Still, I suppose the sun has to come up and perhaps it is just as well that it does so at an hour when people are least likely to suspect it of anything so shabby.
Four o'clock is more than a graceless, sodden9 hour when it ushers10 in a day that you know is to be the unhappiest in your life; when you know that you are to say farewell forever to the hopes begot11 and nurtured12 in other days; when the one you love smiles and goes away to smile again but not for you. And that is just what four o'clock on the morning of the fourteenth of September meant to me.
Britton and I set forth13 in the automobile14 just at the break of dawn, crossing the river a few miles below the castle, and running back to a point on the right hand bank where we were to await the arrival of the boat conveying the Countess and her escort. Her luggage, carefully disguised as crated15 merchandise, had gone to Trieste by fast express a couple of days before, sent in my name and consigned16 to a gentleman whose name I do not now recall, but who in reality served as a sort of middleman in transferring the shipment to the custody17 of a certain yacht's commander.
It was required of me—and of my machine, which is more to the point—that the distance of one hundred and twenty miles through the foothills of the Austrian Alps should be covered and the passengers delivered at a certain railway station fifty miles or more south of Vienna before ten o'clock that night. There they were to catch a train for the little seaport18 on the upper Adriatic, the name of which I was sworn never to reveal, and, as I have not considered it worth while to be released from that oath, I am of necessity compelled to omit the mention of it here.
Mr. Bangs went on to Vienna the night before our departure, taking with him Helene Marie Louise Antoinette, a rather shocking arrangement you would say unless you had come to know the British lawyer as well as we knew him. They were to proceed by the early morning train to this obscure seaport. Colingraft Titus elected to accompany his sister the entire length of the journey, with the faithful Blake and Rosemary.
Billy Smith was to meet us a few miles outside the town for which we were bound, with a word of warning if there was anything sinister19 in the wind.
I heard afterwards from Poopendyke that the departure of the Countess and Rosemary from the castle in the grey; forlorn dawn of that historic fourteenth was attended by a demonstration20 of grief on the part of the four Schmicks that was far beyond his powers of description, and he possesses a wonderful ability to describe lachrymose21 situations, rather running to that style of incident, I may say. The elder Schmicks wailed22 and boo-hooed and proclaimed to the topmost turrets23 that the sun would never shine again for either of them, and, to prove that she was quite in earnest about the matter, Gretel fell off the dock into the river and was nearly drowned before Jasper, Jr., could dive in and get her. Their sons, both of whom cherished amorous24 feelings for Blake, sighed so prodigiously25 all the way down the river that the boat rocked. Incidentally, during the excitement, Jinko, who was to remain behind and journey westward27 later on with Mrs. Titus and Jasper, Jr., succeeded after weeks of vain endeavour in smartly nipping the calf28 of Hawkes' left leg, a feat29 of which he no doubt was proud but which sentenced my impressive butler to an everlasting30 dread31 of hydrophobia and a temporary limp.
It was nearing five o'clock when the boat slipped into view around the tree-covered point of land and headed straight for our hiding place on the bank.
I shall not stop here to describe the first stage of our journey through the narrow, rocky by-roads that ended eventually in the broad, alpine32 highway south and west of Vienna. Let it be sufficient to say that we jostled along for twelve or fifteen miles without special incident, although we were nervously33 anxious and apprehensive34. Our guide book pointed35, or rather twiddled, a route from the river flats into the hills, where we came up with the main road about eight o'clock. We were wrapped and goggled36 to the verge37 of ludicrousness. It would have been quite impossible to penetrate38 our motor-masks and armour39, even for one possessed40 of a keen and practiced eye. The Countess was heavily veiled; great goggles41 bulged42 beneath the green, gauzy thing that protected her lovely face from sun, wind and man. A motor coat, two or three sizes too large, enveloped43 her slender, graceful44 figure, and gauntlets covered her hands. Even Rosemary's tiny face was wrapped in a silken veil of white. As for the rest of us, we could not have been mistaken for anything on earth but American automobilists, ruthlessly inspired to see Europe with the sole view to comparing her roads with our own at home. You would have said, on seeing us, that we knew a great deal about roads and very little about home.
Colingraft and Britton,—the latter at the wheel,—sat in the front seat, while I shared the broad cushions of the tonneau with the Countess, part of the time holding Rosemary, who was clamouring for food, and the rest of the time holding my breath in the fear that we might slip over a precipice45. I am always nervous when not driving the car myself.
We stopped for breakfast at a small mountain inn, fifteen miles from our starting place. The Countess, a faint red spot in each cheek and a curiously46 bright, feverish47 glow in her dark eyes, revealed a tendency to monopolise the conversation, a condition properly attributed to nervous excitement. I could see that she was vastly thrilled by the experiences of the hour; her quick, alert brain was keeping pace with the rush of blood that stimulated48 every fibre in her body to new activities. She talked almost incessantly49, and chiefly about matters entirely50 foreign to the enterprise in hand.
The more I see of women, the less I know about them. Why she should have spent the whole half hour devoted51 to breakfast to a surprisingly innocuous dissertation52 on Schopenhauer and Nietzsche is—or was—beyond me.
How was I to know that tears lay close to the surface of those shimmering53, vivacious54 eyes? How was I to know that sobs56 took refuge behind a simulated interest in philosophy?
We had luncheon57 picnic fashion half-way to our journey's end, diverging58 from the main road to find a secluded59 spot where we could spread our cloth and open our hampers60 without fear of interruption or, to use a more sinister word, detection. It was rather a jolly affair, that first and last al fresco61 banquet of ours under the spreading branches of mighty62 trees and beside the trickling63 waters of a gay little mountain brook64 that hurried like mad down to the broad channel of the Danube, now many miles away. The strain of the first few hours had slackened. Success seemed assured. We had encountered no difficulties, no dangers in town or country. No one appeared to be interested in us except through idle curiosity; villagers and peasants stared at us and grinned; policemen and soldiers stood aside to let us pass, or gave directions politely when requested to do so. There were no signs of pursuit, no indications of trouble ahead. And so we could afford to be gay and confident at our midday meal in the hills bordering the broad highway.
We even went so far as to arrange for a jolly reunion in New York City at no distant day! I remember distinctly that we were to dine at Sherry's. To me, the day seemed a long way off.
I suppose, being a writer of fiction, I should be able to supply at this point in the narrative65, a series of thrilling, perhaps hair-raising encounters with the enemy, in the form of spies, cut-throats, imperial mercenaries or whatever came handiest to the imagination. It would be a very simple matter to transform this veracious66 history into the most lurid67 of melodramas68 by the introduction of the false and bizarre, but it is not my purpose to do so. I mean to adhere strictly69 to the truth and stand by the consequences. Were I inclined to sensationalism it would be no trouble at all for me to have Tarnowsy's agents shooting at our tires or gasoline tank from every crag and cranny; or to have Rosemary kidnapped by aeroplanists supplied with drag-hooks; or to have the Countess lodged70 in a village prison from which I should be obliged to liberate71 her with battle-axe and six-shooter, my compensation being a joyous72 rest in a hospital with the fair Aline nursing me back to health and strength and cooing fond words in my rapacious73 ear the while I reflected on the noble endowments of a nature that heretofore had been commonplace and meek74. But, no! None of these things happened and I decline to perjure75 myself for the privilege of getting into the list of "six best sellers."
So far as I am able to judge, there was absolutely no heroism76 displayed during our flight through the hills and valleys, unless you are willing to accept as such a single dash of sixty miles an hour which Britton made in order to avoid a rain-shower that threatened to flank us if we observed the speed laws.
But wait! There was an example of bravado77 on my part that shall not go unrecorded. I hesitated at first to put it down in writing, but my sense of honour urges me to confess everything. It happened just after that memorable78 picnic luncheon in the shady dell. The Countess, I maintain, was somewhat to blame for the incident. She suggested that we,—that is to say, the two of us,—explore the upper recesses79 of this picturesque80 spot while the others were making ready for the resumption of our journey.
Shame, contrition81, humiliation82 or whatever you may elect to call it, forbids a lengthy83 or even apologetic explanation of what followed her unfortunate suggestion. I shall get over with it in as few words as possible.
In the most obscure spot in all those ancient hills, I succumbed84 to an execrable impulse to take her forcibly in my arms and kiss her! I don't know why I did it, or how, but that is just what happened. My shame, my horror over the transcendental folly85 was made almost unbearable86 by the way in which she took it. At first I thought she had swooned, she lay so limp and unresisting in my arms. My only excuse, whispered penitently87 in her ear, was that I couldn't help doing what I had done, and that I deserved to be drawn88 and quartered for taking advantage of my superior strength and her gentle forbearance. Strange to say, she merely looked at me in a sort of dumb wonder and quietly released herself, still staring at me as if I were the most inexplicable89 puzzle in the world. Her cheeks, her throat, her brow grew warm and pink with a just indignation; her lips parted but she uttered no word. Then I followed her dejectedly, cravenly back to the roadside and executed an inward curse that would hang over my miserable90 head so long as it was on my shoulders.
Her vivacity91 was gone. She shrank down into the corner of the seat, and, with her back half turned toward me, gazed steadfastly92 at the panoramic93 valley which we were skirting. From time to time I glanced, at her out of the corners of my eyes, and eventually was somewhat relieved to see that she had closed her own and was dozing94. My soul was in despair. She loathed95, despised me. I could not blame her. I despised myself.
And yet my heart quickened every time I allowed myself to think of the crime I had committed.
The day was a glorious one and the road more than passably good. We bowled along at a steady rate of speed and sundown found us about twenty-five miles from our destination. Not caring to run the risk of a prolonged stay in the town, we drew up at a roadside inn and had our dinner in the quaint96 little garden, afterwards proceeding97 leisurely98 by moonlight down the sloping highway.
Billy Smith met us six or eight miles out and we stopped to parley99. He examined the Countess's skilfully100 prepared passports, pronounced them genuine (!), and then gave us the cheerful news that "everything was lovely and the goose hung high." The train for the coast was due to leave the Staats-bahn-hof at 10.05, and we had an hour to spare. He proposed that we spend it quite comfortably at the roadside while Britton went through the pretence101 of repairing our tires. This seemed an agreeable arrangement for every one but Britton, who looked so glum102 that I, glad of the excuse, offered to help him.
No sooner was I out of the car and Billy Smith in my place beside the Countess than she became quite gay and vivacious once more. She laughed and chatted with him in a manner that promptly103 convinced me that propinquity so far as I was concerned had had a most depressing effect upon her, and that she revelled104 in the change of companions.
I was so disturbed by the discovery that Britton had to caution me several times to handle the inner tubes less roughly or I would damage them and we might suffer a blow-out after all.
Every one appeared to be gay and frivolous105, even Blake, who chattered106 sotto voce with Britton, that excellent rascal107 spending most of his time leaning against the spare tires in order to catch what she was saying for his benefit. All efforts to draw me into the general conversation were unavailing. I was as morose108 and unresponsive as an Egyptian mummy, and for a very excellent reason, I submit. The Countess deliberately109 refused to address a single remark to me. Indeed, when I seemed perilously110 near to being drawn into the conversation she relapsed into a silence that was most forbidding. My cup of misery111 was overflowing112.
I wondered if she would feel called upon, at some distant confessional, to tell the fortunate Lord Amberdale that I had brutally113 kissed her. And Lord Amberdale would grin in his beastly supercilious114 English way and say: "What else could you have expected from a bally American bounder?" She would no doubt smile indulgently.
Heigh-ho!
All things come to an end, however. We found ourselves at last uttering our good-byes in the railway station, surrounded by hurrying travellers and attended by eager porters.
The Countess did not lift her veil. I deliberately drew her aside. My hot hand clasped hers, and found it as cold as ice and trembling.
She did not speak for many seconds. Then her voice was very low and tremulous. I felt that her sombre eyes were accusing me even as they tried to meet my own with a steadiness that was meant to be reassuring117.
"Of course I forgive you," she said. "You have been so good to me."
"Good!" I cried bitterly. "I've been harsh, unreasoning, super-critical from the day I met—"
"Hush118!" she said, laying her free hand upon my arm. "I shall never forget all that you have done for me. I—I can say no more."
I gulped119. "I pray to heaven that you may be happy, Aline,—happier than any one else in the world."
She lowered her head suddenly, and I was made more miserable than before by hearing a quick, half-suppressed sob55. Then she withdrew her cold little hand and turned away to follow Colingraft who had called out to her.
I saw them board the train. In my heart there was the memory of a dozen kisses I had bestowed120 in repentant122 horror upon the half-asleep Rosemary, who, God bless her little soul, cried bitterly on being torn away from my embrace.
"Well," said Billy Smith, taking me by the arm a few minutes later, "let's have a bite to eat and a cold bottle before we go to bed, old chap. I hope to heaven she gets through all right. Damme, I am strong for her, aren't you?"
He led me off to a cafe where he seemed to be more or less at home, and where it was bright and gay for him but gloomier than the grave to me.
I drove the car home the next day. When we got down at the garage, Britton shivered and drew a prodigious26 breath. It was as if he had not breathed for hours. We had gone the distance in little more than half the time taken on the trip down.
"My word, sir," was all he said, but there was a significant tremor124 in his voice. It smacked125 of pride.
Mrs. Titus placidly126 inquired how we had got along, and appeared quite relieved when I told her we had caught the train at K—-. Jasper, Jr., revealed a genuine interest in the enterprise, but spoiled it all by saying that Aline, now prematurely127 safe, was most likely to leap out of the frying-pan into the fire by marrying some blithering foreigner and having the whole beastly business to do over again.
"How soon do they go?" asked Poopendyke late that afternoon, after listening to Mrs. Titus's amiable128 prophecies concerning Aline's future activities, and getting my harassed129 ear in a moment of least resistance.
"I don't know," said I, hopelessly. I had heard about all I could endure concerning his lordship's magnificent estates in England, and the sort of a lord he was besides. "There's nothing to do but wait, Fred."
"She is a remarkably130 fine woman but—" He completed the estimate by shaking his head, trusting to my intelligence, I suppose.
We waited two days for word from the fugitives131. Late in the afternoon of the second day, Britton returned from town with a telegram for me. It said:
"Cargo132 safely aboard Pendennis, Captain Pardee commanding. Clear at two to-day. Everything satisfactory. (Signed) C. G. RAFT."
No sooner was this reassuring news received than Mrs. Titus complacently133 set about having her trunks packed. The entire household was in a stew134 of activity, for she had suddenly decided135 to catch the eight o'clock train for Paris. I telephoned to reserve accommodation on the Orient Express from Vienna, and also to have it stopped at the town across the river, a concession136 secured at a no inconsiderable cost.
She was to travel once more as my mother.
"You will not fail to look us up when you come to New York, will you, Mr. Smart? Mr. