It was at an assize-ball, at Shrewsbury, then the metropolis2 of the north midland counties, where Miss Wetheral burst upon the astonished sight. When the wretched felon3, under sentence of death, lay languishing4 in his cell, awaiting the approaching hour of execution; while the clergyman was speaking [21] hope to the soul, and leading the despairing heart to rest for forgiveness on the mercy and sufferings of its Redeemer; then did the irons which bound his trembling hands vibrate to the roar of carriages which rolled rapidly and furiously to the scene of festivity. Then did the neighbouring country pour forth5 her highest and loveliest; and the moans of repentant6 sinners, on the verge7 of ascending8 the scaffold, were forgotten in the brilliant throng9, and lost in the lively repartee10, or well-turned compliment.
The assize-ball was then the arena11 for debutants; the one green spot which decorated the dullness of a long twelvemonth; the hope, the anxiety of hundreds. That ill-judged hour for gaiety is now consigned12 to silence. The march of intellect has trodden down that unholy practice, and given an outward semblance13, at least, of better feelings. It is assuredly better taste.
It was a proud moment when Anna Maria visited the nursery, to display her first ball dress, and receive expressions of wonder and delight at her appearance. The sisters [22] broke from their romps14 to examine the ornaments15 which glittered on her neck; and a row of maid-servants, who were introduced into the nursery to see Miss Wetheral, curtseyed in profound admiration16. She was indeed a creature to be gazed at. Isabel received an incurable17 wound upon her peace from the interview, and never more returned to her once happy games of puss in the corner. Anna Maria was but one year her senior, yet she was dressed in muslin and satin, wore a diamond necklace, and had been to the assize-ball. Why could not she also partake in such delights? Why was she to play with her sisters in the nursery, while Anna Maria was dancing at assize-balls?
Lady Wetheral tried to argue Isabel into docility18, but her mind could not perceive the sense of her parent's reasoning. "My dear child, your sister will soon marry, and then you will appear in her place. You know nothing is so inconvenient19 as having two daughters out at the same time. While gentlemen are disputing which is the best looking, [23] the young ladies lose their novelty, and cannot expect to marry well."
"But, mamma, I don't want to marry; I want to dance, and look as handsomely-dressed as Anna Maria did at the assize-ball."
"Nonsense, Isabel! you are as pertinacious20 as your father, and just as blind. Wait till your sister is married, and she will introduce you. Perhaps next year may produce wonders; your sister is exceedingly admired."
"So she may be, while I am out. I shall not interfere21 with her, you know, for I shall be dancing all the time."
"I cannot argue with such a limited intellect as you appear to possess, Isabel. I have made my arrangements, and cannot break through them. You will appear when your sister is Mrs. Pynsent. Tom Pynsent was very attentive22 to Anna Maria at the ball."
"Then I'll beg Tom Pynsent to make haste, I declare!" exclaimed Isabel.
"Do not be vulgar and unladylike, Isabel, and promise me you will make no coarse allusions23 to Tom Pynsent. I should be extremely [24] shocked at such a line of conduct. I do not absolutely say Anna Maria will secure Tom, but I trust and hope such an event is in fruition; and if so, you shall immediately be brought forward. Two girls out at once is folly24."
Isabel was nothing daunted25 by her mother's objection; and she returned openly and constantly to the attack, which soon exhausted26 the few efficient reasons urged by her antagonist27. An incident at once decided28 the propriety29 of stopping the mouth of an alarming witness, and put an end to further discussion. Isabel was allowed to descend30 into the drawing-room, after Anna Maria's début, as Lady Wetheral observed it would prove a judicious31 step towards giving her manner its first polish; and the transition from the nursery to the trials of society would be less felt by a gradual initiation32 into its forms.
Isabel was not to converse33, or offer an opinion, upon any subject; she was not in any wise to infringe34 upon her sister's prerogative35, or draw attention towards herself; but she was to observe silently the proprieties36 [25] of life—to learn by close attention the observances, the graceful37 bend of reception, the easy flow of local conversation, and the thousand agreeable nothings comprised in receiving company. Upon all this was Isabel to meditate38; but no silly compliment offered by a young man was to be understood or replied to by herself; no gracious invitation was to be accepted, no remark whatsoever39 was to induce her to put herself forward. Upon these hard terms, Isabel was received in her mother's apartments; and she endured the sight of her "senior by only one year," receiving the crowds which frequented Wetheral Castle, dressed with elegance40, admired, courted, and surrounded with flattery in all its proteus forms.
Isabel long suffered the keen feelings of envy to war in her heart; not envy towards Anna Maria, whom she equally admired and loved—but envy of that state which she longed ardently41 to partake. In one hapless hour, Isabel forgot her vow42 of silence, and spoke43, as most backward young ladies will speak, when pressed beyond endurance, most [26] rashly and unadvisedly. Lady Spottiswoode and her daughter had been long dilating44 on the forthcoming races, and the full ordinary and ball which every one anticipated, when Miss Spottiswoode, turning to Isabel, asked when they should have the pleasure of including her among the gay young ladies. Isabel, thrown off her guard by the question, instantly replied, colouring with her earnest feelings—
"Oh! Miss Spottiswoode, I hope I shall soon be out; but it depends upon Anna Maria's marrying Tom Pynsent." Lady Wetheral for one instant completely lost her self-possession. Sir John laughed aloud. The Spottiswoodes were too delicate to take notice of the remark. They rose and examined some portfolios45 of prints which lay upon the table, and endeavoured to change the current of thought, by again dwelling46 upon the ordinary and race-ball; but the shock was too severely47 felt to be easily overcome. There was a painful silence, and the Spottiswoodes kindly48 took their leave.
"There!" said Lady Wetheral, applying the vinaigrette to her nose, "Lady Spottiswoode [27] is gone to report my arrangements to the world, and Isabel's stupid folly has occasioned it. Did I not insist upon her silence?"
"You should have taught your girls discretion49, Gertrude," replied Sir John, "by being discreet50 yourself. Why did you commit your arrangements, as you call them, to the keeping of a child who is suffering under them? You should teach them to practise the art of speaking, before you thrust your children headlong from the nursery into company. You are rightly served: this will prevent all future mistakes."
"You may say what you please, Sir John; I cannot exhaust myself by arguing with such very limited ideas. I am very ill, and extremely shocked at Isabel's conduct: pray let her attend the race-ball, or do what she likes: I am unequal to combat determined51 obstinacy52."
"May I go to the race-ball, then? Shall I go out with Anna Maria, and see her admired, and dance myself for hours together?" exclaimed Isabel, throwing herself on her knees in a transport.
[28]
"Go just where you like," replied her mother, languidly; "you will be stupid and vulgar whenever you emerge, therefore time or place is a matter of little moment. Take your own way, for my authority is quite set aside."
Up rose Isabel, attentive only to the words which pronounced her release, and, bounding round the room, careless of remark, she rushed upstairs to make known her triumph.
"Thompson, Thompson! I am going to the race-ball in July. I am to go out with Anna Maria, and dance like mad! here goes!"
And Isabel began dancing round the nursery in the wildest spirits, imitating, to the best of her ability, Anna Maria's elegant manner and step.
Thus was Lady Wetheral a second time defeated in the nearest wish of her heart; but her resentment53 only extended to keeping her bed for two days, during which she complained to Thompson of illness and excessively shocked feelings. On the third day, she was eagerly and agreeably employed in selecting a proper wardrobe for Isabel.
[29]
There could not be a more striking contrast than that which was displayed in the person and manners of the two elder sisters, and their effect upon society was equally distinct. Anna Maria concealed55 an irritable56 temper under an exterior57 peculiarly elegant, and manners strikingly gentle and fascinating: her popularity, therefore, was great, and her steps attended by admirers of both sex, who were drawn58 towards her by the force of extreme sweetness of manner. All men toasted the lovely Miss Wetheral, and all women confessed she was agreeable as she was charming, yet Anna Maria passed on her way without receiving offers from one sex, or forming a friendship with an individual of the other.
Isabel's artless high spirits and warm heart was, on the other hand, misunderstood, and few did her justice in public. She danced too much, and laughed too loud, and gentlemen sought her often as an agreeable relief from the refined insipidity59 of her companions, which told against her in society. Lady Wetheral cautioned her in vain.
"I wish, Isabel, you would not jump so [30] high, and look so pleased with your partners; it is quite inelegant, and will make you disliked. No other young lady looks pleased, and the gentlemen get grinning and talking round you, to the exclusion60 of your sister and many others. Pray refrain."
"It is my nature to be happy," replied Isabel, laughing, "and my friends may out-talk me if they like. I only desire to chat and enjoy myself in peace."
"For shame, Isabel! you are not aware how you create enemies by such conduct. I was ashamed to see you racing61 down the middle and up again, with Tom Pynsent, at Lady Spottiswoode's carpet-dance. A young lady should never engross62 a gentleman's attention so conspicuously63."
"Tom Pynsent amused me extremely, mamma: he was telling college stories, and off we capered64 without caring who remarked us."
"You are remarkably65 vulgar and underbred, my dear," resumed her mother, "and I have no hopes of your establishment. I am very much surprised at Anna Maria's beauty [31] failing to elicit66 an offer; perhaps Julia may do better when she appears, but my hopes chiefly rest upon Clara. Her style of beauty is very magnificent."
Isabel's happy disposition67 received these shocks with inimitable good humour. She listened to daily remarks upon her want of elegance, and believed in her total exemption68 from the gifts which Nature had lavished69 upon her elder sister; but her mind scorned the idea of mourning over a useless grief. She cared not for extraneous70 advantages which could not reach the mind: she never entered a ball-room without a profusion71 of dancing engagements; and if she was liked and followed, even in the presence of her handsome sister, what did she care for mere72 beauty?
Lady Wetheral at last yielded the point, and allowed Isabel to choose her own mode of pleasing. Her taste turned with horror from her "unfortunate Isabel," but she ceased to look at, or remark upon, her brusquerie. She told Thompson, "some men took odd fancies to healthy, fat-looking, smiling girls, and probably Isabel might please some old [32] rich widower73 or stupid retired74 bachelor, and marry at last: she would be a foil to her sisters, at any rate."
Lady Wetheral was right: an odd, "retired bachelor" did admire Isabel precisely75 for her healthy, good-humoured looks; and, in process of time, he advanced, slowly and cautiously, to the attack; but his manner concealed the matter long to all eyes but those of her father. Lady Wetheral was blind to the very dénouement.
"I can't imagine why that tiresome76 old Boscawen comes here every other morning, Sir John, sitting for hours and saying nothing: pray don't ask him to stay dinner again—he makes me ill."
"He is a great friend of mine, Gertrude: I like Boscawen."
"I know you like unaccountable people, love; but he worries me to death, and he will sit at dinner between Anna Maria and Isabel. I don't consider Isabel, but he keeps Tom Pynsent away from Anna Maria, and never enters into any sort of conversation."
"He thinks more than he says, my dear."
[33]
"I hate people who think: thinking makes every thing worse: luckily, I have quite given up thinking about Isabel, or her loud laugh would kill me."
"Boscawen does not object to Isabel's joyous77 laugh, Gertrude; he hopes to hear it in perpetuity."
"I wish he would take her to himself, then," replied his lady, gently yawning, and taking up a novel.
"Boscawen has proposed for Isabel," said Sir John, seriously.
"How can you talk such nonsense, Sir John! if the old man proposes to any body, it will certainly be to Anna Maria. I saw he admired her exceedingly—so does every body: she is very captivating."
"Boscawen has proposed for Isabel, however," he returned; "and though he is too advanced in years for a young girl's speculation78, yet, if she could fancy him, I think she might be happy. I wish you to speak to your daughter upon the subject, Gertrude. If she has the slightest disinclination to Boscawen, [34] do not mention him a second time: I will not allow her to be talked into matrimony."
"Then, talk to her yourself, Sir John. I am quite overpowered by the surprise. I was so certain Boscawen admired Anna Maria; but since he has the bad taste to prefer Isabel, she ought not to demur79 an instant. Boscawen is very rich, and I dare say he will act very handsomely as to settlements. When old men marry young wives, they ought to pay for the distinction. Isabel will be very foolish if she declines him."
Anna Maria at this moment appeared at the door, and Lady Wetheral's ideas excursed at the sight of her beautiful daughter, still so admired, yet unsought.
"Well, my dear, I am glad you are come at this moment; here is Mr. Boscawen proposing for Isabel, and no one asks for you: I can't understand it. Perhaps, my love, if you chatted a little more—but you must 'take' in time. Old Boscawen is no great things, only he is so rich; there is no saying when Isabel may be a gay widow."
"Does my sister accept Mr. Boscawen?" [35] asked Anna Maria, in dulcet80 tones, without replying to her mother's hints.
"She will do so, if she has common sense; but we have sent for her. Your father is to talk to her."
Isabel obeyed the summons, which prayed for her appearance in Lady Wetheral's boudoir. She entered laughing.
"I am sure I know the reason of your summons, papa. Mr. Boscawen has written to you."
"And you will not be so mad as to refuse such an excellent establishment," cried her mother, earnestly.
"Stay, Gertrude; I will not allow Isabel to be influenced."
"He can make any settlement you please, Isabel," continued her mother.
"Gertrude——"
"He is old and ugly, Isabel"—Lady Wetheral rose unconsciously from the sofa in her energy, perfectly81 deaf to her husband's call to order—"he is old and ugly; but no girl in her senses would refuse such an establishment. You cannot stake a handsome face [36] against a fortune, which will purchase all a woman prizes most. You will be respectable and enviable, for you will command every thing that is covetable82 in this world!"
Sir John was distressed83 and indignant at the sentiment conveyed in his lady's discourse85; but he knew it was vain to contend with a mind anchored upon the world. He turned to Isabel.
"I wish to know, my love, if Mr. Boscawen's offer is disagreeable to you. If you reject his suit, I will take care he shall not offend again."
Lady Wetheral fixed86 her eyes with intense anxiety upon Isabel, who promptly87 replied the offer had been made with her knowledge and concurrence88.
"My dear Isabel, I thought you would not overlook such advantages," cried her ladyship, embracing her daughter with unfeigned delight.
"Isabel," said her father, "you wish to marry Mr. Boscawen?"
"Indeed, papa, I do."
[37]
"You wish to quit your home, my love, and live altogether with Mr. Boscawen?"
"Yes, indeed, I do, papa."
"Are you aware, Isabel, that in marrying Mr. Boscawen you must become steady and obedient, and submit to his wishes and views?"
"Perfectly, papa."
"Are you aware, my love, that when you have become a wife, you must quit home for ever, and remain with Mr. Boscawen at Brierly, to nurse him in sickness, and console him in sorrow?"
"Oh, yes, papa, I know all that perfectly; and I shall like very much to nurse Mr. Boscawen, he is so good-tempered."
"Yet, listen to me, Isabel, I have much to say," and her father's countenance89 and manner became impressively serious. "You are too young to understand the solemn vows90 you must make at the altar. I know Boscawen is a good man, or I should not have listened to his offer when he proposed for a girl young enough to be his daughter. You [38] must have given him great encouragement, Isabel."
"Oh yes, papa, I did. I told him I would be sure to be his wife, if you had no objection, and I hope you do not mean to prevent it."
Lady Wetheral became indignant at her husband's serious view of matrimony, and she had recourse to her vinaigrette, as usual, upon exciting subjects.
"I cannot imagine, Sir John, why you should endeavour to make doubts for Isabel, when such an offer may never occur again—certainly not to Isabel, who has so little appearance. It quite provokes me to hear you raising difficulties about a nonsensical affair of marriage. Isabel will marry like other girls, and get on like other people."
"I do not wish my daughter to marry like other girls, Gertrude. I wish Isabel to be happy and respected."
"And who will deny her being very happy, Sir John, when she has every luxury her mind can invent; and who denies a woman's [39] respectability when she is rich and well connected? Nonsense, my dear."
"We never agree in sentiment, Gertrude," said her husband, gravely.
"How can I see things, love, in the strange light you represent them? My mother never read me such lectures as you preach to Isabel, and I was scarcely her age when I married. I was congratulated on my good fortune, and you know we both drove immediately to Hamlet's. Pray let Isabel enjoy herself."
"Oh pray, papa, let me have Mr. Boscawen," cried Isabel, clasping her hands as the tears burst from her dark, blue eyes. "Do not say I am not to have Mr. Boscawen! and he has ordered me a tilbury cloak upon the certainty of my accepting him; it is to have a leopard's claw as a fastening round my throat! Oh papa, papa!"
"I have not uttered a word about refusing Mr. Boscawen, my love."
"Oh, thank you, papa, thank you!" and [40] Isabel flew to embrace her father. "My own good papa, not to make me miserable91!"
"You would be unhappy, then, if I declined Mr. Boscawen, Isabel?"
"Oh, papa, wretched!—the cloak too of no use, and I had so set my heart upon the leopard's claw!"
"A small 'forget-me-not' would have been in better taste, Isabel," observed her mother.
"No, I particularly admire the leopard's claw, because Mr. Boscawen liked it. And then, papa, we are to drive in his tilbury, and I am to have a fur cap with a tassel92, and choose it myself—I shall be so happy!"
There was nothing more to be said. Isabel looked upon every thing connected with Mr. Boscawen en couleur de rose, and her imagination pictured Brierly as a home of enchantment93. She believed her days were to glide94 away among rural sports and in juvenile95 assemblies—the summer would be dedicated96 to haymaking and gathering97 roses—the winter would be a continuity of music and dancing. If her father's remarks chased the smile from her lips, as he alluded98 to scenes [41] of duty and the cares of a family, they were speedily recalled by Lady Wetheral's enumeration99 of the comforts which must attach to her situation.
"My dear Isabel, your father alarms you; but, trust me, there is nothing alarming in matrimony. You will have a large settlement, and a handsome allowance, therefore every thing will go smoothly100. If you have a family, it won't much inconvenience you. Shut out the nurseries with baize doors, and you will be free from noise. I managed very well, for sometimes I did not see or hear you children for weeks."
Mr. Boscawen was admitted as an accepted lover, and Isabel did not regret her acceptance of a man who listened with admiration and interest to her remarks, and who never turned from her brusquerie with the disgust her mother could not conceal54 towards her. Mr. Boscawen at five and forty looked with delight upon Isabel, whose extreme youth and beauty threw a halo around her uneducated mind. Her rich and joyous laugh pleased the taciturn nature of his mind; he [42] was charmed by her innocence101, and untired by her ceaseless prattle102; therefore was Mr. Boscawen her constant and loved companion, whom her eye sought in all companies and at all moments, and to whom her inmost thoughts were communicated. She loved to hang upon his arm, and take long walks with her darling Boscawen; she delighted to drive his tilbury, and exhibit the cloak of long promise—to chat freely, and, as she expressed it in confidence to Julia, to rattle103 away about nothing, and be just as much admired, as though she spoke sense, like Anna Maria.
Isabel's wedding-day was to herself a day of extravagant104 enjoyment105 and agreeable confusion. She was going to a home of her own—to be called in future "Mrs. Boscawen," and to receive the compliments of the bridal-party. There was a large company to breakfast, and the Spottiswoodes were of the chosen number who had the pleasure of congratulating Isabel upon her magnificent prospects106. Isabel thanked Miss Spottiswoode for her friendly wishes.
"Now, I am married, dear Sophy, I wish [43] you were all going to do the same thing. I should so have liked four or five weddings at once! but you will all come and see me, and we will have such merriment; won't we, Mr. Boscawen?"
Mr. Boscawen bowed smilingly to Isabel's appeal, and she proceeded—
"I will drive you all in the tilbury, when you come to Brierly; it holds only Mr. Boscawen and myself now, but I dare say we can squeeze four. Mr. Boscawen is very stout107, and his coat covers an acre of ground; doesn't it, Mr. Boscawen?"
Lady Wetheral became visibly uneasy at Isabel's loquacity108, and endeavoured to change the subject; but Mrs. Boscawen was too happy and too unsuspecting to observe a hint, or detect a look; her heart was full of hope, and revelling109 in novel situations. She talked on, inviting110 every body to Brierly, and appealing to Mr. Boscawen if he would not be delighted to have his house as full as it could hold. The bridal carriage drawing to the door relieved Lady Wetheral's distress84.
At the parting moment, Isabel preserved [44] her serenity111, while her sisters wept over the kind-hearted companion they were now to lose. Isabel's gentleness of temper, her buoyant spirits, and warm affections, endeared her to all her family-circle, and they doubly valued her excellence112 when her society was on the eve of being withdrawn113 for ever. Isabel smiled as radiantly as usual under the repeated embraces of her weeping sisters, and cheered their grief.
"My dear girls, you see I am married, and, as mamma says, I can do what I like, I mean to have each of you with me in turn, so pray do not cry. Julia, you will come first, and we will have such fun, haymaking! shan't we, Mr. Boscawen? And Clara, when you come to me, we will gallop114 over the country on ponies115; won't we, Mr. Boscawen?"
Mr. Boscawen kissed Isabel's hand without reply, and her father led her to her carriage. The new equipage struck her eye.
"Oh, mamma! how you will delight in my carriage! It's quite my own; is it not, Mr. Boscawen? When you come to Brierly, we [45] will drive about all day. You know you said it would be the best part of the show."
Mr. Boscawen had never approved Lady Wetheral's sentiments, and rarely entered into conversation with her. Isabel's observation had its effect; he bowed very coolly to her ladyship, and ordered the postillions to drive on. The carriage was soon lost in the distance. Lady Wetheral was disconcerted at Isabel's unfortunate speech, and she remarked upon it in passing from the colonnade116 into the breakfast-room.
"Isabel has married much better than I anticipated; but nothing will heal her dreadful propensity117 to make remarks in the wrong place, and repeat observations improperly118. This unladylike want of caution will ruin her reputation as a woman of fashion, but she is no longer 'Miss Wetheral.' Isabel is now Mrs Boscawen."
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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languishing
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| a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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repentant
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| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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repartee
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| n.机敏的应答 | |
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arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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romps
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| n.无忧无虑，快活( romp的名词复数 )v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的第三人称单数 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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incurable
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| adj.不能医治的，不能矫正的，无救的；n.不治的病人，无救的人 | |
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docility
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| n.容易教，易驾驶，驯服 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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pertinacious
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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folly
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daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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exhausted
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antagonist
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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32
initiation
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| n.开始 | |
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33
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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34
infringe
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| v.违反，触犯，侵害 | |
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35
prerogative
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| n.特权 | |
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36
proprieties
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| n.礼仪，礼节；礼貌( propriety的名词复数 )；规矩；正当；合适 | |
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37
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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38
meditate
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| v.想，考虑，（尤指宗教上的）沉思，冥想 | |
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39
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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40
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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41
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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42
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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43
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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44
dilating
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| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的现在分词 ) | |
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45
portfolios
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| n.投资组合( portfolio的名词复数 )；（保险）业务量；（公司或机构提供的）系列产品；纸夹 | |
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46
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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47
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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48
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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49
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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50
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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51
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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52
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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53
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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54
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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55
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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56
irritable
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| adj.急躁的；过敏的；易怒的 | |
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57
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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58
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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insipidity
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| n.枯燥无味，清淡，无精神；无生气状 | |
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exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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62
engross
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| v.使全神贯注 | |
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63
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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64
capered
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| v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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66
elicit
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| v.引出,抽出,引起 | |
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67
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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68
exemption
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| n.豁免，免税额，免除 | |
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69
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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extraneous
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| adj.体外的；外来的；外部的 | |
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71
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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72
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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73
widower
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| n.鳏夫 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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76
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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78
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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79
demur
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| v．表示异议，反对 | |
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80
dulcet
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| adj.悦耳的 | |
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81
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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82
covetable
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| adj.值得渴望的可羡慕的，值得渴望的 | |
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83
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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84
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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85
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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86
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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87
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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88
concurrence
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| n.同意；并发 | |
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89
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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90
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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91
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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92
tassel
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| n.流苏，穗；v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须 | |
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93
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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94
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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95
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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96
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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97
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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98
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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99
enumeration
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| n.计数，列举；细目；详表；点查 | |
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100
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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101
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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102
prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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103
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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104
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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105
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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106
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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108
loquacity
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| n.多话，饶舌 | |
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109
revelling
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| v.作乐( revel的现在分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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110
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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111
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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112
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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113
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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114
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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115
ponies
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| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
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116
colonnade
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| n.柱廊 | |
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117
propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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118
improperly
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| 不正确地，不适当地 | |
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