Here stands the oak, the monarch2 of the wood.
JOHN HOME.
The sun had risen on the broad boughs3 of the forest, but without the power of penetrating4 into its recesses5, which hung rich with heavy dewdrops, and were beginning on some of the trees to exhibit the varied6 tints7 of autumn; it being the season when Nature, like a prodigal8 whose race is well-nigh run, seems desirous to make up in profuse9 gaiety and variety of colours, for the short space which her splendour has then to endure. The birds were silent — and even Robin-redbreast, whose chirruping song was heard among the bushes near the Lodge10, emboldened11 by the largesses with which the good old knight12 always encouraged his familiarity, did not venture into the recesses of the wood, where he encountered the sparrow-hawk, and other enemies of a similar description, preferring the vicinity of the dwellings14 of man, from whom he, almost solely15 among the feathered tribes, seems to experience disinterested16 protection.
The scene was therefore at once lovely and silent, when the good Dr. Rochecliffe, wrapped in a scarlet17 roquelaure, which had seen service in its day, muffling18 his face more from habit than necessity, and supporting Alice on his arm, (she also defended by a cloak against the cold and damp of the autumn morning,) glided19 through the tangled20 and long grass of the darkest alleys21, almost ankle-deep in dew, towards the place appointed for the intended duel22. Both so eagerly maintained the consultation23 in which they were engaged, that they were alike insensible of the roughness and discomforts24 of the road, though often obliged to force their way through brushwood and coppice, which poured down on them all the liquid pearls with which they were loaded, till the mantles26 they were wrapped in hung lank27 by their sides, and clung to their shoulders heavily charged with moisture. They stopped when they had attained28 a station under the coppice, and shrouded29 by it, from which they could see all that passed on the little esplanade before the King’s Oak, whose broad and scathed30 form, contorted and shattered limbs, and frowning brows, made it appear like some ancient war-worn champion, well selected to be the umpire of a field of single combat.
The first person who appeared at the rendezvous31 was the gay cavalier Roger Wildrake. He also was wrapped in his cloak, but had discarded his puritanic beaver32, and wore in its stead a Spanish hat, with a feather and gilt33 hatband, all of which had encountered bad weather and hard service; but to make amends34 for the appearance of poverty by the show of pretension35, the castor was accurately36 adjusted after what was rather profanely37 called the d — me cut, used among the more desperate cavaliers. He advanced hastily, and exclaimed aloud —“First in the field after all, by Jove, though I bilked Everard in order to have my morning draught38. — It has done me much good,” he added, smacking39 his lips. —“Well, I suppose I should search the ground ere my principal comes up, whose Presbyterian watch trudges40 as slow as his Presbyterian step.”
He took his rapier from under his cloak, and seemed about to search the thickets42 around.
“I will prevent him,” whispered the Doctor to Alice. “I will keep faith with you — you shall not come on the scene — nisi dignus vindice nodus — I’ll explain that another time. Vindex is feminine as well as masculine, so the quotation43 is defensible. — Keep you close.”
So saying, he stepped forward on the esplanade, and bowed to Wildrake.
“Master Louis Kerneguy,” said Wildrake, pulling off his hat; but instantly discovering his error, he added, “But no — I beg your pardon, sir — Fatter, shorter, older. — Mr. Kerneguy’s friend, I suppose, with whom I hope to have a turn by and by. — And why not now, sir, before our principals come up? Just a snack to stay the orifice of the stomach, till the dinner is served, sir? What say you?”
“To open the orifice of the stomach more likely, or to give it a new one,” said the Doctor.
“True, sir,” said Roger, who seemed now in his element; “you say well — that is as thereafter may be. — But come, sir, you wear your face muffled45. I grant you, it is honest men’s fashion at this unhappy time; the more is the pity. But we do all above board — we have no traitors47 here. I’ll get into my gears first, to encourage you, and show you that you have to deal with a gentleman, who honours the King, and is a match fit to fight with any who follow him, as doubtless you do, sir, since you are the friend of Master Louis Kerneguy.”
All this while, Wildrake was busied undoing48 the clasps of his square-caped cloak.
“Off — off, ye lendings,” he said, “borrowings I should more properly call you —”
So saying, he threw the cloak from him, and appeared in cuerpo, in a most cavalier-like doublet, of greasy49 crimson50 satin, pinked and slashed51 with what had been once white tiffany; breeches of the same; and nether-stocks, or, as we now call them, stockings, darned in many places, and which, like those of Poins, had been once peach-coloured. A pair of pumps, ill calculated for a walk through the dew, and a broad shoulderbelt of tarnished52 embroidery53, completed his equipment.
“Come, sir!” he exclaimed; “make haste, off with your slough54 — Here I stand tight and true — as loyal a lad as ever stuck rapier through a roundhead. — Come, sir, to your tools!” he continued; “we may have half-a-dozen thrusts before they come yet, and shame them for their tardiness55. — Pshaw!” he exclaimed, in a most disappointed tone, when the Doctor, unfolding his cloak, showed his clerical dress; “Tush! it’s but the parson after all!”
Wildrake’s respect for the Church, however, and his desire to remove one who might possibly interrupt a scene to which he looked forward with peculiar56 satisfaction, induced him presently to assume another tone.
