The newspaper which the colonel was reading was barely six weeks old, therefore he was deeply engrossed2 in it, and he looked up somewhat absentmindedly.
"Yes, yes. Of course, my dear," he murmured. "What does he want now?"
"Why, he wants his liberty! He wants this absurd charge against him dismissed! It's a shame to hold a boy of his character, his breeding, on the mere3 word of a man like Count Courteau."
Colonel Cavendish smiled quizzically. "You, too, eh?" said he.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Why, you're the fourth woman who has appealed to me since his arrest. I dare say I'll hear from others. I never saw a fellow who had the female vote so solidly behind him. I'm beginning to regard him as a sort of domestic menace."
"You surely don't believe him guilty?"
When her husband refused to commit himself Mrs. Cavendish exclaimed,
"Rubbish!"
"First Josephine came to me," the colonel observed. "She was deeply indignant and considerably5 disappointed in me as a man and a father when I refused to quash the entire proceedings6 and apologize, on behalf of the Dominion7 Government, for the injury to the lad's feelings. She was actually peeved8. What ails9 her I don't know. Then the Countess Courteau dropped in, and so did that 'lady dealer10' from the Rialto. Now you take up his defense11." The speaker paused thoughtfully for an instant. "It's bad enough to have the fellow hanging around our quarters at all hours, but Josephine actually suggested that we have him DINE with us!"
"I know. She spoke of it to me. But he isn't 'hanging around at all hours.' Josephine is interested in his case, just as I am, because—"
"My dear! He's a weigher in a saloon, a gambling-house employee. D'you think it wise to raise such a dust about him? I like the boy myself—can't help liking12 him—but you understand what he's been doing? He's been cutting up; going the pace. I never knew you to countenance13 a fellow—"
"I never saw a boy toward whom I felt so—motherly," Mrs. Cavendish said, with some irrelevance14. "I don't like wild young men any better than you do, but—he isn't a thief, of that I'm sure."
"Look here." Colonel Cavendish laid down his paper, and there was more gravity than usual in his tone. "I haven't told you everything, but it's evidently time I did. Phillips was mixed up with bad associates, the very worst in town—"
"So he told me."
"He couldn't have told you what I'm about to. He had a most unfortunate affair with a dance-hall girl—one that reflects no credit upon him. He was on the straight path to ruin and going at a gallop15, drinking, gambling—everything."
"All the more reason for trying to save him. Remember, you were pretty wild yourself."
"Wait! I don't say he's guilty of this charge; I want to believe him innocent—I'd like to help prove it. For that very reason it occurred to me that Laure—she's the dance-hall girl—might throw some light on the matter, so I put Rock to work on her. Well, his report wasn't pleasant. The girl talked, but what she said didn't help Phillips. She confessed that he'd been stealing right along and giving her the money."
Mrs. Cavendish was shocked, incredulous. After a moment, however, she shook her head positively16 and exclaimed, "I don't believe a word of it."
"She's going to swear to it."
"Her oath would be no better than her word—"
"Good Lord!" the colonel cried, testily17. "Has this young imp18 completely hypnotized you women? The Kirby girl is frightened to death, and the Countess—well, she told me herself that her husband's jealousy19 was at the bottom of the whole thing. Laure, in spite of what she said to Rock, is behaving like a mad person. I dropped in at the Rialto this evening and she asked me what was the worst Pierce could expect. I made it strong, purposely, and I thought she'd faint. No, it's a nasty affair, all through. And, by Jove! to cap the climax20, you and Josephine take part in it! I flatter myself that I'm democratic, but—have him here to dine! Gad21! That's playing democracy pretty strong."
"It isn't fair to imply that he's nothing more than a ladies' man.
They're detestable. The men like Phillips, too."
"True," Cavendish admitted. "He has the God-given faculty22 of making friends, and for that alone I can forgive him almost anything. It's a wonderful faculty—better than being born lucky or rich or handsome. I'm fond of him, but I've favored him all I can. If I thought Josephine were seriously interested in him—well, I wouldn't feel so friendly." The speaker laughed shortly, "No. The man who claims that girl's attention must be clean through and through. He must stand the acid test."
When his wife silently approved this sentiment the colonel picked up his paper and resumed his reading.
Pierce's friends were indeed uniformly indignant, and without exception they maintained their faith in his innocence23; most of them, in fact, actually applied24 themselves to the task of clearing him of Courteau's charge. But of the latter the one who applied herself the most thoughtfully, the most seriously, was the Countess Courteau. Having reasoned that she herself was indirectly25 responsible for his plight26, she set about aiding him in a thoroughly27 feminine and indirect manner. It was an unpleasant undertaking28; she took it up with intense abhorrence29; it required her utmost determination to carry it on. Her plan had formed itself immediately she had learned what had happened; her meeting with the Count that evening and her unexpected solicitude30, her unbidden attention to his injury, were a part of it. As time went on she assumed an air that amazed the man. She meekly31 accepted his reproaches, she submitted to his abuse; cautiously, patiently she paved the way to a reconciliation32.
It was by no means easy, for she and Henri had long lived in what was little better than a state of open hostility33, and she had been at no pains to conceal34 the utter disregard and contempt she felt for him. He, of course, had resented it; her change of demeanor35 now awoke his suspicion. He was a vain and shallow person, however; his conceit36 was thoroughly Latin, and Hilda's perseverance37 was in a way rewarded. Slowly, grudgingly38 he gave ground before her subtle advances—they were, in fact, less advances on her part than opportunities for him—he experienced a feeling of triumph and began to assume a masterful air that was indeed trying to one of her disposition39. Before his friends he boasted that his energetic defense of his honor had worked a marvel40 in his home; in her presence he made bold to take on a swagger and an authority hitherto unknown.
Hilda stood it, with what cost no one could possibly understand. In some manner she managed to convey the idea that he dominated her and that she cringed spiritually before him. She permitted him occasionally to surprise a look of bewilderment, almost of fright, in her eyes, and this tickled41 the man immensely. With a fatuous42 complacency, thoroughly typical, he told himself that she feared and respected him—was actually falling in love with him all over again. When he felt the impulse to scout43 this idea he went to his mirror and examined himself critically, Why not? he asked himself. He was very pleasing. Women had always been wax in his hands; he had a personality, an air, an irresistible44 something that had won him many conquests. It seemed not unlikely that Hilda had been shocked into a new and keener realization45 of his many admirable qualities and was ready to make up, if, or when, he graciously chose to permit her.
On the very evening that Colonel Cavendish and his wife were discussing Pierce Phillips' affair, Courteau, feeling in a particularly jubilant mood, decided46 to put the matter to a test; therefore he surprised his wife by walking into her room unannounced.
"My dear," he began, "it's high time we had a talk."
"Indeed!" said she. "What about?"
"About you, about me, about our affairs. Are we husband and wife or are we not? I ask you."
With a queer flicker47 of her eyelids48 she answered: "Why—of course. You have appeared to forget it sometimes, but—"
"No reproaches, please. The past is gone. Neither of us is without blame. You've had your fling, too, but I've shown you that I'm made of stern stuff and will tolerate no further foolishness. I am a different Courteau than you ever knew. I've had my rebirth. Now then, our present mode of life is not pleasing to me, for I'm a fellow of spirit. Think of me—in the attitude of a dependent!"
"I share generously with you. I give you money—"
"The very point," he broke in, excitedly. "You give; I accept. You direct; I obey. It must end now, at once. I cannot play the accompaniment while you sing. Either I close my eyes to your folly49 and forgive, utterly50—either we become man and wife again and I assume leadership—or I make different plans for the future."
"Just what do you propose, Henri?"
The fellow shrugged51. "I offer you a reconciliation; that, to begin with. You've had your lesson and I flatter myself that you see me in a new light. The brave can afford to be generous. I—well, I've always had a feeling for you; I've never been blind to your attractions, my dear. Lately I've even experienced something of the—er—the old spell. Understand me? It's a fact.' I'm actually taken with you, Hilda; I have the fire of an impetuous lover."
Courteau's eyes gleamed; there was an unusual warmth to his gaze and a vibrance to his tone. He curled his mustache, he swelled53 his chest, he laughed lightly but deeply. "What do you say, eh? I'm not altogether displeasing54. No? You see something in me to admire? I thrill you? Confess."
The wife lowered her eyes. "You have some power—" she murmured.
"Power! Precisely55." The Count nodded and there was a growing vivacity56 and sparkle to him. "That is my quality—a power to charm, a power to achieve, a power to triumph. Well, I choose now to win you again for myself. It is my whim57. To rekindle58 a love which one has lost is a test of any man's power, n'est-ce pas? You are fond of me. I see it. Am I not right, my sweet?"
He laid his soft white hands upon his wife's shoulders and bent59 an ardent60 gaze upon her. Hilda faced him with an odd smile; her cheeks were white, her ice-blue eyes were very wide and bright and they held a curious expression.
"Come! A kiss!" he persisted. "Oho! You tremble, you shrink like a maiden61. I, too, am exhilarated, but—" With a chuckle62 he folded her in his embrace and she did not resist. After a moment he resumed: "This is quite too amusing. I wish my friends to see and to understand. Put on your prettiest dress—"
"What for?"
"We are going down-town. We shall celebrate our reunion—we shall drink to it publicly. All Dawson shall take note. They have said, 'Courteau is a loafer, a ne'er-do-well, and he permits another to win his wife away from him.' I propose to show them."
"You mean you propose to show me off. Is that it? Another conquest, eh?"
"Have it as you will. I—"
"I won't go," Hilda cried, furiously. She freed herself from his arms. "You know I won't go. You'd like to parade me in the places you frequent—saloons, dance-halls, gambling-houses. The idea!"
"You won't? Tut, tut! What is this?" Courteau cried, angrily. "Rebellious63 so soon? Is this recent change of demeanor assumed? Have you been fooling me?"
"What change?" the woman parried. "I don't know—"
"Oh yes, you do! For the first time in years you have treated me as a husband should be treated; half-measures will no longer satisfy me. We have arrived at the show-up. Are you a miserable64 Delilah or—"
"Please don't ask me to go out with you, Henri," the woman pleaded, in genuine distress65, now that she saw he was in earnest. "To be paraded like an animal on a chain! Think of my feelings."
"Indeed! Think of mine," he cried. "This is my hour, my triumph; I propose to make it complete. Now that I carefully consider it, I will put you to the test. You've had a fine time; if you pay a price for it, whose fault is that? No! One must be cruel to be kind."
"Very well!" blazed the Count. "If it pleases me, so be it. That is my attitude now and henceforth—my will is to be law. Come! Your prettiest dress and your prettiest smile, for we celebrate. Yes, and money, too; I'm as poverty-ridden as usual. We will treat my friends, we will gamble here and there, we will watch the shows to an accompaniment of popping corks68 so that every one shall see us and say: 'Yonder is Courteau and his wife. They have made up and she adores him like a mistress. Parbleu! The man has a way with women, eh!' It shall be a great night for me."
"Are you really serious?"
Courteau stamped his felt-shod foot. "Anger me no more."
Hilda's face was colorless, her eyes were still glowing with that peculiar69 light of defiance70, of desperation, of curiosity; nevertheless, she turned away and began to dress herself.
Courteau was not disappointed. His appearance in the river-front resorts, accompanied by his wife, created a sensation indeed. And Hilda's bearing, under the circumstances, added to his gratification, for, now that the die was cast, she surrendered completely, she clung to him as if feeling a new dependence71, and this filled his cup to overflowing72. It was an outrageous73 thing to do; no one save a Courteau would have thought of subjecting the woman who bore his name to such a humiliation74. But he was a perverse75 individual; his mind ran in crooked76 courses; he took a bizarre delight in the unusual, and morality of the common sort he knew not. To smirch her, even a little bit, to subject her to seeming disgrace, not only taught her a lesson, but also united them more closely, so he told himself. That he had the ability to compel her to do anything against her will immensely tickled his vanity, for her stubborn independence had always been a trial to him. He knew that her social status was not of the highest; nevertheless, her reputation was far better than his, and among all except the newest arrivals in Dawson she bore a splendid name. To be, himself, the cause of blackening that name, in order to match his own, gratified his feelings of resentment77. All in all, it was a night of nights for him and he was at no pains to conceal his satisfaction. From one place to another he led her, taking malicious78 enjoyment79 from the distress he caused.
Courteau was not loud nor blatant80; nevertheless, his triumphant81 demeanor, his proprietary82 air, fairly shouted the fact that he had tamed this woman and was exhibiting her against her inclinations83. At every bar he forced her to drink with him and with his friends; he even called up barroom loafers whom he did not know and introduced them with an elaborate flourish. The money he spent was hers, of course, but he squandered84 it royally, leaving a trail of empty champagne85-bottles behind. Champagne, at this time, sold for twenty dollars a quart and, although Hilda saw her earnings86 melting away with appalling87 rapidity, she offered no protest. Together they flung their chips broadcast upon the gambling-tables, and their winnings, which were few, went to buy more popularity with the satellites who trailed them.
As time passed and Hilda continued to meet the test, her husband's satisfaction gained a keener edge. He beamed, he strutted88, he twisted his mustache to needle-points. She was a thoroughbred, that he assured himself. But, after all, why shouldn't she do this for him? The women with whom he was accustomed to associate would not have counted such an evening as this a sacrifice, and, even had they so considered it, he was in the habit of exacting89 sacrifices from women. They liked it; it proved their devotion.
Her subjugation90 was made complete when he led her into a box at the Rialto Theater and insisted upon the two McCaskeys joining them. The brothers at first declined, but by this time Courteau's determination carried all before it.
Joe halted him outside the box door, however, to inquire into the meaning of the affair.
"It means this," the Count informed him. "I have effected a complete reconciliation with my adorable wife. Women are all alike—they fear the iron, they kiss the hand that smites91 them. I have made her my obedient slave, mon ami. That's what it means."
"Eh? What are you trying to say?"
"I've got a hunch93 she's salving you, Count. She's stuck on Phillips, like I told you, and she's trying to get a peek94 at your hole card."
It was characteristic of Courteau that he should take instant offense95 at this reflection upon his sagacity, this doubt of his ability as a charmer.
"You insult my intelligence," he cried, stiffly, "and, above all, I possess intelligence. You—do not. No. You are coarse, you are gross. I am full of sentiment—"
"Rats!" McCaskey growled96. "I get that way myself sometimes. Sentiment like yours costs twenty dollars a quart. But this ain't the time for a spree; we got business on our hands."
The Count eyed his friend with a frown. "It is a personal affair and concerns our business not in the least. I am a revengeful person; I have pride and I exact payment from those who wound it. I brought my wife here as a punishment and I propose to make her drink with you. Your company is not agreeable at any time, my friend, and she does you an honor—"
"Cut out that tony talk," Joe said, roughly. "You're a broken-hipped stiff and you're trying to grab her bank-roll. Don't you s'pose I'm on? My company was all right until you got your hand in the hotel cash-drawer; now I'm coarse. Maybe she's on the square—she fell for you once—but I bet she's working you. Make sure of this, my high and mighty97 nobleman"—for emphasis the speaker laid a heavy hand upon the Count's shoulder and thrust his disagreeable face closer—"that you keep your mouth shut. Savvy98? Don't let her sweat you—"
The admonitory words ended abruptly99, for the door of the box reopened and Joe found the Countess Courteau facing him. For an instant their glances met and in her eyes the man saw an expression uncomfortably reminiscent of that day at Sheep Camp when she had turned public wrath100 upon his brother Jim's head. But the look was fleeting101; she turned it upon her husband, and the Count, with an apology for his delay, entered the box, dragging McCaskey with him.
Frank, it appeared, shared his brother's suspicions; the two exchanged glances as Joe entered; then when the little party had adjusted itself to the cramped102 quarters they watched the Countess curiously103, hoping to analyze104 her true intent. But in this they were unsuccessful. She treated both of them with a cool, impartial105 formality, quite natural under the circumstances, but in no other way did she appear conscious of that clash on the Chilkoot trail. It was not a pleasant situation at best, and Joe especially was ill at ease, but Courteau continued his spendthrift role, keeping the waiters busy, and under the influence of his potations the elder McCaskey soon regained106 some of his natural sang-froid. All three men drank liberally, and by the time the lower floor had been cleared for dancing they were in a hilarious107 mood. They laughed loudly, they shouted greetings across to other patrons of the place, they flung corks at the whirling couples below.
Meanwhile, they forced the woman to imbibe108 with them. Joe, in spite of his returning confidence, kept such close watch of her that she could not spill her glass into the bucket, except rarely. Hilda hated alcohol and its effect; she was not accustomed to drinking. As she felt her intoxication109 mounting she became fearful that the very medium upon which she had counted for success would prove to be her undoing110. Desperately111 she battled to retain her wits. More than once, with a reckless defiance utterly foreign to her preconceived plans, she was upon the point of hurling112 the bubbling contents of her glass into the flushed faces about her and telling these men how completely she was shamming113, but she managed to resist the temptation. That she felt such an impulse at all made her fearful of committing some action equally rash, of dropping some word that would prove fatal.
It was a hideous114 ordeal115. She realized that already the cloak of decency116, of respectability, which she had been at such pains to preserve during these difficult years, was gone, lost for good and all. She had made herself a Lady Godiva; by this night of conspicuous117 revelry she had undone118 everything. Not only had she condoned119 the sins and the shortcomings of her dissolute husband, but also she had put herself on a level with him and with the fallen women of the town—his customary associates. Courteau had done this to her. It had been his proposal. She could have throttled120 him where he sat.
The long night dragged on interminably. Like leeches121 the two McCaskeys clung to their prodigal122 host, and not until the early hours of morning, when the Count had become sodden123, sullen124, stupefied, and when they were in a condition little better, did they permit him to leave them. How Hilda got him home she scarcely knew, for she, too, had all but lost command of her senses. There were moments when she fought unavailingly against a mental numbness125, a stupor126 that rolled upward and suffused127 her like a cloud of noxious128 vapors129, leaving her knees weak, her hands clumsy, her vision blurred130; again waves of deathly illness surged over her. Under and through it all, however, her subconscious131 will to conquer remained firm. Over and over she told herself:
"I'll have the truth and then—I'll make him pay."
Courteau followed his wife into her room, and there his maudlin132 manner changed. He roused himself and smiled at her fatuously133; into his eyes flamed a desire, into his cheeks came a deeper flush. He pawed at her caressingly134; he voiced thick, passionate135 protestations. Hilda had expected nothing less; it was for this that she had bled her flesh and crucified her spirit these many hours.
"You're—wonderful woman," the man mumbled136 as he swayed with her in his arms. "Got all the old charm and more. Game, too!" He laughed foolishly, then in drunken gravity asserted: "Well, I'm the man, the stronger vessel137. To turn hate into love, that—"
"You've taken your price. You've had your hour," she told him. Her head was thrown back, her eyes were closed, her teeth were clenched138 as if in a final struggle for self-restraint.
Courteau pressed his lips to hers; then in a sudden frenzy139 he crushed her closer and fell to kissing her cheeks, her neck, her throat. He mistook her shudder140 of abhorrence for a thrill responsive to his passion, and hiccoughed:
"You're mine again, all mine, and—I'm mad about you. I'm aflame. This is like the night of our marriage, what?"
"Are you satisfied, now that you've made me suffer? Do you still imagine I care for that foolish boy?"
"Phillips? Bah! A noisy swine." Again the Count chuckled141, but this time his merriment ran away with him until he shook and until tears came to his eyes.
Without reason Hilda joined in his laughter. Together they stood rocking, giggling142, snickering, as if at some excruciating jest.
"He—he tried to steal you—from me. From ME. Imagine it! Then he struck me. Well, where is he now, eh?"
"I never dreamed that you cared enough for me to—do what you did. To risk so much."
"Risk?"
Hilda nodded, and her loose straw-gold hair brushed Courteau's cheek. "Don't pretend any longer. I knew from the start. But you were jealous. When a woman loses the power to excite jealousy it's a sign she's growing old and ugly and losing her fire. She can face anything except that."
"Fire!" Henri exclaimed. "Parbleu! Don't I know you to be a volcano?"
"How did you manage the affair—that fellow's ruin? It frightens me to realize that you can accomplish such things."
The Count pushed his wife away. "What are you talking about?" he demanded.
"Oh, very well! Carry it out if you wish," she said, with a careless shrug52. "But you're not fooling me in the least. On the contrary, I admire your spirit. Now then, I'm thirsty. And you are, too." With a smile she evaded143 his outstretched arms and left the room. She was back in a moment with a bottle and two glasses. The latter she filled; her own she raised with a gesture, and Courteau blindly followed suit.
In spite of his deep intoxication the man still retained the embers of suspicion, and when she spoke of Pierce Phillips they began to glow and threatened to burst into flame. Cunningly, persistently144 she played upon him, however. She enticed145, she coquetted, she cajoled; she maddened him with her advances; she teased him with her repulses146; she drugged him with her smiles, her fragrant147 charms. Time and again he was upon the point of surrender, but caught himself in time.
She won at last. She dragged the story from him, bit by bit, playing upon his vanity, until he gabbled boastfully and took a crapulent delight in repeating the details. It was a tale distorted and confused, but the truth was there. She made an excuse to leave him, finally, and remained out of the room for a long time. When she returned it was to find him sprawled148 across her bed and fast asleep.
For a moment she held dizzily to the bedpost and stared down at him. Her mask had slipped now, her face was distorted with loathing149, and so deep were her feelings that she could not bear to touch him, even to cover him over. Leaving him spread-eagled as he was, she staggered out of his unclean presence.
Hilda was deathly sick; objects were gyrating before her eyes; she felt a hideous nightmare sensation of unreality, and was filled with an intense contempt, a tragic150 disgust for herself. Pausing at the foot of the stairs, she strove to gather herself together; then slowly, passionately151 she cursed the name of Pierce Phillips.
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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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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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peeved
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| adj.恼怒的，不高兴的v.（使）气恼，（使）焦躁，（使）愤怒( peeve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ails
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| v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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irrelevance
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| n.无关紧要；不相关；不相关的事物 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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testily
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| adv. 易怒地, 暴躁地 | |
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imp
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| n.顽童 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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gad
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| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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indirectly
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plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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29
abhorrence
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| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
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30
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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31
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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32
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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33
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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34
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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35
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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36
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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37
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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38
grudgingly
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39
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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40
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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41
tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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42
fatuous
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| adj.愚昧的；昏庸的 | |
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43
scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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44
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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45
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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46
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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47
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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48
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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49
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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50
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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51
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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52
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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53
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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54
displeasing
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| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
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55
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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56
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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57
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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58
rekindle
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| v.使再振作；再点火 | |
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59
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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60
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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61
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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62
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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63
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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64
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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65
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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66
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
humiliate
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| v.使羞辱，使丢脸[同]disgrace | |
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68
corks
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| n.脐梅衣；软木( cork的名词复数 )；软木塞 | |
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69
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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70
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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71
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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72
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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73
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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74
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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75
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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76
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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77
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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78
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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79
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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80
blatant
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| adj.厚颜无耻的；显眼的；炫耀的 | |
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81
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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82
proprietary
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| n.所有权，所有的；独占的；业主 | |
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83
inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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84
squandered
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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86
earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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87
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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88
strutted
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| 趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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90
subjugation
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| n.镇压，平息，征服 | |
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91
smites
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的第三人称单数 ) | |
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92
morosely
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| adv.愁眉苦脸地，忧郁地 | |
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93
hunch
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| n.预感，直觉 | |
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94
peek
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| vi.偷看，窥视；n.偷偷的一看，一瞥 | |
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95
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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96
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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97
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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98
savvy
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| v.知道，了解；n.理解能力，机智，悟性；adj.有见识的，懂实际知识的，通情达理的 | |
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99
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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100
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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101
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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102
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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103
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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104
analyze
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| vt.分析，解析 (=analyse) | |
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105
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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106
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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107
hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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108
imbibe
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| v.喝，饮；吸入，吸收 | |
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109
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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110
undoing
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| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
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111
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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112
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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113
shamming
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| 假装，冒充( sham的现在分词 ) | |
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114
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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115
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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116
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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117
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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118
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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119
condoned
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| v.容忍，宽恕，原谅( condone的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
throttled
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| v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
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121
leeches
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| n.水蛭( leech的名词复数 )；蚂蟥；榨取他人脂膏者；医生 | |
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122
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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123
sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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124
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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125
numbness
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| n.无感觉，麻木，惊呆 | |
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126
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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127
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
noxious
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| adj.有害的，有毒的；使道德败坏的，讨厌的 | |
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129
vapors
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| n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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130
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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131
subconscious
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| n./adj.潜意识(的)，下意识(的) | |
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132
maudlin
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| adj.感情脆弱的，爱哭的 | |
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133
fatuously
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| adv.愚昧地，昏庸地，蠢地 | |
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134
caressingly
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| 爱抚地，亲切地 | |
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135
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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136
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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137
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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138
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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139
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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140
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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141
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
giggling
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 ) | |
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143
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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144
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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145
enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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146
repulses
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| v.击退( repulse的第三人称单数 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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147
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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148
sprawled
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| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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149
loathing
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| n.厌恶，憎恨v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的现在分词)；极不喜欢 | |
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150
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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151
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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