Her merry little waiting-maid, Nancy, sat watching her mistress with anxious eyes, not knowing what to make of this new mood; and at last she said: "Surely, my lady, you are to be envied, with your high position, your dazzling beauty and social success! Why, then, mope, when such joys are still to be had?"
"But I am weary of just those very joys, Nancy!" answered the pleasure-sated Court lady, pettishly6. "And unless I can find some new interest or excitement soon, I shall die of dulness!"
Just then a footman announced "Lord Tristan Mickleford!" and a stout7, middle-aged8 gentleman of foppish9 manners, dressed in the extreme of the fashion, entered the room. He was a cousin and would-be admirer of the handsome Maid-of-Honour; and bowing elaborately before her, he began to make courtly speeches in exaggerated language, putting himself at her service for the day, and offering to escort her to any amusement she wished to indulge in. But the spoilt beauty turned away impatiently, declaring heartlessly that his society only bored her; and then, hearing sounds of merriment coming from without, she ran to the open window to see what was going on.
A group of gay country maidens10 and youths were passing by on their way to the statute11 fair at Richmond, where they would stand in ranks to be hired as servants for the ensuing year, according to a local custom; and the sight of these merry rustics12 suddenly suggested a daring frolic to the bored Henrietta, who sprang to her feet and exclaimed: "No more dulness to-day! We will dress ourselves in peasant garb13, Nancy, and go to the fair as country wenches seeking a master! 'Twill amuse us vastly, and perhaps someone will hire us as servants. Oh, what a frolic! And you shall come too, my good Tristan, as our protecting brother."
The foppish Lord Tristan was shocked and dismayed at the scheme, protesting pompously14 that it was quite beneath his rank and dignity to mingle15 in the motley crew of a fair; but upon Henrietta declaring she would never speak to him again unless he obeyed her sovereign will in this matter, he gave a feeble consent, and grumblingly16 allowed himself to be garbed17 as a country bumpkin. By the time he was ready, his mischievous18 cousin joined him again with Nancy, both of them attired19 in homespun, with short bright skirts, neat bodices, and quaint20 head-dresses, certainly the prettiest and smartest peasant maidens ever seen in those parts; and full of gaiety and eager excitement, the two girls dragged off their unwilling21 swain to the fair.
When they arrived upon the scene, the business of the day was at its height; and quickly noting the long row of country wenches standing22 at one side waiting to be hired as domestic servants, Henrietta determined23 to join their ranks. She adroitly24 invented an excuse for getting rid of the disgusted Lord Tristan for a short time, and then, bubbling over with mirth, the two saucy25 girls took up their stand amidst the serving-maids.
Amongst the busy crowd were two handsome well-to-do young farmers, by name Plunket and Lionel, who owned a joint-farm; and being in need of domestic help, they had come to the statute fair in order to hire a couple of wenches. These two, though loving each other as such, were not brothers, but had lived together since early childhood. Neither could recollect26 much of their first acquaintance, knowing little beyond the fact that Plunket's parents had rescued Lionel's father, a stranger and fugitive27, from danger and destruction, and that the mysterious stranger, before dying, had bequeathed a ring to his orphan28 son, with the injunction that should he ever be in distress29, to send it to the Queen, when his whole fate might be changed. Not being able to discover anything further about the birth or rank of the orphan left to their charge, the honest farmer and his wife brought him up with their own son; and when the farm at length came into the hands of the young Plunket, he made Lionel share his inheritance with him.
As the young farmers passed down the rows of country wenches, they presently caught sight of Lady Henrietta and Nancy; and being greatly struck with their good looks and smart appearance, they went up to the two girls at once, and began to bargain with them, offering considerably30 higher wages than they had ever paid before. Henrietta, enjoying the frolic more and more, and delighted to see that the handsome Lionel was struck with her beauty, threw him a roguish glance, and recklessly accepted his offer, giving her name as Martha; and the merry Nancy, willing enough to follow where her lively mistress led, gave her word also.
