Refreshed by sleep, Mr. Bucket rises betimes in the morning andprepares for a field-day. Smartened up by the aid of a clean shirtand a wet hairbrush, with which instrument, on occasions ofceremony, he lubricates such thin locks as remain to him after hislife of severe study, Mr. Bucket lays in a breakfast of two muttonchops as a foundation to work upon, together with tea, eggs, toast,and marmalade on a corresponding scale. Having much enjoyed thesestrengthening matters and having held subtle conference with hisfamiliar demon1, he confidently instructs Mercury "just to mentionquietly to Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, that whenever he's readyfor me, I'm ready for him." A gracious message being returned thatSir Leicester will expedite his dressing2 and join Mr. Bucket in thelibrary within ten minutes, Mr. Bucket repairs to that apartmentand stands before the fire with his finger on his chin, looking atthe blazing coals.
Thoughtful Mr. Bucket is, as a man may be with weighty work to do,but composed, sure, confident. From the expression of his face hemight be a famous whist-player for a large stake--say a hundredguineas certain--with the game in his hand, but with a highreputation involved in his playing his hand out to the last card ina masterly way. Not in the least anxious or disturbed is Mr.
Bucket when Sir Leicester appears, but he eyes the baronet aside ashe comes slowly to his easy-chair with that observant gravity ofyesterday in which there might have been yesterday, but for theaudacity of the idea, a touch of compassion3.
"I am sorry to have kept you waiting, officer, but I am ratherlater than my usual hour this morning. I am not well. Theagitation and the indignation from which I have recently sufferedhave been too much for me. I am subject to--gout"--Sir Leicesterwas going to say indisposition and would have said it to anybodyelse, but Mr. Bucket palpably knows all about it--"and recentcircumstances have brought it on."As he takes his seat with some difficulty and with an air of pain,Mr. Bucket draws a little nearer, standing4 with one of his largehands on the library-table.
"I am not aware, officer," Sir Leicester observes; raising his eyesto his face, "whether you wish us to be alone, but that is entirelyas you please. If you do, well and good. If not, Miss Dedlockwould be interested--""Why, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet," returns Mr. Bucket with hishead persuasively6 on one side and his forefinger7 pendant at one earlike an earring8, "we can't be too private just at present. Youwill presently see that we can't be too private. A lady, under thecircumstances, and especially in Miss Dedlock's elevated station ofsociety, can't but be agreeable to me, but speaking without a viewto myself, I will take the liberty of assuring you that I know wecan't be too private.""That is enough.""So much so, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet," Mr. Bucket resumes,"that I was on the point of asking your permission to turn the keyin the door.""By all means." Mr. Bucket skilfully9 and softly takes thatprecaution, stooping on his knee for a moment from mere11 force ofhabit so to adjust the key in the lock as that no one shall peep infrom the outerside.
"Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, I mentioned yesterday evening thatI wanted but a very little to complete this case. I have nowcompleted it and collected proof against the person who did thiscrime.""Against the soldier?""No, Sir Leicester Dedlock; not the soldier."Sir Leicester looks astounded12 and inquires, "Is the man incustody?"Mr. Bucket tells him, after a pause, "It was a woman."Sir Leicester leans back in his chair, and breathlessly ejaculates,"Good heaven!""Now, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet," Mr. Bucket begins, standingover him with one hand spread out on the library-table and theforefinger of the other in impressive use, "it's my duty to prepareyou for a train of circumstances that may, and I go so far as tosay that will, give you a shock. But Sir Leicester Dedlock,Baronet, you are a gentleman, and I know what a gentleman is andwhat a gentleman is capable of. A gentleman can bear a shock whenit must come, boldly and steadily14. A gentleman can make up hismind to stand up against almost any blow. Why, take yourself, SirLeicester Dedlock, Baronet. If there's a blow to be inflicted15 onyou, you naturally think of your family. You ask yourself, howwould all them ancestors of yours, away to Julius Caesar--not to gobeyond him at present--have borne that blow; you remember scores ofthem that would have borne it well; and you bear it well on theiraccounts, and to maintain the family credit. That's the way youargue, and that's the way you act, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet."Sir Leicester, leaning back in his chair and grasping the elbows,sits looking at him with a stony16 face.
"Now, Sir Leicester Dedlock," proceeds Mr. Bucket, "thus preparingyou, let me beg of you not to trouble your mind for a moment as toanything having come to MY knowledge. I know so much about so manycharacters, high and low, that a piece of information more or lessdon't signify a straw. I don't suppose there's a move on the boardthat would surprise ME, and as to this or that move having takenplace, why my knowing it is no odds17 at all, any possible movewhatever (provided it's in a wrong direction) being a probable moveaccording to my experience. Therefore, what I say to you, SirLeicester Dedlock, Baronet, is, don't you go and let yourself beput out of the way because of my knowing anything of your familyaffairs.""I thank you for your preparation," returns Sir Leicester after asilence, without moving hand, foot, or feature, "which I hope isnot necessary; though I give it credit for being well intended. Beso good as to go on. Also"--Sir Leicester seems to shrink in theshadow of his figure--"also, to take a seat, if you have noobjection."None at all. Mr. Bucket brings a chair and diminishes his shadow.
"Now, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, with this short preface Icome to the point. Lady Dedlock--"Sir Leicester raises himself in his seat and stares at himfiercely. Mr. Bucket brings the finger into play as an emollient19.
"Lady Dedlock, you see she's universally admired. That's what herladyship is; she's universally admired," says Mr. Bucket.
"I would greatly prefer, officer," Sir Leicester returns stiffly,"my Lady's name being entirely5 omitted from this discussion.""So would I, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, but--it's impossible.""Impossible?"Mr. Bucket shakes his relentless20 head.
"Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, it's altogether impossible. WhatI have got to say is about her ladyship. She is the pivot21 it allturns on.""Officer," retorts Sir Leicester with a fiery22 eye and a quiveringlip, "you know your duty. Do your duty, but be careful not tooverstep it. I would not suffer it. I would not endure it. Youbring my Lady's name into this communication upon yourresponsibility--upon your responsibility. My Lady's name is not aname for common persons to trifle with!""Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, I say what I must say, and nomore.""I hope it may prove so. Very well. Go on. Go on, sir!"Glancing at the angry eyes which now avoid him and at the angryfigure trembling from head to foot, yet striving to be still, Mr.
Bucket feels his way with his forefinger and in a low voiceproceeds.
"Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, it becomes my duty to tell youthat the deceased Mr. Tulkinghorn long entertained mistrusts andsuspicions of Lady Dedlock.""If he had dared to breathe them to me, sir--which he never did--Iwould have killed him myself!" exclaims Sir Leicester, striking hishand upon the table. But in the very heat and fury of the act hestops, fixed23 by the knowing eyes of Mr. Bucket, whose forefinger isslowly going and who, with mingled24 confidence and patience, shakeshis head.
"Sir Leicester Dedlock, the deceased Mr. Tulkinghorn was deep andclose, and what he fully10 had in his mind in the very beginning Ican't quite take upon myself to say. But I know from his lips thathe long ago suspected Lady Dedlock of having discovered, throughthe sight of some handwriting--in this very house, and when youyourself, Sir Leicester Dedlock, were present--the existence, ingreat poverty, of a certain person who had been her lover beforeyou courted her and who ought to have been her husband." Mr.
Bucket stops and deliberately25 repeats, "Ought to have been herhusband, not a doubt about it. I know from his lips that when thatperson soon afterwards died, he suspected Lady Dedlock of visitinghis wretched lodging26 and his wretched grave, alone and in secret.
I know from my own inquiries27 and through my eyes and ears that LadyDedlock did make such visit in the dress of her own maid, for thedeceased Mr. Tulkinghorn employed me to reckon up her ladyship--ifyou'll excuse my making use of the term we commonly employ--and Ireckoned her up, so far, completely. I confronted the maid in thechambers in Lincoln's Inn Fields with a witness who had been LadyDedlock's guide, and there couldn't be the shadow of a doubt thatshe had worn the young woman's dress, unknown to her. SirLeicester Dedlock, Baronet, I did endeavour to pave the way alittle towards these unpleasant disclosures yesterday by sayingthat very strange things happened even in high families sometimes.
All this, and more, has happened in your own family, and to andthrough your own Lady. It's my belief that the deceased Mr.
Tulkinghorn followed up these inquiries to the hour of his deathand that he and Lady Dedlock even had bad blood between them uponthe matter that very night. Now, only you put that to LadyDedlock, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, and ask her ladyshipwhether, even after he had left here, she didn't go down to hischambers with the intention of saying something further to him,dressed in a loose black mantle29 with a deep fringe to it."Sir Leicester sits like a statue, gazing at the cruel finger thatis probing the life-blood of his heart.
"You put that to her ladyship, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, fromme, Inspector30 Bucket of the Detective. And if her ladyship makesany difficulty about admitting of it, you tell her that it's nouse, that Inspector Bucket knows it and knows that she passed thesoldier as you called him (though he's not in the army now) andknows that she knows she passed him on the staircase. Now, SirLeicester Dedlock, Baronet, why do I relate all this?"Sir Leicester, who has covered his face with his hands, uttering asingle groan31, requests him to pause for a moment. By and by hetakes his hands away, and so preserves his dignity and outwardcalmness, though there is no more colour in his face than in hiswhite hair, that Mr. Bucket is a little awed32 by him. Somethingfrozen and fixed is upon his manner, over and above its usual shellof haughtiness33, and Mr. Bucket soon detects an unusual slowness inhis speech, with now and then a curious trouble in beginning, whichoccasions him to utter inarticulate sounds. With such sounds henow breaks silence, soon, however, controlling himself to say thathe does not comprehend why a gentleman so faithful and zealous34 asthe late Mr. Tulkinghorn should have communicated to him nothing ofthis painful, this distressing35, this unlooked-for, thisoverwhelming, this incredible intelligence.
"Again, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet," returns Mr. Bucket, "putit to her ladyship to clear that up. Put it to her ladyship, ifyou think it right, from Inspector Bucket of the Detective. You'llfind, or I'm much mistaken, that the deceased Mr. Tulkinghorn hadthe intention of communicating the whole to you as soon as heconsidered it ripe, and further, that he had given her ladyship soto understand. Why, he might have been going to reveal it the verymorning when I examined the body! You don't know what I'm going tosay and do five minutes from this present time, Sir LeicesterDedlock, Baronet; and supposing I was to be picked off now, youmight wonder why I hadn't done it, don't you see?"True. Sir Leicester, avoiding, with some trouble those obtrusivesounds, says, "True." At this juncture36 a considerable noise ofvoices is heard in the hall. Mr. Bucket, after listening, goes tothe library-door, softly unlocks and opens it, and listens again.
Then he draws in his head and whispers hurriedly but composedly,"Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, this unfortunate family affair hastaken air, as I expected it might, the deceased Mr. Tulkinghornbeing cut down so sudden. The chance to hush37 it is to let in thesepeople now in a wrangle38 with your footmen. Would you mind sittingquiet--on the family account--while I reckon 'em up? And would youjust throw in a nod when I seem to ask you for it?"Sir Leicester indistinctly answers, "Officer. The best you can,the best you can!" and Mr. Bucket, with a nod and a sagacious crookof the forefinger, slips down into the hall, where the voicesquickly die away. He is not long in returning; a few paces aheadof Mercury and a brother deity39 also powdered and in peach-blossomedsmalls, who bear between them a chair in which is an incapable40 oldman. Another man and two women come behind. Directing thepitching of the chair in an affable and easy manner, Mr. Bucketdismisses the Mercuries and locks the door again. Sir Leicesterlooks on at this invasion of the sacred precincts with an icystare.
"Now, perhaps you may know me, ladies and gentlemen," says Mr.
Bucket in a confidential41 voice. "I am Inspector Bucket of theDetective, I am; and this," producing the tip of his convenientlittle staff from his breast-pocket, "is my authority. Now, youwanted to see Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet. Well! You do seehim, and mind you, it ain't every one as is admitted to thathonour. Your name, old gentleman, is Smallweed; that's what yourname is; I know it well.""Well, and you never heard any harm of it!" cries Mr. Smallweed ina shrill42 loud voice.
"You don't happen to know why they killed the pig, do you?" retortsMr. Bucket with a steadfast43 look, but without loss of temper.
"No!""Why, they killed him," says Mr. Bucket, "on account of his havingso much cheek. Don't YOU get into the same position, because itisn't worthy44 of you. You ain't in the habit of conversing45 with adeaf person, are you?""Yes," snarls46 Mr. Smallweed, "my wife's deaf.""That accounts for your pitching your voice so high. But as sheain't here; just pitch it an octave or two lower, will you, andI'll not only be obliged to you, but it'll do you more credit,"says Mr. Bucket. "This other gentleman is in the preaching line, Ithink?""Name of Chadband," Mr. Smallweed puts in, speaking henceforth in amuch lower key.
"Once had a friend and brother serjeant of the same name," says Mr.
Bucket, offering his hand, "and consequently feel a liking48 for it.
Mrs. Chadband, no doubt?""And Mrs. Snagsby," Mr. Smallweed introduces.
"Husband a law-stationer and a friend of my own," says Mr. Bucket.
"Love him like a brother! Now, what's up?""Do you mean what business have we come upon?" Mr. Smallweed asks,a little dashed by the suddenness of this turn.
"Ah! You know what I mean. Let us hear what it's all about inpresence of Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet. Come."Mr. Smallweed, beckoning49 Mr. Chadband, takes a moment's counselwith him in a whisper. Mr. Chadband, expressing a considerableamount of oil from the pores of his forehead and the palms of hishands, says aloud, "Yes. You first!" and retires to his formerplace.
"I was the client and friend of Mr. Tulkinghorn," pipes GrandfatherSmallweed then; "I did business with him. I was useful to him, andhe was useful to me. Krook, dead and gone, was my brother-in-law.
He was own brother to a brimstone magpie--leastways Mrs. Smallweed.
I come into Krook's property. I examined all his papers and allhis effects. They was all dug out under my eyes. There was abundle of letters belonging to a dead and gone lodger50 as was hidaway at the back of a shelf in the side of Lady Jane's bed--hiscat's bed. He hid all manner of things away, everywheres. Mr.
Tulkinghorn wanted 'em and got 'em, but I looked 'em over first.
I'm a man of business, and I took a squint51 at 'em. They wasletters from the lodger's sweetheart, and she signed Honoria. Dearme, that's not a common name, Honoria, is it? There's no lady inthis house that signs Honoria is there? Oh, no, I don't think so!
Oh, no, I don't think so! And not in the same hand, perhaps? Oh,no, I don't think so!"Here Mr. Smallweed, seized with a fit of coughing in the midst ofhis triumph, breaks off to ejaculate, "Oh, dear me! Oh, Lord! I'mshaken all to pieces!""Now, when you're ready," says Mr. Bucket after awaiting hisrecovery, "to come to anything that concerns Sir Leicester Dedlock,Baronet, here the gentleman sits, you know.""Haven't I come to it, Mr. Bucket?" cries Grandfather Smallweed.
"Isn't the gentleman concerned yet? Not with Captain Hawdon, andhis ever affectionate Honoria, and their child into the bargain?
Come, then, I want to know where those letters are. That concernsme, if it don't concern Sir Leicester Dedlock. I will know wherethey are. I won't have 'em disappear so quietly. I handed 'emover to my friend and solicitor52, Mr. Tulkinghorn, not to anybodyelse.""Why, he paid you for them, you know, and handsome too," says Mr.
Bucket.
"I don't care for that. I want to know who's got 'em. And I tellyou what we want--what we all here want, Mr. Bucket. We want morepainstaking and search-making into this murder. We know where theinterest and the motive54 was, and you have not done enough. IfGeorge the vagabond dragoon had any hand in it, he was only anaccomplice, and was set on. You know what I mean as well as anyman.""Now I tell you what," says Mr. Bucket, instantaneously alteringhis manner, coming close to him, and communicating an extraordinaryfascination to the forefinger, "I am damned if I am a-going to havemy case spoilt, or interfered55 with, or anticipated by so much ashalf a second of time by any human being in creation. YOU wantmore painstaking53 and search-making! YOU do? Do you see this hand,and do you think that I don't know the right time to stretch it outand put it on the arm that fired that shot?"Such is the dread56 power of the man, and so terribly evident it isthat he makes no idle boast, that Mr. Smallweed begins toapologize. Mr. Bucket, dismissing his sudden anger, checks him.
"The advice I give you is, don't you trouble your head about themurder. That's my affair. You keep half an eye on the newspapers,and I shouldn't wonder if you was to read something about it beforelong, if you look sharp. I know my business, and that's all I'vegot to say to you on that subject. Now about those letters. Youwant to know who's got 'em. I don't mind telling you. I have got'em. Is that the packet?"Mr. Smallweed looks, with greedy eyes, at the little bundle Mr.
Bucket produces from a mysterious part of his coat, and identiflesit as the same.
"What have you got to say next?" asks Mr. Bucket. "Now, don't openyour mouth too wide, because you don't look handsome when you doit.""I want five hundred pound.""No, you don't; you mean fifty," says Mr. Bucket humorously.
It appears, however, that Mr. Smallweed means five hundred.
"That is, I am deputed by Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, toconsider (without admitting or promising57 anything) this bit ofbusiness," says Mr. Bucket--Sir Leicester mechanically bows hishead--"and you ask me to consider a proposal of five hundredpounds. Why, it's an unreasonable58 proposal! Two fifty would bebad enough, but better than that. Hadn't you better say twofifty?"Mr. Smallweed is quite clear that he had better not.
"Then," says Mr. Bucket, "let's hear Mr. Chadband. Lord! Many atime I've heard my old fellow-serjeant of that name; and a moderateman he was in all respects, as ever I come across!"Thus invited, Mr. Chadband steps forth47, and after a little sleeksmiling and a little oil-grinding with the palms of his hands,delivers himself as follows, "My friends, we are now--Rachael, mywife, and I--in the mansions59 of the rich and great. Why are we nowin the mansions of the rich and great, my friends? Is it becausewe are invited? Because we are bidden to feast with them, becausewe are bidden to rejoice with them, because we are bidden to playthe lute60 with them, because we are bidden to dance with them? No.
Then why are we here, my friends? Air we in possession of a sinfulsecret, and do we require corn, and wine, and oil, or what is muchthe same thing, money, for the keeping thereof? Probably so, myfriends.""You're a man of business, you are," returns Mr. Bucket, veryattentive, "and consequently you're going on to mention what thenature of your secret is. You are right. You couldn't do better.""Let us then, my brother, in a spirit of love," says Mr. Chadbandwith a cunning eye, "proceed unto it. Rachael, my wife, advance!"Mrs. Chadband, more than ready, so advances as to jostle herhusband into the background and confronts Mr. Bucket with a hard,frowning smile.
"Since you want to know what we know," says she, "I'll tell you. Ihelped to bring up Miss Hawdon, her ladyship's daughter. I was inthe service of her ladyship's sister, who was very sensitive to thedisgrace her ladyship brought upon her, and gave out, even to herladyship, that the child was dead--she WAS very nearly so--when shewas born. But she's alive, and I know her." With these words, anda laugh, and laying a bitter stress on the word "ladyship," Mrs.
Chadband folds her arms and looks implacably at Mr. Bucket.
"I suppose now," returns that officer, "YOU will he expecting atwenty-pound note or a present of about that figure?"Mrs. Chadband merely laughs and contemptuously tells him he can"offer" twenty pence.
"My friend the law-stationer's good lady, over there," says Mr.
Bucket, luring61 Mrs. Snagsby forward with the finger. "What mayYOUR game be, ma'am?"Mrs. Snagsby is at first prevented, by tears and lamentations, fromstating the nature of her game, but by degrees it confusedly comesto light that she is a woman overwhelmed with injuries and wrongs,whom Mr. Snagsby has habitually62 deceived, abandoned, and sought tokeep in darkness, and whose chief comfort, under her afflictions,has been the sympathy of the late Mr. Tulkinghorn, who showed somuch commiseration63 for her on one occasion of his calling in Cook'sCourt in the absence of her perjured64 husband that she has of latehabitually carried to him all her woes65. Everybody it appears, thepresent company excepted, has plotted against Mrs. Snagsby's peace.
There is Mr. Guppy, clerk to Kenge and Carboy, who was at first asopen as the sun at noon, but who suddenly shut up as close asmidnight, under the influence--no doubt--of Mr. Snagsby's suborningand tampering66. There is Mr. Weevle, friend of Mr. Guppy, who livedmysteriously up a court, owing to the like coherent causes. Therewas Krook, deceased; there was Nimrod, deceased; and there was Jo,deceased; and they were "all in it." In what, Mrs. Snagsby doesnot with particularity express, but she knows that Jo was Mr.
Snagsby's son, "as well as if a trumpet67 had spoken it," and shefollowed Mr. Snagsby when he went on his last visit to the boy, andif he was not his son why did he go? The one occupation of herlife has been, for some time back, to follow Mr. Snagsby to andfro, and up and down, and to piece suspicious circumstancestogether--and every circumstance that has happened has been mostsuspicious; and in this way she has pursued her object of detectingand confounding her false husband, night and day. Thus did it cometo pass that she brought the Chadbands and Mr. Tulkinghorntogether, and conferred with Mr. Tulkinghorn on the change in Mr.
Guppy, and helped to turn up the circumstances in which the presentcompany are interested, casually68, by the wayside, being still andever on the great high road that is to terminate in Mr. Snagsby'sfull exposure and a matrimonial separation. All this, Mrs.
Snagsby, as an injured woman, and the friend of Mrs. Chadband, andthe follower69 of Mr. Chadband, and the mourner of the late Mr.
Tulkinghorn, is here to certify70 under the seal of confidence, withevery possible confusion and involvement possible and impossible,having no pecuniary71 motive whatever, no scheme or project but theone mentioned, and bringing here, and taking everywhere, her owndense atmosphere of dust, arising from the ceaseless working of hermill of jealousy72.
While this exordium is in hand--and it takes some time--Mr. Bucket,who has seen through the transparency of Mrs. Snagsby's vinegar ata glance, confers with his familiar demon and bestows73 his shrewdattention on the Chadbands and Mr. Smallweed. Sir LeicesterDedlock remains74 immovable, with the same icy surface upon him,except that he once or twice looks towards Mr. Bucket, as relyingon that officer alone of all mankind.
"Very good," says Mr. Bucket. "Now I understand you, you know, andbeing deputed by Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, to look into thislittle matter," again Sir Leicester mechanically bows inconfirmation of the statement, "can give it my fair and fullattention. Now I won't allude75 to conspiring76 to extort77 money oranything of that sort, because we are men and women of the worldhere, and our object is to make things pleasant. But I tell youwhat I DO wonder at; I am surprised that you should think of makinga noise below in the hall. It was so opposed to your interests.
That's what I look at.""We wanted to get in," pleads Mr. Smallweed.
"Why, of course you wanted to get in," Mr. Bucket asserts withcheerfulness; "but for a old gentleman at your time of life--what Icall truly venerable, mind you!--with his wits sharpened, as I haveno doubt they are, by the loss of the use of his limbs, whichoccasions all his animation78 to mount up into his head, not toconsider that if he don't keep such a business as the present asclose as possible it can't be worth a mag to him, is so curious!
You see your temper got the better of you; that's where you lostground," says Mr. Bucket in an argumentative and friendly way.
"I only said I wouldn't go without one of the servants came up toSir Leicester Dedlock," returns Mr. Smallweed.
"That's it! That's where your temper got the better of you. Now,you keep it under another time and you'll make money by it. ShallI ring for them to carry you down?""When are we to hear more of this?" Mrs. Chadband sternly demands.
"Bless your heart for a true woman! Always curious, yourdelightful sex is!" replies Mr. Bucket with gallantry. "I shallhave the pleasure of giving you a call to-morrow or next day--notforgetting Mr. Smallweed and his proposal of two fifty.""Five hundred!" exclaims Mr. Smallweed.
"All right! Nominally79 five hundred." Mr. Bucket has his hand onthe bell-rope. "SHALL I wish you good day for the present on thepart of myself and the gentleman of the house?" he asks in aninsinuating tone.
Nobody having the hardihood to object to his doing so, he does it,and the party retire as they came up. Mr. Bucket follows them tothe door, and returning, says with an air of serious business, "SirLeicester Dedlock, Baronet, it's for you to consider whether or notto buy this up. I should recommend, on the whole, it's beingbought up myself; and I think it may be bought pretty cheap. Yousee, that little pickled cowcumber of a Mrs. Snagsby has been usedby all sides of the speculation80 and has done a deal more harm inbringing odds and ends together than if she had meant it. Mr.
Tulkinghorn, deceased, he held all these horses in his hand andcould have drove 'em his own way, I haven't a doubt; but he wasfetched off the box head-foremost, and now they have got their legsover the traces, and are all dragging and pulling their own ways.
So it is, and such is life. The cat's away, and the mice theyplay; the frost breaks up, and the water runs. Now, with regard tothe party to be apprehended81."Sir Leicester seems to wake, though his eyes have been wide open,and he looks intently at Mr. Bucket as Mr. Bucket refers to hiswatch.
"The party to be apprehended is now in this house," proceeds Mr.
Bucket, putting up his watch with a steady hand and with risingspirits, "and I'm about to take her into custody13 in your presence.
Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, don't you say a word nor yet stir.
There'll be no noise and no disturbance82 at all. I'll come back inthe course of the evening, if agreeable to you, and endeavour tomeet your wishes respecting this unfortunate family matter and thenobbiest way of keeping it quiet. Now, Sir Leicester Dedlock,Baronet, don't you be nervous on account of the apprehension83 atpresent coming off. You shall see the whole case clear, from firstto last."Mr. Bucket rings, goes to the door, briefly84 whispers Mercury, shutsthe door, and stands behind it with his arms folded. After asuspense of a minute or two the door slowly opens and a Frenchwomanenters. Mademoiselle Hortense.
The moment she is in the room Mr. Bucket claps the door to and putshis back against it. The suddenness of the noise occasions her toturn, and then for the first time she sees Sir Leicester Dedlock inhis chair.
"I ask you pardon," she mutters hurriedly. "They tell me there wasno one here."Her step towards the door brings her front to front with Mr.
Bucket. Suddenly a spasm85 shoots across her face and she turnsdeadly pale.
"This is my lodger, Sir Leicester Dedlock," says Mr. Bucket,nodding at her. "This foreign young woman has been my lodger forsome weeks back.""What do Sir Leicester care for that, you think, my angel?" returnsmademoiselle in a jocular strain.
"Why, my angel," returns Mr. Bucket, "we shall see."Mademoiselle Hortense eyes him with a scowl86 upon her tight face,which gradually changes into a smile of scorn, "You are verymysterieuse. Are you drunk?""Tolerable sober, my angel," returns Mr. Bucket.
"I come from arriving at this so detestable house with your wife.
Your wife have left me since some minutes. They tell me downstairsthat your wife is here. I come here, and your wife is not here.
What is the intention of this fool's play, say then?" mademoiselledemands, with her arms composedly crossed, but with something inher dark cheek beating like a clock.
Mr. Bucket merely shakes the finger at her.
"Ah, my God, you are an unhappy idiot!" cries mademoiselle with atoss of her head and a laugh. "Leave me to pass downstairs, greatpig." With a stamp of her foot and a menace.
"Now, mademoiselle," says Mr. Bucket in a cool determined87 way, "yougo and sit down upon that sofy.""I will not sit down upon nothing," she replies with a shower ofnods.
"Now, mademoiselle," repeats Mr. Bucket, making no demonstrationexcept with the finger, "you sit down upon that sofy.""Why?""Because I take you into custody on a charge of murder, and youdon't need to be told it. Now, I want to be polite to one of yoursex and a foreigner if I can. If I can't, I must be rough, andthere's rougher ones outside. What I am to be depends on you. SoI recommend you, as a friend, afore another half a blessed momenthas passed over your head, to go and sit down upon that sofy."Mademoiselle complies, saying in a concentrated voice while thatsomething in her cheek beats fast and hard, "You are a devil.""Now, you see," Mr. Bucket proceeds approvingly, "you'recomfortable and conducting yourself as I should expect a foreignyoung woman of your sense to do. So I'll give you a piece ofadvice, and it's this, don't you talk too much. You're notexpected to say anything here, and you can't keep too quiet atongue in your head. In short, the less you PARLAY, the better,you know." Mr. Bucket is very complacent88 over this Frenchexplanation.
Mademoiselle, with that tigerish expansion of the mouth and herblack eyes darting89 fire upon him, sits upright on the sofa in arigid state, with her hands clenched--and her feet too, one mightsuppose--muttering, "Oh, you Bucket, you are a devil!""Now, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet," says Mr. Bucket, and fromthis time forth the finger never rests, "this young woman, mylodger, was her ladyship's maid at the time I have mentioned toyou; and this young woman, besides being extraordinary vehement90 andpassionate against her ladyship after being discharged--""Lie!" cries mademoiselle. "I discharge myself.""Now, why don't you take my advice?" returns Mr. Bucket in animpressive, almost in an imploring91, tone. "I'm surprised at theindiscreetness you commit. You'll say something that'll be usedagainst you, you know. You're sure to come to it. Never you mindwhat I say till it's given in evidence. It is not addressed toyou.""Discharge, too," cries mademoiselle furiously, "by her ladyship!
Eh, my faith, a pretty ladyship! Why, I r-r-r-ruin my character hyremaining with a ladyship so infame!""Upon my soul I wonder at you!" Mr. Bucket remonstrates92. "Ithought the French were a polite nation, I did, really. Yet tohear a female going on like that before Sir Leicester Dedlock,Baronet!""He is a poor abused!" cries mademoiselle. "I spit upon his house,upon his name, upon his imbecility," all of which she makes thecarpet represent. "Oh, that he is a great man! Oh, yes, superb!
Oh, heaven! Bah!""Well, Sir Leicester Dedlock," proceeds Mr. Bucket, "thisintemperate foreigner also angrily took it into her head that shehad established a claim upon Mr. Tulkinghorn, deceased, byattending on the occasion I told you of at his chambers28, though shewas liberally paid for her time and trouble.""Lie!" cries mademoiselle. "I ref-use his money all togezzer.""If you WILL PARLAY, you know," says Mr. Bucket parenthetically,"you must take the consequences. Now, whether she became mylodger, Sir Leicester Dedlock, with any deliberate intention thenof doing this deed and blinding me, I give no opinion on; but shelived in my house in that capacity at the time that she washovering about the chambers of the deceased Mr. Tulkinghorn with aview to a wrangle, and likewise persecuting93 and half frighteningthe life out of an unfortunate stationer.""Lie!" cries mademoiselle. "All lie!""The murder was commttted, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, and youknow under what circumstances. Now, I beg of you to follow meclose with your attention for a minute or two. I was sent for, andthe case was entrusted94 to me. I examined the place, and the body,and the papers, and everything. From information I received (froma clerk in the same house) I took George into custody as havingbeen seen hanging about there on the night, and at very nigh thetime of the murder, also as having been overheard in high wordswith the deceased on former occasions--even threatening him, as thewitness made out. If you ask me, Sir Leicester Dedlock, whetherfrom the first I believed George to be the murderer, I tell youcandidly no, but he might be, notwithstanding, and there was enoughagainst him to make it my duty to take him and get him kept underremand. Now, observe!"As Mr. Bucket bends forward in some excitement--for him--andinaugurates what he is going to say with one ghostly beat of hisforefinger in the air, Mademoiselle Hortense fixes her black eyesupon him with a dark frown and sets her dry lips closely and firmlytogether.
"I went home, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, at night and foundthis young woman having supper with my wife, Mrs. Bucket. She hadmade a mighty95 show of being fond of Mrs. Bucket from her firstoffering herself as our lodger, but that night she made more thanever--in fact, overdid96 it. Likewise she overdid her respect, andall that, for the lamented97 memory of the deceased Mr. Tulkinghorn.
By the living Lord it flashed upon me, as I sat opposite to her atthe table and saw her with a knife in her hand, that she had doneit!"Mademoiselle is hardly audible in straining through her teeth andlips the words, "You are a devil.""Now where," pursues Mr. Bucket, "had she been on the night of themurder? She had been to the theayter. (She really was there, Ihave since found, both before the deed and after it.) I knew I hadan artful customer to deal with and that proof would be verydifficult; and I laid a trap for her--such a trap as I never laidyet, and such a venture as I never made yet. I worked it out in mymind while I was talking to her at supper. When I went upstairs tobed, our house being small and this young woman's ears sharp, Istuffed the sheet into Mrs. Bucket's mouth that she shouldn't say aword of surprise and told her all about it. My dear, don't yougive your mind to that again, or I shall link your feet together atthe ankles." Mr. Bucket, breaking off, has made a noiselessdescent upon mademoiselle and laid his heavy hand upon hershoulder.
"What is the matter with you now?" she asks him.
"Don't you think any more," returns Mr. Bucket with admonitoryfinger, "of throwing yourself out of window. That's what's thematter with me. Come! Just take my arm. You needn't get up; I'llsit down by you. Now take my arm, will you? I'm a married man,you know; you're acquainted with my wife. Just take my arm."Vaiuly endeavouring to moisten those dry lips, with a painful soundshe struggles with herself and complies.
"Now we're all right again. Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, thiscase could never have been the case it is but for Mrs. Bucket, whois a woman in fifty thousand--in a hundred and fifty thousand! Tothrow this young woman off her guard, I have never set foot in ourhouse since, though I've communicated with Mrs. Bucket in thebaker's loaves and in the milk as often as required. My whisperedwords to Mrs. Bucket when she had the sheet in her mouth were, 'Mydear, can you throw her off continually with natural accounts of mysuspicions against George, and this, and that, and t'other? Canyou do without rest and keep watch upon her night and day? Can youundertake to say, "She shall do nothing without my knowledge, sheshall be my prisoner without suspecting it, she shall no moreescape from me than from death, and her life shall be my life, andher soul my soul, till I have got her, if she did this murder?"'
Mrs. Bucket says to me, as well as she could speak on account ofthe sheet, 'Bucket, I can!' And she has acted up to it glorious!""Lies!" mademoiselle interposes. "All lies, my friend!""Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet, how did my calculations come outunder these circumstances? When I calculated that this impetuousyoung woman would overdo98 it in new directions, was I wrong orright? I was right. What does she try to do? Don't let it giveyou a turn? To throw the murder on her ladyship."Sir Leicester rises from his chair and staggers down again.
"And she got encouragement in it from hearing that I was alwayshere, which was done a-purpose. Now, open that pocket-book ofmine, Sir Leicester Dedlock, if I may take the liberty of throwingit towards you, and look at the letters sent to me, each with thetwo words 'Lady Dedlock' in it. Open the one directed to yourself,which I stopped this very morning, and read the three words 'LadyDedlock, Murderess' in it. These letters have been falling aboutlike a shower of lady-birds. What do you say now to Mrs. Bucket,from her spy-place having seen them all 'written by this youngwoman? What do you say to Mrs. Bucket having, within this half-hour, secured the corresponding ink and paper, fellow half-sheetsand what not? What do you say to Mrs. Bucket having watched theposting of 'em every one by this young woman, Sir LeicesterDedlock, Baronet?" Mr. Bucket asks, triumphant99 in his admirationof his lady's genius.
Two things are especially observable as Mr. Bucket proceeds to aconclusion. First, that he seems imperceptibly to establish adreadful right of property in mademoiselle. Secondly100, that thevery atmosphere she breathes seems to narrow and contract about heras if a close net or a pall101 were being drawn102 nearer and yet neareraround her breathless figure.
"There is no doubt that her ladyship was on the spot at theeventful period," says Mr. Bucket, "and my foreign friend here sawher, I believe, from the upper part of the staircase. Her ladyshipand George and my foreign friend were all pretty close on oneanother's heels. But that don't signify any more, so I'll not gointo it. I found the wadding of the pistol with which the deceasedMr. Tulkinghorn was shot. It was a bit of the printed descriptionof your house at Chesney Wold. Not much in that, you'll say, SirLeicester Dedlock, Baronet. No. But when my foreign friend hereis so thoroughly103 off her guard as to think it a safe time to tearup the rest of that leaf, and when Mrs. Bucket puts the piecestogether and finds the wadding wanting, it begins to look likeQueer Street.""These are very long lies," mademoiselle interposes. "You prosegreat deal. Is it that you have almost all finished, or are youspeaking always?""Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet," proceeds Mr. Bucket, who delightsin a full title and does violence to himself when he dispenses104 withany fragment of it, "the last point in the case which I am nowgoing to mention shows the necessity of patience in our business,and never doing a thing in a hurry. I watched this young womanyesterday without her knowledge when she was looking at thefuneral, in company with my wife, who planned to take her there;and I had so much to convict her, and I saw such an expression inher face, and my mind so rose against her malice105 towards herladyship, and the time was altogether such a time for bringing downwhat you may call retribution upon her, that if I had been ayounger hand with less experience, I should have taken her,certain. Equally, last night, when her ladyship, as is souniversally admired I am sure, come home looking--why, Lord, a manmight almost say like Venus rising from the ocean--it was sounpleasant and inconsistent to think of her being charged with amurder of which she was innocent that I felt quite to want to putan end to the job. What should I have lost? Sir LeicesterDedlock, Baronet, I should have lost the weapon. My prisoner hereproposed to Mrs. Bucket, after the departure of the funeral, thatthey should go per bus a little ways into the country and take teaat a very decent house of entertainment. Now, near that house ofentertainment there's a piece of water. At tea, my prisoner got upto fetch her pocket handkercher from the bedroom where the bonnetswas; she was rather a long time gone and came back a little out ofwind. As soon as they came home this was reported to me by Mrs.
Bucket, along with her observations and suspicions. I had thepiece of water dragged by moonlight, in presence of a couple of ourmen, and the pocket pistol was brought up before it had been therehalf-a-dozen hours. Now, my dear, put your arm a little furtherthrough mine, and hold it steady, and I shan't hurt you!"In a trice Mr. Bucket snaps a handcuff on her wrist. "That's one,"says Mr. Bucket. "Now the other, darling. Two, and all told!"He rises; she rises too. "Where," she asks him, darkening herlarge eyes until their drooping107 lids almost conceal108 them--and yetthey stare, "where is your false, your treacherous109, and cursedwife?""She's gone forrard to the Police Office," returns Mr. Bucket.
"You'll see her there, my dear.""I would like to kiss her!" exclaims Mademoiselle Hortense, pantingtigress-like.
"You'd bite her, I suspect," says Mr. Bucket.
"I would!" making her eyes very large. "I would love to tear herlimb from limb.""Bless you, darling," says Mr. Bucket with the greatest composure,"I'm fully prepared to hear that. Your sex have such a surprisinganimosity against one another when you do differ. You don't mindme half so much, do you?""No. Though you are a devil still.""Angel and devil by turns, eh?" cries Mr. Bucket. "But I am in myregular employment, you must consider. Let me put your shawl tidy.
I've been lady's maid to a good many before now. Anything wantingto the bonnet106? There's a cab at the door."Mademoiselle Hortense, casting an indignant eye at the glass,shakes herself perfectly110 neat in one shake and looks, to do herjustice, uncommonly111 genteel.
"Listen then, my angel," says she after several sarcastic112 nods.
"You are very spiritual. But can you restore him back to life?"Mr. Bucket answers, "Not exactly.""That is droll113. Listen yet one time. You are very spiritual. Canyou make a honourahle lady of her?""Don't be so malicious," says Mr. Bucket.
"Or a haughty114 gentleman of HIM?" cries mademoiselle, referring toSir Leicester with ineffable115 disdain116. "Eh! Oh, then regard him!
The poor infant! Ha! Ha! Ha!""Come, come, why this is worse PARLAYING than the other," says Mr.
Bucket. "Come along!""You cannot do these things? Then you can do as you please withme. It is but the death, it is all the same. Let us go, my angel.
Adieu, you old man, grey. I pity you, and I despise you!"With these last words she snaps her teeth together as if her mouthclosed with a spring. It is impossible to describe how Mr. Bucketgets her out, but he accomplishes that feat18 in a manner so peculiarto himself, enfolding and pervading117 her like a cloud, and hoveringaway with her as if he were a homely118 Jupiter and she the object ofhis affections.
Sir Leicester, left alone, remains in the same attitude, as thoughhe were still listening and his attention were still occupied. Atlength he gazes round the empty room, and finding it deserted,rises unsteadily to his feet, pushes back his chair, and walks afew steps, supporting himself by the table. Then he stops, andwith more of those inarticulate sounds, lifts up his eyes and seemsto stare at something.
Heaven knows what he sees. The green, green woods of Chesney Wold,the noble house, the pictures of his forefathers119, strangersdefacing them, officers of police coarsely handling his mostprecious heirlooms, thousands of fingers pointing at him, thousandsof faces sneering120 at him. But if such shadows flit before him tohis bewilderment, there is one other shadow which he can name withsomething like distinctness even yet and to which alone headdresses his tearing of his white hair and his extended arms.
It is she in association with whom, saving that she has been foryears a main fibre of the root of his dignity and pride, he hasnever had a selfish thought. It is she whom he has loved, admired,honoured, and set up for the world to respect. It is she who, atthe core of all the constrained121 formalities and conventionalitiesof his life, has been a stock of living tenderness and love,susceptible as nothing else is of being struck with the agony hefeels. He sees her, almost to the exclusion122 of himself, and cannotbear to look upon her cast down from the high place she has gracedso well.
And even to the point of his sinking on the ground, oblivious123 ofhis suffering, he can yet pronounce her name with something likedistinctness in the midst of those intrusive124 sounds, and in a toneof mourning and compassion rather than reproach.
收听单词发音 |
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demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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persuasively
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| adv.口才好地；令人信服地 | |
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forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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earring
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| n.耳环，耳饰 | |
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skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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emollient
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| n.镇痛剂；缓和药；adj.使柔软的；安慰性的，起镇静作用的 | |
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relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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pivot
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| v.在枢轴上转动；装枢轴，枢轴；adj.枢轴的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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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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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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haughtiness
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| n.傲慢；傲气 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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wrangle
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| vi.争吵 | |
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deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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snarls
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| n.（动物的）龇牙低吼( snarl的名词复数 )；愤怒叫嚷（声）；咆哮（声）；疼痛叫声v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的第三人称单数 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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lodger
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| n.寄宿人，房客 | |
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squint
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| v. 使变斜视眼, 斜视, 眯眼看, 偏移, 窥视; n. 斜视, 斜孔小窗; adj. 斜视的, 斜的 | |
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solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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painstaking
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| adj.苦干的；艰苦的，费力的，刻苦的 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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lute
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| n.琵琶，鲁特琴 | |
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luring
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的现在分词形式） | |
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habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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63
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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64
perjured
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| adj.伪证的，犯伪证罪的v.发假誓，作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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tampering
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| v.窜改( tamper的现在分词 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
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67
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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68
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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69
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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70
certify
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| vt.证明，证实；发证书(或执照)给 | |
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71
pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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72
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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73
bestows
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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74
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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76
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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extort
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| v.勒索，敲诈，强要 | |
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78
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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79
nominally
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| 在名义上，表面地； 应名儿 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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81
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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83
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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spasm
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| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
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86
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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87
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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88
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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remonstrates
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的第三人称单数 )；告诫 | |
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persecuting
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的现在分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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94
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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overdid
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| v.做得过分( overdo的过去式 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
overdo
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| vt.把...做得过头，演得过火 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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101
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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102
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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103
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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104
dispenses
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| v.分配，分与；分配( dispense的第三人称单数 )；施与；配（药） | |
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105
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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106
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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107
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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108
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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109
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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110
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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111
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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112
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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113
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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114
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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115
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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116
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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117
pervading
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的现在分词 ) | |
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118
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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119
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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120
sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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121
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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122
exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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123
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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124
intrusive
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| adj.打搅的；侵扰的 | |
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