“Is it any of our business what takes place among the old man’s heirs?” said Renard.
“Max is weak with women,” remarked the cynical3 Potel.
“There’ll be sabres unsheathed before long,” said an old sub-lieutenant, who cultivated a kitchen-garden in the upper Baltan. “If Monsieur Maxence Gilet committed the folly4 of going to live under old Rouget’s roof, he would he a coward if he allowed himself to be turned off like a valet without asking why.”
“Of course,” said Mignonnet dryly. “A folly that doesn’t succeed becomes a crime.”
At this moment Max joined the old soldiers of Napoleon, and was received in significant silence. Potel and Renard each took an arm of their friend, and walked about with him, conversing5. Presently Philippe was seen approaching in full dress; he trailed his cane6 after him with an imperturbable7 air which contrasted with the forced attention Max was paying to the remarks of his two supporters. Bridau’s hand was grasped by Mignonnet, Carpentier, and several others. This welcome, so different from that accorded to Max, dispelled8 the last feeling of cowardice9, or, if you prefer it, wisdom, which Flore’s entreaties11, and above all, her tendernesses, had awakened12 in the latter’s mind.
“We shall fight,” he said to Renard, “and to the death. Therefore don’t talk to me any more; let me play my part well.”
After these words, spoken in a feverish13 tone, the three Bonapartists returned to the group of officers and mixed among them. Max bowed first to Bridau, who returned his bow, and the two exchanged a frigid14 glance.
“Come, gentlemen, let us take our seats,” said Potel.
“And drink to the health of the Little Corporal, who is now in the paradise of heroes,” cried Renard.
The company poured into the long, low dining-hall of the restaurant Lacroix, the windows of which opened on the market-place. Each guest took his seat at the table, where, in compliance15 with Philippe’s request, the two adversaries16 were placed directly opposite to each other. Some young men of the town, among them several Knights17 of Idleness, anxious to know what might happen at the banquet, were walking about the street and discussing the critical position into which Philippe had contrived18 to force Max. They all deplored19 the crisis, though each considered the duel20 to be inevitable21.
Everything went off well until the dessert, though the two antagonists23 displayed, in spite of the apparent joviality24 of the dinner, a certain vigilance that resembled disquietude. While waiting for the quarrel that both were planning, Philippe showed admirable coolness, and Max a distracting gayety; but to an observer, each was playing a part.
When the desert was served Philippe rose and said: “Fill your glasses, my friends! I ask permission to propose the first toast.”
“He said my friends, don’t fill your glass,” whispered Renard to Max.
Max poured out some wine.
“To the Grand Army!” cried Philippe, with genuine enthusiasm.
“To the Grand Army!” was repeated with acclamation by every voice.
At this moment eleven private soldiers, among whom were Benjamin and Kouski, appeared at the door of the room and repeated the toast —
“To the Grand Army!”
“Come in, my sons; we are going to drink His health.”
The old soldiers came in and stood behind the officers.
“You see He is not dead!” said Kouski to an old sergeant25, who had perhaps been grieving that the Emperor’s agony was over.
“I claim the second toast,” said Mignonnet, as he rose. “Let us drink to those who attempted to restore his son!”
Every one present, except Maxence Gilet, bowed to Philippe Bridau, and stretched their glasses towards him.
“One word,” said Max, rising.
“It is Max! it is Max!” cried voices outside; and then a deep silence reigned27 in the room and in the street, for Gilet’s known character made every one expect a taunt28.
“May we all meet again at this time next year,” said Max, bowing ironically to Philippe.
“It’s coming!” whispered Kouski to his neighbor.
“The Paris police would never allow a banquet of this kind,” said Potel to Philippe.
“Why do the devil to you mention the police to Colonel Bridau?” said Maxence insolently29.
“Captain Potel — he — meant no insult,” said Philippe, smiling coldly. The stillness was so profound that the buzzing of a fly could have been heard if there had been one.
“The police were sufficiently30 afraid of me,” resumed Philippe, “to send me to Issoudun — a place where I have had the pleasure of meeting old comrades, but where, it must be owned, there is a dearth31 of amusement. For a man who doesn’t despise folly, I’m rather restricted. However, it is certainly economical, for I am not one of those to whom feather-beds give incomes; Mariette of the Grand Opera cost me fabulous32 sums.”
“Is that remark meant for me, my dear colonel?” asked Max, sending a glance at Philippe which was like a current of electricity.
“Take it as you please,” answered Bridau.
“Colonel, my two friends here, Renard and Potel, will call tomorrow on —”
“— on Mignonnet and Carpentier,” answered Philippe, cutting short Max’s sentence, and motioning towards his two neighbors.
“Now,” said Max, “let us go on with the toasts.”
The two adversaries had not raised their voices above the tone of ordinary conversation; there was nothing solemn in the affair except the dead silence in which it took place.
“Look here, you others!” cried Philippe, addressing the soldiers who stood behind the officers; “remember that our affairs don’t concern the bourgeoisie — not a word, therefore, on what goes on here. It is for the Old Guard only.”
“They’ll obey orders, colonel,” said Renard. “I’ll answer for them.”
“Long live His little one! May he reign26 over France!” cried Potel.
“Death to Englishmen!” cried Carpentier.
That toast was received with prodigious34 applause.
“Shame on Hudson Lowe,” said Captain Renard.
The dessert passed off well; the libations were plentiful35. The antagonists and their four seconds made it a point of honor that a duel, involving so large a fortune, and the reputation of two men noted36 for their courage, should not appear the result of an ordinary squabble. No two gentlemen could have behaved better than Philippe and Max; in this respect the anxious waiting of the young men and townspeople grouped about the market-place was balked37. All the guests, like true soldiers, kept silence as to the episode which took place at dessert. At ten o’clock that night the two adversaries were informed that the sabre was the weapon agreed upon by the seconds; the place chosen for the rendezvous39 was behind the chancel of the church of the Capuchins at eight o’clock the next morning. Goddet, who was at the banquet in his quality of former army surgeon, was requested to be present at the meeting. The seconds agreed that, no matter what might happen, the combat should last only ten minutes.
At eleven o’clock that night, to Colonel Bridau’s amazement40, Monsieur Hochon appeared at his rooms just as he was going to bed, escorting Madame Hochon.
“We know what has happened,” said the old lady, with her eyes full of tears, “and I have come to entreat10 you not to leave the house tomorrow morning without saying your prayers. Lift your soul to God!”
“Yes, madame,” said Philippe, to whom old Hochon made a sign from behind his wife’s back.
“That is not all,” said Agathe’s godmother. “I stand in the place of your poor mother, and I divest41 myself, for you, of a thing which I hold most precious — here,” she went on, holding towards Philippe a tooth, fastened upon a piece of black velvet42 embroidered43 in gold, to which she had sewn a pair of green strings44. Having shown it to him, she replaced it in a little bag. “It is a relic45 of Sainte Solange, the patron saint of Berry,” she said, “I saved it during the Revolution; wear it on your breast tomorrow.”
“Will it protect me from a sabre-thrust?” asked Philippe.
“Yes,” replied the old lady.
“Then I have no right to wear that accoutrement any more than if it were a cuirass,” cried Agathe’s son.
“What does he mean?” said Madame Hochon.
“He says it is not playing fair,” answered Hochon.
“Then we will say no more about it,” said the old lady, “I shall pray for you.”
“Well, madame, prayer — and a good point — can do no harm,” said Philippe, making a thrust as if to pierce Monsieur Hochon’s heart.
The old lady kissed the colonel on his forehead. As she left the house, she gave thirty francs — all the money she possessed46 — to Benjamin, requesting him to sew the relic into the pocket of his master’s trousers. Benjamin did so — not that he believed in the virtue47 of the tooth, for he said his master had a much better talisman48 than that against Gilet, but because his conscience constrained49 him to fulfil a commission for which he had been so liberally paid. Madame Hochon went home full of confidence in Saint Solange.
At eight o’clock the next morning, December third, the weather being cloudy, Max, accompanied by his seconds and the Pole, arrived on the little meadow which then surrounded the apse of the church of the Capuchins. There he found Philippe and his seconds, with Benjamin, waiting for him. Potel and Mignonnet paced off twenty-four feet; at each extremity50, the two attendants drew a line on the earth with a spade: the combatants were not allowed to retreat beyond that line, on pain of being thought cowardly. Each was to stand at his own line, and advance as he pleased when the seconds gave the word.
“Do we take off our coats?” said Philippe to his adversary51 coldly.
“Of course,” answered Maxence, with the assumption of a bully52.
They did so; the rosy53 tints54 of their skin appearing through the cambric of their shirts. Each, armed with a cavalry55 sabre selected of equal weight, about three pounds, and equal length, three feet, placed himself at his own line, the point of his weapon on the ground, awaiting the signal. Both were so calm that, in spite of the cold, their muscles quivered no more than if they had been made of iron. Goddet, the four seconds, and the two soldiers felt an involuntary admiration56.
“They are a proud pair!”
The exclamation57 came from Potel.
Just as the signal was given, Max caught sight of Fario’s sinister58 face looking at them through the hole which the Knights of Idleness had made for the pigeons in the roof of the church. Those eyes, which sent forth59 streams of fire, hatred60, and revenge, dazzled Max for a moment. The colonel went straight to his adversary, and put himself on guard in a way that gained him an advantage. Experts in the art of killing61, know that, of two antagonists, the ablest takes the “inside of the pavement,”— to use an expression which gives the reader a tangible62 idea of the effect of a good guard. That pose, which is in some degree observant, marks so plainly a duellist63 of the first rank that a feeling of inferiority came into Max’s soul, and produced the same disarray64 of powers which demoralizes a gambler when, in presence of a master or a lucky hand, he loses his self-possession and plays less well than usual.
“Ah! the lascar!” thought Max, “he’s an expert; I’m lost!”
He attempted a “moulinet,” and twirled his sabre with the dexterity65 of a single-stick. He wanted to bewilder Philippe, and strike his weapon so as to disarm66 him; but at the first encounter he felt that the colonel’s wrist was iron, with the flexibility67 of a steel string. Maxence was then forced, unfortunate fellow, to think of another move, while Philippe, whose eyes were darting68 gleams that were sharper than the flash of their blades, parried every attack with the coolness of a fencing-master wearing his plastron in an armory69.
Between two men of the calibre of these combatants, there occurs a phenomenon very like that which takes place among the lower classes, during the terrible tussle70 called “the savante,” which is fought with the feet, as the name implies. Victory depends on a false movement, on some error of the calculation, rapid as lightning, which must be made and followed almost instinctively72. During a period of time as short to the spectators as it seems long to the combatants, the contest lies in observation, so keen as to absorb the powers of mind and body, and yet concealed73 by preparatory feints whose slowness and apparent prudence74 seem to show that the antagonists are not intending to fight. This moment, which is followed by a rapid and decisive struggle, is terrible to a connoisseur75. At a bad parry from Max the colonel sent the sabre spinning from his hand.
“Pick it up,” he said, pausing; “I am not the man to kill a disarmed76 enemy.”
There was something atrocious in the grandeur77 of these words; they seemed to show such consciousness of superiority that the onlookers78 took them for a shrewd calculation. In fact, when Max replaced himself in position, he had lost his coolness, and was once more confronted with his adversary’s raised guard which defended the colonel’s whole person while it menaced his. He resolved to redeem79 his shameful80 defeat by a bold stroke. He no longer guarded himself, but took his sabre in both hands and rushed furiously on his antagonist22, resolved to kill him, if he had to lose his own life. Philippe received a sabre-cut which slashed81 open his forehead and a part of his face, but he cleft82 Max’s head obliquely83 by the terrible sweep of a “moulinet,” made to break the force of the annihilating84 stroke Max aimed at him. These two savage85 blows ended the combat, at the ninth minute. Fario came down to gloat over the sight of his enemy in the convulsions of death; for the muscles of a man of Maxence Gilet’s vigor86 quiver horribly. Philippe was carried back to his uncle’s house.
Thus perished a man destined87 to do great deeds had he lived his life amid environments which were suited to him; a man treated by Nature as a favorite child, for she gave him courage, self-possession, and the political sagacity of a Cesar Borgia. But education had not bestowed88 upon him that nobility of conduct and ideas without which nothing great is possible in any walk of life. He was not regretted, because of the perfidy89 with which his adversary, who was a worse man than he, had contrived to bring him into disrepute. His death put an end to the exploits of the Order of Idleness, to the great satisfaction of the town of Issoudun. Philippe therefore had nothing to fear in consequence of the duel, which seemed almost the result of divine vengeance90: its circumstances were related throughout that whole region of country, with unanimous praise for the bravery of the two combatants.
“But they had better both have been killed,” remarked Monsieur Mouilleron; “it would have been a good riddance for the Government.”
The situation of Flore Brazier would have been very embarrassing were it not for the condition into which she was thrown by Max’s death. A brain-fever set in, combined with a dangerous inflammation resulting from her escapade to Vatan. If she had had her usual health, she might have fled the house where, in the room above her, Max’s room, and in Max’s bed, lay and suffered Max’s murderer. She hovered91 between life and death for three months, attended by Monsieur Goddet, who was also attending Philippe.
As soon as Philippe was able to hold a pen, he wrote the following letters:—
To Monsieur Desroches:
I have already killed the most venomous of the two reptiles92; not however without getting my own head split open by a sabre; but the rascal93 struck with a dying hand. The other viper94 is here, and I must come to an understanding with her, for my uncle clings to her like the apple of his eye. I have been half afraid the girl, who is devilishly handsome, might run away, and then my uncle would have followed her; but an illness which seized her suddenly has kept her in bed. If God desired to protect me, he would call her soul to himself, now, while she is repenting95 of her sins. Meantime, on my side I have, thanks to that old trump96, Hochon, the doctor of Issoudun, one named Goddet, a worthy97 soul who conceives that the property of uncles ought to go to nephews rather than to sluts.
Monsieur Hochon has some influence on a certain papa Fichet, who is rich, and whose daughter Goddet wants as a wife for his son: so the thousand francs they have promised him if he mends up my pate98 is not the chief cause of his devotion. Moreover, this Goddet, who was formerly99 head-surgeon to the 3rd regiment100 of the line, has been privately101 advised by my staunch friends, Mignonnet and Carpentier; so he is now playing the hypocrite with his other patient. He says to Mademoiselle Brazier, as he feels her pulse, “You see, my child, that there’s a God after all. You have been the cause of a great misfortune, and you must now repair it. The finger of God is in all this [it is inconceivable what they don’t say the finger of God is in!]. Religion is religion: submit, resign yourself, and that will quiet you better than my drugs. Above all, resolve to stay here and take care of your master: forget and forgive — that’s Christianity.”
Goddet has promised to keep the Rabouilleuse three months in her bed. By degrees the girl will get accustomed to living under the same roof with me. I have bought over the cook. That abominable102 old woman tells her mistress Max would have led her a hard life; and declares she overheard him say that if, after the old man’s death, he was obliged to marry Flore, he didn’t mean to have his prospects103 ruined by it, and he should find a way to get rid of her.
Thus, all goes well, so far. My uncle, by old Hochon’s advice, has destroyed his will.
To Monsieur Giroudeau, care of Mademoiselle Florentine. Rue38 de Vendome, Marais:
My dear old Fellow — Find out if the little rat Cesarine has any engagement, and if not, try to arrange that she can come to Issoudun in case I send for her; if I do, she must come at once. It is a matter this time of decent behavior; no theatre morals. She must present herself as the daughter of a brave soldier, killed on the battle-field. Therefore, mind — sober manners, schoolgirl’s clothes, virtue of the best quality; that’s the watchword. If I need Cesarine, and if she answers my purpose, I will give her fifty thousand francs on my uncle’s death. If Cesarine has other engagements, explain what I want to Florentine; and between you, find me some ballet-girl capable of playing the part.
I have had my skull104 cracked in a duel with the fellow who was filching105 my inheritance, and is now feeding the worms. I’ll tell you all about it some day. Ah! old fellow, the good times are coming back for you and me; we’ll amuse ourselves once more, or we are not the pair we really are. If you can send me five hundred more cartridges106 I’ll bite them.
Adieu, my old fire-eater. Light your pipe with this letter. Mind, the daughter of the officer is to come from Chateauroux, and must seem to be in need of assistance. I hope however that I shall not be driven to such dangerous expedients107. Remember me to Mariette and all our friends.
Agathe, informed by Madame Hochon of what had happened, rushed to Issoudun, and was received by her brother, who gave her Philippe’s former room. The poor mother’s tenderness for the worthless son revived in all its maternal108 strength; a few happy days were hers at last, as she listened to the praises which the whole town bestowed upon her hero.
“After all, my child,” said Madame Hochon on the day of her arrival, “youth must have its fling. The dissipations of a soldier under the Empire must, of course, be greater than those of young men who are looked after by their fathers. Oh! if you only knew what went on here at night under that wretched Max! Thanks to your son, Issoudun now breathes and sleeps in peace. Philippe has come to his senses rather late; he told us frankly109 that those three months in the Luxembourg sobered him. Monsieur Hochon is delighted with his conduct here; every one thinks highly of it. If he can be kept away from the temptations of Paris, he will end by being a comfort to you.”
Hearing these consolatory110 words Agathe’s eyes filled with tears.
Philippe played the saint to his mother, for he had need of her. That wily politician did not wish to have recourse to Cesarine unless he continued to be an object of horror to Mademoiselle Brazier. He saw that Flore had been thoroughly111 broken to harness by Max; he knew she was an essential part of his uncle’s life, and he greatly preferred to use her rather than send for the ballet-girl, who might take it into her head to marry the old man. Fouche advised Louis XVIII. to sleep in Napoleon’s sheets instead of granting the charter; and Philippe would have liked to remain in Gilet’s sheets; but he was reluctant to risk the good reputation he had made for himself in Berry. To take Max’s place with the Rabouilleuse would be as odious112 on his part as on hers. He could, without discredit113 and by the laws of nepotism114, live in his uncle’s house and at his uncle’s expense; but he could not have Flore unless her character were whitewashed115. Hampered116 by this difficulty, and stimulated117 by the hope of finally getting hold of the property, the idea came into his head of making his uncle marry the Rabouilleuse. With this in view he requested his mother to go and see the girl and treat her in a sisterly manner.
“I must confess, my dear mother,” he said, in a canting tone, looking at Monsieur and Madame Hochon who accompanied her, “that my uncle’s way of life is not becoming; he could, however, make Mademoiselle Brazier respected by the community if he chose. Wouldn’t it be far better for her to be Madame Rouget than the servant-mistress of an old bachelor? She had better obtain a definite right to his property by a marriage contract then threaten a whole family with disinheritance. If you, or Monsieur Hochon, or some good priest would speak of the matter to both parties, you might put a stop to the scandal which offends decent people. Mademoiselle Brazier would be only too happy if you were to welcome her as a sister, and I as an aunt.”
On the morrow Agathe and Madame Hochon appeared at Flore’s bedside, and repeated to the sick girl and to Rouget, the excellent sentiments expressed by Philippe. Throughout Issoudun the colonel was talked of as a man of noble character, especially because of his conduct towards Flore. For a month, the Rabouilleuse heard Goddet, her doctor, the individual who has paramount118 influence over a sick person, the respectable Madame Hochon, moved by religious principle, and Agathe, so gentle and pious119, all representing to her the advantages of a marriage with Rouget. And when, attracted by the idea of becoming Madame Rouget, a dignified120 and virtuous121 bourgeoisie, she grew eager to recover, so that the marriage might speedily be celebrated122, it was not difficult to make her understand that she would not be allowed to enter the family of the Rougets if she intended to turn Philippe from its doors.
“Besides,” remarked the doctor, “you really owe him this good fortune. Max would never have allowed you to marry old Rouget. And,” he added in her ear, “if you have children, you can revenge Max, for that will disinherit the Bridaus.”
Two months after the fatal duel in February, 1823, the sick woman, urged by those about her, and implored123 by Rouget, consented to receive Philippe, the sight of whose scars made her weep, but whose softened124 and affectionate manner calmed her. By Philippe’s wish they were left alone together.
“My dear child,” said the soldier. “It is I, who, from the start, have advised your marriage with my uncle; if you consent, it will take place as soon as you are quite recovered.”
“So they tell me,” she replied.
“Circumstances have compelled me to give you pain, it is natural therefore that I should wish to do you all the good I can. Wealth, respect, and a family position are worth more than what you have lost. You wouldn’t have been that fellow’s wife long after my uncle’s death, for I happen to know, through friends of his, that he intended to get rid of you. Come, my dear, let us understand each other, and live happily. You shall be my aunt, and nothing more than my aunt. You will take care that my uncle does not forget me in his will; on my side, you shall see how well I will have you treated in the marriage contract. Keep calm, think it over, and we will talk of it later. All sensible people, indeed the whole town, urge you to put an end to your illegal position; no one will blame you for receiving me. It is well understood in the world that interests go before feelings. By the day of your marriage you will be handsomer than ever. The pallor of illness has given you an air of distinction, and on my honor, if my uncle did not love you so madly, you should be the wife of Colonel Bridau.”
Philippe left the room, having dropped this hint into Flore’s mind to waken a vague idea of vengeance which might please the girl, who did, in fact, feel a sort of happiness as she saw this dreadful being at her feet. In this scene Philippe repeated, in miniature, that of Richard III. with the queen he had widowed. The meaning of it is that personal calculation, hidden under sentiment, has a powerful influence on the heart, and is able to dissipate even genuine grief. This is how, in individual life, Nature does that which in works of genius is thought to be consummate125 art: she works by self-interest — the genius of money.
At the beginning of April, 1823, the hall of Jean–Jacques Rouget’s house was the scene of a splendid dinner, given to celebrate the signing of the marriage contract between Mademoiselle Flore Brazier and the old bachelor. The guests were Monsieur Heron, the four witnesses, Messieurs Mignonnet, Carpentier, Hochon, and Goddet, the mayor and the curate, Agathe Bridau, Madame Hochon, and her friend Madame Borniche, the two old ladies who laid down the law to the society of Issoudun. The bride was much impressed by this concession126, obtained by Philippe, and intended by the two ladies as a mark of protection to a repentant127 woman. Flore was in dazzling beauty. The curate, who for the last fortnight had been instructing the ignorant crab-girl, was to allow her, on the following day, to make her first communion. The marriage was the text of the following pious article in the “Journal du Cher,” published at Bourges, and in the “Journal de l’Indre,” published at Chateauroux:
Issoudun. — The revival128 of religion is progressing in Berry. Friends of the Church and all respectable persons in this town were yesterday witnesses of a marriage ceremony by which a leading man of property put an end to a scandalous connection, which began at the time when the authority of religion was overthrown129 in this region. This event, due to the enlightened zeal130 of the clergy131 of Issoudun will, we trust, have imitators, and put a stop to marriages, so-called, which have never been solemnized, and were only contracted during the disastrous132 epoch133 of revolutionary rule.
One remarkable134 feature of the event to which we allude135, is the fact that it was brought about at the entreaty136 of a colonel belonging to the old army, sent to our town by a sentence of the Court of Peers, who may, in consequence, lose the inheritance of his uncle’s property. Such disinterestedness137 is so rare in these days that it deserves public mention.
By the marriage contract Rouget secured to Flore a dower of one hundred thousand francs, and a life annuity138 of thirty thousand more.
After the wedding, which was sumptuous139, Agathe returned to Paris the happiest of mothers, and told Joseph and Desroches what she called the good news.
“Your son Philippe is too wily a man not to keep his paw on that inheritance,” said the lawyer, when he had heard Madame Bridau to the end. “You and your poor Joseph will never get one penny of your brother’s property.”
“You, and Joseph too, will always be unjust to that poor boy,” said the mother. “His conduct before the Court of Peers was worthy of a statesman; he succeeded in saving many heads. Philippe’s errors came from his great faculties140 being unemployed141. He now sees how faults of conduct injure the prospects of a man who has his way to make. He is ambitious; that I am sure of; and I am not the only one to predict his future. Monsieur Hochon firmly believes that Philippe has a noble destiny before him.”
“Oh! if he chooses to apply his perverted142 powers to making his fortune, I have no doubt he will succeed: he is capable of everything; and such fellows go fast and far,” said Desroches.
“Why do you suppose that he will not succeed by honest means?” demanded Madame Bridau.
“You will see!” exclaimed Desroches. “Fortunate or unfortunate, Philippe will remain the man of the rue Mazarin, the murderer of Madame Descoings, the domestic thief. But don’t worry yourself; he will manage to appear honest to the world.”
After breakfast, on the morning succeeding the marriage, Philippe took Madame Rouget by the arm when his uncle rose from table and went upstairs to dress — for the pair had come down, the one in her morning-robe, and the other in his dressing-gown.
“My dear aunt,” said the colonel, leading her into the recess143 of a window, “you now belong to the family. Thanks to me, the law has tied the knot. Now, no nonsense. I intend that you and I should play above board. I know the tricks you will try against me; and I shall watch you like a duenna. You will never go out of this house except on my arm; and you will never leave me. As to what passes within the house, damn it, you’ll find me like a spider in the middle of his web. Here is something,” he continued, showing the bewildered woman a letter, “which will prove to you that I could, while you were lying ill upstairs, unable to move hand or foot, have turned you out of doors without a penny. Read it.”
He gave her the letter.
My dear Fellow — Florentine, who has just made her debut144 at the new Opera House in a “pas de trois” with Mariette and Tullia, is thinking steadily145 about your affair, and so is Florine — who has finally given up Lousteau and taken Nathan. That shrewd pair have found you a most delicious little creature — only seventeen, beautiful as an English woman, demure146 as a “lady,” up to all mischief147, sly as Desroches, faithful as Godeschal. Mariette is forming her, so as to give you a fair chance. No woman could hold her own against this little angel, who is a devil under her skin; she can play any part you please; get complete possession of your uncle, or drive him crazy with love. She has that celestial148 look poor Coralie used to have; she can weep — the tones of her voice will draw a thousand-franc note from a granite149 heart; and the young mischief soaks up champagne150 better than any of us. It is a precious discovery; she is under obligations to Mariette, and wants to pay them off. After squandering151 the fortunes of two Englishmen, a Russian, and an Italian prince, Mademoiselle Esther is now in poverty; give her ten thousand francs, that will satisfy her. She has just remarked, laughing, that she has never yet fricasseed a bourgeois33, and it will get her hand in. Esther is well known to Finot, Bixiou, and des Lupeaulx, in fact to all our set. Ah! if there were any real fortunes left in France, she would be the greatest courtesan of modern times.
All the editorial staff, Nathan, Finot, Bixiou, etc., are now joking the aforesaid Esther in a magnificent appartement just arranged for Florine by old Lord Dudley (the real father of de Marsay); the lively actress captured him by the dress of her new role. Tullia is with the Duc de Rhetore, Mariette is still with the Duc de Maufrigneuse; between them, they will get your sentence remitted152 in time for the King’s fete. Bury your uncle under the roses before the Saint–Louis, bring away the property, and spend a little of it with Esther and your old friends, who sign this epistle in a body, to remind you of them.
Nathan, Florine, Bixiou, Finot, Mariette,
Florentine, Giroudeau, Tullia
The letter shook in the trembling hands of Madame Rouget, and betrayed the terror of her mind and body. The aunt dared not look at the nephew, who fixed153 his eyes upon her with terrible meaning.
“I trust you,” he said, “as you see; but I expect some return. I have made you my aunt intending to marry you some day. You are worth more to me than Esther in managing my uncle. In a year from now, we must be in Paris; the only place where beauty really lives. You will amuse yourself much better there than here; it is a perpetual carnival154. I shall return to the army, and become a general, and you will be a great lady. There’s our future; now work for it. But I must have a pledge to bind155 this agreement. You are to give me, within a month from now, a power of attorney from my uncle, which you must obtain under pretence156 of relieving him of the fatigues157 of business. Also, a month later, I must have a special power of attorney to transfer the income in the Funds. When that stands in my name, you and I have an equal interest in marrying each other. There it all is, my beautiful aunt, as plain as day. Between you and me there must be no ambiguity158. I can marry my aunt at the end of a year’s widowhood; but I could not marry a disgraced girl.”
He left the room without waiting for an answer. When Vedie came in, fifteen minutes later, to clear the table, she found her mistress pale and moist with perspiration159, in spite of the season. Flore felt like a woman who had fallen to the bottom of a precipice160; the future loomed161 black before her; and on its blackness, in the far distance, were shapes of monstrous162 things, indistinctly perceptible, and terrifying. She felt the damp chill of vaults163, instinctive71 fear of the man crushed her; and yet a voice cried in her ear that she deserved to have him for her master. She was helpless against her fate. Flore Brazier had had a room of her own in Rouget’s house; but Madame Rouget belonged to her husband, and was now deprived of the free-will of a servant-mistress. In the horrible situation in which she now found herself, the hope of having a child came into her mind; but she soon recognized its impossibility. The marriage was to Jean–Jacques what the second marriage of Louis XII. was to that king. The incessant164 watchfulness165 of a man like Philippe, who had nothing to do and never quitted his post of observation, made any form of vengeance impossible. Benjamin was his innocent and devoted166 spy. The Vedie trembled before him. Flore felt herself deserted167 and utterly168 helpless. She began to fear death. Without knowing how Philippe might manage to kill her, she felt certain that whenever he suspected her of pregnancy169 her doom170 would be sealed. The sound of that voice, the veiled glitter of that gambler’s eye, the slightest movement of the soldier, who treated her with a brutality171 that was still polite, made her shudder172. As to the power of attorney demanded by the ferocious173 colonel, who in the eyes of all Issoudun was a hero, he had it as soon as he wanted it; for Flore fell under the man’s dominion174 as France had fallen under that of Napoleon.
Like a butterfly whose feet are caught in the incandescent175 wax of a taper176, Rouget rapidly dissipated his remaining strength. In presence of that decay, the nephew remained as cold and impassible as the diplomatists of 1814 during the convulsions of imperial France.
Philippe, who did not believe in Napoleon II., now wrote the following letter to the minister of war, which Mariette made the Duc de Maufrigneuse convey to that functionary:—
Monseigneur — Napoleon is no more. I desired to remain faithful to him according to my oath; now I am free to offer my services to His Majesty177. If your Excellency deigns178 to explain my conduct to His Majesty, the King will see that it is in keeping with the laws of honor, if not with those of his government. The King, who thought it proper that his aide-decamp, General Rapp, should mourn his former master, will no doubt feel indulgently for me. Napoleon was my benefactor180.
I therefore entreat your Excellency to take into consideration the request I make for employment in my proper rank; and I beg to assure you of my entire submission181. The King will find in me a faithful subject.
Deign179 to accept the assurance of respect with which I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s very submissive and
Very humble182 servant,
Philippe Bridau
Formerly chief of squadron in the dragoons of the Guard; officer of the Legion of honor; now under police surveillance at Issoudun.
To this letter was joined a request for permission to go to Paris on urgent family business; and Monsieur Mouilleron annexed183 letters from the mayor, the sub-prefect, and the commissary of police at Issoudun, all bestowing184 many praises on Philippe’s conduct, and dwelling185 upon the newspaper article relating to his uncle’s marriage.
Two weeks later, Philippe received the desired permission, and a letter, in which the minister of war informed him that, by order of the King, he was, as a preliminary favor, reinstated lieutenant-colonel in the royal army.
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1
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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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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imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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frigid
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| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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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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18
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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19
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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21
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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joviality
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| n.快活 | |
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sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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28
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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29
insolently
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| adv.自豪地，自傲地 | |
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30
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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dearth
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| n.缺乏，粮食不足，饥谨 | |
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32
fabulous
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| adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的 | |
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bourgeois
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| adj./n.追求物质享受的(人)；中产阶级分子 | |
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34
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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36
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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37
balked
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| v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的过去式和过去分词 )；（指马）不肯跑 | |
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38
rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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39
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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40
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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41
divest
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| v.脱去，剥除 | |
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42
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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43
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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44
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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45
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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46
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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47
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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48
talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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49
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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50
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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51
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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52
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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53
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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54
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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55
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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56
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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57
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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58
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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59
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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60
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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61
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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62
tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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63
duellist
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| n.决斗者；[体]重剑运动员 | |
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64
disarray
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| n.混乱，紊乱，凌乱 | |
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65
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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66
disarm
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| v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和 | |
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67
flexibility
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| n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性 | |
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68
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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69
armory
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| n.纹章，兵工厂，军械库 | |
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70
tussle
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| n.&v.扭打，搏斗，争辩 | |
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71
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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72
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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73
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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74
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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75
connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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76
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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77
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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78
onlookers
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| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
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79
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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80
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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81
slashed
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| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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82
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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83
obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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84
annihilating
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的现在分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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85
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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86
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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87
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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88
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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90
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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91
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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92
reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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93
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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94
viper
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| n.毒蛇；危险的人 | |
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95
repenting
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的现在分词 ) | |
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96
trump
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| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
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97
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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98
pate
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| n.头顶；光顶 | |
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99
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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100
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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101
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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102
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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103
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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104
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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105
filching
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| v.偷（尤指小的或不贵重的物品）( filch的现在分词 ) | |
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106
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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107
expedients
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| n.应急有效的，权宜之计的( expedient的名词复数 ) | |
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108
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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109
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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110
consolatory
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| adj.慰问的，可藉慰的 | |
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111
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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112
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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113
discredit
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| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
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114
nepotism
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| n.任人唯亲；裙带关系 | |
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115
whitewashed
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| 粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
hampered
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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118
paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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119
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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120
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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121
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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122
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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123
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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125
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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126
concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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127
repentant
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| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
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128
revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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129
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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130
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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131
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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132
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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133
epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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134
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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135
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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136
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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137
disinterestedness
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138
annuity
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| n.年金；养老金 | |
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139
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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140
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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141
unemployed
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| adj.失业的，没有工作的；未动用的，闲置的 | |
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142
perverted
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| adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 )；腐蚀；败坏；使堕落 | |
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143
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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144
debut
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| n.首次演出，初次露面 | |
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145
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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146
demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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147
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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148
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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149
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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150
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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151
squandering
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的现在分词 ) | |
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152
remitted
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| v.免除（债务），宽恕( remit的过去式和过去分词 )；使某事缓和；寄回，传送 | |
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153
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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154
carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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155
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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156
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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157
fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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158
ambiguity
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| n.模棱两可；意义不明确 | |
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159
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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160
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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161
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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162
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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163
vaults
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| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
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164
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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165
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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166
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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167
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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168
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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169
pregnancy
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| n.怀孕，怀孕期 | |
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170
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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171
brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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172
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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173
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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174
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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175
incandescent
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| adj.遇热发光的， 白炽的，感情强烈的 | |
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176
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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177
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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178
deigns
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的第三人称单数 ) | |
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179
deign
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| v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
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180
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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181
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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182
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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183
annexed
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| [法] 附加的，附属的 | |
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184
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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185
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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