“And when do you march my White House upon this desperate field?” demanded the General, with much gaiety of mien5. Peg's vivacious6 recount of how she should move her social troops delighted him no little. “In what manner will I be made of use?”
“Why, then,” said Peg, “after the reception at the English house if you will, you may give me a dinner, with a dance in the big East Room?” This was spoken in manner dubious8 and with the lifting inflection of a request. “Also, though it be much to ask, I could wish mightily9 for you to come in person to my reception. It would be a most convincing initial.”
“And you doubt my coming?” asked the General, beamingly.
“It would be most unusual for a president,” said Peg, shaking warning head. “The gossips would scarce survive the shock of it.”
“My life,” observed the General, in a most satisfied way, “has been made up of shocks to other folk.”
“But you must consider,” urged Peg, “how your appearance in any one's house would be held a letting down of your dignity. Indeed, in austere10 quarters, where the regular is as a god, it would be regarded for a no slight rent in your robes.”
“And yet, child, I shall come.” This the General offered in a manner indescribably good. “I have been no man of precedent11 in my time; I care little for what was, but much for what is presently right. I shall come to your reception; more, I'll stay until you give me leave to go. If to be in the house of my friend, or to show him courtesy who has shown me only favor and good service—if that be to establish a rent in my presidency12, I'll even promise to have it a thing of rags and patches before ever I am done.”
“Then you will come!” exclaimed Peg. “Now shall we go bravely through! For, you are to know, so much of social concession13 or countenance14 is born of nothing save fear of loss or hope of place, that the herd15 will collect, bowing and smiling and shining like the sun, wherever you are known to be.”
“These be, truly, most satisfying maps you draw,” remarked the General, quizzically, “and yet I do not see how we are to tell when victory is ours. Now, in war the enemy surrenders or runs away.”
“In the salons,” said Peg, laughing at the General's quaint17 twists, “triumph turns to the mere18 question of numbers added to quality. It is a matter of 'Who?' and 'How many?—a count of carriages to your gate. But the query19 of quality is uppermost. Now, your presence at my house will outweigh20 the world, should it be so foolish as to gather itself together against us in the camps of the foe21.”
“Then you are indeed very safe,” said the General, “since I shall be with you as I've said. Also, you are to have your dinner and that East Room ball to follow, on what day you lay the finger of your pretty preference. Even though I lacked the reason of my affection, I still could do no less for so beautiful an enemy of Calhoun. But you spoke7 of Van Buren. How did our round little friend go about his proposals of those joint22 receptions? I have a curiosity as to that argument which should lead him to this kindly23 wisdom; for, let me remind you, it is a stratagem24 worthy26 of a Caesar, and one, besides, to smell most humanly of what is honest and staunch, this phrasing of a situation where your ill-wishers must become his ill-wishers and his friends take on terms of friendship for you. How did Van Buren go upon that proposition, child?”
“In the oddest way, then,” smiled Peg. “He said that because we were both of tavern27 origin, with sires to keep houses of call, and since there might come proud folk to frown upon us for that, it were a wisest thing, and one to make for the ease of them and us, to hold ever our receptions in common. Folk then might come, or stay away, and all with a prodigious28 saving of effort, whether of compliment or insult, to every one concerned. But, of course,” said Peg, at the close, her eye a bit wet, “it was only his goodness to do this.”
“Now, I believe nothing of that sort,” declared the General, stoutly30. “Child, I do not know by what paths you descend31 to this modest esteem32 of yourself, but it in nowise shakes the fact that, with the last of it, you grace and illustrate33 and honor the best room you enter or the best arm to lean on in the land.”
Thus spoke the gallant34 General from his heart; and to me it was like milk and honey to only hear him. In the finish he turned his eyes my way.
“And where be your words in this council?” demanded the General. “Have you lost the will to speak?”
Now, I had kept myself mighty35 quiet since Peg was come back to her throne. For one thing, the simple sight of her, and she friendly, was enough to overflow36 my cup of happiness; moreover, I owned to some lurking37 fear of Peg, and imagined how I had but to open my mouth to set her anger again on edge. At any rate, no stone could have said less than did I while Peg and the General held this long parley38 of the drawing rooms. When now, however, the General aimed at me direct, I was bound to make return.
“Have you no advice for us, then?” repeated the General. “It is not usual for you to so neglect my welfare. Here you permit me to talk ten minutes without once telling me fully39 and wholly just what I should do.” All this in tones of jesting: “Now you would seem willing that I, and our little girl, too, should go unguided to destruction rather than unstrap your wisdom in our cause. Sir, do you call that the truth of a friend?”
“Perhaps I have no good eyes for these trails,” said I. “Your reception perils40 and how to foil them are things I have not studied. I would but lose you your course were I to lead you.”
“Mighty diffident,” quoth the General, “and most suddenly abject41! And no good eyes, say you? Why, then, you could see a church by daylight, I take it! At the least, you might cheer folk on who propose such deeds of carpet daring as do our little Peg and I.”
With what further raillery the General might have entertained himself I came not to know, for word was brought to him, at this nick, of ones who awaited his coming in the cabinet room. As he went away he called back to Peg, where she still abode42 in her leathern chair:
“Then it is settled and made. I shall be at your reception, to the grinding shock of gossips and the disorder43 of my presidential robes; also, you are to dine and dance in the White House whenever you sweetly will.”
“Where should have lodged44 more kindness for me than I now find here?” cried Peg, when the General was quite gone forth45 of the room. Then raising her warm eyes to mine where I sat wondering, now cold, now hot, would she go, or would she stay to talk with me, she gazed upon me with a steady, friendly look, which, for all it lacked of distance or any spirit of resentment46, yet bred within me a feeling of confusion. I knew not how to meet it, and I could find no word to say. “And now,” said Peg, after a pause, but very kindly, “let us have a fair moment of friendship. No,” she went on, stopping me with her hand as I was beginning to stumble forward upon an apology for my ill words against Eaton, “no; let me talk. You have no genius of explanation; you would speak only to worsen things. Besides, you dwell in the same darkness now you ever did.”
“And it was to say that,” I interjected, for I was bound to some remark, “I started to speak. It was to tell you how I had no close knowledge of your husband and owned no right of information to criticise47 him.”
“Watch-dog!” cried Peg, motioning with little hands for silence, “watch-dog, will you have done?”
There was something of pain and reproach in this to stop me as though I had been planet-struck. Nor could I determine Peg's feeling, nor catch the color of it in a least of shade. For the most, I felt amazement48, and was set back by the plain agitation49 of her, an agitation greater than was to have been looked for in one who came solely50 to pardon me those trespasses51 against good decent taste.
Peg called herself together with a shake of the head that had for one piquant52 effect the whipping of her shock of curls about her face, and leaving them a tangle53 to fall forward on her shoulders.
“Hear me,” went on Peg, brightening, and peering out on me in an arch way through her curls; “you are guilty of no wrong save the wrong of incredible dullness. Therefore you are to offer no defence. Even your dullness should have been a virtue54 in my eyes, since it spoke only of your honor, and told of the lofty place I hold in your regard.” Now I could see how Peg was at least accepting all I had said, and not one part only, and would give me credit for a compliment to herself, while she refused my strictures upon Eaton. “Observe, then; I have resolved we two shall be good friends. Better friends than before, because better to understand one another. And our trouble was my fault, too, not yours. Nor had I one right foot to go upon.”
“Now, that is the maddest charity of error!” cried I.
“It is not, I say,” returned Peg, her eyes beginning to shine with the first flavor of my opposition55. “I say it is not. You had done nothing, said nothing; while I—why, then I hated you for having eyes of lead. But we will amend56 that.” Here Peg turned pleasantly brisk. “We have been too much abroad with mistakes. We have made you too old and me too young in our dealings. There shall be a change, and you and I hereafter are to consider ourselves as folk of even years, each with the other. It is but right, watchdog, for though you have no learning on that point, it is none the less true that a woman of twenty-two is very old and very wise, while a man of forty-four is for his youth and guilelessness, or I should have said dullness, a creature insupportable. Yes, watch-dog, for your ignorance you are insupportable; but I forgive you, since it is your only defect.” And here Peg recovered her old gay smile, and with that my heart came home again to peace.
“Well,” I said, when Peg would let me be heard, “I make no secret that I am over happy with this new prospect57 of your friendship. It was night while I thought you would not forgive me my offence.”
“Say no more of it,” cried Peg, sharply, putting her fingers in her ears. At the same time I caught the milky58 shine of her leopard59 teeth. “Say no more, or I shall go back to my anger as a refuge. Speak of something else! Why did you turn my chair out of door?—my poor chair that had done no harm!” Peg caressed60 the arms of it with her palms as though it were alive and could know and feel her petting. “You did it because you hated me.”
“No, forsooth!” I protested. “Now if I had only hated you it might have stayed till the fall of doom61. But I could not bear the leering, mocking look of it, and me deserted62; it would seem ever to brew63 for me a cup of loneliness. And so for that I thrust it from the room.”
“Why, then! and that was it!” cried Peg. “There you see, now, I can be a fool as well as you.”
“But why did you avoid me?” I asked, in my turn. “Surely, even for my dull clumsiness, there was need of no such hard reproof64. Come, now, why did you stay away? And why did you run from me when I went across to the square that day to beg a word from you?”
“Because I hated you,” returned Peg, with a self-satisfied air. “I hate you now, watchdog, when I pause and think. You had made me suffer, and I thought to see you suffer in return. And really, watch-dog, you did suffer; and it pleased me much.”
“I had not thought you were made with such a palate for revenge,” said I, a bit stricken with these words of cruelty. “And yet, if it so pleasure you to give me pain, why then, go on.”
“Don't, watch-dog, don't,” returned Peg, in a voice whimsically between crying and laughing. “Only a little more of that and you shall have my tears. But can't you see how your suffering was a most tender compliment? I declare to you that when I would go by your door, the look of grief to weigh upon your brow was better to me than a smile. The mere memory of it would keep my heart warm throughout a winter's day.”
