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Chapter LII Squire Hamley’s Sorrow
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It seemed very long before Mr. Gibson came down. He went and stood with his back to the empty fireplace, and did not speak for a minute or two.

‘He’s gone to bed,’ said he at length. ‘Robinson and I have got him there. But just as I was leaving him he called me back, and asked me to let you stop. I’m sure I don’t know — but one doesn’t like to refuse at such a time.’

‘I wish to stay,’ said Molly.

‘Do you? There’s a good girl. But how will you manage?’

‘Oh, never mind that. I can manage. Papa,’— she paused — what did Osborne die of?’ She asked the question in a low, awe-stricken voice.

‘Something wrong about the heart. You wouldn’t understand if I told you. I apprehended1 it for some time; but it is better not to talk of such things at home. When I saw him on Thursday week, he seemed better than I have seen him for a long time. I told Dr Nicholls so. But one never can calculate in these complaints.’

‘You saw him on Thursday week? Why, you never mentioned it!’ said Molly.

‘No. I don’t talk of my patients at home, Besides, I didn’t want him to consider me as his doctor, but as a friend. Any alarm about his own health would only have hastened the catastrophe2.’

‘Then didn’t he know that he was ill — ill of a dangerous complaint, I mean, one that might end as it has done?’

‘No; certainly not. He would only have been watching his symptoms — accelerating matters, in fact.’

‘Oh, papa!’ said Molly, shocked.

‘I’ve no time to go into the question,’ Mr. Gibson continued. ‘And until you know what has to be said on both sides, and in every instance, you are not qualified3 to judge. We must keep our attention on the duties in hand now. You sleep here for the remainder of the night, which is more than half-gone already?’

‘Yes.’

‘Promise me to go to bed just as usual. You may not think it, but most likely you’ll go to sleep at once. People do at your age.’

‘Papa, I think I ought to tell you something. I know a great secret of Osborne’s, which I promised solemnly not to tell; but the last time I saw him I think he must have been afraid of something like this.’ A fit of sobbing4 came upon her, which her father was afraid would end in hysterics. But suddenly she mastered herself, and looked up into his anxious face, and smiled to reassure5 him.

‘I could not help it, papa!’

‘No. I know. Go on with what you were saying. You ought to be in bed; but if you have a secret on your mind you won’t sleep.’

‘Osborne was married,’ said she, fixing her eyes on her father. ‘That is the secret.’

‘Married! Nonsense. What makes you think so?’

‘He told me. That’s to say, I was in the library — was reading there, some time ago; and Roger came and spoke6 to Osborne about his wife. Roger did not see me, but Osborne did. They made me promise secrecy7. I don’t think I did wrong.’

‘Don’t worry yourself about right or wrong just now; tell me more about it, at once.’

‘I knew no more till six months ago — last November, when you went up to Lady Cumnor. Then he called, and gave me his wife’s address, but still under promise of secrecy; and, excepting those two times, I have never heard any one mention the subject. I think he would have told me more that last time, only Miss Phoebe came in.’

‘Where is this wife of his?’

‘Down in the south; near Winchester, I think. He said she was a Frenchwoman and a Roman Catholic; and I think he said she was a servant,’ added Molly.

‘Phew!’ Her father made a long whistle of dismay.

‘And,’ continued Molly, ‘he spoke of a child. Now you know as much as I do, papa, except the address. I have it written down safe at home.’

Forgetting, apparently8, what time of night it was, Mr. Gibson sate9 down, stretched out his legs before him, put his hands in his pockets, and began to think. Molly sate still without speaking, too tired to do more than wait.

‘Well!’ said he at last, jumping up, ‘nothing can be done to-night; by tomorrow morning, perhaps, I may find out. Poor little pale face!’— taking it between both his hands and kissing it; ‘poor, sweet, little pale face!’ Then he rang the bell, and told Robinson to send some maid-servant to take Miss Gibson to her room.

‘He won’t be up early,’ said he, in parting. ‘The shock has lowered him too much to be energetic. Send breakfast up to him in his own room. I’ll be here again before ten.’

Late as it was before he left, he kept his word.

‘Now, Molly,’ he said, ‘you and I must tell him the truth between us. I don’t know how he will take it; it may comfort him, but I have very little hope: either way, he ought to know it at once.’