The young farmers, pleased at having secured two such attractive serving-maids, at once paid over the earnest-money, by which they were bound to them for a whole year's service, and then, having no further business at the fair, they desired the girls to follow them to the farm, that they might begin their duties at once.
Then Henrietta and Nancy, more amused than ever, broke out into peals31 of laughter, declaring that they had only given their word in a joking manner, and never intended to hire themselves out at all; but their merriment soon ended when the two young farmers, indignant at such conduct, calmly informed them that, having taken earnest-money, they were bound by law to render service for a whole year, according to the custom of the district. The local sheriff who presided over the statute-hiring ratified32 what they said, and ordered the girls to follow their new masters at once; and then Henrietta, seeing that she had carried her escapade too far, was in great distress, not daring to disclose her true name and rank for fear of the scandal coming to the ears of the Queen.
Lord Tristan returned at this juncture33, and full of wrath34 at what had happened, tried to withdraw the frightened girls from the fair; but the country folks, indignant at the statute rule being broken, set upon him at once, and quickly dragged him to the other end of the field.
Meanwhile the two young farmers bore their newly-hired servants off to the farm without more ado; for Henrietta now thought it best for the present to submit quietly to the indignity35 she had brought on herself, hoping to escape later on.
On arriving at the farm, the triumphant36 masters soon discovered that they had made a very bad bargain as to the working capabilities37 of their new maids; for neither of the girls could do a stroke of domestic work, and were extremely indignant on being bidden to perform the smallest service. Nancy, indeed, went further still, being bent38 on mischief39, for she soon developed a destructive tendency; and Plunket, who had undertaken to instruct her in her duties, had his hands full in preventing her from breaking all his domestic goods and chattels40.
Whilst these two were squabbling in the kitchen, Henrietta condescended41 to receive a lesson in spinning from the handsome Lionel, whose gentle manners and naturally aristocratic bearing had impressed her pleasantly from the first; and Lionel, whose enthusiastic admiration42 for the supposed "Martha" was developing into love at a most alarming rate, found the task a very pleasant one. The touch of the soft white hand thrilled him as he guided it through the intricacies of the spinning-wheel; and the beautiful girl made such a charming picture as she sat there, playing at work, that he was filled with delight.
Elated at having made such an easy conquest of the young farmer, whose ardent43 glances soon betrayed the state of his susceptible44 heart, Henrietta quickly recovered her good spirits; and later on she was even persuaded to sing by the indulgent master, who was already recklessly encouraging his new handmaid in idleness.
So the bewitching Martha sang "The Last Rose of Summer," in a voice so soft and sweet that Lionel was enthralled45; and when the song came to an end, he flung himself impetuously at her feet, intoxicated46 with delight, declaring passionately48 that he loved her, and that, so far from being his servant, he now desired to make her his wife. Lady Henrietta, astonished and dismayed at the quick development of the passion she had so carelessly excited, took refuge in laughter, and poor Lionel, seeing his raptures49 thus treated with lightness, was plunged50 into wretchedness.
Plunket now returned with the saucy Nancy, whose outrageous51 behaviour had by this time nearly driven him frantic52, though her tantalizing53 charms had already won his heart; and ordering the two unsatisfactory servants to bed, he declared to Lionel he feared they had made a bad bargain.
When Lady Henrietta and Nancy found themselves alone in their chamber54 they had no intention of going to rest, and as soon as they made sure that the two young farmers had also retired for the night, they began to think of some way of escape. Just as they were laying their plans, they heard a voice calling to them from outside, and quickly throwing up the window, beheld55 with much relief the portly form of Lord Tristan Mickleford standing below. He hastily explained in a nervous whisper that he had a carriage waiting for them beyond the farmyard; and eagerly clambering down from the low windowsill, Henrietta soon made her way to the welcome vehicle. Nancy quickly followed, and the movements of the fugitives56 were so silent that it was not until the carriage was driving off that the defrauded57 masters were aroused.
