But just as I was preparing to start for home, an imperative2 ring called me to the telephone, and I heard:
“Halloo! Is this the police-station?”
“It is.”
“Well, then, a detective is wanted at once at The Evergreens. He cannot be too clever or too discreet3. A valuable jewel has been lost, which must be found before the guests disperse4 for home. Large reward if the matter ends successfully.”
“May I ask who is speaking to me?”
“Mrs. Ashley.”
It was the mistress of The Evergreens and giver of the ball.
“Madam, a man shall be sent at once. Where will you see him?”
“In the butler’s pantry at the rear. Let him give his name as Jennings.”
“Very good. Good-bye.”
“Good-bye.”
A pretty piece of work! Should I send Hendricks or should I send Hicks? Hendricks was clever and Hicks discreet, but neither united both qualifications in the measure demanded by the sensible and quietly resolved woman with whom I had just been talking. What alternative remained? But one: I must go myself.
It was not late — not for a ball-night, at least — and as half the town had been invited to the dance, the streets were alive with carriages. I was watching the blink of their lights through the fast-falling snow when my attention was drawn6 to a fact which struck me as peculiar7. These carriages were all coming my way instead of rolling in the direction of The Evergreens. Had they been empty this would have needed no explanation; but, so far as I could see, most of them were full, and that, too, of loudly-talking women and gesticulating men.
Something of a serious nature must have occurred at The Evergreens. Rapidly I paced on, and soon found myself before the great gates.
A crowd of vehicles of all descriptions blocked the entrance. None seemed to be passing up the driveway; all stood clustered at the gates; and as I drew nearer I perceived many an anxious head thrust forth8 from their quickly-opened doors, and heard many an ejaculation of disappointment as the short interchange of words went on between the drivers of these various turnouts and a man drawn up in quiet resolution before the unexpectedly barred entrance.
Slipping round to this man’s side, I listened to what he was saying. It was simple, but very explicit9.
“Mrs. Ashley asks everybody’s pardon, but the ball can’t go on to-night. Something has happened which makes the reception of further guests impossible. To-morrow evening she will be happy to see you all. The dance is simply postponed10.”
This he had probably repeated forty times, and each time it had probably been received with the same mixture of doubt and curiosity which now held the lengthy11 procession in check.
Not wishing to attract attention, yet anxious to lose no time, I pressed up still nearer, and, bending towards him from the shadow cast by a convenient post, uttered the one word:
“Jennings.”
Instantly he unlocked a small gate at his right. I passed in, and with professional sang-froid proceeded to take my way to the house through the double row of evergreens bordering the semicircular approach.
As these trees stood very close together, and were, besides, heavily laden12 with fresh-fallen snow, I failed to catch a glimpse of the building itself until I stood in front of it. Then I saw that it was brilliantly lighted, and gave evidence here and there of some festivity; but the guests were too few for the effect to be very exhilarating, and, passing around to the rear, I sought the special entrance to which I had been directed.
A heavy-browed porch, before which stood a caterer’s wagon13, led me to a door which had every appearance of being the one I sought. Pushing it open, I entered without ceremony, and speedily found myself in the midst of twenty or more coloured waiters and chattering14 housemaids. To one of the former I addressed the question:
“Where is the butler’s pantry? I am told that I shall find the lady of the house there.”
“Your name?” was the curt16 demand.
“Jennings.”
“Follow me.”
I was taken through narrow passages and across one or two storerooms to a small but well-lighted closet, where I was left, with the assurance that Mrs. Ashley would presently join me. I had never seen this lady, but I had often heard her spoken of as a woman of superior character and admirable discretion18.
She did not keep me waiting. In two minutes the door opened, and this fine, well-poised woman was telling her story in the straightforward19 manner I so much admire.
The article lost was a large ruby20 of singular beauty and great value, the property of Mrs. Burton, the Senator’s wife, in whose honour this ball was being given. It had not been lost in the house, nor had it been originally missed this evening. Mrs. Burton and herself had attended the great football game in the afternoon, and it was on the college campus that Mrs. Burton had first dropped her invaluable21 jewel. But a reward of five hundred dollars having been at once offered to whomever should find and restore it, a great search had followed, which ended in its being picked up by one of the students, and brought back as far as the driveway in front of The Evergreens, when it had again disappeared, and in a way to rouse conjecture22 of the strangest and most puzzling character.
The young man who had brought it thus far bore the name of John Deane, and was a member of the senior class. He had been the first to detect its sparkle in the grass, and those who were near enough to see his face at that happy moment say that it expressed the utmost satisfaction at his good luck.
“You see,” said Mrs. Ashley, “he has a sweetheart, and five hundred dollars looks like a fortune to a young man just starting life. But he was weak enough to take this girl into his confidence; and on their way here — for both were invited to the ball — he went so far as to pull it out of his pocket and show it to her.
“They were admiring it together, and vaunting its beauties to the young lady friend who had accompanied them, when their carriage turned into the driveway and they saw the lights of the house flashing before them. Hastily restoring the jewel to the little bag he had made for it out of the finger-end of an old glove — a bag in which he assured me he had been careful to keep it safely tied ever since picking it up on the college green — he thrust it back into his pocket and prepared to help the ladies out. But just then a disturbance23 arose in front. A horse which had been driven up was rearing in a way that threatened to overturn the light buggy to which it was attached. As the occupants of this buggy were ladies, and seemed to have no control over the plunging24 beast, young Deane naturally sprang to the rescue. Bidding his own ladies alight and make for the porch, he hurriedly ran forward and, pausing in front of the maddened animal, waited for an opportunity to seize him by the rein25. He says that as he stood there facing the beast with fixed26 eye and raised hand, he distinctly felt something strike or touch his breast. But the sensation conveyed no meaning to him in his excitement, and he did not think of it again till, the horse well in hand and the two alarmed occupants of the buggy rescued, he turned to see where his own ladies were, and beheld27 them looking down at him from the midst of a circle of young people, drawn from the house by the screaming of the women. Instantly a thought of the treasure he carried recurred28 to his mind, and releasing the now quieted horse, he thrust his hand hastily into his pocket. The jewel was gone. He declares that for a moment he felt as if he had been struck on the head by one of the hoofs29 of the frantic31 horse he had just handled. But immediately the importance of his loss and the necessity he felt for instant action restored him to himself, and shouting aloud, “I have dropped Mrs. Burton’s ruby!” he begged every one to stand still while he made a search for it.
“This all occurred, as you must know, more than an hour and a half ago, consequently before many of my guests had arrived. My son, who was one of the few spectators gathered on the porch, tells me that there was only one other carriage behind the one in which Mr. Deane had brought his ladies. Both of these had stopped short of the stepping-stone, and as the horse and buggy which had made all this trouble had by this time been driven to the stable, nothing stood in the way of his search but the rapidly accumulating snow, which, if you remember, was falling very thick and fast at the time.
“My son, who had rushed in for his overcoat, came running down the steps to help him. So did some others. But, with an imploring33 gesture, he begged to be allowed to conduct the search alone, the ground being in such a state that the delicately-mounted jewel ran great risk of being trodden into the snow and thus injured or lost. They humoured him for a moment, then, seeing that his efforts bade fair to be fruitless, my son insisted upon joining him, and the two looked the ground over, inch by inch, from the place where Mr. Deane had set foot to ground in alighting from his carriage to the exact spot where he had stood when he had finally seized hold of the horse. But no ruby. Then Harrison (that is my son’s name) sent for a broom and went over the place again, sweeping34 aside the surface snow and examining carefully the ground beneath, but with no better results than before. No ruby could be found. My son came to me panting. Mrs. Burton and myself stood awaiting him in a state of suspense35. Guests and f?te were alike forgotten. We had heard that the jewel had been found on the campus by one of the students, and had been brought back as far as the step in front, and then lost again in some unaccountable manner in the snow, and we hoped, nay36, expected from moment to moment, that it would be brought in.
“When Harrison finally entered, pale, dishevelled and shaking his head, Mrs. Burton caught me by the hand, and I thought she would faint. For this jewel is of far greater value to her than its mere37 worth in money, though that is by no means small.
“It is a family jewel, and was given to her by her husband under special circumstances. He prizes it even more than she does, and he is not here to counsel or assist her in this extremity38. Besides, she was wearing it in direct opposition39 to his expressed wishes. This I must tell you, to show how imperative it is for us to recover it; also to account for the large reward she is willing to pay. When he last looked at it he noticed that the fastening was a trifle slack, and, though he handed the trinket back, he told her distinctly that she was not to wear it till it had been either to Tiffany’s or Starr’s. But she considered it safe enough, and put it on to please the boys, and lost it. Senator Burton is a hard man and — in short, the jewel must be found. I give you just one hour in which to do it.”
“But, madam ——” I protested.
“I know,” she put in, with a quick nod and a glance over her shoulder to see if the door was shut. “I have not finished my story. Hearing what Harrison had to say, I took action at once. I bade him call in the guests, whom curiosity or interest still detained in the porch, and seat them in a certain room which I designated to him. Then, after telling him to send two men to the gates with orders to hold back all further carriages from entering, and two others to shovel40 up and cart away to the stable every particle of snow for ten feet each side of the front step, I asked to see Mr. Deane. But here my son whispered something into my ear, which it is my duty to repeat. It was to the effect that Mr. Deane believed that the jewel had been taken from him; that he insisted, in fact, that he had felt a hand touch his breast while he stood awaiting an opportunity to seize the horse. ‘Very good,’ said I, ‘we’ll remember that too; but first see that my orders are carried out, and that all approaches to the grounds are guarded and no one allowed to come in or go out without permission from me.’
“He left us, and I was turning to encourage Mrs. Burton when my attention was caught by the eager face of a little friend of mine, who, quite unknown to me, was sitting in one of the corners of the room. She was studying my countenance41 with a subdued42 anxiety, hardly natural in one so young, and I was about to relieve my mind by questioning her when she made a sudden rush and vanished from the room. Some impulse made me follow her. She is a conscientious43 little thing, but timid as a hare, and though I saw she had something to say, it was with difficulty I could make her speak. Only after the most solemn assurances that her name should not be mentioned in the matter would she give me the following bit of information, which you may possibly think throws another light upon the affair. It seems that she was looking out of one of the front windows when Mr. Deane’s carriage drove up. She had been watching the antics of the horse attached to the buggy, but as soon as she saw Mr. Deane going to the assistance of those in danger, she let her eyes stray back to the ladies whom he had left behind him in the carriage.
“She did not know these ladies, but their looks and gestures interested her, and she watched them quite intently as they leaped to the ground and made their way toward the porch. One went on quickly, and without pause, to the step; but the other — the one who came last — did not do this. She stopped a moment, perhaps to watch the horse in front, perhaps to draw her cloak more closely about her, and when she again moved on it was with a start and a hurried glance at her feet, terminating in a quick turn and a sudden stooping to the ground. When she again stood upright she had something in her hand which she thrust furtively45 into her breast.”
“How was this lady dressed?” I inquired.
“In a white cloak, with an edging of fur. I took pains to learn that too, and it was with some curiosity, I assure you, that I examined the few guests that had now been admitted to the room I had so carefully pointed46 out to my son. Two of them wore white cloaks, but one of these was Mrs. Dalrymple, and I did not give her or her cloak a second thought. The other was a tall, fine-looking girl, with an air and bearing calculated to rouse admiration47 if she had not looked so disturbed. But her preoccupation was evident, a circumstance which, had she been Mr. Deane’s fianc?e, would have needed no explanation; but, as she was only that lady’s friend, its cause was not so apparent.
“The floor of the room, as I had happily remembered, was covered with crash, and as I lifted each garment off — I allowed no maid to assist me in this — I shook it well; ostensibly because of the few flakes48 clinging to it, really to see if anything could be shaken out of it. Of course, I met with no success. I had not expected to, but it is my disposition49 to be thorough. These wraps I saw all hung in an adjoining closet, the door of which I locked — here is the key — after which I handed my guests over to my son, and went to notify the police.”
I bowed, and asked where the young people were now.
“Still in the drawing-room. I have ordered the musicians to play, and consequently there is more or less dancing. But, of course, nothing can remove the wet blanket which has fallen over us all — nothing but the finding of this jewel. Do you see your way to accomplishing this? We are from this very moment at your disposal; only I pray that you will make no more disturbance than is necessary, and, if possible, arouse no suspicions you cannot back up by facts. I dread50 a scandal almost as much as I do sickness and death, and these young people — well, their lives are all before them, and neither Mrs. Burton nor myself would wish to throw the shadow of a false suspicion over any one of them.”
I assured her that I sympathised with her scruples51, and would do my best to recover the ruby without inflicting53 undue54 annoyance55 upon the innocent. Then I inquired whether it was known that a detective had been called in. She seemed to think it was suspected by some, if not by all. At which my way seemed a trifle complicated.
We were about to proceed when another thought struck me.
“Madam, you have not said whether the carriage itself was searched.”
“I forgot. Yes, the carriage was thoroughly56 overhauled57 before the coachman left the box.”
“Who did this overhauling58?”
“My son. He would not trust any one else in a business of this kind.”
“One more question, madam. Was any one seen to approach Mr. Deane on the carriage-drive prior to his assertion that the jewel was lost?”
“No. And there were no tracks in the snow of any such person. My son looked.”
And I would look, or so I decided59 within myself, but I said nothing; and in silence we proceeded toward the drawing-room.
I had left my overcoat behind me, and always being well dressed, I did not present so bad an appearance. Still, I was not in party attire60, and naturally could not pass for a guest even if I had wanted to, which I did not. I felt that I must rely on insight in this case, and on a certain power I had always possessed61 of reading faces. That the case called for just this species of intuition I was positive. Mrs. Burton’s ruby was within a hundred yards of us at this very moment, probably within a hundred feet; but to lay hands on it and without scandal — well, that was a problem calculated to rouse the interest of even an old police-officer like myself.
A strain of music — desultory62, however, and spiritless, like everything else about the place that night — greeted us as Mrs. Ashley opened the door leading directly into the large front hall.
Immediately a scene meant to be festive63, but which was, in fact, desolate64, burst upon us. The lights, the flowers, and the brilliant appearance of such ladies as flitted into sight from the almost empty parlours, were all suggestive of the cheer suitable to a great occasion; but, in spite of this, the effect was altogether melancholy65, for the hundreds who should have graced this scene, and for whom this illumination had been made and these festoons hung, had been turned away from the gates, and the few who felt they must remain, because their hostess showed no disposition to let them go, wore any but holiday faces, for all their forced smiles and pitiful attempts at nonchalance66 and gaiety.
I scrutinised these faces carefully. I detected nothing in them but annoyance at a situation which certainly was anything but pleasant.
Turning to Mrs. Ashley, I requested her to be kind enough to point out her son, adding that I should be glad to have a moment’s conversation with him before I spoke17 to Mr. Deane.
“That will give Mr. Deane time to compose himself. He is quite upset. Not even Mrs. Burton can comfort him. My son — oh, there is Harrison!”
A tall, fine-looking young man was crossing the hall. Mrs. Ashley beckoned67 to him, and in another moment we were standing68 together in one of the empty parlours. I gave him my name and told him my business. Then I said:
“Your mother has allotted69 me an hour in which to find the valuable jewel which has just been lost on these premises70.” Here I smiled. “She evidently has great confidence in my ability. I must see that I do not disappoint her.”
All this time I was examining his face. It was not only handsome, but expressive71 of great candour. The eyes looked straight into mine, and, while showing anxiety, betrayed no deeper emotion than the occasion naturally called for.
“Have you any suggestions to offer? I understand that you were on the ground almost as soon as Mr. Deane discovered his loss.”
His eyes changed a trifle, but did not swerve72. Of course, he had been informed by his mother of the suspicious action of the young lady who had been a member of that gentleman’s party, and shrank, as any one in his position would, from the responsibilities entailed73 by this knowledge.
“No,” said he. “We have done all we can. The next move must come from you.”
“I know of one that will settle the matter at once,” I assured him, still with my eyes fixed scrutinisingly on his face —“a universal search, not of places, but of persons. But it is a harsh measure.”
“A most disagreeable one,” he emphasised, flushing. “Such an indignity74 offered to guests would never be forgotten or forgiven.”
“True. But if they offered to submit to this themselves?”
“They? How?”
“If you, the son of the house — their host, we may say — should call them together, and for your own satisfaction empty out your pockets in the sight of every one, don’t you think that all the men, and possibly all the women too”— here I let my voice fall suggestively —“would be glad to follow suit? It could be done in apparent joke.”
He shook his head with a straightforward air, which set him high in my estimation.
“That would call for little but effrontery75 on my part,” said he. “But think how it would affect these boys who came here for the sole purpose of enjoying themselves. I will not so much as mention the ladies.”
“Yet one of the latter ——”
“I know,” he quietly acknowledged, growing restless for the first time.
I withdrew my eyes from his face. I had learned what I wished. Personally, he did not shrink from search, therefore the jewel was not in his pockets. This left but two persons for suspicion to halt between. But I disclosed nothing of my thoughts; I merely asked pardon for a suggestion that, while pardonable in a man accustomed to handle crime with ungloved hands, could not fail to prove offensive to a gentleman like himself.
“We must move by means less open,” I concluded. “It adds to our difficulties, but that cannot be helped. I should now like a glimpse of Mr. Deane.”
“Do you not wish to speak to him?”
“I should prefer a sight of his face first.”
He led me across the hall and pointed through an open door. In the centre of a small room containing a table and some chairs I perceived a young man sitting, with fallen head and dejected air, staring at vacancy76. By his side, with hand laid on his, knelt a young girl, striving in this gentle but speechless way to comfort him. It made a pathetic picture. I drew Ashley away.
“I am disposed to believe in that young man,” said I. “If he still has the jewel, he would not try to carry off the situation just this way. He really looks broken-hearted.”
“Oh, he is dreadfully cut up! If you could have seen how frantically77 he searched for the stone, and the depression into which he fell when he realised that it was not to be found, you would not doubt him for an instant. What made you think he might still have the ruby?”
“Oh, we police-officers think of everything. Then the fact that he insists that something or some one touched his breast on the driveway strikes me as a trifle suspicious. Your mother says that no second person could have been there, or the snow would have given evidence of it.”
“Yes; I looked expressly. Of course, the drive itself was full of hoof30-marks and wheel-tracks, for several carriages had already passed over it. Then there were all of Deane’s footsteps, but no other man’s, so far as I could see.”
“Yet he insists that he was touched or struck.”
“Yes.”
“With no one there to touch or strike him.”
Mr. Ashley was silent.
“Let us step out and take a view of the place,” I suggested. “I should prefer doing this to questioning the young man in his present state of mind.” Then, as we turned to put on our coats, I asked with suitable precautions: “Do you suppose that he has the same secret suspicions as ourselves, and that it is to hide these he insists upon the jewel’s having been taken away from him at a point the ladies are known not to have approached?”
Young Ashley looked more startled than pleased.
“Nothing has been said to him of what Miss Peters saw Miss Glover do. I could not bring myself to mention it. I have not even allowed myself to believe ——”
Here a fierce gust78, blowing in from the door he had just opened, cut short his words, and neither of us spoke again till we stood on the exact spot in the driveway where the episode we were endeavouring to understand had taken place.
“Oh,” I cried, as soon as I could look about me; “the mystery is explained. Look at that bush, or perhaps you call it a shrub79. If the wind were blowing as freshly as it is now, and very probably it was, one of those slender branches might easily be switched against his breast, especially if he stood, as you say he did, close against this border.”
“Well, I’m a fool. Only the other day I told the gardener that these branches would need trimming in the spring, and yet I never so much as thought of them when Mr. Deane spoke of something striking his breast.”
As we turned back I made this remark:
“With this explanation of the one doubtful point in his otherwise plausible80 account, we can credit his story as being in the main true, which,” I calmly added, “places him above suspicion and narrows our inquiry81 down to one.”
We had moved quickly, and were now at the threshold of the door by which we had come out.
“Mr. Ashley,” I continued, “I shall have to ask you to add to your former favours that of showing me the young lady in whom, from this moment on, we are especially interested. If you can manage to let me see her first without her seeing me, I shall be infinitely82 obliged to you.”
“I do not know where she is. I shall have to search for her.”
“I will wait by the hall door.”
In a few minutes he returned to me.
“Come,” said he, and led me into what I judged to be the library.
With a gesture towards one of the windows, he backed quickly out, leaving me to face the situation alone. I was rather glad of this. Glancing in the direction he had indicated, and perceiving the figure of a young lady standing with her back to me on the farther side of a flowing lace curtain, I took a few steps toward her, hoping that the movement would cause her to turn. But it entirely83 failed to produce this effect, nor did she give any sign that she noted84 the intrusion. This prevented me from catching85 the glimpse of her face which I so desired, and obliged me to confine myself to a study of her dress and attitude.
The former was very elegant, more elegant than the appearance of her two friends had led me to expect. Though I am far from being an authority on feminine toilets, I yet had experience enough to know that such a gown represented not only the best efforts of the dressmaker’s art, but very considerable means on the part of the woman wearing it.
This was a discovery which instantly altered the complexion86 of my thoughts; for I had presupposed her a girl of humble87 means, willing to sacrifice certain scruples to obtain a little extra money. This imposing88 figure might be that of a millionaire’s daughter; how, then, could I associate her, even in my own mind, with theft? I decided that I must see her face before giving answer to these doubts.
She did not seem inclined to turn. She had raised the shade from before the wintry panes89 and was engaged in looking out. Her attitude was not that of one simply enjoying a moment’s respite90 from the dance. It was rather that of an absorbed mind brooding upon what gave little or no pleasure; and as I further gazed and noted the droop91 of her lovely shoulders and the languor92 visible in her whole bearing, I saw that a full glimpse of her features was imperative. Moving forward, I came upon her suddenly.
“Excuse me, Miss Smith,” I boldly exclaimed; then paused, for she had turned instinctively93, and I had seen that for which I had risked this daring move. “Your pardon,” I hastily apologised. “I mistook you for another young lady,” and drew back with a low bow to let her pass, for I saw that her mind was bent94 on escape.
And I did not wonder at this, for her eyes were streaming with tears, and her face, which was doubtless a pretty one under ordinary conditions, looked so distorted with distracting emotions that she was no fit subject for any man’s eye, let alone that of a hard-hearted officer of the law on the lookout95 for the guilty hand which had just appropriated a jewel worth anywhere from eight to ten thousand dollars.
Yet I was glad to see her weep, for only first offenders97 weep, and first offenders are amenable98 to influence, especially if they have been led into wrong by impulse, and are weak rather than wicked.
Anxious to make no blunder, I resolved, before proceeding99 further, to learn what I could of the character and antecedents of the suspected one, and this from the only source which offered — Mr. Deane’s affianced.
This young lady was a delicate girl, with a face like a flower. Recognising her sensitive nature, I approached her with the utmost gentleness. Not seeking to disguise either the nature of my business or my reasons for being in the house, since all this gave me authority, I modulated100 my tone to suit her gentle spirit, and, above all, I showed the utmost sympathy for her lover, whose rights in the reward had been taken from him as certainly as the jewel had been taken from Mrs. Burton. In this way I gained her confidence, and she was quite ready to listen when I observed:
“There is a young lady here who seems to be in a state of even greater trouble than Mr. Deane. Why is this? You brought her here. Is her sympathy with Mr. Deane so great as to cause her to weep over his loss?”
“Frances? Oh no. She likes Mr. Deane and she likes me, but not well enough to cry over our misfortunes. I think she has some trouble of her own.”
“One that you can tell me?”
Her surprise was manifest.
“Why do you ask that? What interest can a police-officer, called in, as I understand, to recover a stolen jewel, have in Frances Glover’s personal difficulties?”
I saw that I must make my position perfectly101 plain.
“Only this: She was seen to pick up something from the driveway, where no one else had succeeded in finding anything.”
“She? When? Who saw her?”
“I cannot answer all these questions at once,” I said, smiling. “She was seen to do this — no matter by whom — while you were stepping down from the carriage. As you preceded her, you naturally did not observe this action, which was fortunate, perhaps, as you would scarcely have known what to do or say about it.”
“Yes, I should,” she retorted with a most unexpected display of spirit. “I should have asked her what she had found, and I should have insisted upon an answer. I love my friends, but I love the man I am to marry better.”
Here her voice fell, and a most becoming blush suffused102 her cheek.
“Quite right,” I assented103. “Now will you answer my former question? What troubles Miss Glover? Can you tell me?”
“That I cannot. I only know that she has been very silent ever since she left the house. I thought her beautiful new dress would please her, but it does not seem to. She has been unhappy and preoccupied104 all the evening. She only roused a bit when Mr. Deane showed us the ruby, and said —— Oh, I forgot!”
“What’s that? What have you forgot?”
“Your remark of a moment ago. I wouldn’t add a word ——”
“Pardon me,” I smilingly interrupted, looking as fatherly as I could, “but you have added this word, and now you must tell me what it means. You were going to speak of the interest she showed in the extraordinary jewel which Mr. Deane took from his pocket, and ——”
“In what he said about the reward he expected. That is, she looked eagerly at the ruby, and sighed when he acknowledged that he expected it to bring him five hundred dollars before midnight. But any girl of means no larger than hers might do that. It would not be fair to lay too much stress on a sigh.”
“Is not Miss Glover wealthy? She wears a very expensive dress, I observe.”
“I know it, and I have wondered a little at it, for her father is not called very well off. But perhaps she bought it with her own money. I know she has some; she is an artist in burnt wood.”
I let the subject of Miss Glover’s dress drop. I had heard enough to satisfy me that my first theory was correct. This young woman, beautifully dressed, and with a face from which the rounded lines of early girlhood had not yet departed, held in her possession, probably at this very moment, Mrs. Burton’s magnificent jewel. But where? On her person or hidden in some of her belongings105? I remembered the cloak in the closet, and thought it wise to assure myself that the jewel was not secreted107 in this garment before I proceeded to extreme measures. Mrs. Ashley, upon being consulted, agreed with me as to the desirability of this, and presently I had this poor girl’s cloak in my hands.
Did I find the ruby? No; but I found something else tucked away in an inner pocket which struck me as bearing quite pointedly108 upon this case. It was the bill — crumpled109, soiled, and tear-stained — of the dress whose elegance110 had so surprised her friends and made me for a short time regard her as the daughter of wealthy parents. An enormous bill, which must have struck dismay to the soul of this self-supporting girl, who probably had no idea of how a French dressmaker can foot up items. Four hundred and fifty dollars, and for one gown! I declare I felt indignant myself, and could quite understand why she heaved that little sigh when Mr. Deane spoke of the five hundred dollars he expected from Mrs. Burton, and, later, when, in following the latter’s footsteps up the driveway, she stumbled upon this same jewel, fallen, as it were, from his pocket into her very hands, how she came to succumb111 to the temptation of endeavouring to secure this sum for herself.
That he would shout aloud his loss, and thus draw the whole household out on the porch, was, naturally, not anticipated by her. Of course, when this occurred, the feasibility of her project was gone, and I only wished that I had been present and able to note her countenance, as, crowded in with others on that windy porch, she watched the progress of the search, which every moment made it not only less impossible for her to attempt the restoration upon which the reward depended, but must have caused her to feel, if she had been as well brought up as all indications showed, that it was a dishonest act of which she had been guilty, and that, willing or not, she must look upon herself as a thief so long as she held the jewel back from Mr. Deane or its rightful owner. But how face the publicity112 of restoring it now, after so elaborate and painful a search, in which even the son of her hostess had taken part!
That would be to proclaim her guilt96, and thus effectually ruin her in the eyes of everybody concerned. No, she would keep the compromising article a little longer, in the hope of finding some opportunity of returning it without risk to her good name. And so she allowed the search to proceed.
I have entered thus elaborately into the supposed condition of this girl’s mind on this critical evening that you may understand why I felt a certain sympathy for her, which forbade harsh measures. I was sure, from the glimpse I had caught of her face, that she longed to be relieved from the tension she was under, and that she would gladly rid herself of this valuable jewel if she only knew how. This opportunity I proposed to give her; and this is why, on returning the bill to its place, I assumed such an air of relief on rejoining Mrs. Ashley.
She saw, and drew me aside.
“You have not found it,” she said.
“No,” I returned; “but I am positive where it is.”
“And where is that?”
“Over Miss Glover’s uneasy heart.”
Mrs. Ashley turned pale.
“Wait,” said I. “I have a scheme for getting it back without making her shame public. Listen!” and I whispered a few words in her ear.
She surveyed me in amazement113 for a moment, then nodded, and her face lighted up.
“You are certainly earning your reward,” she declared; and summoning her son, who was never far away from her side, she whispered her wishes. He started, bowed, and hurried from the room.
By this time my business in the house was well known to all, and I could not appear in hall or parlour without a great silence falling upon every one present, followed by a breaking up of the only too small circle of unhappy guests into agitated114 groups. But I appeared to see nothing of all this till the proper moment, when, turning suddenly upon them all, I cried out cheerfully, but with a certain deference115 I thought would please them:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have an interesting fact to announce. The snow which was taken up from the driveway has been put to melt in the great feed caldron over the stable fire. We expect to find the ruby at the bottom, and Mrs. Ashley invites you to be present at its recovery. It has now stopped snowing, and she thought you might enjoy the excitement of watching the water ladled out.”
A dozen girls bounded forward.
“Oh yes! What fun! Where are our cloaks — our rubbers?”
Two only stood hesitating. One of these was Mr. Deane’s lady-love, and the other her friend, Miss Glover. The former, perhaps, secretly wondered. The latter — but I dared not look long enough or closely enough in her direction to judge rightly of her emotions. Amid the bustle116 which now ensued I caught sight of Mr. Deane’s face peering from an open doorway117. It was all alive with hope. I also perceived a lady looking down from the second storey, who I felt sure was Mrs. Burton herself. Evidently my confident tone had produced more effect than the words themselves. Every one looked upon the jewel as already recovered, and regarded my invitation to the stable as a ruse118 by which I hoped to restore universal good feeling by giving them all a share in my triumph.
All but one! Nothing could make Miss Glover look otherwise than anxious, restless, and unsettled; and though she followed in the wake of the rest, it was with hidden face and lagging step, as if she recognised the whole thing as a farce119, and doubted her own power to go through it calmly.
“Ah, ha! my lady,” thought I, “only be patient and you will see what I shall do for you.” And, indeed, I thought her eye brightened as we all drew up around the huge caldron standing full of water over the stable stove. As pains had already been taken to put out the fire in this stove, the ladies were not afraid of injuring their dresses, and consequently crowded as close as their numbers would permit. Miss Glover especially stood within reach of the brim, and as soon as I noted this, I gave the signal which had been agreed upon between Mr. Ashley and myself. Instantly the electric lights went out, leaving the place in total darkness.
A scream from the girls, a burst of hilarious120 laughter from their escorts, mingled121 with loud apologies from their seemingly mischievous122 host, filled up the interval123 of darkness which I had insisted should not be too soon curtailed124; then the lights flared125 up as suddenly as they had gone out, and while the glare was fresh on every face, I stole a glance at Miss Glover to see if she had made good use of the opportunity given her for ridding herself of the jewel by dropping it into the caldron. If she had, both her troubles and mine were at an end; if she had not, then I need feel no further scruple52 in approaching her with the direct question I had hitherto found it so difficult to put.
She stood with both hands grasping her cloak, which she had drawn tightly about the rich folds of her new and expensive dress; but her eyes were fixed straight before her, with a soft light in their depths which made her positively126 beautiful.
The jewel is in the pot, I inwardly decided, and ordered the two waiting stablemen to step forward with their ladles. Quickly those ladles went in, but before they could be lifted out dripping, half the ladies had scurried127 back, afraid of injury to their pretty dresses. But they soon sidled forward again, and watched with beaming eyes the slow but sure emptying of the great caldron at whose bottom they anticipated finding the lost jewel.
As the ladles were plunged128 deeper and deeper, the heads drew closer, and so great was the interest shown that the busiest lips forgot to chatter15, and eyes whose only business up till now had been to follow with shy curiosity every motion made by their handsome young host now settled on the murky129 depths of the great pot whose bottom was almost in sight.
As I heard the ladles strike this bottom, I instinctively withdrew a step in anticipation130 of the loud hurrah131 which would naturally hail the first sight of the lost ruby. Conceive, then, my chagrin132, my bitter and mortified133 disappointment, when, after one look at the broad surface of the now exposed bottom, the one shout which rose was: “Nothing!”
I was so thoroughly put out that I did not wait to hear the loud complaints which burst from every lip. Drawing Mr. Ashley aside (who, by the way, seemed as much affected134 as myself by the turn affairs had taken), I remarked to him that, after this, there was only one course left for me to take.
“And what is that?”
“To ask Miss Glover to show me what she picked up from your driveway.”
“And if she refuses?”
“To take her quietly with me to the station, where we have women who can make sure that the ruby is not on her person.”
Mr. Ashley made an involuntary gesture of strong repugnance135.
“Let us pray that it will not come to that,” he objected hoarsely136. “Such a fine figure of a girl! Did you notice how bright and happy she looked when the lights sprang up? I declare she struck me as lovely.”
“So she did me, and caused me to draw some erroneous conclusions. I shall have to ask you to procure137 me an interview with her as soon as we return to the house.”
“She shall meet you in the library.”
But when, a few minutes later, she joined me in the room just designated, I own that my task became suddenly hateful to me. She was not far from my own daughter’s age, and, had it not been for her furtive44 look of care, appeared almost as blooming and bright. Would it ever come to pass that a harsh man of the law should feel it his duty to speak to my Flora138 as I must now speak to the young girl before me? The thought made me inwardly recoil139, and it was in as gentle a manner as possible that I made my bow and began with the following remark:
“I hope you will pardon me, Miss Glover — I am told that is your name. I hate to disturb your pleasure”— this with the tears of alarm and grief rising in her eyes —“but you can tell me something which will greatly simplify my task, and possibly put matters in such shape that you and your friends can be released to your homes.”
“I?”
She stood before me with amazed eyes, the colour rising in her cheeks. I had to force my next words, which, out of consideration for her, I made as direct as possible.
“Yes, miss. What was the article you were seen to pick up from the driveway soon after leaving your carriage?”
She started, then stumbled backward, tripping in her long train.
“I pick up?” she murmured. Then with a blush, whether of anger or pride I could not tell, she coldly answered: “Oh, that was something of my own — something I had just dropped. I had rather not tell you what it was.”
I scrutinised her closely. She met my eyes squarely, yet not with just the clear light I should, remembering Flora, have been glad to see there.
“I think it would be better for you to be entirely frank,” said I. “It was the only article known to have been picked up from the driveway after Mr. Deane’s loss of the ruby; and though we do not presume to say that it was the ruby, yet the matter would look clearer to us all if you would frankly141 state what this object was.”
Her whole body seemed to collapse142, and she looked as if about to sink.
“Oh, where is Minnie? Where is Mr. Deane?” she moaned, turning and staring at the door, as if she hoped they would fly to her aid. Then, in a burst of indignation which I was fain to believe real, she turned on me with the cry: “It was a bit of paper which I had thrust into the bosom143 of my gown. It fell out ——”
“Your dressmaker’s bill?” I intimated.
“She stared, laughed hysterically144 for a moment, then sank upon a sofa nearby, sobbing145 spasmodically.
“Yes,” she cried, after a moment; “my dressmaker’s bill. You seem to know all my affairs.” Then suddenly, and with a startling impetuosity, which drew her to her feet: “Are you going to tell everybody that? Are you going to state publicly that Miss Glover brought an unpaid146 bill to the party, and that because Mr. Deane was unfortunate enough, or careless enough, to drop and lose the jewel he was bringing to Mrs. Burton she is to be looked upon as a thief, because she stooped to pick up this bill which had slipped inadvertently from its hiding-place? I shall die if you do!” she cried. “I shall die if it is already known,” she pursued with increasing emotion. “Is it? Is it?”
Her passion was so great, so much greater than any likely to rise in a breast wholly innocent, that I began to feel very sober.
“No one but Mrs. Ashley, and possibly her son, know about the bill,” said I, “and no one shall if you will go with that lady to her room, and make plain to her, in the only way you can, that the extremely valuable article which has been lost to-night is not in your possession.”
She threw up her arms with a scream. “Oh, what a horror! I cannot! I cannot! Oh, I shall die of shame! My father! My mother!” And she burst from the room like one distraught.
But in another moment she came cringing147 back.
“I cannot face them,” she said. “They all believe it; they will always believe it unless I submit! Oh, why did I ever come to this dreadful place? Why did I order this hateful dress, which I can never pay for, and which, in spite of the misery148 it has caused me, has failed to bring me the ——” She did not continue. She had caught my eye and seen there, perhaps, some evidence of the pity I could not but experience for her. With a sudden change of tone she advanced upon me with the appeal: “Save me from this humiliation149. I have not seen the ruby. I am as ignorant of its whereabouts as — as Mr. Ashley himself. Won’t you believe me? Won’t they be satisfied if I swear ——”
I was really sorry for her. I began to think, too, that some dreadful mistake had been made. Her manner seemed too ingenuous150 for guilt. Yet where could that ruby be, if not with this young girl? Certainly, all other possibilities had been exhausted151, and her story of the bill, even if accepted, would never quite exonerate152 her from secret suspicion while that elusive153 jewel remained unfound.
“You give me no hope,” she moaned. “I must go out before them all, and ask to have it proved that I am no thief. Oh, if God would only have pity ——!”
“Or some one should succeed in finding —— Halloo, what’s that?”
A shout had risen from the hall beyond.
She gasped154, and we both plunged forward. Mr. Ashley, still in his overcoat, stood at the other end of the hall, and facing him were ranged the whole line of young people whom I had left scattered155 about in the various parlours. I thought he appeared to be in a peculiar frame of mind; and when he glanced our way, and saw who was standing with me in the library doorway, his voice took on a tone which made me doubt whether he was about to announce good news or bad.
But his first word settled that question.
“Rejoice with me!” he cried. “The ruby has been found! Do you want to see the culprit, for there is a culprit? We have him at the door. Shall we bring him in?”
“Yes, yes!” cried several voices, among them that of Mr. Deane, who now strode forward with beaming eyes and instinctively lifted hand. But some of the ladies looked frightened, and Mr. Ashley, noting this, glanced for encouragement in our direction.
He seemed to find it in Miss Glover’s eyes. She had quivered and nearly fallen at that word found, but had drawn herself up by this time, and was awaiting his further action in a fever of relief and hope, which, perhaps, no one but myself could fully5 appreciate.
“A vile156 thief! A most unconscionable rascal157!” vociferated Mr. Ashley. “You must see him, mother; you must see him, ladies, else you will not realise our good fortune. Open the door there, and bring in the robber!”
At this command, uttered in ringing tones, the huge leaves of the great front-door swung slowly forward, revealing two sturdy stablemen leading into view —a huge horse.
The scream of astonishment158 which went up from all sides, united to Mr. Ashley’s shout of hilarity159, caused the animal, unused, no doubt, to drawing-rooms, to rear to the length of his bridle160. At which Mr. Ashley laughed again, and gaily161 cried:
“Confound the fellow! Look at him, mother! look at him, ladies! Do you not see guilt written on his brow? It is he who has made us all this trouble. First, he must needs take umbrage162 at the two lights with which we presumed to illuminate163 our porch; then, envying Mrs. Burton her ruby and Mr. Deane his reward, seek to rob them both by grinding his hoofs all over the snow of the driveway till he came upon the jewel which Mr. Deane had dropped from his pocket, and, taking it up in a ball of snow, secrete106 it in his left hind32 shoe — where it might be yet, if Mr. Spencer”— here he bowed to a strange gentleman who at that moment entered —“had not come himself for his daughters, and, going first to the stable, found his horse so restless and seemingly lame164 — there, boys, you may take the wretch165 away now and harness him, but first hold up that guilty left hind hoof for the ladies to see — that he stooped to examine him, and so came upon this.”
Here the young gentleman brought forward his hand. In it was a nondescript little wad, well soaked and shapeless; but once he had untied166 the kid, such a ray of rosy167 light burst from his outstretched palm that I doubt if a single woman there noted the clatter168 of the retiring beast or the heavy clang made by the two front-doors as they shut upon the robber. Eyes and tongues were too busy, and Mr. Ashley, realising, probably, that the interest of all present would remain, for a few minutes at least, with this marvellous jewel so astonishingly recovered, laid it, with many expressions of thankfulness, in Mrs. Burton’s now eagerly outstretched palm, and advancing towards us, greeted Miss Glover with a smile.
“Congratulate me,” he prayed. “All our troubles are over. Oh, what now?”
The poor young thing, in trying to smile, had turned as white as a sheet. Before either of us could interpose an arm, she had slipped to the floor in a dead faint. With a murmur140 of pity and possibly of inward contrition169, he stooped over her, and together we carried her into the library, where I left her in his care, confident, from certain indications, that my presence would not be greatly missed by either of them.
Whatever hope I may have had of reaping the reward offered by Mrs. Ashley was now lost, but in the satisfaction I experienced at finding this young girl as innocent as my Flora, I did not greatly care.
Well, it all ended even more happily than may here appear. The horse not putting in his claim to the reward, and Mr. Spencer repudiating170 all right to it, it was paid in full to Mr. Deane, who, accompanied by his two ladies, went home in as buoyant a state of mind as was possible to him after the great anxieties of the preceding two hours. I was told that Mr. Ashley declined to close the carriage door upon them till the whole three had promised to come again the following night.
Anxious to make such amends171 as I personally could for my share in the mortification172 to which Miss Glover had been subjected, I visited her in the morning, with the intention of offering a suggestion or two in regard to that little bill. But she met my first advance with a radiant smile and the glad exclamation173:
“Oh, I have settled all that! I have just come from Madame Dupr?‘s. I told her that I had never imagined the dress could possibly cost more than a hundred dollars, and I offered her that sum if she would take the garment back. And she did, she did, and I shall never have to wear that dreadful satin again!”
I made a note of this dressmaker’s name. She and I may have a bone to pick some day. But I said nothing to Miss Glover. I merely exclaimed:
“And to-night?”
“Oh, I have an old spotted174 muslin which, with a few natural flowers, will make me look festive enough. One does not need fine clothes when one is — happy.”
The dreamy far-off smile with which she finished the sentence was more eloquent175 than words, and I was not surprised when some time later I read of her engagement to Mr. Ashley.
But it was not till she could sign herself with his name that she told me just what underlay176 the misery of that night. She had met Harrison Ashley more than once before, and, though she did not say so, had evidently conceived an admiration for him which made her especially desirous of attracting and pleasing him. Not understanding the world very well, certainly having very little knowledge of the tastes and feelings of wealthy people, she conceived that the more brilliantly she was attired177 the more likely she would be to please this rich young man. So in a moment of weakness she decided to devote all her small savings178 (a hundred dollars, as we know) to buying a gown such as she felt she could appear in at his house without shame.
It came home — as dresses from French dress-makers are very apt to do — just in time for her to put it on for the party. The bill came with it, and when she saw the amount — it was all itemised, and she could find no fault with anything but the summing up — she was so overwhelmed that she nearly fainted. But she could not give up her ball; so she dressed herself, and, being urged all the time to hurry, hardly stopped to give one look at the new and splendid gown which had cost so much. The bill — the incredible, the enormous bill — was all she could think of, and the figures, which represented nearly her whole year’s earnings179, danced constantly before her eyes. She could not possibly pay it, nor could she ask her father to do so. She was ruined. But the ball and Mr. Ashley — these still awaited her; so presently she worked herself up to some anticipation of enjoyment180, and, having thrown on her cloak, was turning down her light preparatory to departure, when her eye fell on the bill lying open on her dresser.
It would never do to leave it there — never do to leave it anywhere in her room. There were prying181 eyes in the house, and she was as ashamed of that bill as she might have been of a contemplated182 theft. So she tucked it into her corsage, and went down to join her friends in the carriage.
The rest we know, with the exception of one small detail which turned to gall183 whatever enjoyment she was able to get out of the evening. There was a young girl present, dressed in a simple muslin gown. While looking at it, and inwardly contrasting it with her own splendour, Mr. Ashley passed by with another gentleman, and she heard him say:
“How much better young girls look in simple white than in the elaborate silks suited only to their mothers!”
Thoughtless words — possibly forgotten as soon as uttered — they sharply pierced this already sufficiently184 stricken and uneasy breast, and were the cause of the tears which had aroused my suspicion when I came upon her in the library, standing with her face to the night.
But who can say whether, if the evening had been devoid185 of these occurrences, and no emotions of contrition and pity had been awakened186 in her behalf in the breast of her chivalrous187 host, she would ever have become Mrs. Ashley?
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1
evergreens
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| n.常青树，常绿植物，万年青( evergreen的名词复数 ) | |
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imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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5
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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6
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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7
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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9
explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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10
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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13
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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14
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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15
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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16
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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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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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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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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recurred
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| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
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hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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32
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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37
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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38
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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39
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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40
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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41
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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42
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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43
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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44
furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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45
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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46
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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47
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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48
flakes
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| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
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49
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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50
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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51
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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52
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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53
inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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54
undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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55
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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56
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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57
overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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58
overhauling
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| n.大修；拆修；卸修；翻修v.彻底检查( overhaul的现在分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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59
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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60
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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61
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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62
desultory
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| adj.散漫的，无方法的 | |
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63
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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64
desolate
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|
| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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65
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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66
nonchalance
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| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
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67
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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68
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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69
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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71
expressive
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|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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72
swerve
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| v.突然转向，背离；n．转向，弯曲，背离 | |
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73
entailed
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| 使…成为必要( entail的过去式和过去分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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74
indignity
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|
| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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75
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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76
vacancy
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|
| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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77
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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78
gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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79
shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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80
plausible
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|
| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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81
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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82
infinitely
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|
| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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83
entirely
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|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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84
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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85
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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86
complexion
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|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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87
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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88
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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89
panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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90
respite
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|
| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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91
droop
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| v.低垂，下垂；凋萎，萎靡 | |
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92
languor
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|
| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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93
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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94
bent
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|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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95
lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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96
guilt
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|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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97
offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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98
amenable
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| adj.经得起检验的；顺从的；对负有义务的 | |
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99
proceeding
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|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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100
modulated
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| 已调整[制]的，被调的 | |
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101
perfectly
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|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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102
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
preoccupied
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|
| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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105
belongings
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|
| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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106
secrete
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|
| vt.分泌；隐匿，使隐秘 | |
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107
secreted
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| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的过去式和过去分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
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108
pointedly
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|
| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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109
crumpled
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|
| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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110
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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111
succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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112
publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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113
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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114
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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115
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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116
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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117
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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118
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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119
farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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120
hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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121
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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122
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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123
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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124
curtailed
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| v.截断，缩短( curtail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
Flared
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| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
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126
positively
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|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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127
scurried
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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129
murky
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|
| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
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130
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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131
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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132
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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133
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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134
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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135
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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136
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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137
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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138
flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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139
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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140
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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141
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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142
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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143
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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144
hysterically
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| ad. 歇斯底里地 | |
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145
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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146
unpaid
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| adj.未付款的，无报酬的 | |
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147
cringing
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| adj.谄媚，奉承 | |
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148
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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149
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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150
ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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151
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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152
exonerate
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| v.免除责任，确定无罪 | |
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153
elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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154
gasped
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|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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155
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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156
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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157
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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158
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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159
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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160
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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161
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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162
umbrage
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| n.不快；树荫 | |
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163
illuminate
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| vt.照亮，照明；用灯光装饰；说明，阐释 | |
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164
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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165
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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166
untied
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| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
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167
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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168
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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169
contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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170
repudiating
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| v.（正式地）否认( repudiate的现在分词 )；拒绝接受；拒绝与…往来；拒不履行（法律义务） | |
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171
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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172
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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173
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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174
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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175
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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176
underlay
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| v.位于或存在于（某物）之下( underlie的过去式 )；构成…的基础（或起因），引起n.衬垫物 | |
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177
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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178
savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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179
earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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180
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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181
prying
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| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
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182
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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183
gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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184
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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185
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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186
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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187
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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