“I beg pardon,” he said, “my dear Doctor — I kiss the hem25 of your cassock — I do, by the thundering Jove — I beg your pardon again. — But I am happy I have met with you — They are raving57 for your presence at the Lodge — to marry, or christen, or bury, or confess, or something very urgent. — For Heaven’s sake, make haste!”
“At the Lodge?” said the Doctor; “why, I left the Lodge this instant — I was there later, I am sure, than you could be, who came the Woodstock road.”
“Well,” replied Wildrake, “it is at Woodstock they want you. — Rat it, did I say the Lodge? — No, no — Woodstock — Mine host cannot be hanged — his daughter married — his bastard58 christened, or his wife buried — without the assistance of a real clergyman — Your Holdenoughs won’t do for them. — He’s a true man mine host; so, as you value your function, make haste.”
“You will pardon me, Master Wildrake,” said the Doctor —“I wait for Master Louis Kerneguy.”
“The devil you do!” exclaimed Wildrake. “Why, I always knew the Scots could do nothing without their minister; but d — n it, I never thought they put them to this use neither. But I have known jolly customers in orders, who understood how to handle the sword as well as their prayer-book. You know the purpose of our meeting, Doctor. Do you come only as a ghostly comforter — or as a surgeon, perhaps — or do you ever take bilboa in hand? — Sa — sa!”
Here he made a fencing demonstration59 with his sheathed60 rapier.
“I have done so, sir, on necessary occasion,” said Dr. Rochecliffe.
“Good sir, let this stand for a necessary one,” said Wildrake. “You know my devotion for the Church. If a divine of your skill would do me the honour to exchange but three passes with me, I should think myself happy for ever.”
“Sir,” said Rochecliffe, smiling, “were there no other objection to what you propose, I have not the means — I have no weapon.”
“What? you want the de quoi? that is unlucky indeed. But you have a stout61 cane62 in your hand — what hinders our trying a pass (my rapier being sheathed of course) until our principals come up? My pumps are full of this frost-dew; and I shall be a toe or two out of pocket, if I am to stand still all the time they are stretching themselves; for, I fancy, Doctor, you are of my opinion, that the matter will not be a fight of cock-sparrows.”
“My business here is to make it, if possible, be no fight at all,” said the divine.
“Now, rat me, Doctor, but that is too spiteful,” said Wildrake; “and were it not for my respect for the Church, I could turn Presbyterian, to be revenged.”
“Stand back a little, if you please, sir,” said the Doctor; “do not press forward in that direction.”— For Wildrake, in the agitation63 of his movements, induced by his disappointment, approached the spot where Alice remained still concealed64.
“And wherefore not, I pray you, Doctor?” said the cavalier.
But on advancing a step, he suddenly stopped short, and muttered to himself, with a round oath of astonishment65, “A petticoat in the coppice, by all that is reverend, and at this hour in the morning — Whew — ew — ew!”— He gave vent13 to his surprise in a long low interjectional whistle; then turning to the Doctor, with his finger on the side of his nose, “You’re sly, Doctor, d — d sly! But why not give me a hint of your — your commodity there — your contraband66 goods? Gad67, sir, I am not a man to expose the eccentricities68 of the Church.”
“Sir,” said Dr. Rochecliffe, “you are impertinent; and if time served, and it were worth my while, I would chastise69 you.”
And the Doctor, who had served long enough in the wars to have added some of the qualities of a captain of horse to those of a divine, actually raised his cane, to the infinite delight of the rake, whose respect for the Church was by no means able to subdue70 his love of mischief71.
“Nay, Doctor,” said he, “if you wield72 your weapon broadsword-fashion, in that way, and raise it as high as your head, I shall be through you in a twinkling.” So saying, he made a pass with his sheathed rapier, not precisely73 at the Doctor’s person, but in that direction; when Rochecliffe, changing the direction of his cane from the broadsword guard to that of the rapier, made the cavalier’s sword spring ten yards out of his hand, with all the dexterity74 of my friend Francalanza. At this moment both the principal parties appeared on the field.
Everard exclaimed angrily to Wildrake, “Is this your friendship? In Heaven’s name, what make you in that fool’s jacket, and playing the pranks75 of a jack-pudding?” while his worthy76 second, somewhat crest-fallen, held down his head, like a boy caught in roguery, and went to pick up his weapon, stretching his head, as he passed, into the coppice, to obtain another glimpse, if possible, of the concealed object of his curiosity.
Charles in the meantime, still more surprised at what he beheld77, called out on his part —“What! Doctor Rochecliffe become literally78 one of the church militant79, and tilting80 with my friend cavalier Wildrake? May I use the freedom to ask him to withdraw, as Colonel Everard and I have some private business to settle?”
It was Dr. Rochecliffe’s cue, on this important occasion, to have armed himself with the authority of his sacred office, and used a tone of interference which might have overawed even a monarch, and made him feel that his monitor spoke83 by a warrant higher than his own. But the indiscreet latitude84 he had just given to his own passion, and the levity85 in which he had been detected, were very unfavourable to his assuming that superiority, to which so uncontrollable a spirit as that of Charles, wilful86 as a prince, and capricious as a wit, was at all likely to submit. The Doctor did, however, endeavour to rally his dignity, and replied, with the gravest, and at the same time the most respectful, tone he could assume, that he also had business of the most urgent nature, which prevented him from complying with Master Kerneguy’s wishes and leaving the spot.
“Excuse this untimely interruption,” said Charles, taking off his hat, and bowing to Colonel Everard, “which I will immediately put an end to.” Everard gravely returned his salute89, and was silent.
“Are you mad, Doctor Rochecliffe?” said Charles —“or are you deaf? — or have you forgotten your mother-tongue? I desired you to leave this place.”
“I am not mad,” said the divine, rousing up his resolution, and regaining90 the natural firmness of his voice —“I would prevent others from being so; I am not deaf — I would pray others to hear the voice of reason and religion; I have not forgotten my mother-tongue — but I have come hither to speak the language of the Master of kings and princes.”
“To fence with broomsticks, I should rather suppose,” said the King — “Come, Doctor Rochecliffe, this sudden fit of assumed importance befits you as little as your late frolic. You are not, I apprehend91, either a Catholic priest or a Scotch92 Mass-John to claim devoted93 obedience94 from your hearers, but a Church-of-England-man, subject to the rules of that Communion — and to its HEAD.” In speaking the last words, the King lowered his voice to a low and impressive whisper. Everard observing this drew back, the natural generosity95 of his temper directing him to avoid overhearing private discourse96, in which the safety of the speakers might be deeply concerned. They continued, however, to observe great caution in their forms of expression.
“Master Kerneguy,” said the clergyman, “it is not I who assume authority or control over your wishes — God forbid; I do but tell you what reason, Scripture97, religion, and morality, alike prescribe for your rule of conduct.”
“And I, Doctor,” said the King, smiling, and pointing to the unlucky cane, “will take your example rather than your precept98. If a reverend clergyman will himself fight a bout41 at single-stick, what right can he have to interfere82 in gentlemen’s quarrels? — Come, sir, remove yourself, and do not let your present obstinacy99 cancel former obligations.”
“Bethink yourself,” said the divine — “I can say one word which will prevent all this.”
“Do it,” replied the King, “and in doing so belie100 the whole tenor101 and actions of an honourable102 life — abandon the principles of your Church, and become a perjured103 traitor46 and an apostate104, to prevent another person from discharging his duty as a gentleman! This were indeed killing105 your friend to prevent the risk of his running himself into danger. Let the Passive Obedience, which is so often in your mouth, and no doubt in your head, put your feet for once into motion, and step aside for ten minutes. Within that space your assistance may be needed, either as body-curer or soul-curer.”
“Nay, then,” said Dr. Rochecliffe, “I have but one argument left.”
While this conversation was carried on apart, Everard had almost forcibly detained by his own side his follower106, Wildrake, whose greater curiosity, and lesser107 delicacy108, would otherwise have thrust him forward, to get, if possible, into the secret. But when he saw the Doctor turn into the coppice, he whispered eagerly to Everard —“A gold Carolus to a commonwealth109 farthing, the Doctor has not only come to preach a peace, but has brought the principal conditions along with him!”
Everard made no answer; he had already unsheathed his sword; and Charles hardly saw Rochecliffe’s back fairly turned, than he lost no time in following his example. But, ere they had done more than salute each other, with the usual courteous110 nourish of their weapons, Dr. Rochecliffe again stood between them, leading in his hand Alice Lee, her garments dank with dew, and her long hair heavy with moisture, and totally uncurled. Her face was extremely pale, but it was the paleness of desperate resolution, not of fear. There was a dead pause of astonishment — the combatants rested on their swords — and even the forwardness of Wildrake only vented87 itself in half-suppressed ejaculations, as, “Well done, Doctor — this beats the ‘parson among the pease’— No less than your patron’s daughter — And Mistress Alice, whom I thought a very snowdrop, turned out a dog-violet after all — a Lindabrides, by heavens, and altogether one of ourselves.”
Excepting these unheeded mutterings, Alice was the first to speak.
“Master Everard,” she said —“Master Kerneguy, you are surprised to see me here — Yet, why should I not tell the reason at once? Convinced that I am, however guiltlessly, the unhappy cause of your misunderstanding, I am too much interested to prevent fatal consequences to pause upon any step which may end it. — Master Kerneguy, have my wishes, my entreaties111, my prayers — have your noble thoughts — the recollections of your own high duties, no weight with you in this matter? Let me entreat112 you to consult reason, religion, and common sense, and return your weapon.”
“I am obedient as an Eastern slave, madam,” answered Charles, sheathing113 his sword; “but I assure you, the matter about which you distress114 yourself is a mere115 trifle, which will be much better settled betwixt Colonel Everard and myself in five minutes, than with the assistance of the whole Convocation of the Church, with a female parliament to assist their reverend deliberations. — Mr. Everard, will you oblige me by walking a little farther? — We must change ground, it seems.”
“I am ready to attend you, sir,” said Everard, who had sheathed his sword so soon as his antagonist116 did so.
“I have then no interest with you, sir,” said Alice, continuing to address the King —“Do you not fear I should use the secret in my power to prevent this affair going to extremity117? Think you this gentleman, who raises his hand against you, if he knew”—
“If he knew that I were Lord Wilmot, you would say? — Accident has given him proof to that effect, with which he is already satisfied, and I think you would find it difficult to induce him to embrace a different opinion.”
