The pipe was in the old dame1’s mouth when she said these words. She had thrust it there after filling it with tobacco, but without stooping to light it at the hearth2, where indeed there was no appearance of a fire having been kindled3 that morning. Forthwith, however, as soon as the order was given, there was an intense red glow out of the bowl of the pipe, and a whiff of smoke came from Mother Rigby’s lips. Whence the coal came, and how brought thither5 by an invisible hand, I have never been able to discover.
“Good!” quoth Mother Rigby, with a nod of her head. “Thank ye, Dickon! And now for making this scarecrow. Be within call, Dickon, in case I need you again.”
The good woman had risen thus early (for as yet it was scarcely sunrise) in order to set about making a scarecrow, which she intended to put in the middle of her corn-patch. It was now the latter week of May, and the crows and blackbirds had already discovered the little, green, rolledup leaf of the Indian corn just peeping out of the soil. She was determined7, therefore, to contrive8 as lifelike a scarecrow as ever was seen, and to finish it immediately, from top to toe, so that it should begin its sentinel’s duty that very morning. Now Mother Rigby (as everybody must have heard) was one of the most cunning and potent9 witches in New England, and might, with very little trouble, have made a scarecrow ugly enough to frighten the minister himself. But on this occasion, as she had awakened10 in an uncommonly11 pleasant humor, and was further dulcified by her pipe tobacco, she resolved to produce something fine, beautiful, and splendid, rather than hideous12 and horrible.
“I don’t want to set up a hobgoblin in my own corn-patch, and almost at my own doorstep,” said Mother Rigby to herself, puffing14 out a whiff of smoke; “I could do it if I pleased, but I’m tired of doing marvellous things, and so I’ll keep within the bounds of every-day business just for variety’s sake. Besides, there is no use in scaring the little children for a mile roundabout, though ‘t is true I’m a witch.”
It was settled, therefore, in her own mind, that the scarecrow should represent a fine gentleman of the period, so far as the materials at hand would allow. Perhaps it may be as well to enumerate15 the chief of the articles that went to the composition of this figure.
The most important item of all, probably, although it made so little show, was a certain broomstick, on which Mother Rigby had taken many an airy gallop16 at midnight, and which now served the scarecrow by way of a spinal17 column, or, as the unlearned phrase it, a backbone18. One of its arms was a disabled flail19 which used to be wielded20 by Goodman Rigby, before his spouse21 worried him out of this troublesome world; the other, if I mistake not, was composed of the pudding stick and a broken rung of a chair, tied loosely together at the elbow. As for its legs, the right was a hoe handle, and the left an undistinguished and miscellaneous stick from the woodpile. Its lungs, stomach, and other affairs of that kind were nothing better than a meal bag stuffed with straw. Thus we have made out the skeleton and entire corporosity of the scarecrow, with the exception of its head; and this was admirably supplied by a somewhat withered23 and shrivelled pumpkin24, in which Mother Rigby cut two holes for the eyes and a slit25 for the mouth, leaving a bluish-colored knob in the middle to pass for a nose. It was really quite a respectable face.
“I’ve seen worse ones on human shoulders, at any rate,” said Mother Rigby. “And many a fine gentleman has a pumpkin head, as well as my scarecrow.”
But the clothes, in this case, were to be the making of the man. So the good old woman took down from a peg26 an ancient plum-colored coat of London make, and with relics27 of embroidery28 on its seams, cuffs29, pocket-flaps, and button-holes, but lamentably30 worn and faded, patched at the elbows, tattered31 at the skirts, and threadbare all over. On the left breast was a round hole, whence either a star of nobility had been rent away, or else the hot heart of some former wearer had scorched32 it through and through. The neighbors said that this rich garment belonged to the Black Man’s wardrobe, and that he kept it at Mother Rigby’s cottage for the convenience of slipping it on whenever he wished to make a grand appearance at the governor’s table. To match the coat there was a velvet33 waistcoat of very ample size, and formerly34 embroidered35 with foliage36 that had been as brightly golden as the maple37 leaves in October, but which had now quite vanished out of the substance of the velvet. Next came a pair of scarlet38 breeches, once worn by the French governor of Louisbourg, and the knees of which had touched the lower step of the throne of Louis le Grand. The Frenchman had given these small-clothes to an Indian powwow, who parted with them to the old witch for a gill of strong waters, at one of their dances in the forest. Furthermore, Mother Rigby produced a pair of silk stockings and put them on the figure’s legs, where they showed as unsubstantial as a dream, with the wooden reality of the two sticks making itself miserably40 apparent through the holes. Lastly, she put her dead husband’s wig41 on the bare scalp of the pumpkin, and surmounted42 the whole with a dusty three-cornered hat, in which was stuck the longest tail feather of a rooster.
Then the old dame stood the figure up in a corner of her cottage and chuckled43 to behold44 its yellow semblance45 of a visage, with its nobby little nose thrust into the air. It had a strangely self-satisfied aspect, and seemed to say, “Come look at me!”
“And you are well worth looking at, that’s a fact!” quoth Mother Rigby, in admiration46 at her own handiwork. “I’ve made many a puppet since I’ve been a witch, but methinks this is the finest of them all. ’Tis almost too good for a scarecrow. And, by the by, I’ll just fill a fresh pipe of tobacco and then take him out to the corn-patch.”
While filling her pipe the old woman continued to gaze with almost motherly affection at the figure in the corner. To say the truth, whether it were chance, or skill, or downright witchcraft47, there was something wonderfully human in this ridiculous shape, bedizened with its tattered finery; and as for the countenance49, it appeared to shrivel its yellow surface into a grin — a funny kind of expression betwixt scorn and merriment, as if it understood itself to be a jest at mankind. The more Mother Rigby looked the better she was pleased.
“Dickon,” cried she sharply, “another coal for my pipe!”
Hardly had she spoken, than, just as before, there was a red-glowing coal on the top of the tobacco. She drew in a long whiff and puffed50 it forth4 again into the bar of morning sunshine which struggled through the one dusty pane51 of her cottage window. Mother Rigby always liked to flavor her pipe with a coal of fire from the particular chimney corner whence this had been brought. But where that chimney corner might be, or who brought the coal from it — further than that the invisible messenger seemed to respond to the name of Dickon — I cannot tell.
“That puppet yonder,” thought Mother Rigby, still with her eyes fixed52 on the scarecrow, “is too good a piece of work to stand all summer in a corn-patch, frightening away the crows and blackbirds. He’s capable of better things. Why, I’ve danced with a worse one, when partners happened to be scarce, at our witch meetings in the forest! What if I should let him take his chance among the other men of straw and empty fellows who go bustling53 about the world?”
The old witch took three or four more whiffs of her pipe and smiled.
“He’ll meet plenty of his brethren at every street corner!” continued she. “Well; I didn’t mean to dabble54 in witchcraft to-day, further than the lighting55 of my pipe, but a witch I am, and a witch I’m likely to be, and there’s no use trying to shirk it. I’ll make a man of my scarecrow, were it only for the joke’s sake!”
While muttering these words, Mother Rigby took the pipe from her own mouth and thrust it into the crevice56 which represented the same feature in the pumpkin visage of the scarecrow.
“Puff13, darling, puff!” said she. “Puff away, my fine fellow! your life depends on it!”
This was a strange exhortation57, undoubtedly58, to be addressed to a mere59 thing of sticks, straw, and old clothes, with nothing better than a shrivelled pumpkin for a head — as we know to have been the scarecrow’s case. Nevertheless, as we must carefully hold in remembrance, Mother Rigby was a witch of singular power and dexterity60; and, keeping this fact duly before our minds, we shall see nothing beyond credibility in the remarkable61 incidents of our story. Indeed, the great difficulty will be at once got over, if we can only bring ourselves to believe that, as soon as the old dame bade him puff, there came a whiff of smoke from the scarecrow’s mouth. It was the very feeblest of whiffs, to be sure; but it was followed by another and another, each more decided62 than the preceding one.
“Puff away, my pet! puff away, my pretty one!” Mother Rigby kept repeating, with her pleasantest smile. “It is the breath of life to ye; and that you may take my word for.”
Beyond all question the pipe was bewitched. There must have been a spell either in the tobacco or in the fiercely-glowing coal that so mysteriously burned on top of it, or in the pungently-aromatic smoke which exhaled63 from the kindled weed. The figure, after a few doubtful attempts at length blew forth a volley of smoke extending all the way from the obscure corner into the bar of sunshine. There it eddied64 and melted away among the motes65 of dust. It seemed a convulsive effort; for the two or three next whiffs were fainter, although the coal still glowed and threw a gleam over the scarecrow’s visage. The old witch clapped her skinny hands together, and smiled encouragingly upon her handiwork. She saw that the charm worked well. The shrivelled, yellow face, which heretofore had been no face at all, had already a thin, fantastic haze66, as it were of human likeness67, shifting to and fro across it; sometimes vanishing entirely68, but growing more perceptible than ever with the next whiff from the pipe. The whole figure, in like manner, assumed a show of life, such as we impart to ill-defined shapes among the clouds, and half deceive ourselves with the pastime of our own fancy.
If we must needs pry69 closely into the matter, it may be doubted whether there was any real change, after all, in the sordid70, wornout worthless, and ill-jointed substance of the scarecrow; but merely a spectral71 illusion, and a cunning effect of light and shade so colored and contrived72 as to delude73 the eyes of most men. The miracles of witchcraft seem always to have had a very shallow subtlety74; and, at least, if the above explanation do not hit the truth of the process, I can suggest no better.
“Well puffed, my pretty lad!” still cried old Mother Rigby. “Come, another good stout75 whiff, and let it be with might and main. Puff for thy life, I tell thee! Puff out of the very bottom of thy heart, if any heart thou hast, or any bottom to it! Well done, again! Thou didst suck in that mouthful as if for the pure love of it.”
And then the witch beckoned76 to the scarecrow, throwing so much magnetic potency77 into her gesture that it seemed as if it must inevitably78 be obeyed, like the mystic call of the loadstone when it summons the iron.
“Why lurkest thou in the corner, lazy one?” said she. “Step forth! Thou hast the world before thee!”
Upon my word, if the legend were not one which I heard on my grandmother’s knee, and which had established its place among things credible79 before my childish judgment80 could analyze81 its probability, I question whether I should have the face to tell it now.
In obedience82 to Mother Rigby’s word, and extending its arm as if to reach her outstretched hand, the figure made a step forward — a kind of hitch83 and jerk, however, rather than a step — then tottered84 and almost lost its balance. What could the witch expect? It was nothing, after all, but a scarecrow stuck upon two sticks. But the strong-willed old beldam scowled85, and beckoned, and flung the energy of her purpose so forcibly at this poor combination of rotten wood, and musty straw, and ragged87 garments, that it was compelled to show itself a man, in spite of the reality of things. So it stepped into the bar of sunshine. There it stood, poor devil of a contrivance that it was! — with only the thinnest vesture of human similitude about it, through which was evident the stiff, rickety, incongruous, faded, tattered, good-for-nothing patchwork88 of its substance, ready to sink in a heap upon the floor, as conscious of its own unworthiness to be erect89. Shall I confess the truth? At its present point of vivification, the scarecrow reminds me of some of the lukewarm and abortive90 characters, composed of heterogeneous91 materials, used for the thousandth time, and never worth using, with which romance writers (and myself, no doubt, among the rest) have so overpeopled the world of fiction.
But the fierce old hag began to get angry and show a glimpse of her diabolic nature (like a snake’s head, peeping with a hiss93 out of her bosom), at this pusillanimous94 behavior of the thing which she had taken the trouble to put together.
“Puff away, wretch95!” cried she, wrathfully. “Puff, puff, puff, thou thing of straw and emptiness! thou rag or two! thou meal bag! thou pumpkin head! thou nothing! Where shall I find a name vile96 enough to call thee by? Puff, I say, and suck in thy fantastic life with the smoke! else I snatch the pipe from thy mouth and hurl97 thee where that red coal came from.”
Thus threatened, the unhappy scarecrow had nothing for it but to puff away for dear life. As need was, therefore, it applied98 itself lustily to the pipe, and sent forth such abundant volleys of tobacco smoke that the small cottage kitchen became all vaporous. The one sunbeam struggled mistily100 through, and could but imperfectly define the image of the cracked and dusty window pane on the opposite wall. Mother Rigby, meanwhile, with one brown arm akimbo and the other stretched towards the figure, loomed102 grimly amid the obscurity with such port and expression as when she was wont103 to heave a ponderous104 nightmare on her victims and stand at the bedside to enjoy their agony. In fear and trembling did this poor scarecrow puff. But its efforts, it must be acknowledged, served an excellent purpose; for, with each successive whiff, the figure lost more and more of its dizzy and perplexing tenuity and seemed to take denser105 substance. Its very garments, moreover, partook of the magical change, and shone with the gloss106 of novelty and glistened107 with the skilfully108 embroidered gold that had long ago been rent away. And, half revealed among the smoke, a yellow visage bent109 its lustreless110 eyes on Mother Rigby.
At last the old witch clinched111 her fist and shook it at the figure. Not that she was positively112 angry, but merely acting113 on the principle — perhaps untrue, or not the only truth, though as high a one as Mother Rigby could be expected to attain114 — that feeble and torpid115 natures, being incapable116 of better inspiration, must be stirred up by fear. But here was the crisis. Should she fail in what she now sought to effect, it was her ruthless purpose to scatter117 the miserable118 simulacre into its original elements.
“Thou hast a man’s aspect,” said she, sternly. “Have also the echo and mockery of a voice! I bid thee speak!”
The scarecrow gasped119, struggled, and at length emitted a murmur120, which was so incorporated with its smoky breath that you could scarcely tell whether it were indeed a voice or only a whiff of tobacco. Some narrators of this legend hold the opinion that Mother Rigby’s conjurations and the fierceness of her will had compelled a familiar spirit into the figure, and that the voice was his.
“Mother,” mumbled121 the poor stifled122 voice, “be not so awful with me! I would fain speak; but being without wits, what can I say?”
“Thou canst speak, darling, canst thou?” cried Mother Rigby, relaxing her grim countenance into a smile. “And what shalt thou say, quoth-a! Say, indeed! Art thou of the brotherhood123 of the empty skull124, and demandest of me what thou shalt say? Thou shalt say a thousand things, and saying them a thousand times over, thou shalt still have said nothing! Be not afraid, I tell thee! When thou comest into the world (whither I purpose sending thee forthwith) thou shalt not lack the wherewithal to talk. Talk! Why, thou shall babble125 like a mill-stream, if thou wilt126. Thou hast brains enough for that, I trow!”
“At your service, mother,” responded the figure.
“And that was well said, my pretty one,” answered Mother Rigby. “Then thou speakest like thyself, and meant nothing. Thou shalt have a hundred such set phrases, and five hundred to the boot of them. And now, darling, I have taken so much pains with thee and thou art so beautiful, that, by my troth, I love thee better than any witch’s puppet in the world; and I’ve made them of all sorts — clay, wax, straw, sticks, night fog, morning mist, sea foam127, and chimney smoke. But thou art the very best. So give heed128 to what I say.”
“Yes, kind mother,” said the figure, “with all my heart!”
“With all thy heart!” cried the old witch, setting her hands to her sides and laughing loudly. “Thou hast such a pretty way of speaking. With all thy heart! And thou didst put thy hand to the left side of thy waistcoat as if thou really hadst one!”
So now, in high good humor with this fantastic contrivance of hers, Mother Rigby told the scarecrow that it must go and play its part in the great world, where not one man in a hundred, she affirmed, was gifted with more real substance than itself. And, that he might hold up his head with the best of them, she endowed him, on the spot, with an unreckonable amount of wealth. It consisted partly of a gold mine in Eldorado, and of ten thousand shares in a broken bubble, and of half a million acres of vineyard at the North Pole, and of a castle in the air, and a chateau129 in Spain, together with all the rents and income therefrom accruing130. She further made over to him the cargo131 of a certain ship, laden132 with salt of Cadiz, which she herself, by her necromantic133 arts, had caused to founder134, ten years before, in the deepest part of mid-ocean. If the salt were not dissolved, and could be brought to market, it would fetch a pretty penny among the fishermen. That he might not lack ready money, she gave him a copper135 farthing of Birmingham manufacture, being all the coin she had about her, and likewise a great deal of brass136, which she applied to his forehead, thus making it yellower than ever.
“With that brass alone,” quoth Mother Rigby, “thou canst pay thy way all over the earth. Kiss me, pretty darling! I have done my best for thee.”
Furthermore, that the adventurer might lack no possible advantage towards a fair start in life, this excellent old dame gave him a token by which he was to introduce himself to a certain magistrate137, member of the council, merchant, and elder of the church (the four capacities constituting but one man), who stood at the head of society in the neighboring metropolis138. The token was neither more nor less than a single word, which Mother Rigby whispered to the scarecrow, and which the scarecrow was to whisper to the merchant.
“Gouty as the old fellow is, he’ll run thy errands for thee, when once thou hast given him that word in his ear,” said the old witch. “Mother Rigby knows the worshipful Justice Gookin, and the worshipful Justice knows Mother Rigby!”
Here the witch thrust her wrinkled face close to the puppet’s, chuckling139 irrepressibly, and fidgeting all through her system, with delight at the idea which she meant to communicate.
“The worshipful Master Gookin,” whispered she, “hath a comely140 maiden141 to his daughter. And hark ye, my pet! Thou hast a fair outside, and a pretty wit enough of thine own. Yea, a pretty wit enough! Thou wilt think better of it when thou hast seen more of other people’s wits. Now, with thy outside and thy inside, thou art the very man to win a young girl’s heart. Never doubt it! I tell thee it shall be so. Put but a bold face on the matter, sigh, smile, flourish thy hat, thrust forth thy leg like a dancing-master, put thy right hand to the left side of thy waistcoat, and pretty Polly Gookin is thine own!”
All this while the new creature had been sucking in and exhaling142 the vapory fragrance143 of his pipe, and seemed now to continue this occupation as much for the enjoyment144 it afforded as because it was an essential condition of his existence. It was wonderful to see how exceedingly like a human being it behaved. Its eyes (for it appeared to possess a pair) were bent on Mother Rigby, and at suitable junctures145 it nodded or shook its head. Neither did it lack words proper for the occasion: “Really! Indeed! Pray tell me! Is it possible! Upon my word! By no means! Oh! Ah! Hem39!” and other such weighty utterances146 as imply attention, inquiry147, acquiescence148, or dissent149 on the part of the auditor150. Even had you stood by and seen the scarecrow made, you could scarcely have resisted the conviction that it perfectly101 understood the cunning counsels which the old witch poured into its counterfeit151 of an ear. The more earnestly it applied its lips to the pipe, the more distinctly was its human likeness stamped among visible realities, the more sagacious grew its expression, the more lifelike its gestures and movements, and the more intelligibly152 audible its voice. Its garments, too, glistened so much the brighter with an illusory magnificence. The very pipe, in which burned the spell of all this wonderwork, ceased to appear as a smoke-blackened earthen stump153, and became a meerschaum, with painted bowl and amber154 mouthpiece.
It might be apprehended155, however, that as the life of the illusion seemed identical with the vapor99 of the pipe, it would terminate simultaneously156 with the reduction of the tobacco to ashes. But the beldam foresaw the difficulty.
“Hold thou the pipe, my precious one,” said she, “while I fill it for thee again.
It was sorrowful to behold how the fine gentleman began to fade back into a scarecrow while Mother Rigby shook the ashes out of the pipe and proceeded to replenish157 it from her tobacco-box.
“Dickon,” cried she, in her high, sharp tone, “another coal for this pipe!”
No sooner said than the intensely red speck158 of fire was glowing within the pipe-bowl; and the scarecrow, without waiting for the witch’s bidding, applied the tube to his lips and drew in a few short, convulsive whiffs, which soon, however, became regular and equable.
“Now, mine own heart’s darling,” quoth Mother Rigby, “whatever may happen to thee, thou must stick to thy pipe. Thy life is in it; and that, at least, thou knowest well, if thou knowest nought159 besides. Stick to thy pipe, I say! Smoke, puff, blow thy cloud; and tell the people, if any question be made, that it is for thy health, and that so the physician orders thee to do. And, sweet one, when thou shalt find thy pipe getting low, go apart into some corner, and (first filling thyself with smoke) cry sharply, ‘Dickon, a fresh pipe of tobacco!’ and, ‘Dickon, another coal for my pipe!’ and have it into thy pretty mouth as speedily as may be. Else, instead of a gallant160 gentleman in a gold-laced coat, thou wilt be but a jumble161 of sticks and tattered clothes, and a bag of straw, and a withered pumpkin! Now depart, my treasure, and good luck go with thee!”
“Never fear, mother!” said the figure, in a stout voice, and sending forth a courageous162 whiff of smoke, “I will thrive, if an honest man and a gentleman may!”
“Oh, thou wilt be the death of me!” cried the old witch, convulsed with laughter. “That was well said. If an honest man and a gentleman may! Thou playest thy part to perfection. Get along with thee for a smart fellow; and I will wager163 on thy head, as a man of pith and substance, with a brain and what they call a heart, and all else that a man should have, against any other thing on two legs. I hold myself a better witch than yesterday, for thy sake. Did not I make thee? And I defy any witch in New England to make such another! Here; take my staff along with thee!”
The staff, though it was but a plain oaken stick, immediately took the aspect of a gold-headed cane164.
“That gold head has as much sense in it as thine own,” said Mother Rigby, “and it will guide thee straight to worshipful Master Gookin’s door. Get thee gone, my pretty pet, my darling, my precious one, my treasure; and if any ask thy name, it is Feathertop. For thou hast a feather in thy hat, and I have thrust a handful of feathers into the hollow of thy head, and thy wig, too, is of the fashion they call Feathertop — so be Feathertop thy name!”
And, issuing from the cottage, Feathertop strode manfully towards town. Mother Rigby stood at the threshold, well pleased to see how the sunbeams glistened on him, as if all his magnificence were real, and how diligently165 and lovingly he smoked his pipe, and how handsomely he walked, in spite of a little stiffness of his legs. She watched him until out of sight, and threw a witch benediction166 after her darling, when a turn of the road snatched him from her view.
Betimes in the forenoon, when the principal street of the neighboring town was just at its acme167 of life and bustle168, a stranger of very distinguished22 figure was seen on the sidewalk. His port as well as his garments betokened169 nothing short of nobility. He wore a richly-embroidered plum-colored coat, a waistcoat of costly170 velvet, magnificently adorned171 with golden foliage, a pair of splendid scarlet breeches, and the finest and glossiest172 of white silk stockings. His head was covered with a peruke, so daintily powdered and adjusted that it would have been sacrilege to disorder173 it with a hat; which, therefore (and it was a gold-laced hat, set off with a snowy feather), he carried beneath his arm. On the breast of his coat glistened a star. He managed his gold-headed cane with an airy grace, peculiar174 to the fine gentlemen of the period; and, to give the highest possible finish to his equipment, he had lace ruffles175 at his wrist, of a most ethereal delicacy176, sufficiently177 avouching178 how idle and aristocratic must be the hands which they half concealed179.
It was a remarkable point in the accoutrement of this brilliant personage that he held in his left hand a fantastic kind of a pipe, with an exquisitely180 painted bowl and an amber mouthpiece. This he applied to his lips as often as every five or six paces, and inhaled182 a deep whiff of smoke, which, after being retained a moment in his lungs, might be seen to eddy183 gracefully184 from his mouth and nostrils185.
As may well be supposed, the street was all astir to find out the stranger’s name.
“It is some great nobleman, beyond question,” said one of the townspeople. “Do you see the star at his breast?”
“Nay186; it is too bright to be seen,” said another. “Yes; he must needs be a nobleman, as you say. But by what conveyance187, think you, can his lordship have voyaged or travelled hither? There has been no vessel188 from the old country for a month past; and if he have arrived overland from the southward, pray where are his attendants and equipage?”
“He needs no equipage to set off his rank,” remarked a third. “If he came among us in rags, nobility would shine through a hole in his elbow. I never saw such dignity of aspect. He has the old Norman blood in his veins189, I warrant him.”
“I rather take him to be a Dutchman, or one of your high Germans,” said another citizen. “The men of those countries have always the pipe at their mouths.”
“And so has a Turk,” answered his companion. “But, in my judgment, this stranger hath been bred at the French court, and hath there learned politeness and grace of manner, which none understand so well as the nobility of France. That gait, now! A vulgar spectator might deem it stiff — he might call it a hitch and jerk — but, to my eye, it hath an unspeakable majesty190, and must have been acquired by constant observation of the deportment of the Grand Monarque. The stranger’s character and office are evident enough. He is a French ambassador, come to treat with our rulers about the cession191 of Canada.”
“More probably a Spaniard,” said another, “and hence his yellow complexion192; or, most likely, he is from the Havana, or from some port on the Spanish main, and comes to make investigation193 about the piracies194 which our government is thought to connive195 at. Those settlers in Peru and Mexico have skins as yellow as the gold which they dig out of their mines.”
“Yellow or not,” cried a lady, “he is a beautiful man! — so tall, so slender! such a fine, noble face, with so well-shaped a nose, and all that delicacy of expression about the mouth! And, bless me, how bright his star is! It positively shoots out flames!”
“So do your eyes, fair lady,” said the stranger, with a bow and a flourish of his pipe; for he was just passing at the instant. “Upon my honor, they have quite dazzled me.”
“Was ever so original and exquisite181 a compliment?” murmured the lady, in an ecstasy196 of delight.
Amid the general admiration excited by the stranger’s appearance, there were only two dissenting197 voices. One was that of an impertinent cur, which, after snuffing at the heels of the glistening198 figure, put its tail between its legs and skulked199 into its master’s back yard, vociferating an execrable howl. The other dissentient was a young child, who squalled at the fullest stretch of his lungs, and babbled200 some unintelligible201 nonsense about a pumpkin.
Feathertop meanwhile pursued his way along the street. Except for the few complimentary202 words to the lady, and now and then a slight inclination203 of the head in requital204 of the profound reverences205 of the bystanders, he seemed wholly absorbed in his pipe. There needed no other proof of his rank and consequence than the perfect equanimity207 with which he comported208 himself, while the curiosity and admiration of the town swelled209 almost into clamor around him. With a crowd gathering210 behind his footsteps, he finally reached the mansion-house of the worshipful Justice Gookin, entered the gate, ascended211 the steps of the front door, and knocked. In the interim212, before his summons was answered, the stranger was observed to shake the ashes out of his pipe.
“What did he say in that sharp voice?” inquired one of the spectators.
“Nay, I know not,” answered his friend. “But the sun dazzles my eyes strangely. How dim and faded his lordship looks all of a sudden! Bless my wits, what is the matter with me?”
“The wonder is,” said the other, “that his pipe, which was out only an instant ago, should be all alight again, and with the reddest coal I ever saw. There is something mysterious about this stranger. What a whiff of smoke was that! Dim and faded did you call him? Why, as he turns about the star on his breast is all ablaze213.”
“It is, indeed,” said his companion; “and it will go near to dazzle pretty Polly Gookin, whom I see peeping at it out of the chamber214 window.”
The door being now opened, Feathertop turned to the crowd, made a stately bend of his body like a great man acknowledging the reverence206 of the meaner sort, and vanished into the house. There was a mysterious kind of a smile, if it might not better be called a grin or grimace215, upon his visage; but, of all the throng216 that beheld217 him, not an individual appears to have possessed218 insight enough to detect the illusive219 character of the stranger except a little child and a cur dog.
Our legend here loses somewhat of its continuity, and, passing over the preliminary explanation between Feathertop and the merchant, goes in quest of the pretty Polly Gookin. She was a damsel of a soft, round figure, with light hair and blue eyes, and a fair, rosy220 face, which seemed neither very shrewd nor very simple. This young lady had caught a glimpse of the glistening stranger while standing221 on the threshold, and had forthwith put on a laced cap, a string of beads222, her finest kerchief, and her stiffest damask petticoat in preparation for the interview. Hurrying from her chamber to the parlor223, she had ever since been viewing herself in the large looking-glass and practising pretty airs-now a smile, now a ceremonious dignity of aspect, and now a softer smile than the former, kissing her hand likewise, tossing her head, and managing her fan; while within the mirror an unsubstantial little maid repeated every gesture and did all the foolish things that Polly did, but without making her ashamed of them. In short, it was the fault of pretty Polly’s ability rather than her will if she failed to be as complete an artifice224 as the illustrious Feathertop himself; and, when she thus tampered225 with her own simplicity226, the witch’s phantom227 might well hope to win her.
No sooner did Polly hear her father’s gouty footsteps approaching the parlor door, accompanied with the stiff clatter228 of Feathertop’s high-heeled shoes, than she seated herself bolt upright and innocently began warbling a song.
“Polly! daughter Polly!” cried the old merchant. “Come hither, child.”
Master Gookin’s aspect, as he opened the door, was doubtful and troubled.
“This gentleman,” continued he, presenting the stranger, “is the Chevalier Feathertop — nay, I beg his pardon, my Lord Feathertop, — who hath brought me a token of remembrance from an ancient friend of mine. Pay your duty to his lordship, child, and honor him as his quality deserves.”
After these few words of introduction, the worshipful magistrate immediately quitted the room. But, even in that brief moment, had the fair Polly glanced aside at her father instead of devoting herself wholly to the brilliant guest, she might have taken warning of some mischief229 nigh at hand. The old man was nervous, fidgety, and very pale. Purposing a smile of courtesy, he had deformed230 his face with a sort of galvanic grin, which, when Feathertop’s back was turned, he exchanged for a scowl86, at the same time shaking his fist and stamping his gouty foot — an incivility which brought its retribution along with it. The truth appears to have been that Mother Rigby’s word of introduction, whatever it might be, had operated far more on the rich merchant’s fears than on his good will. Moreover, being a man of wonderfully acute observation, he had noticed that these painted figures on the bowl of Feathertop’s pipe were in motion. Looking more closely he became convinced that these figures were a party of little demons231, each duly provided with horns and a tail, and dancing hand in hand, with gestures of diabolical232 merriment, round the circumference233 of the pipe bowl. As if to confirm his suspicions, while Master Gookin ushered234 his guest along a dusky passage from his private room to the parlor, the star on Feathertop’s breast had scintillated235 actual flames, and threw a flickering236 gleam upon the wall, the ceiling, and the floor.
With such sinister237 prognostics manifesting themselves on all hands, it is not to be marvelled238 at that the merchant should have felt that he was committing his daughter to a very questionable239 acquaintance. He cursed, in his secret soul, the insinuating240 elegance241 of Feathertop’s manners, as this brilliant personage bowed, smiled, put his hand on his heart, inhaled a long whiff from his pipe, and enriched the atmosphere with the smoky vapor of a fragrant242 and visible sigh. Gladly would poor Master Gookin have thrust his dangerous guest into the street; but there was a constraint243 and terror within him. This respectable old gentleman, we fear, at an earlier period of life, had given some pledge or other to the evil principle, and perhaps was now to redeem244 it by the sacrifice of his daughter.
It so happened that the parlor door was partly of glass, shaded by a silken curtain, the folds of which hung a little awry245. So strong was the merchant’s interest in witnessing what was to ensue between the fair Polly and the gallant Feathertop that, after quitting the room, he could by no means refrain from peeping through the crevice of the curtain.
But there was nothing very miraculous246 to be seen; nothing — except the trifles previously247 noticed — to confirm the idea of a supernatural peril248 environing the pretty Polly. The stranger it is true was evidently a thorough and practised man of the world, systematic249 and self-possessed, and therefore the sort of a person to whom a parent ought not to confide250 a simple, young girl without due watchfulness251 for the result. The worthy252 magistrate who had been conversant253 with all degrees and qualities of mankind, could not but perceive every motion and gesture of the distinguished Feathertop came in its proper place; nothing had been left rude or native in him; a well-digested conventionalism had incorporated itself thoroughly254 with his substance and transformed him into a work of art. Perhaps it was this peculiarity255 that invested him with a species of ghastliness and awe256. It is the effect of anything completely and consummately257 artificial, in human shape, that the person impresses us as an unreality and as having hardly pith enough to cast a shadow upon the floor. As regarded Feathertop, all this resulted in a wild, extravagant258, and fantastical impression, as if his life and being were akin6 to the smoke that curled upward from his pipe.
But pretty Polly Gookin felt not thus. The pair were now promenading259 the room: Feathertop with his dainty stride and no less dainty grimace, the girl with a native maidenly260 grace, just touched, not spoiled, by a slightly affected261 manner, which seemed caught from the perfect artifice of her companion. The longer the interview continued, the more charmed was pretty Polly, until, within the first quarter of an hour (as the old magistrate noted262 by his watch), she was evidently beginning to be in love. Nor need it have been witchcraft that subdued263 her in such a hurry; the poor child’s heart, it may be, was so very fervent264 that it melted her with its own warmth as reflected from the hollow semblance of a lover. No matter what Feathertop said, his words found depth and reverberation265 in her ear; no matter what he did, his action was heroic to her eye. And by this time it is to be supposed there was a blush on Polly’s cheek, a tender smile about her mouth and a liquid softness in her glance; while the star kept coruscating266 on Feathertop’s breast, and the little demons careered with more frantic267 merriment than ever about the circumference of his pipe bowl. O pretty Polly Gookin, why should these imps92 rejoice so madly that a silly maiden’s heart was about to be given to a shadow! Is it so unusual a misfortune, so rare a triumph?
By and by Feathertop paused, and throwing himself into an imposing268 attitude, seemed to summon the fair girl to survey his figure and resist him longer if she could. His star, his embroidery, his buckles269 glowed at that instant with unutterable splendor270; the picturesque271 hues272 of his attire273 took a richer depth of coloring; there was a gleam and polish over his whole presence betokening274 the perfect witchery of well-ordered manners. The maiden raised her eyes and suffered them to linger upon her companion with a bashful and admiring gaze. Then, as if desirous of judging what value her own simple comeliness275 might have side by side with so much brilliancy, she cast a glance towards the full-length looking-glass in front of which they happened to be standing. It was one of the truest plates in the world and incapable of flattery. No sooner did the images therein reflected meet Polly’s eye than she shrieked276, shrank from the stranger’s side, gazed at him for a moment in the wildest dismay, and sank insensible upon the floor. Feathertop likewise had looked towards the mirror, and there beheld, not the glittering mockery of his outside show, but a picture of the sordid patchwork of his real composition stripped of all witchcraft.
The wretched simulacrum! We almost pity him. He threw up his arms with an expression of despair that went further than any of his previous manifestations277 towards vindicating278 his claims to be reckoned human, for perchance the only time since this so often empty and deceptive279 life of mortals began its course, an illusion had seen and fully48 recognized itself.
Mother Rigby was seated by her kitchen hearth in the twilight280 of this eventful day, and had just shaken the ashes out of a new pipe, when she heard a hurried tramp along the road. Yet it did not seem so much the tramp of human footsteps as the clatter of sticks or the rattling281 of dry bones.
“Ha!” thought the old witch, “what step is that? Whose skeleton is out of its grave now, I wonder?”
A figure burst headlong into the cottage door. It was Feathertop! His pipe was still alight; the star still flamed upon his breast; the embroidery still glowed upon his garments; nor had he lost, in any degree or manner that could be estimated, the aspect that assimilated him with our mortal brotherhood. But yet, in some indescribable way (as is the case with all that has deluded282 us when once found out), the poor reality was felt beneath the cunning artifice.
“What has gone wrong?” demanded the witch. “Did yonder sniffling hypocrite thrust my darling from his door? The villain283! I’ll set twenty fiends to torment284 him till he offer thee his daughter on his bended knees!”
“No, mother,” said Feathertop despondingly; “it was not that.”
“Did the girl scorn my precious one?” asked Mother Rigby, her fierce eyes glowing like two coals of Tophet. “I’ll cover her face with pimples285! Her nose shall be as red as the coal in thy pipe! Her front teeth shall drop out! In a week hence she shall not be worth thy having!”
“Let her alone, mother,” answered poor Feathertop; “the girl was half won; and methinks a kiss from her sweet lips might have made me altogether human. But,” he added, after a brief pause and then a howl of self-contempt, “I’ve seen myself, mother! I’ve seen myself for the wretched, ragged, empty thing I am! I’ll exist no longer!”
Snatching the pipe from his mouth, he flung it with all his might against the chimney, and at the same instant sank upon the floor, a medley286 of straw and tattered garments, with some sticks protruding287 from the heap, and a shrivelled pumpkin in the midst. The eyeholes were now lustreless; but the rudely-carved gap, that just before had been a mouth still seemed to twist itself into a despairing grin, and was so far human.
“Poor fellow!” quoth Mother Rigby, with a rueful glance at the relics of her ill-fated contrivance. “My poor, dear, pretty Feathertop! There are thousands upon thousands of coxcombs and charlatans288 in the world, made up of just such a jumble of wornout, forgotten, and good-for-nothing trash as he was! Yet they live in fair repute, and never see themselves for what they are. And why should my poor puppet be the only one to know himself and perish for it?”
While thus muttering, the witch had filled a fresh pipe of tobacco, and held the stem between her fingers, as doubtful whether to thrust it into her own mouth or Feathertop’s.
“Poor Feathertop!” she continued. “I could easily give him another chance and send him forth again tomorrow. But no; his feelings are too tender, his sensibilities too deep. He seems to have too much heart to bustle for his own advantage in such an empty and heartless world. Well! well! I’ll make a scarecrow of him after all. ’Tis an innocent and useful vocation289, and will suit my darling well; and, if each of his human brethren had as fit a one, ‘t would be the better for mankind; and as for this pipe of tobacco, I need it more than he.”
So saying Mother Rigby put the stem between her lips. “Dickon!” cried she, in her high, sharp tone, “another coal for my pipe!”
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收听单词发音
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1
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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2
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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3
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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akin
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| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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10
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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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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13
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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14
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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15
enumerate
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| v.列举，计算，枚举，数 | |
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16
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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spinal
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| adj.针的，尖刺的，尖刺状突起的；adj.脊骨的，脊髓的 | |
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backbone
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| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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flail
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| v.用连枷打；击打；n.连枷（脱粒用的工具） | |
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wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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23
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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pumpkin
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| n.南瓜 | |
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slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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27
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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29
cuffs
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| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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lamentably
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| adv.哀伤地，拙劣地 | |
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tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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34
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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wig
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| n.假发 | |
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42
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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43
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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47
witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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48
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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49
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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50
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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51
pane
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| n.窗格玻璃，长方块 | |
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52
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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53
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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54
dabble
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| v.涉足，浅赏 | |
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55
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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56
crevice
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| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
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57
exhortation
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| n.劝告，规劝 | |
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58
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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59
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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60
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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63
exhaled
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| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的过去式和过去分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
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64
eddied
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| 起漩涡，旋转( eddy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
motes
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| n.尘埃( mote的名词复数 )；斑点 | |
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66
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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67
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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69
pry
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| vi.窥(刺)探，打听；vt.撬动(开，起) | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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72
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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73
delude
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| vt.欺骗；哄骗 | |
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74
subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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76
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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77
potency
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| n. 效力，潜能 | |
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inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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79
credible
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| adj.可信任的，可靠的 | |
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80
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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81
analyze
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| vt.分析，解析 (=analyse) | |
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82
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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83
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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84
tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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85
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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87
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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88
patchwork
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| n.混杂物；拼缝物 | |
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89
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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90
abortive
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| adj.不成功的，发育不全的 | |
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91
heterogeneous
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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92
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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93
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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94
pusillanimous
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| adj.懦弱的，胆怯的 | |
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95
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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96
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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97
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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98
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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99
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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100
mistily
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| adv.有雾地，朦胧地，不清楚地 | |
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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
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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103
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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104
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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105
denser
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| adj. 不易看透的, 密集的, 浓厚的, 愚钝的 | |
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106
gloss
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| n.光泽，光滑；虚饰；注释；vt.加光泽于；掩饰 | |
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107
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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108
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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109
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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110
lustreless
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| adj.无光泽的，无光彩的，平淡乏味的 | |
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111
clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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112
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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113
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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114
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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115
torpid
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| adj.麻痹的，麻木的，迟钝的 | |
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116
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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117
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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118
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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119
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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120
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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121
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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123
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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124
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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125
babble
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| v.含糊不清地说，胡言乱语地说，儿语 | |
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126
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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127
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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128
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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129
chateau
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| n.城堡，别墅 | |
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130
accruing
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| v.增加( accrue的现在分词 )；（通过自然增长）产生；获得；（使钱款、债务）积累 | |
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131
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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132
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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133
necromantic
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| 降神术的，妖术的 | |
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134
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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135
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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136
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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137
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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138
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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139
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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140
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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141
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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142
exhaling
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| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的现在分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
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143
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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144
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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145
junctures
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| n.时刻，关键时刻( juncture的名词复数 )；接合点 | |
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146
utterances
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| n.发声( utterance的名词复数 )；说话方式；语调；言论 | |
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147
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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148
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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149
dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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150
auditor
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| n.审计员，旁听着 | |
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151
counterfeit
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| vt.伪造，仿造；adj.伪造的，假冒的 | |
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152
intelligibly
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| adv.可理解地，明了地，清晰地 | |
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153
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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154
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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155
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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156
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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157
replenish
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| vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满 | |
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158
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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159
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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160
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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161
jumble
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| vt.使混乱，混杂；n.混乱；杂乱的一堆 | |
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162
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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163
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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164
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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165
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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166
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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167
acme
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| n.顶点，极点 | |
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168
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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169
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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171
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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172
glossiest
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| 光滑的( glossy的最高级 )； 虚有其表的； 浮华的 | |
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173
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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174
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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175
ruffles
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| 褶裥花边( ruffle的名词复数 ) | |
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176
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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177
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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178
avouching
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| v.保证，断言，承认( avouch的现在分词 ) | |
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179
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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180
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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181
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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182
inhaled
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| v.吸入( inhale的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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183
eddy
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| n.漩涡，涡流 | |
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184
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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185
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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186
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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187
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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188
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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189
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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190
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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191
cession
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| n.割让，转让 | |
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192
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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193
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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194
piracies
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| n.海上抢劫( piracy的名词复数 )；盗版行为，非法复制 | |
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195
connive
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| v.纵容；密谋 | |
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196
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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197
dissenting
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| adj.不同意的 | |
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198
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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199
skulked
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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200
babbled
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| v.喋喋不休( babble的过去式和过去分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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201
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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202
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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203
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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204
requital
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| n.酬劳；报复 | |
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205
reverences
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| n.尊敬，崇敬( reverence的名词复数 )；敬礼 | |
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206
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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207
equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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208
comported
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| v.表现( comport的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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209
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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210
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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211
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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212
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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213
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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214
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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215
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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216
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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217
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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218
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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219
illusive
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| adj.迷惑人的，错觉的 | |
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220
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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221
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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222
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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223
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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224
artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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225
tampered
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| v.窜改( tamper的过去式 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
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226
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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227
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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228
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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229
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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230
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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231
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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232
diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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233
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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234
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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235
scintillated
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| v.（言谈举止中）焕发才智( scintillate的过去式和过去分词 )；谈笑洒脱；闪耀；闪烁 | |
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236
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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237
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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238
marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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239
questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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240
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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241
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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242
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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243
constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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244
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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245
awry
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| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
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246
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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247
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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248
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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249
systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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250
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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251
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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252
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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253
conversant
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| adj.亲近的，有交情的，熟悉的 | |
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254
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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255
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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256
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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257
consummately
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| adv.完成地，至上地 | |
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258
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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259
promenading
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| v.兜风( promenade的现在分词 ) | |
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260
maidenly
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| adj. 像处女的, 谨慎的, 稳静的 | |
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261
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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262
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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263
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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264
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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265
reverberation
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| 反响； 回响； 反射； 反射物 | |
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266
coruscating
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| v.闪光，闪烁( coruscate的现在分词 ) | |
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267
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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268
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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269
buckles
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| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
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270
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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271
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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272
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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273
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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274
betokening
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的现在分词 ) | |
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275
comeliness
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| n. 清秀, 美丽, 合宜 | |
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276
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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277
manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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278
vindicating
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| v.澄清（某人/某事物）受到的责难或嫌疑( vindicate的现在分词 )；表明或证明（所争辩的事物）属实、正当、有效等；维护 | |
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279
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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280
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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281
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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282
deluded
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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283
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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284
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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285
pimples
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| n.丘疹，粉刺，小脓疱( pimple的名词复数 ) | |
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286
medley
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| n.混合 | |
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287
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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288
charlatans
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| n.冒充内行者，骗子( charlatan的名词复数 ) | |
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289
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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