It has been observed, and I am apt to believe it is an observation which will generally be found true, that before a terrible truth comes to light, there are certain murmuring whispers fly before it, and prepare the minds of men for the reception of the truth itself.
---Gallick Reports:
Case of the Count Saint Geran.
This talk fit for a charnel.
---WEBSTER.
Within a sepulchral4 vault, and at midnight, two persons were seated. The chamber6 was of singular construction and considerable extent. The roof was of solid stone masonry7, and rose in a wide semicircular arch to the height of about seventeen feet, measured from the centre of the ceiling to the ground floor, while the sides were divided by slight partition-walls into ranges of low, narrow catacombs. The entrance to each cavity was surrounded by an obtusely-pointed8 arch, resting upon slender granite9 pillars; and the intervening space was filled up with a variety of tablets, escutcheons, shields, and inscriptions10, recording11 the titles and heraldic honors of the departed. There were no doors to the niches12; and within might be seen piles of coffins13, packed one upon another, till the floor groaned15 with the weight of lead. Against one of the pillars, upon a hook, hung a rack of tattered16, time-out-of-mind hatchments; and in the centre of the tomb might be seen the effigies17 of Sir Ranulph de Rokewode, the builder of the mausoleum, and the founder18 of the race who slept within its walls. This statue, wrought19 in black marble, differed from most monumental carved-work, in that its posture20 was erect21 and lifelike. Sir Ranulph was represented as sheathed22 in a complete suit of mail, decorated with his emblazoned and gilded23 surcoat, his arm leaning upon the pommel of a weighty curtal-axe24. The attitude was that of stern repose25. A conically-formed helmet rested upon the brow; the beaver26 was raised, and revealed harsh but commanding features. The golden spur of knighthood was fixed27 upon the heel; and, at the feet, enshrined in a costly28 sarcophagus of marble, dug from the same quarry29 as the statue, rested the mortal remains30 of one of "the sternest knights31 to his mortal foe32 that ever put speare in the rest."
Streaming in a wavering line upon the roof, the sickly flame of a candle partially33 fell upon the human figures before alluded34 to, throwing them into darkest relief, and casting their opaque36 and fantastical shadows along the ground. An old coffin14 upon a bier, we have said, served the mysterious twain for a seat. Between them stood a bottle and a glass, evidences that whatever might be the ulterior object of their stealthy communion, the immediate37 comfort of the creature had not been altogether overlooked. At the feet of one of the personages were laid a mattock, a horn lantern--from which the candle had been removed--, a crowbar, and a bunch of keys. Near to these implements38 of a vocation39 which the reader will readily surmise40, rested a strange superannuated41 terrier with a wiry back and frosted muzzle42; a head minus an ear, and a leg wanting a paw. His master, for such we shall suppose him, was an old man with a lofty forehead, covered with a singularly shaped nightcap, and clothed, as to his lower limbs, with tight, ribbed, gray worsted hose, ascending43 externally, after a bygone fashion, considerably44 above the knee. The old man's elbow rested upon the handle of his spade, his wrist supported his chin, and his gray glassy eyes, glimmering45 like marsh-meteors in the candle-light, were fixed upon his companion with a glance of searching scrutiny46.
The object of his investigation47, a much more youthful and interesting person, seemed lost in reverie, and alike insensible to time, place, and the object of the meeting. With both hands grasped round the barrel of a fowling-piece, and his face leaning upon the same support, the features were entirely49 concealed50 from view; the light, too, being at the back, and shedding its rays over, rather than upon his person, aided his disguise. Yet, even thus imperfectly defined, the outline of the head, and the proportions of the figure, were eminently51 striking and symmetrical. Attired52 in a rough forester's costume, of the mode of 1737, and of the roughest texture53 and rudest make, his wild garb54 would have determined55 his rank as sufficiently56 humble57 in the scale of society, had not a certain loftiness of manner, and bold, though reckless deportment, argued pretensions58 on the part of the wearer to a more elevated station in life, and contradicted, in a great measure, the impression produced by the homely59 appearance of his habiliments. A cap of shaggy brown fur, fancifully, but not ungracefully fashioned, covered his head, from beneath which, dropping, in natural clusters over his neck and shoulders, a cloud of raven61 hair escaped. Subsequently, when his face was more fully revealed, it proved to be that of a young man, of dark aspect, and grave, melancholy62 expression of countenance63, approaching even to the stern, when at rest; though sufficiently animated64 and earnest when engaged in conversation, or otherwise excited. His features were regular, delicately formed, and might be characterized as singularly handsome, were it not for a want of roundness in the contour of the face which gave the lineaments a thin, worn look, totally distinct, however, from haggardness or emaciation65. The nose was delicate and fine; the nostril66 especially so; the upper lip was short, curling, graceful60, and haughtily67 expressive68. As to complexion69, his skin had a truly Spanish warmth and intensity70 of coloring. His figure, when raised, was tall and masculine, and though slight, exhibited great personal vigor71.
We will now turn to his companion, the old man with the great gray glittering eyes. Peter Bradley, of Rookwood--comitatu Ebor--, where he had exercised the vocation of sexton for the best part of a life already drawn72 out to the full span ordinarily allotted73 to mortality, was an odd caricature of humanity. His figure was lean, and almost as lank74 as a skeleton. His bald head reminded one of a bleached75 skull76, allowing for the overhanging and hoary77 brows. Deep-seated, and sunken within their sockets78, his gray orbs79 gleamed with intolerable lustre80. Few could endure his gaze; and, aware of his power, Peter seldom failed to exercise it. He had likewise another habit, which, as it savored81 of insanity82, made him an object of commiseration83 with some, while it rendered him yet more obnoxious84 to others. The habit we allude35 to, was the indulgence of wild screaming laughter at times when all merriment should be checked; and when the exhibition of levity85 must proceed from utter disregard of human grief and suffering, or from mental alienation86.
Wearied with the prolonged silence, Peter at length condescended87 to speak. His voice was harsh and grating as a rusty88 hinge.
His companion shook his head.
"It will keep out the cold," continued the sexton, pressing the liquid upon him: "and you, who are not so much accustomed as I am to the damps of a vault, may suffer from them. Besides," added he, sneeringly90, "it will give you courage."
His companion answered not. But the flash of his eye resented the implied reproach.
"Nay91, never stare at me so hard, Luke," continued the sexton; "I doubt neither your courage nor your firmness. But if you won't drink, I will. Here's to the rest eternal of Sir Piers92 Rookwood! You'll say amen to that pledge, or you are neither grandson of mine, nor offspring of his loins."
"Why should I reverence93 his memory," answered Luke, bitterly, refusing the proffered94 potion, "who showed no fatherly love for me? He disowned me in life: in death I disown him. Sir Piers Rookwood was no father of mine."
"He was as certainly your father, as Susan Bradley, your mother, was my daughter," rejoined the sexton.
"And, surely," cried Luke, impetuously, "you need not boast of the connection! 'Tis not for you, old man, to couple their names together--to exult95 in your daughter's disgrace and your own dishonor. Shame! shame! Speak not of them in the same breath, if you would not have me invoke96 curses on the dead! I have no reverence--whatever you may have--for the seducer--for the murderer of my mother."
"You have choice store of epithets97, in sooth, good grandson," rejoined Peter, with a chuckling98 laugh. "Sir Piers a murderer!"
"Tush!" exclaimed Luke, indignantly, "affect not ignorance. You have better knowledge than I have of the truth or falsehood of the dark tale that has gone abroad respecting my mother's fate; and unless report has belied99 you foully100, had substantial reasons for keeping sealed lips on the occasion. But to change this painful subject," added he, with a sudden alteration102 of manner, "at what hour did Sir Piers Rookwood die?"
"On Thursday last, in the night-time. The exact hour I know not," replied the sexton.
"Neither do I know that. His end was sudden, yet not without a warning sign."
"What warning?" inquired Luke.
"Neither more nor less than the death-omen104 of the house. You look astonished. Is it possible you have never heard of the ominous105 Lime-Tree, and the Fatal Bough106? Why, 'tis a common tale hereabouts, and has been for centuries. Any old crone would tell it you. Peradventure, you have seen the old avenue of lime-trees leading to the hall, nearly a quarter of a mile in length, and as noble a row of timber as any in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Well, there is one tree--the last on the left hand before you come to the clock-house--larger than all the rest--a huge piece of timber, with broad spreading branches, and of I know not what girth in the trunk. That tree is, in some mysterious manner, connected with the family of Rookwood, and immediately previous to the death of one of that line, a branch is sure to be shed from the parent stem, prognosticating his doom107. But you shall hear the legend." And in a strange sepulchral tone, not inappropriate, however, to his subject, Peter chanted the following ballad108:
THE LEGEND OF THE LIME-TREE
--The avenue that leads unto the Rookwood's ancient hall--,
Seven yards its base would scarce embrace--a goodly tree I ween,
Their black brood hatch--their black brood watch--then screaming disappear.
In that old tree when playfully the summer breezes sigh,
By hand of Fate, predestinate, a limb that tree will shed;
Some think that tree instinct must be with preternatural power.
Others, again, there are maintain that on the shattered bark
That, ere it falls, the raven calls thrice from that wizard bough;
And that each cry doth signify what space the Fates allow.
In olden days, the legend says, as grim Sir Ranulph view'd
A wretched hag her footsteps drag beneath his lordly wood.
His bloodhounds twain he called amain, and straightway gave her chase;
Was never seen in forest green, so fierce, so fleet a race!
With eyes of flame to Ranulph came each red and ruthless hound,
Within the earth, with ribald mirth, by Ranulph grim were thrown.
And, strange to tell, what next befell!--that branch at once took root,
From year to year fresh boughs appear--it waxes huge in size;
One day, when he, beneath that tree, reclined in joy and pride,
A branch was found upon the ground--the next, Sir Ranulph died!
And from that hour a fatal power has ruled that Wizard Tree,
To Ranulph's line a warning sign of doom and destiny:
For when a bough is found, I trow, beneath its shade to lie,
Ere suns shall rise thrice in the skies a Rookwood sure shall die!
"And such an omen preceded Sir Piers's demise135?" said Luke, who had listened with some attention to his grandsire's song.
"Unquestionably," replied the sexton. "Not longer ago than Tuesday morning, I happened to be sauntering down the avenue I have just described. I know not what took me thither136 at that early hour, but I wandered leisurely137 on till I came nigh the Wizard Lime-Tree. Great Heaven! what a surprise awaited me! a huge branch lay right across the path. It had evidently just fallen, for the leaves were green and unwithered; the sap still oozed139 from the splintered wood; and there was neither trace of knife nor hatchet140 on the bark. I looked up among the boughs to mark the spot from whence it had been torn by the hand of Fate--for no human hand had done it--and saw the pair of ancestral ravens perched amid the foliage, and croaking141 as those carrion142 fowl48 are wont143 to do when they scent144 a carcass afar off. Just then a livelier sound saluted145 my ears. The cheering cry of a pack of hounds resounded146 from the courts, and the great gates being thrown open, out issued Sir Piers, attended by a troop of his roystering companions, all on horseback, and all making the welkin ring with their vociferations. Sir Piers laughed as loudly as the rest, but his mirth was speedily checked. No sooner had his horse--old Rook, his favorite steed, who never swerved147 at stake or pale before--set eyes upon the accursed branch, than he started as if the fiend stood before him, and, rearing backwards148, flung his rider from the saddle. At this moment, with loud screams, the wizard ravens took flight. Sir Piers was somewhat hurt by the fall, but he was more frightened than hurt; and though he tried to put a bold face on the matter, it was plain that his efforts to recover himself were fruitless. Dr. Titus Tyrconnel and that wild fellow Jack149 Palmer--who has lately come to the hall, and of whom you know something--tried to rally him. But it would not do. He broke up the day's sport, and returned dejectedly to the hall. Before departing, however, he addressed a word to me in private, respecting you; and pointed, with a melancholy shake of the head, to the fatal branch. 'It is my death-warrant,' said he, gloomily. And so it proved; two days afterwards his doom was accomplished150."
"And do you place faith in this idle legend?" asked Luke, with affected151 indifference152, although it was evident, from his manner, that he himself was not so entirely free from a superstitious153 feeling of credulity as he would have it appear.
"Certes," replied the sexton. "I were more difficult to be convinced than the unbelieving disciple154 else. Thrice hath it occurred to my own knowledge, and ever with the same result: first, with Sir Reginald; secondly155, with thy own mother; and lastly, as I have just told thee, with Sir Piers."
"I thought you said, even now, that this death omen, if such it be, was always confined to the immediate family of Rookwood, and not to mere156 inmates157 of the mansion158."
"To the heads only of that house, be they male or female."
"Then how could it apply to my mother? Was she of that house? Was she a wife?"
"Who shall say she was not?" rejoined the sexton.
"Who shall say she was so?" cried Luke, repeating the words with indignant emphasis--"who will avouch159 that?"
"I will bear this no longer," cried Luke; "anger me not, or look to yourself. In a word, have you anything to tell me respecting her? if not, let me begone."
"I have. But I will not be hurried by a boy like you," replied Peter, doggedly161. "Go, if you will, and take the consequences. My lips are sealed forever, and I have much to say--much that it behoves you to know."
"Be brief, then. When you sought me out this morning, in my retreat with the gipsy gang at Davenham Wood, you bade me meet you in the porch of Rookwood Church at midnight. I was true to my appointment."
"And I will keep my promise," replied the sexton. "Draw closer, that I may whisper in thine ear. Of every Rookwood who lies around us--and all that ever bore the name, except Sir Piers himself--who lies in state at the hall--, are here--not one--mark what I say--not one male branch of the house but has been suspected----"
"Of what?"
"By all?"
"Ay, and such blood! theirs was no common crime. Even murder hath its degrees. Theirs was of the first class."
"Their wives!--you cannot mean that?"
"Ay, their wives!--I do. You have heard it, then? Ha! ha! 'tis a trick they had. Did you ever hear the old saying?
A Rook of the Rookwood!
A merry saying it is, and true. No woman ever stood in a Rookwood's way but she was speedily removed--that's certain. They had all, save poor Sir Piers, the knack166 of stopping a troublesome woman's tongue, and practised it to perfection. A rare art, eh?"
"What have the misdeeds of his ancestry167 to do with Sir Piers," muttered Luke, "much less with my mother?"
"Everything. If he could not rid himself of his wife--and she is a match for the devil himself--, the mistress might be more readily set aside."
"Have you absolute knowledge of aught?" asked Luke, his voice tremulous with emotion.
"Nay, I but hinted."
"Such hints are worse than open speech. Let me know the worst. Did he kill her?" And Luke glared at the sexton as if he would have penetrated168 his secret soul.
But Peter was not easily fathomed169. His cold, bright eye returned Luke's gaze steadfastly170, as he answered, composedly:
"I have said all I know."
"But not all you think."
"Thoughts should not always find utterance171, else we might often endanger our own safety, and that of others."
"An idle subterfuge--and, from you, worse than idle. I will have an answer, yea or nay. Was it poison--was it steel?"
"Enough--she died."
"No, it is not enough. When? Where?"
"In her sleep--in her bed."
"Why, that was natural."
A wrinkling smile crossed the sexton's brow.
"What means that horrible gleam of laughter?" exclaimed Luke, grasping the shoulder of the man of graves with such force as nearly to annihilate172 him. "Speak, or I will strangle you. She died, you say, in her sleep?"
"She did so," replied the sexton, shaking off Luke's hold.
"And was it to tell me that I had a mother's murder to avenge173, that you brought me to the tomb of her destroyer--when he is beyond the reach of my vengeance174?"
Luke exhibited so much frantic175 violence of manner and gesture, that the sexton entertained some little apprehension176 that his intellects were unsettled by the shock of the intelligence. It was, therefore, in what he intended for a soothing177 tone that he attempted to solicit178 his grandson's attention.
"I will hear nothing more," interrupted Luke, and the vaulted179 chamber rang with his passionate180 lamentations. "Am I the sport of this mocking fiend?" cried he, "to whom my agony is derision--my despair a source of enjoyment--beneath whose withering181 glance my spirit shrinks--who, with half-expressed insinuations, tortures my soul, awakening182 fancies that goad183 me on to dark and desperate deeds? Dead mother! upon thee I call. If in thy grave thou canst hear the cry of thy most wretched son, yearning184 to avenge thee--answer me, if thou hast the power. Let me have some token of the truth or falsity of these wild suppositions, that I may wrestle185 against this demon186. But no," added he, in accents of despair, "no ear listens to me, save his to whom my wretchedness is food for mockery."
"Could the dead hear thee, thy mother might do so," returned the sexton. "She lies within this space."
Luke staggered back, as if struck by a sudden shot. He spoke187 not, but fell with a violent shock against a pile of coffins, at which he caught for support.
"What have I done?" he exclaimed, recoiling.
A thundering crash resounded through the vault. One of the coffins, dislodged from its position by his fall, tumbled to the ground, and, alighting upon its side, split asunder188.
"Great Heavens! what is this?" cried Luke, as a dead body, clothed in all the hideous189 apparel of the tomb, rolled forth to his feet.
"It is your mother's corpse190," answered the sexton, coldly; "I brought you hither to behold191 it. But you have anticipated my intentions."
"This my mother?" shrieked192 Luke, dropping upon his knees by the body, and seizing one of its chilly193 hands, as it lay upon the floor, with the face upwards194.
The sexton took the candle from the sconce.
"Can this be death?" shouted Luke. "Impossible! Oh, God! she stirs--she moves. The light!--quick. I see her stir! This is dreadful!"
"Do not deceive yourself," said the sexton, in a tone which betrayed more emotion than was his wont. "'Tis the bewilderment of fancy. She will never stir again."
And he shaded the candle with his hand, so as to throw the light full upon the face of the corpse. It was motionless, as that of an image carved in stone. No trace of corruption195 was visible upon the rigid, yet exquisite196 tracery of its features. A profuse197 cloud of raven hair, escaped from its swathements in the fall, hung like a dark veil over the bosom and person of the dead, and presented a startling contrast to the waxlike hue198 of the skin and the pallid199 cereclothes. Flesh still adhered to the hand, though it mouldered200 into dust within the gripe of Luke, as he pressed the fingers to his lips. The shroud201 was disposed like night-gear about her person, and from without its folds a few withered138 flowers had fallen. A strong aromatic202 odor, of a pungent203 nature, was diffused204 around; giving evidence that the art by which the ancient Egyptians endeavored to rescue their kindred from decomposition205 had been resorted to, to preserve the fleeting206 charms of the unfortunate Susan Bradley.
A pause of awful silence succeeded, broken only by the convulsive respiration207 of Luke. The sexton stood by, apparently208 an indifferent spectator of the scene of horror. His eye wandered from the dead to the living, and gleamed with a peculiar209 and indefinable expression, half apathy210, half abstraction. For one single instant, as he scrutinized211 the features of his daughter, his brow, contracted by anger, immediately afterwards was elevated in scorn. But otherwise you would have sought in vain to read the purport212 of that cold, insensible glance, which dwelt for a brief space on the face of the mother, and settled eventually upon her son. At length the withered flowers attracted his attention. He stooped to pick up one of them.
"Faded as the hand that gathered ye--as the bosom on which ye were strewn!" he murmured. "No sweet smell left--but--faugh!" Holding the dry leaves to the flame of the candle, they were instantly ignited, and the momentary213 brilliance214 played like a smile upon the features of the dead. Peter observed the effect. "Such was thy life," he exclaimed; "a brief, bright sparkle, followed by dark, utter extinction215!"
Saying which, he flung the expiring ashes of the floweret from his hand.
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1
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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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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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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sepulchral
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| adj.坟墓的，阴深的 | |
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mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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7
masonry
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| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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10
inscriptions
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| （作者）题词( inscription的名词复数 )； 献词； 碑文； 证劵持有人的登记 | |
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recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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niches
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| 壁龛( niche的名词复数 )； 合适的位置[工作等]； （产品的）商机； 生态位（一个生物所占据的生境的最小单位） | |
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coffins
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| n.棺材( coffin的名词复数 )；使某人早亡[死，完蛋，垮台等]之物 | |
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coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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effigies
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| n.（人的）雕像，模拟像，肖像( effigy的名词复数 ) | |
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Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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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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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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allude
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opaque
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| adj.不透光的；不反光的，不传导的；晦涩的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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39
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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40
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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41
superannuated
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| adj.老朽的，退休的；v.因落后于时代而废除，勒令退学 | |
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42
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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43
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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44
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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45
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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46
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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47
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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48
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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49
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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50
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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51
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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52
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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54
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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55
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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56
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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57
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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58
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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59
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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60
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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61
raven
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| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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62
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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63
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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64
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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65
emaciation
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| n.消瘦，憔悴，衰弱 | |
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66
nostril
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| n.鼻孔 | |
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67
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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68
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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69
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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70
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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71
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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72
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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73
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74
lank
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| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
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75
bleached
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| 漂白的，晒白的，颜色变浅的 | |
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76
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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77
hoary
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| adj.古老的；鬓发斑白的 | |
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78
sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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79
orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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80
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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81
savored
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| v.意味，带有…的性质( savor的过去式和过去分词 )；给…加调味品；使有风味；品尝 | |
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82
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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83
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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84
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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85
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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86
alienation
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| n.疏远；离间；异化 | |
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87
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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88
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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89
modicum
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| n.少量，一小份 | |
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90
sneeringly
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| 嘲笑地，轻蔑地 | |
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91
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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92
piers
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| n.水上平台( pier的名词复数 )；（常设有娱乐场所的）突堤；柱子；墙墩 | |
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93
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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94
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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96
invoke
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| v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求 | |
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97
epithets
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| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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98
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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99
belied
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| v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
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100
foully
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| ad.卑鄙地 | |
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101
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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102
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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103
ailment
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| n.疾病，小病 | |
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104
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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105
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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106
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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107
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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108
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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109
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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110
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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111
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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112
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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113
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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114
ravens
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| n.低质煤；渡鸦( raven的名词复数 ) | |
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115
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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116
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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117
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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118
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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119
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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120
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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121
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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122
knell
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| n.丧钟声；v.敲丧钟 | |
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123
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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124
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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125
commingling
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| v.混合，掺和，合并( commingle的现在分词 ) | |
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126
scathing
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| adj.（言词、文章）严厉的，尖刻的；不留情的adv.严厉地，尖刻地v.伤害，损害（尤指使之枯萎）( scathe的现在分词) | |
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127
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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128
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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129
reeking
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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130
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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131
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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132
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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133
prodigy
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| n.惊人的事物，奇迹，神童，天才，预兆 | |
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134
espies
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| v.看到( espy的第三人称单数 ) | |
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135
demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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136
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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137
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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138
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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139
oozed
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| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的过去式和过去分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
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140
hatchet
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| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
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141
croaking
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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142
carrion
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| n.腐肉 | |
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143
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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144
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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145
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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146
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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147
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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148
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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149
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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150
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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151
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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152
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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153
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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154
disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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155
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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156
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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157
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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158
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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159
avouch
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| v.确说，断言 | |
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160
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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161
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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162
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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163
recoiling
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| v.畏缩( recoil的现在分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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164
blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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165
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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166
knack
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| n.诀窍，做事情的灵巧的，便利的方法 | |
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167
ancestry
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| n.祖先，家世 | |
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168
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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169
fathomed
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| 理解…的真意( fathom的过去式和过去分词 )； 彻底了解； 弄清真相 | |
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170
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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171
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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172
annihilate
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| v.使无效；毁灭；取消 | |
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173
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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174
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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175
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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176
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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177
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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178
solicit
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| vi.勾引；乞求；vt.请求，乞求；招揽(生意) | |
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179
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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180
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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181
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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182
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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183
goad
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| n.刺棒，刺痛物；激励；vt.激励，刺激 | |
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184
yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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185
wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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186
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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187
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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188
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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189
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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190
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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191
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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192
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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193
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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194
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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195
corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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196
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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197
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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198
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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199
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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200
mouldered
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| v.腐朽( moulder的过去式和过去分词 )；腐烂，崩塌 | |
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201
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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202
aromatic
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| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
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203
pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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204
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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205
decomposition
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| n. 分解, 腐烂, 崩溃 | |
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206
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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207
respiration
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| n.呼吸作用；一次呼吸；植物光合作用 | |
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208
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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209
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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210
apathy
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| n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡 | |
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211
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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212
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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213
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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214
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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215
extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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