Alice paused, and looked on the King with great indignation, the following words dropping from her mouth by intervals118, as if they burst forth119 one by one in spite of feelings that would have restrained them —“Cold — selfish — ungrateful — unkind! — Woe120 to the land which”— Here she paused with marked emphasis, then added —“which shall number thee, or such as thee, among her nobles and rulers!”
“Nay, fair Alice,” said Charles, whose good nature could not but feel the severity of this reproach, though too slightly to make all the desired impression, “You are too unjust to me — too partial to a happier man. Do not call me unkind; I am but here to answer Mr. Everard’s summons. I could neither decline attending, nor withdraw now I am here, without loss of honour; and my loss of honour would be a disgrace which must extend to many — I cannot fly from Mr. Everard — it would be too shameful121. If he abides123 by his message, it must be decided124 as such affairs usually are. If he retreats or yields it up, I will, for your sake, wave punctilio. I will not even ask an apology for the trouble it has afforded me, but let all pass as if it were the consequence of some unhappy mistake, the grounds of which shall remain on my part unenquired into. — This I will do for your sake, and it is much for a man of honour to condescend125 so far — You know that the condescension126 from me in particular is great indeed. Then do not call me ungenerous, or ungrateful, or unkind, since I am ready to do all, which, as a man, I can do, and more perhaps than as a man of honour I ought to do.”
“Do you hear this, Markham Everard?” exclaimed Alice —“do you hear this? — The dreadful option is left entirely127 at your disposal. You were wont128 to be temperate129 in passion, religious, forgiving — will you, for a mere punctilio, drive on this private and unchristian broil131 to a murderous extremity? Believe me, if you now, contrary to all the better principles of your life, give the reins132 to your passions, the consequences may be such as you will rue44 for your lifetime, and even, if Heaven have not mercy, rue after your life is finished.”
Markham Everard remained for a moment gloomily silent — with his eyes fixed133 on the ground. At length he looked up, and answered her —“Alice, you are a soldier’s daughter — a soldier’s sister. All your relations, even including one whom you then entertained some regard for, have been made soldiers by these unhappy discords134. Yet you have seen them take the field — in some instances on contrary sides, to do their duty where their principles called them, without manifesting this extreme degree of interest.”
He continued, “However, what is the true concern here is our relations with your own self, and mine is with this gentleman’s interest in you. I had expected that our disagreement could be dealt with as men dispute matters of honor. With your intrusion this cannot be done. I have few other options for politely resolving this, for you would surely hate the one who killed the other, to the loss of us both. Therefore,” addressing Charles, “in the interest of avoid this fate, I am forced to yield my interest in her to you; and, as I will never be the means of giving her pain, I trust you will not think I act unworthily in retracting135 the letter which gave you the trouble of attending this place at this hour. — Alice,” he said, turning his head towards her, “Farewell, Alice, at once, and for ever!”
The poor young lady, whose adventitious136 spirit had almost deserted137 her, attempted to repeat the word farewell, but failing in the attempt, only accomplished138 a broken and imperfect sound, and would have sunk to the ground, but for Dr. Rochecliffe, who caught her as she fell. Roger Wildrake, also, who had twice or thrice put to his eyes what remained of a kerchief, interested by the lady’s evident distress, though unable to comprehend the mysterious cause, hastened to assist the divine in supporting so fair a burden.
Meanwhile, the disguised Prince had beheld the whole in silence, but with an agitation to which he was unwonted, and which his swarthy features, and still more his motions, began to betray. His posture139 was at first absolutely stationary140, with his arms folded on his bosom141, as one who waits to be guided by the current of events; presently after, he shifted his position, advanced and retired142 his foot, clenched143 and opened his hand, and otherwise showed symptoms that he was strongly agitated144 by contending feelings — was on the point, too, of forming some sudden resolution, and yet still in uncertainty145 what course he should pursue.
But when he saw Markham Everard, after one look of unspeakable anguish146 towards Alice, turning his back to depart, he broke out into his familiar ejaculation, “Oddsfish! this must not be.” In three strides he overtook the slowly retiring Everard, tapped him smartly on the shoulder, and, as he turned round, said, with an air of command, which he well knew how to adopt at pleasure, “One word with you, sir.”
“At your pleasure, sir,” replied Everard; and naturally conjecturing147 the purpose of his antagonist to be hostile, took hold of his rapier with the left hand, and laid the right on the hilt, not displeased148 at the supposed call; for anger is at least as much akin88 to disappointment as pity is said to be to love.
“Pshaw!” answered the King, “that cannot be now — Colonel Everard, I am CHARLES STEWART!”
Everard recoiled149 in the greatest surprise, and next exclaimed, “Impossible — it cannot be! The King of Scots has escaped from Bristol. — My Lord Wilmot, your talents for intrigue150 are well known; but this will not pass upon me.”
“The King of Scots, Master Everard,” replied Charles, “since you are so pleased to limit his sovereignty — at any rate, the Eldest152 Son of the late Sovereign of Britain — is now before you; therefore it is impossible he could have escaped from Bristol. Doctor Rochecliffe shall be my voucher153, and will tell you, moreover, that Wilmot is of a fair complexion154 and light hair; mine, you may see, is swart as a raven155.”
Rochecliffe, seeing what was passing, abandoned Alice to the care of Wildrake, whose extreme delicacy in the attempts he made to bring her back to life, formed an amiable156 contrast to his usual wildness, and occupied him so much, that he remained for the moment ignorant of the disclosure in which he would have been so much interested. As for Dr. Rochecliffe, he came forward, wringing157 his hands in all the demonstration of extreme anxiety, and with the usual exclamations158 attending such a state.
“Peace, Doctor Rochecliffe!” said the King, with such complete self-possession as indeed became a prince; “we are in the hands, I am satisfied, of a man of honour. Master Everard must be pleased in finding only a fugitive159 prince in the person in whom he thought he had discovered a successful rival. He cannot but be aware of the feelings which prevented me from taking advantage of the cover which this young lady’s devoted loyalty160 afforded me, at the risk of her own happiness. He is the party who is to profit by my candour; and certainly I have a right to expect that my condition, already indifferent enough, shall not be rendered worse by his becoming privy161 to it under such circumstances. At any rate, the avowal162 is made; and it is for Colonel Everard to consider how he is to conduct himself.”
“Oh, your Majesty163! my Liege! my King! my royal Prince!” exclaimed Wildrake, who, at length discovering what was passing, had crawled on his knees, and seizing the King’s hand, was kissing it, more like a child mumbling164 gingerbread, or like a lover devouring165 the yielded hand of his mistress, than in the manner in which such salutations pass at court —“If my dear friend Mark Everard should prove a dog on this occasion, rely on me I will cut his throat on the spot, were I to do the same for myself the moment afterwards!”
“Hush166, hush, my good friend and loyal subject,” said the King, “and compose yourself; for though I am obliged to put on the Prince for a moment, we have not privacy or safety to receive our subjects in King Cambyses’ vein167.”
Everard, who had stood for a time utterly168 confounded, awoke at length like a man from a dream.
“Sire,” he said, bowing low, and with profound deference169, “if I do not offer you the homage170 of a subject with knee and sword, it is because God, by whom kings reign151, has denied you for the present the power of ascending171 your throne without rekindling172 civil war. For your safety being endangered by me, let not such an imagination for an instant cross your mind. Had I not respected your person — were I not bound to you for the candour with which your noble avowal has prevented the misery173 of my future life, your misfortunes would have rendered your person as sacred, so far as I can protect it, as it could be esteemed174 by the most devoted royalist in the kingdom. If your plans are soundly considered, and securely laid, think that all which is now passed is but a dream. If they are in such a state that I can aid them, saving my duty to the Commonwealth, which will permit me to be privy to no schemes of actual violence, your Majesty may command my services.”
“It may be I may be troublesome to you, sir,” said the King; “for my fortunes are not such as to permit me to reject even the most limited offers of assistance; but if I can, I will dispense175 with applying to you. I would not willingly put any man’s compassion176 at war with his sense of duty on my account. — Doctor, I think there will be no farther tilting today, either with sword or cane; so we may as well return to the Lodge, and leave these”— looking at Alice and Everard —“who may have more to say in explanation.”
“No — no!” exclaimed Alice, who was now perfectly177 come to herself, and partly by her own observation, and partly from the report of Dr. Rochecliffe, comprehended all that had taken place —“My cousin Everard and I have nothing to explain; he will forgive me for having riddled179 with him when I dared not speak plainly; and I forgive him for having read my riddle178 wrong. But my father has my promise — we must not correspond or converse180 for the present — I return instantly to the Lodge, and he to Woodstock, unless you, sire,” bowing to the King, “command his duty otherwise. Instant to the town, Cousin Markham; and if danger should approach, give us warning.”
Everard would have delayed her departure, would have excused himself for his unjust suspicion, would have said a thousand things; but she would not listen to him, saying, for all other answer — “Farewell, Markham, till God send better days!”
“She is an angel of truth and beauty,” said Roger Wildrake; “and I, like a blasphemous181 heretic, called her a Lindabrides!” 5 But has your Majesty, craving182 your pardon, no commands for poor Hodge Wildrake, who will blow out his own or any other man’s brains in England, to do your Grace a pleasure?”
“We entreat our good friend Wildrake to do nothing hastily,” said Charles, smiling; “such brains as his are rare, and should not be rashly dispersed183, as the like may not be easily collected. We recommend him to be silent and prudent184 — to tilt81 no more with loyal clergymen of the Church of England, and to get himself a new jacket with all convenient speed, to which we beg to contribute our royal aid. When fit time comes, we hope to find other service for him.”
As he spoke, he slid ten pieces into the hand of poor Wildrake, who, confounded with the excess of his loyal gratitude185, blubbered like a child, and would have followed the King, had not Dr. Rochecliffe, in few words, but peremptory186, insisted that he should return with his patron, promising187 him he should certainly be employed in assisting the King’s escape, could an opportunity be found of using his services.
“Be so generous, reverend sir, and you bind188 me to you for ever,” said the cavalier; “and I conjure189 you not to keep malice190 against me on account of the foolery you wot of.”
“I have no occasion, Captain Wildrake,” said the Doctor, “for I think I had the best of it.”
“Well, then, Doctor, I forgive you on my part: and I pray you, for Christian130 charity, let me have a finger in this good service; for as I live in hope of it, rely that I shall die of disappointment.”
While the Doctor and soldier thus spoke together, Charles took leave of Everard, (who remained uncovered while he spoke to him,) with his usual grace —“I need not bid you no longer be jealous of me,” said the King; “for I presume you will scarce think of a match betwixt Alice and me, which would be too losing a one on her side. For other thoughts, the wildest libertine191 could not entertain them towards so high-minded a creature; and believe me, that my sense of her merit did not need this last distinguished192 proof of her truth and loyalty. I saw enough of her from her answers to some idle sallies of gallantry, to know with what a lofty character she is endowed. Mr. Everard, her happiness I see depends on you, and I trust you will be the careful guardian193 of it. If we can take any obstacle out of the way of your joint194 happiness, be assured we will use our influence. — Farewell, sir; if we cannot be better friends, do not at least let us entertain harder or worse thoughts of each other than we have now.”
There was something in the manner of Charles that was extremely affecting; something too, in his condition as a fugitive in the kingdom which was his own by inheritance, that made a direct appeal to Everard’s bosom — though in contradiction to the dictates195 of that policy which he judged it his duty to pursue in the distracted circumstances of the country. He remained, as we have said, uncovered; and in his manner testified the highest expression of reverence196, up to the point when such might seem a symbol of allegiance. He bowed so low as almost to approach his lips to the hand of Charles — but he did not kiss it. —“I would rescue your person, sir,” he said, “with the purchase of my own life. More”— He stopped short, and the King took up his sentence where it broke off —“More you cannot do,” said Charles, “to maintain an honourable consistency197 — but what you have said is enough. You cannot render homage to my proffered198 hand as that of a sovereign, but you will not prevent my taking yours as a friend — if you allow me to call myself so — I am sure, as a well-wisher at least.”
The generous soul of Everard was touched — He took the King’s hand, and pressed it to his lips.
“Oh!” he said, “were better times to come”—
“Bind yourself to nothing, dear Everard,” said the good-natured Prince, partaking his emotion —“We reason ill while our feelings are moved. I will recruit no man to his loss, nor will I have my fallen fortunes involve those of others, because they have humanity enough to pity my present condition. If better times come, why we will meet again, and I hope to our mutual199 satisfaction. If not, as your future father-inlaw would say,” (a benevolent200 smile came over his face, and accorded not unmeetly with his glistening201 eyes,)—“If not, this parting was well made.”
Everard turned away with a deep bow, almost choking under contending feelings; the uppermost of which was a sense of the generosity with which Charles, at his own imminent202 risk, had cleared away the darkness that seemed about to overwhelm his prospects203 of happiness for life — mixed with a deep sense of the perils204 by which he was environed. He returned to the little town, followed by his attendant Wildrake, who turned back so often, with weeping eyes, and hands clasped and uplifted as supplicating205 Heaven, that Everard was obliged to remind him that his gestures might be observed by some one, and occasion suspicion.
The generous conduct of the King during the closing part of this remarkable206 scene, had not escaped Alice’s notice; and, erasing207 at once from her mind all resentment208 of Charles’s former conduct, and all the suspicions they had deservedly excited, awakened209 in her bosom a sense of the natural goodness of his disposition210, which permitted her to unite regard for his person, with that reverence for his high office in which she had been educated as a portion of her creed211. She felt convinced, and delighted with the conviction, that his virtues212 were his own, his libertinism213 the fault of education, or rather want of education, and the corrupting214 advice of sycophants215 and flatterers. She could not know, or perhaps did not in that moment consider, that in a soil where no care is taken to eradicate216 tares217, they will outgrow218 and smother219 the wholesome220 seed, even if the last is more natural to the soil. For, as Dr. Rochecliffe informed her afterwards for her edification, promising, as was his custom, to explain the precise words on some future occasion, if she would put him in mind — Virtus rectorem ducemque desiderat; Vitia sine magistro discuntur. 6 There was no room for such reflections at present. Conscious of mutual sincerity221, by a sort of intellectual communication, through which individuals are led to understand each other better, perhaps, in delicate circumstances, than by words, reserve and simulation appeared to be now banished222 from the intercourse223 between the King and Alice. With manly224 frankness, and, at the same time, with princely condescension, he requested her, exhausted225 as she was, to accept of his arm on the way homeward, instead of that of Dr. Rochecliffe; and Alice accepted of his support with modest humility226, but without a shadow of mistrust or fear. It seemed as if the last half hour had satisfied them perfectly with the character of each other, and that each had full conviction of the purity and sincerity of the other’s intentions.
Dr. Rochecliffe, in the meantime, had fallen some four or five paces behind; for, less light and active than Alice, (who had, besides, the assistance of the King’s support,) he was unable, without effort and difficulty, to keep up with the pace of Charles, who then was, as we have elsewhere noticed, one of the best walkers in England, and was sometimes apt to forget (as great men will) that others were inferior to him in activity.
“Dear Alice,” said the King, but as if the epithet227 were entirely fraternal, “I like your Everard much — I would to God he were of our determination — But since that cannot be, I am sure he will prove a generous enemy.” “May it please you, sire,” said Alice, modestly, but with some firmness, “my cousin will never be your Majesty’s personal enemy — and he is one of the few on whose slightest word you may rely more than on the oath of those who profess228 more strongly and formally. He is utterly incapable229 of abusing your Majesty’s most generous and voluntary confidence.”
“On my honour, I believe so, Alice,” replied the King: “But oddsfish! my girl, let Majesty sleep for the present — it concerns my safety, as I told your brother lately — Call me sir, then, which belongs alike to king, peer, knight, and gentleman — or rather let me be wild Louis Kerneguy again.” Alice looked down, and shook her head. “That cannot be, please your Majesty.”
“What! Louis was a saucy230 companion — a naughty presuming boy — and you cannot abide122 him? — Well, perhaps you are right — But we will wait for Dr. Rochecliffe”— he said, desirous, with good-natured delicacy, to make Alice aware that he had no purpose of engaging her in any discussion which could recall painful ideas. They paused accordingly, and again she felt relieved and grateful.
“I cannot persuade our fair friend, Mistress Alice, Doctor,” said the King, “that she must, in prudence231, forbear using titles of respect to me, while there are such very slender means of sustaining them.”
“It is a reproach to earth and to fortune,” answered the divine, as fast as his recovered breath would permit him, “that your most sacred Majesty’s present condition should not accord with the rendering232 of those honours which are your own by birth, and which, with God’s blessing233 on the efforts of your loyal subjects, I hope to see rendered to you as your hereditary234 right, by the universal voice of the three kingdoms.”
“True, Doctor,” replied the King; “but, in the meanwhile, can you expound235 to Mistress Alice Lee two lines of Horace, which I have carried in my thick head several years, till now they have come pat to my purpose. As my canny236 subjects of Scotland say, If you keep a thing seven years you are sure to find a use for it at last — Telephus — ay, so it begins —
‘Telephus et Peleus, cum pauper237 et exul uterque,
Projicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba.’”
“I will explain the passage to Mistress Alice,” said the Doctor, “when she reminds me of it — or rather,” (he added, recollecting238 that his ordinary dilatory239 answer on such occasions ought not to be returned when the order for exposition emanated240 from his Sovereign,) “I will repeat a poor couplet from my own translation of the poem —
‘Heroes and kings, in exile forced to roam.
Leave swelling241 phrase and seven-leagued words at home.’”
“A most admirable version, Doctor,” said Charles; “I feel all its force, and particularly the beautiful rendering of sesquipedalia verba into seven-leagued boots — words I mean — it reminds me, like half the things I meet with in this world, of the Contes de Commère L’Oye.” 7
Thus conversing242 they reached the Lodge; and as the King went to his chamber243 to prepare for the breakfast summons, now impending244, the idea crossed his mind, “Wilmot, and Villiers, and Killigrew, would laugh at me, did they hear of a campaign in which neither man nor woman had been conquered — But, oddsfish! let them laugh as they will, there is something at my heart which tells me, that for once in my life I have acted well.”
That day and the next were spent in tranquillity245, the King waiting impatiently for the intelligence, which was to announce to him that a vessel246 was prepared somewhere on the coast. None such was yet in readiness; but he learned that the indefatigable247 Albert Lee was, at great personal risk, traversing the sea-coast from town to village, and endeavouring to find means of embarkation248 among the friends of the royal cause, and the correspondents of Dr. Rochecliffe.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
grove
|
|
| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
monarch
|
|
| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
penetrating
|
|
| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
recesses
|
|
| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
varied
|
|
| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
tints
|
|
| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
prodigal
|
|
| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
profuse
|
|
| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
lodge
|
|
| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
emboldened
|
|
| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
vent
|
|
| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
dwellings
|
|
| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
solely
|
|
| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
disinterested
|
|
| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
muffling
|
|
| v.压抑，捂住( muffle的现在分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
tangled
|
|
| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
alleys
|
|
| 胡同，小巷( alley的名词复数 )； 小径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
duel
|
|
| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
consultation
|
|
| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
discomforts
|
|
| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
hem
|
|
| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
mantles
|
|
| vt.&vi.覆盖（mantle的第三人称单数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
lank
|
|
| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
attained
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
shrouded
|
|
| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
scathed
|
|
| v.伤害，损害（尤指使之枯萎）( scathe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
rendezvous
|
|
| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
beaver
|
|
| n.海狸，河狸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
gilt
|
|
| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
amends
|
|
| n. 赔偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
pretension
|
|
| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
accurately
|
|
| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
profanely
|
|
| adv.渎神地，凡俗地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
draught
|
|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
smacking
|
|
| 活泼的，发出响声的，精力充沛的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
trudges
|
|
| n.跋涉，长途疲劳的步行( trudge的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
bout
|
|
| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
thickets
|
|
| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
quotation
|
|
| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
rue
|
|
| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
muffled
|
|
| 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） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
traitor
|
|
| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
traitors
|
|
| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
undoing
|
|
| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
greasy
|
|
| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
slashed
|
|
| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
tarnished
|
|
| （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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
embroidery
|
|
| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
slough
|
|
| v.蜕皮，脱落，抛弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
tardiness
|
|
| n.缓慢；迟延；拖拉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
raving
|
|
| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
bastard
|
|
| n.坏蛋，混蛋；私生子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
demonstration
|
|
| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
sheathed
|
|
| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
cane
|
|
| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
contraband
|
|
| n.违禁品，走私品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
gad
|
|
| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
eccentricities
|
|
| n.古怪行为( eccentricity的名词复数 )；反常；怪癖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
chastise
|
|
| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
subdue
|
|
| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
wield
|
|
| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
dexterity
|
|
| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
pranks
|
|
| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
beheld
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
literally
|
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
militant
|
|
| adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
tilting
|
|
| 倾斜，倾卸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
tilt
|
|
| v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
latitude
|
|
| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
levity
|
|
| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
wilful
|
|
| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
vented
|
|
| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
akin
|
|
| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
salute
|
|
| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
regaining
|
|
| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
apprehend
|
|
| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
scotch
|
|
| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
generosity
|
|
| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
discourse
|
|
| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
scripture
|
|
| n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
precept
|
|
| n.戒律；格言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
obstinacy
|
|
| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
belie
|
|
| v.掩饰，证明为假 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
tenor
|
|
| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
honourable
|
|
| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
perjured
|
|
| adj.伪证的，犯伪证罪的v.发假誓，作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
apostate
|
|
| n.背叛者，变节者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
killing
|
|
| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
follower
|
|
| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
lesser
|
|
| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
delicacy
|
|
| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
commonwealth
|
|
| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
courteous
|
|
| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
entreaties
|
|
| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
entreat
|
|
| v.恳求，恳请 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
sheathing
|
|
| n.覆盖物，罩子v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的现在分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
distress
|
|
| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
antagonist
|
|
| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
extremity
|
|
| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
intervals
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
woe
|
|
| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
shameful
|
|
| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
abide
|
|
| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
abides
|
|
| 容忍( abide的第三人称单数 )； 等候； 逗留； 停留 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
condescend
|
|
| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
condescension
|
|
| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
temperate
|
|
| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
broil
|
|
| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
reins
|
|
| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
discords
|
|
| 不和（discord的复数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
retracting
|
|
| v.撤回或撤消( retract的现在分词 )；拒绝执行或遵守；缩回；拉回 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
adventitious
|
|
| adj.偶然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
posture
|
|
| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
stationary
|
|
| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
clenched
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
uncertainty
|
|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
anguish
|
|
| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
conjecturing
|
|
| v. & n. 推测，臆测 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
displeased
|
|
| a.不快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
recoiled
|
|
| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
intrigue
|
|
| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
reign
|
|
| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
eldest
|
|
| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
voucher
|
|
| n.收据；传票；凭单，凭证 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
raven
|
|
| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
wringing
|
|
| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
exclamations
|
|
| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
fugitive
|
|
| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
privy
|
|
| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
avowal
|
|
| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
mumbling
|
|
| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
devouring
|
|
| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
vein
|
|
| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
homage
|
|
| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
ascending
|
|
| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
rekindling
|
|
| v.使再燃( rekindle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
esteemed
|
|
| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
dispense
|
|
| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
compassion
|
|
| n.同情，怜悯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
riddle
|
|
| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
riddled
|
|
| adj.布满的；充斥的；泛滥的v.解谜，出谜题(riddle的过去分词形式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
converse
|
|
| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
blasphemous
|
|
| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
craving
|
|
| n.渴望,热望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
dispersed
|
|
| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
peremptory
|
|
| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
187
promising
|
|
| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
bind
|
|
| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
conjure
|
|
| v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
libertine
|
|
| n.淫荡者；adj.放荡的，自由思想的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
193
guardian
|
|
| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
194
joint
|
|
| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
195
dictates
|
|
| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
196
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
197
consistency
|
|
| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
198
proffered
|
|
| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
199
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
200
benevolent
|
|
| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
201
glistening
|
|
| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
202
imminent
|
|
| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
203
prospects
|
|
| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
204
perils
|
|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
205
supplicating
|
|
| v.祈求，哀求，恳求( supplicate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
206
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
207
erasing
|
|
| v.擦掉( erase的现在分词 )；抹去；清除 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
208
resentment
|
|
| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
209
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
210
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
211
creed
|
|
| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
212
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
213
libertinism
|
|
| n.放荡，玩乐，（对宗教事物的）自由思想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
214
corrupting
|
|
| （使）败坏( corrupt的现在分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
215
sycophants
|
|
| n.谄媚者，拍马屁者( sycophant的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
216
eradicate
|
|
| v.根除，消灭，杜绝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
217
tares
|
|
| 荑；稂莠；稗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
218
outgrow
|
|
| vt.长大得使…不再适用；成长得不再要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
219
smother
|
|
| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
220
wholesome
|
|
| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
221
sincerity
|
|
| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
222
banished
|
|
| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
223
intercourse
|
|
| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
224
manly
|
|
| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
225
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
226
humility
|
|
| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
227
epithet
|
|
| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
228
profess
|
|
| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
229
incapable
|
|
| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
230
saucy
|
|
| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
231
prudence
|
|
| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
232
rendering
|
|
| n.表现，描写 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
233
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
234
hereditary
|
|
| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
235
expound
|
|
| v.详述；解释；阐述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
236
canny
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，节俭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
237
pauper
|
|
| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
238
recollecting
|
|
| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
239
dilatory
|
|
| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
240
emanated
|
|
| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的过去式和过去分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
241
swelling
|
|
| n.肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
242
conversing
|
|
| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
243
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
244
impending
|
|
| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
245
tranquillity
|
|
| n. 平静, 安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
246
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
247
indefatigable
|
|
| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
248
embarkation
|
|
| n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |