The name came from a tradition, probably a true one, that when the Colester convent had been suppressed by Henry VIII., the evicted6 nuns7 had found refuge in this dismal8 house, a dozen of them. In time they died, and the mansion9 was inhabited by other people. But queer sounds were heard, strange sights were seen, and it became known that the twelve nuns re-visited the scene of their exile. There never was a house so populated with ghosts; and the tenants10 promptly11 departed. Others, lured12 by a low rent, came, and after a month's trial departed also. Finally no one would stop in the ill-omened mansion until Mr Pratt arrived. He liked the place, laughed at the gruesome reputation of the dwelling13, and announced his intention of making it his home.
"Ghosts!" laughed Pratt, with his cheery smile. "Nonsense. Ghosts went out with gas. Besides, I should rather like to see a ghost, particularly of a nun. I am partial to the fair sex."
"I wonder, then, you never married," said the person who had warned him against the house, with the best intentions, of course.
Pratt looked at her—she was Mrs Bathurst, the gossip of the neighbourhood—under half-closed eye-lids, and smiled. "Ah!" said he, rubbing his plump white hands, "I have admired so many beautiful women, dear lady, that I could not remain constant to one;" which reason, although plausible14, did not satisfy Mrs Bathurst. But then she was one of those amiable15 persons always willing to believe the worst of people.
However, Pratt took up his abode16 in the chief Colester inn, and sent for cartloads of furniture, while the house was being re-decorated. He took a deal of trouble to make it comfortable, and as he was a man of excellent taste, with an eye for colour, he succeeded in making it pretty as well. In six weeks the place[44] was ready to receive him, and up to the period of his walk with the vicar, Pratt had occupied it for another six without being disturbed by the numerous ghosts. The Colester folks quite expected to hear that he had been carried off like Dr Faust, and were rather disappointed that he met with no ghostly adventure. But then Mr Pratt, as he said himself, was not imaginative enough for spectres.
Failing his leaving the house, the gentry17 expected that he would entertain them and show his treasures, for it was reported that he had many beautiful things. But Pratt was in no hurry. He wanted first to study his neighbours in order to see who were the most pleasant. In a surprisingly short time he got to know something about everyone, and on the knowledge thus acquired he selected his guests. In addition to those already mentioned, he invited Mrs Bathurst and her daughter Peggy. The girl was pretty and the mother talkative, so, in Pratt's opinion, it paid to ask them. "There is no chance of an entertainment being dull if Mrs Bathurst has her legs under the table," he said, and this being reported to the lady, she accused Pratt of coarseness. Nevertheless, she accepted the invitation. Not for worlds would Mrs Bathurst have missed a sight of re-decorated Nun's House. Besides, it was her duty to go. She supplied all the gossip of the neighbourhood.
Anxious to see as much as possible of the house, Mrs Bathurst was the first to arrive. Pratt, in a particularly neat evening dress, advanced to meet her and Peggy with a smile. He knew very well that her ungovernable curiosity had led her to be thus early. "I am glad to see you, Mrs Bathurst," he said genially18; "pray sit down. You are the first to arrive."
"I always like to be punctual," responded the lady, nodding to her daughter that she also should be seated. "Dear me, how well this room looks! I can see you have spared no expense."
"I like to make myself comfortable, Mrs Bathurst. We only have one life."
"I wonder you care to spend it in such a dull place as Colester. If Mr Bathurst were rich I should make him take me to London."
"You would soon get tired of the roar of that city."
Here Peggy, who was fair and pretty and fond of gaiety, shook her blonde head vigorously. "I should never get tired of fun," she said. "I could go to a dance every night and still want more."
"Ah, Miss Peggy, you are young and active!"
"Well, dear Mr Pratt, you are not old," said Mrs Bathurst, flatteringly; "we must make you happy here. I am sure you are quite an acquisition. We must find you a wife."
"I shall apply to you when I want one," he said, with a laugh; "but I guess I'm not made to run in double harness."
"What odd expressions you use! I daresay that comes from your being an American. Never mind, you'll soon lose all Americanisms here. I look upon you as quite one of ourselves, dear Mr Pratt."
The fact is that Mrs Bathurst wished to bring about a marriage between her daughter Peggy and the[46] newcomer. He had been introduced by Mrs Gabriel, so his social position was secure; and if one could judge from the magnificent furnishing of the house, he was a wealthy man. That Peggy herself should be consulted never entered her mother's head.
Pratt guessed what Mrs Bathurst was after, and chuckled19. He had no intention of having the good lady for a mother-in-law. Moreover, he knew that Peggy was in love with Raston, the curate. Nevertheless, having a love of tormenting20 people, and wishing to punish Mrs Bathurst, he sighed, cast a languishing21 look at Peggy, and allowed the mother to think that he might be guided by her wish. Seeing this, the lady pushed her advantage vigorously, and was getting on very well by the time the other guests arrived. Then, after some desultory22 conversation, dealing23 with the weather and the crops, all went in to dinner.
The table was beautifully set out. The linen24 was snowy white, the silver and crystal of the best, and the flowers, which Pratt had personally arranged, were skilfully25 chosen and blended. The women present were rather annoyed that a man should be able to manage a house so well, for the dinner was one of the best that had ever been eaten in Colester, and the service was all that could be desired. What was the use, thought Mrs Bathurst, of suggesting a wife to a man who knew so well how to dispense26 with one? She could not have arranged things better herself, and it was vexing27 that a mere28 man should be able to beat a woman on her own ground.
"You have certainly made a very pretty place of it, Mr Pratt," said Mrs Gabriel, when they returned to the drawing-room. "I suppose you will live here for many a long day?"
"I hope to die here," he replied, smiling. "But one never knows. I may take a fancy to resume my travels."
"You are like Ulysses," put in the vicar, "you know men and cities."
"And, like Ulysses, I don't think much of either, Mr Tempest."
"Come now!" cried Leo, laughing. "I never heard that Ulysses was a cynic."
"He was not modern enough," said Sybil, who was looking particularly charming, much to the anger of Mrs Gabriel, who saw in her a man-trap for her adopted son.
"I don't think cynicism is altogether a modern disease," remarked Sir Frank Hale. "Solomon had not much belief in human nature."
"What could you expect from a man who had so many wives?" put in Pratt, in a dry voice. The remark annoyed Mrs Bathurst. It augured29 ill for her scheme to marry Peggy. A man who talked thus of women could never be brought to respect his mother-in-law.
While this conversation was taking place Mrs Gabriel kept a vigilant30 eye on Leo. Whenever he tried to edge up to Sybil she contrived31 to get in the way, and, finally, by a dexterous32 move, she placed him 'longside the baronet's sister. Edith Hale was a tall, raw-boned,[48] thin girl, with small pretensions33 to beauty or wit. She had a freckled34 skin and red hair, an awkward way of carrying herself and a silent tongue. She was so deeply in love with Leo that she followed his every movement with her eyes, until he found her regard most embarrassing. However, Leo, to avert35 a storm when he returned home, was obliged to show her every attention, and strolled away with her into Mr Pratt's new conservatory36. Sybil looked disappointed, but controlled herself sufficiently37 to play an accompaniment for Peggy. Raston turned over the leaves of the music, and Mrs Bathurst, with a glance at Pratt, settled herself to listen. As to Mr Tempest, he was moving round the room examining the objects of art in his usual near-sighted way. Seeing everyone thus occupied, Mrs Gabriel drew aside Sir Frank into a convenient corner.
The baronet was a pale-faced, hunchback, lame38 creature, with a shrewish expression and a pair of brilliant grey eyes. He had been an invalid39 all his life, and his temper had been spoilt thereby40. The only person in the world for whom he cherished the least affection was his sister. In his eyes she was as beautiful as Helen and as clever as Madame de Stael. He knew that she was breaking her heart for Leo, and resented the young man's indifference41. And as Hale had the spite of a cripple, his resentment42 was not to be despised. But Leo did not know that.
"Frank," said Mrs Gabriel, addressing him thus familiarly, as she had known him from his cradle, "I want to speak to you about Leo. It is time he was married. Nothing but marriage will steady him."
"Sybil Tempest is ready enough to become his wife, Mrs Gabriel," snarled43 the little man. "Why don't you speak to her?"
"Because she is not your sister," replied Mrs Gabriel, coldly. "I do not intend that Leo shall throw himself away on a penniless girl who has nothing but her face to recommend her. Edith has both brains and beauty."
"Leo does not see that," said Hale, who implicitly44 believed in his companion; "he is infatuated with Sybil. I don't say a word against her," he added hastily; "I want to marry her myself."
Mrs Gabriel looked with secret contempt on the deformed45 man, and wondered how he could have the impertinence to think that any woman could take him for her husband. However, she was pleased to hear of this new complication. If Sybil could be induced to marry the baronet—and from a worldly point of view the match was a good one—she would be out of the way. In despair Leo might marry Edith, and thus all would be as Mrs Gabriel wanted. She wished to move human beings as puppets to suit her own ends, and never thought that she might be thwarted46 by the individual will of those with whom she played. However, she had an idea of how to entangle47 matters so as to carry out her schemes, and commenced her intrigue49 with the baronet. She knew he would help her, both for his own sake and for the sake of his sister. At the same time she moved warily50, so as not to make a false step. It was no easy matter to deal with Hale, as she knew. Once or twice he had got the better of her in business.
"I don't mind being candid51 with you," said Mrs Gabriel softly. "It is my wish that Leo should marry Edith, and I shall be delighted to help you to become Sybil's husband."
"It's easy saying, but harder doing," said Hale, snappishly. "Sybil is in love with Leo, and the woman who admires Apollo will not look upon Caliban. Oh, I am under no delusions52 respecting myself," he added, with a hoarse53 laugh. "I am not agreeable to look upon, but I have money, a title and a good position. Nine women out of ten would be content with these things."
"I am afraid Sybil is the tenth," said Mrs Gabriel, coldly. "However, neither she nor Leo know what is good for them. Help me to marry him to your sister, and then Sybil will fall into your arms."
"Do you think so?"
"I am certain of it."
"How are we to manage?" asked Hale, after a pause. "You have some scheme."
"It is in order to explain my scheme to you that I have brought about this conversation. Listen. I am not pleased with Leo. He has been leading a wild life in Town, and is in debt to the tune54 of three hundred pounds."
"Humph!" said Frank, under his breath. "These Apollos know how to waste money. I shall see that Edith's dowry is settled on herself."
"And I shall tie up the Gabriel property so that Leo cannot waste it."
"Assuredly. If he does what I want him to do."
"What is that?"
"He must marry Edith and take up his residence in the castle. No more gadding56 about, no more wild living. Let Leo be a respectable country gentleman and his future is secure."
"Have you explained that to him?" asked the baronet, sharply.
"No. Leo is a fool, and infatuated with that girl. I must force him to do what I want. It is for his own good. You must help, both for the sake of Edith, and because it is your only chance of marrying Sybil."
"I'm quite ready to help you, Mrs Gabriel. Go on."
Mrs Gabriel glanced round, bent57 her head, and spoke58 lower. "I intend to refuse to pay this three hundred pounds for Leo. There is no chance of his earning it for himself, and he will soon be in serious difficulty. Now if you come forward as his old friend and—"
"If you want to gain Sybil and make your sister happy, you must lend Leo three hundred pounds. When he is in your debt, well—the rest is easy."
Hale nodded. "I see what you mean," said he, ponderingly. "The idea is not a bad one. But Leo—humph! Three hundred pounds! A large sum!"
"Oh, I will be your surety for it," said Mrs Gabriel, impatiently. She did not want her plans upset by this miser. "But if you want to gain anything you must sacrifice something. You love Sybil?"
"With my whole soul," said the cripple, and flushed.
"And your sister?"
"I would give anything to secure her happiness."
"Three hundred pounds will be enough," said Mrs Gabriel, coolly. "Make Leo your debtor60, and then you can deal with him. He is so honourable61 that he will keep his word even at the cost of his happiness. Well?"
Hale reflected. "I will think of it," said he, cautiously.
"As you please. But remember that if I do not have this settled within the week, I shall allow Leo to marry Sybil."
Of course Mrs Gabriel had no such intention, but she determined62 outwardly on this course to frighten the baronet. It had the desired effect.