“It must indeed be a topsy-turvy nature,” said I, “that finds its pleasure in the woe66 of friends.”
“No recriminations, watch-dog,” retorted Petif, in a high vein67. “If your dullness have no limits, at the least my patience has. Now where did you go when I avoided you in the square, and you were too much the coward to lift the knocker of my door? Fie! such another fawn-heart does not roam existence! Where did you go, I say?”
“Well, I would give that vine of yours a tree to clamber on and lift it off the ground.”
“And did you,” demanded Peg, eagerly. “The gods ruled otherwise,” I returned. “There was no tree to be near or possible for your vine; it must live and die on the ground.” Peg sat quite still and never a response. As I looked on her, somewhat with wonder, I concede, two great drops welled from her eyes and fell down upon her hands.
“Now I would like to hear,” said Peg at last, her voice in a twitter of pain, “does ever one get what one prays for in this world of ours? Would there be such a word as contentment, now? However, I am glad, watchdog, your good heart took you to my vine. But let it go; let it all go! Let us be friends; and if the day can't be for us all sunshine, let us own as few clouds as we may. Now, we will forget the past, and start our friendship out anew. We will bring nothing to remind us of days when I was young and cunning and you were old and dull.”
At this, I involuntarily looked for the mark of Peg's leopard tooth, where, round and white, it stared up at me from my hand.
“Ah, yes!” said Peg, softly, “I had forgotten. There is that sign between us that shall last through time. No, we can never forget.” Then, after musing68 a moment: “But we may change the subject and say the worst of it. You heard me lay out my reception purposes. What do you think of my plans?”
“Tell me first one thing,” said I. “When it was so much pleasure to behold69 me in grief for your absence, why, then, did you come back?” That speech of Peg's was like a dagger70 in my heart, and I would have her draw it out with some kindness of explanation. “Why did you come back, then?”
“The mere sorrow of it brought me back, watch-dog,” said Peg, and her words were music in my ear. “It came finally to where I would sooner suffer than have you suffer. That is the woman nature of me. The sheer truth is, I've been on my way back to you for days. When I followed you in the square, it was with a full purpose of taking your arm and walking with you as in the old time.”
“And why didn't you?”
“Just as I would have done so, I was caught up in a little swirl71 of hatred72 which carried me away from your side. It didn't last the moment, but by the time it was gone the chance had taken flight. There is one thing I should tell you, however; at such a time you must not palter with a woman.” Peg's tones were uplifted to the pitch severe. “Do you know what you should have done that day? You should have seized me by the shoulder as you did that spy who dogged us; you should have stopped me flush and full. Without excuse or explanation or pretense73 of remorse74 for what had been, you should have made me take your arm. You might have found, had you so willed it, that for all my high head I would follow you like a dog.”
“Take you by the shoulder!” cried I, somewhat aroused to a spirit of terror. “And that would have been polite, indeed, and the act of a true gentleman! I can see myself seizing you by the shoulder!”
“For all that,” contended Peg, with much candor75, “that is what you should have done. Remember: in treating with a woman, while one should be a gentleman—your word—one must be a man. There is this, too, about a woman with the man she would love. She likes warfare76 but she does not want to win; victory would only embarass your woman. Her instinct is rather for protection than to protect, and to find him on whom she leans weaker than herself might alarm her love into flight. And as for that politeness you tell of, it is an artifice77, like a dress or a house, and good only within a limit. There be occasions when politeness to a man is a fair thing thrown away; also, there be occasions when politeness to a woman is nothing better than a waste of justice. Watch-dog, you should have pocketed the 'gentleman' for use on a languid day; you should have been all 'man.' You should have seized me by the shoulder; you should have made me go or stay, or talk or stand mute, as you willed. It was for that”—and Peg gave me this gravely, like some confidant Pythoness sure of her Apollo-inspired word—“it was for that, watch-dog, you were made the stronger of us two.”
Now here was a pretty word of caution! It was as the General once said: one had only to listen, and lo! one would hear ever the savage79 stirring about in Peg.
“There is one thing whereof I was cheated,” said I, after a brief silence, and seeking to give our talk a slighter, if not a direction of more reason. “You were to give me lessons in yourself. I looked forward to no little improvement from such good teaching, and when I was made to go missing it I could feel a plain loss to myself.”
“And perhaps now,” observed Peg, with her half-merry glance, “I was giving you a lesson in Peg for every moment of that frowning time.” Then, as if in reply to my look of bewilderment: “No, watch-dog I went too fast in those threats to expound80 myself. You are in no sort prepared for so tremendous a course of study.”
“Wherein do I lack now?”
“Why, you flounder in abyssmal ignorance of yourself. To study another with a hope of light, one should first own some liberal knowledge of one's self. To have gone about to teach you that difficult lesson of Peg, you, who are as unaware81 of yourself as any bush or tree or tuft of grass, would have been as truly wise, and a task well worth one's while, as would be a discussion of Moore with that savage of the woods who has yet to hear of the alphabet. However, we will rest content with you as you are, oh, watch-dog! oh, slave of Peg, wearing her mark! The more, for that your splendid ignorance of both yourself and me has to be its characteristic, a white, high beauty like unto some snow-capped peak—safe, too, since inaccessible82. And now, because I have stayed long; and because we are good friends again; and because we will infallibly quarrel should I remain, I think, watch-dog, I shall go home.”
And so Peg went away, singing a little song which was no song but like the whistle of some thrush, leaving me in a calm of peace; nor did I fail to remember how Peg's tune83, when she departed, was the earliest music upon her lips since ever she would be in anger with me for those ill opinions against Eaton.
There was no long time given me to think on Peg and her whims65 of temper, black and white, for Noah was with me briskly on the tail of her going away. Noah brought with him that Blair who had come in deference84 to my note, to be the rival of Duff Green and organize the Globe as a death-stab to Duff's Telegraph. I had met Blair before, and liked him; most of all was he a favorite of the General, for his pen was fed of fire and the heart of his friendship was like the loyal heart of a dog. In person, Blair was a slender, sickly man, but with a great head on his shoulders, and strange feverish85 eyes that shone like jewels. He was not unlike the General; only the latter stood vastly taller, and, while Blair was as some fire to blaze and sparkle and burn, the General would be more that hurricane of wind, bridled86 of no man, sweeping87 flat as a field of turnips88 everything to stand in the way.
“Here is a delicate question,” said Noah, with his grin of the cynic. “The department folk will give our friend, Blair, no public printing; it goes all to Duff. That should be stopped, since your public advertising—I speak from my place as an editor—is for your newspaper as the breath in its body.”
“And what would you propose by way of cure for that felon89 perversity90 of our folk of the departments who will still send printing to the recreant91 Duff?” This I put laughingly, to be abreast92 of the lightness of Noah.
“Surely,” said Blair, speaking with a kind of eagerness natural to him, and which ran red-hot throughout all he did; “surely, the president must make no personal interference. Were he to order printing out of one paper and into another, the opposite side would use it for a club against him to the last day of his career.”
“But there is a way,” said Noah. “We may have advantage of the mean fears of our folk of place who are ever prompt to read a threat against themselves. Such egotists do they grow to be that, following a decade of office holding, it may not so much as thunder but your agitated93 desk-man knows it at once for some plot of heaven's hand to snatch him from his pap.”
“How would you approach these fears with an appeal?” I asked.
“And there could be nothing easier,” quoth Noah, “while missing every word that might look like an order from the White House. You have but to issue a request, addressed to each who is in control of any least of printing, to send to the president with every month a full report of what advertisements he has dispensed94 and to what imprints95. There you have it in your claw; after such notice not one line will go to Duff, but all to Blair. With the one stone you kill two birds; the Telegraph is destroyed while the Globe in its fortunes is made beyond a chance.”
“Your mighty proper suggestion will be adopted,” said I. “The request you speak of goes forth this very day.”
When Blair had departed the scene to look after the daily fortunes of his paper, Noah and I, as was much and frequently our case, settled to a mouthful of party gossip. We had not run far, however, when my Jim appeared with a word from the General to meet him in his personal workshop on some trivial concern.
“D'Marse Gen'ral trees Jim by d'winder,” said that worthy black man, “an' tells him to ask you-all, Marse Major, to come squanderin' along down to his room. He allows, d'Marse Gen'ral does, how he's got letters from home you might like to see.”
“And how is your 'Marse Gen'ral'?” said Noah, for “the red-head Jew gentleman,” as Jim ever referred to him, was fond of making Jim talk. “How does your 'Marse Gen'ral' carry himself these winter days?”
“Mighty toler'ble an' tranquil96, thankee, sah!” replied Jim; “mighty toler'ble an' tranquil. Jim on'y wishes he himse'f was feelin' half so good. But Jim's got a mis'ry in his back, an' d'rheumatics in his laigs an' shoulders ontwell he can't but jes' make out to hobble 'round. Yassir; them rheumatics leaves Jim like a fly in a saucer of m'lasses; he gets about plumb97 slow.”
Jim furnished a most doleful air to be the frame for this piece of news; one might have thought him some flame-enveloped martyr98.
“At any rate,” said Noah, in tones of greatest sympathy, “you are fortunate, Jim, since now you are an invalid99, in having such a kind, forbearing master as your 'Marse Major' here.”
“D'Marse Major aint so mighty bad,” observed Jim, with the face of one who considers deeply. “Course he has his spells. Thar's times when he's sort o' amiable100, d'Marse Major is; an' then Jim nacherally takes to him like a honeysuckle to a front porch. Then thar's other days when Jim quits him an' goes streakin' it for d'tall grass. Them's d'times when d'Marse Major takes to t'arin' about loose, an' carryin' all befo' him like a b'ar in a hawg-pen.”
Having disposed of the letter which had given the loquacious101 Jim that delay required for these important disclosures, I put an end to them by carrying Noah away to the General's room. He would expostulate and hold back; but I made him come with me on the plea of how the General had asked to talk with him of that coming Nullification banquet to be held at the Indian Queen.
“True, he has heard it from me,” said I, “but what then? You know how folk are. He would hear it from you first-hand.”
While I was running over the General's mails from Tennessee, that eminent102 person and Noah waded103 forth into deep and animated104 converse105.
“I am rather glad than otherwise,” said the General, lighting106 the while the usual friendly pipe, “for that treason dinner our Calhoun clique107 would plan. I shall go; should they ask it, I'll even give them a toast. I will light a torch for them; I would be the last to have it said I let folk go blundering to a gibbet in the dark.”
“You recall,” remarked Noah, “how zealous108 were certain influences for that Florida post, and how they would have it go to one Westfall?”
“The man Westfall,” retorted the General, “was an utter weakling. He never would have done for such a place. The Florida governorship is of consequence; its duties call for one of force. I have thought on a man for it, but the time has not come. The present incumbent109 does fairly well for an Adams selection.”
“That weakness of Westfall to which you refer,” said Noah, “was, I take it, no slight merit in the minds of those who stood by the elbow of his hope. It was a part of the Nullification scheme, the putting forward of Westfall.”
“In what sort?” asked the General. “I know how Calhoun desired him, for Duff Green told us so much when we were not a week in town.”
“Westfall's success for the place would have linked to the Vice-President the richest, strongest elements in Pennsylvania. Then there is Florida itself—two-thirds Spanish and by no means in love with the balance of this country. With a weak governor in St. Augustine, and one who owed his crown to our Vice-President, what should be simpler, in the event of secession in South Carolina, than to count on Floridian men and money for the venture?”
“They will do as well without their Westfall,” commented the General. “Mayhap they will do better, since had they succeeded for him, it might hereafter have given their rashness inspiration, and turned them gallows-ripe. One thing sure: let them once rebel against the law—let them but rise in Calhoun's state to the law's defiance—and I will burn them from the earth. They shall be destroyed root and stalk and standing112 grass, with the reptiles113 that crawl between. Their leaders shall swing for it so surely as my name is Jackson or there's such a word as 'President' in the land.”
Here I come near to the first true social test to be put upon our Peg, and that, you will know, was the reception which she would give as a cabinet lady at her own home on the Georgetown side of the President's Square. And now, when I am driven by stress of this tale to furnish you with a handful of hints or little twigs114 of description concerning the business, I write as though with fetters115 on my wrists. It is because I have no salon16 learning, and was never taught your lessons of chandeliers and wax-lights and orchestras and tables spread with elegance116 and palms and flowers and folk brilliant on evening parade, formidably engaged, each with a part like people in a play, in bringing off one of those encounters where well dressed men and women meet to crowd each other and call the trial a function. If it were to be a battle or even some quiet-lying landscape with its stretch of river, and a forest to fringe the banks, and mayhap a mountain chain with its plushy dress of pines to the background, I might not come on so haltingly. But this, as it were, is to lay a fence of stone—and that, you are to witness, means a journey full of backaches—to be here piling one word upon another for the story of a drawing-room three hours.
Van Buren was himself Peg's partner for this reception—his own doors closed, as Peg explains in rearward pages when she talks with the General. It would be then, a double reception, and both the State and the War Departments to stand thereof the social sponsors.
Word had crept abroad how the General himself planned a place among the callers, and at the grave tidings Duff Green, in his paper, was driven to extremes of frantic117 ink over the proposed lowering of the presidency to cabinet levels, which latter the disturbed Duff would seem to think were common, even if they were not bad.
“The White House,” cried Duff, in his shocked columns, “should not be taken down from that high place of elevation118 in which our late president was pleased to leave it.”
“Truly, an excellent thought!” observed the General, “to set Adams before me for a model! Why, man! from his purchase of the rogue119 Clay down to the last measure to meet the flourish of his pen and be made a law thereby120, I call it patriotism121 to turn my back on every position Adams occupied, and the very essence of right to undo122 all he did. Me to follow Adams! I should as soon think of emulating123 Billy Weatherford and his Creeks124.”
“But why stand over me,” said I, “with all this arm tossing and threatening declamation125? It is your Duff Green and not I who would thus drive you to an Adams example.”
“Well,” said the General, somewhat subdued126 by this thought, “you at least are here and I must vent111 myself on some one.”
While both the General and I lived in a deal of fog concerning such coils, neither of us was torn of doubt as to the certainty of Peg's triumph. Vaughn and Krudener, for the favor of Van Buren, would lead up the legation folk as bell-sheep lead a flock; the military element was bound to Peg's chariot-wheel by merest war department bonds; withal, the General's presence alone would mean a multitude, and that of gaudiest127 feather, for it asked no skill of society to know how that same impulse of self-interest was ever at work to move it, as much as might be said of any conspiracy128 of roughest politics. The General as the present source of things temporal would be courted; and to that sycophantish end your swarming129 brood of courtiers would be found tagging at his back though he were to make a sulphurous pilgrimage and seek the pit itself.
There came one thing, however, to rub my fur against the grain; but this was of the week prior to our Tuesday of Peg's reception. It is the great marvel130 how it will ever be the slight affair to ruffle131 one. I have known a rascal132 to crack off his pistol at me for a no better reason than strong drink; and yet beyond a busy interest to stun133 him and prevent a return of his experiment, and so settle safety in my favor, my bosom134 went as rippleless of wrath135 as any millpond. On the other side, the idle whistle of some fellow, and him outside the house and of no knowledge even of my being, has sent me off on storms of rage.
This it was to nag136 me into irritation137. There arrived one day a mighty casket of jewels for Peg—diamonds and rubies138 they were, and ones a princess might have worn with honor. They were a gift from Eaton; for that secretary was notably139 rich and owned the treasure-chests of an emperor.
Peg said naught140 of these trinkets, whether to the General or to me, nor did she show them. But since they came in from New York, employing for their safety certain armed guardians141 of express, the thing could be called no secret. Moreover, Eaton himself would probably be the last to smother142 the story of these chains and bracelets143 and brooches and coronets and flashing whatnot, since for what else did he buy them save self-love and to deck Peg out as one decks out a horse on gala days. That man never loved Peg; it was a mark of sentiment beyond him. He had a pride of her as of a gem25 or a picture, and wore her beauty as one wears a decoration.
But he no more knew Peg, no more loved Peg, than cud-cattle know and love the stars above their stolid144 heads. Her praise would ring sweet to his ear, yes; her loveliness and the bright glory of her eyes would lighten his face. Also, the moon will light you and shine again on the face of that chance-hollowed mud-hole which the rains have filled and the swine enjoyed.
It is but truth to say that my resentment of these jewels to Peg gave me a pause of uneasiness. It was not the little fact of their existence which bayed me; it was not that I went pricked145 as though by nettles146 because of these gewgaws; that was not it. But why should I be pricked at all? Other folk would bring diamonds to their wives or sweethearts, and you meet none who owned to less excitement or a colder interest thereover than myself. Why, then, should these stir my pulse and set my anger to a trot147? It were indeed a thing most passing strange, and one whereof I was bound to find the bottom if I called myself an honest man.
The question of my anger for Peg's jewels hung about me like lead, I tell you; for to myself I made free confession148 of that wrath and would hide nothing of it from my conscience. I was stout29 to drag myself to the bar, and to sit in trial over my own heart. Was it love of Peg to move me? The General had told me how I had been swept away in love for her from the first; but that was his jest and the bantering149 humor of him at the time. Was I in love with Peg? And if not, then wherefore fly to arms for that Eaton would hang the common gifts of man to wife about her charms and strive for her delight? That was the question I held before my soul's eyes and shook it for an answer.
In a trice the riddle150 was replied to; the reasons of my anger unrolled before me like a scroll151. It was not that I loved Peg; it was my certain sureness how Eaton himself was master of no such true sentiment, nor one worthy of the word. As I have said, he but held her—being below a better thought—to adorn152 his vanity; he would wrap her in his riches in the vulgarity of a boast. Peg was as the feather to his hat, the jewel to his hilt; he trapped her in brilliants just as he drunk from cut-glass. And knowing Peg as I knew her, and with a deep appreciation153 of her worth, was it miracle, or must my heart be charged of crime, because my brow would flush to see her thus abased154 and set to nurse so gross a self-esteem? Besides, it fell as a blow upon one's better taste, since to embellish155 Peg with such earthenware156 was indeed to paint a lily and gild157 gold.
It was true, I so much resented these jewels, and they so bit my feeling in advance, that I went at wits' end to fish forth some excuse for being absent from that reception and thus avoid their tawdry splendors158. But when I moved the matter, the General was set like iron that I should go.
Were it the General alone to cross my temper for this, I should have run over him, no doubt, and had my way for it. But next stood Peg in the path. I no more than breathed a half-suggestion of possible conditions to arise and keep me from the house, when she glowed on me with a look so gently pleading that, without waiting for her to speak, I straightway told her I would come.
“And I am glad, watch-dog,” said Peg, simply. “I could give myself no reason, save a reason that would burn like fire, why you should stay away.”
It should be noted159, perhaps, that the magical tale of those gems160 ran in and out of the mouth of gossip for prior days, and I doubt not a purpose to look on them—for the feminine eye is caught with glitter like a blackbird, which hollow fowl161 will think of nothing for a week on end save how to steal a bit of broken glass—brought as many to Peg's reception as did the presence of the General.
And here, being now upon the brink162, I fairly ask you what should be the use of setting forth how the carriages rolled to the gate; and how Peg stood like some flower beneath the light of a chandelier—for these receptions were in the evening—with her “good little secretary” by her side, welcoming the throngs163 to press forward in her honor? The Calhouns were not there; and, indeed, the folk from the Vice-President's own state would be obviously absent. The other cabinet folk—that Calhoun trio, the ladies Branch and Berrien and Ingham—did not appear; but then they were upon certain similar receptions of their own.. However, there came scores to have their places. There were the lion Webster, the courtly Vaughn, Krudenerwith red heels to his shoes, red waistcoat, and earrings164 to his ears, Noah with his black, dangerous eyes, and a high-caste multitude, besides, from Senate and House and Supreme165 Court and Legations, and those two score other lofty lairs166 of your utter capital fashion. There arose the never-ceasing gride of carriages as they came and went incessantly167 upon the frozen gravel78; there crawled the endless file of hand-shaking folk, the grave and the gay, the young and the old, the beautiful and the ugly, the good and the bad—this last since there stood no process of elimination168 to separate the sheep from the goats where all who would might come. And Peg went through it with a sweet, grave grace; and even surly Envy submitted to the verdict of a vast success and one to fix Peg's standing beyond distrust, and mark itself, besides, as the hopeless Waterloo of her every last ill-wisher.
The General, bright of eye and unbending as a bayonet, was there early to remain late.
“I have enlisted169 for the campaign,” said he, “and I shall stay while I hear of one foe to be in the field.”
Never had I known him to look better, and the old-time deference wherewith he would be about Peg so that all might see his regard for her was like a page from chivalry170.
And now I must tell a tale on myself, and show how this was to twist into a happy hour for me and I be harrassed by no sordid171 hatefulness of those jewels. I had, for my shame be it told, gone to my place in the line of calling folk with a reluctance172 that bound my breast like a rope. I could scarce breathe for it. The file moved slowly, but I held my head high, and, being a tall man, looked easily over Peg and did not once rest my eyes upon her.
I would escape the canker of those barbarous rubies and diamonds.
“Why! where now be those diamonds I heard so much about?” The voice was of the empty tin-pan kind that tells of society and mighty little else. “Where be those diamonds? Or was the story false?”
Then I heard Peg in cold retort to our she-savage and her coarse greed to look on diamonds.
“Why, I believe I have a few handsful somewhere about the house,” said Peg. “If it be those you are come to see, I shall have pleasure in directing you to my maid.”
Now when quite close I bent110 my slow eyes upon our little Peg. There she stood, a lamp of beauty! and never the sign of your diamonds or rubies about her—nothing of ornament174 save a rose my Jim had brought, and the little coral of my mother's which Peg took from the cabinet on that summer day. As she offered me her hand, she lifted up her face to mine. She gave me no word but the red blood showed in her cheek a match for my coral. Then her eyes fell; and next, with a heart full to foolishness of a joy that was like a mystery, I passed on to walk the air and join the General.
“Our victory was measureless,” declared the General, in the stiff manner of him who makes report, when late that night he and I were about our inevitable175 pipes in his room. The General would discuss Peg's reception. “Sir, it was absolute triumph. Do you know how Peg's function compared with those of the enemy? 'Quantity and quality' were her words; you remember that. Do you know on those two points, how our affair compared with those of Ingham and Berrien and Branch? You do not? Sir, you surprise me, and you to be a soldier whom I myself taught! Why! how are you to know when we win or lose if you keep no account of the fight? 'Quantity and quality,' mark you! that is the test.” The General was in towering spirit and as exalted176 of brow as one might wish to see. It was like the real war to him. “Now,” he went on, “I was of a mind to know results; I took measures for a count of noses, and a list of your folk who called at those four cabinet houses to-day. Sir, it may please you to hear that on both proposals of 'quality and quantity' Peg and you and I overpowered those Redsticks as ten would overpower one.”
The General smoked on in silent satisfaction; I said nothing, my mind being wholly taken with my coral on Peg's bosom, and never mark of diamond or ruby177 for a blemish178 to the rich beauty of her neck and face and the cataract179 of gold-black hair to fall about her shoulders.
“Peg is a grand girl!” mused180 the General. “It is pity, too; she should have been a man and a soldier. And then the pure taste of her! You have heard of a peck, more or less, of diamonds which Eaton brought on from the North? I looked to see them wreathed about Peg's neck or arms or fingers or wherever heaven meant they should go. And, mind you! not a trace of them. 'Why,' says our Peg, when I would question her, 'they were of such wondrous181 richness I thought it shame to wear them in my own drawing room—and me no more than a girl—and set them against older, better folk who would be my guests. It would have been to over-crow them, and as though I sought to pamper182 vanity at their cost. Wherefore, in compliment, I would not wear them, but put them all aside. Now, this bit of coral is better, since more modest. It was from a sweetheart, and is the one thing I love best of all the world.' Was there not fineness for you?” demanded the General. “Was there not magnanimity? What other woman between the poles could have withstood her hands from those gems? Or who, from mere kindness and to spare the women about her their own envy, would have thrust them away to don that coral trifle in their stead? A tavern's daughter, forsooth! Why, such a spirit would give a grace beyond her title to a duchess! I know of nothing more good or noble to tell the silken nature of our little Peg.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
peg
|
|
| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
profundity
|
|
| n.渊博；深奥，深刻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
baron
|
|
| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
mien
|
|
| n.风采；态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
vivacious
|
|
| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
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： |
|
|
|
|
8
dubious
|
|
| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
mightily
|
|
| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
austere
|
|
| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
precedent
|
|
| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
presidency
|
|
| n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
concession
|
|
| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
herd
|
|
| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
salon
|
|
| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
query
|
|
| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
outweigh
|
|
| vt.比...更重，...更重要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
foe
|
|
| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
joint
|
|
| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
stratagem
|
|
| n.诡计，计谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
gem
|
|
| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
tavern
|
|
| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
prodigious
|
|
| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
stoutly
|
|
| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
esteem
|
|
| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
illustrate
|
|
| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
overflow
|
|
| v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
lurking
|
|
| 潜在 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
parley
|
|
| n.谈判 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
perils
|
|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
abject
|
|
| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
disorder
|
|
| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
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： |
|
|
|
|
45
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
resentment
|
|
| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
criticise
|
|
| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
solely
|
|
| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
trespasses
|
|
| 罪过( trespass的名词复数 )； 非法进入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
piquant
|
|
| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
tangle
|
|
| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
amend
|
|
| vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
milky
|
|
| adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
leopard
|
|
| n.豹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
caressed
|
|
| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
doom
|
|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
brew
|
|
| v.酿造，调制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
reproof
|
|
| n.斥责，责备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
WHIMS
|
|
| 虚妄，禅病 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
woe
|
|
| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
vein
|
|
| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
musing
|
|
| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
dagger
|
|
| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
swirl
|
|
| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
pretense
|
|
| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
remorse
|
|
| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
candor
|
|
| n.坦白，率真 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
warfare
|
|
| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
artifice
|
|
| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
gravel
|
|
| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
expound
|
|
| v.详述；解释；阐述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
unaware
|
|
| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
inaccessible
|
|
| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
feverish
|
|
| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
bridled
|
|
| 给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
sweeping
|
|
| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
turnips
|
|
| 芜青( turnip的名词复数 )； 芜菁块根； 芜菁甘蓝块根； 怀表 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
felon
|
|
| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
perversity
|
|
| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
recreant
|
|
| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
abreast
|
|
| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
dispensed
|
|
| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
imprints
|
|
| n.压印( imprint的名词复数 )；痕迹；持久影响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
plumb
|
|
| adv.精确地，完全地；v.了解意义，测水深 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
martyr
|
|
| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
invalid
|
|
| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
loquacious
|
|
| adj.多嘴的，饶舌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
eminent
|
|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
waded
|
|
| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
animated
|
|
| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
converse
|
|
| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
clique
|
|
| n.朋党派系，小集团 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
zealous
|
|
| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
incumbent
|
|
| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
vent
|
|
| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
reptiles
|
|
| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
twigs
|
|
| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
fetters
|
|
| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
elegance
|
|
| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
elevation
|
|
| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
rogue
|
|
| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
thereby
|
|
| adv.因此，从而 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
patriotism
|
|
| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
undo
|
|
| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
emulating
|
|
| v.与…竞争( emulate的现在分词 )；努力赶上；计算机程序等仿真；模仿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
creeks
|
|
| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
declamation
|
|
| n. 雄辩，高调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
gaudiest
|
|
| adj.花哨的，俗气的( gaudy的最高级 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
conspiracy
|
|
| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
swarming
|
|
| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
marvel
|
|
| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
ruffle
|
|
| v.弄皱，弄乱；激怒，扰乱；n.褶裥饰边 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
stun
|
|
| vt.打昏，使昏迷，使震惊，使惊叹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
nag
|
|
| v.(对…)不停地唠叨；n.爱唠叨的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
irritation
|
|
| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
rubies
|
|
| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
notably
|
|
| adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
guardians
|
|
| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
smother
|
|
| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
bracelets
|
|
| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
stolid
|
|
| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
pricked
|
|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
nettles
|
|
| n.荨麻( nettle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
trot
|
|
| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
bantering
|
|
| adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
riddle
|
|
| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
scroll
|
|
| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
adorn
|
|
| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
appreciation
|
|
| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
abased
|
|
| 使谦卑( abase的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到羞耻； 使降低（地位、身份等）； 降下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
embellish
|
|
| v.装饰，布置；给…添加细节，润饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
earthenware
|
|
| n.土器，陶器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
gild
|
|
| vt.给…镀金，把…漆成金色，使呈金色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
splendors
|
|
| n.华丽( splendor的名词复数 )；壮丽；光辉；显赫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
gems
|
|
| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
fowl
|
|
| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
brink
|
|
| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
throngs
|
|
| n.人群( throng的名词复数 )v.成群，挤满( throng的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
earrings
|
|
| n.耳环( earring的名词复数 )；耳坠子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
supreme
|
|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
lairs
|
|
| n.（野兽的）巢穴，窝( lair的名词复数 )；（人的）藏身处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
incessantly
|
|
| ad.不停地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
elimination
|
|
| n.排除，消除，消灭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
enlisted
|
|
| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
chivalry
|
|
| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
sordid
|
|
| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
reluctance
|
|
| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
rivet
|
|
| n.铆钉；vt.铆接，铆牢；集中(目光或注意力) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
ornament
|
|
| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
exalted
|
|
| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
ruby
|
|
| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
blemish
|
|
| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
cataract
|
|
| n.大瀑布，奔流，洪水，白内障 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
mused
|
|
| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
wondrous
|
|
| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
pamper
|
|
| v.纵容，过分关怀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |