“I will see the man alone, Major,” observed the General; “he might complain, were you present, of a situation offering two against one and planned to over-ride him.”
Such management was much to my appetite, since it would but serve to boil my anger—this listening while the Reverend Rogue5 laid out his pack of calumnies6 upon Peg7. In good truth! I much misdoubt if I had withstood my hands from him when under such honest provocation8; and that, maugre his black surtout and pulpit snuffle.
And yet it did not miss me as a feature hard to be read for its significance, that now was the earliest time when the General had shown himself so equitable9 as to think on “two against one” and fail to ask my presence for his conferences. He had met folk for war and peace, and they had come alone; I had been there, and no one spoke10 of over-riding. However, the subject was not worth quizzing one's self concerning; the Reverend Campbell was come, the best thing about it being that the General lived ample and to spare to arrest whatever of slander11 he should bring us in his mouth, and put it to the death. The General could track a lie as surely as ever he tracked Creek12, and lived even more inveterately13 its enemy.
Peg met the Reverend Campbell almost in the great front door, for she was on her usual journey to consult with me about some trifling14 nothing. When his sidelong glance encountered Peg's, the rascal15 cowered16 and seemed to turn more mean, if that were possible, than by nature belonged with him. But he said no word; he did not so much as muster17 against her one square look, but sinuously18, and as a snake might, writhed19 himself out of her path Peg, for herself, swept him with a chill, errant eye as if he were some gutter-being, offensive though unknown.
“And what brings that bird of mal-omen to flutter about one's door?—so bright a morning, too!” This was Peg's question on the Reverend Campbell as she walked in to me and climbed to her customary chair at the left hand of my desk. “What should you say, watch-dog, was his bad mission? Is he a threat? Does he drag a danger after him? You must be alert if you would make safe your little Peg.”
The tone of raillery which Peg adopted secured me; she had no surmise21, then, to the purpose of the Reverend Campbell.
“It's quite sure,” I returned, evasively, “that our swart visitor would be much uplifted were the General to relent and dispose of Florida according to his wish.”
And now while Peg sits before the mirror of my memory with her sweet face, as she on that far morning sat in the great leathern chair, let me please my fond pencil with a word of her. There were so many expressions of the unexpected to our Peg—for so I had grown to call her—one must needs be describing and redescribing her with each new page one turns. A born enchantress and a witch full-blown besides! it is the mere22 truth that Peg bore upon me like a spell.
There was never woman to be Peg's marrow23 for flash and spirit, and beyond all to creep so tenderly near to one. And for a crown to that, she was as wise as the serpent. There were moments when Socrates himself might have listened to her and not lost his time.
And she could shift color like a chameleon24. Behold25 her on some day of social parade, or where she meets strangers or half acquaintances, and she will be older by fifteen years than now when she plants her small self in that armchair, and makes me turn my writing downward to talk with her. Tender, wilful26, pliant27, wise, patient, petulant28, true, uncertain, sure, confiding29 and confusing, she offered contradictions equal with the General. I would exhaust the roll-call of the adjectives were I wholly to set forth30 this child-woman in the last of her frank arts and sage31 simplicities32.
Peg wore as many moods as a lake on a flawy day and where skies are scud-swept. Now, with a cloud across the sun, she would be dull and sad as lead. Then, with a gust33 of wind, she would wrinkle into waves of temper. And next there would dawn a tranquil34 moment when, calm and clear and deep and sweet, she shone on one like burnished35 silver.
Once, I recall, she sat in her big chair, steeped in a way of pensive36 wordlessness. I had not heard her voice for an hour; nor she mine, for I was fallen behind in my letters, and politics and president-making are mighty37 gluttons38 of ink. Suddenly she broke in:
“Why are you so good to me—so much more than any other?”
“How should one fail of sympathy,” said I, giving my manner a light turn, “for another so innocent and so ill-used?”
“And it's just sympathy—all sympathy?” demanded Peg, resting her round chin in her little shell of a palm. “Nothing but sympathy?”
“What else should it be?”
“I don't know,” said Peg, shortly. Then she walked slowly across the room and studied a picture. In a moment she gave a word to me over her shoulder: “I may tell you this, Mr. Questioner. There is but one question a man should put to a woman.”
Smiling on her jaunty39 petulances, I went forward with my writing; she to pulling out the slides of a cabinet. This apartment, I should tell you, was my private workshop of politics wherein I repaired and extended the destinies of the General, and transacted40 his fame for him. There were a world of history and one president—and say the least of it—constructed in that room.
Peg came presently to my elbow, bringing a trinket of coral. It had been my sister's, and was my mother's before that.
“Is it worth much money?” asked Peg.
“Nothing at all,” I returned.
“And yet you value it highly?”
“Very highly.”
“May I have it?”
It seemed shame to hesitate, and yet I did, while Peg stood with wistful face.
“Why,” said I at last, “I meant it for the one I should love.”
“Oh, you meant it for her whom you would love! And do you look to see it again after that? The coral is mine from this moment.”
With a swish of her skirts Peg was gone; and with her went the coral.
Peg betimes would lay out her campaign for the coming winter. It was then she talked of Van Buren, “the good little secretary,” as Peg named him. Van Buren went often to the Eatons; and on each of those kind excursions he climbed ever higher with the General and with me.
“Not only,” said Peg, assuming a wise pucker41 of the brow as she recounted how she should wage and win her social war, “not only shall I preside for our good little secretary at dinners and receptions, but he has brought to me the Viscount Vaughn, who is minister for the English, and Baron42 Krudener, who is here, as you know, for the Russians; and they, since they own no wives to help them, also have besought43 me to be at the head of their legation functions. And with the White House back of all, what then will Mrs. Calhoun and her followers44 do! Watch-dog we have them routed!” Here Peg's rich laugh would ring out for victory on its way.
Peg, on another day, would shake her head with soft solemnity.
“I do so wish some one watched over me.” Peg spoke in contemplative earnestness. “If I could find a fault in a best of husbands, it must be that he doesn't watch over me.”
“What idleness now claims your tongue?” said I, impatiently. “Was ever such nonsense uttered! And the wives should all turn ospreys, too, I take it, and haunt the upper air to watch their husbands?”
“No,” returned Peg, demurely45 reading the carpet, “no; a wife should never watch her husband. What should you think of her who, dwelling46 in a garden—a measureless garden of roses—went ever about with petticoats tucked up, stick in hand, questing for some serpent? Who is she, to be so daft as to refuse the fragrance47 of a thousand blossoms to find one serpent and be stung by it?” Peg crowed high and long, deeming herself a princess of chop-logic. “But a man should watch a woman,” she concluded; “the woman wants him to.”
“And why?” said I, becoming curious.
“Because she likes to feel herself tethered by his vigilance.”
“But why?” I insisted. “Is not freedom dear to a woman?”
“Yes, but love is more dear. See what she gains when she barters49 only a little freedom for a world of love.”
“Jealousy—a man's jealousy is but the counterpart of his love.” Peg lifted her clever head oracularly. “And, watch-dog, that reminds me”—here she admonished51 me with upraised finger—“you are jealous of me! Yes you are; you are jealous of my husband.”
“You are a confusing form of little girl!” I said, laughing in my turn; “and most confusing when you jest.”
“Yes; when I jest.” This in a way of funny dryness. “Especially, when I jest. Still, you are jealous; you watch me all the time. Do not look frightened; I do not object to jealousy.” Peg finished in a mirthful ripple52.
Perhaps I was thus meek53 because the small hectorer would stir up confusion in my bosom55; and she, cool, assured, mistress of situations it was her merry humor to create.
“You would not see me walk into harm,” she repeated. “But you are jealous of my husband. Is my husband 'harm?'”
“Do you not complain for that he does not watch you?”
This I said desperately56. It is not a hand's-breadth behind a miracle how a girl—and you a steady man of years, and twice her age—will wrap you in perplexities like a parcel. It was so with me; the witch would wind and unwind me as though I were a ball of knitting-yarn! She would darn and patch her laughter with me!
“Watch-dog,” said Peg, severely57, “watchdog, you know you are jealous! And how long do you count it since I told you that jealously was but love turned upside down?” This came off trippingly, and with superior wave of wrist, as settling a thing beyond debate. Then with a tinge58 of tenderness: “Watch-dog, being so trusted, what would you do for me?”
“I would be a slave for you,” said I, simply enough, “if it were to do you good.”
“Qualification,” cried she, with a vicious stamp of her foot, “always qualification!” Then mimicking59 me: “'If it were to do me good.' Good!—good!—what a desert of weariness in four letters! If I were to discover some unnamed desolation, some barren waste, one arid60, gray, dry, dead—especially dead—I'd turn geographer61 and call it 'Good.'”
Peg was quiet after this upheaval62, which was with it all but a surface impatience63 and nothing deep, and uttering never a word, gazed over against the wall. On my side, I made no return; for I was grown used to her whims64, and knew they were not to be argued with. And most fatal of all was agreement. A best course would be to reply nothing, whether of denial or comment or endorsement65, but let Peg talk her talk out unrestrained.
However, catching66 the fashion of her with the fringe of my eye as I went for more ink on my pen, and observing her face to seem over sad and considerate, I spoke up to cheer her.
“And now what are your thoughts?” said I.
“I was just wanting to be a man, that's all.” And Peg stared straight ahead as though in a muse67. Then starting up, and with a rush of vivacity68: “Heigh ho! and now if I were, I'll wager69 I'd be as dull as the others—as dull as you, watch-dog.” Then, changing the tune70 of it, but keeping to her dash and fling: “So you would be my slave! Come, let me mark you for my slave!”
Without warning, she seized my hand, and with her sharp leopard71 teeth bit until the blood flowed. Then surveying her work, she kissed the pin-prick of a wound with unction. When she raised her face, there was a trickle72 of blood on her lip and chin.
Walking to a mirror with a careless, flinging step, Peg glanced her face over, and I thought with relish73.
