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Chapter 40 National and Domestic
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England has been in a dreadful state for some weeks. Lord Coodlewould go out, Sir Thomas Doodle wouldn't come in, and there beingnobody in Great Britain (to speak of) except Coodle and Doodle,there has been no government. It is a mercy that the hostilemeeting between those two great men, which at one time seemedinevitable, did not come off, because if both pistols had takeneffect, and Coodle and Doodle had killed each other, it is to bepresumed that England must have waited to be governed until youngCoodle and young Doodle, now in frocks and long stockings, weregrown up. This stupendous national calamity1, however, was avertedby Lord Coodle's making the timely discovery that if in the heat ofdebate he had said that he scorned and despised the whole ignoblecareer of Sir Thomas Doodle, he had merely meant to say that partydifferences should never induce him to withhold3 from it the tributeof his warmest admiration4; while it as opportunely5 turned out, onthe other hand, that Sir Thomas Doodle had in his own bosomexpressly booked Lord Coodle to go down to posterity7 as the mirrorof virtue8 and honour. Still England has been some weeks in thedismal strait of having no pilot (as was well observed by SirLeicester Dedlock) to weather the storm; and the marvellous part ofthe matter is that England has not appeared to care very much aboutit, but has gone on eating and drinking and marrying and giving inmarriage as the old world did in the days before the flood. ButCoodle knew the danger, and Doodle knew the danger, and all theirfollowers and hangers-on had the clearest possible perception ofthe danger. At last Sir Thomas Doodle has not only condescended10 tocome in, but has done it handsomely, bringing in with him all hisnephews, all his male cousins, and all his brothers-in-law. Sothere is hope for the old ship yet.

  Doodle has found that he must throw himself upon the country,chiefly in the form of sovereigns and beer. In this metamorphosedstate he is available in a good many places simultaneously11 and canthrow himself upon a considerable portion of the country at onetime. Britannia being much occupied in pocketing Doodle in theform of sovereigns, and swallowing Doodle in the form of beer, andin swearing herself black in the face that she does neither--plainly to the advancement12 of her glory and morality--the Londonseason comes to a sudden end, through all the Doodleites andCoodleites dispersing13 to assist Britannia in those religiousexercises.

  Hence Mrs. Rouncewell, housekeeper14 at Chesney Wold, foresees,though no instructions have yet come down, that the family mayshortly be expected, together with a pretty large accession ofcousins and others who can in any way assist the greatConstitutional work. And hence the stately old dame15, taking Timeby the forelock, leads him up and down the staircases, and alongthe galleries and passages, and through the rooms, to witnessbefore he grows any older that everything is ready, that floors arerubbed bright, carpets spread, curtains shaken out, beds puffed16 andpatted, still-room and kitchen cleared for action--all thingsprepared as beseems the Dedlock dignity.

  This present summer evening, as the sun goes down, the preparationsare complete. Dreary17 and solemn the old house looks, with so manyappliances of habitation and with no inhabitants except thepictured forms upon the walls. So did these come and go, a Dedlockin possession might have ruminated18 passing along; so did they seethis gallery hushed and quiet, as I see it now; so think, as Ithink, of the gap that they would make in this domain19 when theywere gone; so find it, as I find it, difficult to believe that itcould be without them; so pass from my world, as I pass fromtheirs, now closing the reverberating20 door; so leave no blank tomiss them, and so die.

  Through some of the fiery21 windows beautiful from without, and set,at this sunset hour, not in dull-grey stone but in a glorious houseof gold, the light excluded at other windows pours in rich, lavish,overflowing like the summer plenty in the land. Then do the frozenDedlocks thaw22. Strange movements come upon their features as theshadows of leaves play there. A dense23 justice in a corner isbeguiled into a wink24. A staring baronet, with a truncheon, gets adimple in his chin. Down into the bosom6 of a stony25 shepherdessthere steals a fleck26 of light and warmth that would have done itgood a hundred years ago. One ancestress of Volumnia, in high-heeled shoes, very like her--casting the shadow of that virginevent before her full two centuries--shoots out into a halo andbecomes a saint. A maid of honour of the court of Charles theSecond, with large round eyes (and other charms to correspond),seems to bathe in glowing water, and it ripples27 as it glows.

  But the fire of the sun is dying. Even now the floor is dusky, andshadow slowly mounts the walls, bringing the Dedlocks down like ageand death. And now, upon my Lady's picture over the great chimney-piece, a weird28 shade falls from some old tree, that turns it pale,and flutters it, and looks as if a great arm held a veil or hood,watching an opportunity to draw it over her. Higher and darkerrises shadow on the wall--now a red gloom on the ceiling--now thefire is out.

  All that prospect29, which from the terrace looked so near, has movedsolemnly away and changed--not the first nor the last of beautifulthings that look so near and will so change--into a distantphantom. Light mists arise, and the dew falls, and all the sweetscents in the garden are heavv in the air. Now the woods settleinto great masses as if they were each one profound tree. And nowthe moon rises to separate them, and to glimmer30 here and there inhorizontal lines behind their stems, and to make the avenue apavement of light among high cathedral arches fantastically broken.

  Now the moon is high; and the great house, needing habitation morethan ever, is like a body without life. Now it is even awful,stealing through it, to think of the live people who have slept inthe solitary31 bedrooms, to say nothing of the dead. Now is the timefor shadow, when every corner is a cavern32 and every downward step apit, when the stained glass is reflected in pale and faded huesupon the floors, when anything and everything can be made of theheavy staircase beams excepting their own proper shapes, when thearmour has dull lights upon it not easily to be distinguished33 fromstealthy movement, and when barred helmets are frightfullysuggestive of heads inside. But of all the shadows in ChesneyWold, the shadow in the long drawing-room upon my Lady's picture isthe first to come, the last to be disturbed. At this hour and bythis light it changes into threatening hands raised up and menacingthe handsome face with every breath that stirs.

  "She is not well, ma'am," says a groom34 in Mrs. Rouncewell'saudience-chamber.

  "My Lady not well! What's the matter?""Why, my Lady has been but poorly, ma'am, since she was last here--I don't mean with the family, ma'am, but when she was here as abird of passage like. My Lady has not been out much for her andhas kept her room a good deal.""Chesney Wold, Thomas," rejoins the housekeeper with proudcomplacency, "will set my Lady up! There is no finer air and nohealthier soil in the world!"Thomas may have his own personal opinions on this subject, probablyhints them in his manner of smoothing his sleek35 head from the napeof his neck to his temples, but he forbears to express them furtherand retires to the servants' hall to regale36 on cold meat-pie andale.

  This groom is the pilot-fish before the nobler shark. Nextevening, down come Sir Leicester and my Lady with their largestretinue, and down come the cousins and others from all the pointsof the compass. Thenceforth for some weeks backward and forwardrush mysterious men with no names, who fly about all thoseparticular parts of the country on which Doodle is at presentthrowing himself in an auriferous and malty shower, but who aremerely persons of a restless disposition38 and never do anythinganywhere.

  On these national occasions Sir Leicester finds the cousins useful.

  A better man than the Honourable39 Bob Stables to meet the Hunt atdinner, there could not possibly be. Better got up gentlemen thanthe other cousins to ride over to polling-booths and hustings40 hereand there, and show themselves on the side of England, it would behard to find. Volumnia is a little dim, but she is of the truedescent; and there are many who appreciate her sprightlyconversation, her French conundrums41 so old as to have become in thecycles of time almost new again, the honour of taking the fairDedlock in to dinner, or even the privilege of her hand in thedance. On these national occasions dancing may be a patrioticservice, and Volumnia is constantly seen hopping42 about for the goodof an ungrateful and unpensioning country.

  My Lady takes no great pains to entertain the numerous guests, andbeing still unwell, rarely appears until late in the day. But atall the dismal9 dinners, leaden lunches, basilisk balls, and othermelancholy pageants43, her mere2 appearance is a relief. As to SirLeicester, he conceives it utterly44 impossible that anything can bewanting, in any direction, by any one who has the good fortune tobe received under that roof; and in a state of sublimesatisfaction, he moves among the company, a magnificentrefrigerator.

  Daily the cousins trot46 through dust and canter over roadside turf,away to hustings and polling-booths (with leather gloves andhunting-whips for the counties and kid gloves and riding-canes forthe boroughs), and daily bring back reports on which Sir Leicesterholds forth37 after dinner. Daily the restless men who have nooccupation in life present the appearance of being rather busy.

  Daily Volumnia has a little cousinly talk with Sir Leicester on thestate of the nation, from which Sir Leicester is disposed toconclude that Volumnia is a more reflecting woman than he hadthought her.

  "How are we getting on?" says Miss Volumnia, clasping her hands.

  "ARE we safe?"The mighty47 business is nearly over by this time, and Doodle willthrow himself off the country in a few days more. Sir Leicesterhas just appeared in the long drawing-room after dinner, a brightparticular star surrounded by clouds of cousins.

  "Volumnia," replies Sir Leicester, who has a list in his hand, "weare doing tolerably.""Only tolerably!"Although it is summer weather, Sir Leicester always has his ownparticular fire in the evening. He takes his usual screened seatnear it and repeats with much firmness and a little displeasure, aswho should say, I am not a common man, and when I say tolerably, itmust not be understood as a common expression, "Volumnia, we aredoing tolerably.""At least there is no opposition48 to YOU," Volumnia asserts withconfidence.

  "No, Volumnia. This distracted country has lost its senses in manyrespects, I grieve to say, but--""It is not so mad as that. I am glad to hear it!"Volumnia's finishing the sentence restores her to favour. SirLeicester, with a gracious inclination49 of his head, seems to say tohimself, "A sensible woman this, on the whole, though occasionallyprecipitate."In fact, as to this question of opposition, the fair Dedlock'sobservation was superfluous50, Sir Leicester on these occasionsalways delivering in his own candidateship, as a kind of handsomewholesale order to be promptly51 executed. Two other little seatsthat belong to him he treats as retail52 orders of less importance,merely sending down the men and signifying to the tradespeople,"You will have the goodness to make these materials into twomembers of Parliament and to send them home when done.""I regret to say, Volumnia, that in many places the people haveshown a bad spirit, and that this opposition to the government hasbeen of a most determined53 and most implacable description.""W-r-retches!" says Volumnia.

  "Even," proceeds Sir Leicester, glancing at the circumjacentcousins on sofas and ottomans, "even in many--in fact, in most--ofthose places in which the government has carried it against afaction--"(Note, by the way, that the Coodleites are always a faction45 withthe Doodleites, and that the Doodleites occupy exactly the sameposition towards the Coodleites.)"--Even in them I am shocked, for the credit of Englishmen, to beconstrained to inform you that the party has not triumphed withoutbeing put to an enormous expense. Hundreds," says Sir Leicester,eyeing the cousins with increasing dignity and swellingindignation, "hundreds of thousands of pounds!"If Volumnia have a fault, it is the fault of being a trifle tooinnocent, seeing that the innocence54 which would go extremely wellwith a sash and tucker is a little out of keeping with the rougeand pearl necklace. Howbeit, impelled55 by innocence, she asks,"What for?""Volumnia," remonstrates56 Sir Leicester with his utmost severity.

  "Volumnia!""No, no, I don't mean what for," cries Volumnia with her favouritelittle scream. "How stupid I am! I mean what a pity!""I am glad," returns Sir Leicester, "that you do mean what a pity."Volumnia hastens to express her opinion that the shocking peopleought to be tried as traitors57 and made to support the party.

  "I am glad, Volumnia," repeats Sir Leicester, unmindful of thesemollifying sentiments, "that you do mean what a pity. It isdisgraceful to the electors. But as you, though inadvertently andwithout intending so unreasonable58 a question, asked me 'what for?'

  let me reply to you. For necessary expenses. And I trust to yourgood sense, Volumnia, not to pursue the subject, here orelsewhere."Sir Leicester feels it incumbent59 on him to observe a crushingaspect towards Volumnia because it is whispered abroad that thesenecessary expenses will, in some two hundred election petitions, beunpleasantly connected with the word bribery61, and because somegraceless jokers have consequently suggested the omission62 from theChurch service of the ordinary supplication63 in behalf of the HighCourt of Parliament and have recommended instead that the prayersof the congregation be requested for six hundred and fifty-eightgentlemen in a very unhealthy state.

  "I suppose," observes Volumnia, having taken a little time torecover her spirits after her late castigation64, "I suppose Mr.

  Tulkinghorn has been worked to death.""I don't know," says Sir Leicester, opening his eyes, "why Mr.

  Tulkinghorn should be worked to death. I don't know what Mr.

  Tulkinghorn's engagements may be. He is not a candidate."Volumnia had thought he might have been employed. Sir Leicestercould desire to know by whom, and what for. Volumnia, abashedagain, suggests, by somebody--to advise and make arrangements. SirLeicester is not aware that any client of Mr. Tulkinghorn has beenin need of his assistance.

  Lady Dedlock, seated at an open window with her arm upon itscushioned ledge65 and looking out at the evening shadows falling onthe park, has seemed to attend since the lawyer's name wasmentioned.

  A languid cousin with a moustache in a state of extreme debilitynow observes from his couch that man told him ya'as'dy thatTulkinghorn had gone down t' that iron place t' give legal 'pinion'bout something, and that contest being over t' day, 'twould behighly jawlly thing if Tulkinghorn should 'pear with news thatCoodle man was floored.

  Mercury in attendance with coffee informs Sir Leicester, hereupon,that Mr. Tulkinghorn has arrived and is taking dinner. My Ladyturns her head inward for the moment, then looks out again asbefore.

  Volumnia is charmed to hear that her delight is come. He is sooriginal, such a stolid66 creature, such an immense being for knowingall sorts of things and never telling them! Volumnia is persuadedthat he must be a Freemason. Is sure he is at the head of a lodge,and wears short aprons67, and is made a perfect idol68 of withcandlesticks and trowels. These lively remarks the fair Dedlockdelivers in her youthful manner, while making a purse.

  "He has not been here once," she adds, "since I came. I really hadsome thoughts of breaking my heart for the inconstant creature. Ihad almost made up my mind that he was dead."It may be the gathering69 gloom of evening, or it may be the darkergloom within herself, but a shade is on my Lady's face, as if shethought, "I would he were!""Mr. Tulkinghorn," says Sir Leicester, "is always welcome here andalways discreet70 wheresoever he is. A very valuable person, anddeservedly respected."The debilitated71 cousin supposes he is "'normously rich fler.""He has a stake in the country," says Sir Leicester, "I have nodoubt. He is, of course, handsomely paid, and he associates almoston a footing of equality with the highest society."Everybody starts. For a gun is fired close by.

  "Good gracious, what's that?" cries Volumnia with her littlewithered scream.

  "A rat," says my Lady. "And they have shot him."Enter Mr. Tulkinghorn, followed by Mercuries with lamps andcandles.

  "No, no," says Sir Leicester, "I think not. My Lady, do you objectto the twilight72?"On the contrary, my Lady prefers it.

  "Volumnia?"Oh! Nothing is so delicious to Volumnia as to sit and talk in thedark.

  "Then take them away," says Sir Leicester. "Tulkinghorn, I begyour pardon. How do you do?"Mr. Tulkinghorn with his usual leisurely73 ease advances, renders hispassing homage74 to my Lady, shakes Sir Leicester's hand, andsubsides into the chair proper to him when he has anything tocommunicate, on the opposite side of the Baronet's littlenewspaper-table. Sir Leicester is apprehensive75 that my Lady, notbeing very well, will take cold at that open window. My Lady isobliged to him, but would rather sit there for the air. SirLeicester rises, adjusts her scarf about her, and returns to hisseat. Mr. Tulkinghorn in the meanwhile takes a pinch of snuff.

  "Now," says Sir Leicester. "How has that contest gone?""Oh, hollow from the beginning. Not a chance. They have broughtin both their people. You are beaten out of all reason. Three toone."It is a part of Mr. Tulkinghorn's policy and mastery to have nopolitical opinions; indeed, NO opinions. Therefore he says "you"are beaten, and not "we."Sir Leicester is majestically76 wroth. Volumnia never heard of sucha thing. 'The debilitated cousin holds that it's sort of thingthat's sure tapn slongs votes--giv'n--Mob.

  "It's the place, you know," Mr. Tulkinghorn goes on to say in thefast-increasing darkness when there is silence again, "where theywanted to put up Mrs. Rouncewell's son.""A proposal which, as you correctly informed me at the time, he hadthe becoming taste and perception," observes Sir Leicester, "todecline. I cannot say that I by any means approve of thesentiments expressed by Mr. Rouncewell when he was here for somehalf-hour in this room, but there was a sense of propriety77 in hisdecision which I am glad to acknowledge.""Ha!" says Mr. Tulkinghorn. "It did not prevent him from beingvery active in this election, though."Sir Leicester is distinctly heard to gasp60 before speaking. "Did Iunderstand you? Did you say that Mr. Rouncewell had been veryactive in this election?""Uncommonly78 active.""Against--""Oh, dear yes, against you. He is a very good speaker. Plain andemphatic. He made a damaging effect, and has great influence. Inthe business part of the proceedings79 he carried all before him."It is evident to the whole company, though nobody can see him, thatSir Leicester is staring majestically.

  "And he was much assisted," says Mr. Tulkinghorn as a wind-up, "byhis son.""By his son, sir?" repeats Sir Leicester with awful politeness.

  "By his son.""The son who wished to marry the young woman in my Lady's service?""That son. He has but one.""Then upon my honour," says Sir Leicester after a terrific pauseduring which he has been heard to snort and felt to stare, "thenupon my honour, upon my life, upon my reputation and principles,the floodgates of society are burst open, and the waters have--a--obliterated the landmarks80 of the framework of the cohesion81 by whichthings are held together!"General burst of cousinly indignation. Volumnia thinks it isreally high time, you know, for somebody in power to step in and dosomething strong. Debilitated cousin thinks--country's going--Dayvle--steeple-chase pace.

  "I beg," says Sir Leicester in a breathless condition, "that we maynot comment further on this circumstance. Comment is superfluous.

  My Lady, let me suggest in reference to that young woman--""I have no intention," observes my Lady from her window in a lowbut decided82 tone, "of parting with her.""That was not my meaning," returns Sir Leicester. "I am glad tohear you say so. I would suggest that as you think her worthy83 ofyour patronage84, you should exert your influence to keep her fromthese dangerous hands. You might show her what violence would bedone in such association to her duties and principles, and youmight preserve her for a better fate. You might point out to herthat she probably would, in good time, find a husband at ChesneyWold by whom she would not be--" Sir Leicester adds, after amoment's consideration, "dragged from the altars of herforefathers."These remarks he offers with his unvarying politeness and deferencewhen he addresses himself to his wife. She merely moves her headin reply. The moon is rising, and where she sits there is a littlestream of cold pale light, in which her head is seen.

  "It is worthy of remark," says Mr. Tulkinghorn, "however, thatthese people are, in their way, very proud.""Proud?" Sir Leicester doubts his hearing.

  "I should not be surprised if they all voluntarily abandoned thegirl--yes, lover and all--instead of her abandoning them, supposingshe remained at Chesney Wold under such circumstances.""Well!" says Sir Leicester tremulously. "Well! You should know,Mr. Tulkinghorn. You have been among them.""Really, Sir Leicester," returns the lawyer, "I state the fact.

  Why, I could tell you a story--with Lady Dedlock's permission."Her head concedes it, and Volumnia is enchanted85. A story! Oh, heis going to tell something at last! A ghost in it, Volumnia hopes?

  "No. Real flesh and blood." Mr. Tulkinghorn stops for an instantand repeats with some little emphasis grafted86 upon his usualmonotony, "Real flesh and blood, Miss Dedlock. Sir Leicester,these particulars have only lately become known to me. They arevery brief. They exemplify what I have said. I suppress names forthe present. Lady Dedlock will not think me ill-bred, I hope?"By the light of the fire, which is low, he can be seen lookingtowards the moonlight. By the light of the moon Lady Dedlock canbe seen, perfecfly still.

  "A townsman of this Mrs. Rouncewell, a man in exactly parallelcircumstances as I am told, had the good fortune to have a daughterwho attracted the notice of a great lady. I speak of really agreat lady, not merely great to him, but married to a gentleman ofyour condition, Sir Leicester."Sir Leicester condescendingly says, "Yes, Mr. Tulkinghorn,"implying that then she must have appeared of very considerablemoral dimensions indeed in the eyes of an iron-master.

  "The lady was wealthy and beautiful, and had a liking87 for the girl,and treated her with great kindness, and kept her always near her.

  Now this lady preserved a secret under all her greatness, which shehad preserved for many years. In fact, she had in early life beenengaged to marry a young rake--he was a captain in the army--nothing connected with whom came to any good. She never did marryhim, but she gave birth to a child of which he was the father."By the light of the fire he can be seen looking towards themoonlight. By the moonlight, Lady Dedlock can be seen in profile,perfectly still.

  "The captain in the army being dead, she believed herself safe; buta train of circumstances with which I need not trouble you led todiscovery. As I received the story, they began in an imprudence onher own part one day when she was taken by surprise, which showshow difficult it is for the firmest of us (she was very firm) to bealways guarded. There was great domestic trouble and amazement,you may suppose; I leave you to imagine, Sir Leicester, thehusband's grief. But that is not the present point. When Mr.

  Rouncewell's townsman heard of the disclosure, he no more allowedthe girl to be patronized and honoured than he would have sufferedher to be trodden underfoot before his eyes. Such was his pride,that he indignantly took her away, as if from reproach anddisgrace. He had no sense of the honour done him and his daughterby the lady's condescension88; not the least. He resented the girl'sposition, as if the lady had been the commonest of commoners. Thatis the story. I hope Lady Dedlock will excuse its painful nature."There are various opinions on the merits, more or less conflictingwith Volumnia's. That fair young creature cannot believe thereever was any such lady and rejects the whole history on thethreshold. The majority incline to the debilitated cousin'ssentiment, which is in few words--"no business--Rouncewell's fernaltownsman." Sir Leicester generally refers back in his mind to WatTyler and arranges a sequence of events on a plan of his own.

  There is not much conversation in all, for late hours have beenkept at Chesney Wold since the necessary expenses elsewhere began,and this is the first night in many on which the family have beenalone. It is past ten when Sir Leicester begs Mr. Tulkinghorn toring for candles. Then the stream of moonlight has swelled89 into alake, and then Lady Dedlock for the first time moves, and rises,and comes forward to a table for a glass of water. Winkingcousins, bat-like in the candle glare, crowd round to give it;Volumnia (always ready for something better if procurable) takesanother, a very mild sip90 of which contents her; Lady Dedlock,graceful, self-possessed, looked after by admiring eyes, passesaway slowly down the long perspective by the side of that nymph,not at all improving her as a question of contrast.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 calamity nsizM     
n.灾害,祸患,不幸事件
参考例句:
  • Even a greater natural calamity cannot daunt us. 再大的自然灾害也压不垮我们。
  • The attack on Pearl Harbor was a crushing calamity.偷袭珍珠港(对美军来说)是一场毁灭性的灾难。
2 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
3 withhold KMEz1     
v.拒绝,不给;使停止,阻挡
参考例句:
  • It was unscrupulous of their lawyer to withhold evidence.他们的律师隐瞒证据是不道德的。
  • I couldn't withhold giving some loose to my indignation.我忍不住要发泄一点我的愤怒。
4 admiration afpyA     
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕
参考例句:
  • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
  • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
5 opportunely d16f5710c8dd35714bf8a77db1d99109     
adv.恰好地,适时地
参考例句:
  • He arrived rather opportunely just when we needed a new butler. 就在我们需要一个新管家的时候他凑巧来了。 来自互联网
  • Struck with sudden inspiration, Miss Martha seized the occasion so opportunely offered. 玛莎小姐此时灵机一动,及时地抓住了这个天赐良机。 来自互联网
6 bosom Lt9zW     
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的
参考例句:
  • She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
  • A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。
7 posterity D1Lzn     
n.后裔,子孙,后代
参考例句:
  • Few of his works will go down to posterity.他的作品没有几件会流传到后世。
  • The names of those who died are recorded for posterity on a tablet at the back of the church.死者姓名都刻在教堂后面的一块石匾上以便后人铭记。
8 virtue BpqyH     
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力
参考例句:
  • He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
  • You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。
9 dismal wtwxa     
adj.阴沉的,凄凉的,令人忧郁的,差劲的
参考例句:
  • That is a rather dismal melody.那是一支相当忧郁的歌曲。
  • My prospects of returning to a suitable job are dismal.我重新找到一个合适的工作岗位的希望很渺茫。
10 condescended 6a4524ede64ac055dc5095ccadbc49cd     
屈尊,俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 ); 故意表示和蔼可亲
参考例句:
  • We had to wait almost an hour before he condescended to see us. 我们等了几乎一小时他才屈尊大驾来见我们。
  • The king condescended to take advice from his servants. 国王屈驾向仆人征求意见。
11 simultaneously 4iBz1o     
adv.同时发生地,同时进行地
参考例句:
  • The radar beam can track a number of targets almost simultaneously.雷达波几乎可以同时追着多个目标。
  • The Windows allow a computer user to execute multiple programs simultaneously.Windows允许计算机用户同时运行多个程序。
12 advancement tzgziL     
n.前进,促进,提升
参考例句:
  • His new contribution to the advancement of physiology was well appreciated.他对生理学发展的新贡献获得高度赞赏。
  • The aim of a university should be the advancement of learning.大学的目标应是促进学术。
13 dispersing dispersing     
adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • Whereas gasoline fumes linger close to the ground before dispersing. 而汽油烟气却靠近地面迟迟不散。
  • Earthworms may be instrumental in dispersing fungi or bacteria. 蚯蚓可能是散布真菌及细菌的工具。
14 housekeeper 6q2zxl     
n.管理家务的主妇,女管家
参考例句:
  • A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
  • She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家,一家人吃得很省。
15 dame dvGzR0     
n.女士
参考例句:
  • The dame tell of her experience as a wife and mother.这位年长妇女讲了她作妻子和母亲的经验。
  • If you stick around,you'll have to marry that dame.如果再逗留多一会,你就要跟那个夫人结婚。
16 puffed 72b91de7f5a5b3f6bdcac0d30e24f8ca     
adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 );喷着汽(或烟)移动;吹嘘;吹捧
参考例句:
  • He lit a cigarette and puffed at it furiously. 他点燃了一支香烟,狂吸了几口。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He felt grown-up, puffed up with self-importance. 他觉得长大了,便自以为了不起。 来自《简明英汉词典》
17 dreary sk1z6     
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的
参考例句:
  • They live such dreary lives.他们的生活如此乏味。
  • She was tired of hearing the same dreary tale of drunkenness and violence.她听够了那些关于酗酒和暴力的乏味故事。
18 ruminated d258d9ebf77d222f0216ae185d5a965a     
v.沉思( ruminate的过去式和过去分词 );反复考虑;反刍;倒嚼
参考例句:
  • In the article she ruminated about what recreations she would have. 她在文章里认真考虑了她应做些什么消遣活动。 来自辞典例句
  • He ruminated on his defenses before he should accost her father. 他在与她父亲搭话前,仔细地考虑着他的防范措施。 来自辞典例句
19 domain ys8xC     
n.(活动等)领域,范围;领地,势力范围
参考例句:
  • This information should be in the public domain.这一消息应该为公众所知。
  • This question comes into the domain of philosophy.这一问题属于哲学范畴。
20 reverberating c53f7cf793cffdbe4e27481367488203     
回响,回荡( reverberate的现在分词 ); 使反响,使回荡,使反射
参考例句:
  • The words are still ringing [reverberating] in one's ears. 言犹在耳。
  • I heard a voice reverberating: "Crawl out! I give you liberty!" 我听到一个声音在回荡:“爬出来吧,我给你自由!”
21 fiery ElEye     
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的
参考例句:
  • She has fiery red hair.她有一头火红的头发。
  • His fiery speech agitated the crowd.他热情洋溢的讲话激动了群众。
22 thaw fUYz5     
v.(使)融化,(使)变得友善;n.融化,缓和
参考例句:
  • The snow is beginning to thaw.雪已开始融化。
  • The spring thaw caused heavy flooding.春天解冻引起了洪水泛滥。
23 dense aONzX     
a.密集的,稠密的,浓密的;密度大的
参考例句:
  • The general ambushed his troops in the dense woods. 将军把部队埋伏在浓密的树林里。
  • The path was completely covered by the dense foliage. 小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。
24 wink 4MGz3     
n.眨眼,使眼色,瞬间;v.眨眼,使眼色,闪烁
参考例句:
  • He tipped me the wink not to buy at that price.他眨眼暗示我按那个价格就不要买。
  • The satellite disappeared in a wink.瞬息之间,那颗卫星就消失了。
25 stony qu1wX     
adj.石头的,多石头的,冷酷的,无情的
参考例句:
  • The ground is too dry and stony.这块地太干,而且布满了石头。
  • He listened to her story with a stony expression.他带着冷漠的表情听她讲经历。
26 fleck AlPyc     
n.斑点,微粒 vt.使有斑点,使成斑驳
参考例句:
  • The garlic moss has no the yellow fleck and other virus. 蒜苔无黄斑点及其它病毒。
  • His coat is blue with a grey fleck.他的上衣是蓝色的,上面带有灰色的斑点。
27 ripples 10e54c54305aebf3deca20a1472f4b96     
逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The moon danced on the ripples. 月亮在涟漪上舞动。
  • The sea leaves ripples on the sand. 海水在沙滩上留下了波痕。
28 weird bghw8     
adj.古怪的,离奇的;怪诞的,神秘而可怕的
参考例句:
  • From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来,他好像有点怪。
  • His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。
29 prospect P01zn     
n.前景,前途;景色,视野
参考例句:
  • This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
  • The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。
30 glimmer 5gTxU     
v.发出闪烁的微光;n.微光,微弱的闪光
参考例句:
  • I looked at her and felt a glimmer of hope.我注视她,感到了一线希望。
  • A glimmer of amusement showed in her eyes.她的眼中露出一丝笑意。
31 solitary 7FUyx     
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士
参考例句:
  • I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
  • The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际,显得十分壮美。
32 cavern Ec2yO     
n.洞穴,大山洞
参考例句:
  • The cavern walls echoed his cries.大山洞的四壁回响着他的喊声。
  • It suddenly began to shower,and we took refuge in the cavern.天突然下起雨来,我们在一个山洞里避雨。
33 distinguished wu9z3v     
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的
参考例句:
  • Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
  • A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。
34 groom 0fHxW     
vt.给(马、狗等)梳毛,照料,使...整洁
参考例句:
  • His father was a groom.他父亲曾是个马夫。
  • George was already being groomed for the top job.为承担这份高级工作,乔治已在接受专门的培训。
35 sleek zESzJ     
adj.光滑的,井然有序的;v.使光滑,梳拢
参考例句:
  • Women preferred sleek,shiny hair with little decoration.女士们更喜欢略加修饰的光滑闪亮型秀发。
  • The horse's coat was sleek and glossy.这匹马全身润泽有光。
36 regale mUUxT     
v.取悦,款待
参考例句:
  • He was constantly regaled with tales of woe.别人老是给他讲些倒霉事儿来逗他开心。
  • He loved to regale his friends with tales about the many memorable characters he had known as a newspaperman.他喜欢讲些他当记者时认识的许多名人的故事给朋友们消遣。
37 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
38 disposition GljzO     
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署
参考例句:
  • He has made a good disposition of his property.他已对财产作了妥善处理。
  • He has a cheerful disposition.他性情开朗。
39 honourable honourable     
adj.可敬的;荣誉的,光荣的
参考例句:
  • I don't think I am worthy of such an honourable title.这样的光荣称号,我可担当不起。
  • I hope to find an honourable way of settling difficulties.我希望设法找到一个体面的办法以摆脱困境。
40 hustings MywyC     
n.竞选活动
参考例句:
  • With only days to go before elections in Pakistan,candidates are battling it out at the hustings.离巴基斯坦大选只有几天的时间了,各候选人正在竞选活动上一决胜负。
  • Most politicians will be at the hustings in the coming week.大多数政治家将在下周展开竞选活动。
41 conundrums a46e5f8b66d51238c7a4a31d910cc653     
n.谜,猜不透的难题,难答的问题( conundrum的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • After all the conundrums of Hungary, the second Turkish Grand Prix promises much. 继匈牙利站所有猜不透的事之后,第二届土耳其大奖赛许诺了太多。 来自互联网
  • I see conundrums, dilemmas, quandaries, impasses, gnarly thickets of fateful possibility with no obvious way out. 眼看问题经纬万端,进退两难、入困境,死路一条,盘根错节的命定可能性,但找不到明显的出路。 来自互联网
42 hopping hopping     
n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • The clubs in town are really hopping. 城里的俱乐部真够热闹的。
  • I'm hopping over to Paris for the weekend. 我要去巴黎度周末。
43 pageants 2a20528523b0fea5361e375e619f694c     
n.盛装的游行( pageant的名词复数 );穿古代服装的游行;再现历史场景的娱乐活动;盛会
参考例句:
  • It is young people who favor holding Beauty pageants. 赞成举办选美的是年轻人。 来自互联网
  • Others say that there's a fine line between the pageants and sexual exploitation. 其他人说,选美和性剥削之间只有非常细微的界线。 来自互联网
44 utterly ZfpzM1     
adv.完全地,绝对地
参考例句:
  • Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民,把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。
  • I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。
45 faction l7ny7     
n.宗派,小集团;派别;派系斗争
参考例句:
  • Faction and self-interest appear to be the norm.派系之争和自私自利看来非常普遍。
  • I now understood clearly that I was caught between the king and the Bunam's faction.我现在完全明白自己已陷入困境,在国王与布纳姆集团之间左右为难。
46 trot aKBzt     
n.疾走,慢跑;n.老太婆;现成译本;(复数)trots:腹泻(与the 连用);v.小跑,快步走,赶紧
参考例句:
  • They passed me at a trot.他们从我身边快步走过。
  • The horse broke into a brisk trot.马突然快步小跑起来。
47 mighty YDWxl     
adj.强有力的;巨大的
参考例句:
  • A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
  • The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。
48 opposition eIUxU     
n.反对,敌对
参考例句:
  • The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
  • The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
49 inclination Gkwyj     
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好
参考例句:
  • She greeted us with a slight inclination of the head.她微微点头向我们致意。
  • I did not feel the slightest inclination to hurry.我没有丝毫着急的意思。
50 superfluous EU6zf     
adj.过多的,过剩的,多余的
参考例句:
  • She fined away superfluous matter in the design. 她删去了这图案中多余的东西。
  • That request seemed superfluous when I wrote it.我这样写的时候觉得这个请求似乎是多此一举。
51 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
52 retail VWoxC     
v./n.零售;adv.以零售价格
参考例句:
  • In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
  • These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。
53 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
54 innocence ZbizC     
n.无罪;天真;无害
参考例句:
  • There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
  • The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。
55 impelled 8b9a928e37b947d87712c1a46c607ee7     
v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He felt impelled to investigate further. 他觉得有必要作进一步调查。
  • I feel impelled to express grave doubts about the project. 我觉得不得不对这项计划深表怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
56 remonstrates ffc96a8ea3bba559cf3f3555a9e211e6     
v.抗议( remonstrate的第三人称单数 );告诫
参考例句:
57 traitors 123f90461d74091a96637955d14a1401     
卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 ); 叛徒; 背叛者; 背信弃义的人
参考例句:
  • Traitors are held in infamy. 叛徒为人所不齿。
  • Traitors have always been treated with contempt. 叛徒永被人们唾弃。
58 unreasonable tjLwm     
adj.不讲道理的,不合情理的,过度的
参考例句:
  • I know that they made the most unreasonable demands on you.我知道他们对你提出了最不合理的要求。
  • They spend an unreasonable amount of money on clothes.他们花在衣服上的钱太多了。
59 incumbent wbmzy     
adj.成为责任的,有义务的;现任的,在职的
参考例句:
  • He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
  • It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。
60 gasp UfxzL     
n.喘息,气喘;v.喘息;气吁吁他说
参考例句:
  • She gave a gasp of surprise.她吃惊得大口喘气。
  • The enemy are at their last gasp.敌人在做垂死的挣扎。
61 bribery Lxdz7Z     
n.贿络行为,行贿,受贿
参考例句:
  • FBI found out that the senator committed bribery.美国联邦调查局查明这个参议员有受贿行为。
  • He was charged with bribery.他被指控受贿。
62 omission mjcyS     
n.省略,删节;遗漏或省略的事物,冗长
参考例句:
  • The omission of the girls was unfair.把女孩排除在外是不公平的。
  • The omission of this chapter from the third edition was a gross oversight.第三版漏印这一章是个大疏忽。
63 supplication supplication     
n.恳求,祈愿,哀求
参考例句:
  • She knelt in supplication. 她跪地祷求。
  • The supplication touched him home. 这个请求深深地打动了他。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
64 castigation DTjyQ     
n.申斥,强烈反对
参考例句:
  • Marx never lost an opportunity to castigate colonialism.马克思抓住每一个机会严厉谴责殖民主义。
  • She castigated him for having no intellectual interests.她斥责他没有智识兴趣。
65 ledge o1Mxk     
n.壁架,架状突出物;岩架,岩礁
参考例句:
  • They paid out the line to lower him to the ledge.他们放出绳子使他降到那块岩石的突出部分。
  • Suddenly he struck his toe on a rocky ledge and fell.突然他的脚趾绊在一块突出的岩石上,摔倒了。
66 stolid VGFzC     
adj.无动于衷的,感情麻木的
参考例句:
  • Her face showed nothing but stolid indifference.她的脸上毫无表情,只有麻木的无动于衷。
  • He conceals his feelings behind a rather stolid manner.他装作无动于衷的样子以掩盖自己的感情。
67 aprons d381ffae98ab7cbe3e686c9db618abe1     
围裙( apron的名词复数 ); 停机坪,台口(舞台幕前的部份)
参考例句:
  • Many people like to wear aprons while they are cooking. 许多人做饭时喜欢系一条围裙。
  • The chambermaid in our corridor wears blue checked gingham aprons. 给我们扫走廊的清洁女工围蓝格围裙。
68 idol Z4zyo     
n.偶像,红人,宠儿
参考例句:
  • As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子,他是父母的宠儿。
  • Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。
69 gathering ChmxZ     
n.集会,聚会,聚集
参考例句:
  • He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
  • He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。
70 discreet xZezn     
adj.(言行)谨慎的;慎重的;有判断力的
参考例句:
  • He is very discreet in giving his opinions.发表意见他十分慎重。
  • It wasn't discreet of you to ring me up at the office.你打电话到我办公室真是太鲁莽了。
71 debilitated 57ee38572622e0d4bbe125b2b935d9db     
adj.疲惫不堪的,操劳过度的v.使(人或人的身体)非常虚弱( debilitate的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Prolonged strike action debilitated the industry. 长时间的罢工削弱了这个行业的活力。
  • This is especially important when dealing with the geriatric or debilitated patient. 这对老年和虚弱病人尤其重要。 来自互联网
72 twilight gKizf     
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期
参考例句:
  • Twilight merged into darkness.夕阳的光辉融于黑暗中。
  • Twilight was sweet with the smell of lilac and freshly turned earth.薄暮充满紫丁香和新翻耕的泥土的香味。
73 leisurely 51Txb     
adj.悠闲的;从容的,慢慢的
参考例句:
  • We walked in a leisurely manner,looking in all the windows.我们慢悠悠地走着,看遍所有的橱窗。
  • He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work.他从容的吃了早餐,高兴的开车去工作。
74 homage eQZzK     
n.尊敬,敬意,崇敬
参考例句:
  • We pay homage to the genius of Shakespeare.我们对莎士比亚的天才表示敬仰。
  • The soldiers swore to pay their homage to the Queen.士兵们宣誓效忠于女王陛下。
75 apprehensive WNkyw     
adj.担心的,恐惧的,善于领会的
参考例句:
  • She was deeply apprehensive about her future.她对未来感到非常担心。
  • He was rather apprehensive of failure.他相当害怕失败。
76 majestically d5d41929324f0eb30fd849cd601b1c16     
雄伟地; 庄重地; 威严地; 崇高地
参考例句:
  • The waters of the Changjiang River rolled to the east on majestically. 雄伟的长江滚滚东流。
  • Towering snowcapped peaks rise majestically. 白雪皑皑的山峰耸入云霄。
77 propriety oRjx4     
n.正当行为;正当;适当
参考例句:
  • We hesitated at the propriety of the method.我们对这种办法是否适用拿不定主意。
  • The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety.这件机密的事处理得极为适当。
78 uncommonly 9ca651a5ba9c3bff93403147b14d37e2     
adv. 稀罕(极,非常)
参考例句:
  • an uncommonly gifted child 一个天赋异禀的儿童
  • My little Mary was feeling uncommonly empty. 我肚子当时正饿得厉害。
79 proceedings Wk2zvX     
n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
  • to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼
80 landmarks 746a744ae0fc201cc2f97ab777d21b8c     
n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 );目标;(标志重要阶段的)里程碑 ~ (in sth);有历史意义的建筑物(或遗址)
参考例句:
  • The book stands out as one of the notable landmarks in the progress of modern science. 这部著作是现代科学发展史上著名的里程碑之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship. 孩子的出世是我们俩关系中的一个重要转折点。 来自辞典例句
81 cohesion dbzyA     
n.团结,凝结力
参考例句:
  • I had to bring some cohesion into the company.我得使整个公司恢复凝聚力。
  • The power of culture is deeply rooted in the vitality,creativity and cohesion of a nation. 文化的力量,深深熔铸在民族的生命力、创造力和凝聚力之中。
82 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
83 worthy vftwB     
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
84 patronage MSLzq     
n.赞助,支援,援助;光顾,捧场
参考例句:
  • Though it was not yet noon,there was considerable patronage.虽然时间未到中午,店中已有许多顾客惠顾。
  • I am sorry to say that my patronage ends with this.很抱歉,我的赞助只能到此为止。
85 enchanted enchanted     
adj. 被施魔法的,陶醉的,入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • She was enchanted by the flowers you sent her. 她非常喜欢你送给她的花。
  • He was enchanted by the idea. 他为这个主意而欣喜若狂。
86 grafted adfa8973f8de58d9bd9c5b67221a3cfe     
移植( graft的过去式和过去分词 ); 嫁接; 使(思想、制度等)成为(…的一部份); 植根
参考例句:
  • No art can be grafted with success on another art. 没有哪种艺术能成功地嫁接到另一种艺术上。
  • Apples are easily grafted. 苹果树很容易嫁接。
87 liking mpXzQ5     
n.爱好;嗜好;喜欢
参考例句:
  • The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
  • I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。
88 condescension JYMzw     
n.自以为高人一等,贬低(别人)
参考例句:
  • His politeness smacks of condescension. 他的客气带有屈尊俯就的意味。
  • Despite its condescension toward the Bennet family, the letter begins to allay Elizabeth's prejudice against Darcy. 尽管这封信对班纳特家的态度很高傲,但它开始消除伊丽莎白对达西的偏见。
89 swelled bd4016b2ddc016008c1fc5827f252c73     
增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 ); 肿胀; (使)凸出; 充满(激情)
参考例句:
  • The infection swelled his hand. 由于感染,他的手肿了起来。
  • After the heavy rain the river swelled. 大雨过后,河水猛涨。
90 sip Oxawv     
v.小口地喝,抿,呷;n.一小口的量
参考例句:
  • She took a sip of the cocktail.她啜饮一口鸡尾酒。
  • Elizabeth took a sip of the hot coffee.伊丽莎白呷了一口热咖啡。


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