Euthanasia’s mind was no store-house of blithe13 thoughts. She felt deeply the danger of the project in which she had embarked14; and yet its danger was one of the considerations that reconciled her to it. To have encountered Castruccio with superior force, and to have despoiled15 him of all power with security to herself, would have been hateful to her feelings; and it appeared to her that in acting16 such a part she would have merited the disapprobation of mankind. But she approached the foundations of his power by a path encompassed17 with danger; she groped through the murky18 air of night, and owls19 and bats flitted before her, and flapped their wings in her eyes; her footing was unsteady; — a precipice20 yawned on each side, and the probable result of her undertaking21 was ignominy and death. She felt all this. The name of Tripalda had extinguished in her bosom22 every hope of success. She felt that the purity of her intentions would excuse her in her own eyes; and she could then endure with patience all of bitter and evil that might befall her. She could not say in the words of the poet.
Roll on, the chariot-wheels of my dear plots. And bear mine ends to their desired marks! As yet there’s not a rub of wit, or gulf23 of thought. No rocky misconstruction, thorny24 maze25. Or other let of any doubtfulness: As yet thy way is smooth and plain. Like the green ocean in a silent calm.
No! the course she followed was a slippery path, that overhung a chasm26 terrible as death: the sea on which she sailed was rife27 with quicksands, and its breakers threatened instant destruction.
Sometimes the memory of her peaceful life at Florence obtruded28 itself upon her, and more than that, her charitable occupations when she attended the sick in that city, and whence, as from a rough-hewn chalice29 containing nectarian drink, she had quaffed30 happiness. Sometimes she reproached destiny that she had not fallen a victim to her perilous31 exertions32; but she endeavoured to shut out these remembrances from her mind, to look before her and not behind. What though dense33 clouds hid the future, and thunder muttered above? she was borne on by a virtuous34 purpose, which would be to her as the wings of an eagle, or the sure foot of the precipice-walking chamois.
And then, if the enterprise succeeded, she would save Castruccio. But for her he would be sacrificed by his insatiable enemies. But her hand would avert35 their daggers37, her voice bid them “Hold!” — Her imagination pictured the whole scene. He would be seized by his enemies, and expect death; he would be conveyed aboard one of the vessels38 of the king of Naples; and she would be there, to watch over and tend upon him. At first he might repulse39, perhaps spurn40 her: but patient forbearance, and her meek41 demeanour would soften42 him; he would see the tears of her devotion; he would hear her defence; and he would forgive her. They would disembark on some lovely island on the sea of Baiae — his prison. A resting-place, whose walls would be the ocean, and whose bars and locks the all-encompassing air — would be allotted to him on the island of Ischia. Thence he would survey the land where the philosophers of past ages lived; he would study their lessons; and their wisest lore2 would descend43 into his soul, like the dews of heaven upon the parched44 frame of the wanderer in the Arabian deserts. By degrees he would love obscurity. They would behold45 together the wondrous46 glories of the heavens, and the beauty of that transparent47 sea, whose floor of pebbles48, shells and weeds, is as a diamond-paved palace of romance, shone on and illustrated49 as it is by the sun’s rays. He would see the flame arise from Vesuvius, and behold afar off the smoke of the burning lava50, — such was the emblem51 of his former life; but he would then have become, like the land he trod, an extinguished volcano; and the soil would prove more fertile, more rich in beauty and excellence52, than those cold natures which had never felt the vivifying heat of mighty53 and subdued54 passions.
Thus she dreamed; and thus she cheated herself into tranquillity55. She arrived at Pisa, where she was met by Orlando Quartezzani, who explained to her much of the minuti? of the plot, and besought56 her to hasten its execution. “I pine, in exile,” he said, “still to behold that ungrateful tyrant57 seated on a throne, which, if it be not formed of our skulls58, yet exists only to torture and destroy us. My brothers are tardy59, those Avogadii, lazy and inert60. They are still at Lucca; they see its fertile valleys; they live among its mountains. Sometimes indeed I dare go to the top of the hill of San Giuliano, and behold its towers almost at my feet: but I long to make one with my fellow-citizens, to enter again into the lists of life.”
Euthanasia quitted Pisa. She crossed the plain to the foot of the hills, and passed along through Pugnano and Ripafrata. She was very melancholy. How could it be otherwise? She had entered upon a race, whose penalty was death, whose prize was yet hidden in the mists of futurity; — it might turn out even more blighting61 and terrible than death itself. But there was no room for retreat; the path was narrow, and her chariot could not turn; she must fix her eyes upon the goal, for be the consequence good or evil, she must arrive there, she must there seek and find the fulfilment of her destiny.
She entered Lucca at the beginning of the month of December; and she went immediately to the palace which had been assigned her by the Lucchese government, in compensation for her demolished62 castle. The same evening that she arrived, the two chiefs of the conspiracy, Ugo Quartezzani and Tripalda, visited her. The name of Tripalda, so often and so fearfully repeated by the dying Beatrice, made her shrink from all communication with one who had tarnished63 his life with the foulest64 crimes. On this occasion she was obliged however to smother65 her indignation; and he, from a sense of his own importance, was more presumptuous66 and insolent67 than she had ever seen him.
“Madonna,” said he, stalking forward with an erect68 mien69, and half shut eyes, which, although they were not bent70 on the ground, yet ever avoided the direct gaze of those to whom he spoke71; — “Madonna, I much praise your wisdom in entering into this conspiracy. We all know that, when you choose to exert your abilities, you are the cleverest woman in Tuscany. This is a period which will shew you in your true colours.”
“Messer Battista, let us leave to speak of me and my poor talents: we come to talk of far weightier matter; and I bear a message to Messer Ugo from his brother Orlando.”
They now began to speak of the future; but Tripalda would allow no one to talk but himself; and he walked up and down the room delivering his opinion in a loud voice.
“Hush, for Jesu’s sake!” cried Ugo, “some one will overhear us, and we are all lost.”
Tripalda looked suspiciously around, approached on tiptoe the sofa on which Euthanasia and Ugo sat, and, speaking in a whisper, he said, — “I tell you we shall succeed. Look! I have already sharpened the dagger36 which is to stab the tyrant to the heart.”
“Now the Mother of God defend him!” cried Euthanasia, turning pale: “that is beyond my contract. Bear witness, Ugo, that I entered into this plot on condition that his life should be saved.”
“Women! women!” said Tripalda, contemptuously. “By the body of Bacchus! I wonder what Bondelmonti meant by introducing a woman into the plot. One way or another they have spoiled, and ever will spoil, every design that the wisdom of man has contrived72. I say he must die.”
“I say he shall not, Sir Priest. And remember, you are not one who dares place your warrant on the life of Antelminelli. That is guarded by spirits of whose very existence you are ignorant; it is guarded by devoted73 love and disinterested74 virtue75; and you shall not endanger it.”
“You indeed talk of spirits, of which I and all the wise among men know nothing. In the present case I do not exactly see what devoted love has to do with a conspiracy to overthrow76 the party beloved; and as for disinterested virtue, all the virtue I know any thing about bids me stab the tyrant. He shall die.”
“Nay77, as you say that you understand me not, you may well leave to speak of what dwells without the circle of your intelligence. Are you not a priest? a man of peace? and dare you avow78 such thoughts? They shame your profession; and, if any spark of virtue dwelt within you, you would now blush as deep a red, as your hands would shew, stained with that blood you think to shed.”
“Madonna,” said Ugo, “you are now animated79 beyond all prudence80. Speak mildly; and Messer Tripalda will yield.”
“That will I not!” cried Tripalda, compressing his thin lips, and elevating his high brows. “I have doomed81 him to death; and he shall die. By my soul’s salvation82, he shall!”
“Then is your soul lost, for he shall live.”
The gentle modulation83 of Euthanasia’s voice, now first attuned84 to command, carried with it an irresistible85 force, while she extended her fair arm in earnest gesture; then, calming herself, she continued: “I entered into this conspiracy on one condition; and I might well say, ‘If you keep not your words with me, neither will I keep mine with you; if you betray me, so will I betray you.’ But I say not this; I have other means of silencing this man. I know you, Tripalda; and you are well aware, that I can see through the many folds which you have wound round your heart. You oblige me to menace you. I can tell a tale, Tripalda, a tale the knowledge of whose exceeding horror is confined to your own polluted heart; but whose slightest sketch86 would fill mankind with detestation, and your destruction would quickly follow. Dare not even to imagine the death of Castruccio; while he is safe, you are safe; otherwise you know what will follow.”
“So far from knowing, I cannot even guess your meaning,” replied Tripalda; but with a subdued voice and humble87 manner. “In truth, Madonna, you speak enigmas88 to me. But since you are resolved to save the life of the prince, so let it be. But I suppose you will allow us to secure his person.”
“We have a plan for that,” said Euthanasia, turning to Ugo, “a plan to which I hope you will accede89: for Castruccio must be saved; Bondelmonti entered into that engagement with me, before I became a party to your plot.”
“It shall be as you command,” replied Tripalda, who had shifted his place several times, and seemed to stand as uneasily before the now softened90 looks of Euthanasia, as a hypocrite well might before the eyes of the accusing angel. “I will leave you now,” continued he, “for I promised to be with Nicola dei Avogadii at eight o’clock, and seven struck some time ago. Good night, Madonna; when we again meet, I hope you will be better pleased with my intentions, and thank me for my exertions in favour of your friend, the prince.”
He quitted the room. Euthanasia followed him with her eyes until he had closed the door; and then she said to Ugo, “I distrust that man; and if my purpose did not lift me alike above fear and hope, I should dread91 him. But do you have a care, Ugo; and, if you regard your own safety, watch him, as you would one whose sword you must parry, until the deed you meditate92 be accomplished93.”
“You judge hastily, Madonna; he is the sworn enemy of Castruccio; and I believe him to be, on this occasion at least, trust-worthy. I cannot divine what you know concerning him; it is surely something black, for he cowered94 beneath your words. But a man may be one day wicked, and good the next; for self — interest sways all, and we are virtuous or vicious as we hope for advantage to ourselves. The downfall of Antelminelli will raise him; and therefore he is to be trusted.”
“That is bad philosophy, and worse morality, Ugo: but we have no time to dispute now; remember, that I tell you to beware of Tripalda. Now let us occupy ourselves in worthier95 considerations.”
After a long conversation, in which all was concluded except the exact period for the breaking out of the conspiracy, Ugo retired96, to prepare messengers for Pisa and Florence, that they might, with the concurrence97 of their associates, determine the conduct of this last act of the tragedy. Euthanasia was left alone. She had been roused to the expression of anger by the insolent cruelty of Tripalda; but her nature, mild as it was, quickly forgot the feeling of indignation, and now other thoughts (oh, far other thoughts!) possessed98 her. She was again in Lucca. She ascended99 to the tower of her palace; and the waning100 moon, which shone in the east, shed its yellow and melancholy light over the landscape: she could distinguish afar the abrupt101 and isolated102 rock on which the castle of Valperga had stood; it formed one of the sides of the chasm which the spirits of creation had opened to make free the course of the Serchio. The scene was unchanged; and even in winter the soul of beauty hovered103 over it, ready again to reanimate the corpse104, when the caducean wand of spring should touch it. The narrow, deep streets of Lucca lay like the allies of a prison around her; and she longed for the consummation of the deed in which she had engaged, when she might fly for ever from a scene, which had been too dear to her, not to make its sight painful in her altered situation.
In the mean time, while in deep security of thought she brooded over the success of her attempt, the hour which yet lingered on the dial was big with her ruin; and events which threatened to destroy her for ever, already came so near, that their awful shadow began to be thrown on the path of her life.
Tripalda had left her, burning with all the malice105 of which his evil nature was so amply susceptible106. He had learned that the prisoner of the castle in the Campagna di Roma had survived, and had fallen into the hands of Euthanasia: and he knew that his fate depended upon disclosures that she was enabled to make. The prisoner was now dead; but both Castruccio and Euthanasia had become in part the depositaries of her secret; Euthanasia had heard his name pronounced, mingled107 with shrieks109 and despair, by the lips of the lovely maniac110; and, after her death, she had revealed her suspicions to the prince, while he in anger forbade the priest ever again to approach his palace or his person. In disgracing and banishing111 him from his presence, Castruccio had incurred112 the penalty of his hate; and he was overjoyed to think, that in destroying the man who had injured him, he should also free himself from one who was conscious of the most perilous secrets concerning him. He had been loud in his abuse of the prince; but none had listened to him, except those who sympathized in his feelings; and Antelminelli despised him too heartily113 to take heed114 to what he said.
Thus, with the wily heart and wicked design of a serpent beneath a magpie’s exterior115, this self-named Brutus of modern Italy, whose feigned116 folly117 was a cover for pride, selfishness and all uncharitableness, fomented118 a conspiracy in Lucca to overthrow a tyrant, who well deserved to fall, but who was as pure as the milk-white dove, if compared with the sable119 plumage of this crow. He had endeavoured to entice120 Euthanasia to participate in the plot, he hardly knew why, secure that, if she were persuaded to enter into it, it would be pregnant with nothing but misery121 and suffering for her. The scene which had taken place in her palace, overturned all his ideas. Castruccio despised and banished122 him; but he had never menaced the disclosure of those secrets, whose smallest effect would be to immure123 him for ever within the dungeons124 of some convent. He therefore hated, rather than feared him; but the words of Euthanasia had terrified his soul, and with his terror awakened125 all those feelings of hellish malignity126 with which his heart was imbued127. To destroy her, and save himself, was now the scope of his desire. To betray the conspiracy, and deliver over his confederates to death, was of little moment in his eyes, compared with the care he had for his own preservation128, and the satisfaction of his new-born revenge. All night he slept not; he walked up and down his room, easing his heart with curses, and with images of impending129 ruin for his enemies. When morning dawned, he hasted to Agosta, and made his way into the private cabinet of Vanni Mordecastelli.
Castruccio was at Pistoia, and would not return until the following day; in the mean time Mordecastelli was the governor of Lucca. He was seated in his cabinet with his secretary when Tripalda entered: like a true courtier, he hardly deigned130 to look on the man who was disgraced by his prince.
“Messer Tripalda,” said he, “are you still in Lucca? I thought some one told me that you had returned to your canonicate. Have you any business with me? Be brief; for you see that I am occupied.”
“Messer Vanni, I have business with you; but it must be private. Do not look thus contemptuously on me; for you know that I have been useful to you before; and I shall now be so again.”
“I do not much care to trust myself alone with you; for they say that you have sworn destruction to all the prince’s friends. However, I am armed,” he continued, taking a dagger from his bosom, and drawing it from its sheath; “so, Ubaldo, you may leave us alone.”
“And, Ubaldo, do you hear,” cried Tripalda, “it is as much as your life is worth to tell any one that I am with the governor. The very walls of the palace must not know it.”
“And are you the lord to threaten me, Messer Canonico? though you have a fool’s head, pray keep a discreet131 tongue.”
“Silence, Ubaldo,” said Mordecastelli. “Go, and remember what he says: you shall answer for it, if it be known that this visit has taken place. — And now, Sir Priest, what have you to say to me? if it be not something well worth the hearing, you shall pay a rich penalty for this impertinence of yours.”
“Remember, Messer Vanni, who put you on the right scent132 in Leodino’s plot; remember the golden harvest which that brought you in. Remember this; and put aside your pride and insolence133.”
“I remember well the detestable part that you then played, and it had been well that your head had been struck off instead of Leodino’s. But you trifle now, and I have no time to waste; if you have any fresh scene of villainy to disclose, be quick.”
“I have discovered a plot of the highest consequence. One that counts among the conspirators135 the first citizens of the principality. But I must make my conditions before I tell you further: I hold the life of your lord in my grasp; and, before I part with my advantage, I must be paid its full worth.”
“Conditions! Aye, they shall be generous and ample ones; if you fairly tell all, you shall be believed on your word, and not be put to the torture, to extort136 that which craft may make you conceal137: these are all the conditions a villain134, such as you, deserves. Come, waste no more time; if your plot be worth the telling, you well know that you will not go unrewarded; if this is all smoke, why perchance you may be smothered138 in it; so no more delay.”
Tripalda opened each door, peeped behind the hangings, under the tables, and chairs; and then, approaching as softly as a cat who sees a mouse playing in the moonshine, or a spider who beholds139 his prey140 unconsciously cleaning his wings with an inch of him, he sat down beside Mordecastelli and whispered:
“The Avogadii.”
“Well, what of them? I know that they hate Antelminelli; but they are not powerful enough to do any mischief141.”
“The Quartezzani.”
“Nay, then this is of deeper interest. Have they turned vipers142? By St. Martin! they have a sting!”
Tripalda in a low and solemn voice entered into a detail of the plot. “And now,” said he, when he had nearly concluded, “except for one circumstance, you had not heard a word of this from me.”
“You are a villain to say so; — but what is this circumstance? the love you bear your prince?”
“The love I bear him might have made me bring the Pope to Lucca with thirty thousand Gascons at his heels, but not betray a plot against him. No, truly it was not that; but they have admitted a woman into it; and, as there is neither safety nor success where they are, I made my retreat in good time.”
“A woman! What, Berta Avogadii?”
“One of far higher rank; the countess of Valperga.”
“Nay, then, it is all a lie, Tripalda, and, by the Virgin143, you shall repent144 having amused me with your inventions! The countess of Valperga! She is too wise and too holy to mingle108 in one of your midnight plots: besides, once upon a time, to my knowledge she loved Castruccio.”
“The old proverb tells us, Vanni, that sweetest love turns to bitterest hate. Remember Valperga! Do you think she has forgotten it? Remember her castle, her power, the state she used to keep, when she was queen of those barren mountains! Do you think she has forgotten that? She might carry it humbly145; but she, like the rest of those painted ruins, is proud at heart, proud and revengeful; why she has vowed146 the death of her quondam lover.”
“I would not believe it, if an angel were to tell me; do you think then that I will credit such a tale, when it is given out by a devil like you? Nay, do not frown, Sir Priest; the devil loves to clothe himself in a holy garb147; and report says that you have more than once shewn the cloven foot.”
“You are pleased to jest, Lord Governor,” replied Tripalda, with a ghastly smile, “do you know the hand-writing of Orlando Quartezzani?”
“As I know my own.”
“Read then that letter.”
It was a letter from Orlando to Tripalda, conjuring148 him to be speedy in his operations, and saying that, since the countess of Valperga appeared to enter into the plot with a willing heart, all difficulties would now be easily removed.
Vanni put down the letter with a look of mingled contempt and indignation. “And who else have ye among you? I expect next to hear that some of the saints or martyrs149, or perhaps the Virgin herself has come down to aid you.”
“Here is a list of the conspirators; and here are letters which will serve as further proofs of the truth of my disclosures.”
“Give them to me. And now let me tell you, my excellent fox, that I by no means trust you, and that, knowing your tricks of old, I may well suspect that, after trying to get all you can from us by betraying your associates, you will endeavour to get all you can out of them by assisting them to escape; so, my good fellow, you must for the present remain under lock and key.”
“I hoped that I had deserved better — ”
“Deserved! Aye, you deserve the torture, as much as the vilest150 heretic who denies the passion of our Redeemer. You know yourself to be an arch-traitor, and, by the saints! you shall be treated like one. Come, there is a better room for your prison than you deserve: go in peaceably; for if you oblige me to use force, you shall lodge151 for the next week in one of those holes under ground, of which I believe you have some knowledge, since your fiendish malice contrived them.”
“Well, Vanni, I yield. But I hope that your future gratitude152 — ”
“Oh! trust to my gratitude. I know my trade too well not to encourage such hell-hounds as you are.”
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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portended
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| v.预示( portend的过去式和过去分词 )；预兆；给…以警告；预告 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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cork
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cypresses
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| n.柏属植物，柏树( cypress的名词复数 ) | |
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diversified
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| adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域 | |
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funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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dirge
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| n.哀乐，挽歌，庄重悲哀的乐曲 | |
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blithe
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| adj.快乐的，无忧无虑的 | |
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embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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despoiled
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acting
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encompassed
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murky
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owls
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precipice
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undertaking
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bosom
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gulf
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thorny
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maze
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chasm
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rife
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obtruded
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chalice
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| n.圣餐杯；金杯毒酒 | |
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quaffed
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| v.痛饮( quaff的过去式和过去分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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perilous
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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36
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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37
daggers
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| 匕首，短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
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38
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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39
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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40
spurn
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| v.拒绝，摈弃；n.轻视的拒绝；踢开 | |
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41
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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42
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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43
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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44
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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45
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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46
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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47
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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48
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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49
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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50
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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51
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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52
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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53
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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54
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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55
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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56
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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57
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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58
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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59
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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60
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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61
blighting
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| 使凋萎( blight的现在分词 )； 使颓丧； 损害； 妨害 | |
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62
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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63
tarnished
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| （通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏 | |
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64
foulest
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| adj.恶劣的( foul的最高级 )；邪恶的；难闻的；下流的 | |
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65
smother
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| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
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66
presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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67
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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68
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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69
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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70
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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71
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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72
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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73
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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74
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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75
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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76
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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77
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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78
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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79
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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80
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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81
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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82
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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83
modulation
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| n.调制 | |
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84
attuned
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| v.使协调( attune的过去式和过去分词 )；调音 | |
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85
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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86
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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87
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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88
enigmas
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| n.难于理解的问题、人、物、情况等，奥秘( enigma的名词复数 ) | |
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89
accede
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| v.应允，同意 | |
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90
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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91
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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92
meditate
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| v.想，考虑，（尤指宗教上的）沉思，冥想 | |
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93
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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94
cowered
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
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95
worthier
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| 应得某事物( worthy的比较级 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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96
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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97
concurrence
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| n.同意；并发 | |
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98
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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99
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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100
waning
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| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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101
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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102
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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103
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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104
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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105
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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106
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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107
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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108
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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109
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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110
maniac
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| n.精神癫狂的人；疯子 | |
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111
banishing
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的现在分词 ) | |
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112
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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113
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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114
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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115
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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116
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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117
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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118
fomented
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| v.激起，煽动（麻烦等）( foment的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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120
entice
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| v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿 | |
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121
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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122
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
immure
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| v.囚禁，幽禁 | |
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124
dungeons
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| n.地牢( dungeon的名词复数 ) | |
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125
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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126
malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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127
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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128
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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129
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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130
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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132
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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133
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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134
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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135
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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136
extort
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| v.勒索，敲诈，强要 | |
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137
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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138
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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139
beholds
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| v.看，注视( behold的第三人称单数 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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140
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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141
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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142
vipers
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| n.蝰蛇( viper的名词复数 )；毒蛇；阴险恶毒的人；奸诈者 | |
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143
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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144
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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145
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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146
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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147
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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148
conjuring
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| n.魔术 | |
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149
martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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150
vilest
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| adj.卑鄙的( vile的最高级 )；可耻的；极坏的；非常讨厌的 | |
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151
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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152
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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