But the wheels of an interview are at the mercy of a thousand ruts; and even at Otto’s entrance, the first jolt9 occurred. Gondremark, he saw, was gone; but there was the chair drawn10 close for consultation11; and it pained him not only that this man had been received, but that he should depart with such an air of secrecy12. Struggling with this twinge, it was somewhat sharply that he dismissed the attendant who had brought him in.
‘You make yourself at home, CHEZ MOI,’ she said, a little ruffled13 both by his tone of command and by the glance he had thrown upon the chair.
‘Madam,’ replied Otto, ‘I am here so seldom that I have almost the rights of a stranger.’
‘You choose your own associates, Frederic,’ she said.
‘I am here to speak of it,’ he returned. ‘It is now four years since we were married; and these four years, Seraphina, have not perhaps been happy either for you or for me. I am well aware I was unsuitable to be your husband. I was not young, I had no ambition, I was a trifler; and you despised me, I dare not say unjustly. But to do justice on both sides, you must bear in mind how I have acted. When I found it amused you to play the part of Princess on this little stage, did I not immediately resign to you my box of toys, this Grunewald? And when I found I was distasteful as a husband, could any husband have been less intrusive14? You will tell me that I have no feelings, no preference, and thus no credit; that I go before the wind; that all this was in my character. And indeed, one thing is true, that it is easy, too easy, to leave things undone15. But Seraphina, I begin to learn it is not always wise. If I were too old and too uncongenial for your husband, I should still have remembered that I was the Prince of that country to which you came, a visitor and a child. In that relation also there were duties, and these duties I have not performed.’
To claim the advantage of superior age is to give sure offence. ‘Duty!’ laughed Seraphina, ‘and on your lips, Frederic! You make me laugh. What fancy is this? Go, flirt16 with the maids and be a prince in Dresden china, as you look. Enjoy yourself, MON ENFANT, and leave duty and the state to us.’
The plural17 grated on the Prince. ‘I have enjoyed myself too much,’ he said, ‘since enjoyment18 is the word. And yet there were much to say upon the other side. You must suppose me desperately19 fond of hunting. But indeed there were days when I found a great deal of interest in what it was courtesy to call my government. And I have always had some claim to taste; I could tell live happiness from dull routine; and between hunting, and the throne of Austria, and your society, my choice had never wavered, had the choice been mine. You were a girl, a bud, when you were given me — ’
‘Heavens!’ she cried, ‘is this to be a love-scene?’
‘I am never ridiculous,’ he said; ‘it is my only merit; and you may be certain this shall be a scene of marriage A LA MODE. But when I remember the beginning, it is bare courtesy to speak in sorrow. Be just, madam: you would think me strangely uncivil to recall these days without the decency20 of a regret. Be yet a little juster, and own, if only in complaisance21, that you yourself regret that past.’
‘I have nothing to regret,’ said the Princess. ‘You surprise me. I thought you were so happy.’
‘Happy and happy, there are so many hundred ways,’ said Otto. ‘A man may be happy in revolt; he may be happy in sleep; wine, change, and travel make him happy; virtue22, they say, will do the like — I have not tried; and they say also that in old, quiet, and habitual23 marriages there is yet another happiness. Happy, yes; I am happy if you like; but I will tell you frankly24, I was happier when I brought you home.’
‘Well,’ said the Princess, not without constraint25, ‘it seems you changed your mind.’
‘Not I,’ returned Otto, ‘I never changed. Do you remember, Seraphina, on our way home, when you saw the roses in the lane, and I got out and plucked them? It was a narrow lane between great trees; the sunset at the end was all gold, and the rooks were flying overhead. There were nine, nine red roses; you gave me a kiss for each, and I told myself that every rose and every kiss should stand for a year of love. Well, in eighteen months there was an end. But do you fancy, Seraphina, that my heart has altered?’
‘I am sure I cannot tell,’ she said, like an automaton26.
‘It has not,’ the Prince continued. ‘There is nothing ridiculous, even from a husband, in a love that owns itself unhappy and that asks no more. I built on sand; pardon me, I do not breathe a reproach — I built, I suppose, upon my own infirmities; but I put my heart in the building, and it still lies among the ruins.’
‘How very poetical27!’ she said, with a little choking laugh, unknown relentings, unfamiliar28 softnesses, moving within her. ‘What would you be at?’ she added, hardening her voice.
‘I would be at this,’ he answered; ‘and hard it is to say. I would be at this:-Seraphina, I am your husband after all, and a poor fool that loves you. Understand,’ he cried almost fiercely, ‘I am no suppliant29 husband; what your love refuses I would scorn to receive from your pity. I do not ask, I would not take it. And for jealousy30, what ground have I? A dog-in-the-manger jealousy is a thing the dogs may laugh at. But at least, in the world’s eye, I am still your husband; and I ask you if you treat me fairly? I keep to myself, I leave you free, I have given you in everything your will. What do you in return? I find, Seraphina, that you have been too thoughtless. But between persons such as we are, in our conspicuous31 station, particular care and a particular courtesy are owing. Scandal is perhaps not easy to avoid; but it is hard to bear.’
‘Scandal!’ she cried, with a deep breath. ‘Scandal! It is for this you have been driving!’
‘I have tried to tell you how I feel,’ he replied. ‘I have told you that I love you — love you in vain — a bitter thing for a husband; I have laid myself open that I might speak without offence. And now that I have begun, I will go on and finish.’
‘I demand it,’ she said. ‘What is this about?’
Otto flushed crimson32. ‘I have to say what I would fain not,’ he answered. ‘I counsel you to see less of Gondremark.’
‘Of Gondremark? And why?’ she asked.
‘Your intimacy33 is the ground of scandal, madam,’ said Otto, firmly enough — ‘of a scandal that is agony to me, and would be crushing to your parents if they knew it.’
‘You are the first to bring me word of it,’ said she. ‘I thank you.’
‘You have perhaps cause,’ he replied. ‘Perhaps I am the only one among your friends — ’
‘O, leave my friends alone,’ she interrupted. ‘My friends are of a different stamp. You have come to me here and made a parade of sentiment. When have I last seen you? I have governed your kingdom for you in the meanwhile, and there I got no help. At last, when I am weary with a man’s work, and you are weary of your playthings, you return to make me a scene of conjugal34 reproaches — the grocer and his wife! The positions are too much reversed; and you should understand, at least, that I cannot at the same time do your work of government and behave myself like a little girl. Scandal is the atmosphere in which we live, we princes; it is what a prince should know. You play an odious35 part. Do you believe this rumour36?’
‘Madam, should I be here?’ said Otto.
‘It is what I want to know!’ she cried, the tempest of her scorn increasing. ‘Suppose you did — I say, suppose you did believe it?’
‘I should make it my business to suppose the contrary,’ he answered.
‘I thought so. O, you are made of baseness!’ said she.
‘Madam,’ he cried, roused at last, ‘enough of this. You wilfully37 misunderstand my attitude; you outwear my patience. In the name of your parents, in my own name, I summon you to be more circumspect38.’
‘Is this a request, MONSIEUR MON MARI?’ she demanded.
‘Madam, if I chose, I might command,’ said Otto.
‘You might, sir, as the law stands, make me prisoner,’ returned Seraphina. ‘Short of that you will gain nothing.’
‘You will continue as before?’ he asked.
‘Precisely as before,’ said she. ‘As soon as this comedy is over, I shall request the Freiherr von Gondremark to visit me. Do you understand?’ she added, rising. ‘For my part, I have done.’
‘I will then ask the favour of your hand, madam,’ said Otto, palpitating in every pulse with anger. ‘I have to request that you will visit in my society another part of my poor house. And reassure39 yourself — it will not take long — and it is the last obligation that you shall have the chance to lay me under.’
‘The last?’ she cried. ‘Most joyfully40?’
She offered her hand, and he took it; on each side with an elaborate affectation, each inwardly incandescent41. He led her out by the private door, following where Gondremark had passed; they threaded a corridor or two, little frequented, looking on a court, until they came at last into the Prince’s suite42. The first room was an armoury, hung all about with the weapons of various countries, and looking forth43 on the front terrace.
‘Have you brought me here to slay44 me?’ she inquired.
‘I have brought you, madam, only to pass on,’ replied Otto.
Next they came to a library, where an old chamberlain sat half asleep. He rose and bowed before the princely couple, asking for orders.
‘You will attend us here,’ said Otto.
The next stage was a gallery of pictures, where Seraphina’s portrait hung conspicuous, dressed for the chase, red roses in her hair, as Otto, in the first months of marriage, had directed. He pointed45 to it without a word; she raised her eyebrows46 in silence; and they passed still forward into a matted corridor where four doors opened. One led to Otto’s bedroom; one was the private door to Seraphina’s. And here, for the first time, Otto left her hand, and stepping forward, shot the bolt.
‘It is long, madam,’ said he, ‘since it was bolted on the other side.’
‘One was effectual,’ returned the Princess. ‘Is this all?’
‘Shall I reconduct you?’ he asking, bowing.
‘I should prefer,’ she asked, in ringing tones, ‘the conduct of the Freiherr von Gondremark.’
Otto summoned the chamberlain. ‘If the Freiherr von Gondremark is in the palace,’ he said, ‘bid him attend the Princess here.’ And when the official had departed, ‘Can I do more to serve you, madam?’ the Prince asked.
‘Thank you, no. I have been much amused,’ she answered.
‘I have now,’ continued Otto, ‘given you your liberty complete. This has been for you a miserable47 marriage.’
‘Miserable!’ said she.
‘It has been made light to you; it shall be lighter48 still,’ continued the Prince. ‘But one thing, madam, you must still continue to bear — my father’s name, which is now yours. I leave it in your hands. Let me see you, since you will have no advice of mine, apply the more attention of your own to bear it worthily49.’
‘Herr von Gondremark is long in coming,’ she remarked.
‘O Seraphina, Seraphina!’ he cried. And that was the end of their interview.
She tripped to a window and looked out; and a little after, the chamberlain announced the Freiherr von Gondremark, who entered with something of a wild eye and changed complexion50, confounded, as he was, at this unusual summons. The Princess faced round from the window with a pearly smile; nothing but her heightened colour spoke51 of discomposure.
Otto was pale, but he was otherwise master of himself.
‘Herr von Gondremark,’ said he, ‘oblige me so far: reconduct the Princess to her own apartment.’
The Baron, still all at sea, offered his hand, which was smilingly accepted, and the pair sailed forth through the picture-gallery.
As soon as they were gone, and Otto knew the length and breadth of his miscarriage52, and how he had done the contrary of all that he intended, he stood stupefied. A fiasco so complete and sweeping53 was laughable, even to himself; and he laughed aloud in his wrath54. Upon this mood there followed the sharpest violence of remorse55; and to that again, as he recalled his provocation56, anger succeeded afresh. So he was tossed in spirit; now bewailing his inconsequence and lack of temper, now flaming up in white-hot indignation and a noble pity for himself.
He paced his apartment like a leopard57. There was danger in Otto, for a flash. Like a pistol, he could kill at one moment, and the next he might he kicked aside. But just then, as he walked the long floors in his alternate humours, tearing his handkerchief between his hands, he was strung to his top note, every nerve attent. The pistol, you might say, was charged. And when jealousy from time to time fetched him a lash58 across the tenderest of his feeling, and sent a string of her fire-pictures glancing before his mind’s eye, the contraction59 of his face was even dangerous. He disregarded jealousy’s inventions, yet they stung. In this height of anger, he still preserved his faith in Seraphina’s innocence60; but the thought of her possible misconduct was the bitterest ingredient in his pot of sorrow.
There came a knock at the door, and the chamberlain brought him a note. He took it and ground it in his hand, continuing his march, continuing his bewildered thoughts; and some minutes had gone by before the circumstance came clearly to his mind. Then he paused and opened it. It was a pencil scratch from Gotthold, thus conceived:
‘The council is privately61 summoned at once.
G. v. H.’
If the council was thus called before the hour, and that privately, it was plain they feared his interference. Feared: here was a sweet thought. Gotthold, too — Gotthold, who had always used and regarded him as a mere62 peasant lad, had now been at the pains to warn him; Gotthold looked for something at his hands. Well, none should be disappointed; the Prince, too long beshadowed by the uxorious63 lover, should now return and shine. He summoned his valet, repaired the disorder64 of his appearance with elaborate care; and then, curled and scented65 and adorned66, Prince Charming in every line, but with a twitching67 nostril68, he set forth unattended for the council.
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1
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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mimicry
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| n.（生物）拟态，模仿 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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jolt
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| v.（使）摇动，（使）震动，（使）颠簸 | |
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10
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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12
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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13
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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14
intrusive
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| adj.打搅的；侵扰的 | |
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undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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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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plural
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| n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的 | |
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18
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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automaton
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| n.自动机器，机器人 | |
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poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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suppliant
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| adj.哀恳的；n.恳求者，哀求者 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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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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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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conjugal
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| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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38
circumspect
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| adj.慎重的，谨慎的 | |
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reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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41
incandescent
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| adj.遇热发光的， 白炽的，感情强烈的 | |
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42
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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44
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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45
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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46
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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48
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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49
worthily
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| 重要地，可敬地，正当地 | |
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50
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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51
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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52
miscarriage
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| n.失败，未达到预期的结果；流产 | |
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53
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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54
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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55
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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56
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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58
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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59
contraction
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| n.缩略词，缩写式，害病 | |
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60
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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61
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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62
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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uxorious
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| adj.宠爱妻子的 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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65
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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66
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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67
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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nostril
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| n.鼻孔 | |
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