THE old glove lay upon the floor forgotten while Rose sat musing1, till a quick step sounded in the hall and a voice drew near, tunefully humming.
"'As he was walkin' doun the street
The city for to view,
Oh, there he spied a bonny lass,
The window lookin' through.'"
"Sae licht he jumpèd up the stair,
And tirled at the pin;
Oh, wha sae ready as hersel'
To let the laddie in?"
sang Rose as the voice paused and a tap came at the door.
"Good morning, Rosamunda, here are your letters, and your most devoted2 ready to execute any commissions you may have for him," was Charlie's greeting as he came in looking comely3, gay, and debonair4 as usual.
"Thanks. I've no errands unless you mail my replies, if these need answering, so by your leave, Prince," and Rose began to open the handful of notes he threw into her lap.
"Ha! What sight is this to blast mine eyes?" ejaculated Charlie, as he pointed5 to the glove with a melodramatic start, for, like most accomplished6 amateur actors, he was fond of introducing private theatricals7 into his daily talk and conversation.
"Uncle left it."
" 'Tis well. Methought perchance a rival had been here," and, picking it up, Charlie amused himself with putting it on the head of a little Psyche9 which ornamented10 the mantelpiece, softly singing as he did so, another verse of the old song:
"He set his Jenny on his knee,
All in his Highland11 dress;
For brawly well he kenned12 the way
To please a bonny lass."
Rose went on reading her letters, but all the while was thinking of her conversation with her uncle as well as something else suggested by the newcomer and his ditty.
During the three months since her return she had seen more of this cousin than any of the others, for he seemed to be the only one who had leisure to "play with Rose," as they used to say years ago. The other boys were all at work, even little Jamie, many of whose play hours were devoted to manful struggles with Latin grammar, the evil genius of his boyish life. Dr. Alec had many affairs to arrange after his long absence; Phebe was busy with her music; and Aunt Plenty still actively13 superintended her housekeeping. Thus it fell out, quite naturally, that Charlie should form the habit of lounging in at all hours with letters, messages, bits of news, and agreeable plans for Rose. He helped her with her sketching14, rode with her, sang with her, and took her to parties as a matter of course, for Aunt Clara, being the gaiest of the sisters, played chaperon on all occasions.
For a time it was very pleasant, but, by and by, Rose began to wish Charlie would find something to do like the rest and not make dawdling15 after her the business of his life. The family was used to his self-indulgent ways, and there was an amiable16 delusion17 in the minds of the boys that he had a right to the best of everything, for to them he was still the Prince, the flower of the flock, and in time to be an honor to the name. No one exactly knew how, for, though full of talent, he seemed to have no especial gift or bias18, and the elders began to shake their heads because, in spite of many grand promises and projects, the moment for decisive action never came.
Rose saw all this and longed to inspire her brilliant cousin with some manful purpose which should win for him respect as well as admiration19. But she found it very hard, for though he listened with imperturbable20 good humor, and owned his shortcomings with delightful21 frankness, he always had some argument, reason, or excuse to offer and out-talked her in five minutes, leaving her silenced but unconvinced.
Of late she had observed that he seemed to feel as if her time and thoughts belonged exclusively to him and rather resented the approach of any other claimant.
This annoyed her and suggested the idea that her affectionate interest and efforts were misunderstood by him, misrepresented and taken advantage of by Aunt Clara, who had been most urgent that she should "use her influence with the dear boy," though the fond mother resented all other interference. This troubled Rose and made her feel as if caught in a snare22, for, while she owned to herself that Charlie was the most attractive of her cousins, she was not ready to be taken possession of in this masterful way, especially since other and sometimes better men sought her favor more humbly23.
These thoughts were floating vaguely24 in her mind as she read her letters and unconsciously influenced her in the chat that followed.
"Only invitations, and I can't stop to answer them now or I shall never get through this job," she said, returning to her work.
"Let me help. You do up, and I'll direct. Have a secretary, do now, and see what a comfort it will be," proposed Charlie, who could turn his hand to anything and had made himself quite at home in the sanctum.
"I'd rather finish this myself, but you may answer the notes if you will. Just regrets to all but two or three. Read the names as you go along and I'll tell you which."
"To hear is to obey. Who says I'm a 'frivolous25 idler' now?" And Charlie sat down at the writing table with alacrity26, for these hours in the little room were his best and happiest.
"Order is heaven's first law, and the view a lovely one, but I don't see any notepaper," he added, opening the desk and surveying its contents with interest.
"Right-hand drawer violet monogram27 for the notes, plain paper for the business letter. I'll see to that, though," answered Rose, trying to decide whether Annabel or Emma should have the laced handkerchief.
"Confiding28 creature! Suppose I open the wrong drawer and come upon the tender secrets of your soul?" continued the new secretary, rummaging29 out the delicate notepaper with masculine disregard of order.
"I haven't got any," answered Rose demurely30.
"What, not one despairing scrawl31, one cherished miniature, one faded floweret, etc., etc.? I can't believe it, Cousin," and he shook his head incredulously.
"If I had, I certainly should not show them to you, impertinent person! There are a few little souvenirs in that desk, but nothing very sentimental32 or interesting."
"How I'd like to see 'em! But I should never dare to ask," observed Charlie, peering over the top of the half-open lid with a most persuasive33 pair of eyes.
"You may if you want to, but you'll be disappointed, Paul Pry34. Lower left-hand drawer with the key in it."
"'Angel of goodness, how shall I requite35 thee? Interesting moment, with what palpitating emotions art thou fraught36!' " And, quoting from the "Mysteries of Udolpho," he unlocked and opened the drawer with a tragic37 gesture.
"Seven locks of hair in a box, all light, for 'here's your straw color, your orange tawny38, your French crown color, and your perfect yellow' Shakespeare. They look very familiar, and I fancy I know the heads they thatched."
"Yes, you all gave me one when I went away, you know, and I carried them round the world with me in that very box."
"I wish the heads had gone too. Here's a jolly little amber39 god with a gold ring in his back and a most balmy breath," continued Charlie, taking a long sniff40 at the scent41 bottle.
"Uncle brought me that long ago, and I'm very fond of it."
"This now looks suspicious man's ring with a lotus cut on the stone and a note attached. I tremble as I ask, who, when, and where?"
"A gentleman, on my birthday, in Calcutta."
"I breathe again it was my sire?"
"Don't be absurd. Of course it was, and he did everything to make my visit pleasant. I wish you'd go and see him like a dutiful son, instead of idling here."
"That's what Uncle Mac is eternally telling me; but I don't intend to be lectured into the treadmill42 till I've had my fling first," muttered Charlie rebelliously43.
"If you fling yourself in the wrong direction, you may find it hard to get back again," began Rose gravely.
"No fear, if you look after me as you seem to have promised to do, judging by the thanks you get in this note. Poor old governor! I should like to see him, for it's almost four years since he came home last and he must be getting on."
Charlie was the only one of the boys who ever called his father "governor," perhaps because the others knew and loved their fathers, while he had seen so little of his that the less respectful name came more readily to his lips, since the elder man in truth seemed a governor issuing requests or commands, which the younger too often neglected or resented.
Long ago Rose had discovered that Uncle Stephen found home made so distasteful by his wife's devotion to society that he preferred to exile himself, taking business as an excuse for his protracted45 absences.
The girl was thinking of this as she watched her cousin turn the ring about with a sudden sobriety which became him well; and, believing that the moment was propitious46, she said earnestly,-
"He is getting on. Dear Charlie, do think of duty more than pleasure in this case and I'm sure you never will regret it."
"Do you want me to go?" he asked quickly.
"I think you ought."
"And I think you'd be much more charming if you wouldn't always be worrying about right and wrong! Uncle Alec taught you that along with the rest of his queer notions."
"I'm glad he did!" cried Rose warmly, then checked herself and said with a patient sort of sigh, "You know women always want the men they care for to be good and can't help trying to make them so."
"So they do, and we ought to be a set of angels, but I've a strong conviction that, if we were, the dear souls wouldn't like us half as well. Would they now?" asked Charlie with an insinuating47 smile.
"Perhaps not, but that is dodging48 the point. Will you go?" persisted Rose unwisely.
"No, I will not."
That was sufficiently49 decided50 and an uncomfortable pause followed, during which Rose tied a knot unnecessarily tight and Charlie went on exploring the drawer with more energy than interest.
"Why, here's an old thing I gave you ages ago!" he suddenly exclaimed in a pleased tone, holding up a little agate51 heart on a faded blue ribbon. "Will you let me take away the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh?" he asked, half in earnest, half in jest, touched by the little trinket and the recollections it awakened52.
"No, I will not," answered Rose bluntly, much displeased53 by the irreverent and audacious question.
Charlie looked rather abashed54 for a moment, but his natural lightheartedness made it easy for him to get the better of his own brief fits of waywardness and put others in good humor with him and themselves.
"Now we are even let's drop the subject and start afresh," he said with irresistible55 affability as he coolly put the little heart in his pocket and prepared to shut the drawer. But something caught his eye, and exclaiming, "What's this? What's this?" he snatched up a photograph which lay half under a pile of letters with foreign postmarks.
"Oh! I forgot that was there," said Rose hastily.
"Who is the man?" demanded Charlie, eyeing the good-looking countenance56 before him with a frown.
"That is the Honorable Gilbert Murray, who went up the Nile with us and shot crocodiles and other small game, being a mighty57 hunter, as I told you in my letters," answered Rose gaily58, though ill pleased at the little discovery just then, for this had been one of the narrow escapes her uncle spoke59 of.
"And they haven't eaten him yet, I infer from the pile of letters?" said Charlie jealously.
"I hope not. His sister did not mention it when she wrote last."
"Ah! Then she is your correspondent? Sisters are dangerous things sometimes." And Charlie eyed the packet suspiciously.
"In this case, a very convenient thing, for she tells me all about her brother's wedding, as no one else would take the trouble to do."
"Oh! Well, if he's married, I don't care a straw about him. I fancied I'd found out why you are such a hard-hearted charmer. But if there is no secret idol60, I'm all at sea again." And Charlie tossed the photograph into the drawer as if it no longer interested him.
"I'm hard-hearted because I'm particular and, as yet, do not find anyone at all to my taste."
"No one?" with a tender glance.
"No one" with a rebellious44 blush, and the truthful61 addition "I see much to admire and like in many persons, but none quite strong and good enough to suit me. My heroes are old-fashioned, you know."
"Prigs, like Guy Carleton, Count Altenberg, and John Halifax I know the pattern you goody girls like," sneered62 Charlie, who preferred the Guy Livingston, Beauclerc, and Rochester style.
"Then I'm not a 'goody girl,' for I don't like prigs. I want a gentleman in the best sense of the word, and I can wait, for I've seen one, and know there are more in the world."
"The deuce you have! Do I know him?" asked Charlie, much alarmed.
"You think you do," answered Rose with a mischievous63 sparkle in her eye.
"If it isn't Pem, I give it up. He's the best-bred fellow I know."
"Oh, dear, no! Far superior to Mr. Pemberton and many years older," said Rose, with so much respect that Charlie looked perplexed64 as well as anxious.
"Some apostolic minister, I fancy. You pious65 creatures always like to adore a parson. But all we know are married."
"He isn't."
"Give a name, for pity's sake I'm suffering tortures of suspense," begged Charlie.
"Alexander Campbell."
"Uncle? Well, upon my word, that's a relief, but mighty absurd all the same. So, when you find a young saint of that sort, you intend to marry him, do you?" demanded Charlie much amused and rather disappointed.
"When I find any man half as honest, good, and noble as Uncle, I shall be proud to marry him if he asks me," answered Rose decidedly.
"What odd tastes women have!" And Charlie leaned his chin on his hand to muse8 pensively66 for a moment over the blindness of one woman who could admire an excellent old uncle more than a dashing young cousin.
Rose, meanwhile, tied up her parcels industriously67, hoping she had not been too severe, for it was very hard to lecture Charlie, though he seemed to like it sometimes and came to confession68 voluntarily, knowing that women love to forgive when the sinners are of his sort.
"It will be mail time before you are done," she said presently, for silence was less pleasant than his rattle69.
Charlie took the hint and dashed off several notes in his best manner. Coming to the business letter, he glanced at it and asked, with a puzzled expression: "What is all this? Cost of repairs, etc., from a man named Buffum?"
"Never mind that I'll see to it by and by."
"But I do mind, for I'm interested in all your affairs, and though you think I've no head for business, you'll find I have if you'll try me."
"This is only about my two old houses in the city, which are being repaired and altered so that the rooms can be let singly."
"Going to make tenement70 houses of them? Well, that's not a bad idea such places pay well, I've heard."
"That is just what I'm not going to do. I wouldn't have a tenement house on my conscience for a million dollars not as they are now," said Rose decidedly.
"Why, what do you know about it, except that people live in them and the owners turn a pretty penny on the rents?"
"I know a good deal about them, for I've seen many such, both here and abroad. It was not all pleasure with us, I assure you. Uncle was interested in hospitals and prisons, and I sometimes went with him, but they made me sad so he suggested other charities that I could be of help about when we came home. I visited infant schools, working women's homes, orphan71 asylums72, and places of that sort. You don't know how much good it did me and how glad I am that I have the means of lightening a little some of the misery73 in the world."
"But, my dear girl, you needn't make ducks and drakes of your fortune trying to feed and cure and clothe all the poor wretches74 you see. Give, of course everyone should do something in that line and no one likes it better than I. But don't, for mercy's sake, go at it as some women do and get so desperately75 earnest, practical, and charity-mad that there is no living in peace with you," protested Charlie, looking alarmed at the prospect76.
"You can do as you please. I intend to do all the good I can by asking the advice and following the example of the most 'earnest,' 'practical,' and 'charitable' people I know so, if you don't approve, you can drop my acquaintance," answered Rose, emphasizing the obnoxious77 words and assuming the resolute78 air she always wore when defending her hobbies.
"You'll be laughed at."
"I'm used to that."
"And criticized and shunned79."
"Not by people whose opinion I value."
"Women shouldn't go poking80 into such places."
"I've been taught that they should."
"Well, you'll get some dreadful disease and lose your beauty, and then where are you?" added Charlie, thinking that might daunt81 the young philanthropist.
But it did not, for Rose answered, with a sudden kindling82 of the eyes as she remembered her talk with Uncle Alec: "I shouldn't like it. But there would be one satisfaction in it, for when I'd lost my beauty and given away my money, I should know who really cared for me."
Charlie nibbled83 his pen in silence for a moment, then asked, meekly84, "Could I respectfully inquire what great reform is to be carried on in the old houses which their amiable owner is repairing?"
"I am merely going to make them comfortable homes for poor but respectable women to live in. There is a class who cannot afford to pay much, yet suffer a great deal from being obliged to stay in noisy, dirty, crowded places like tenement houses and cheap lodgings85. I can help a few of them and I'm going to try."
"May I humbly ask if these decayed gentlewomen are to inhabit their palatial86 retreat rent-free?"
"That was my first plan, but Uncle showed me that it was wiser not make genteel paupers87 of them, but let them pay a small rent and feel independent. I don't want the money, of course, and shall use it in keeping the houses tidy or helping88 other women in like case," said Rose, entirely89 ignoring her cousin's covert90 ridicule91.
"Don't expect any gratitude92, for you won't get it; nor much comfort with a lot of forlornities on your hands, and be sure that when it is too late you will tire of it all and wish you had done as other people do."
"Thanks for your cheerful prophecies, but I think I'll venture."
She looked so undaunted that Charlie was a little nettled93 and fired his last shot rather recklessly: "Well, one thing I do know you'll never get a husband if you go on in this absurd way, and by Jove! you need one to take care of you and keep the property together!"
