"Infernal little duffer," growled5 Herrick. "Huh! Might have guessed you would Joyce." He threw himself down beside his companion and continued grumbling6. "You have tobacco, a fine night, and a heather couch of the finest, yet you talk as though the world were coming to an end."
"I'm sure this moor7 never will," sighed Joyce, reminded of his cigarettes, "we have been trudging8 it since eight in the morning, yet it still stretches to the back-of-beyond. Hai!"
The pedestrians9 were pronouncedly isolated10. A moonless sky thickly jewelled with stars, arched over a treeless moor, far-stretching as the plain of Shinar. In the luminous11 summer twilight12, the eye could see for a moderate distance, but to no clearly defined horizon; and the verge13 of sight was limited by vague shadows, hardly definite enough to be mists.
The moor exhaled14 the noonday heats in thin white vapour, which shut out from the external world those who nestled to its bosom15. A sense of solitude16, the brooding silence, the formless surroundings, and above all, the insistence17 of the infinite, would have appealed on ordinary occasions to the poetical18 and superstitious19 side of Robin's nature. But at the moment, his nerves were uppermost. He was worn-out, fractious as a child, and in his helplessness could have cried like one. Herrick knew his friend's frail20 physique and inherited neurosis: therefore he forebore to make bad worse by ill advised sympathy. Judiciously21 waiting until Joyce had in some degree soothed22 himself with tobacco, he talked of the common-place.
"Nine o'clock," said he peering at his watch; "thirteen hour's walking. Nothing to me Robin, but a goodish stretch to you. However we are within hail of civilization, and in England. A few miles further we'll pick up a village of sorts no doubt. One would think you were exploiting Africa the way you howl."
He spoke23 thus callously24, in order to brace25 his friend; but Joyce resented the tone with that exaggerated sense of injury peculiar26 to the neurotic27. "I am no Hercules like you Jim," he protested sullenly28; "all your finer feelings have been blunted by beef and beer. You can't feel things as I do. Also," continued Robin still more querulously, "it seems to have escaped your memory, that I returned only last night from a two day's visit to Town."
"If you _will_ break up your holiday into fragments, you must not expect to receive the benefit its enjoyment29 as a whole would give you. It was jolly enough last week sauntering through the Midlands, till you larked30 up to London, and fagged yourself with its detestable civilization."
Joyce threw aside his cigarette and nervously32 began to roll another. "It was no lark31 which took me up Jim. The letter that came to the Southberry Inn was about--her business."
"Sorry old man. I keep forgetting your troubles. Heat and the want of food make me savage33. We'll rest here for a time, and then push on. Not that a night in the open would matter to me."
Joyce made no reply but lying full length on the dry herbage, stared at the scintillating34 sky. At his elbow, Herrick, cross-legged like a fakir, gave himself up to the enjoyment of a disreputable pipe. The more highly-strung man considered the circumstances which had placed him where he was.
Two months previously35, Robin Joyce had lost his mother, to whom he had been devotedly36 attached: and the consequent grief had made a wreck37 of him. For weeks he had shut himself up in the flat once brightened by her presence to luxuriate in woe38. He possessed39 in a large degree that instinct for martyrdom, latent in many people, which searches for sorrow, as a more joyous40 nature hunts for pleasure. The blow of Mrs. Joyce's death had fallen unexpectedly, but it brought home to Robin, the knowledge--strange as it may sound--that a mental pleasure can be plucked from misfortune. He locked himself in his room, wept much, and ate little; neglected his business of contributor to several newspapers, and his personal appearance. Thus the pain of his loss merged41 itself in that delight of self-mortification, which must have been experienced by the hermits42 of the Thebiad. Not entirely44 from religious motives45 was the desert made populous46 with hermits in the days of Cyril and Hypatia.
Herrick did not realize this transcendental indulgence, nor would he have understood it, had he done so. Emphatically a sane47 man, he would have deemed it a weakness degrading to the will, if not a species of lunacy. As it was, he merely saw that Robin yielded to an unrestrained grief detrimental48 to his health, and insisted upon carrying him off for a spell in the open air. With less trouble than he anticipated, Robin's consent was obtained. The mourner threw himself with ardour into the scheme, selected the county of Berks as the most inviting49 for a ramble50; and when fairly started, showed a power of endurance amazing in one so frail.
Jim however being a doctor, was less astonished than a layman51 would have been. He knew that in Joyce a tremendous nerve power dominated the feebler muscular force, and that the man would go on like a blood-horse until he dropped from sheer exhaustion52. The collapse53 on the moor did not surprise him. He only wondered that Robin had held out for so many days.
"But I wish you had not gone to London," said Herrick pursuing aloud this train of thought.
"I had to go," replied Joyce not troubling to query54 the remark. "The lawyer wrote about my poor mother's property. In my sorrow, I had neglected to look after it, but at Southberry Junction55 feeling better, thanks to your open air cure, I thought it wise to attend to the matter."
Then Joyce went on to state with much detail, how he had caught the Paddington express at Marleigh--their last stopping place--and had seen his lawyer. The business took some time to settle; but it resulted in the knowledge that Joyce found himself possessed of five hundred a year in Consols. "Also the flat and the furniture," said Robin, "so I am not so badly off. I can devote myself wholly to novels now, and shall not have to rack my brains for newspaper articles."
Herrick nodded over a newly-filled pipe. "Did you sleep at the flat?"
"No, I went up on Tuesday as you know, and slept that night at the Hull56 Hotel, a small house in one of the Strand57 side streets. Last night, I joined you at Southberry."
"And it is now Thursday," said Herrick laughing. "How particular you are as to detail Robin. Well, Southberry is a goodish way behind us now and Saxham is our next resting place. Feel better?"
"Yes, thanks. In another quarter of an hour, I shall make the attempt to reach Saxham. But we are so late, I fear no bed----"
"Oh, that's alright. We can wake the landlord, I calculate we have only three miles."
"Quite enough too. By the way Jim, what did you do, when I left you?"
In the semi-darkness Herrick chuckled58. "Fell in love!" said he.
"H'm! You lost no time about it. And she?"
"A daughter of the gods, divinely tall; dark hair, creamy skin, sea-blue eyes the figure and gait of Diana, and--"
"More of the Celt than the Greek," interrupted Joyce, "blue eyes, black hair, that is the Irish type. Where did you see her?"
"In Southberry Church, talking to a puny59 curate, who did not deserve such a companion. Oh, Robin, her voice! like an Eolian harp60."
"It must possess a variety of tones then Jim. Did she see you?"
Herrick nodded and laughed again. "She looked and blushed. Beauty drew me with a single hair, therefore I thrilled responsive. Love at first sight Robin. Heigh-ho! never again shall I see this Helen of Marleigh."
"Live in hope," said Joyce, springing to his feet. "Allons, mon ami."
The more leisurely61 Herrick rose, markedly surprised at this sudden recuperation. "Wonderful man. One minute you are dying, the next skipping like a two year old. Hysterical62 all the same," he added as Joyce laughed.
"Those three miles," explained the other feverishly63, "I feel that I have to walk them, and my determination is braced64 to breaking point."
"That means you'll collapse half way," retorted the doctor unstrapping his knapsack. "Light a match. Valerian for you my man."
Robin made no objection. He knew the value of Valerian for those unruly nerves of his, at present vibrating like so many harp-strings, twangled by an unskilful player. His small white face looked smaller and whiter than ever in the faint light of the match; but his great black eyes flamed like wind-blown torches. The contrast of Herrick's sun-tanned Saxon looks, struck him as almost ludicrous. Joyce needed no mirror to assure him of his appearance at the moment. He knew only too well how he aged65 on the eve of a nerve storm. For the present it was averted66 by the valerian; but he knew and so did Herrick, that sooner or later it would surely come.
"We must get on as fast as possible," said Herrick, the knapsack again on his broad back. "Food, drink, rest; you need all three. Forward!"
For some time they walked on in silence. Robin was so small, Dr. Jim so large, that they looked like the giant and dwarf67 of the old fairy tale on their travels. But in this case it was the giant who did all the work. Joyce was a pampered68, lazy, irresponsible child, in the direct line of descent from Harold Skimpole. If Jim Herrick must be likened to another hero of romance, Amyas Leigh was his prototype.
The shadows melted before them, and closed in behind, and still there was nothing but plain and mist. At the end of two miles a dark bulk like a thunder-cloud, loomed69 before them. It stretched directly across their path. "Bogey," laughed Robin.
"A wood," said the more prosaic70 Jim, "this moor is fringed with pine-woods: remember the forest we passed through this morning."
"In the cheerful sunshine," shuddered71 Joyce. "I don't like woodlands by night. The fairies are about and goblins of the worst. Ha! Yonder the lantern of Puck. Oberon holds revel72 in the wood."
"Puck must be putting a girdle round the earth then Robin," said Herrick and stared at the white starry73 light, which beamed above the trees.
"Hecate's torch," cried Joyce, "a meeting of witches," and he began to chant the gruesome rhymes of the sisterhood, as Macbeth heard them. "The scene is a blasted heath too," said he.
By this time the moon was rising, and silver shafts74 struck inward to the heart of the pines. The aerial light vanished behind the leafy screen, as the travellers came to a halt on the verge of the undergrowth.
"We must get through," said Dr. Jim, "or if you like Robin, we can skirt round. Saxham village is just beyond I fancy."
"Let us choose the bee-line," murmured Joyce. "I want a bed and a meal as soon as possible. This part of the world is unknown to me. You lead."
"I don't know it myself. However here's a path. We'll follow it to the light. That comes from a tower of sorts. Too high up for a house."
With Herrick as pioneer, they plunged76 into the wood, following a winding77 path. In the gloom, their heads came into contact with boughs78 and tree-trunks but occasionally the moon made radiant the secret recesses79, and revealed unexpected openings. The path sometimes passed across a glade80, on the sward of which Joyce declared he saw the fairies dancing: and anon plunged into a cimmerian gloom suggestive of the underworld. No wind swung the heavy pine-boughs; the wild creatures of the wood gave no sign, made no stir: yet the explorers heard a low persistent81 swish-swurr-swish, like the murmur75 of a dying breeze. It came from no particular direction, but droned on all sides without pause, without change of note. Herrick heard Robin's hysterical sob82, as the insistent83 sound bored into his brain. He would have made some remark; but at the moment they emerged into a open space of considerable size. Here, ringed by pines, loomed a vast grey house, with a slim tower. In that tower burned the steady light outshining even the moon's lustre84. But what was more remarkable85 still, was the illumination of the mansion86. Every window radiated white fire.
"Queer," said Robin halting on the verge of the wood, "not even a fence or a wall: a path or an outhouse. One would think that this was an inferior Aladdin's palace dropped here by some negligent87 genii. All ablaze88 too," he added wonderingly; "the owner must be giving a ball."
"No signs of guests anyhow," returned Herrick as puzzled as his companion. "H'm! Queer thing to find Versailles in a pine wood. However it may afford us a bed and a supper."
It was certainly strange. The circle of trees stopped short of the building at fifty yards. On all sides stretched an expanse of shorn and well-kept turf, pathless as the sea. In its midst the mansion was dropped--as Joyce aptly put it--unexpectedly. A two-storey Tudor building, with battlements, and mullioned windows, terraces and flights of shallow steps: the whole weather-worn and grey in the moonlight, over-grown with ivy89, and distinctly ruinous. The dilapidated state of the house, contrasted in a rather sinister90 manner with the perfectly-kept lawn. Also another curious contrast, was the tower. This tacked91 on to the western corner, stood like a lean white ghost, watching over its earthly habitation. Its gleaming stone-work and sharp outlines showed that it had been built within the last decade. A distinct anachronism, which marred92 the quaint93 antiquity94 of the medi?val mansion.
"He must be an astrologer," said Joyce referring to the owner, "or it may be that the tower is an inland pharos, to guide travellers across that pathless moor. A horrible place," he muttered.
"Why horrible?" asked Dr. Jim as they crossed the lawn.
Robin shuddered, and cast a backward glance. "I can hardly explain. But to my mind, there is something sinister in this lonely mansion, ablaze with light, yet devoid95 of inhabitants."
"We have yet to find out if that is the case Robin. Hullo! the door is open," and in the strong moonlight they looked wonderingly at each other.
The heavy door--oak, clamped with iron--was slightly ajar. Herrick bent96 upon consummating97 the adventure, pushed it slightly open. They beheld98 a large hall with a tesselated pavement, and stately columns. Between these last stood black oak high-backed chairs upholstered in red velvet99: also statues of Greek gods and goddesses, holding aloft opaque100 globes, radiant with light. A vast marble staircase with wide and shallow steps, sloped upwards101, and on either side of this, from the height of the landing fell scarlet102 velvet curtains, shutting in the hall. The whiteness of the marble, the crimson103 of the draperies, the brilliance104 of the light; these sumptuous105 furnishings amazed the dusty pedestrians. It was as though, on a lonely prairie, one should step suddenly into the splendours of the Vatican.
"The palace of the Sleeping Beauty," whispered the awe-struck Robin. "Who can say romance is dead, when one can stumble upon such an adventure."
Herrick shared Robin's perplexity: but of a more practical nature, he addressed himself less to the romance than to the reality. Seeing no one, hearing nothing, he touched an ivory button, that glimmered106 a white spot beside the door. Immediately a silvery succession of sounds, shrilled107 through the--apparently108--lonely house. "Electric bells, electric light. The hermit43 of this establishment is up-to-date."
"He is also deaf, and has no servants," said Joyce impatiently after a few minutes had passed. "Has a Borgian banquet taken place here? The guests seem to be dead. Hai! the whole thing is damnable."
"Don't let yourself go," said the doctor roughly squeezing the little man's arm, "wait and see the upshot."
Again and again they rang the bell, and themselves heard its imperative109 summons: but no one appeared. Then they took their courage in both hands, and stepped into the house. Passing through the crimson curtains, they found themselves in a wide corridor enamelled green, with velvet carpet and more light-bearing statues. On either side were doors draped with emerald silk. Herrick led the way through one of these, for Joyce, rendered timorous110 by the adventure would not take the initiative.
In the first room, an oval table was set out for a solitary111 meal. The linen112 was bleached113 as the Alpine114 snow, the silver antique, the crystal exquisite115, the porcelain116 worth its weight in gold. An iridescent117 glass vase in the centre was filled with flowers, but these drooped118, withered119 and brown. The bread also was stale, the fruits were shrivelled from their early freshness. Magnificently furnished and draped, the room glowed in splendour, under innumerable electric lights. But the intruders had eyes only for that sumptuous table, with its air of desolation, and its place set for one. Anything more sinister can scarcely be conceived.
"No one has sat down to this meal," said Herrick lifting the covers of the silver dishes, "it has stood here for hours, if not for days. Let us see if we can find the creature for whom it was intended."
"Perhaps you expect to find the Beast that loved Beauty, since you call him a creature," said Robin hysterically120. "Here is wine."
Dr. Jim went to the sideboard, whereon were ranged decanters of Venetian glass containing many different vintages. Passing over these he selected a pint121 bottle of champagne122. "We must make free of our position," he said, unwiring this, "afterwards we can apologise."
"Ugh!" cried Robin as the cork123 popped with a staccato sound in the silence. "How gruesome; give me a glass at once Jim."
"I don't know if it is good for you in your present state," replied the doctor brimming a goblet124, "however the whole adventure is so queer, that an attack of nerves is excusable. Drink up."
Robin did so, and was joined by Jim. They finished the bottle, and felt exhilarated, and more ready to face the unknown. Again Herrick led the way to further explorations. Adjacent to the dining-room, they discovered a small kitchen, white-tiled and completely furnished. "Our hermit cooks for himself," declared Dr. Jim, eying the utensils125 of polished copper126. "This is not a servant's kitchen: also it is off the dining-room."
Robin made no reply, but followed his friend, his large eyes becoming larger at every fresh discovery. They entered a drawing-room filled with splendid furniture, silver knick-knacks, costly127 china, and Eastern hangings of great price. There was a library stored with books in magnificent bindings, and with tables piled with latter-day magazines, novels and newspapers. "Our hermit keeps himself abreast128 of the world," commented Jim.
Then came a picture gallery, but this was on a second storey and lighted from the roof. Treasures of art ancient and modern glowed here under the radiance of the light, which illuminated129 every room. A smoking-room fashioned like a ship's cabin: a Japanese apartment, crammed130 with the lacquer work, and stiff embroideries131 of Yeddo and Yokahama; a shooting gallery; a bowling132 alley133; a music room, containing a magnificent Erard. Finally a dozen bedrooms furnished with taste and luxury. To crown all they discovered a gymnasium fitted up completely even to foils and boxing gloves: and a huge bathroom. This last was throughout of white marble, with a square pool of water in the centre. "What a pond to bathe in!" cried Jim enviously134, for he was hot and dusty. "Our hermit is an ancient Roman; he understands how to enjoy life. Come along Robin!"
But by this time they had explored almost the whole of the wonderful house. There remained the back premises135, but on entering, they found nothing but darkness and dirt, squalor and coldness. The hermit's attention to his mansion stopped short at the servant's door. "And I don't believe he has any servants," declared Joyce. "How the deuce does he keep all this clean?"
The doctor shook his head. He hardly knew what to say. The situation was beyond him. A palace in the wilderness136, with an open door inviting thieves! Crammed with treasures, brilliant with light, uninhabited, deserted137. Was there ever anything so wonderful? He had to pinch himself to make sure that he was awake. "We have got into the world of the fourth dimension: the fairy-land of the Arabian Nights. What do you think Joyce?"
"I think we had better climb up to the tower," said Robin with unusual common sense, "It is the only place we have left unexplored. There is a light there too; Aladdin may be aloft."
Herrick shook his head. "He would have heard the bell. However come along. We must find someone."
With some difficulty they discovered the staircase leading to the tower. It was narrow but straight, and not so steep as might have been expected. At the top Herrick--leading as usual--was confronted by a closed door of plain deal. It was not locked however, and having knocked without receiving a reply he opened it. Joyce at his heels peeped over his shoulder and beheld a small square room with windows on all four sides, and a large central globe burning in the ceiling. In contrast to the rest of the house, this room was absolutely bare. Blank walls, Chinese matting on the floor, a camp bedstead in one corner, a deal table without a covering in another, and two cane138 chairs. No anchorite could have had a more ascetic139 cell.
Herrick took in the scene at a glance, took in also, its--to him--central feature, the body of a man lying face downwards140, near the bed. Joyce saw the corpse141 also, and remained at the door, shaking and white.
"Murder or suicide?" Jim asked himself as he turned over the dead.
That, which had once been a man, was in evening dress. In the finest of linen and jewellery, the most immaculate of clothes, it lay under the scrutinising eye of Dr. Herrick. A lean evil face, with a hook nose, scanty142 grey hair cut short and a long moustache carefully trimmed. The left hand gripped a revolver; the shirt front over the heart was covered with blood, and a stream, coagulated and black, streaked143 the matting.
"In God's name?" cried Joyce not daring to enter, "what is it?"
"It was once the owner of this house I suppose," said Herrick grimly. "Now, it is a piece of carrion144. Suicide apparently. Dead over twenty-four hours. Shot through the heart. A steady hand to do that. H'm, left-handed too. Is it suicide, or murder? Here's a damnable discovery to cap the adventure," said Dr. Jim gravely.
From the doorway145 came a gasp146, a tittering laugh. Jim had just time to spring forward when Joyce lunged into his arms. The long expected nerve-storm had come at last.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
robin
|
|
| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
peevishly
|
|
| adv．暴躁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
emphasise
|
|
| vt.加强...的语气，强调，着重 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
grumbling
|
|
| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
moor
|
|
| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
trudging
|
|
| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
pedestrians
|
|
| n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
isolated
|
|
| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
luminous
|
|
| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
verge
|
|
| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
exhaled
|
|
| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的过去式和过去分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
insistence
|
|
| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
poetical
|
|
| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
superstitious
|
|
| adj.迷信的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
frail
|
|
| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
judiciously
|
|
| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
soothed
|
|
| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
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： |
|
|
|
|
24
callously
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
brace
|
|
| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
neurotic
|
|
| adj.神经病的，神经过敏的；n.神经过敏者，神经病患者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
sullenly
|
|
| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
enjoyment
|
|
| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
larked
|
|
| v.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的过去式和过去分词 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
31
lark
|
|
| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
scintillating
|
|
| adj．才气横溢的,闪闪发光的; 闪烁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
devotedly
|
|
| 专心地； 恩爱地； 忠实地； 一心一意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
wreck
|
|
| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
woe
|
|
| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
merged
|
|
| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
hermits
|
|
| （尤指早期基督教的）隐居修道士，隐士，遁世者( hermit的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hermit
|
|
| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
populous
|
|
| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
sane
|
|
| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
detrimental
|
|
| adj.损害的，造成伤害的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
inviting
|
|
| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
ramble
|
|
| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
layman
|
|
| n.俗人，门外汉，凡人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
exhaustion
|
|
| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
collapse
|
|
| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
query
|
|
| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
junction
|
|
| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
hull
|
|
| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
strand
|
|
| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
puny
|
|
| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
harp
|
|
| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
leisurely
|
|
| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
hysterical
|
|
| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
feverishly
|
|
| adv. 兴奋地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
braced
|
|
| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
averted
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
dwarf
|
|
| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
pampered
|
|
| adj.饮食过量的，饮食奢侈的v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
loomed
|
|
| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
prosaic
|
|
| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
revel
|
|
| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
starry
|
|
| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
shafts
|
|
| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
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： |
|
|
|
|
80
glade
|
|
| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
persistent
|
|
| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
sob
|
|
| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
insistent
|
|
| adj.迫切的，坚持的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
lustre
|
|
| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
negligent
|
|
| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
ablaze
|
|
| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
ivy
|
|
| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
tacked
|
|
| 用平头钉钉( tack的过去式和过去分词 )； 附加，增补； 帆船抢风行驶，用粗线脚缝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
marred
|
|
| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
antiquity
|
|
| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
devoid
|
|
| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
consummating
|
|
| v.使结束( consummate的现在分词 )；使完美；完婚；（婚礼后的）圆房 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
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： |
|
|
|
|
99
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
opaque
|
|
| adj.不透光的；不反光的，不传导的；晦涩的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
upwards
|
|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
brilliance
|
|
| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
sumptuous
|
|
| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
glimmered
|
|
| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
shrilled
|
|
| （声音）尖锐的，刺耳的，高频率的( shrill的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
imperative
|
|
| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
timorous
|
|
| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
linen
|
|
| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
bleached
|
|
| 漂白的，晒白的，颜色变浅的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
alpine
|
|
| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
porcelain
|
|
| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
iridescent
|
|
| adj.彩虹色的，闪色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
drooped
|
|
| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
withered
|
|
| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
hysterically
|
|
| ad. 歇斯底里地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
pint
|
|
| n.品脱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
champagne
|
|
| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
cork
|
|
| n.软木，软木塞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
goblet
|
|
| n.高脚酒杯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
utensils
|
|
| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
copper
|
|
| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
costly
|
|
| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
abreast
|
|
| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
illuminated
|
|
| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
crammed
|
|
| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
embroideries
|
|
| 刺绣( embroidery的名词复数 )； 刺绣品； 刺绣法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
bowling
|
|
| n.保龄球运动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
alley
|
|
| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
enviously
|
|
| adv.满怀嫉妒地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
premises
|
|
| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
wilderness
|
|
| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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
cane
|
|
| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
ascetic
|
|
| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
downwards
|
|
| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
corpse
|
|
| n.尸体，死尸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
scanty
|
|
| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
streaked
|
|
| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
carrion
|
|
| n.腐肉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
gasp
|
|
| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |