In this frame of mind I descended12 the stairs about ten days after my accident, with a strong feeling in favour of any novelty that might accidentally turn up, to divert the current of my thoughts.
During my late and protracted13 toilette, no whit14 accelerated by the difficulty of shaving in my crippled state (for I am no Volunteer, beared like the pard, and hold that a smooth chin denotes a respectable man), I had been disturbed and a little irritated by sundry15 bumpings and thumpings on the stairs and passages, which I attributed on reflection to the awkwardness of a new chambermaid. Expecting to meet, in my descent, nothing more formidable than this red-armed personage, I was surprised, not to say startled, to encounter on the landing one of the smartest ladies’-maids I have ever seen, who started—as ladies’-maids always do, at the unprecedented18 apparition19 of a stranger in the principal thoroughfare of an edifice20 erected21 for the accommodation of travellers—screamed faintly, placed her hand on her side, and turned away in an attitude of graceful22 and elaborate confusion.
Such a functionary23, with the trimmest of figures, the most voluminous of crinolines, the neatest of boots, and a silver-spangled net gathering24 “the wandering tresses of her sun-bright hair,” was sufficiently25 in character with a couple of wide imperials, an enormous wicker basket covered with black oilcloth, looking like a trunk of considerable weight and substance, but which, instead of containing family jewels, plate, and valuables to a high amount, enclosed huge volumes of some cloudlike fabric26, and when lifted, proved as light as a feather; two or more cap-boxes, a writing-case, a dressing-ditto, a leather bag, a square portfolio27, several wraps, rugs, and shawls fastened together by a strap28, and a bundle of parasols, en-tout-cas, and attenuated29 umbrellas, from the midst of which peeped an unaccountable but suggestive apparition in the shape of the sweetest little apology for a hunting-whip I have ever set eyes upon.
I am not a curious man—far from it; but it was to be expected that I should be at least interested in so extraordinary an arrival at a place like The Haycock: nor was it entirely30 unnatural31 that I should come to a halt on the landing with such a strategical disposition32 as brought me face to face with the well-dressed attendant, and satisfied me that the countenance33 over against mine own was an exceedingly pretty one. Ere I had half scanned it, however, a voice from an adjacent bedroom calling “Justine! Justine!” prompted me to identify its owner at once as a foreigner; but the accent in which Justine replied, “Coming in a minute, ma’am!” was so undoubtedly34 English, that my speculations35 were again completely at a loss; neither was the maid inclined to hurry herself, till she had given me an opportunity of perusing36 an extremely pretty face, with sparkling black eyes and an expression of determined37 coquetry, scarcely modified by dark hair dressed “à l’Impératrice,” and two little curls, something like those in a mallard’s tail, plastered down to her cheek-bones in a mode that I am given to understand is termed the “accroche c?ur,” or “heart-hooker,”—not at all an inappropriate title.
“Justine! Justine!” repeated the same lady-like and pleasing voice, this time in accents of command rather than entreaty38; and Justine, after thanking me with great sweetness for stopping up the way, was compelled to obey the summons of her invisible lady.
Completely mystified, I descended to the bar, there to find Miss Lushington for the first time in the worst of humours, or what that lady herself was pleased to call “uncommonly put about.” She ordered the waiter to and fro like a drill-sergeant, rang the ostler’s bell with vindictive39 vehemence40, and mixed a glass of brandy-and-water for a customer that must have knocked his head off. Also she tossed her curls so haughtily41, and carried herself so uprightly, as to denote she was prepared at any moment, if I may use the expression, to run her guns out and clear for action.
Without being a deep student in natural history, I have not failed to observe, that when a cow begins to put her muzzle42 to the ground, and throw the earth about with her feet, she is prepared to toss and gore43. Also, that when a woman cocks her nose in the air, giving at the same time an occasional sniff44 through that elevated organ, while a perceptible rise and fall heaves the snowy cambric that veils her bosom45, it is the forerunner46 of a breeze. In either case it is advisable to change the locality as rapidly as is practicable, and without reference to the ordinary forms of politeness.