“See if there do not come a pretty white mark when it heals.” This she told me in an arch manner, and with chin on shoulder, and the fleck74 of blood on her chin. “Now if I but dared,” she went on, returning to the glass, “I would wear that blood always and never wash it away. But the world! the world!—ah, the world! One must wash one's face for the world although one owes the world nothing.”
Peg, now in a climax75 of bubbling spirits, and pouring a spoonful of water on her handkerchief, washed off the spots of red, transferring them to her tiny square of cambric. This she contemplated76 with a sort of surprised delight, as tendering a new idea.
“I need never wash that, at any rate,” said she. Then with her glancing eyes on me: “You will wear my mark now;—Peg's mark for her slave!—who would do her good.”
The next moment she went singing across the lawn for her home, leaving me to think on the caprices of our radiant, reckless, blooming, madcap Peg. All this by the way, however; now to return to our day of the Reverend Campbell's call upon the General.
Peg was still curled in her big armchair when, following his interview with the General, the Reverend Campbell left the mansion77. It was she who told his departure to me where I wrought78 at my desk. Peg caught a flutter of him through the large window.
Looking up from where I worked, I beheld80 the Reverend Campbell making speed out of the grounds. In such hurry was he that he left the walk of gravel81, and to save a corner would cut across the grass. The black-foot creature slouched away for all mankind like unto some henroost fox of the night whom daylight had surprised and who now went skulking82 for the comforting safe darkness of his burrow83.
“It is wonder,” said Peg, “what could induce the good General to tolerate the presence of our Reverend Raven for so long. What should be the interest in his croakings?”
As Peg spoke, the General's gaunt form appeared in the door. He was more than half warm with an angry excitement. Without pause or first words of greeting, he addressed himself to Peg.
“Child, where was Timberlake two years ago this summer?—where was he in June?”
“Here in Washington,” returned Peg, her eyes full of wonder, as she scanned the face of the General in quest of a clue to his sharp, unusual curiosity. “He stayed here idle for four years before he last sailed. He was seeking to adjust his accounts as purser for the frigate84 President. His books were lost when the English captured the ship. It was that to make all the trouble; the red-tape of the navy office detained him here four years before it would accept his accounts. It was during that period we were wed48.” Peg's voice, brisk at the start, fell sorrowfully away towards the end.
“Then he was here in June two summers ago,” said the General, “and for three years prior and almost one year after that time?”
“Yes,” said Peg.
“Now there!” cried the General, with a mixture of wrath85 and disgust; “see what bald and easily confuted falsehood a fool moved of low malice86 will tell! I could believe at times, when I'm brought face to face with such mendacious87 simplicity88, that liars89 are denied powers of reflection.”
“What is it all about?” asked Peg.
“Nothing, child, nothing,” returned the General. “Now run away home; I want a word with your big playmate here.” Then in a softer manner: “No, child, the Major and I are trying to do you a service, and please God! I think we shall accomplish it.”
The whole kind attitude of the General towards Peg seemed ever that of a father, and he was used to call her to him or dismiss her with no shade of rudeness, truly, and yet with no more of ceremonies than an affectionate parent might adopt. Peg never grudged91 obedience92, and received the General's word as readily, and was withal as free of affront93 at any suddenness, as should be a daughter who feels her place assured.
When Peg was off for home, the General came and sat in the chair she had vacated.
With the white thick brush of his end-wise hair, and the fierce eyes of him, he made a portrait wide apart from that tender one the great chair so lately framed.
“You are not to know,” quoth the General, without halting for my question, “the whole foul94 story this creature has told me. It is bad enough that I was made to give ear to it. The point lies here: If Timberlake were with Peg in June two years ago, and for a year before, this miserable95 tale falls to the ground as false. He makes its main element to depend upon Timberlake's absence—his charge of iniquity96 against Peg holds only by that. The Reverend Serpent's hinge to swing his vilification97 on is the absence of Timberlake. And you heard her declare how Timberlake was here.”
“Does this snake, as you rightly term him, give you his story as of a knowledge of his own?”
“No; he hides behind the words of two women; a mother and daughter, named Craven. They pretend to base their slanders98 on what they allege99 was told them by the husband and father, a Doctor Craven—dead, he is, these ten months.”
“And that is mighty convenient,” said I, “for the Reverend Campbell and his fellow ophidians—this retreat to the word of one who dwells dead and dumb beneath six feet of earth.”
“That is their coward strategy,” commented the General, furiously. “However, my thought is to ask Noah to visit these women and question them before the Reverend Campbell collects the wit to tell of his talk with me. I may have alarmed the man, for I was now and then not altogether calm.”
I was driven to smile at this; so much concession100 of a want of calmness on the General's part would mean that he had fumed101 up and down like a tiger. The scuttling102 eagerness of the Reverend Campbell to be clear of the place was not without a cause. There beat some reason in his heels.
“I asked him,” said the General, “why he did not tell this story in the beginning. He explained that he hesitated to approach me with it; he related it to Doctor Ely, who pretended to close terms with me. Then I demanded why this Ely had not told me by word of mouth? Why should he leave with that lie in his stomach, and then write it and send it by post? He said that when it came to the test, Doctor Ely was afraid of me. Fear, fear, that was the assassin excuse of him, and the reason for striking at a woman in the dark! Why, I would not believe the sun was shining on the words of such coward rogues103!”