"I will see to the matter," he said hastily; "to-night I will ask Leo to come and see me. It will all be arranged. But three hundred pounds!" He winced63 and Mrs Gabriel smiled.
"I will be your surety," she said, rising. "Let me know when you have made Leo your debtor. Come, we must not talk any more. Here is Mr Pratt."
It was indeed the host who came to disturb them. He wished to take the whole party round his house. Leo and Edith returned from the conservatory, the former looking bored, the latter brilliantly happy. Sybil did not like this, and glanced reproachfully at Leo, who immediately would have gone to her side, but he was anticipated by Hale. "Help me to get round the house, Miss Tempest," he said, pointing to his lame leg. "You must be my crutch64."
Sybil could not but assent65, and so Leo found himself out in the cold. Peggy, who approved of his love for Sybil, took his arm. "Never mind," she said softly, "I will manage to take Sir Frank away," and Leo gave her hand a grateful squeeze.
"Come, all of you!" cried Pratt, cheerily. "The museum is open."
He led them through a series of rooms crammed66 with treasures. There were valuable pictures, pieces of rich tapestry67, exquisite68 examples of goldsmith's work, and many other things of value. Mr Pratt had a story for every object. This he picked up in the Great Bazaar69 at Stamboul; that was a bargain obtained in an Italian town; the silver crucifix came from Spain; the lacquer work from Japan. Apparently70 he had been all over the world, and had made purchases in every part. Here was the evidence of his travels and his wealth before the longing71 eyes of Mrs Bathurst. More than ever was she determined that Peggy should become Mrs Pratt.
While Pratt discoursed72 and the company exclaimed at the treasures displayed to their wondering eyes, Mrs Gabriel maintained her haughty73 silence. She surveyed all the beautiful things in a cold, unemotional manner, and kept an eye on the movements of Leo. He felt uncomfortable under her gaze, and once or twice looked angrily at her. But Mrs Gabriel met his indignant looks with a calm smile.
"You must have spent a fortune on all this," said Hale, inspecting a tray of antique coins. "What a collection!"
"I have been buying for years," explained Pratt, smiling. "Mine has been a varied74 life. I was born of poor parents and had to make my own way in the world. For years I worked in the States, in South America and elsewhere to make money. Finally I secured a fortune in South Africa, and for the last ten years I have devoted75 myself to collecting these things. They have been stored for years, and now that I have a house of my own, this is the first time I have been able to arrange them. I am glad you are pleased."
"We are more than pleased," gushed76 Mrs Bathurst. "It is a most beautiful treat to see these lovely things and hear you talk about them. What is this cup, dear Mr Pratt?"
"Ah!" said Pratt, taking it up. "This is the property of the vicar."
"Mine!" said Mr Tempest in mild surprise. "Dear me, Mr Pratt, what do you mean? It would take half my year's stipend77 to buy this!"
"It is the cup of which I spoke to you, vicar." Pratt handed it to Tempest and then turned to the group. "I wish to present this cup to the chapel78, Mr Raston," he said, "and I hope that you and Mr Tempest will accept it on behalf of the town. It is an old Roman goblet79, and has been used for centuries as a communion chalice80 in an Italian city. I bought it many years ago. Is it not beautiful?"
The cup was indeed an exquisite object of art. Of considerable size, it was of pure gold. The rim81 and the stem were set round with gems82 of great value, and the outside was embossed with faces peering from out a tangle48 of flowers. It had two handles formed of twisted snakes with ruby83 eyes and round its broadest part ran an inscription84 in Latin. The vicar held the goblet to the light and translated the inscription. "'To the great God, who maketh the heart joyful,'" he said, then added dubiously85, "Does that refer to a pagan god, or to the Maker86 of all things?"
"If the cup is Roman, probably it is an inscription to Bacchus," said the curate, a shadow on his face. "If so, we cannot use it as a communion cup." Pratt laughed and raised his eyebrows at this scrupulous87 regard. "You can set your mind at rest," he said. "The priest who sold it to me on account of the poverty of his parish church said that the inscription was inscribed88 during the Middle Ages. It refers to the God of Christendom."
"In that case," said the vicar beaming, "I accept the cup with pleasure and with many thanks. It shall be consecrated89 and placed on the altar by the end of this week."
While the others were thanking and congratulating Mr Pratt, an expression of relief might have been noticed on his face. Mrs Gabriel, who knew his every look, wondered to herself why he appeared to be so pleased. Evidently he was thankful to be rid of the cup. However, she said nothing, as she was a wise woman, but added her congratulations to those of the others.
"Everyone will be delighted," she said coldly. "Such generosity90 is unusual in Colester." But her glance hinted unusual as regarded Pratt. He received the hint smilingly.
"I hope it will make me popular," said he. "I am weak enough to wish to be liked, and hitherto I have not secured the goodwill91 of the people."
"You will have it now," said Raston, "and particularly that of Pearl Darry. She loves beautiful things for the altar, and as she attends to the decorating of the chapel, it will be a constant pleasure to her to keep this cup bright and spotless."
"I hope it will be safe with her!" cried Mrs Bathurst. "These insane people are like magpies92, and steal anything glittering that attracts their weak fancies. Are you sure she will not take it away, Mr Raston?"
The curate was indignant. "Pearl would no more do such a thing than take her own life, poor soul," he said. "She is devoted to the church. Religion, so far as her own poor brain understands it, is her one consolation93."
"She ought to be shut up," said Mrs Gabriel.
"There I differ from you," said the vicar, mildly. "She is not harmful enough to be placed in durance. Let her enjoy liberty and sunshine, Mrs Gabriel. It is little pleasure she has."
"She seems to me harmless enough," said Pratt, "and if this cup will be an additional pleasure to her, I am the more glad that Mr Tempest has accepted it. I shall have it wrapped up, vicar."
"Thank you. Be very careful, Mr Pratt. So beautiful an object must not be carelessly dealt with." From which remark it will be seen that now the Roman goblet was the property of the Church it assumed quite a new value in the eyes of the priest. Formerly94 it was merely a beautiful example of the goldsmith's art; now it was sacred.
After this the company repaired to the drawing-room, where Mr Pratt told stories until quite a late hour for Colester. Never had there been so agreeable a host in the dull little provincial95 town, and one and all confessed themselves charmed with their evening. "Quite an acquisition," repeated Mrs Bathurst as she departed. "Mind you come and see me, Mr Pratt. Peggy will never forgive you if you do not." A foolish speech which sent poor Peggy away covered with blushes. But then Mrs Bathurst's zeal96 always outran her discretion97.
As Mr Pratt stood at his door waving a hearty98 good-bye to his guests, he saw that Hale was beside Leo and overheard a remark. "Come and see me in three days, Leo," the baronet was saying. "I want to speak to you most particularly."
"Most particularly," echoed Pratt, thoughtfully. "Humph! What's up now?"
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1
nun
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| n.修女，尼姑 | |
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slate
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| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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yew
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| n.紫杉属树木 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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evicted
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| v.（依法从房屋里或土地上）驱逐，赶出( evict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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nuns
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| n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 ) | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tormenting
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| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
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languishing
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| a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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desultory
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| adj.散漫的，无方法的 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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vexing
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| adj.使人烦恼的，使人恼火的v.使烦恼( vex的现在分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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augured
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| v.预示，预兆，预言( augur的过去式和过去分词 )；成为预兆；占卜 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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freckled
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| adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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conservatory
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| n.温室，音乐学院；adj.保存性的，有保存力的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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47
entangle
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| vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累 | |
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tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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delusions
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| n.欺骗( delusion的名词复数 )；谬见；错觉；妄想 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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56
gadding
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| n.叮搔症adj.蔓生的v.闲逛( gad的现在分词 )；游荡；找乐子；用铁棒刺 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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58
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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crutch
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| n.T字形拐杖；支持，依靠，精神支柱 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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bazaar
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| n.集市，商店集中区 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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discoursed
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| 演说（discourse的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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stipend
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| n.薪贴；奖学金；养老金 | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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chalice
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| n.圣餐杯；金杯毒酒 | |
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rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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84
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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92
magpies
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| 喜鹊（magpie的复数形式） | |
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93
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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94
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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95
provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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96
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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97
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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98
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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