Under these circumstances, I made my way forthwith into the stableyard, and had scarcely weathered the pump which commands its entrance, ere I came face to face with a very important-looking personage, whom I could not call to mind as having ever before seen within the precincts of The Haycock. There was no mistaking his profession, which was that of stud-groom47. Not one of your working servants, who strips to his shirt on occasion, and straps48 like a helper; but a real swell49 groom, always in review order, just as I saw him now, and rejoicing in the only costume of the present century which has not varied50 the least in my recollection. These men have all the same figure—plump, dapper, and short-legged: clad in the same attire51, to wit—a straight-brimmed hat, rather high in the crown; a pepper-and-salt cut-away coat, single-breasted, and of a length in the back only equalled by the shortness of its skirts; a blue-spotted neckcloth, with a horse-shoe pin; a waistcoat of the most extensive dimensions; drab breeches, with gaiters to match; and the old-fashioned watch-ribbon with a key at the end. Like the Ph?nix, the race is immortal52 and unchangeable. It possesses its own language, its own customs, its own traditions. As Napoleon the First said of the Bourbons, it learns nothing, and forgets nothing. It is reflective, sagacious, sober, and methodical; but on the other hand, it is opiniate, obstinate53, wilful54, and deaf to the voice of reason. You may leave one of the order, with perfect confidence, in charge of twenty horses, and be sure that everything will go on like clockwork, and that you will not be robbed of a shilling more than what he considers the due perquisites55 of his office; but if you want to arrange about your nags56 for yourself, to move them here and there, to enjoy for a day the pleasure of doing what you like with your own, be sure that you will reap only vexation and disappointment, confessing at length, in the bitterness of your heart, that the most accomplished57 of servants is but one degree removed from the most tyrannical of masters.
The man touched his hat to me with respectful politeness. Vanity whispered: “He acknowledges you at once for a gentleman, and perhaps you even look a little Crimean with your arm in that sling58.” I replied to his salutation by a remark on the weather and the sport; and having informed him I was staying at the hotel, and detailed59 to him somewhat circumstantially the particulars of my accident and progress of my recovery, to all of which he listened with grave courtesy, I asked him, “Whose horses occupied that range of stabling?” which I now perceived by the straw around the door-sills, and hermetically sealed appearance of the windows, were inhabited by some valuable stud.
“They’re ours, sir;” answered the man, as if I must necessarily know who “we” were. “I shall be happy to show them to you before they are shut up;” and producing the ring-key from his pocket, he called a very neat light-weight pad-groom to his assistance, and ushered60 me, without further parley61, into the sanctum of his stud.
Four better-looking animals, even as they showed then and there, with their clothes on, and littered up to their hocks in straw, it has seldom been my lot to set eyes on. They were much of the same pattern and calibre: small heads, large bodies, short flat legs, great power behind the saddle, and the best shoulders I ever saw. Two of them had been just run over with the irons, but not sufficiently to create an eyesore; the others had not a speck62 or blemish63 about them. What struck me most was, that while their appearance denoted they must be quite thorough-bred, they had none of the wincing64, swishing, lifting ways that usually distinguish these high-born creatures when you approach them in the stable. On the contrary, they seemed as tame and docile65 as so many pet-lambs.
The first that was stripped, a flea-bitten grey, of extraordinary beauty and symmetry, may serve as a specimen66 of the rest. His head, when turned round in the stall, showed like that of an Arab, so square was it in the forehead, and so tapering67 at the delicate velvet68-like muzzle. The small silken ears, too, might have listened for the bells of the caravan69 in the glowing Syrian air, so pointed70 and symmetrical was their form, so restlessly they quivered at the slightest noise; and the mild black eye, with its latent fire, might have belonged equally to a gazelle in the rose groves71 of El-Gulbaz, or an Arab maid at the door of her father’s tent in the heart of the Buyuk-Sahar.
I have often thought that in the eye of no other animal is there so reflective an expression, as in that of a horse. There is a depth of honesty and goodness in that full shining glance, that vouches72 for the intrinsic worth of his character—that seems to denote courage, generosity73, gratitude74, all the nobler qualities which man would fain arrogate75 to himself, and a sensitive disposition, which is hurt, rather than angered, by an injury. When irritated, nay even maddened, by ill-usage, how soon he is soothed76 and appeased77 by a little judicious78 kindness! How he appreciates approbation79! How willing he is to expend80 his force, his energies, his very life, for the sake of a kind word, or a well-timed caress81 from the hand he is so proud to obey! It seems to me that his is the brute82 nature which most resembles that of the best and bravest of the human race—true, loving, and courageous83; writhing84 under injury, but giving all, freely and generously still; springing to the kind word or gesture, and always ready at the call of the voice he loves; game to the back-bone, and staunch to the last drop of his blood. This may seem a far-fetched parallel, and my reader may smile at me for a hot-brained enthusiast85; but I love a good horse from my heart, and that’s the truth!
Nevertheless, although the grey’s head and neck may have seemed to argue an Eastern origin, the size and power of his lengthy86 frame were as far removed as possible from the attenuated proportions, the spare lean quarters of the indigenous87 Arab. He looked like getting through deep ground, and shooting well into the next field, whatever might be the size or nature of the fence that opposed his progress. I thought, on such a horse as that, there was no obstacle should stop me in the Soakington country; and I felt a momentary88 disgust while I compared his noble beauty with the more plebeian89 appearance of Tipple90 Cider and Apple-Jack.
“He looks a right good one,” said I, “and as fit to go as a man can get him. What is his name?”
“We call him the ‘King of Diamonds,’” replied the groom, modestly accepting, and passing over, my compliment to his own skill, as implied in approval of the horse’s condition. “Next to him is ‘Prince Charming;’ and the chestnut91 mare’s name is ‘Beller Donner;’ and the bay in the far stall, he’s ‘Lady-Killer;’ that’s all our stud, sir,” he added, touching92 his hat. “We don’t keep any hack93; they’re no use to us, hacks94 ain’t.”
“I suppose the grey’s the best of them,” I observed, reverting95 to the beautiful animal who was now being covered up once more.
“Neatest fencer of the lot,” answered the man, “and they can all go middling straight for that matter; but the Prince, he pounded of ’em all that heavy day last week in the Vale; and Beller Donner, she was the only one as got over the Bumperley Brook96, down by Heel Tappington, last Thursday was a fortnight. Ah! we beat ’em all that day, we did. If it hadn’t been for a man hoeing turnips97, we have had to take the fox from the hounds ourselves. We did go owdacious, to be sure! ‘The Beller,’ as I calls her, had had pretty nigh enough, I can tell you, sir. But when we do get a start, of a fine scenting98 morning, I’ll tell you what it is, sir—we takes no denial, and we stands for no repairs!”
Amused with the manner in which my new friend seemed to identify himself with his proprietor99, I proceeded to question him further about the horses, eliciting100 from him their various qualifications and merits, to which he was obviously willing to do ample justice.
“You see, sir,” said he, “we rides ’em all alike; that’s where it is. We doesn’t go picking a horse for this here country, and a horse for that there; but we brings ’em out each in their turn, as regular as clockwork. Wery particular, we are; and when they are out, go they must, or we’ll know the reason why. We haven’t had Prince Charming, now, so long as the others; and the first day we rode him he seemed unaccountably shifty at large places; uneasy like, and prevaricating101, and wanting to go anywhere but where we put him. Now some folks would have said, ‘This horse won’t suit at no price,’ and been dashed a little, as was natural, and so perhaps sent him back again and lost of him altogether. But that’s not our way, that isn’t. We just laid him alongside of the hounds as soon as ever they began to run, sat down upon him, catched a good hold of his head, and sailed him at his places so as he might go in or over, which he pleased; but he must do one or the t’other. The Prince seemed to take it all at once like. When we gets off him, we just gives a quiet little smile—we never laughs; and, says we, ‘I know’d he could gallop102 and go on, and now I’ve found out he can jump. I think we’ll keep him, John,’ says we,—My name’s John, sir,” (with a touch of his hat,)—“‘so put him in along with the others;’ and up we goes to a cup-o’ tea, and a book till bed-time.”
“That’s the way to make a hunter!” I exclaimed enthusiastically; for I confess I felt my blood stir at John’s description; “and to ride in that form, no doubt you require the very best, such as you seem to have got here.”
“We doesn’t grudge103 price, you see, sir,” answered John confidentially104. “When we hears of what we think likely to suit, at Tattersall’s or elsewhere, we comes down with the money at once: two hundred, three hundred—no matter what, so long as they are real good ones. Now there’s Lady-Killer, (Here! Tom, take and strip that bay horse,) we bought him at The Corner, with never a character, for two hundred and fifty guineas. Know’d nothing at all about him, except that we’d seen him out, and seen him gallop. Well, Mason would have had him if we hadn’t. First day as we rode him, and first fence as we put him at, blessed if it wasn’t the park pales, up in Deersley Chase. My Lord’s hounds, they found their fox like winking105, and away right over the park and amongst the fallow-deer, as if they was tied to him. What a scent16 there was, to be sure! Never checked nor hovered106, nor seemed to take no notice of the riot; but away, with their heads up-wind, as straight and as even as the crop of my whip. Well, there was an awful scrimmage, to be sure: such a rush among the fast ones! and we was a-going slap in front of the whole on ’em, with our hands down, I can tell you. It is a pleasure to see us, sir. Three-quarters-of-a-mile of grass had just got the horses into their swing, when the hounds came to the park pales, and over, like a stream of water across a mill-dam. No time to think about it. While two or three of the tail hounds were falling back from the top, the others were rising the opposite hill, running alarming. It was a regular case of ‘jump, or else go home.’ Some of the gentlemen pulls up, and some goes shying away to look for a gate; and one—a young gent he was, from college—takes and rides at it; but his horse turns round and kicks. So there was plenty of room, you see, for anybody who wanted to go and try. We catches hold of the bay horse, very steady and determined, and we rides him at it, so that he could not have refused, if it had been ever so. I don’t think, myself, he knowed anything about timber, for he just took it with his knees, and turned completely over on the top of us. ‘Killed! by jingo!’ says my Lord, turning as white as ashes, for he had waited to see us have a drive at it afore he galloped107 away to the gate. ‘Worth a dozen dead ones yet, my Lord!’ says we, jumping into the saddle again as light as a feather, and away after the hounds. So from that time we called the bay horse ‘Lady-Killer,’ although I never knowed him touch a rail since, and now he’s as safe a timber-jumper as we’ve got in the stable!”
“Your master must have extraordinary nerve,” said I, somewhat aghast, I must confess, at this stirring narrative108 of escape and daring. “There are few men who would care to ride for a certain fall over so dangerous a fence, let hounds run as hard as they will.”
The man stared. “Men!” he repeated, “Master! I ain’t got no master: it’s my lady as I’m a talkin’ of—Miss Merlin: her that came two hours ago in a po’ chay. The prettiest rider in England, let who will be the other. Master, indeed! I should like to know the man who can see the way she goes. There’s a many of ’em that’s tried it; but bless you, she takes no more notice, but just cuts ’em down, and hangs ’em up to dry.”
It was now my turn to be surprised. I confess I had never contemplated109 such a possibility as this; and now it flashed upon me all at once, as these things generally do. The owner of such high-bred cattle, the reckless equestrian110, to whom wood and water formed but the mere111 items of a pleasurable excitement, was doubtless also the mistress of the fascinating Justine. I could picture to myself the sort of person likely to combine those dashing possessions. I imagined a lady of gaudy112 exterior113, such as I remember to have met formerly114 out hunting in the vicinity of London, and masculine, not to say free-and-easy manners, with a bold eye, a dab17 of rouge115, false plaits skilfully116 disposed, and a loud voice, enforcing a corresponding style of language, garnished117 with strong expressions. I could conceive that such a dame118 would never be content to sit down to dinner alone at the Haycock, after the excitement of a day’s hunting, particularly as she seemed to render that amusement as thrilling a one as possible, but that she would naturally make acquaintance with its sole inmate119, bid him join her quiet little repast, a pint120 of sherry, and a bottle of champagne121 between the two, and what would become of me then? Perhaps, ere twelve hours had elapsed, we might be drinking the palest brandy-and-water together, while I smoked my virgin122 weed, and she indulged in a coquettish little cigarette. Of course she smoked. It is the fast thing for a woman to do in these days, and most of us know what a pace they can go when they like. I saw it all, in my mind’s eye—the little shyness at first, the gradual warming from acquaintance into friendship, and from friendship to intimacy123; my own misgivings124, struggles, subjugation125, and eventual126 discomfiture127.
I am not ashamed to confess my weakness. Any woman, who thinks it worth her while, can put her foot upon my neck. It is for this reason that I fight shy of the sex, that I am considered a bear and a bore by the majority of my female acquaintances, and that my pretty cousins call me The Woman-hater. There are certain allurements128 I cannot resist, certain encroachments I cannot withstand. I see the net, and walk into it open-eyed. Other men can emerge scathless from the ordeal129 of Christmas games and Twelfth-night festivities; can play at blind-man’s-buff without finding their mental vision dazzled and darkened by the game; can hunt the slipper130 or the ring, round and round the charmed circle, nor find the charm too potent131 for their peace of mind; nay, can even take a base advantage of the pendent mistletoe, with a forehead of brass132, a check of marble, and a lip of stone. I envy them their insensibility, their moral courage, and their physical daring; but for my own part I think it wiser to leave these “little games” alone. Need I say I am a bachelor? Need I say I came to the Haycock in order to enjoy my favourite pastime, unmolested by the presence of the dominant133 sex? Even Miss Lushington I had considered an unnecessary addition to the establishment, a snare134 to be avoided and an enemy to be defied: but I had been somewhat reassured135 by the mild and motherly interest that lady took in my welfare, and the impartiality136 with which she shed her attractions on all alike. But now, if I was to be exposed to the insidious137 attacks of this mounted Delilah, beset138 by Miss Merlin, not only in the free intercourse139 of the hunting-field, but also when “taking mine ease in mine inn,” why I had better retire in disorder140 at once, and obviate141 the possibility of battle and defeat alike, by a tumultuous flight.
Revolving142 these weighty matters in my mind, I retraced143 my steps into the Haycock, and ordered a glass of sherry and a biscuit in the bar.
Miss Lushington filled out my liquor to the brim without a word, slamming down before me at the same time that biscuit, peculiar144 to the British hostelry, of which, to judge by its flavour, the ingredients are soda145 and sawdust, with a dash of gravel146. I munched147 in silence for awhile, observing cautiously the clouds that gathered on the barmaid’s brow. At last I ventured an observation.
“A fresh arrival, I understand, Miss Lushington. The Haycock will be getting quite gay now, I presume.”
Miss Lushington’s only reply was a toss of her black head. “Do you expect any more visitors?” I proceeded, like a timid bather trying his depth. “This will be somewhat lonely for a lady all by herself, when she isn’t out hunting, I should say.”
Miss Lushington’s bright eyes flashed. “Ladies are very different in their tastes,” said she, laying a withering148 stress of sarcasm149 on this general and incontestable position. “Some women, Mr. Softly” (I have omitted to mention that my address is Cyrus Softly, Esq., Hat and Umbrella Club, London)—“some women seem to me more like men than women. In course every one to her liking150. For my part, I say nothing; but this I will say: for a lady to come down to a out-o’-the-way corner like this—no friends, no followers151; nothing but that highty-tighty maid (and if ever I catch her put her saucy152 face inside my bar, I’ll give her a piece of my mind, see if I don’t,) and hunt, hunt, hunt, day after day, and when it’s a frost or what not, read, read, read, from morning till night, and never out of a riding-habit, or else a plain dark gownd with no more trimming than on the back of my ’and” (Miss Lushington, when excited, had a habit of catching153 her breath, and in so doing let go a certain number of aspirates, and added a few elegant superfluities of language). “Why, I say it isn’t natural, and if it isn’t natural, there must be something in it, don’t you think so, Mr. Softly? And to see a maid dressed out like that flaunting154 miss, in flounces and fal-lals, with a velvet net to her ’air, and hear-rings like any lady of the land! In course it ain’t my place to make remarks, Mr. Softly; but you can’t prevent my thinking it a pity and a shame, not if you was to hang me alive for it the very next minute, there!”
Foreseeing no advantageous155 result from a continuance of the discussion with Miss Lushington, and surmising156 also that the strong opinion she had formed of the new arrivals was partly owing to Justine’s attractions, I left the barmaid in her own department, placing her hand to her side for “occasional spasms,” and catching her breath loudly at intervals157, as is the habit of the sex when stimulated158 by any unusual excitement, and proceeded up the staircase and along the dark passage that led to my dormitory, pondering deeply on all that I had heard and seen.
My curiosity—more, my interest, was strongly aroused. Miss Merlin was evidently no common character. Brave, reserved, studious, and simple in her attire, she must be a lusus natur?, a flower like the aloe, blooming but once in a century; and here she was at Soakington;—how to obtain an introduction was the difficulty. Had I been sound again, nothing, I thought, could be easier: a large fence out hunting; an appropriate compliment to her horse, and implied flattering of herself; a gate opened at the right moment, and then a bow out-of-doors, which could not but ripen159 to a familiar greeting within. After that, it would be all plain-sailing. When I got thus far, I was perfectly160 astonished at myself. “Softly,” said I, “is it possible—you, who have been a shy man and a diffident all your life; who have never been willing to burn your fingers at the shrine161 of Cupid, much less scorch162 yourself up, body and bones and all; you, who have had warnings innumerable among your friends, and beacons163 untold164 in your own family—can you be such an ass7? Did not your cousin Harry165, helping166 a comparative stranger to put on her goloshes at a picnic, become involved in a series of dilemmas167 which came eventually under the notice of Sir Cresswell Cresswell, in reviewing whose decision a weekly paper was good enough to remark that the co-respondent, meaning Cousin Harry, had behaved with the blackest villainy throughout? Was not your brother John, accidentally offering an unknown damsel his umbrella in the street, compelled by an Amazonian mother to marry her within six weeks? Has not the Amazonion taken up her abode168 with him for life, and has not Mrs. John Softly borne twins to her lord on two successive occasions? Are these hideous169 examples insufficient170, and must you in your own person furnish another deplorable instance of the inevitable171 result when—
“‘Fools rush in where angels fear to tread’?”
“Let it alone,” cried Caution. “But may I not at least take a look at my danger?” whispered Curiosity. “Better bandage your eyes,” answered Caution. “Perhaps she is not good-looking after all,” urged Curiosity. “Don’t go near her for your life!” threatened Cau. “I’ll be d—d if I don’t!” thundered Q.
This was the end of the argument, and I arrived at it precisely172 as I reached a turn of the staircase that led to my bedroom. Justine was at this instant coming down with a basket in her arms far too wide for the narrow landing: the corner was exceedingly dark and inconvenient173. In common humanity I could not but stop to assist her. Not very self-possessed at the best of times, I am afraid my efforts were of the clumsiest. Between us, we got the basket in the angle of the two walls. I was inside of it, and could not possibly get out: Justine could not very well leave me imprisoned174. She laughed a good deal, and blushed and pulled as hard as she could. I, too, pushed vigorously, but it struck me Justine was remarkably175 pretty, and that of all places in the world this was the most whimsical for a conversation with a strange young woman of lively manners and prepossessing exterior.
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convalescence
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| n.病后康复期 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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loathe
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| v.厌恶，嫌恶 | |
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pervades
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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dab
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| v.轻触，轻拍，轻涂；n.(颜料等的)轻涂 | |
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unprecedented
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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25
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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26
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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27
portfolio
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| n.公事包；文件夹；大臣及部长职位 | |
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28
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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29
attenuated
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| v.（使）变细( attenuate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）变薄；（使）变小；减弱 | |
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30
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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31
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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32
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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33
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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34
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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35
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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36
perusing
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的现在分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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37
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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38
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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39
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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40
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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41
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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42
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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43
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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44
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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45
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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46
forerunner
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| n.前身，先驱（者），预兆，祖先 | |
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47
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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48
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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49
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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50
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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51
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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52
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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53
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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54
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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55
perquisites
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|
| n.（工资以外的）财务补贴( perquisite的名词复数 )；额外收入；（随职位而得到的）好处；利益 | |
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56
nags
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| n.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的名词复数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责v.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的第三人称单数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责 | |
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57
accomplished
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|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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58
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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59
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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60
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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62
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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63
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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64
wincing
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的现在分词 ) | |
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65
docile
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|
| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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66
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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67
tapering
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| adj.尖端细的 | |
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68
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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69
caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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70
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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71
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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72
vouches
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| v.保证( vouch的第三人称单数 )；担保；确定；确定地说 | |
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73
generosity
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|
| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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74
gratitude
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|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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75
arrogate
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|
| v.冒称具有...权利，霸占 | |
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76
soothed
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|
| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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77
appeased
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|
| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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78
judicious
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|
| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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79
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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80
expend
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|
| vt.花费，消费，消耗 | |
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81
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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82
brute
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|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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83
courageous
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|
| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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84
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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85
enthusiast
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|
| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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86
lengthy
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|
| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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87
indigenous
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|
| adj.土产的，土生土长的，本地的 | |
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88
momentary
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|
| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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89
plebeian
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| adj.粗俗的；平民的；n.平民；庶民 | |
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90
tipple
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| n.常喝的酒；v.不断喝，饮烈酒 | |
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91
chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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92
touching
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|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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93
hack
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|
| n.劈，砍，出租马车；v.劈，砍，干咳 | |
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94
hacks
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| 黑客 | |
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95
reverting
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| 恢复( revert的现在分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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96
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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97
turnips
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| 芜青( turnip的名词复数 )； 芜菁块根； 芜菁甘蓝块根； 怀表 | |
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98
scenting
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| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
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99
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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100
eliciting
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| n. 诱发, 引出 动词elicit的现在分词形式 | |
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101
prevaricating
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| v.支吾( prevaricate的现在分词 )；搪塞；说谎 | |
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102
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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103
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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104
confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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105
winking
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|
| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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106
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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107
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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108
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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109
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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110
equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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111
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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112
gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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113
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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114
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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115
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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116
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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117
garnished
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| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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119
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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120
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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121
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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122
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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123
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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124
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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125
subjugation
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| n.镇压，平息，征服 | |
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126
eventual
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| adj.最后的，结局的，最终的 | |
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127
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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128
allurements
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| n.诱惑( allurement的名词复数 )；吸引；诱惑物；有诱惑力的事物 | |
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129
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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130
slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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131
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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132
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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133
dominant
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| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
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134
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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135
reassured
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|
| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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136
impartiality
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| n. 公平, 无私, 不偏 | |
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137
insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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138
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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139
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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140
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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141
obviate
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| v.除去，排除，避免，预防 | |
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142
revolving
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|
| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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143
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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144
peculiar
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|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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145
soda
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| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
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146
gravel
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|
| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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147
munched
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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148
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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149
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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150
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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151
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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152
saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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153
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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154
flaunting
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| adj.招摇的，扬扬得意的，夸耀的v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的现在分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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155
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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156
surmising
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的现在分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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157
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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158
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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159
ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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160
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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161
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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162
scorch
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| v.烧焦，烤焦；高速疾驶；n.烧焦处，焦痕 | |
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163
beacons
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| 灯塔( beacon的名词复数 )； 烽火； 指路明灯； 无线电台或发射台 | |
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164
untold
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| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
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165
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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166
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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167
dilemmas
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| n.左右为难( dilemma的名词复数 )；窘境，困境 | |
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168
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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169
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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170
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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171
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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172
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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173
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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174
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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175
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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