394
Rodvard looked out across the hall, now filling with men, most of whom bowed to the throne on entering, in the ancient form. Very few were badged with coronets, and it seemed to Rodvard a cause of hope and pleasure that this was so. There was a solid group of legists; some merchants; and a few men from the lesser4 orders, though not as many as he had expected. As he watched, the Episcopals came in, six of the seven at once, not looking around at the fall and sudden rise of chatter5 that attended their entrance. They moved to places in the premier6 row of chairs; legist badges began drifting toward them as straws on a stream will be drawn7 by a log.
Mathurin came in. He wore his servant’s black and badge of low condition as though they were robes and a crown, strutting8 visibly. He did not bow to the throne, but walked straight up to the Chamberlain’s place, sat down, bounced up again immediately and slapped his palm on the board for attention. As the buzz of talk died reluctantly and men took their places, he watched with tight lips; when only two or three whisperers remained, he struck the board again and said; “There is a new matter of utmost importance before the assembly of the nation.”
A solid-looking man who bore the coronet badge stood up into the dramatic pause and said; “I am the Marquis of Palm. There is an old matter for which this assembly was called that I shall never cease to urge. No regent-apparent has been—”
He was allowed to say no more. A chorus of angry babblings covered his voice, and Mathurin slapped sharply. His voice rose; “I am only the writer before this assembly, and will place before it whatever is desired; but it does not seem to me that it wishes to hear your proposal, Ser Marquis. The more since the matter of which I speak is so great that it overrides9 every other. I have to say that the nation, already threatened by exterior10 enemies, is now called upon to face a worse danger, one that will call for all our exertions11. It is this: the leaders in whom we have most trusted have turned traitor12, and are conspiring13 with the enemies of the people.”
Now there were more babblings, and angry cries, such as “Cut their throats!” with a couple of fists brandished14 aloft; but Rodvard noticed that all the outcry came from one section of the hall, behind the Episcopals. One of the latter began fanning himself rapidly. Instead of quieting, the tumult15 augmented16 as Mathurin stood sweeping17 his eyes across it with a half-triumphant air. At last he raised a hand.
“I will tell you the worst,” he said, “not in fine words but brutally18, for this is a brutal19 thing.” He shuffled20 a handfull of papers. “No, wait, I will begin with the tale of how this knowledge reached us.
395
“At Drog, below the pass that leads through the Ragged21 Mountains to Rushaca, there is an inn. Some eight days gone there came to it a carriage, bearing one of the ladies of the court, oh, a beautiful lady, all dressed as though for a ball. She came from the north, from Zenss, where the court is, and as the road leads to Tritulacca ultimately, her actions roused some suspicion in the mind of the innkeeper. He is a true patriot22, and thought she might be carrying wealth away out of the country in violation23 of the decree against it; watched her, and noticed that she was very careful of a certain casket. The innkeeper thereupon summoned people’s guards, who seized the casket and broke it open. They found no money, but they found—this.”
Mathurin drew from his papers one that seemed to be of parchment, and waved it aloft, so that all could see that it bore at its foot a huge blue seal, star-shaped, the sign-manual of the chancery of the realm. There were sharp intakes24 of breath and stirring among the chairs; the Episcopal who had been fanning himself stopped. The sturdy man who had described himself as the Marquis of Palm stared aloft with his mouth open and a frown on his face.
“Shall I read it to you? No, not word for word, for it is written in Tritulaccan, and with the stupid, decorative25 court phrases that try to hide real meaning.” (Rodvard thought: he has more orator’s tricks than I ever would have imagined.)
Pause. “Here it is, then: a missive, signed with the name of Count Cleudi, himself a Tritulaccan by birth, to Perisso, Lord Regent of Tritulacca, but bearing as proof of genuineness, the seal of our Gracious Majesty26, the Queen. The substance of it is that while without doubt the rebellion of her cousin Pavinius, aided though he is by the Mayerns, will soon be put down, the war is likely to be long and wasteful27. Her gracious majesty therefore consents to the proposal of the Lord Perisso, made in the name of true religion and the old friendship between the two houses, that he shall join the army of Dossola with not less than sixteen shars; and in return for this, it is graciously conceded that Tritulacca has a just claim to the city and province of Sedad Mir. And some of these Tritulaccan shars shall pass to the war by way of Netznegon city, to suppress certain disorders28 there. The rats! There is no dealing29 with such people!”
396
“Shame!” shouted someone almost before he had finished, and now all over the hall men were on their feet and shouting, but among other cries there was one of “Forgery31!” Mathurin seemed to be waiting for that moment. “Forgery!” he cried, his voice going up almost to the cracking-point. “If you think it is forgery, look at it yourself,” and threw the paper outward, as one might the caught hunted animal to the dogs. “Will you call it forgery when I tell you also that the whole Tritulaccan fleet has been placed on war standard? The nation is betrayed!”
Now the tumult seemed completely out of hand, men moving from place to place confusedly or trying to say something (and in every eye Rodvard could catch there was nothing but mere32 fury, which expressed itself in a color of maroon). Mathurin looked out on the scene, making no effort at control; but from the first row there rose a tall old man with white hair and a face set in a habitual33 expression of benevolence34, who raised high his white staff of office, by which Rodvard recognized him as the Arch-Episcopal, Teurapis Groadon.
Eyes caught the staff; voice after voice was abstracted from the uproar35 until only a few still tried to speak, then two, then none. The Arch-Episcopal waited until there was a silence broken only by a cough; Mathurin pressed Rodvard’s shoulder to read the eyes, but the old man only cast one swift glance at the dais before turning to address the assembly.
“Ser writer,” he said, “and you, lords and estates of the realm, this is not a pleasant thing that we have heard. There may be some question of the authenticity36 of this message, or it may have been written merely to deceive; a document from the hand of the heretic Pavinius, who would make himself the equal of God. Yet I will not deny that we must behave as though it were true; for if we do nothing, and it proves to be so, it will be too late. And for myself I fear it is true; for it is given to the spiritual estate to discern the machinations of the powers of evil. There is before us, then the question of how, joying in the protection of God, we can circumvent37 the machinations of the Enemy, who has made man and women naturally good, into instruments of evil.
“Let us therefore prayerfully address ourselves to the question of how the realm may escape this trouble. In an emergency equal to this, in the reign39 of King Cloar with Queen Berdette the First, the assembly of the realm set aside their rule in favor of their daughter, with her husband, the great King Crontinianus, of glorious memory. But now there are no heirs female, and of heirs male, only Prince Pavinius. Thus we seem faced with the hard choice of accepting him, and so selling the soul to preserve the body, or of adhering to the Queen’s will and saving the soul through bodily submission40 to Tritulacca. But I do not think God demands of us such submission, for our God is a God of joy.
397
“We are here met in the high assembly of the realm, which I hold to represent what of the power material has failed to protect its own; and the power spiritual is fully38 represented. Therefore, though such a step has no basis in law or custom, I say let us set up a regency in the time of a living Queen. It should have members of lords and estates to show forth41 the source of its authority; and since the true enemy is that power of evil which has led our good Queen astray, I humbly42 offer to preside.”
He sat. There was a rumor43, almost of agreement, but with a little edge in it that left Rodvard glad the Arch-Episcopal had ended so, for all the rest of what he said might have led them to agree, and it seemed to Rodvard that a regency with lords and Episcopals on it would be only the old rule again. Mathurin jerked his finger toward one of the brown legists, who had risen and was waiting for attention.
“I am the kronzlar Escholl,” said the man. “I will say that this proposal of a regency in the time of a living ruler has good support in law and custom, though it is not generally known. It is now over eight quadrials of years since King Belodon the Second was killed at Bregatz during the Zigraner wars, and few remember that only three weeks before his death, it was determined44 that he had gone mad, and the barons45 set up a council of regency. We may, I think, assume a like madness in the Queen’s Majesty, since her offer to Perisso is clearly contrary both to the law of the realm and true religion. His claim to Sedad Mir is based on descent in the male line, since it is well known that the last Count of that seignory wrongfully dispossessed his sister, who survived him to pass on her rights to the crown of Dossola.”
The bright morning light struck through the window, fairly on the speaker’s face (and as he took his place, Rodvard caught from his eye a quick gleam of greed and lust46 for power, altogether surprising in one who had spoken so dry and calmly). He touched Mathurin’s arm to mention this, but now half a dozen more were on their feet to speak, and the writer before the assembly shot his finger at a man with a merchant’s badge, in the group that had made the tumult when the Marquis of Palm was shouted down.
398
“I protest!” this one bawled47. “I am called Brosen Zelitza. We are the assembly of the nation, and therefore already regents in our own right. Why vest the regency in a council? Why should Episcopals have the temporal power as well as the spiritual? If no one else dares to speak, I will tell you why; it is because they are sold—sold to Tritulacca. They wish to have the power to complete Cleudi’s contract, and their objection to it is only a sham30.” (The voice had a curious dynamic quality that seemed to stir the very bones, but in Rodvard’s mind, watching the face, there grew only a picture of something with teeth, he could not make out any mind or thought.) “—by the rule of these Episcopals and their mercenaries of the priesthood the old customs of Dossola were set aside, and it is forbidden that women shall use the Art. So Dossola is being made a half-nation like the savage48 Kjermanash, with women in bondage49, unable to defend—” (The voice was stirring them, excitement in the hall, with movements and the scratch of a pushed-back chair.) “—corrupt priesthood, refuge of scoundrels and bastards,” (Rodvard swept the line of the Episcopals, and though they were turned so he could catch no eyes, every pose told of rising indignation.) “—who cannot define the God they profess50 to serve—”
“Stop!” The Arch-Episcopal was on his feet again, staff upraised.
“Ah, the sword bites, does it? Conspirator51! Plot—”
“Stop!” The voice that was accustomed to dominating the vast recesses52 of the cathedral was thunderous.
Up leaped Mathurin. “My lord Episcopal,” he said, “this is the great assembly of the people, where each may speak in turn. When you have heard him, we will hear you.”
The Arch-Episcopal swung round (and from his eyes Rodvard could catch the flash of anger clearly enough, but that was not the sole emotion, and the rest was veiled). “I will never hear blasphemy,” he said. “As the highest officer of government remaining loyal to the realm, I declare this assembly dissolved. All who love God and Dossola, follow me.”
Amid a renewed outburst, catcalls and shouts of approval mingled53, he lifted his staff high and strode toward the door, followed by the others of his class. A good half the legists came behind. The nobles stood, but hung hesitant, looking toward the strong Marquis of Palm; and then, seeing him sit, some returned to their seats. Of the merchants some followed, but the little knot where the shouting started remained in their seats.
When the procession had passed, Mathurin said; “The session for this day is closed.” He turned toward Rodvard (and the latter saw in the smiling eyes that everything had gone exactly according to plan, and Zelitza was a good man).
399
II
Rodvard left the Hall of Presence alone, more than a little prideful at being a partaker in great deeds at last, and wondering what the old companions at the Office of Pedigree would say, who had so looked down on and baited him, when they knew he was one of the writers before the great assembly of the nation. Silver spadas were in his pouch54; the new clothes were neat; it was the finest day of winter.
He felt he must tell someone of his delight in all; lifted his head as he strode, and so striding, inadvertently trod on the heel of one before. The man turned to show a face as young as his own and a clerical badge. His hands were hunched55 beneath the edge of his jacket.
“I beg your grace,” said Rodvard.
“No matter,” said the other.
“I was thinking. Did you know that the great assembly is going to make itself a regency in the place of Queen Berdette?”
“No.” A pause. “Well, now the Tritulaccan Count will find him a better bedfellow. Perhaps we’ll have this Prince Pavinius.”
“The Episcopals left the assembly.”
“Oh.” Another stop to the conversation, step, step to the corner, side by side. The encounter glanced around (with discomfort56 in his eyes at having nothing to say). “Have you seen the new representation at Leverdaos? It is called ‘The Maid’s Problem’ and Minora is playing.”
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1
judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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consonant
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| n.辅音；adj.[音]符合的 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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premier
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| adj.首要的；n.总理，首相 | |
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7
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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8
strutting
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| 加固，支撑物 | |
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overrides
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| 越控( override的第三人称单数 )； （以权力）否决； 优先于； 比…更重要 | |
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10
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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11
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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12
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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13
conspiring
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| 密谋( conspire的现在分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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14
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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15
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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16
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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17
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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18
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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20
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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21
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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23
violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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24
intakes
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| 吸入( intake的名词复数 )； （液体等）进入口； （一定时期内）进入或纳入的人数； （采煤）进风巷道 | |
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25
decorative
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| adj.装饰的，可作装饰的 | |
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26
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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27
wasteful
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| adj.（造成）浪费的，挥霍的 | |
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28
disorders
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| n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调 | |
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29
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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30
sham
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| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
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31
forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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32
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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33
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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34
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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35
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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36
authenticity
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| n.真实性 | |
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37
circumvent
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| vt.环绕，包围；对…用计取胜，智胜 | |
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38
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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39
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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40
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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41
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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42
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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43
rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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44
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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45
barons
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| 男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨 | |
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46
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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47
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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48
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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49
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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50
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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51
conspirator
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| n.阴谋者，谋叛者 | |
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52
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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53
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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54
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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55
hunched
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| （常指因寒冷、生病或愁苦）耸肩弓身的，伏首前倾的 | |
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56
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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