Then, when they found that their pretty maids had flown, the two young farmers were full of indignation; and next day they searched the whole country-side for news of the runaways58. Their efforts, were however, in vain, for by this time, Henrietta had returned gladly to her Court life. But a strange sadness now frequently came over her spirits, for her heart had been more deeply touched by the honest affection of the manly60 Lionel than she was willing to admit, and she longed to see him again, even though she knew the difference in their rank forbade her to give him hope.
Lionel was now filled with despair, the loss of his beautiful Martha only increasing his passion; and he still continued to make inquiries61 for her, accompanied in his search by the faithful Plunket, who also desired to find Mistress Nancy, whose mischievous glances had bewitched him.
Then, at last, the two lovers met their charmers once again.
One day a grand royal hunt took place in Richmond forest, and Lady Henrietta, as one of the Maids-of-Honour, joined the ranks of the huntresses, together with her maid, Nancy. Soon after the hunt had commenced, however, Henrietta withdrew a little apart from the gay company, and wandering down a lonely glade62, soon gave herself up to the melancholy63 thoughts that had lately taken possession of her.
But Nancy, merry and lively as ever, went on with the rest of the party; and presently, to her surprise and utter consternation64, she came suddenly face to face with the young farmer, Plunket, who happened to be strolling through Richmond forest that day, on his way from the village.
No sooner did Plunket set eyes on Nancy than he recognised her instantly as his runaway59 maid; and accosting65 her without ceremony, he ordered her to return to his service at once. At first Nancy tried to put him off by laughing and pretending not to know him; but when Plunket seized her arm gently, but firmly, insisting that she should follow him, the girl was alarmed for her mistress's sake, and turning to the surprised ladies and gentlemen, she called on them to come to her rescue.
Immediately the indignant party closed about Plunket, buffeting66 and belabouring him with their hunting-crops, and the unfortunate farmer was obliged to beat a retreat as best he could.
Meanwhile Lionel, who was also walking in the forest not far away, had wandered unconsciously into the very same glade that Henrietta had selected for her lonely ramble67, and presently approaching a lady of quality garbed in the rich habit of a fashionable huntress, he recognised, to his utter astonishment68, the beautiful features of his beloved Martha. In great delight, he hurried forward with outstretched arms to greet her, and at first, Henrietta, overjoyed in spite of herself, uttered an exclamation69 of pleasure. Then, recollecting70 that she would be disgraced should the knowledge of her escapade become known at Court, and seeing that her companions in the chase were already approaching her, she suddenly turned cold, and haughtily71 denied the young farmer's acquaintance.
But Lionel, his passion enhanced at again beholding72 the object of his affection, determined to assert his rights as a master, and commanded her eagerly to return to his employ; and then Henrietta, afraid of what might follow, called out to her companions for help, declaring that Lionel was a madman.
Instantly the rest of the hunting party crowded around, and when Lionel heard Henrietta addressed on all sides as "My Lady," he saw in a flash that a trick had been played upon him at the statute fair, and that this fine Court beauty had only been amusing herself at his expense. Knowing now that his love could never hope to be requited73, he was filled with disappointment and despair, and he began to pour forth74 such scornful, passionate47 reproaches, that the huntsmen, thinking him mad indeed, closed around and attempted to drive him away.
At this moment Plunket appeared on the scene once more, and quickly joining in the fray75, he at length managed to drag his friend away, and returned with him to the farm.
Here poor Lionel, overcome by grief and refusing to be comforted, feeling that his beloved one was now lost to him for ever, quickly fell into a delirious76 state bordering on frenzy77, and Plunket, fearing for his friend's life, at length sent a message to Lady Henrietta (whose true rank and name he had quickly discovered), entreating78 her to visit the farm at least once again. With this message he also sent the ring that had been bequeathed to Lionel by his mysterious father, requesting the Maid-of-Honour to place it in the hands of the Queen; for he felt that this was a fitting time for the token to be presented, since his poor friend could not well be in greater distress, nor in more urgent need of help.
When Lady Henrietta received the message, she was conscience-stricken and filled with grief, for she had instantly regretted her cruel treatment of Lionel in the forest, and could no longer hide from herself the fact that she loved him with her whole heart. She determined to go to the farm at once, and humbly79 accept the love of this honest, faithful wooer; but before starting she sought an interview with her royal mistress, into whose hands she delivered the ring that Plunket had sent.
A wonderful surprise was now in store for all; for the carefully-hoarded ring brought back a long-forgotten incident to the Queen, and proved to her that the young farmer, Lionel, was in reality the only son of the unfortunate Earl of Derby, who, wrongfully accused of treason, had been forced to flight, and had died in exile.
The royal lady determined to heal the wrongs inflicted80 on the father by restoring the son to his rightful rank and possessions; and the joyful81 tidings of this happy change in his fortunes was carried to Lionel by the fair Henrietta herself.
The young Earl was duly reinstated to the proper rank, wealth, and Court favour to which he was entitled; but, to the utter grief of Henrietta, the sufferings to which her thoughtless conduct had subjected him had unhinged her lover's mind, and rendered his memory of all the incidents connected with her a blank.
Henrietta was in despair, for by this time Plunket and the merry Nancy had already made up their minds to marry, and she longed to follow their example. At length a gleam of hope came to her, for having read that when a sudden shock unhinges a person's reason the mind can sometimes be restored to its proper balance by repeating the incidents that first caused the calamity82, she determined to try the experiment with Lionel.
Easily prevailing83 upon her friends to help her in the scheme, she caused an impromptu84 fair to be held in her own gardens, setting up stalls and booths in exact imitation of the Richmond statutes85, with a rank of serving-maids waiting to be hired; and when all was ready, she dressed herself in peasant garb once more, and took up her stand with Nancy amongst the country girls.
Then Plunket led Lionel through the show and down the ranks of pretty maids as he had done on the actual day of the fair; and, as all had hoped, the light of memory gradually brought back the wandering reason of the young Earl, and restored his mind to its normal state.
The moment he beheld Henrietta in her dainty peasant dress, he recognised the beautiful Martha whose charms had won his heart; and a clear recollection of all the events succeeding the statute fair coming suddenly upon him, he hurried forward and clasped her in his arms with great joy, knowing now that there was no further obstacle to their union.
So the mock fair had served its purpose, and a short time afterwards the young Earl of Derby, restored to reason and happiness, was married to Lady Henrietta, whom he had learned to love so dearly as Martha the serving-maid.
点击收听单词发音
1 gilded | |
a.镀金的,富有的 | |
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2 routs | |
n.打垮,赶跑( rout的名词复数 );(体育)打败对方v.打垮,赶跑( rout的第三人称单数 );(体育)打败对方 | |
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3 tiresome | |
adj.令人疲劳的,令人厌倦的 | |
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4 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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5 respite | |
n.休息,中止,暂缓 | |
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6 pettishly | |
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8 middle-aged | |
adj.中年的 | |
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9 foppish | |
adj.矫饰的,浮华的 | |
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10 maidens | |
处女( maiden的名词复数 ); 少女; 未婚女子; (板球运动)未得分的一轮投球 | |
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11 statute | |
n.成文法,法令,法规;章程,规则,条例 | |
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12 rustics | |
n.有农村或村民特色的( rustic的名词复数 );粗野的;不雅的;用粗糙的木材或树枝制作的 | |
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13 garb | |
n.服装,装束 | |
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14 pompously | |
adv.傲慢地,盛大壮观地;大模大样 | |
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15 mingle | |
vt.使混合,使相混;vi.混合起来;相交往 | |
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16 grumblingly | |
喃喃报怨着,发牢骚着 | |
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17 garbed | |
v.(尤指某类人穿的特定)服装,衣服,制服( garb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18 mischievous | |
adj.调皮的,恶作剧的,有害的,伤人的 | |
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19 attired | |
adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服,使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20 quaint | |
adj.古雅的,离奇有趣的,奇怪的 | |
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21 unwilling | |
adj.不情愿的 | |
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22 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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23 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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24 adroitly | |
adv.熟练地,敏捷地 | |
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25 saucy | |
adj.无礼的;俊俏的;活泼的 | |
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26 recollect | |
v.回忆,想起,记起,忆起,记得 | |
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27 fugitive | |
adj.逃亡的,易逝的;n.逃犯,逃亡者 | |
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28 orphan | |
n.孤儿;adj.无父母的 | |
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29 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
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30 considerably | |
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上 | |
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31 peals | |
n.(声音大而持续或重复的)洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 );隆隆声;洪亮的钟声;钟乐v.(使)(钟等)鸣响,(雷等)发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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32 ratified | |
v.批准,签认(合约等)( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33 juncture | |
n.时刻,关键时刻,紧要关头 | |
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34 wrath | |
n.愤怒,愤慨,暴怒 | |
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35 indignity | |
n.侮辱,伤害尊严,轻蔑 | |
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36 triumphant | |
adj.胜利的,成功的;狂欢的,喜悦的 | |
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37 capabilities | |
n.能力( capability的名词复数 );可能;容量;[复数]潜在能力 | |
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38 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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39 mischief | |
n.损害,伤害,危害;恶作剧,捣蛋,胡闹 | |
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40 chattels | |
n.动产,奴隶( chattel的名词复数 ) | |
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41 condescended | |
屈尊,俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 ); 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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42 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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43 ardent | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
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44 susceptible | |
adj.过敏的,敏感的;易动感情的,易受感动的 | |
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45 enthralled | |
迷住,吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 ); 使感到非常愉快 | |
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46 intoxicated | |
喝醉的,极其兴奋的 | |
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47 passionate | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,激昂的,易动情的,易怒的,性情暴躁的 | |
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48 passionately | |
ad.热烈地,激烈地 | |
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49 raptures | |
极度欢喜( rapture的名词复数 ) | |
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50 plunged | |
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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51 outrageous | |
adj.无理的,令人不能容忍的 | |
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52 frantic | |
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的 | |
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53 tantalizing | |
adj.逗人的;惹弄人的;撩人的;煽情的v.逗弄,引诱,折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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54 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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55 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 | |
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56 fugitives | |
n.亡命者,逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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57 defrauded | |
v.诈取,骗取( defraud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58 runaways | |
(轻而易举的)胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
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59 runaway | |
n.逃走的人,逃亡,亡命者;adj.逃亡的,逃走的 | |
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60 manly | |
adj.有男子气概的;adv.男子般地,果断地 | |
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61 inquiries | |
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听 | |
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62 glade | |
n.林间空地,一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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63 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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64 consternation | |
n.大为吃惊,惊骇 | |
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65 accosting | |
v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的现在分词 );跟…搭讪;(乞丐等)上前向…乞讨;(妓女等)勾搭 | |
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66 buffeting | |
振动 | |
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67 ramble | |
v.漫步,漫谈,漫游;n.漫步,闲谈,蔓延 | |
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68 astonishment | |
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
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69 exclamation | |
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词 | |
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70 recollecting | |
v.记起,想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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71 haughtily | |
adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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72 beholding | |
v.看,注视( behold的现在分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
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73 requited | |
v.报答( requite的过去式和过去分词 );酬谢;回报;报复 | |
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74 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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75 fray | |
v.争吵;打斗;磨损,磨破;n.吵架;打斗 | |
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76 delirious | |
adj.不省人事的,神智昏迷的 | |
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77 frenzy | |
n.疯狂,狂热,极度的激动 | |
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78 entreating | |
恳求,乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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79 humbly | |
adv. 恭顺地,谦卑地 | |
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80 inflicted | |
把…强加给,使承受,遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81 joyful | |
adj.欢乐的,令人欢欣的 | |
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82 calamity | |
n.灾害,祸患,不幸事件 | |
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83 prevailing | |
adj.盛行的;占优势的;主要的 | |
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84 impromptu | |
adj.即席的,即兴的;adv.即兴的(地),无准备的(地) | |
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85 statutes | |
成文法( statute的名词复数 ); 法令; 法规; 章程 | |
参考例句: |
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