It was near nine o’clock of a moonlight evening, when a boat crossed the ferry with a single passenger, who had obtained his conveyance15 at that unusual hour by the promise of an extra fare. While he stood on the landing-place, searching in either pocket for the means of fulfilling his agreement, the ferryman lifted a lantern, by the aid of which, and the newly risen moon, he took a very accurate survey of the stranger’s figure. He was a youth of barely eighteen years, evidently country-bred, and now, as it should seem, upon his first visit to town. He was clad in a coarse gray coat, well worn, but in excellent repair; his under garments were durably17 constructed of leather, and fitted tight to a pair of serviceable and well-shaped limbs; his stockings of blue yarn19 were the incontrovertible work of a mother or a sister; and on his head was a three-cornered hat, which in its better days had perhaps sheltered the graver brow of the lad’s father. Under his left arm was a heavy cudgel formed of an oak sapling, and retaining a part of the hardened root; and his equipment was completed by a wallet, not so abundantly stocked as to incommode the vigorous shoulders on which it hung. Brown, curly hair, well-shaped features, and bright, cheerful eyes were nature’s gifts, and worth all that art could have done for his adornment20.
The youth, one of whose names was Robin21, finally drew from his pocket the half of a little province bill of five shillings, which, in the depreciation22 in that sort of currency, did but satisfy the ferryman’s demand, with the surplus of a sexangular piece of parchment, valued at three pence. He then walked forward into the town, with as light a step as if his day’s journey had not already exceeded thirty miles, and with as eager an eye as if he were entering London city, instead of the little metropolis23 of a New England colony. Before Robin had proceeded far, however, it occurred to him that he knew not whither to direct his steps; so he paused, and looked up and down the narrow street, scrutinizing24 the small and mean wooden buildings that were scattered25 on either side.
“This low hovel cannot be my kinsman26’s dwelling27,” thought he, “nor yonder old house, where the moonlight enters at the broken casement28; and truly I see none hereabouts that might be worthy29 of him. It would have been wise to inquire my way of the ferryman, and doubtless he would have gone with me, and earned a shilling from the Major for his pains. But the next man I meet will do as well.”
He resumed his walk, and was glad to perceive that the street now became wider, and the houses more respectable in their appearance. He soon discerned a figure moving on moderately in advance, and hastened his steps to overtake it. As Robin drew nigh, he saw that the passenger was a man in years, with a full periwig of gray hair, a wide-skirted coat of dark cloth, and silk stockings rolled above his knees. He carried a long and polished cane31, which he struck down perpendicularly32 before him at every step; and at regular intervals he uttered two successive hems6, of a peculiarly solemn and sepulchral33 intonation34. Having made these observations, Robin laid hold of the skirt of the old man’s coat just when the light from the open door and windows of a barber’s shop fell upon both their figures.
“Good evening to you, honored sir,” said he, making a low bow, and still retaining his hold of the skirt. “I pray you tell me whereabouts is the dwelling of my kinsman, Major Molineux.”
The youth’s question was uttered very loudly; and one of the barbers, whose razor was descending35 on a well-soaped chin, and another who was dressing36 a Ramillies wig30, left their occupations, and came to the door. The citizen, in the mean time, turned a long-favored countenance37 upon Robin, and answered him in a tone of excessive anger and annoyance38. His two sepulchral hems, however, broke into the very centre of his rebuke39, with most singular effect, like a thought of the cold grave obtruding40 among wrathful passions.
“Let go my garment, fellow! I tell you, I know not the man you speak of. What! I have authority, I have — hem5, hem — authority; and if this be the respect you show for your betters, your feet shall be brought acquainted with the stocks by daylight, tomorrow morning!”
Robin released the old man’s skirt, and hastened away, pursued by an ill-mannered roar of laughter from the barber’s shop. He was at first considerably42 surprised by the result of his question, but, being a shrewd youth, soon thought himself able to account for the mystery.
“This is some country representative,” was his conclusion, “who has never seen the inside of my kinsman’s door, and lacks the breeding to answer a stranger civilly. The man is old, or verily — I might be tempted43 to turn back and smite44 him on the nose. Ah, Robin, Robin! even the barber’s boys laugh at you for choosing such a guide! You will be wiser in time, friend Robin.”
He now became entangled45 in a succession of crooked46 and narrow streets, which crossed each other, and meandered47 at no great distance from the water-side. The smell of tar48 was obvious to his nostrils49, the masts of vessels50 pierced the moonlight above the tops of the buildings, and the numerous signs, which Robin paused to read, informed him that he was near the centre of business. But the streets were empty, the shops were closed, and lights were visible only in the second stories of a few dwelling-houses. At length, on the corner of a narrow lane, through which he was passing, he beheld51 the broad countenance of a British hero swinging before the door of an inn, whence proceeded the voices of many guests. The casement of one of the lower windows was thrown back, and a very thin curtain permitted Robin to distinguish a party at supper, round a well-furnished table. The fragrance52 of the good cheer steamed forth53 into the outer air, and the youth could not fail to recollect54 that the last remnant of his travelling stock of provision had yielded to his morning appetite, and that noon had found and left him dinnerless.
“Oh, that a parchment three-penny might give me a right to sit down at yonder table!” said Robin, with a sigh. “But the Major will make me welcome to the best of his victuals55; so I will even step boldly in, and inquire my way to his dwelling.”
He entered the tavern56, and was guided by the murmur57 of voices and the fumes58 of tobacco to the public-room. It was a long and low apartment, with oaken walls, grown dark in the continual smoke, and a floor which was thickly sanded, but of no immaculate purity. A number of persons — the larger part of whom appeared to be mariners59, or in some way connected with the sea — occupied the wooden benches, or leatherbottomed chairs, conversing60 on various matters, and occasionally lending their attention to some topic of general interest. Three or four little groups were draining as many bowls of punch, which the West India trade had long since made a familiar drink in the colony. Others, who had the appearance of men who lived by regular and laborious61 handicraft, preferred the insulated bliss62 of an unshared potation, and became more taciturn under its influence. Nearly all, in short, evinced a predilection63 for the Good Creature in some of its various shapes, for this is a vice18 to which, as Fast Day sermons of a hundred years ago will testify, we have a long hereditary64 claim. The only guests to whom Robin’s sympathies inclined him were two or three sheepish countrymen, who were using the inn somewhat after the fashion of a Turkish caravansary; they had gotten themselves into the darkest corner of the room, and heedless of the Nicotian atmosphere, were supping on the bread of their own ovens, and the bacon cured in their own chimney-smoke. But though Robin felt a sort of brotherhood65 with these strangers, his eyes were attracted from them to a person who stood near the door, holding whispered conversation with a group of ill-dressed associates. His features were separately striking almost to grotesqueness66, and the whole face left a deep impression on the memory. The forehead bulged67 out into a double prominence68, with a vale between; the nose came boldly forth in an irregular curve, and its bridge was of more than a finger’s breadth; the eyebrows69 were deep and shaggy, and the eyes glowed beneath them like fire in a cave.
While Robin deliberated of whom to inquire respecting his kinsman’s dwelling, he was accosted70 by the innkeeper, a little man in a stained white apron71, who had come to pay his professional welcome to the stranger. Being in the second generation from a French Protestant, he seemed to have inherited the courtesy of his parent nation; but no variety of circumstances was ever known to change his voice from the one shrill72 note in which he now addressed Robin.
“From the country, I presume, sir?” said he, with a profound bow. “Beg leave to congratulate you on your arrival, and trust you intend a long stay with us. Fine town here, sir, beautiful buildings, and much that may interest a stranger. May I hope for the honor of your commands in respect to supper?”
“The man sees a family likeness73! the rogue74 has guessed that I am related to the Major!” thought Robin, who had hitherto experienced little superfluous75 civility.
All eyes were now turned on the country lad, standing76 at the door, in his worn three-cornered hat, gray coat, leather breeches, and blue yarn stockings, leaning on an oaken cudgel, and bearing a wallet on his back.
Robin replied to the courteous77 innkeeper, with such an assumption of confidence as befitted the Major’s relative. “My honest friend,” he said, “I shall make it a point to patronize your house on some occasion, when”— here he could not help lowering his voice —“when I may have more than a parchment three-pence in my pocket. My present business,” continued he, speaking with lofty confidence, “is merely to inquire my way to the dwelling of my kinsman, Major Molineux.”
There was a sudden and general movement in the room, which Robin interpreted as expressing the eagerness of each individual to become his guide. But the innkeeper turned his eyes to a written paper on the wall, which he read, or seemed to read, with occasional recurrences78 to the young man’s figure.
“What have we here?” said he, breaking his speech into little dry fragments. “ ‘Left the house of the subscriber79, bounden servant, Hezekiah Mudge — had on, when he went away, gray coat, leather breeches, master’s third-best hat. One pound currency reward to whosoever shall lodge80 him in any jail of the providence81.’ Better trudge82, boy; better trudge!”
Robin had begun to draw his hand towards the lighter83 end of the oak cudgel, but a strange hostility84 in every countenance induced him to relinquish85 his purpose of breaking the courteous innkeeper’s head. As he turned to leave the room, he encountered a sneering86 glance from the bold-featured personage whom he had before noticed; and no sooner was he beyond the door, than he heard a general laugh, in which the innkeeper’s voice might be distinguished87, like the dropping of small stones into a kettle.
“Now, is it not strange,” thought Robin, with his usual shrewdness, “is it not strange that the confession88 of an empty pocket should outweigh89 the name of my kinsman, Major Molineux? Oh, if I had one of those grinning rascals90 in the woods, where I and my oak sapling grew up together, I would teach him that my arm is heavy though my purse be light!”
On turning the corner of the narrow lane, Robin found himself in a spacious91 street, with an unbroken line of lofty houses on each side, and a steepled building at the upper end, whence the ringing of a bell announced the hour of nine. The light of the moon, and the lamps from the numerous shop-windows, discovered people promenading92 on the pavement, and amongst them Robin had hoped to recognize his hitherto inscrutable relative. The result of his former inquiries93 made him unwilling94 to hazard another, in a scene of such publicity95, and he determined96 to walk slowly and silently up the street, thrusting his face close to that of every elderly gentleman, in search of the Major’s lineaments. In his progress, Robin encountered many gay and gallant97 figures. Embroidered98 garments of showy colors, enormous periwigs, gold-laced hats, and silver-hilted swords glided99 past him and dazzled his optics. Travelled youths, imitators of the European fine gentlemen of the period, trod jauntily101 along, half dancing to the fashionable tunes102 which they hummed, and making poor Robin ashamed of his quiet and natural gait. At length, after many pauses to examine the gorgeous display of goods in the shop-windows, and after suffering some rebukes103 for the impertinence of his scrutiny into people’s faces, the Major’s kinsman found himself near the steepled building, still unsuccessful in his search. As yet, however, he had seen only one side of the thronged105 street; so Robin crossed, and continued the same sort of inquisition down the opposite pavement, with stronger hopes than the philosopher seeking an honest man, but with no better fortune. He had arrived about midway towards the lower end, from which his course began, when he overheard the approach of some one who struck down a cane on the flag-stones at every step, uttering at regular intervals, two sepulchral hems.
“Mercy on us!” quoth Robin, recognizing the sound.
Turning a corner, which chanced to be close at his right hand, he hastened to pursue his researches in some other part of the town. His patience now was wearing low, and he seemed to feel more fatigue106 from his rambles107 since he crossed the ferry, than from his journey of several days on the other side. Hunger also pleaded loudly within him, and Robin began to balance the propriety108 of demanding, violently, and with lifted cudgel, the necessary guidance from the first solitary109 passenger whom he should meet. While a resolution to this effect was gaining strength, he entered a street of mean appearance, on either side of which a row of ill-built houses was straggling towards the harbor. The moonlight fell upon no passenger along the whole extent, but in the third domicile which Robin passed there was a half-opened door, and his keen glance detected a woman’s garment within.
“My luck may be better here,” said he to himself.
Accordingly, he approached the doors and beheld it shut closer as he did so; yet an open space remained, sufficing for the fair occupant to observe the stranger, without a corresponding display on her part. All that Robin could discern was a strip of scarlet110 petticoat, and the occasional sparkle of an eye, as if the moonbeams were trembling on some bright thing.
“Pretty mistress,” for I may call her so with a good conscience thought the shrewd youth, since I know nothing to the contrary — “my sweet pretty mistress, will you be kind enough to tell me whereabouts I must seek the dwelling of my kinsman, Major Molineux?”
Robin’s voice was plaintive111 and winning, and the female, seeing nothing to be shunned112 in the handsome country youth, thrust open the door, and came forth into the moonlight. She was a dainty little figure with a white neck, round arms, and a slender waist, at the extremity113 of which her scarlet petticoat jutted114 out over a hoop115, as if she were standing in a balloon. Moreover, her face was oval and pretty, her hair dark beneath the little cap, and her bright eyes possessed116 a sly freedom, which triumphed over those of Robin.
“Major Molineux dwells here,” said this fair woman.
Now, her voice was the sweetest Robin had heard that night, yet he could not help doubting whether that sweet voice spoke117 Gospel truth. He looked up and down the mean street, and then surveyed the house before which they stood. It was a small, dark edifice118 of two stories, the second of which projected over the lower floor, and the front apartment had the aspect of a shop for petty commodities.
“Now, truly, I am in luck,” replied Robin, cunningly, “and so indeed is my kinsman, the Major, in having so pretty a housekeeper119. But I prithee trouble him to step to the door; I will deliver him a message from his friends in the country, and then go back to my lodgings120 at the inn.”
“Nay, the Major has been abed this hour or more,” said the lady of the scarlet petticoat; “and it would be to little purpose to disturb him to-night, seeing his evening draught121 was of the strongest. But he is a kind-hearted man, and it would be as much as my life’s worth to let a kinsman of his turn away from the door. You are the good old gentleman’s very picture, and I could swear that was his rainy-weather hat. Also he has garments very much resembling those leather small-clothes. But come in, I pray, for I bid you hearty122 welcome in his name.”
So saying, the fair and hospitable123 dame124 took our hero by the hand; and the touch was light, and the force was gentleness, and though Robin read in her eyes what he did not hear in her words, yet the slender-waisted woman in the scarlet petticoat proved stronger than the athletic125 country youth. She had drawn126 his half-willing footsteps nearly to the threshold, when the opening of a door in the neighborhood startled the Major’s housekeeper, and, leaving the Major’s kinsman, she vanished speedily into her own domicile. A heavy yawn preceded the appearance of a man, who, like the Moonshine of Pyramus and Thisbe, carried a lantern, needlessly aiding his sister luminary127 in the heavens. As he walked sleepily up the street, he turned his broad, dull face on Robin, and displayed a long staff, spiked128 at the end.
“Home, vagabond, home!” said the watchman, in accents that seemed to fall asleep as soon as they were uttered. “Home, or we’ll set you in the stocks by peep of day!”
“This is the second hint of the kind,” thought Robin. “I wish they would end my difficulties, by setting me there to-night.”
Nevertheless, the youth felt an instinctive129 antipathy130 towards the guardian131 of midnight order, which at first prevented him from asking his usual question. But just when the man was about to vanish behind the corner, Robin resolved not to lose the opportunity, and shouted lustily after him, “I say, friend! will you guide me to the house of my kinsman, Major Molineux?”
The watchman made no reply, but turned the corner and was gone; yet Robin seemed to hear the sound of drowsy132 laughter stealing along the solitary street. At that moment, also, a pleasant titter saluted133 him from the open window above his head; he looked up, and caught the sparkle of a saucy134 eye; a round arm beckoned135 to him, and next he heard light footsteps descending the staircase within. But Robin, being of the household of a New England clergyman, was a good youth, as well as a shrewd one; so he resisted temptation, and fled away.
He now roamed desperately136, and at random137, through the town, almost ready to believe that a spell was on him, like that by which a wizard of his country had once kept three pursuers wandering, a whole winter night, within twenty paces of the cottage which they sought. The streets lay before him, strange and desolate138, and the lights were extinguished in almost every house. Twice, however, little parties of men, among whom Robin distinguished individuals in outlandish attire139, came hurrying along; but, though on both occasions, they paused to address him such intercourse140 did not at all enlighten his perplexity. They did but utter a few words in some language of which Robin knew nothing, and perceiving his inability to answer, bestowed141 a curse upon him in plain English and hastened away. Finally, the lad determined to knock at the door of every mansion142 that might appear worthy to be occupied by his kinsman, trusting that perseverance143 would overcome the fatality144 that had hitherto thwarted145 him. Firm in this resolve, he was passing beneath the walls of a church, which formed the corner of two streets, when, as he turned into the shade of its steeple, he encountered a bulky stranger muffled146 in a cloak. The man was proceeding147 with the speed of earnest business, but Robin planted himself full before him, holding the oak cudgel with both hands across his body as a bar to further passage
“Halt, honest man, and answer me a question,” said he, very resolutely148. “Tell me, this instant, whereabouts is the dwelling of my kinsman, Major Molineux!”
“Keep your tongue between your teeth, fool, and let me pass!” said a deep, gruff voice, which Robin partly remembered. “Let me pass, or I’ll strike you to the earth!”
“No, no, neighbor!” cried Robin, flourishing his cudgel, and then thrusting its larger end close to the man’s muffled face. “No, no, I’m not the fool you take me for, nor do you pass till I have an answer to my question. Whereabouts is the dwelling of my kinsman, Major Molineux?” The stranger, instead of attempting to force his passage, stepped back into the moonlight, unmuffled his face, and stared full into that of Robin.
“Watch here an hour, and Major Molineux will pass by,” said he.
Robin gazed with dismay and astonishment149 on the unprecedented150 physiognomy of the speaker. The forehead with its double prominence the broad hooked nose, the shaggy eyebrows, and fiery151 eyes were those which he had noticed at the inn, but the man’s complexion152 had undergone a singular, or, more properly, a twofold change. One side of the face blazed an intense red, while the other was black as midnight, the division line being in the broad bridge of the nose; and a mouth which seemed to extend from ear to ear was black or red, in contrast to the color of the cheek. The effect was as if two individual devils, a fiend of fire and a fiend of darkness, had united themselves to form this infernal visage. The stranger grinned in Robin’s face, muffled his party-colored features, and was out of sight in a moment.
“Strange things we travellers see!” ejaculated Robin.
He seated himself, however, upon the steps of the church-door, resolving to wait the appointed time for his kinsman. A few moments were consumed in philosophical153 speculations154 upon the species of man who had just left him; but having settled this point shrewdly, rationally, and satisfactorily, he was compelled to look elsewhere for his amusement. And first he threw his eyes along the street. It was of more respectable appearance than most of those into which he had wandered, and the moon, creating, like the imaginative power, a beautiful strangeness in familiar objects, gave something of romance to a scene that might not have possessed it in the light of day. The irregular and often quaint41 architecture of the houses, some of whose roofs were broken into numerous little peaks, while others ascended155, steep and narrow, into a single point, and others again were square; the pure snow-white of some of their complexions156, the aged157 darkness of others, and the thousand sparklings, reflected from bright substances in the walls of many; these matters engaged Robin’s attention for a while, and then began to grow wearisome. Next he endeavored to define the forms of distant objects, starting away, with almost ghostly indistinctness, just as his eye appeared to grasp them, and finally he took a minute survey of an edifice which stood on the opposite side of the street, directly in front of the church-door, where he was stationed. It was a large, square mansion, distinguished from its neighbors by a balcony, which rested on tall pillars, and by an elaborate Gothic window, communicating therewith.
“Perhaps this is the very house I have been seeking,” thought Robin.
Then he strove to speed away the time, by listening to a murmur which swept continually along the street, yet was scarcely audible, except to an unaccustomed ear like his; it was a low, dull, dreamy sound, compounded of many noises, each of which was at too great a distance to be separately heard. Robin marvelled158 at this snore of a sleeping town, and marvelled more whenever its continuity was broken by now and then a distant shout, apparently159 loud where it originated. But altogether it was a sleep-inspiring sound, and, to shake off its drowsy influence, Robin arose, and climbed a window-frame, that he might view the interior of the church. There the moonbeams came trembling in, and fell down upon the deserted160 pews, and extended along the quiet aisles161. A fainter yet more awful radiance was hovering162 around the pulpit, and one solitary ray had dared to rest upon the open page of the great Bible. Had nature, in that deep hour, become a worshipper in the house which man had builded? Or was that heavenly light the visible sanctity of the place — visible because no earthly and impure163 feet were within the walls? The scene made Robin’s heart shiver with a sensation of loneliness stronger than he had ever felt in the remotest depths of his native woods; so he turned away and sat down again before the door. There were graves around the church, and now an uneasy thought obtruded164 into Robin’s breast. What if the object of his search, which had been so often and so strangely thwarted, were all the time mouldering165 in his shroud166? What if his kinsman should glide100 through yonder gate, and nod and smile to him in dimly passing by?
“Oh that any breathing thing were here with me!” said Robin.
Recalling his thoughts from this uncomfortable track, he sent them over forest, hill, and stream, and attempted to imagine how that evening of ambiguity167 and weariness had been spent by his father’s household. He pictured them assembled at the door, beneath the tree, the great old tree, which had been spared for its huge twisted trunk and venerable shade, when a thousand leafy brethren fell. There, at the going down of the summer sun, it was his father’s custom to perform domestic worship that the neighbors might come and join with him like brothers of the family, and that the wayfaring168 man might pause to drink at that fountain, and keep his heart pure by freshening the memory of home. Robin distinguished the seat of every individual of the little audience; he saw the good man in the midst, holding the Scriptures169 in the golden light that fell from the western clouds; he beheld him close the book and all rise up to pray. He heard the old thanksgivings for daily mercies, the old supplications for their continuance to which he had so often listened in weariness, but which were now among his dear remembrances. He perceived the slight inequality of his father’s voice when he came to speak of the absent one; he noted170 how his mother turned her face to the broad and knotted trunk; how his elder brother scorned, because the beard was rough upon his upper lip, to permit his features to be moved; how the younger sister drew down a low hanging branch before her eyes; and how the little one of all, whose sports had hitherto broken the decorum of the scene, understood the prayer for her playmate, and burst into clamorous171 grief. Then he saw them go in at the door; and when Robin would have entered also, the latch172 tinkled173 into its place, and he was excluded from his home.
“Am I here, or there?” cried Robin, starting; for all at once, when his thoughts had become visible and audible in a dream, the long, wide, solitary street shone out before him.
He aroused himself, and endeavored to fix his attention steadily174 upon the large edifice which he had surveyed before. But still his mind kept vibrating between fancy and reality; by turns, the pillars of the balcony lengthened175 into the tall, bare stems of pines, dwindled176 down to human figures, settled again into their true shape and size, and then commenced a new succession of changes. For a single moment, when he deemed himself awake, he could have sworn that a visage — one which he seemed to remember, yet could not absolutely name as his kinsman’s — was looking towards him from the Gothic window. A deeper sleep wrestled177 with and nearly overcame him, but fled at the sound of footsteps along the opposite pavement. Robin rubbed his eyes, discerned a man passing at the foot of the balcony, and addressed him in a loud, peevish178, and lamentable179 cry.
“Hallo, friend! must I wait here all night for my kinsman, Major Molineux?”
The sleeping echoes awoke, and answered the voice; and the passenger, barely able to discern a figure sitting in the oblique180 shade of the steeple, traversed the street to obtain a nearer view. He was himself a gentleman in his prime, of open, intelligent, cheerful, and altogether prepossessing countenance. Perceiving a country youth, apparently homeless and without friends, he accosted him in a tone of real kindness, which had become strange to Robin’s ears.
“Well, my good lad, why are you sitting here?” inquired he. “Can I be of service to you in any way?”
“I am afraid not, sir,” replied Robin, despondingly; “yet I shall take it kindly181, if you’ll answer me a single question. I’ve been searching, half the night, for one Major Molineux, now, sir, is there really such a person in these parts, or am I dreaming?”
“Major Molineux! The name is not altogether strange to me,” said the gentleman, smiling. “Have you any objection to telling me the nature of your business with him?”
Then Robin briefly182 related that his father was a clergyman, settled on a small salary, at a long distance back in the country, and that he and Major Molineux were brothers’ children. The Major, having inherited riches, and acquired civil and military rank, had visited his cousin, in great pomp, a year or two before; had manifested much interest in Robin and an elder brother, and, being childless himself, had thrown out hints respecting the future establishment of one of them in life. The elder brother was destined183 to succeed to the farm which his father cultivated in the interval12 of sacred duties; it was therefore determined that Robin should profit by his kinsman’s generous intentions, especially as he seemed to be rather the favorite, and was thought to possess other necessary endowments.
“For I have the name of being a shrewd youth,” observed Robin, in this part of his story.
“I doubt not you deserve it,” replied his new friend, good-naturedly; “but pray proceed.”
“Well, sir, being nearly eighteen years old, and well grown, as you see,” continued Robin, drawing himself up to his full height, “I thought it high time to begin in the world. So my mother and sister put me in handsome trim, and my father gave me half the remnant of his last year’s salary, and five days ago I started for this place, to pay the Major a visit. But, would you believe it, sir! I crossed the ferry a little after dark, and have yet found nobody that would show me the way to his dwelling; only, an hour or two since, I was told to wait here, and Major Molineux would pass by.”
“Can you describe the man who told you this?” inquired the gentleman.
“Oh, he was a very ill-favored fellow, sir,” replied Robin, “with two great bumps on his forehead, a hook nose, fiery eyes; and, what struck me as the strangest, his face was of two different colors. Do you happen to know such a man, sir?”
“Not intimately,” answered the stranger, “but I chanced to meet him a little time previous to your stopping me. I believe you may trust his word, and that the Major will very shortly pass through this street. In the mean time, as I have a singular curiosity to witness your meeting, I will sit down here upon the steps and bear you company.”
He seated himself accordingly, and soon engaged his companion in animated184 discourse185. It was but of brief continuance, however, for a noise of shouting, which had long been remotely audible, drew so much nearer that Robin inquired its cause.
“What may be the meaning of this uproar186?” asked he. “Truly, if your town be always as noisy, I shall find little sleep while I am an inhabitant.”
“Why, indeed, friend Robin, there do appear to be three or four riotous187 fellows abroad to-night,” replied the gentleman. “You must not expect all the stillness of your native woods here in our streets. But the watch will shortly be at the heels of these lads and —”
“Ay, and set them in the stocks by peep of day,” interrupted Robin recollecting188 his own encounter with the drowsy lantern-bearer. “But, dear sir, if I may trust my ears, an army of watchmen would never make head against such a multitude of rioters. There were at least a thousand voices went up to make that one shout.”
“May not a man have several voices, Robin, as well as two complexions?” said his friend.
“Perhaps a man may; but Heaven forbid that a woman should!” responded the shrewd youth, thinking of the seductive tones of the Major’s housekeeper.
The sounds of a trumpet189 in some neighboring street now became so evident and continual, that Robin’s curiosity was strongly excited. In addition to the shouts, he heard frequent bursts from many instruments of discord190, and a wild and confused laughter filled up the intervals. Robin rose from the steps, and looked wistfully towards a point whither people seemed to be hastening.
“Surely some prodigious191 merry-making is going on,” exclaimed he “I have laughed very little since I left home, sir, and should be sorry to lose an opportunity. Shall we step round the corner by that darkish house and take our share of the fun?”
“Sit down again, sit down, good Robin,” replied the gentleman, laying his hand on the skirt of the gray coat. “You forget that we must wait here for your kinsman; and there is reason to believe that he will pass by, in the course of a very few moments.”
The near approach of the uproar had now disturbed the neighborhood; windows flew open on all sides; and many heads, in the attire of the pillow, and confused by sleep suddenly broken, were protruded192 to the gaze of whoever had leisure to observe them. Eager voices hailed each other from house to house, all demanding the explanation, which not a soul could give. Half-dressed men hurried towards the unknown commotion193 stumbling as they went over the stone steps that thrust themselves into the narrow foot-walk. The shouts, the laughter, and the tuneless bray194 the antipodes of music, came onwards with increasing din16, till scattered individuals, and then denser196 bodies, began to appear round a corner at the distance of a hundred yards
“Will you recognize your kinsman, if he passes in this crowd?” inquired the gentleman
“Indeed, I can’t warrant it, sir; but I’ll take my stand here, and keep a bright lookout,” answered Robin, descending to the outer edge of the pavement.
A mighty198 stream of people now emptied into the street, and came rolling slowly towards the church. A single horseman wheeled the corner in the midst of them, and close behind him came a band of fearful wind instruments, sending forth a fresher discord now that no intervening buildings kept it from the ear. Then a redder light disturbed the moonbeams, and a dense197 multitude of torches shone along the street, concealing199, by their glare, whatever object they illuminated200. The single horseman, clad in a military dress, and bearing a drawn sword, rode onward195 as the leader, and, by his fierce and variegated201 countenance, appeared like war personified; the red of one cheek was an emblem202 of fire and sword; the blackness of the other betokened203 the mourning that attends them. In his train were wild figures in the Indian dress, and many fantastic shapes without a model, giving the whole march a visionary air, as if a dream had broken forth from some feverish204 brain, and were sweeping205 visibly through the midnight streets. A mass of people, inactive, except as applauding spectators, hemmed206 the procession in; and several women ran along the sidewalk, piercing the confusion of heavier sounds with their shrill voices of mirth or terror.
“The double-faced fellow has his eye upon me,” muttered Robin, with an indefinite but an uncomfortable idea that he was himself to bear a part in the pageantry.
The leader turned himself in the saddle, and fixed207 his glance full upon the country youth, as the steed went slowly by. When Robin had freed his eyes from those fiery ones, the musicians were passing before him, and the torches were close at hand; but the unsteady brightness of the latter formed a veil which he could not penetrate208. The rattling209 of wheels over the stones sometimes found its way to his ear, and confused traces of a human form appeared at intervals, and then melted into the vivid light. A moment more, and the leader thundered a command to halt: the trumpets210 vomited211 a horrid212 breath, and then held their peace; the shouts and laughter of the people died away, and there remained only a universal hum, allied213 to silence. Right before Robin’s eyes was an uncovered cart. There the torches blazed the brightest, there the moon shone out like day, and there, in tar-and-feathery dignity, sat his kinsman, Major Molineux!
He was an elderly man, of large and majestic214 person, and strong, square features, betokening215 a steady soul; but steady as it was, his enemies had found means to shake it. His face was pale as death, and far more ghastly; the broad forehead was contracted in his agony, so that his eyebrows formed one grizzled line; his eyes were red and wild, and the foam216 hung white upon his quivering lip. His whole frame was agitated217 by a quick and continual tremor218, which his pride strove to quell219, even in those circumstances of overwhelming humiliation220. But perhaps the bitterest pang221 of all was when his eyes met those of Robin; for he evidently knew him on the instant, as the youth stood witnessing the foul222 disgrace of a head grown gray in honor. They stared at each other in silence, and Robin’s knees shook, and his hair bristled223, with a mixture of pity and terror. Soon, however, a bewildering excitement began to seize upon his mind; the preceding adventures of the night, the unexpected appearance of the crowd, the torches, the confused din and the hush224 that followed, the spectre of his kinsman reviled225 by that great multitude — all this, and, more than all, a perception of tremendous ridicule226 in the whole scene, affected227 him with a sort of mental inebriety228. At that moment a voice of sluggish229 merriment saluted Robin’s ears; he turned instinctively230, and just behind the corner of the church stood the lantern-bearer, rubbing his eyes, and drowsily231 enjoying the lad’s amazement232. Then he heard a peal233 of laughter like the ringing of silvery bells; a woman twitched234 his arm, a saucy eye met his, and he saw the lady of the scarlet petticoat. A sharp, dry cachinnation appealed to his memory, and, standing on tiptoe in the crowd, with his white apron over his head, he beheld the courteous little innkeeper. And lastly, there sailed over the heads of the multitude a great, broad laugh, broken in the midst by two sepulchral hems; thus, “Haw, haw, haw — hem, hem — haw, haw, haw, haw!”
The sound proceeded from the balcony of the opposite edifice, and thither235 Robin turned his eyes. In front of the Gothic window stood the old citizen, wrapped in a wide gown, his gray periwig exchanged for a nightcap, which was thrust back from his forehead, and his silk stockings hanging about his legs. He supported himself on his polished cane in a fit of convulsive merriment, which manifested itself on his solemn old features like a funny inscription236 on a tombstone. Then Robin seemed to hear the voices of the barbers, of the guests of the inn, and of all who had made sport of him that night. The contagion237 was spreading among the multitude, when all at once, it seized upon Robin, and he sent forth a shout of laughter that echoed through the street — every man shook his sides, every man emptied his lungs, but Robin’s shout was the loudest there. The cloud-spirits peeped from their silvery islands, as the congregated238 mirth went roaring up the sky! The Man in the Moon heard the far bellow239. “Oho,” quoth he, “the old earth is frolicsome240 to-night!”
When there was a momentary241 calm in that tempestuous242 sea of sound, the leader gave the sign, the procession resumed its march. On they went, like fiends that throng104 in mockery around some dead potentate243, mighty no more, but majestic still in his agony. On they went, in counterfeited244 pomp, in senseless uproar, in frenzied245 merriment, trampling246 all on an old man’s heart. On swept the tumult247, and left a silent street behind.
. . . . . . . . . . .
“Well, Robin, are you dreaming?” inquired the gentleman, laying his hand on the youth’s shoulder.
Robin started, and withdrew his arm from the stone post to which he had instinctively clung, as the living stream rolled by him. His cheek was somewhat pale, and his eye not quite as lively as in the earlier part of the evening.
“Will you be kind enough to show me the way to the ferry?” said he, after a moment’s pause.
“You have, then, adopted a new subject of inquiry248?” observed his companion, with a smile.
“Why, yes, sir,” replied Robin, rather dryly. “Thanks to you, and to my other friends, I have at last met my kinsman, and he will scarce desire to see my face again. I begin to grow weary of a town life, sir. Will you show me the way to the ferry?”
“No, my good friend Robin — not to-night, at least,” said the gentleman. “Some few days hence, if you wish it, I will speed you on your journey. Or, if you prefer to remain with us, perhaps, as you are a shrewd youth, you may rise in the world without the help of your kinsman, Major Molineux.”
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1
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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2
predecessors
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| n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身 | |
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3
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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4
emanate
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| v.发自，来自，出自 | |
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5
hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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6
hems
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| 布的褶边，贴边( hem的名词复数 )； 短促的咳嗽 | |
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7
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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8
softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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9
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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10
reprehension
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| n.非难，指责 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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13
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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14
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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15
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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16
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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17
durably
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| adv.经久地，坚牢地 | |
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18
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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19
yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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20
adornment
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| n.装饰；装饰品 | |
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21
robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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22
depreciation
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| n.价值低落，贬值，蔑视，贬低 | |
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23
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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24
scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) | |
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25
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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26
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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27
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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28
casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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29
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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30
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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31
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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32
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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33
sepulchral
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| adj.坟墓的，阴深的 | |
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34
intonation
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| n.语调，声调；发声 | |
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35
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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36
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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37
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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38
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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39
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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40
obtruding
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| v.强行向前，强行，强迫( obtrude的现在分词 ) | |
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41
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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42
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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43
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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44
smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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45
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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47
meandered
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| （指溪流、河流等）蜿蜒而流( meander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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49
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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50
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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51
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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52
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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53
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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54
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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55
victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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56
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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57
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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58
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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59
mariners
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| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
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60
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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61
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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62
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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63
predilection
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| n.偏好 | |
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64
hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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65
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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66
grotesqueness
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67
bulged
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| 凸出( bulge的过去式和过去分词 )； 充满； 塞满（某物） | |
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68
prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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69
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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70
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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71
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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72
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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73
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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74
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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75
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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76
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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77
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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78
recurrences
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| n.复发，反复，重现( recurrence的名词复数 ) | |
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79
subscriber
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| n.用户，订户；（慈善机关等的）定期捐款者；预约者；签署者 | |
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80
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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81
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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82
trudge
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| v.步履艰难地走；n.跋涉，费力艰难的步行 | |
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83
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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84
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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85
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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86
sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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87
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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88
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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89
outweigh
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| vt.比...更重，...更重要 | |
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90
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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91
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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92
promenading
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| v.兜风( promenade的现在分词 ) | |
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93
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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94
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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95
publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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96
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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97
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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98
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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99
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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100
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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101
jauntily
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| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 | |
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102
tunes
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| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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103
rebukes
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的第三人称单数 ) | |
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104
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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105
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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107
rambles
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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108
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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109
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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110
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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111
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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112
shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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114
jutted
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| v.（使）突出( jut的过去式和过去分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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115
hoop
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| n.（篮球）篮圈，篮 | |
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116
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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117
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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118
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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119
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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120
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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121
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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122
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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123
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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124
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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125
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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126
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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127
luminary
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| n.名人，天体 | |
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128
spiked
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| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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129
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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130
antipathy
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| n.憎恶；反感，引起反感的人或事物 | |
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131
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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132
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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133
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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134
saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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135
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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136
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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137
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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138
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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139
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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140
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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141
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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143
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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144
fatality
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| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
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145
thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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146
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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147
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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148
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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149
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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150
unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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151
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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152
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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153
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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154
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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155
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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156
complexions
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| 肤色( complexion的名词复数 )； 面色； 局面； 性质 | |
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157
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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158
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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159
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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160
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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161
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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162
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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163
impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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164
obtruded
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| v.强行向前，强行，强迫( obtrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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165
mouldering
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| v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 )；腐烂，崩塌 | |
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166
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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167
ambiguity
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| n.模棱两可；意义不明确 | |
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168
wayfaring
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| adj.旅行的n.徒步旅行 | |
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169
scriptures
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| 经文，圣典( scripture的名词复数 )； 经典 | |
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170
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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171
clamorous
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| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
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172
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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173
tinkled
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| （使）发出丁当声，（使）发铃铃声( tinkle的过去式和过去分词 )； 叮当响着发出，铃铃响着报出 | |
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174
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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175
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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176
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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177
wrestled
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| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
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178
peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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179
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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180
oblique
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| adj.斜的，倾斜的，无诚意的，不坦率的 | |
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181
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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182
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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183
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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184
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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185
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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186
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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187
riotous
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| adj.骚乱的；狂欢的 | |
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188
recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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189
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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190
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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191
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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192
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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193
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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194
bray
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| n.驴叫声, 喇叭声；v.驴叫 | |
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195
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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196
denser
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| adj. 不易看透的, 密集的, 浓厚的, 愚钝的 | |
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197
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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198
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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199
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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200
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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201
variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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202
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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203
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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204
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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205
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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206
hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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207
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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208
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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209
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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210
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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211
vomited
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212
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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213
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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214
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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215
betokening
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的现在分词 ) | |
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216
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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217
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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218
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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219
quell
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| v.压制，平息，减轻 | |
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220
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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221
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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222
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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223
bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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224
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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225
reviled
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| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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226
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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227
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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228
inebriety
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| n.醉，陶醉 | |
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229
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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230
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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231
drowsily
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| adv.睡地，懒洋洋地，昏昏欲睡地 | |
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232
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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233
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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234
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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235
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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236
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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237
contagion
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| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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238
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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239
bellow
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| v.吼叫，怒吼；大声发出，大声喝道 | |
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240
frolicsome
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| adj.嬉戏的，闹着玩的 | |
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241
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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242
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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243
potentate
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| n.统治者；君主 | |
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244
counterfeited
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| v.仿制，造假( counterfeit的过去分词 ) | |
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245
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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246
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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247
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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248
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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