell laid beside the host.
The conversation was unrestrained.
“I am perfectly certain, Brandon,” said Mauleverer, “that if you were to live tolerably well, you would soon get the better of your nervous complaints. It is all poverty of blood, believe me. Some more of the fins74, eh? — No! Oh, hang your abstemiousness75; it is d —— d unfriendly to eat so little! Talking of fins and friends, Heaven defend me from ever again forming an intimacy76 with a pedantic77 epicure79, especially if he puns!”
“Why, what has a pedant78 to do with fins?”
“I will tell you — ah, this madeira — I suggested to Lord Dareville, who affects the gourmand80, what a capital thing a dish all fins (turbot’s fins) might be made. ‘Capital!’ said he, in a rapture81; ‘dine on it with me tomorrow.’ ‘Volontiers!’ said I. The next day, after indulging in a pleasing revery all the morning as to the manner in which Dareville’s cook, who is not without genius, would accomplish the grand idea, I betook myself punctually to my engagement. Would you believe it? When the cover was removed, the sacrilegious dog of an Amphitryon had put into the dish Cicero’s ‘De Finibus.’ ‘There is a work all fins!’ said he. “Atrocious jest!” exclaimed Brandon, solemnly.
“Was it not? Whenever the gastronomists set up a religious inquisition, I trust they will roast every impious rascal82 who treats the divine mystery with levity83. Pun upon cooking, indeed! A propos of Dareville, he is to come into the administration.”
“You astonish me!” said Brandon. “I never heard that; I don’t know him. He has very little power; has he any talent?”
“Yes, a very great one — acquired, though.”
“What is it?”
“A pretty wife!”
“My lord!” exclaimed Brandon, abruptly84, and half rising from his seat.
Mauleverer looked up hastily, and on seeing the expression of his companion’s face coloured deeply; there was a silence for some moments.
“Tell me,” said Brandon, indifferently, helping85 himself to vegetables, for he seldom touched meat; and a more amusing contrast can scarcely be conceived than that between the earnest epicurism86 of Mauleverer and the careless contempt of the sublime87 art manifested by his guest — “tell me, you who necessarily know everything, whether the government really is settled — whether you are to have the garter, and I (mark the difference!) the judgeship.”
“Why so, I imagine, it will be arranged; namely, if you will consent to hang up the rogues88 instead of living by the fools!”
“One may unite both!” returned Brandon. “But I believe, in general, it is vice89 versa; for we live by the rogues, and it is only the fools we are able to hang up. You ask me if I will take the judgeship. I would not — no, I would rather cut my hand off,” and the lawyer spoke with great bitterness, “forsake my present career, despite all the obstacles that now encumber90 it, did I think that this miserable91 body would suffer me for two years longer to pursue it.”
“You shock me!” said Mauleverer, a little affected92, but nevertheless applying the cayenne to his cucumber with his usual unerring nicety of tact93 — “you shock me; but you are considerably better than you were.”
“It is not,” continued Brandon, who was rather speaking to himself than to his friend — “it is not that I am unable to conquer the pain and to master the recreant94 nerves; but I feel myself growing weaker and weaker beneath the continual exertion95 of my remaining powers, and I shall die before I have gained half my objects, if I do not leave the labours which are literally96 tearing me to pieces.”
“But,” said Lord Mauleverer, who was the idlest of men, “the judgeship is not an easy sinecure97.”
“No; but there is less demand on the mind in that station than in my present one;” and Brandon paused before he continued. “Candidly, Mauleverer, you do not think they will deceive me — you do not think they mean to leave me to this political death without writing ‘Resurgam’ over the hatchment?”
“They dare not!” said Mauleverer, quaffing98 his fourth glass of madeira.
“Well, I have decided99 on my change of life,” said the lawyer, with a slight sigh.
“So have I on my change of opinion,” chimed in the earl. “I will tell you what opinions seem to me like.”
“What?” said Brandon, abstractedly.
“Trees!” answered Mauleverer, quaintly100. “If they can be made serviceable by standing101, don’t part with a stick; but when they are of that growth that sells well, or whenever they shut out a fine prospect102, cut them down, and pack them off by all manner of means! — And now for the second course.”
“I wonder,” said the earl, when our political worthies103 were again alone, “whether there ever existed a minister who cared three straws for the people; many care for their party, but as for the country —”
“It is all fiddlestick!” added the lawyer, with more significance than grace.
“Right; it is all fiddlestick, as you tersely104 express it. King, Constitution, and Church, forever! which, being interpreted, means, first, King or Crown influence, judgeships, and garters; secondly105, Constitution, or fees to the lawyer, places to the statesman, laws for the rich, and Game Laws for the poor; thirdly, Church, or livings for our younger sons, and starvings for their curates!”
“Ha, ha!” said Brandon, laughing sardonically106; “we know human nature!”
“And how it may be gulled107!” quoth the courtier. “Here’s a health to your niece; and may it not be long before you hail her as your friend’s bride!”
“Bride, et cetera,” said Brandon, with a sneer108 meant only for his own satisfaction. “But mark me, my dear lord, do not be too sure of her. She is a singular girl, and of more independence than the generality of women. She will not think of your rank and station in estimating you; she will think only of their owner; and pardon me if I suggest to you, who know the sex so well, one plan that it may not be unadvisable for you to pursue. Don’t let her fancy you entirely109 hers; rouse her jealousy110, pique111 her pride, let her think you unconquerable, and unless she is unlike all women, she will want to conquer you.”
The earl smiled. “I must take my chance!” said he, with a confident tone.
“The hoary112 coxcomb113!” muttered Brandon, between his teeth; “now will his folly114 spoil all.”
“And that reminds me,” continued Mauleverer, “that time wanes115, and dinner is not over; let us not hurry, but let us be silent, to enjoy the more. These truffles in champagne117 — do taste them; they would raise the dead.”
The lawyer smiled, and accepted the kindness, though he left the delicacy118 untouched; and Mauleverer, whose soul was in his plate, saw not the heartless rejection119.
Meanwhile the youthful beauty had already entered the theatre of pleasure, and was now seated with the squire at the upper end of the half-filled ball-room.
A gay lady of the fashion at that time, and of that half and half rank to which belonged the aristocracy of Bath — one of those curious persons we meet with in the admirable novels of Miss Burney, as appertaining to the order of fine ladies — made the trio with our heiress and her father, and pointed120 out to them by name the various characters that entered the apartments. She was still in the full tide of scandal, when an unusual sensation was visible in the environs of the door; three strangers of marked mien121, gay dress, and an air which, though differing in each, was in all alike remarkable122 for a sort of “dashing” assurance, made their entree123. One was of uncommon height, and possessed of an exceedingly fine head of hair; another was of a more quiet and unpretending aspect, but nevertheless he wore upon his face a supercilious124 yet not ill-humoured expression; the third was many years younger than his companions, strikingly handsome in face and figure, altogether of a better taste in dress, and possessing a manner that, though it had equal ease, was not equally noticeable for impudence125 and swagger.
“Who can those be?” said Lucy’s female friend, in a wondering tone. “I never saw them before — they must be great people — they have all the airs of persons of quality! Dear, how odd that I should not know them!”
While the good lady, who, like all good ladies of that stamp, thought people of quality had airs, was thus lamenting126 her ignorance of the new-comers, a general whisper of a similar import was already circulating round the room, “Who are they?” and the universal answer was, “Can’t tell — never saw them before!”
Our strangers seemed by no means displeased127 with the evident and immediate68 impression they had made. They stood in the most conspicuous128 part of the room, enjoying among themselves a low conversation, frequently broken by fits of laughter — tokens, we need not add, of their supereminently good breeding. The handsome figure of the youngest stranger, and the simple and seemingly unconscious grace of his attitudes were not, however, unworthy of the admiration he excited; and even his laughter, rude as it really was, displayed so dazzling a set of teeth, and was accompanied by such brilliant eyes, that before he had been ten minutes in the room there was scarcely a young lady under thirty-nine not disposed to fall in love with him.
Apparently129 heedless of the various remarks which reached their ears, our strangers, after they had from their station sufficiently surveyed the beauties of the ball, strolled arm-inarm through the rooms. Having sauntered through the ball and card rooms, they passed the door that led to the entrance passage, and gazed, with other loiterers, upon the new-comers ascending130 the stairs. Here the two younger strangers renewed their whispered conversation, while the eldest131, who was also the tallest one, carelessly leaning against the wall, employed himself for a few moments in thrusting his fingers through his hair. In finishing this occupation, the peculiar state of his rules forced itself upon the observation of our gentleman, who, after gazing for some moments on an envious132 rent in the right ruffle116, muttered some indistinct words, like “the cock of that confounded pistol,” and then tucked up the mutilated ornament133 with a peculiarly nimble motion of the fingers of his left hand; the next moment, diverted by a new care, the stranger applied134 his digital members to the arranging and caressing135 of a remarkably136 splendid brooch, set in the bosom137 of a shirt the rude texture138 of which formed a singular contrast with the magnificence of the embellishment and the fineness of the one ruffle suffered by our modern Hyperion to make its appearance beneath his cinnamon-coloured coatsleeve. These little personal arrangements completed, and a dazzling snuff-box released from the confinement139 of a side-pocket, tapped thrice, and lightened of two pinches of its titillating140 luxury, the stranger now, with the guardian141 eye of friendship, directed a searching glance to the dress of his friends. There all appeared meet for his strictest scrutiny142, save, indeed, that the supercilious-looking stranger having just drawn forth his gloves, the lining143 of his coat-pocket which was rather soiled into the bargain — had not returned to its internal station; the tall stranger, seeing this little inelegance, kindly144 thrust three fingers with a sudden and light dive into his friend’s pocket, and effectually repulsed145 the forwardness of the intrusive146 lining. The supercilious stranger no sooner felt the touch than he started back, and whispered to his officious companion —
“What! among friends, Ned! Fie now; curb147 the nature of thee for one night at least.”
Before he of the flowing locks had time to answer, the master of the ceremonies, who had for the last three minutes been eying the strangers through his glass, stepped forward with a sliding bow; and the handsome gentleman, taking upon himself the superiority and precedence over his comrades, was the first to return the courtesy. He did this with so good a grace and so pleasing an expression of countenance148 that the censor149 of bows was charmed at once, and with a second and more profound salutation announced himself and his office. “You would like to dance probably, gentlemen?” he asked, glancing at each, but directing his words to the one who had prepossessed him.
“You are very good,” said the comely150 stranger; “and, for my part, I shall be extremely indebted to you for the exercise of your powers in my behalf. Allow me to return with you to the ball-room, and I can there point out to you the objects of my especial admiration.”
The master of the ceremonies bowed as before, and he and his new acquaintance strolled into the ball-room, followed by the two comrades of the latter.
“Have you been long in Bath, sir?” inquired the monarch151 of the rooms.
“No, indeed! we only arrived this evening.”
“From London?”
“No; we made a little tour across the country.”
“Ah! very pleasant, this fine weather.”
“Yes; especially in the evenings.”
“Oho! romantic!” thought the man of balls, as he rejoined aloud, “Why, the nights are agreeable, and the moon is particularly favourable to us.”
“Not always!” quoth the stranger.
“True, true, the night before last was dark; but, in general, surely the moon has been very bright.”
The stranger was about to answer, but checked himself, and simply bowed his head as in assent152.
“I wonder who they are!” thought the master of the ceremonies. “Pray, sir,” said he, in a low tone, “is that gentle man, that tall gentleman, any way related to Lord —————? I cannot but think I see a family likeness153.”
“Not in the least related to his lordship,” answered the stranger; “but he is of a family that have made a noise in the world; though he, as well as my other friend, is merely a commoner!” laying a stress on the last word.
“Nothing, sir, can be more respectable than a commoner of family,” returned the polite Mr. ———— with a bow.
“I agree with you, sir,” answered the stranger, with another. “But, heavens!”— and the stranger started; for at that moment his eye caught for the first time, at the far end of the room, the youthful and brilliant countenance of Lucy Brandon — “do I see rightly, or is that Miss Brandon?”
“It is indeed that lovely young lady,” said Mr. ————. “I congratulate you on knowing one so admired. I suppose that you, being blessed with her acquaintance, do not need the formality of my introduction?”
“Umph!” said the stranger, rather shortly and uncourteously. “No! Perhaps you had better present me!”
“By what name shall I have that honour, sir?” discreetly155 inquired the nomenclator.
“Clifford!” answered the stranger; “Captain Clifford!” Upon this the prim156 master of the ceremonies, threading his path through the now fast-filling room, approached towards Lucy to obey Mr. Clifford’s request. Meanwhile that gentleman, before he followed the steps of the tutelary157 spirit of the place, paused and said to his friends, in a tone careless yet not without command, “Hark ye, gentlemen; oblige me by being as civil and silent as ye are able; and don’t thrust yourselves upon me, as you are accustomed to do, whenever you see no opportunity of indulging me with that honour with the least show of propriety158!” So saying, and waiting no reply, Mr. Clifford hastened after the master of the ceremonies.
“Our friend grows mighty159 imperious!” said Long Ned, whom our readers have already recognized in the tall stranger.
“‘T is the way with your rising geniuses,” answered the moralizing Augustus Tomlinson. “Suppose we go to the cardroom and get up a rubber!”
“Well thought of,” said Ned, yawning — a thing he was very apt to do in society; “and I wish nothing worse to those who try our rubbers than that they may be well cleaned by them.” Upon this witticism160 the Colossus of Roads, glancing towards the glass, strutted161 off, arm-inarm with his companion, to the card-room.
During this short conversation the re-introduction of Mr. Clifford (the stranger of the Rectory and deliverer of Dr. Slopperton) to Lucy Brandon had been effected, and the hand of the heiress was already engaged, according to the custom of that time, for the two ensuing dances.
It was about twenty minutes after the above presentation had taken place that Lord Mauleverer and William Brandon entered the rooms; and the buzz created by the appearance of the noted162 peer and the distinguished lawyer had scarcely subsided163, before the royal personage expected to grace the “festive scene” (as the newspapers say of a great room with plenty of miserable-looking people in it) arrived. The most attractive persons in Europe may be found among the royal family of England, and the great personage then at Bath, in consequence of certain political intrigues164, wished, at that time especially, to make himself as popular as possible. Having gone the round of the old ladies, and assured them, as the “Court Journal” assures the old ladies at this day, that they were “morning stars” and “swan-like wonders,” the prince espied165 Brandon, and immediately beckoned166 to him with a familiar gesture. The smooth but saturnine167 lawyer approached the royal presence with the manner that peculiarly distinguished him, and which blended in no ungraceful mixture a species of stiffness that passed with the crowd for native independence, with a supple168 insinuation that was usually deemed the token of latent benevolence169 of heart. There was something, indeed, in Brandon’s address that always pleased the great; and they liked him the better because, though he stood on no idle political points, mere154 differences in the view taken of a hairbreadth — such as a corn-law or a Catholic bill, alteration170 in the Church or a reform in parliament — yet he invariably talked so like a man of honour (except when with Mauleverer) that his urbanity seemed attachment171 to individuals, and his concessions172 to power sacrifices of private opinion for the sake of obliging his friends.
“I am very glad indeed,” said the royal personage, “to see Mr. Brandon looking so much better. Never was the crown in greater want of his services; and if rumour173 speak true, they will soon be required in another department of his profession.”
Brandon bowed, and answered —
“So please your royal highness, they will always be at the command of a king from whore I have experienced such kindness, in any capacity for which his Majesty174 may deem them fitting.”
“It is true, then!” said his royal highness, significantly. “I congratulate you! The quiet dignity of the bench must seem to you a great change after a career so busy and restless.”
“I fear I shall feel it so at first, your royal highness,” answered Brandon, “for I like even the toil13 of my profession; and at this moment, when I am in full practice, it more than ever — But” (checking himself at once) “his Majesty’s wishes, and my satisfaction in complying with them, are more than sufficient to remove any momentary regret I might otherwise have felt in quitting those toils175 which have now become to me a second nature.”
“It is possible,” rejoined the prince, “that his Majesty took into consideration the delicate state of health which, in common with the whole public, I grieve to see the papers have attributed to one of the most distinguished ornaments176 of the bar.”
“So please your royal highness,” answered Brandon, coolly, and with a smile which the most piercing eye could not have believed the mask to the agony then gnawing177 at his nerves, “it is the interest of my rivals to exaggerate the little ailments of a weak constitution. I thank Providence178 that I am now entirely recovered; and at no time of my life have I been less unable to discharge — so far as my native and mental, incapacities will allow — the duties of any occupation, however arduous179. Nay, as the brute180 grows accustomed to the mill, so have I grown wedded181 to business; and even the brief relaxation182 I have now allowed myself seems to me rather irksome than pleasurable.”
“I rejoice to hear you speak thus,” answered his royal highness, warmly; “and I trust for many years, and,” added he, in a lower tone, “in the highest chamber183 of the senate, that we may profit by your talents. The times are those in which many occasions occur that oblige all true friends of the Constitution to quit minor184 employment for that great constitutional one that concerns us all, the highest and the meanest; and” (the royal voice sank still lower) “I feel justified185 in assuring you that the office of chief-justice alone is not considered by his Majesty as a sufficient reward for your generous sacrifice of present ambition to the difficulties of government.”
Brandon’s proud heart swelled186, and that moment the veriest pains of hell would scarcely have been felt.
While the aspiring187 schemer was thus agreeably engaged, Mauleverer, sliding through the crowd with that grace which charmed every one, old and young, and addressing to all he knew some lively or affectionate remark, made his way to the dancers, among whom he had just caught a glimpse of Lucy. “I wonder,” he thought, “whom she is dancing with. I hope it is that ridiculous fellow, Mossop, who tells a good story against himself; or that handsome ass15, Belmont, who looks at his own legs, instead of seeming to have eyes for no one but his partner. Ah! if Tarquin had but known women as well as I do, he would have had no reason to be rough with Lucretia. ‘T is a thousand pities that experience comes, in women as in the world, just when it begins to be no longer of use to us!”
As he made these moral reflections, Mauleverer gained the dancers, and beheld188 Lucy listening, with downcast eyes and cheeks that evidently blushed, to a young man whom Mauleverer acknowledged at once to be one of the best-looking fellows he had ever seen. The stranger’s countenance, despite an extreme darkness of complexion189, was, to be sure, from the great regularity190 of the features, rather effeminate; but, on the other hand, his figure, though slender and graceful, betrayed to an experienced eye an extraordinary proportion of sinew and muscle; and even the dash of effeminacy in the countenance was accompanied by so manly191 and frank an air, and was so perfectly free from all coxcombry192 or self-conceit, that it did not in the least decrease the prepossessing effect of his appearance. An angry and bitter pang193 shot across that portion of Mauleverer’s frame which the earl thought fit, for want of another name, to call his heart. “How cursedly pleased she looks!” muttered he. “By Heaven! that stolen glance under the left eyelid194, dropped as suddenly as it is raised; and he — ha! how firmly he holds that little hand! I think I see him paddle with it; and then the dog’s earnest, intent look — and she all blushes, though she dare not look up to meet his gaze, feeling it by intuition. Oh, the demure195, modest, shamefaced hypocrite! How silent she is! She can prate196 enough to me! I would give my promised garter if she would but talk to him. Talk, talk, laugh, prattle197, only simper, in God’s name, and I shall be happy. But that bashful, blushing silence — it is insupportable. Thank Heaven, the dance is over! Thank Heaven, again! I have not felt such pains since the last nightmare I had after dining with her father!”
With a face all smiles, but with a mien in which more dignity than he ordinarily assumed was worn, Mauleverer now moved towards Lucy, who was leaning on her partner’s arm. The earl, who had ample tact where his consummate198 selfishness did not warp199 it, knew well how to act the lover, without running ridiculously into the folly of seeming to play the hoary dangler200. He sought rather to be lively than sentimental201; and beneath the wit to conceal202 the suitor.
Having paid, then, with a careless gallantry his first compliments, he entered into so animated203 a conversation, interspersed204 with so many naive205 yet palpably just observations on the characters present, that perhaps he had never appeared to more brilliant advantage. At length, as the music was about to recommence, Mauleverer, with a careless glance at Lucy’s partner, said, “Will Miss Brandon now allow me the agreeable duty of conducting her to her father?”
“I believe,” answered Lucy, and her voice suddenly became timid, “that, according to the laws of the rooms, I am engaged to this gentleman for another dance.”
Clifford, in an assured and easy tone, replied in assent.
As he spoke. Mauleverer honoured him with a more accurate survey than he had hitherto bestowed206 on him; and whether or not there was any expression of contempt or superciliousness207 in the survey, it was sufficient to call up the indignant blood to Clifford’s cheek. Returning the look with interest, he said to Lucy, “I believe, Miss Brandon, that the dance is about to begin;” and Lucy, obeying the hint, left the aristocratic Mauleverer to his own meditations208.
At that moment the master of the ceremonies came bowing by, half afraid to address so great a person as Mauleverer, but willing to show his respect by the profoundness of his salutation.
“Aha! my dear Mr. ————!” said the earl, holding out both his hands to the Lycurgus of the rooms; “how are you? Pray can you inform me who that young man is, now dancing with Miss Brandon?”
“It is — let me see-oh! it is a Captain Clifford, my lord! a very fine young man, my lord! Has your lordship never met him?”
“Never! Who is he? One under your more especial patronage209?” said the earl, smiling.
“Nay, indeed!” answered the master of the ceremonies, with a simper of gratification; “I scarcely know who he is yet; the captain only made his appearance here to-night for the first time. He came with two other gentlemen — ah! there they are!” and he pointed the earl’s scrutinizing210 attention to the elegant forms of Mr. Augustus Tomlinson and Mr. Ned Pepper, just emerging from the card-rooms. The swagger of the latter gentleman was so peculiarly important that Mauleverer, angry as he was, could scarcely help laughing. The master of the ceremonies noted the earl’s countenance, and remarked that “that fine-looking man seemed disposed to give himself airs.”
“Judging from the gentleman’s appearance,” said the earl, dryly (Ned’s face, to say truth, did betoken211 his affection for the bottle), “I should imagine that he was much more accustomed to give himself thorough draughts212!”
“Ah!” renewed the arbiter213 elegantiarum, who had not heard Mauleverer’s observation, which was uttered in a very low voice — “ah! they seem real dashers!”
“Dashers!” repeated Mauleverer; “true, haberdashers!” Long Ned now, having in the way of his profession acquitted214 himself tolerably well at the card-table, thought he had purchased the right to parade himself through the rooms, and show the ladies what stuff a Pepper could be made of.
Leaning with his left hand on Tomlinson’s arm, and employing the right in fanning himself furiously with his huge chapeau bras, the lengthy215 adventurer stalked slowly along, now setting out one leg jauntily216, now the other, and ogling217 “the ladies” with a kind of Irish look — namely, a look between a wink218 and a stare.
Released from the presence of Clifford, who kept a certain check on his companions, the apparition219 of Ned became glaringly conspicuous; and wherever he passed, a universal whisper succeeded.
“Who can he be?” said the widow Matemore. “‘T is a droll220 creature; but what a head of hair!”
“For my part,” answered the spinster Sneerall, “I think he is a linen-draper in disguise; for I heard him talk to his companion of ‘tape.’”
“Well, well,” thought Mauleverer, “it would be but kind to seek out Brandon, and hint to him in what company his niece seems to have fallen!” And so thinking, he glided to the corner where, with a gray-headed old politician, the astute221 lawyer was conning222 the affairs of Europe.
In the interim223 the second dance had ended, and Clifford was conducting Lucy to her seat, each charmed with the other, when he found himself abruptly tapped on the back, and turning round in alarm — for such taps were not unfamiliar224 to him — he saw the cool countenance of Long Ned, with one finger sagaciously laid beside the nose.
“How now?” said Clifford, between his ground teeth; “did I not tell thee to put that huge bulk of thine as far from me as possible?”
“Humph!” granted Ned; “if these are my thanks, I may as well keep my kindness to myself; but know you, my kid, that Lawyer Brandon is here, peering through the crowd at this very moment, in order to catch a glimpse of that woman’s face of thine.”
“Ha!” answered Clifford, in a very quick tone; “begone, then! I will meet you without the rooms immediately.” Clifford now turned to his partner, and bowing very low, in reality to hide his face from those sharp eyes which had once seen it in the court of Justice Burnflat, said: “I trust, madam, I shall have the honour to meet you again. Is it, if I may be allowed to ask, with your celebrated225 uncle that you are staying, or —”
“With my father,” answered Lucy, concluding the sentence Clifford had left unfinished; “but my uncle has been with us, though I fear he leaves us tomorrow.”
Clifford’s eyes sparkled; he made no answer, but bowing again, receded226 into the crowd and disappeared. Several times that night did the brightest eyes in Somersetshire rove anxiously round the rooms in search of our hero; but he was seen no more.
It was on the stairs that Clifford encountered his comrades; taking an arm of each, he gained the door without any adventure worth noting, save that, being kept back by the crowd for a few moments, the moralizing Augustus Tomlinson, who honoured the moderate Whigs by enrolling227 himself among their number, took up, pour passer le temps, a tall gold-headed cane228, and weighing it across his finger with a musing65 air, said, “Alas! among our supporters we often meet heads as heavy, but of what a different metal!” The crowd now permitting, Augustus was walking away with his companions, and, in that absence of mind characteristic of philosophers, unconsciously bearing with him the gold-headed object of his reflection, when a stately footman, stepping up to him, said, “Sir, my cane!”
“Cane, fellow!” said Tomlinson. “Ah, I am so absent! Here is thy cane. Only think of my carrying off the man’s cane, Ned! Ha, ha!”
“Absent indeed!” grunted229 a knowing chairman, watching the receding230 figures of the three gentlemen; “body o’ me! but it was the cane that was about to be absent!”
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1
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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2
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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eclat
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| n.显赫之成功，荣誉 | |
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eccentricities
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| n.古怪行为( eccentricity的名词复数 )；反常；怪癖 | |
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complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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niche
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| n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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12
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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13
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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14
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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15
ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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17
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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18
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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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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21
fiddling
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| 微小的 | |
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giggling
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 ) | |
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23
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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24
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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25
celebrity
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| n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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30
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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31
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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32
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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34
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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35
respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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36
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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37
royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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38
valetudinarian
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| n.病人；健康不佳者 | |
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39
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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40
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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41
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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42
debut
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| n.首次演出，初次露面 | |
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43
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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44
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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45
taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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46
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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47
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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48
ailments
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| 疾病（尤指慢性病），不适( ailment的名词复数 ) | |
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49
truant
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| n.懒惰鬼，旷课者；adj.偷懒的，旷课的，游荡的；v.偷懒，旷课 | |
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50
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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51
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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52
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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53
enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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54
frustrate
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| v.使失望；使沮丧；使厌烦 | |
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55
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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56
preying
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| v.掠食( prey的现在分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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57
relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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58
wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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59
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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60
rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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61
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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62
fable
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| n.寓言；童话；神话 | |
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63
titillation
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| n.搔痒，愉快；搔痒感 | |
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64
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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65
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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66
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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67
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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68
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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69
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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70
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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71
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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72
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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73
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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74
fins
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| [医]散热片；鱼鳍；飞边；鸭掌 | |
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75
abstemiousness
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| n.适中，有节制 | |
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76
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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77
pedantic
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| adj.卖弄学问的；迂腐的 | |
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78
pedant
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| n.迂儒；卖弄学问的人 | |
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79
epicure
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| n.行家，美食家 | |
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80
gourmand
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| n.嗜食者 | |
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81
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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82
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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83
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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84
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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85
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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86
epicurism
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| n.贪口福，美食主义 | |
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87
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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88
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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89
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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90
encumber
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| v.阻碍行动，妨碍，堆满 | |
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91
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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92
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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93
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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94
recreant
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|
| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
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95
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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96
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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97
sinecure
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| n.闲差事，挂名职务 | |
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98
quaffing
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| v.痛饮( quaff的现在分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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99
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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100
quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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101
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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102
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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103
worthies
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|
| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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104
tersely
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| adv. 简捷地, 简要地 | |
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105
secondly
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|
| adv.第二，其次 | |
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106
sardonically
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| adv.讽刺地，冷嘲地 | |
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107
gulled
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| v.欺骗某人( gull的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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108
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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109
entirely
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|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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110
jealousy
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|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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111
pique
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| v.伤害…的自尊心，使生气 n.不满，生气 | |
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112
hoary
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| adj.古老的；鬓发斑白的 | |
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113
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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114
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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115
wanes
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| v.衰落( wane的第三人称单数 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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116
ruffle
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| v.弄皱，弄乱；激怒，扰乱；n.褶裥饰边 | |
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117
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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118
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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119
rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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120
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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121
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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122
remarkable
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|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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123
entree
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| n.入场权，进入权 | |
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124
supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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125
impudence
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|
| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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126
lamenting
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|
| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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127
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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128
conspicuous
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|
| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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129
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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130
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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131
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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132
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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133
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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134
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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135
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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136
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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137
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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138
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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139
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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140
titillating
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|
| adj.使人痒痒的； 使人激动的，令人兴奋的v.使觉得痒( titillate的现在分词 )；逗引；激发；使高兴 | |
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141
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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142
scrutiny
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|
| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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143
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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144
kindly
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|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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145
repulsed
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|
| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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146
intrusive
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|
| adj.打搅的；侵扰的 | |
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147
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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148
countenance
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|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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149
censor
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| n./vt.审查，审查员；删改 | |
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150
comely
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|
| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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151
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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152
assent
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|
| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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153
likeness
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|
| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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154
mere
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|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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155
discreetly
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|
| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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156
prim
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|
| adj.拘泥形式的，一本正经的；n.循规蹈矩，整洁；adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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157
tutelary
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|
| adj.保护的；守护的 | |
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158
propriety
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|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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159
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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160
witticism
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|
| n.谐语，妙语 | |
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161
strutted
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| 趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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162
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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163
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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164
intrigues
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|
| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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165
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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166
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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167
saturnine
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|
| adj.忧郁的，沉默寡言的，阴沉的，感染铅毒的 | |
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168
supple
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|
| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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169
benevolence
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|
| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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170
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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171
attachment
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|
| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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172
concessions
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|
| n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权 | |
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173
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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174
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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175
toils
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| 网 | |
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176
ornaments
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|
| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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177
gnawing
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|
| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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178
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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179
arduous
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|
| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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180
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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181
wedded
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|
| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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182
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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183
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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184
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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185
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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186
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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187
aspiring
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| adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求 | |
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188
beheld
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|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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189
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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190
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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191
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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192
coxcombry
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| n.（男子的）虚浮，浮夸，爱打扮 | |
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193
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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194
eyelid
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| n.眼睑，眼皮 | |
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195
demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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196
prate
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| v.瞎扯，胡说 | |
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197
prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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198
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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199
warp
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| vt.弄歪，使翘曲，使不正常，歪曲，使有偏见 | |
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200
dangler
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| 吊着晃来晃去之物，耳环，追逐女人的男人 | |
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201
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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202
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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203
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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204
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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205
naive
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| adj.幼稚的，轻信的；天真的 | |
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206
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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207
superciliousness
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|
| n.高傲，傲慢 | |
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208
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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209
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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210
scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) | |
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211
betoken
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| v.预示 | |
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212
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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213
arbiter
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| n.仲裁人，公断人 | |
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214
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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215
lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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216
jauntily
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| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 | |
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217
ogling
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的现在分词 ) | |
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218
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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219
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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220
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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221
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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222
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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223
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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224
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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225
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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226
receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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227
enrolling
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| v.招收( enrol的现在分词 )；吸收；入学；加入；[亦作enrol]( enroll的现在分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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228
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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229
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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230
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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