‘Robinson says he has gone into the room again, and he is afraid he has locked the door on the inside.’

‘Never mind. I shall ring the bell, and send up Robinson to say that I am here, and wish to speak to him.’

The message returned was, ‘The squire10’s kind love, and could not see Mr. Gibson just then.’ Robinson added, ‘It was a long time before he’d answer at all, sir.’

‘Go up again, and tell him I can wait his convenience. Now that’s a lie,’ Mr. Gibson said, turning round to Molly as soon as Robinson had left the room. ‘I ought to be far enough away at twelve; but, if I’m not much mistaken, the innate11 habits of a gentleman will make him uneasy at the idea of keeping me waiting his pleasure, and will do more to bring him out of that room into this than any entreaties12 or reasoning.’ Mr. Gibson was growing impatient though, before they heard the squire’s footstep on the stairs; he was evidently coming slowly and unwillingly13. He came in almost like one blind, groping along, and taking hold of chair or table for support or guidance till he reached Mr. Gibson. He did not speak when he held the doctor by the hand; he only hung down his head, and kept on a feeble shaking of welcome.

‘I’m brought very low, sir. I suppose it’s God’s doing; but it comes hard upon me. He was my firstborn child.’ He said this almost as if speaking to a stranger, and informing him of facts of which he was ignorant.

‘Here’s Molly,’ said Mr. Gibson, choking a little himself, and pushing her forwards.

‘I beg your pardon; I did not see you at first. My mind is a good deal occupied just now.’ He sate heavily down, and then seemed almost to forget they were there. Molly wondered what was to come next. Suddenly her father spoke —

‘Where’s Roger?’ said he. ‘Is he not likely to be soon at the Cape14?’ He got up and looked at the directions of one or two unopened letters brought by that morning’s post; among them was one in Cynthia’s handwriting. Both Molly and he saw it at the same time. How long it was since yesterday! But the squire took no notice of their proceedings15 or their looks.

‘You will be glad to have Roger at home as soon as may be, I think, sir. Some months must elapse first; but I’m sure he will return as speedily as possible.’

The squire said something in a very low voice. Both father and daughter strained their ears to hear what it was. They both believed it to be, ‘Roger is not Osborne!’ And Mr. Gibson spoke on that belief. He spoke more quietly than Molly had ever heard him do before.

‘No! we know that. I wish that anything that Roger could do, or that I could do, or that any one could do, would comfort you; but it is past human comfort.’

‘I do try to say, God’s will be done, sir,’ said the squire, looking up at Mr. Gibson for the first time, and speaking with more life in his voice; ‘but it is harder to be resigned than happy people think.’ They were all silent for a while. The squire himself was the first to speak again — ‘He was my first child, sir; my eldest16 son. And of late years we weren’t’— his voice broke down, but he controlled himself —‘we weren’t quite as good friends as could be wished; and I’m not sure — not sure that he knew how I loved him.’ And now he cried aloud with an exceeding bitter cry.

‘Better so!’ whispered Mr. Gibson to Molly. ‘When he is a little calmer, don’t be afraid; tell him all you know, exactly as it happened.’

Molly began. Her voice sounded high and unnatural17 to herself, as if some one else was speaking, but she made her words clear. The squire did not attempt to listen, at first, at any rate.

‘One day when I was here, at the time of Mrs. Hamley’s last illness’ (the squire here checked his convulsive breathing), ‘I was in the library, and Osborne came in. He said he had only come in for a book, and that I was not to mind him, so I went on reading. Presently, Roger came along the flagged garden-path just outside the window (which was open). He did not see me in the corner where I was sitting, and said to Osborne, “Here’s a letter from your wife!”’

Now the squire was all attention; for the first time his tear-swollen eyes met the eyes of another, and he looked at Molly with searching anxiety, as he repeated, ‘His wife! Osborne married!’ Molly went on —

‘Osborne was angry with Roger for speaking out before me, and they made me promise never to mention it to any one; or to allude18 to it to either of them again. I never named it to papa till last night.’

‘Go on,’ said Mr. Gibson. ‘Tell the squire about Osborne’s call — what you told me!’ Still the squire hung on her lips, listening with open mouth and eyes.

‘Some months ago Osborne called. He was not well, and wanted to see papa. Papa was away, and I was alone. I don’t exactly remember how it came about, but he spoke to me of his wife for the first and only time since the affair in the library.’ She looked at her father, as if questioning him as to the desirableness of telling the few further particulars that she knew. The squire’s mouth was dry and stiff, but he tried to say, ‘Tell me all — everything.’ And Molly understood the half-formed words.

‘He said his wife was a good woman, and that he loved her dearly; but she was a French Roman Catholic, and a’— another glance at her father — ‘she had been a servant once. That was all; except that I have her address at home. He wrote it down and gave it me.’

‘Well, well!’ moaned the squire. ‘It’s all over now. All over. All past and gone. We’ll not blame him — no; but I wish he’d a told me; he and I to live together with such a secret in one of us. It’s no wonder to me now — nothing can be a wonder again, for one never can tell what’s in a man’s heart. Married so long! and we sitting together at meals — and living together. Why, I told him everything! Too much, may be, for I showed him all my passions and ill-tempers! Married so long! Oh, Osborne, Osborne, you should have told me!’

‘Yes, he should!’ said Mr. Gibson. ‘But I daresay he knew how much you would dislike such a choice as he had made. But he should have told you!’

‘You know nothing about it, sir,’ said the squire sharply. ‘You don’t know the terms we were on. Not hearty19 or confidential20. I was cross to him many a time, angry with him for being dull, poor lad — and he with all this weight on his mind. I won’t have people interfering21 and judging between me and my sons. And Roger too! He could know it all, and keep it from me!’

‘Osborne evidently had bound him down to secrecy, just as he bound me,’ said Molly; ‘Roger could not help himself.’

‘Osborne was such a fellow for persuading people, and winning them over,’ said the squire, dreamily. ‘I remember — but what’s the use of remembering? It’s all over, and Osborne is dead without opening his heart to me. I could have been tender to him, I could. But he’ll never know it now!’

‘But we can guess what wish he had strongest in his mind at the last, from what we do know of his life.’ said Mr. Gibson.

‘What, sir?’ said the squire, with sharp suspicion of what was coming.

‘His wife must have been his last thought, must she not?’

‘How do I know she was his wife? Do you think he’d go and marry a French baggage of a servant? It may be all a tale trumped22 up.’

‘Stop, squire. I don’t care to defend my daughter’s truth or accuracy. But with the dead man’s body lying upstairs — his soul with God — think twice before you say more hasty words, impugning23 his character; if she was not his wife, what was she?’

‘I beg your pardon. I hardly know what I am saying. Did I accuse Osborne? Oh, my lad, my lad — thou might have trusted thy old dad! He used to call me his “old dad” when he was a little chap not bigger than this,’ indicating a certain height with his hand. ‘I never meant to say he was not — not what one would wish to think him now — his soul with God, as you say very justly — for I am sure it is there —’

‘Well! but, squire,’ said Mr. Gibson, trying to check the other’s rambling24, ‘to return to his wife —’

‘And the child,’ whispered Molly to her father. Low as the whisper was, it struck on the squire’s ear.

‘What?’ said he, turning round to her suddenly, ‘— child! You never named that? Is there a child? Husband and father, and I never knew! God bless Osborne’s child! I say, God bless it!’ He stood up reverently25, and the other two instinctively26 rose. He closed his hands as if in momentary27 prayer. Then exhausted28 he sate down again, and put out his hand to Molly.

‘You’re a good girl. Thank you. Tell me what I ought to do, and I’ll do it.’ This to Mr. Gibson.

‘I am almost as much puzzled as you are, squire,’ replied he. ‘I fully29 believe the whole story; but I think there must be some written confirmation30 of it, which perhaps ought to be found at once, before we act. Most probably this is to be discovered among Osborne’s papers. Will you look over them at once? Molly shall return with me, and find the address that Osborne gave her, while you are busy —’

‘She’ll come back again?’ said the squire eagerly. ‘You — she won’t leave me to myself?’

‘No! She shall come back this evening. I’ll manage to send her somehow. But she has no clothes but the habit she came in, and I want my horse that she rode away upon.’

‘Take the carriage,’ said the squire. ‘Take anything. I’ll give orders. You’ll come back again, too?’

‘No! I’m afraid not, today. I’ll come tomorrow, early. Molly shall return this evening, whenever it suits you to send for her.’

‘This afternoon; the carriage shall be at your house at three. I dare not look at Osborne’s — at the papers without one of you with me; and yet I shall never rest till I know more.’

‘I will send the desk in by Robinson before I leave. And — can you give me some lunch before I go?’

Little by little he led the squire to eat a morsel31 or so of food; and so, strengthening him physically32, and encouraging him mentally, Mr. Gibson hoped that he would begin his researches during Molly’s absence.

There was something touching33 in the squire’s wistful looks after Molly as she moved about. A stranger might have imagined her to be his daughter instead of Mr. Gibson’s. The meek34, broken-down, considerate ways of the bereaved35 father never showed themselves more strongly than when he called them back to his chair, out of which he seemed too languid to rise, and said, as if by an after-thought — ‘Give my love to Miss Kirkpatrick; tell her I look upon her as quite one of the family. I shall be glad to see her after — after the funeral. I don’t think I can before.’

‘He knows nothing of Cynthia’s resolution to give up Roger,’ said Mr Gibson as they rode away. ‘I had a long talk with her last night, but she was as resolute36 as ever. From what your mamma tells me, there is a third lover in London, whom she’s already refused. I’m thankful that you’ve no lover at all, Molly, unless that abortive37 attempt of Mr. Coxe’s at an offer, long ago, can be called a lover.’

‘I never heard of it, papa,’ said Molly.

‘Oh, no. I forgot. What a fool I was! Why, don’t you remember the hurry I was in to get you off to Hamley Hall, the very first time you ever went? It was all because I got hold of a desperate love-letter from Coxe, addressed to you.’

But Molly was too tired to be amused, or even interested. She could not get over the sight of the straight body covered with a sheet, which yet let the outlines be seen — all that remained of Osborne. Her father had trusted too much to the motion of the ride, and the change of scene from the darkened house. He saw his mistake.

‘Some one must write to Mrs. Osborne Hamley,’ said he. ‘I believe her to have a legal right to the name; but whether or no, she must be told that the father of her child is dead. Shall you do it, or I?’

‘Oh, you, please, papa!’

‘I will, if you wish, But she may have heard of you as a friend of her dead husband’s; while of me — a mere38 country doctor — it’s very probable she has never heard the name.’

‘If I ought, I will do it.’ Mr. Gibson did not like this ready acquiescence39, given in so few words, too.

‘There’s Hollingford church-spire,’ said she presently, as they drew near the town, and caught a glimpse of the church through the trees. ‘I think I never wish to go out of sight of it again.’

‘Nonsense!’ said he. ‘Why, you’ve all your travelling to do yet; and if these newfangled railways spread, as they say they will, we shall all be spinning about the world; “sitting on tea-kettles,” as Phoebe Browning calls it. Miss Browning wrote such a capital letter of advice to Miss Hornblower. I heard of it at the Millers’. Miss Hornblower was going to travel by railroad for the first time; and Sally was very anxious, and sent her directions for her conduct; one piece of advice was not to sit on the boiler40.’

Molly laughed a little, as she was expected to do.

‘Here we are at home, at last.’

Mrs. Gibson gave Molly a warm welcome. For one thing, Cynthia was in disgrace; for another, Molly came from the centre of news; for a third, Mrs. Gibson was really fond of the girl, in her way, and sorry to see her pale heavy looks.

‘To think of it all being so sudden at last! Not but what I always expected it! And so provoking! Just when Cynthia had given up Roger! If she had only waited a day! What does the squire say to it all?’

‘He is beaten down with grief,’ replied Molly.

‘Indeed! I should not have fancied he had liked the engagement so much.’

‘What engagement?’

‘Why, Roger to Cynthia, to be sure. I asked you how the squire took her letter, announcing the breaking of it off?’

‘Oh — I made a mistake. He has not opened his letters today. I saw Cynthia’s among them.’

‘Now that I call positive disrespect.’

‘I don’t know. He did not mean it for such. Where is Cynthia?’

‘Gone out into the meadow-garden. She’ll be in directly. I wanted her to do some errands for me, but she flatly refused to go into the town. I am afraid she mismanages her affairs sadly. But she won’t allow me to interfere41. I hate to look at such things in a mercenary spirit, but it is provoking to see her throw over two such good matches. First Mr. Henderson, and now Roger Hamley. When does the squire expect Roger? Does he think he will come back sooner for poor dear Osborne’s death?’

‘I don’t know. He hardly seems to think of anything but Osborne. He seems to me to have almost forgotten every one else. But perhaps the news of Osborne’s being married, and of the child, may rouse him up.’

Molly had no doubt that Osborne was really and truly married, nor had she any idea that her father had never breathed the facts of which she had told him on the previous night, to his wife or Cynthia. But Mr. Gibson had been slightly dubious42 of the full legality of the marriage, and had not felt inclined to speak of it to his wife until that had been ascertained43 one way or another. So Mrs. Gibson exclaimed, ‘What do you mean, child? Married! Osborne married. Who says so?’

‘Oh, dear! I suppose I ought not to have named it. I am very stupid today. Yes! Osborne has been married a long time; but the squire did not know of it until this morning. I think it has done him good. But I don’t know.’

‘Who is the lady? Why, I call it a shame to go about as a single man, and be married all the time! If there is one thing that revolts me, it is duplicity. Who is the lady? Do tell me all you know about it, there’s a dear.’

‘She is French, and a Roman Catholic,’ said Molly.

‘French! They are such beguiling44 women; and he was so much abroad! You said there was a child — is it a boy or girl?’

‘I did not hear. I did not ask.’

Molly did not think it necessary to do more than answer questions; indeed, she was vexed45 enough to have told anything of what her father evidently considered it desirable to keep secret. Just then Cynthia came wandering into the room with a careless, hopeless look in her face, which Molly noticed at once. She had not heard of Molly’s arrival, and had no idea that she was returned until she saw her sitting there.

‘Molly, darling! Is that you? You’re as welcome as the flowers in May, though you’ve not been gone twenty-four hours. But the house is not the same when you are away!’

‘And she brings us such news too!’ said Mrs. Gibson. ‘I’m really almost glad you wrote to the squire yesterday, for if you had waited till today — I thought you were in too great a hurry at the time — he might have thought you had some interested reason for giving up your engagement. Osborne Hamley was married all this time unknown to everybody, and has got a child too.’

‘Osborne married!’ exclaimed Cynthia. ‘If ever a man looked a bachelor, he did. Poor Osborne! with his fair delicate elegance46 — he looked so young and boyish!’

‘Yes! it was a great piece of deceit, and I can’t easily forgive him for it. Only think! If he had paid either of you any particular attention, and you had fallen in love with him! Why, he might have broken your heart, or Molly’s either. I can’t forgive him, even though he is dead, poor fellow!’

Well, as he never did pay either of us any particular attention, and as we neither of us did fall in love with him, I think I only feel sorry that he had all the trouble and worry of concealment47.’ Cynthia spoke with a pretty keen recollection of how much trouble and worry her concealment had cost her.

‘And now of course it is a son, and will be the heir, and Roger will just be as poorly off as ever. I hope you’ll take care and let the squire know Cynthia was quite ignorant of these new facts that have come out when she wrote those letters, Molly? I should not like a suspicion of worldliness to rest upon any one with whom I had any concern.’

‘He has not read Cynthia’s letter yet. Oh, do let me bring it home unopened,’ said Molly. ‘Send another letter to Roger — now — at once; it will reach him at the same time; he will get both when he arrives at the Cape, and make him understand which is the last — the real one. Think! he will hear of Osborne’s death at the same time — two such sad things! Do, Cynthia!’

‘No, my dear,’ said Mrs. Gibson. ‘I could not allow that, even if Cynthia felt inclined for it. Asking to be re-engaged to him! At any rate, she must wait now until he proposes again, and we see how things turn out.’

But Molly kept her pleading eyes fixed48 on Cynthia.

‘No!’ said Cynthia firmly, but not without consideration. ‘It cannot be. I have felt more content this last night than I have done for weeks past. I am glad to be free. I dreaded49 Roger’s goodness, and learning, and all that. It was not in my way, and I don’t believe I should have ever married him, even without knowing of all these ill-natured stories that are circulating about me, and which he would hear of, and expect me to explain, and be sorry for, and penitent50 and humble51. I know he could not have made me happy, and I don’t believe he would have been happy with me. It must stay as it is. I would rather be a governess than married to him. I should get weary of him every day of my life.’

‘Weary of Roger!’ said Molly to herself. ‘It is best as it is, I see,’ she answered aloud. ‘Only I am very sorry for him, very. He did love you so. You will never get any one to love you like him!’

‘Very well. I must take my chance. And too much love is rather oppressive to me, I believe. I like a great deal, widely spread about; not all confined to one individual lover.’

‘I don’t believe you,’ said Molly. ‘But don’t let us talk any more about it. It is best as it is. I thought — I almost felt sure you would be sorry this morning. But we will leave it alone now.’ She sate silently looking out of the window, her heart sorely stirred, she scarcely knew how or why. But she could not have spoken. Most likely she would have begun to cry if she had spoken. Cynthia stole softly up to her after a while.

‘You are vexed with me, Molly,’ she began in a low voice. But Molly turned sharply round.

‘I! I have no business at all in the affair. It is for you to judge. Do what you think right. I believe you have done right. Only I don’t want to discuss it, and paw it over with talk. I am very much tired, dear’— gently now she spoke — ‘and I hardly know what I say. If I speak crossly, don’t mind it.’ Cynthia did not reply at once. Then she said —

‘Do you think I might go with you, and help you? I might have done yesterday; and you say he has not opened my letter, so he has not heard as yet. And I was always fond of poor Osborne, in my way, you know.’

‘I cannot tell; I have no right to say,’ replied Molly, scarcely understanding Cynthia’s motives52, which, after all, were only impulses in this case. ‘Papa would be able to judge; I think, perhaps, you had better not. But don’t go by my opinion, I can only tell what I should wish to do in your place.’

‘It was as much for your sake as any one’s, Molly,’ said Cynthia.

‘Oh, then, don’t! I am tired today with sitting up; but tomorrow I shall be all right; and I should not like it, if, for my sake, you came into the house at so solemn a time.’

‘Very well!’ said Cynthia, half-glad that her impulsive53 offer was declined; for, as she said, thinking to herself, ‘It would have been awkward after all,’ So Molly went back in the carriage alone, wondering how she should find the squire, wondering what discoveries he had made among Osborne’s papers; and at what conviction he would have arrived.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 apprehended a58714d8af72af24c9ef953885c38a66     
逮捕,拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 ); 理解
参考例句:
  • She apprehended the complicated law very quickly. 她很快理解了复杂的法律。
  • The police apprehended the criminal. 警察逮捕了罪犯。
2 catastrophe WXHzr     
n.大灾难,大祸
参考例句:
  • I owe it to you that I survived the catastrophe.亏得你我才大难不死。
  • This is a catastrophe beyond human control.这是一场人类无法控制的灾难。
3 qualified DCPyj     
adj.合格的,有资格的,胜任的,有限制的
参考例句:
  • He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
  • We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。
4 sobbing df75b14f92e64fc9e1d7eaf6dcfc083a     
<主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的
参考例句:
  • I heard a child sobbing loudly. 我听见有个孩子在呜呜地哭。
  • Her eyes were red with recent sobbing. 她的眼睛因刚哭过而发红。
5 reassure 9TgxW     
v.使放心,使消除疑虑
参考例句:
  • This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点,于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
  • The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。
6 spoke XryyC     
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:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
7 secrecy NZbxH     
n.秘密,保密,隐蔽
参考例句:
  • All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。
  • Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。
8 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
9 sate 2CszL     
v.使充分满足
参考例句:
  • Nothing could sate the careerist's greed for power.什么也满足不了这个野心家的权力欲。
  • I am sate with opera after listening to it for a whole weekend.听了整整一个周末的歌剧,我觉得腻了。
10 squire 0htzjV     
n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅
参考例句:
  • I told him the squire was the most liberal of men.我告诉他乡绅是世界上最宽宏大量的人。
  • The squire was hard at work at Bristol.乡绅在布里斯托尔热衷于他的工作。
11 innate xbxzC     
adj.天生的,固有的,天赋的
参考例句:
  • You obviously have an innate talent for music.你显然有天生的音乐才能。
  • Correct ideas are not innate in the mind.人的正确思想不是自己头脑中固有的。
12 entreaties d56c170cf2a22c1ecef1ae585b702562     
n.恳求,乞求( entreaty的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • He began with entreaties and ended with a threat. 他先是恳求,最后是威胁。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The tyrant was deaf to the entreaties of the slaves. 暴君听不到奴隶们的哀鸣。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 unwillingly wjjwC     
adv.不情愿地
参考例句:
  • He submitted unwillingly to his mother. 他不情愿地屈服于他母亲。
  • Even when I call, he receives unwillingly. 即使我登门拜访,他也是很不情愿地接待我。
14 cape ITEy6     
n.海角,岬;披肩,短披风
参考例句:
  • I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
  • She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。
15 proceedings Wk2zvX     
n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
  • to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼
16 eldest bqkx6     
adj.最年长的,最年老的
参考例句:
  • The King's eldest son is the heir to the throne.国王的长子是王位的继承人。
  • The castle and the land are entailed on the eldest son.城堡和土地限定由长子继承。
17 unnatural 5f2zAc     
adj.不自然的;反常的
参考例句:
  • Did her behaviour seem unnatural in any way?她有任何反常表现吗?
  • She has an unnatural smile on her face.她脸上挂着做作的微笑。
18 allude vfdyW     
v.提及,暗指
参考例句:
  • Many passages in Scripture allude to this concept.圣经中有许多经文间接地提到这样的概念。
  • She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles.她还影射了对手过去的婚姻问题。
19 hearty Od1zn     
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的
参考例句:
  • After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了,他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
  • We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。
20 confidential MOKzA     
adj.秘(机)密的,表示信任的,担任机密工作的
参考例句:
  • He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
  • We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。
21 interfering interfering     
adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词
参考例句:
  • He's an interfering old busybody! 他老爱管闲事!
  • I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. 我希望我母亲不再干预,让我自己拿主意。
22 trumped ccd8981ef2e9e924662f9825da2c2ce2     
v.(牌戏)出王牌赢(一牌或一墩)( trump的过去分词 );吹号公告,吹号庆祝;吹喇叭;捏造
参考例句:
  • That woman trumped up various baseless charges against him. 那个女人捏造种种毫无根据的罪名指控他。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Several of his colleagues trumped up a complaint to get him removed from the job. 他的几位同事诬告他,使他丟掉了工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 impugning 36a3dc664317416c52a6b4ea2df4c82a     
v.非难,指谪( impugn的现在分词 );对…有怀疑
参考例句:
24 rambling MTfxg     
adj.[建]凌乱的,杂乱的
参考例句:
  • We spent the summer rambling in Ireland. 我们花了一个夏天漫游爱尔兰。
  • It was easy to get lost in the rambling house. 在布局凌乱的大房子里容易迷路。
25 reverently FjPzwr     
adv.虔诚地
参考例句:
  • He gazed reverently at the handiwork. 他满怀敬意地凝视着这件手工艺品。
  • Pork gazed at it reverently and slowly delight spread over his face. 波克怀着愉快的心情看着这只表,脸上慢慢显出十分崇敬的神色。
26 instinctively 2qezD2     
adv.本能地
参考例句:
  • As he leaned towards her she instinctively recoiled. 他向她靠近,她本能地往后缩。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He knew instinctively where he would find her. 他本能地知道在哪儿能找到她。 来自《简明英汉词典》
27 momentary hj3ya     
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的
参考例句:
  • We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。
  • I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他们一眼。
28 exhausted 7taz4r     
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的
参考例句:
  • It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长,到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
  • Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。
29 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
30 confirmation ZYMya     
n.证实,确认,批准
参考例句:
  • We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
  • We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前,我们需要书面确认。
31 morsel Q14y4     
n.一口,一点点
参考例句:
  • He refused to touch a morsel of the food they had brought.他们拿来的东西他一口也不吃。
  • The patient has not had a morsel of food since the morning.从早上起病人一直没有进食。
32 physically iNix5     
adj.物质上,体格上,身体上,按自然规律
参考例句:
  • He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服,心绪也很乱。
  • Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。
33 touching sg6zQ9     
adj.动人的,使人感伤的
参考例句:
  • It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
  • His letter was touching.他的信很感人。
34 meek x7qz9     
adj.温顺的,逆来顺受的
参考例句:
  • He expects his wife to be meek and submissive.他期望妻子温顺而且听他摆布。
  • The little girl is as meek as a lamb.那个小姑娘像羔羊一般温顺。
35 bereaved dylzO0     
adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去(希望、生命等)( bereave的过去式和过去分词);(尤指死亡)使丧失(亲人、朋友等);使孤寂;抢走(财物)
参考例句:
  • The ceremony was an ordeal for those who had been recently bereaved. 这个仪式对于那些新近丧失亲友的人来说是一种折磨。
  • an organization offering counselling for the bereaved 为死者亲友提供辅导的组织
36 resolute 2sCyu     
adj.坚决的,果敢的
参考例句:
  • He was resolute in carrying out his plan.他坚决地实行他的计划。
  • The Egyptians offered resolute resistance to the aggressors.埃及人对侵略者作出坚决的反抗。
37 abortive 1IXyE     
adj.不成功的,发育不全的
参考例句:
  • We had to abandon our abortive attempts.我们的尝试没有成功,不得不放弃。
  • Somehow the whole abortive affair got into the FBI files.这件早已夭折的案子不知怎么就进了联邦调查局的档案。
38 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
39 acquiescence PJFy5     
n.默许;顺从
参考例句:
  • The chief inclined his head in sign of acquiescence.首领点点头表示允许。
  • This is due to his acquiescence.这是因为他的默许。
40 boiler OtNzI     
n.锅炉;煮器(壶,锅等)
参考例句:
  • That boiler will not hold up under pressure.那种锅炉受不住压力。
  • This new boiler generates more heat than the old one.这个新锅炉产生的热量比旧锅炉多。
41 interfere b5lx0     
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰
参考例句:
  • If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话,可能弊多利少。
  • When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件,棘手的事情就来了。
42 dubious Akqz1     
adj.怀疑的,无把握的;有问题的,靠不住的
参考例句:
  • What he said yesterday was dubious.他昨天说的话很含糊。
  • He uses some dubious shifts to get money.他用一些可疑的手段去赚钱。
43 ascertained e6de5c3a87917771a9555db9cf4de019     
v.弄清,确定,查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The previously unidentified objects have now been definitely ascertained as being satellites. 原来所说的不明飞行物现在已证实是卫星。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I ascertained that she was dead. 我断定她已经死了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
44 beguiling xyzzKB     
adj.欺骗的,诱人的v.欺骗( beguile的现在分词 );使陶醉;使高兴;消磨(时间等)
参考例句:
  • Her beauty was beguiling. 她美得迷人。
  • His date was curvaceously beguiling. 他约会是用来欺骗女性的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
45 vexed fd1a5654154eed3c0a0820ab54fb90a7     
adj.争论不休的;(指问题等)棘手的;争论不休的问题;烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 );使苦恼;使生气;详细讨论
参考例句:
  • The conference spent days discussing the vexed question of border controls. 会议花了几天的时间讨论边境关卡这个难题。
  • He was vexed at his failure. 他因失败而懊恼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
46 elegance QjPzj     
n.优雅;优美,雅致;精致,巧妙
参考例句:
  • The furnishings in the room imparted an air of elegance.这个房间的家具带给这房间一种优雅的气氛。
  • John has been known for his sartorial elegance.约翰因为衣着讲究而出名。
47 concealment AvYzx1     
n.隐藏, 掩盖,隐瞒
参考例句:
  • the concealment of crime 对罪行的隐瞒
  • Stay in concealment until the danger has passed. 把自己藏起来,待危险过去后再出来。
48 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
49 dreaded XuNzI3     
adj.令人畏惧的;害怕的v.害怕,恐惧,担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。
  • He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》
50 penitent wu9ys     
adj.后悔的;n.后悔者;忏悔者
参考例句:
  • They all appeared very penitent,and begged hard for their lives.他们一个个表示悔罪,苦苦地哀求饶命。
  • She is deeply penitent.她深感愧疚。
51 humble ddjzU     
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低
参考例句:
  • In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
  • Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
52 motives 6c25d038886898b20441190abe240957     
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
  • His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。
53 impulsive M9zxc     
adj.冲动的,刺激的;有推动力的
参考例句:
  • She is impulsive in her actions.她的行为常出于冲动。
  • He was neither an impulsive nor an emotional man,but a very honest and sincere one.他不是个一冲动就鲁莽行事的人,也不多愁善感.他为人十分正直、诚恳。


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