Major Hill was in command of the detachment of Northwest Mounted Police at Dufferin Bluff2. Mrs. Hill was wont3 to declare that it was the most forsaken4 place to be found in Canada or out of it; but she did her very best to brighten it up, and it is only fair to say that the N.W.M.P., officers and men, seconded her efforts.
When Violet Thayer came west to pay a long-promised visit to her old schoolfellow, Mrs. Hill's cup of happiness bubbled over. In her secret soul she vowed5 that Violet should never go back east unless it were post-haste to prepare a wedding trousseau. There were at least half a dozen eligibles6 among the M.P.s, and Mrs. Hill, after some reflection, settled on Ned Madison as the flower of the flock.
"He and Violet are simply made for each other," she told Major Hill the evening before Miss Thayer's arrival. "He has enough money and he is handsome and fascinating. And Violet is a beauty and a clever woman into the bargain. They can't help falling in love, I'm sure; it's fate!"
"Perhaps Miss Thayer may be booked elsewhere already," suggested Major Hill. He had seen more than one of his wife's card castles fall into heartbreaking ruin.
"Oh, no; Violet would have told me if that were the case. It's really quite time for her to think of settling down. She is twenty-five, you know. The men all go crazy over her, but she's dreadfully hard to please. However, she can't help liking7 Ned. He hasn't a single fault. I firmly believe it is foreordained."
And in this belief Mrs. Hill rested securely, but nevertheless did not fail to concoct8 several feminine artifices9 for the helping10 on of foreordination. It was a working belief with her that it was always well to have the gods in your debt.
Violet Thayer came, saw, and conquered. Within thirty-six hours of her arrival at Dufferin Bluff she had every one of the half-dozen eligibles at her feet, not to mention a score or more ineligibles. She would have been surprised indeed had it been otherwise. Miss Thayer knew her power, and was somewhat unduly11 fond of exercising it. But she was a very nice girl into the bargain, and so thought one and all of the young men who frequented Mrs. Hill's drawing-room and counted it richly worth while merely to look at Miss Thayer after having seen nothing for weeks except flabby half-breed girls and blue-haired squaws.
Madison was foremost in the field, of course. Madison was really a nice fellow, and quite deserved all Mrs. Hill's encomiums. He was good-looking and well groomed—could sing and dance divinely and play the violin to perfection. The other M.P.s were all jealous of him, and more so than ever when Violet Thayer came. They did not consider that any one of them had the ghost of a chance if Madison entered the lists against them.
Violet liked Madison, and was very chummy with him after her own fashion. She thought all the M.P.s were nice boys, and they amused her, for which she was grateful. She had expected Dufferin Bluff to be very dull, and doubtless it would pall13 after a time, but for a change it was delightful14.
The sixth evening after her arrival found Mrs. Hill's room crowded, as usual, with M.P.s. Violet was looking her best in a distracting new gown—Sergeant15 Fox afterwards described it to a brother officer as a "stunning16 sort of rig between a cream and a blue and a brown"; she flirted17 impartially19 with all the members of her circle at first, but gradually narrowed down to Ned Madison, much to the delight of Mrs. Hill, who was hovering20 around like a small, brilliant butterfly.
Violet was talking to Madison and watching John Spencer out of the tail of her eye. Spencer was not an M.P. He had some government post at Dufferin Bluff, and this was his first call at Lone21 Poplar Villa22 since Miss Thayer's arrival. He did not seem to be dazzled by her at all, and after his introduction had promptly23 retired24 to a corner with Major Hill, where they talked the whole evening about the trouble on the Indian reservation at Loon25 Lake.
Possibly this indifference26 piqued27 Miss Thayer. Possibly she considered it refreshing28 after the servile adulation of the M.P.s. At any rate, when all the latter were gathered about the piano singing a chorus with gusto, she shook Madison off and went over to the corner where Spencer, deserted29 by the Major, whose bass30 was wanted, was sitting in solitary31 state.
He looked up indifferently as Violet shimmered32 down on the divan33 beside him. Sergeant Robinson, who was watching them jealously from the corner beyond the palms, and would have given his eyes, or at least one of them, for such a favour, mentally vowed that Spencer was the dullest fellow he had ever put those useful members on.
"Don't you sing, Mr. Spencer?" asked Violet by way of beginning a conversation, as she turned her splendid eyes full upon him. Robinson would have lost his head under them, but Spencer kept his heroically.
"No," was his calmly brief reply, given without any bluntness, but with no evident intention of saying anything more.
In spite of her social experience Violet felt disconcerted.
"If he doesn't want to talk to me I won't try to make him," she thought crossly. No man had ever snubbed her so before.
Spencer listened immovably to the music for a time. Then he turned to his companion with a palpable effort to be civilly sociable34.
"How do you like the west, Miss Thayer?" he said.
Violet smiled—the smile most men found dangerous.
"Very much, so far as I have seen it. There is a flavour about the life here that I like, but I dare say it would soon pall. It must be horribly lonesome here most of the time, especially in winter."
"The M.P.s are always growling35 that it is," returned Spencer with a slight smile. "For my own part I never find it so."
Violet decided36 that his smile was very becoming to him and that she liked the way his dark hair grew over his forehead.
"I don't think I've seen you at Lone Poplar Villa before?" she said.
"No. I haven't been here for some time. I came up tonight to see the Major about the Loon Lake trouble."
"Otherwise you wouldn't have come," thought Violet. "Flattering—very!" Aloud she said, "Is it serious?"
"Oh, no. A mere12 squabble among the Indians. Have you ever visited the Reservation, Miss Thayer? No? Well, you should get some of your M.P. friends to take you out. It would be worth while."
"Why don't you ask me to go yourself?" said Violet audaciously.
Spencer smiled again. "Have I failed in politeness by not doing so? I fear you would find me an insufferably dull companion."
So he was not going to ask her after all. Violet felt piqued. She was also conscious of a sensation very near akin1 to disappointment. She looked across at Madison. How trim and dapper he was!
"I hate a bandbox man," she said to herself.
Spencer meanwhile had picked up one of Mrs. Hill's novels from the stand beside him.
"Fools of Habit," he said, glancing at the cover. "I see it is making quite a sensation down east. I suppose you've read it?"
Spencer balanced the novel reflectively on his slender brown hand.
"Well, yes, rather. But I don't care for novels as a rule. I don't understand them. The hero of this book, now—do you believe that a man in love would act as he did?"
"I don't know," said Violet amusedly. "You ought to be a better judge than I. You are a man."
"I have never loved anybody, so I am in no position to decide," said Spencer.
There was as little self-consciousness in his voice as if he were telling her a fact concerning the Loon Lake trouble. Violet rose to the occasion.
"You have an interesting experience to look forward to," she said.
Spencer turned his deep-set grey eyes squarely upon her.
"I don't know that. When I said I had never loved, I meant more than the love of a man for some particular woman. I meant love in every sense. I do not know what it is to have an affection for any human being. My parents died before I can remember. My only living relative was a penurious38 old uncle who brought me up for shame's sake and kicked me out on the world as soon as he could. I don't make friends easily. I have a few acquaintances whom I like, but there is not a soul on earth for whom I care, or who cares for me."
"What a revelation love will be to you when it comes," said Violet softly. Again he looked into her eyes.
"Do you think it will come?" he asked.
Before she could reply Mrs. Hill pounced39 upon them. Violet was wanted to sing. Mr. Spencer would excuse her, wouldn't he? Mr. Spencer did so obligingly. Moreover, he got up and bade his hostess good night. Violet gave him her hand.
"You will call again?" she said.
Spencer looked across at Madison—perhaps it was accidental.
"I think not," he said. "If, as you say, love will come some time, it would be a very unpleasant revelation if it came in hopeless guise40, and one never knows what may happen."
Miss Thayer was conscious of a distinct fluttering of her heart as she went across to the piano. This was a new sensation for her, and worthy41 of being analyzed42. After the M.P.s had gone she asked Mrs. Hill who Mr. Spencer was.
"Oh, John Spencer," said Mrs. Hill carelessly. "He's at the head of the Land Office here. That's really all I know about him. Jack43 says he is a downright good fellow and all that, you know. But he's no earthly good in a social way; he can't talk or he won't. He's flat. So different from Mr. Madison, isn't he?"
"Very," said Violet emphatically.
After Mrs. Hill had gone out Violet walked to the nearest mirror and looked at herself with her forefinger44 in the dimple of her chin.
"It is very odd," she said. She did not mean the dimple.
Spencer had told her he was not coming back. She did not believe this, but she did not expect him for a few days. Consequently, when he appeared the very next evening she was surprised. Madison, to whom she was talking when Spencer entered, does not know to this day what she had started to say to him, for she never finished her sentence.
Mrs. Hill came up at this point and whisked Madison off for a waltz. Spencer, seeing his chance, came straight across the room to her. Sergeant Robinson, who was watching them as usual, is willing to make affidavit46 that Miss Thayer changed colour.
After his greeting Spencer said nothing. He sat beside her, and they watched Mrs. Hill and Madison dancing. Violet wondered why she did not feel bored. When she saw Madison coming back to her she was conscious of an unreasonable47 anger with him. She got up abruptly48.
They went out. It was very cool and dusky. The lights of the town twinkled out below them, and the prairie bluffs50 behind them were dark and sibilant.
"I am going to drive over to Loon Lake tomorrow afternoon to look into affairs there," said Spencer. "Will you go with me?"
Violet reflected a moment. "You didn't ask me as if you really wanted me to go," she said.
Spencer put his hand over the white fingers that rested on the railing. He bent51 forward until his breath stirred the tendrils of hair on her forehead.
"Yes, I do," he said distinctly. "I want you to go with me to Loon Lake tomorrow more than I ever wanted any thing in my life before."
Later on, when everybody had gone, Violet had her bad quarter of an hour with Mrs. Hill. That lady felt herself aggrieved52.
"I think you treated poor Ned very badly tonight, Vi. He felt really blue over it. And it was awfully53 bad form to go out with Spencer as you did and stay there so long. And you oughtn't to flirt18 with him—he doesn't understand the game."
"I'm not going to flirt with him," said Miss Thayer calmly.
"Oh, I suppose it's just your way. Only don't turn the poor fellow's head. By the way, Ned is coming up with his camera tomorrow afternoon to take us all."
"I'm afraid he won't find me at home," said Violet sweetly. "I am going out to Loon Lake with Mr. Spencer."
Mrs. Hill flounced off to bed in a pet. She was disgusted with everything, she declared to the Major. Things had been going so nicely, and now they were all muddled54.
"Madison! It's Violet. She is behaving abominably57. She treated poor Ned shamefully58 tonight. You saw yourself how she acted with Spencer, and she's going to Loon Lake with him tomorrow, she says. I'm sure I don't know what she can see in him. He's the dullest, pokiest fellow alive—so different from her in every way."
"Perhaps that is why she likes him," suggested the Major. "The attraction of opposites and all that, you know."
But Mrs. Hill crossly told him he didn't know anything about it, so, being a wise man, he held his tongue.
During the next two weeks Mrs. Hill was the most dissatisfied woman in the four districts, and every M.P. down to the rawest recruit anathemized Spencer in secret a dozen times a day. Violet simply dropped everyone else, including Madison, in the coolest, most unmistakable way.
One night Spencer did not come to Lone Poplar Villa. Violet looked for him to the last. When she realized that he was not coming she went to the verandah to have it out with herself. As she sat huddled59 up in a dim corner beneath a silkily rustling60 western maple61 two M.P.s came out and, not seeing her, went on with their conversation.
"Heard about Spencer?" questioned one.
"No. What of him?"
"Well, they say Miss Thayer's thrown him over. Yesterday I was passing here about four in the afternoon and I saw Spencer coming in. I went down to the Land Office and was chatting to Cribson when the door opened about half an hour later and Spencer burst in. He was pale as the dead, and looked wild. 'Has Fyshe gone to Rainy River about those Crown Lands yet?' he jerked out. Cribson said, 'No.' Then tell him he needn't; I'm going myself,' said Spencer and out he bolted. He posted off to Rainy River today, and won't be back for a fortnight. She'll be gone then."
"Rather rough on Spencer after the way she encouraged him," returned the other as they passed out of earshot.
Violet got up. All the callers were gone, and she swept in to Mrs. Hill dramatically.
"Edith," she said in the cold, steady voice that, to those who knew her, meant breakers ahead for somebody, "Mr. Spencer was here yesterday when I was riding with the Major, was he not? What did you tell him about me?"
"I—didn't tell him anything—much."
"What was it?"
"Don't look at me like that, Violet! He just dropped in and we were talking about you—at least I was—and I had heard that Harry64 St. Maur was paying you marked attention before you came west—and—and that some people thought you were engaged—and so—and so—"
"You told Mr. Spencer that I was engaged to Harry St. Maur?"
"No-o-o—I just hinted. I didn't mean an-any harm. I never dreamed you'd really c-care. I thought you were just amusing yourself—and so did everybody—and I wanted Ned Madison—"
Violet had turned very pale.
"I love him," she said hoarsely65, "and you've sent him away. He's gone to Rainy River. I shall never see him again!"
"Oh, yes, you will," gasped66 Mrs. Hill faintly. "He'll come back when he knows—you c-can write and tell him—"
"Do you suppose I am going to write and ask him to come back?" said Violet wildly. "I've enough pride left yet to keep me from doing that for a man at whose head I've thrown myself openly—yes, openly, and who has never, in words at least, told me he cared anything about me. I will never forgive you, Edith!"
Then Mrs. Hill found herself alone with her lacerated feelings. After soothing67 them with a good cry, she set to work thinking seriously. There was no doubt she had muddled things badly, but there was no use leaving them in a muddle55 when a word or two fitly spoken might set them straight.
Mrs. Hill sat down and wrote a very diplomatic letter before she went to bed, and the next morning she waylaid68 Sergeant Fox and asked him if he would ride down to Rainy River with a very important message for Mr. Spencer. Sergeant Fox wondered what it could be, but it was not his to reason why; it was his only to mount and ride with all due speed, for Mrs. Hill's whims69 and wishes were as stringent70 and binding71 as the rules of the force.
That evening when Mrs. Hill and Violet—the latter very silent and regal—were sitting on the verandah, a horseman came galloping72 up the Rainy River trail. Mrs. Hill excused herself and went in. Five minutes later John Spencer, covered with the alkali dust of his twenty miles' ride, dismounted at Violet's side.
The M.P.s gave a concert at the barracks that night and Mrs. Hill and her Major went to it, as well as everyone else of any importance in town except Violet and Spencer. They sat on Major Hill's verandah and watched the moon rising over the bluffs and making milk-white reflections in the prairie lakes.
"You couldn't have been quite as miserable74 as I was," said Spencer earnestly. "You were everything—absolutely everything to me. Other men have little rills and driblets of affection for sisters and cousins and aunts, but everything in me went out to you. Do you remember you told me the first time we met that love would be a revelation to me? It has been more. It has been a new gospel. I hardly dared hope you could care for me. Even yet I don't know why you do."
"I love you," said Violet gravely, "because you are you."
Than which, of course, there could be no better reason.
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1
akin
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| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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eligibles
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| 合格者（eligible的复数形式） | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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concoct
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| v.调合，制造 | |
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artifices
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| n.灵巧( artifice的名词复数 )；诡计；巧妙办法；虚伪行为 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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stunning
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| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
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flirted
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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impartially
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| adv.公平地，无私地 | |
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hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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loon
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| n.狂人 | |
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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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piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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shimmered
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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divan
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| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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sociable
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| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
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growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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penurious
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| adj.贫困的 | |
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pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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analyzed
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| v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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affidavit
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| n.宣誓书 | |
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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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bluffs
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| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
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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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aggrieved
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| adj.愤愤不平的，受委屈的；悲痛的；（在合法权利方面）受侵害的v.令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式)；令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式和过去分词) | |
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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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muddled
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| adj.混乱的；糊涂的；头脑昏昏然的v.弄乱，弄糟( muddle的过去式)；使糊涂；对付，混日子 | |
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muddle
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| n.困惑，混浊状态；vt.使混乱，使糊涂，使惊呆；vi.胡乱应付，混乱 | |
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queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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abominably
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| adv. 可恶地，可恨地，恶劣地 | |
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shamefully
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| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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60
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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61
maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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62
wilted
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| （使）凋谢，枯萎( wilt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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64
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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65
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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66
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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67
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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68
waylaid
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| v.拦截，拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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70
stringent
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| adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的 | |
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71
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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72
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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73
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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74
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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