It was settled that I should make company for Noah when he saw the Cravens.
“But don't interfere104 for a word, Major,” exhorted105 the General, with a world of earnestness. “You do right well when the quarry106 is a bear or the enemy no more subtile than an Indian. But now the foe107 is a woman, you might better fall to the rear and leave leadership to Noah. You are monstrous108 ignorant of woman.”
The Cravens lived no breathless distance up Georgetown way. Not far from their doorstep, Noah and I encountered the Reverend Campbell, who seemed shaken by the meeting.
“Nothing could be better,” cried Noah, cheerfully, claiming the Reverend Campbell's arm. “You shall present the Major and myself to the ladies. And please permit me to do the talking; you may have your turn at the conversation when we leave.”
The two women were bilious109, lime-faced folk, and the daughter notably110 ugly. I was something stiff, I fear; but Noah, when introduced by the Reverend Campbell, showed as balmy as a day in May. He swept the pair with rapid glance and then turned to the daughter.
“I shall pitch upon the one I deem the more manageable,” said Noah, on our journey to the house, “and when I commence to talk with her, you engage with the other.”
Having this hint in my mind, when Noah began to address the daughter I favored the mother with a word or two on safe topics, principally the weather and the condition of the roads. For all that, I could tell how the mother, like myself, had her ears laid back to catch the words of the others. Her suspicions were upon us from the start, even with the guaranty of the Reverend Campbell's company. As for that perturbed111 animal, he looked only upon the floor, saying never a syllable112, and rubbing one warty113 hand with the other in a composite of doubt and trepidation114. The tragic115 wrath of the General still sang in the hare-hearted creature's head.
“We are being shown about by our reverend friend,” I heard Noah say; “we were asked to make a few calls with him and meet the better folk. We were too glad, I assure you; I grow vastly weary of nobody save the politicians and nothing better to talk of than politics.”
To say that I was startled at these gay, glib116 fictions on the lips of my companion would fall behind the fact; I was amazed. But I also had the General's command to leave leadership to Noah, and so stood mute. I let my gaze go for a moment to the Reverend Campbell to come by some thought of how he took the trend of Noah's surprising discourse117. I saw naught118 beyond the top of his head, as, bowed forward in his chair, he appeared to study his toes, meanwhile twiddling and rubbing his nobby fingers.
As for the women, they knew no argument of fact or otherwise for distrusting Noah's statements. I should have before explained that neither possessed119 the least of glimmer120 as to our identity or nearness to the General. Indeed, they lived ignorant, we found later, of the letters of that Ely ill-using Peg's name, and of the Reverend Campbell's visit to the General paid that morning. Thus, it fell about that the daughter sailed off with Noah on a current of conversation in the dark, and the mother just as blind.
“And so,” Noah went on, “you are a copyist in the Department of Justice.” This from her explanation and his notice of a stain of ink near her finger-nail, for this daughter was an untidy slut. “The Department of Justice!” repeated Noah. “And there is something consistent in your employment in such a field, since Justice is a woman—and blind.” This last quip under his breath. “I am a close friend with Judge Berrien, the Attorney General, who heads your department. The great tie to unite us is our love for Calhoun.”
“Perhaps partisan122 would be the truer word,” replied Noah. “I trust a good day will come when we are to drop the 'Vice' to his title and find him at home in the White House. And you, I suppose, meet many of Calhoun's adherents123 in your Department of Justice?”
“Numbers, indeed,” assented124 the daughter, while the mother bent125 an intent ear, trying to discover the drift.
By this time I could well make out how neither of these women was of vigorous intelligence. A malignant126 spirit, and a ripe aptness for evil to others. I could read in their vinegar faces and the fault-finding gather to their brows; but no power of thought, nor yet much cunning. I leaned back now, inquisitive127 as to Noah's methods and to note their results.
Noah led the talk up and down the town. He made it cover several years, for the Cravens were not newcomers in the place. At last he considered the navy and mentioned Timberlake. Had the young lady known the handsome purser Timberlake? The young lady had known the handsome purser Timberlake. A forbidding scowl128 contorted her features as she said this.
“Oh, I beg a thousand pardons!” cried Noah. He had caught the scowl. “I fear the mention of the handsome Timberlake is not agreeable. But he cut his throat, and there's the proper villain129 end of him.”
The butt-end cruelty of Noah's manner I was sure possessed a purpose, for commonly he was one of your most guarded of folk. While I had this in thought, it did not lessen130 my dismay when the daughter fell to weeping with her face in her hands, and all in frantic131 kind. Sobbing132, she left the room.
“An affair of the heart?” cooed Noah, sympathetically, to the mother, while the Reverend Campbell fidgeted visibly.
“Sir,” said the mother, loftily, “you touched her rudely. Mr. Timberlake was paying my daughter marked attentions, and ones not to be misunderstood, when he was stolen from her side and trapped to the altar by that wanton, Peg O'Neal.”
“Sorry, I assure you,” murmured Noah, apologetically. “Sorry I so blundered against your daughter's sensibilities. Please recall her, madam, if only to hear me ask forgiveness.”
The daughter, whose emotion was of the briefest, returned, with nose reddened and look more bilious than before. Noah became profuse133 in his regrets, and severely characterized his own awkwardness.
“Nor are you to have blame for your feeling,” said he, addressing the daughter and as a finish to his self-reproaches. “Your mother has done us the honor to confide134 the once nearness of the handsome purser Timberlake to you. And that hideous135 woman who stole him away! I do not marvel136 you hate her. I could teach you to write her such a letter as should be a revenge; for I know one of her secrets, the very name of which would crush her like a falling tree.”
It was to me a thing astounding137 how neither of these women resented the raw freedom of Noah's words. On the contrary, they went with him, making no question of the propriety138 of such talk on the tongue of a stranger. They would appear not to have been crossed by such a thought, for, so to phrase it, they fell in with Noah, and, as if it were, hand in hand.
At the word “secrets,” both women sat bolt upright and questioned Noah with tongue and eye. What was this hidden sin of that siren, Peg O'Neal? They panted for a fullest tale of it.
“Nay, then,” remonstrated139 Noah, “it was but a slip. I said I could teach you how to write a letter that should strike her to the soul. But of what avail? Timberlake is dead; his grave is the Mediterranean140.”
“But she lives,” hissed141 the daughter. “Tell me that secret concerning her, and I shall call you my best friend.” Truly, the bilious maiden142 had a taste for vengeance143 as pointed144 as a thorn.
“Why, then,” returned Noah, hesitating with invented reluctance145, “there is no reason why I should not humor your wishes. Take your pen, and I'll dictate146 that letter I have in my mind.”
The bilious one wheeled about to a writing table which stood by her side, and while the rest of us sat silent—for the mother and myself had long before surrendered our semblance147 of conversation, and the unhappy dominie still pored upon the floor—Noah began with finger on forehead as one who cudgels memory.
“Write her this,” said Noah. “Revenge is sweet! I have you in my power; and I shall burn you as savages148 burn their victim at the stake. Think not that you can escape me. I would not that death nor any evil thing should take you out of my hand for half the world.” When Noah began this evil dictation, the lime-faced one took down his opening words with greedy pen. As he proceeded, she first hesitated, and then with blanched149, scared face, whirled herself upon him. Her pen fell to the floor, while her hands shook in a gust of fear. At the close she gasped150:
“You have read my letter!”
“I have, indeed,” returned Noah. “I have repeated word for word your atrocious threats to a lady whom we will not name.” It was verity151; with a memory like unto wax, Noah had recalled with every faithfulness of word and mark that menacing epistle Peg brought to me, and which was then under my private lock and key. “Yes, you wrote that letter,” repeated Noah. “And you,” coming round on the Reverend Campbell, who writhed as one in the jaws152 of wretchedness, unable to make a plan or frame a sentence; “and you, sir, were privy153 to it.”
“Our dear sister”—he could not lay aside his snuffle even now—“our dear sister did indeed tell me she had sent such a note.”
“You mix your tenses, sir,” retorted Noah, savagely154. “She told you before it was dispatched, and you read it.”
* “My dear gentlemen,” broke in the mother, in mighty agitation155, “he put that letter in the post himself. Oh, gentlemen, spare my poor daughter!” With that the mother put her arm about the-younger harpy, where, like some frightened thing of sin that can escape no farther, she waited as one frozen.
“Your daughter, madam,” replied Noah, quietly enough, “lies in no peril156, although by the law there be punishments for ones who thus misuse157 the post. But there remains158 another question. You have put a lie against that lady of the letter into the mouth of our reverend friend. He has retold it to many; this morning he told it to the President. The tale proves itself untrue upon its face, and that is the one merit of it. It was a dangerous falsehood to tell, and”—here Noah looked towards the unhappy Reverend Campbell, who, as though fascinated by the other's baleful eye, lifted up his visage,' with its ugly array of munching159 mouth and flabby unhealthfulness—“and a still more dangerous falsehood to repeat.”
“What do you require of us, gentlemen?” asked the frightened mother-harpy.
“Nothing, save tongues of peace,” cried Noah. “It is too much to suppose that her friends will rest quiet while you foully160 tear a good woman to shreds161. Tie up your tongues, you three, and the thing rests. Let another word escape, and a torch shall be found to burn you out like any other nest of adders162.” The Reverend Campbell made no return to this warning thrown to him with the others. The scoundrel had the wisdom of silence when words would work no benefit. Still, I could trace a hunger for retaliation163 writhing164 beneath the coarse snake's skin of him.
“I think we have locked three evil mouths to-day,” observed Noah, as we were about our return. “It is the less important, perhaps, since already a whole flock of these lies has been uncaged in the town.”
“It is never unimportant,” I returned, “to identify an enemy. I am the more relieved, too, since you cleared up the mystery of that written menace. And yet I do not make out how you supposed it gained emanation among these people.”
“I had no such thought in the beginning,” replied Noah. “I knew, as did you, and with a glance, how our entertainers were nothing fine nor deep, but of a harshest clay and of least intelligence. No more delicacy165 was required than might do for driving pigs. At first I sought to develop their whereabouts, and stormed the woods with my remarks. In that, and on the sheer chance of it, I employed the name of Timberlake. The daughter's disturbed features were a cue. And you know the rest. The digging up of the authorship of the letter was but the birth of a bold guess. However, we've paralyzed that trio of tongues, which is excellent as far as it goes. And we must beat out these fires wherever we find them. Else they will spread, and may come to mean a conflagration166 that shall burn some one to a cinder167.”
“And going back for cause,” I said, my thought recurring168 to Peg, “I still can not tell the hound purpose of this incessant169, malignant pursuit of our little girl.”
“Sir, they reason in this guise,” returned Noah. “As I've told you, the great impulse springs from the adherents of Calhoun. They desire the destruction of the President as a method of their man's advancement170. They fear that the President will seek to succeed himself—there has been illustrious example—or, in default of that, insist on selecting his successor. They attack Mrs. Eaton in hope of its reaction against the administration. Suppose, sir, they make her out to be vile171, suppose they show the administration as condoning172 and defending her vileness173, will they not have organized the women against us? Give Calhoun the women of the country to be his allies, and he will go over the administration like an avalanche174.”
“But you”—now I spoke gingerly, for I would not hurt so true a friend nor ruffle175 him with himself—“in your pretense176 of friendship for Calhoun, and as well in other particulars, misled our harpy folk.”
“I but fought the devil with fire and snared177 liars with lies,” said he. “These she-villains were not entitled to the truth. Only truthful178 folk have a right to truth.”
When the General and I were together, I laid before him those ethics179 or word-morals of Noah; he stoutly180 agreed with that diplomat181.
“One is not always bound to tell the truth,” asserted the General. “Would you tell a footpad whose gun was at your breast where you lodged182 your money? In war, would you disclose your strengths or your plans to the foe because he asked? Sir, truth is a property—a goods; to have right to it one must possess title to it. The casual man, and the more if he would work me harm, has as scant183 a right to search my head with his questions as to search my pockets with his fingers. Take my word for it, Major,”—this in high Delphic vein184, for the General was growing pleased with his argument—“take my word, sir; the right in the one is the right in the other, and he who may lock a door may lie.”
“These harpies,” said I, commenting on what had befallen, “and the Reverend Campbell have fair admitted their guilt185.”
“Why, as to that, sir,” returned the General, “the falsity of the story was never in doubt. But the prime thing is to smother186 out these calumnies. It is not hard to see how this day has been well spent.”
In concord187 with what we had long before agreed, neither the General nor I, by lisp or the lifting of an eyebrow188, gave Peg a least intimation of what had gone forward about her name and fame. And yet, she must have divined her close interest, for in the early hours of the twilight189 she came again to the General, saying she remembered books of account kept by Timberlake's own hand, which would demonstrate his whereabouts for those four years. Her mother, Peg said, had these books in her house.
“Why, then,” said the General, “that should give us the best evidence. Major, go you with the child to her mother's and bring me those books.”
It was not the first call I had made on Peg's mother, but this night the garrulous190 old soul would so launch herself upon wide waters of gossip, and never quit until she crossed them from shore to shore, that it leaned towards ten of the clock when Peg and I, taking the road in our hands, as say the Spaniards, went forth for our return.
The night was dark and still, and a moist promise of rain hung in the air. Our way lay from the south, diagonally across the wooded patch called the Mall. We were finding our path without trouble, Peg keeping close and warm to my side, with a hand gripping my arm, and had gone some distance when, in a way of dull faintness, a sound like the fall of a stealthy foot on the grass overtook my ear. Peg heard it as soon as I.
“Are we dogged?” she asked. Peg showed no fear, but bit off her words in a manner vicious and resentful.
“That we may soon know,” said I. Then I drew her in by a clump191 of bushes where her white frock would be screened. “It should be a strange thing if any save ourselves were going this road at such an hour.”
We had been but a moment hidden by the trees when a dark figure crouched192 past us with furtive, hurrying step that made it plain he followed as a spy. As he would have brushed by, I stretched out and seized him by the shoulder. The creature screamed like a hare when the dogs snap her up.
Now I lugged193 him to the open, and, for all the night was moonless and no stars because of clouds, it puzzled neither Peg nor myself to make out the Reverend Campbell. The fellow hung in my hand like a rag, and beyond that first shrill194 screech195 uttered not a word.
“What shall I do with him?” I asked, still holding him in my grasp like something dead.
“Kill him!” cried Peg; “kill him with your great hands!” And then, while I was dumb before the sudden murderous fury of her tones, Peg began to plead the other way about. “Let him go free,” she said. “He's not worth punishment. And yet it is sure he was after us as a spy.”
“I think,” said I, “it would do no harm to throw him in yonder water.”
Now in that day a chain of baby lakes lay along this portion of the Potomac fens20, and one of these was glimmering196 on our near left hand. It was not deep; but muddy and grown up to lilies, and the home, besides, of certain sedate197 bullpouts and turtles and other stagnant198 fish that do not care for currents but love dead waters. These, since bullpouts and turtles be in no manner hysterical199 animals nor nervous, would not suffer for any plumping of the spy into their midst; and, thus forming my resolve, I was for posting to its execution. My captive still swung limp and loose, for all the world as though he had fainted. I could not believe this last, however, and in any event I would throw him in among the lilies. If he were too far gone with fright to save his own life from drowning, it would mean no more than that I must wade200 to him and fish him ashore201 again.
Thus adjusted in my mind, I was on the brink202 of heaving him overboard, when with a touch of protest Peg stayed my arm.
“No,” she cried, “let him go free.”
“But a moment gone,” I remonstrated, “and you were calling for murder with all its inconveniences. Now you interpose to stop a mighty proper punishment, for, I bethink me, it has been custom to duck spies in every age.”
“Still, you must let him go,” cried Peg. “I will not have you touch him.” And she seized my hand with her little fingers.
With that I threw the caitiff creature on the grass; whereupon he rolled to his knees and extended his palms towards Peg. There was something to roil203 me in the attitude, and to end that I pushed him over with my foot.
“Be off,” I cried. “And you are to thank this lady for your dry clothes. You had been splashing among the lily-pads except for her.”
Without retort, he scrambled204 to his soles and was gone like some foul shadow. His absence, of itself, relieved me, for the sight of him was like a blot205.
“He would not resist, and so I made you let him go,” said Peg.
“You would have it safe for cowards,” I returned.
“It wasn't for that creature!” exclaimed Peg. She seemed to scorn me for a dullard. “No; it was for you. I would not have such a memory—you, punishing an unresisting beast!”
We were for a second time on our way, Peg now holding my arm with her two hands and laying her cheek against it like a child. I could tell by that how this bushwhacking rogue had fluttered her not a little. At last she lifted her face, and I could, even in the pitch darkness, catch the deep glow of her eyes.
“And after all, for what should you think he spied upon us? What should he hope to find?”
“Indeed, that is beyond me,” I replied.
“But the very wicked are often very foolish too.”
“To follow so right a character as yourself, watch-dog, is for a spy to waste his strength.” Peg spoke in a droll206 way of laughter.
“Why, then, I may say I emulate207 the virtuous208 Drusus, who commanded the architect to so build his house that all who would might behold every act of his life.” I must tell you I had studied the classics in my youth, and would like at times to flourish with a scrap209 or two. I was no pedant210 to show off my learning, only a tag or two from Ovid or Horace on occasion, and just enough to suggest what a deal I had forgot.
“And your Drusus would so live as to hide nothing.” Peg was still stifling211 a laugh. “How very admirable! And what was the end of your memorable212 Drusus?”
“As to that,” I retorted, puzzled and put about by the satirical toss she gave to her queries213, “as to that, I believe the people stoned him to death.”
“Ah, the poor people! His awful goodness, I suppose, drove them to frenzy214.” Peg's voice was mocking sympathy. Then, with a great abruptness215 of anger, and throwing away my arm: “Do you know what I think of your precious Drusus? I think he was a hypocrite, and a canting prig who earned his fate; and if he have followers they should taste the same destiny for a sniveling conceit216 that teaches them a holiness above their neighbors.” This Peg flung at me like a spoiled child; and then, stepping smartly, she went on alone, I following in silence a yard or more to the rear.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
aslant
|
|
| adv.倾斜地；adj.斜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
shuffling
|
|
| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
drooping
|
|
| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
furtive
|
|
| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
rogue
|
|
| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
calumnies
|
|
| n.诬蔑，诽谤，中伤（的话）( calumny的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
peg
|
|
| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
provocation
|
|
| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
equitable
|
|
| adj.公平的；公正的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
slander
|
|
| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
creek
|
|
| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
inveterately
|
|
| adv.根深蒂固地，积习地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
14
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
cowered
|
|
| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
muster
|
|
| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
sinuously
|
|
| 弯曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
writhed
|
|
| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
fens
|
|
| n.（尤指英格兰东部的）沼泽地带( fen的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
surmise
|
|
| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
marrow
|
|
| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
chameleon
|
|
| n.变色龙，蜥蜴；善变之人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
wilful
|
|
| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
pliant
|
|
| adj.顺从的；可弯曲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
petulant
|
|
| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
confiding
|
|
| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
sage
|
|
| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
simplicities
|
|
| n.简单，朴素，率直( simplicity的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
gust
|
|
| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
burnished
|
|
| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
pensive
|
|
| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
gluttons
|
|
| 贪食者( glutton的名词复数 )； 贪图者； 酷爱…的人； 狼獾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
jaunty
|
|
| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
transacted
|
|
| v.办理（业务等）( transact的过去式和过去分词 )；交易，谈判 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
pucker
|
|
| v.撅起，使起皱；n.（衣服上的）皱纹，褶子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
baron
|
|
| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
besought
|
|
| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
demurely
|
|
| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
fragrance
|
|
| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
wed
|
|
| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
barters
|
|
| n.物物交换，易货( barter的名词复数 )v.作物物交换，以货换货( barter的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
50
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
admonished
|
|
| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
ripple
|
|
| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
meek
|
|
| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
meekly
|
|
| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
severely
|
|
| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
tinge
|
|
| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
mimicking
|
|
| v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的现在分词 )；酷似 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
arid
|
|
| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
geographer
|
|
| n.地理学者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
upheaval
|
|
| n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
WHIMS
|
|
| 虚妄，禅病 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
endorsement
|
|
| n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
muse
|
|
| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
vivacity
|
|
| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
wager
|
|
| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
leopard
|
|
| n.豹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
trickle
|
|
| vi.淌，滴，流出，慢慢移动，逐渐消散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
relish
|
|
| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
fleck
|
|
| n.斑点，微粒 vt.使有斑点，使成斑驳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
climax
|
|
| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
contemplated
|
|
| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
wrought
|
|
| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
raven
|
|
| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
beheld
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
gravel
|
|
| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
skulking
|
|
| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
burrow
|
|
| vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
frigate
|
|
| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
mendacious
|
|
| adj.不真的，撒谎的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
liars
|
|
| 说谎者( liar的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
vice
|
|
| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
grudged
|
|
| 怀恨（grudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
affront
|
|
| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
iniquity
|
|
| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
vilification
|
|
| n.污蔑，中伤，诽谤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
slanders
|
|
| 诽谤，诋毁( slander的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
allege
|
|
| vt.宣称，申述，主张，断言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
concession
|
|
| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
fumed
|
|
| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
scuttling
|
|
| n.船底穿孔，打开通海阀（沉船用）v.使船沉没( scuttle的现在分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
rogues
|
|
| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
exhorted
|
|
| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
quarry
|
|
| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
foe
|
|
| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
bilious
|
|
| adj.胆汁过多的；易怒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
notably
|
|
| adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
perturbed
|
|
| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
syllable
|
|
| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
warty
|
|
| adj.有疣的，似疣的；瘤状 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
trepidation
|
|
| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
tragic
|
|
| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
glib
|
|
| adj.圆滑的，油嘴滑舌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
discourse
|
|
| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
glimmer
|
|
| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
kindled
|
|
| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
partisan
|
|
| adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
adherents
|
|
| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
assented
|
|
| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
malignant
|
|
| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
inquisitive
|
|
| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
scowl
|
|
| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
lessen
|
|
| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
sobbing
|
|
| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
profuse
|
|
| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
confide
|
|
| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
marvel
|
|
| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
astounding
|
|
| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
propriety
|
|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
remonstrated
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
Mediterranean
|
|
| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
hissed
|
|
| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
reluctance
|
|
| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
dictate
|
|
| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
semblance
|
|
| n.外貌，外表 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
blanched
|
|
| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
verity
|
|
| n.真实性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
jaws
|
|
| n.口部；嘴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
privy
|
|
| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
savagely
|
|
| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
misuse
|
|
| n.误用，滥用；vt.误用，滥用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
munching
|
|
| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
foully
|
|
| ad.卑鄙地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
shreds
|
|
| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
adders
|
|
| n.加法器，（欧洲产）蝰蛇（小毒蛇），（北美产无毒的）猪鼻蛇( adder的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
retaliation
|
|
| n.报复，反击 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
writhing
|
|
| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
delicacy
|
|
| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
conflagration
|
|
| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
cinder
|
|
| n.余烬，矿渣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
recurring
|
|
| adj.往复的，再次发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
incessant
|
|
| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
advancement
|
|
| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
vile
|
|
| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
condoning
|
|
| v.容忍，宽恕，原谅( condone的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
vileness
|
|
| n.讨厌，卑劣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
avalanche
|
|
| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
ruffle
|
|
| v.弄皱，弄乱；激怒，扰乱；n.褶裥饰边 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
pretense
|
|
| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
snared
|
|
| v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
truthful
|
|
| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
ethics
|
|
| n.伦理学；伦理观，道德标准 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
stoutly
|
|
| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
diplomat
|
|
| n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
lodged
|
|
| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
scant
|
|
| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
vein
|
|
| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
smother
|
|
| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
187
concord
|
|
| n.和谐；协调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
eyebrow
|
|
| n.眉毛，眉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
garrulous
|
|
| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
clump
|
|
| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
crouched
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
193
lugged
|
|
| vt.用力拖拉（lug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
194
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
195
screech
|
|
| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
196
glimmering
|
|
| 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 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
197
sedate
|
|
| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
198
stagnant
|
|
| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
199
hysterical
|
|
| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
200
wade
|
|
| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
201
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
202
brink
|
|
| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
203
roil
|
|
| v.搅浑，激怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
204
scrambled
|
|
| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
205
blot
|
|
| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
206
droll
|
|
| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
207
emulate
|
|
| v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
208
virtuous
|
|
| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
209
scrap
|
|
| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
210
pedant
|
|
| n.迂儒；卖弄学问的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
211
stifling
|
|
| a.令人窒息的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
212
memorable
|
|
| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
213
queries
|
|
| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
214
frenzy
|
|
| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
215
abruptness
|
|
| n. 突然，唐突 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
216
conceit
|
|
| n.自负，自高自大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |