Gibbet.
Well, gentlemen, 'tis a fine night for our enterprise.
Hounslow.
Dark as hell.
Bagshot.
And blows like the devil.
Boniface.
You'll have no creature to deal with but the ladies.
Gibbet.
And I can assure you, friend, there's a great deal of address, and good manners, in robbing a lady. I am the most of a gentleman, that way, that ever travelled the road.
Accompanied by her son, Lady Rookwood, on quitting the chamber2 of the dead, returned to her own room. She then renewed all her arguments; had recourse to passionate3 supplications--to violent threats, but without effect. Ranulph maintained profound silence. Passion, as it ever doth, defeated its own ends; and Lady Rookwood, seeing the ill effect her anger would probably produce, gradually softened4 the asperity5 of her manner, and suffered him to depart.
Left to herself, and to the communings of her own troubled spirit, her fortitude6, in a measure, forsook7 her, under the pressure of the difficulties by which she was environed. There was no plan she could devise--no scheme adopt, unattended with peril9. She must act alone--with promptitude and secrecy10. To win her son over was her chief desire, and that, at all hazards, she was resolved to do. But how? She knew of only one point on which he was vulnerable--his love for Eleanor Mowbray. By raising doubts in his mind, and placing fresh difficulties in his path, she might compel him to acquiesce11 in her machinations, as a necessary means of accomplishing his own object. This she hoped to effect. Still there was a depth of resolution in the placid12 stream of Ranulph's character which she had often noticed with apprehension13. Aware of his firmness, she dreaded15 lest his sense of justice should be stronger than his passion.
As she wove these webs of darkness, fear, hitherto unknown, took possession of her soul. She listened to the howling of the wind--to the vibration16 of the rafters--to the thunder's roar, and to the hissing17 rain--till she, who never trembled at the thought of danger, became filled with vague uneasiness. Lights were ordered; and when her old attendant returned. Lady Rookwood fixed18 a look so wistful upon her, that Agnes ventured to address her.
"Bless you, my lady," said the ancient handmaiden, trembling, "you look very pale, and no wonder. I feel sick at heart, too. Oh! I shall be glad when they return from the church, and happier still when the morning dawns. I can't sleep a wink--can't close my eyes, but I think of him."
"Of him?"
"How?"
"Why, my lady, the corruptible21 part of him's gone, sure enough. But the incorruptible, as Dr. Small calls it--the sperrit, my lady. It might be my fancy, your ladyship; but as I'm standing22 here, when I went back into the room just now for the lights, as I hope to live, I thought I saw Sir Piers in the room."
"You are crazed, Agnes."
"No, my lady, I'm not crazed; it was mere23 fancy, no doubt. Oh, it's a blessed thing to live with an easy conscience--a thrice blessed thing to die with an easy one, and that's what I never shall, I'm afeard. Poor Sir Piers! I'd mumble24 a prayer for him, if I durst."
"Leave me," said Lady Rookwood, impatiently.
And Agnes quitted the room.
"What if the dead can return?" thought Lady Rookwood. "All men doubt it, yet all men believe it. I would not believe it, were there not a creeping horror that overmasters me, when I think of the state beyond the grave--that intermediate state, for such it must be, when the body lieth mouldering25 in the ground, and the soul survives, to wander, unconfined, until the hour of doom26. And doth the soul survive when disenthralled? Is it dependent on the body? Does it perish with the body? These are doubts I cannot resolve. But if I deemed there was no future state, this hand should at once liberate27 me from my own weaknesses--my fears--my life. There is but one path to acquire that knowledge, which, once taken, can never be retraced28. I am content to live--while living, to be feared--it may be, hated; when dead, to be contemned--yet still remembered. Ha! what sound was that? A stifled29 scream! Agnes!--without there! She is full of fears. I am not free from them myself, but I will shake them off. This will divert their channel," continued she, drawing from her bosom30 the marriage certificate. "This will arouse the torpid32 current of my blood--'Piers Rookwood to Susan Bradley.' And by whom was it solemnized? The name is Checkley--Richard Checkley. Ha! I bethink me--a Papist priest--a recusant--who was for some time an inmate33 of the hall. I have heard of this man--he was afterwards imprisoned34, but escaped--he is either dead or in a foreign land. No witnesses--'tis well! Methinks Sir Piers Rookwood did well to preserve this. It shall light his funeral pyre. Would he could now behold35 me, as I consume it!"
She held the paper in the direction of the candle; but, ere it could touch the flame, it dropped from her hand. As if her horrible wish had been granted, before her stood the figure of her husband! Lady Rookwood started not. No sign of trepidation36 or alarm, save the sudden stiffening37 of her form, was betrayed. Her bosom ceased to palpitate--her respiration38 stopped--her eyes were fixed upon the apparition39.
The figure appeared to regard her sternly. It was at some little distance, within the shade cast by the lofty bedstead. Still she could distinctly discern it. There was no ocular deception40; it was attired41 in the costume Sir Piers was wont43 to wear--a hunting dress. All that her son had told her rushed to her recollection. The phantom44 advanced. Its countenance45 was pale, and wore a gloomy frown.
"What would you destroy?" demanded the apparition, in a hollow tone.
"The evidence of----"
"What?"
"Your marriage."
"With yourself, accursed woman?"
"With Susan Bradley."
"What's that I hear?" shouted the figure, in an altered tone. "Married to her! then Luke is legitimate46, and heir to this estate!" Whereupon the apparition rushed to the table, and laid a very substantial grasp upon the document. "A marriage certificate!" ejaculated the spectre; "here's a piece of luck! It ain't often in our lottery47 life we draw a prize like this. One way or the other, it must turn up a few cool thousands."
"Restore that paper, villain," exclaimed Lady Rookwood, recovering all the audacity48 natural to her character the instant she discovered the earthly nature of the intruder--"restore it, or, by Heaven, you shall rue49 your temerity50."
"Softly, softly," replied the pseudo-phantom, with one hand pushing back the lady, while the other conveyed the precious document to the custody51 of his nether52 man--"softly," said he, giving the buckskin pocket a slap--"two words to that, my lady. I know its value as well as yourself, and must make my market. The highest offer has me, your ladyship; he's but a poor auctioneer that knocks down his ware14 when only one bidder53 is present. Luke Bradley, or, as I find he now is, Sir Luke Rookwood, may come down more handsomely."
"Who are you, ruffian, and to what end is this masquerade assumed? If for the purpose of terrifying me into compliance54 with the schemes of that madman, Luke Bradley, whom I presume to be your confederate, your labor55 is misspent--your stolen disguise has no more weight with me than his forged claims."
"Forged claims! Egad, he must be a clever hand to have forged that certificate. Your ladyship, however, is in error. Sir Luke Rookwood is no associate of mine; I am his late father's friend. But I have no time to bandy talk. What money have you in the house? Be alive."
"You are a robber, then?"
"Not I. I'm a tax-gatherer--a collector of Rich-Rates--ha, ha! What plate have you got? Nay56, don't be alarmed--take it quietly--these things can't be helped--better make up your mind to do it without more ado--much the best plan--no screaming, it may injure your lungs, and can alarm nobody. Your maids have done as much before--it's beneath your dignity to make so much noise. So, you will not heed57 me? As you will." Saying which, he deliberately58 cut the bell-cord, and drew out a brace59 of pistols at the same time.
"I must caution your ladyship to be silent," said the robber, who, as our readers will no doubt have already conjectured61, was no other than the redoubted Jack62 Palmer. "Agnes is already disposed of," said he, cocking a pistol. "However like your deceased 'lord and master' I may appear, you will find you have got a very different spirit from that of Sir Piers to deal with. I am naturally the politest man breathing--have been accounted the best-bred man on the road by every lady whom I have had the honor of addressing; and I should be sorry to sully my well-earned reputation by anything like rudeness. I must use a little force, of the gentlest kind. Perhaps you will permit me to hand you to a chair. Bless me! what a wrist your ladyship has got. Excuse me if I hurt you, but you are so devilish strong. What ho! 'Sir Piers Rookwood calls--'"
"Ready," cried a voice.
"That's the word," rejoined another; "ready;" and immediately two men, their features entirely64 hidden by a shroud65 of black crape, accoutred in rough attire42, and each armed with pistols, rushed into the room.
"Lend a hand," said Jack.
Even in this perilous66 extremity67 Lady Rookwood's courage did not desert her. Anticipating their purpose, ere her assailants could reach her she extricated68 herself from Palmer's grasp, and rushed upon the foremost so unexpectedly, that, before the man could seize her, she snatched a pistol from his hand, and presented it at the group with an aspect like that of a tigress at bay--her eye wandering from one to the other, as if selecting a mark.
There was a pause of a few seconds, in which the men glanced at the lady, and then at their leader. Jack looked blank.
"Hem8!" said he, coolly; "this is something new--disarmed--defied by a petticoat. Hark ye, Rob Rust69, the disgrace rests with you. Clear your character, by securing her at once. What! afraid of a woman?"
"A woman!" repeated Rust, in a surly tone; "devilish like a woman, indeed. Few men could do what she has done. Give the word, and I fire. As to seizing her, that's more than I'll engage to do."
"You are a coward," cried Jack. "I will steer70 clear of blood--if I can help it. Come, madam, surrender, like the more sensible part of your sex, at discretion71. You will find resistance of no avail." And he stepped boldly towards her.
Lady Rookwood pulled the trigger. The pistol flashed in the pan. She flung away the useless weapon without a word.
"Ha, ha!" said Jack, as he leisurely72 stooped to pick up the pistol, and approached her ladyship; "the bullet is not yet cast that is to be my billet. Here," said he, dealing73 Rust a heavy thump74 upon the shoulder with the butt-end of the piece, "take back your snapper, and look you prick75 the touchhole, or your barking-iron will never bite for you. And now, madam, I must take the liberty of again handing you to a seat. Dick Wilder, the cord--quick. It distresses76 me to proceed to such lengths with your ladyship--but safe bind77, safe find, as Mr. Coates would say."
"You will not bind me, ruffian."
"Your ladyship is very much mistaken--I have no alternative--your ladyship's wrist is far too dexterous78 to be at liberty. I must furthermore request of your ladyship to be less vociferous--you interrupt business, which should be transacted79 with silence and deliberation."
Lady Rookwood's rage and vexation at this indignity80 were beyond all bounds. Resistance, however, was useless, and she submitted in silence. The cord was passed tightly round her arms, when it flashed upon her recollection for the first time that Coates and Tyrconnel, who were in charge of her captive in the lower corridor, might be summoned to her assistance. This idea no sooner crossed her mind than she uttered a loud and prolonged scream.
"'Sdeath!" cried Jack; "civility is wasted here. Give me the gag, Rob."
"Better slit81 her squeaking-pipe at once," replied Rust, drawing his clasped knife; "she'll thwart82 everything."
"The gag, I say, not that."
"I can't find the gag," exclaimed Wilder, savagely83. "Leave Rob Rust to manage her--he'll silence her, I warrant you, while you and I rummage84 the room."
"Ay, leave her to me," said the other miscreant85. "Go about your business, and take no heed. Her hands are fast--she can't scratch. I'll do it with a single gash--send her to join her lord, whom she loved so well, before he's under ground. They'll have something to see when they come home from the master's funeral--their mistress cut and dry for another. Ho, ho!"
"Mercy, mercy!" shrieked Lady Rookwood.
"Ay, ay, I'll be merciful," said Rust, brandishing86 his knife before her eyes. "I'll not be long about it. Leave her to me--I'll give her a taste of Sir Sydney."
"No, no, Rust; no bloodshed," said Jack, authoritatively87; "I'll find some other way to gag the jade88."
At this moment a noise of rapid footsteps was heard within the passage.
"Assistance comes," screamed Lady Rookwood. "Help! help!"
"To the door!" cried Jack. The words were scarcely out of his mouth before Luke dashed into the room, followed by Coates and Tyrconnel.
Palmer and his companions levelled their pistols at the intruders, and the latter would have fired, but Jack's keen eye having discerned Luke amongst the foremost, checked further hostilities89 for the present. Lady Rookwood, meanwhile, finding herself free from restraint, rushed towards her deliverers, and crouched90 beneath Luke's protecting arms, which were extended, pistol in hand, over her head. Behind them stood Titus Tyrconnel, flourishing the poker91, and Mr. Coates, who, upon the sight of so much warlike preparation, began somewhat to repent92 having rushed so precipitately93 into the lion's den19.
"Luke Bradley!" exclaimed Palmer, stepping forward.
"Fear nothing, madam," cried Luke. "I am here to assist you--I will defend you with my life."
"You defend me!" exclaimed Lady Rookwood, doubtfully.
"Even I," cried Luke, "strange as it may sound."
"Holy powers protect me!" ejaculated Titus. "As I live, it is Sir Piers himself."
"Sir Piers!" echoed Coates, catching95 the infection of terror, as he perceived Palmer more distinctly. "What! is the dead come to life again? A ghost, a ghost!"
"By my soul," cried Titus, "it's the first ghost I ever heard of that committed a burglary in its own house, and on the night of the body's burial, too. But who the devil are these? maybe they're ghosts likewise."
"They are," said Palmer, in a hollow tone, mimicking96 the voice of Sir Piers, "attendant spirits. We are come for this woman; her time is out; so no more palavering, Titus. Lend a hand to take her to the churchyard, and be hanged to you."
"Upon my conscience, Mr. Coates," cried Titus, "it's either the devil, or Sir Piers. We'll be only in the way here. He's only just settling his old scores with his lady. I thought it would come to this long ago. We'd best beat a retreat."
Jack took advantage of the momentary97 confusion created by this incidental alarm at his disguise to direct Rust towards the door by which the new comers had entered; and, this being accomplished98, he burst into a loud laugh.
"What! not know me?" cried he--"not know your old friend with a new face, Luke? Nor you, Titus? Nor you, who can see through a millstone, lawyer Coates, don't you recognize----"
"Jack Palmer, as I'm a sinner!" cried Titus. "Why, this beats Banaghan. Arrah! Jack, honey, what does this mean? Is it yourself I see in such company? You're not robbing in earnest?"
"Indeed but I am, friend Titus," exclaimed Jack; "and it is my own self you see. I just took the liberty of borrowing Sir Piers's old hunting-coat from the justice-room. You said my toggery wouldn't do for the funeral. I'm no other than plain Jack Palmer, after all."
"With half a dozen aliases100 at your back, I dare say," cried Coates. "I suspected you all along. All your praise of highwaymen was not lost upon me. No, no; I can see into a millstone, be it ever so thick."
"Well," replied Jack, "I'm sorry to see you here, friend Titus. Keep quiet, and you shall come to no harm. As to you, Luke Bradley, you have anticipated my intention by half an hour; I meant to set you free. For you, Mr. Coates, you may commit all future care of your affairs to your executors, administrators101, and assigns. You will have no further need to trouble yourself with worldly concerns," added he, levelling a pistol at the attorney, who, however, shielded himself, in an agony of apprehension, behind Luke's person. "Stand aside, Luke."
"I stir not," replied Luke. "I thank you for your good intention, and will not injure you--that is, if you do not force me to do so. I am here to defend her ladyship."
"What's that you say?" returned Jack, in surprise--"defend her ladyship?"
"With my life," replied Luke. "Let me counsel you to depart."
"Are you mad? Defend her--Lady Rookwood--your enemy--who would hang you? Tut, tut! Stand aside, I say, Luke Bradley, or look to yourself."
"You had better consider well ere you proceed," said Luke. "You know me of old. I have taken odds102 as great, and not come off the vanquished103."
"The odds are even," cried Titus, "if Mr. Coates will but show fight. I'll stand by you to the last, my dear boy. You're the right son of your father, though on the wrong side. Och! Jack Palmer, my jewel, no wonder you resemble Dick Turpin."
"You hear this?" cried Luke.
"Hot-headed fool!" muttered Jack.
"Why don't you shoot him on the spot?" said Wilder.
"And mar31 my own chance," thought Jack. "No, that will never do; his life is not to be thrown away. Be quiet," said he, in a whisper to Wilder; "I've another card to play, which shall serve us better than all the plunder104 here. No harm must come to that youngster; his life is worth thousands to us." Then, turning to Luke, he continued, "I'm loth to hurt you; yet what can I do? You must have the worst of it if we come to a pitched battle. I therefore advise you, as a friend, to draw off your forces. We are three to three, it is true; but two of your party are unarmed."
"Unarmed!" interrupted Titus. "Devil burn me! this iron shillelah shall convince you to the contrary, Jack, or any of your friends."
"Make ready then, my lads," cried Palmer.
"Stop a minute," exclaimed Coates. "This gets serious; it will end in homicide--in murder. We shall all have our throats cut to a certainty; and though these rascals105 will as certainly be hanged for it, that will be poor satisfaction to the sufferers. Had we not better refer the matter to arbitration106?"
"I'm for fighting it out," said Titus, whisking the poker round his head like a flail107 in action. "My blood's up. Come on, Jack Palmer, I'm for you."
"I should vote for retreating," chattered108 the attorney, "if that cursed fellow had not placed a ne exeat at the door."
"Give the word, captain," cried Rust, impatiently.
"Ay, ay," echoed Wilder.
"A skilful109 general always parleys," said Jack. "A word in your ear, Luke, ere that be done which cannot be undone110."
"You mean me no treachery?" returned Luke.
Jack made no answer, but uncocking his pistols, deposited them within his pockets.
"Shoot him as he advances," whispered Coates; "he is in your power now."
"Scoundrel!" replied Luke, "do you think me as base as yourself?"
Lady Rookwood had apparently112 listened to this singular conference with sullen113 composure, though in reality she was racked with anxiety as to its results; and, now apprehending114 that Palmer was about to make an immediate63 disclosure to Luke, she accosted115 him as he passed her.
"Unbind me!" cried she, "and what you wish shall be yours--money--jewels----"
"Ha! may I depend?"
"I pledge my word."
Palmer untied116 the cord, and Lady Rookwood, approaching a table whereon stood the escritoire, touched a spring, and a secret drawer flew open.
"You do this of your own free will?" asked Luke. "Speak, if it be otherwise."
"I do," returned the lady, hastily.
"Luke Bradley?"
"Ay."
"Give them to me."
"They are yours freely on those terms."
"You hear that, Luke," cried he, aloud; "you hear it, Titus; this is no robbery. Mr. Coates--'Know all men by these presents'--I call you to witness, Lady Rookwood gives me these pretty things."
"I do," returned she; adding, in a whisper, "on the terms which I proposed."
"Must it be done at once?"
"Without an instant's delay."
"Before your own eyes?"
"I fear not to look on. Each moment is precious. He is off his guard now. You do it, you know, in self-defence."
"And you?"
"For the same cause."
"Yet he came here to aid you?"
"What of that?"
"He would have risked his life for yours?"
"I cannot pay back the obligation. He must die!"
"The document?"
"Will be useless then."
"Will not that suffice; why aim at life?"
"You trifle with me. You fear to do it."
"Fear!"
"About it, then; you shall have more gold."
"I will about it," cried Jack, throwing the casket to Wilder, and seizing Lady Rookwood's hands. "I am no Italian bravo, madam--no assassin--no remorseless cut-throat. What are you--devil or woman--who ask me to do this? Luke Bradley, I say."
"Would you betray me?" cried Lady Rookwood.
"You have betrayed yourself, madam. Nay, nay, Luke, hands off. See, Lady Rookwood, how you would treat a friend. This strange fellow would blow out my brains for laying a finger upon your ladyship."
"I will suffer no injury to be done to her," said Luke; "release her."
"Your ladyship hears him," said Jack. "And you, Luke, shall learn the value set upon your generosity119. You will not have her injured. This instant she has proposed, nay, paid for your assassination120."
"How?" exclaimed Luke, recoiling.
"A lie, as black as hell," cried Lady Rookwood.
"A truth, as clear as heaven," retained Jack. "I will speedily convince you of the fact." Then, turning to Lady Rookwood, he whispered, "Shall I give him the marriage document?"
"Beware!" said Lady Rookwood.
She was silent.
"I am answered," said Luke.
"Then leave her to her fate," cried Jack.
"No," replied Luke; "she is still a woman, and I will not abandon her to ruffianly violence. Set her free."
"You are a fool," said Jack.
"Hurrah122, hurrah!" vociferated Coates, who had rushed to the window. "Rescue, rescue! they are returning from the church; I see the torchlight in the avenue; we are saved!"
"Hell and the devil!" cried Jack; "not an instant is to be lost. Alive, lads; bring off all the plunder you can; be handy!"
"Lady Rookwood, I bid you farewell," said Luke, in a tone in which scorn and sorrow were blended. "We shall meet again."
"We have not parted yet," returned she; "will you let this man pass? A thousand pounds for his life."
"Upon the nail?" asked Rust.
"By the living God, if any of you attempt to touch him, I will blow his brains out upon the spot, be he friend or foe," cried Jack. "Luke Bradley, we shall meet again. You shall hear from me."
"Lady Rookwood," said Luke, as he departed, "I shall not forget this night."
"Is all ready?" asked Palmer of his comrades.
"All."
"Stay!" cried Lady Rookwood, in a whisper to him. "What will purchase that document?"
"Hem!"
"A thousand pounds?"
"Double it."
"It shall be doubled."
"I will turn it over."
"Resolve me now."
"You shall hear from me."
"In what manner?"
"I will find speedy means."
"Your name is Palmer?"
"Palmer is the name he goes by, your ladyship," replied Coates, "but it is the fashion with these rascals to have an alias99."
"Ha! ha!" said Jack, thrusting the ramrod into his pistol-barrel, "are you there, Mr. Coates? Pay your wager124, sir."
"What wager?"
"The hundred we bet that you would take me if ever you had the chance."
"Take you!--it was Dick Turpin I betted to take."
"I am DICK TURPIN--that's my alias!" replied Jack.
"Dick Turpin! then I'll have a snap at you at all hazards," cried Coates, springing suddenly towards him.
"And I at you," said Turpin, discharging his pistol right in the face of the rash attorney; "there's a quittance in full."
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stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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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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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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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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asperity
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| n.粗鲁，艰苦 | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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acquiesce
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| vi.默许，顺从，同意 | |
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placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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vibration
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| n.颤动，振动；摆动 | |
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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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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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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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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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corruptible
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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mere
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mumble
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| n./v.喃喃而语，咕哝 | |
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mouldering
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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27
liberate
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| v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由 | |
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retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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29
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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30
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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31
mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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32
torpid
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| adj.麻痹的，麻木的，迟钝的 | |
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33
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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34
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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36
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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37
stiffening
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| n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式 | |
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38
respiration
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| n.呼吸作用；一次呼吸；植物光合作用 | |
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39
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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40
deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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41
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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42
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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43
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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44
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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45
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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46
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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47
lottery
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| n.抽彩；碰运气的事，难于算计的事 | |
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48
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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49
rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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50
temerity
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| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
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51
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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52
nether
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| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
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53
bidder
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| n.(拍卖时的)出价人，报价人，投标人 | |
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54
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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55
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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56
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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57
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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58
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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59
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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60
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
conjectured
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| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
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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63
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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64
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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65
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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66
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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67
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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68
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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70
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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71
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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72
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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73
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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74
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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75
prick
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| v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛 | |
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76
distresses
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| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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77
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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78
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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79
transacted
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| v.办理（业务等）( transact的过去式和过去分词 )；交易，谈判 | |
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80
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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81
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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82
thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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83
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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84
rummage
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| v./n.翻寻，仔细检查 | |
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85
miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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86
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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87
authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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88
jade
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| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
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89
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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90
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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91
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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92
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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93
precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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94
recoiling
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| v.畏缩( recoil的现在分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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95
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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96
mimicking
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| v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的现在分词 )；酷似 | |
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97
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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98
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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99
alias
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| n.化名；别名；adv.又名 | |
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100
aliases
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| n.别名，化名( alias的名词复数 ) | |
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101
administrators
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| n.管理者( administrator的名词复数 )；有管理（或行政）才能的人；（由遗嘱检验法庭指定的）遗产管理人；奉派暂管主教教区的牧师 | |
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102
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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103
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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104
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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105
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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106
arbitration
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| n.调停，仲裁 | |
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107
flail
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| v.用连枷打；击打；n.连枷（脱粒用的工具） | |
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108
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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109
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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110
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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111
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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112
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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113
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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114
apprehending
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的现在分词 )； 理解 | |
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115
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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116
untied
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| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
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117
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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119
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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120
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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121
avouch
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| v.确说，断言 | |
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122
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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123
budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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124
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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