Rose had a temper, but seldom let it get the better of her; now, however, it flashed up for a moment. Those last words were peculiarly unfortunate, because Aunt Clara had used them more than once when warning her against impecunious94 suitors and generous projects. She was disappointed in her cousin, annoyed at having her little plans laughed at, and indignant with him for his final suggestion.
"I'll never have one, if I must give up the liberty of doing what I know is right, and I'd rather go into the poorhouse tomorrow than 'keep the property together' in the selfish way you mean!"
That was all but Charlie saw that he had gone too far and hastened to make his peace with the skill of a lover, for, turning to the little cabinet piano behind him, he sang in his best style the sweet old song,-
"Oh were thou in the cauld blast,"
dwelling95 with great effect, not only upon the tender assurance that
"My plaid should shelter thee,"
but also that, even if a king,
"The brightest jewel in my crown
Wad be my queen, wad be my queen."
It was very evident that Prince Charming had not gone troubadouring in vain, for Orpheus himself could not have restored harmony more successfully. The tuneful apology was accepted with a forgiving smile and a frank "I'm sorry I was cross, but you haven't forgotten how to tease, and I'm rather out of sorts today. Late hours don't agree with me."
"Then you won't feel like going to Mrs. Hope's tomorrow, I'm afraid," and Charlie took up the last note with an expression of regret which was very flattering.
"I must go, because it is made for me, but I can come away early and make up lost sleep. I do hate to be so fractious," and Rose rubbed the forehead that ached with too much racketing.
"But the German does not begin till late I'm to lead and depend upon you. Just stay this once to oblige me," pleaded Charlie, for he had set his heart on distinguishing himself.
"No I promised Uncle to be temperate96 in my pleasures and I must keep my word. I'm so well now, it would be very foolish to get ill and make him anxious not to mention losing my beauty, as you are good enough to call it, for that depends on health, you know."
"But the fun doesn't begin till after supper. Everything will be delightful, I assure you, and we'll have a gay old time as we did last week at Emma's."
"Then I certainly will not, for I'm ashamed of myself when I remember what a romp97 that was and how sober Uncle looked as he let me in at three in the morning, all fagged out my dress in rags, my head aching, my feet so tired that I could hardly stand, and nothing to show for five hours' hard work but a pocketful of bonbons98, artificial flowers, and tissue-paper fool's caps. Uncle said I'd better put one on and go to bed, for I looked as though I'd been to a French bal masque. I never want to hear him say so again, and I'll never let dawn catch me out in such a plight99 anymore."
"You were all right enough, for mother didn't object and I got you both home before daylight. Uncle is notional about such things, so I shouldn't mind, for we had a jolly time and we were none the worse for it."
"Indeed we were, every one of us! Aunt Clara hasn't gotten over her cold yet. I slept all the next day, and you looked like a ghost, for you'd been out every night for weeks, I think."
"Oh, nonsense! Everyone does it during the season, and you'll get used to the pace very soon," began Charlie, bent100 on making her go, for he was in his element in a ballroom101 and never happier than when he had his pretty cousin on his arm.
"Ah! But I don't want to get used to it, for it costs too much in the end. I don't wish to get used to being whisked about a hot room by men who have taken too much wine, to turn day into night, wasting time that might be better spent, and grow into a fashionable fast girl who can't get along without excitement. I don't deny that much of it is pleasant, but don't try to make me too fond of gaiety. Help me to resist what I know is hurtful, and please don't laugh me out of the good habits Uncle has tried so hard to give me."
Rose was quite sincere in her appeal, and Charlie knew she was right, but he always found it hard to give up anything he had set his heart on, no matter how trivial, for the maternal102 indulgence which had harmed the boy had fostered the habit of self-indulgence, which was ruining the man. So when Rose looked up at him, with a very honest desire to save him as well as herself from being swept into the giddy vortex which keeps so many young people revolving103 aimlessly, till they go down or are cast upon the shore, wrecks104 of what they might have been, he gave a shrug105 and answered briefly,-
"As you please. I'll bring you home as early as you like, and Effie Waring shall take your place in the German. What flowers shall I send you?"
Now, that was an artful speech of Charlie's, for Miss Waring was a fast and fashionable damsel who openly admired Prince Charming and had given him the name. Rose disliked her and was sure her influence was bad, for youth made frivolity106 forgivable, wit hid want of refinement107, and beauty always covers a multitude of sins in a man's eyes. At the sound of Effie's name, Rose wavered, and would have yielded but for the memory of the "first mate's" last words. She did desire to "keep a straight course"; so, though the current of impulse set strongly in a southerly direction, principle, the only compass worth having, pointed due north, and she tried to obey it like a wise young navigator, saying steadily108, while she directed to Annabel the parcel containing a capacious pair of slippers109 intended for Uncle Mac: "Don't trouble yourself about me. I can go with Uncle and slip away without disturbing anybody."
"I don't believe you'll have the heart to do it," said Charlie incredulously as he sealed the last note.
"Wait and see."
"I will, but I shall hope to the last." And kissing his hand to her, he departed to post her letters, quite sure that Miss Waring would not lead the German.
It certainly looked for a moment as if Miss Campbell would, because she ran to the door with the words "I'll go" upon her lips. But she did not open it till she had stood a minute staring hard at the old glove on Psyche's head; then like one who had suddenly gotten a bright idea, she gave a decided nod and walked slowly out of the room
收听单词发音 |
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musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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debonair
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| adj.殷勤的，快乐的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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theatricals
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| n.（业余性的）戏剧演出，舞台表演艺术；职业演员；戏剧的( theatrical的名词复数 )；剧场的；炫耀的；戏剧性的 | |
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muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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psyche
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| n.精神；灵魂 | |
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ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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kenned
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| v.知道( ken的过去式和过去分词 )；懂得；看到；认出 | |
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actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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sketching
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| n.草图 | |
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dawdling
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| adj.闲逛的，懒散的v.混（时间）( dawdle的现在分词 ) | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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bias
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| n.偏见，偏心，偏袒；vt.使有偏见 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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monogram
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| n.字母组合 | |
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confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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rummaging
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| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的现在分词 )； 海关检查 | |
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demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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scrawl
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| vt.潦草地书写；n.潦草的笔记，涂写 | |
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32
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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33
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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34
pry
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| vi.窥(刺)探，打听；vt.撬动(开，起) | |
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35
requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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36
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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37
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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38
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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39
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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40
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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41
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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42
treadmill
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| n.踏车；单调的工作 | |
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43
rebelliously
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| adv.造反地，难以控制地 | |
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44
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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45
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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46
propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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47
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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48
dodging
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| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
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49
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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50
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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51
agate
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| n.玛瑙 | |
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52
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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53
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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54
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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56
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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58
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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59
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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60
idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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61
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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62
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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65
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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pensively
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| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
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67
industriously
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68
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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69
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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70
tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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71
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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72
asylums
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| n.避难所( asylum的名词复数 )；庇护；政治避难；精神病院 | |
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73
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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74
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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75
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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76
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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77
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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78
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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79
shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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81
daunt
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| vt.使胆怯，使气馁 | |
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82
kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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83
nibbled
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| v.啃，一点一点地咬（吃）( nibble的过去式和过去分词 )；啃出（洞），一点一点咬出（洞）；慢慢减少；小口咬 | |
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84
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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85
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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86
palatial
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| adj.宫殿般的，宏伟的 | |
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87
paupers
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| n.穷人( pauper的名词复数 )；贫民；贫穷 | |
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88
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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89
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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90
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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91
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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92
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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93
nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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94
impecunious
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| adj.不名一文的，贫穷的 | |
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95
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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96
temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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97
romp
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| n.欢闹；v.嬉闹玩笑 | |
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98
bonbons
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| n.小糖果( bonbon的名词复数 ) | |
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99
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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100
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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101
ballroom
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| n.舞厅 | |
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102
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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103
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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104
wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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105
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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106
frivolity
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| n.轻松的乐事，兴高采烈；轻浮的举止 | |
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107
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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108
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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109
slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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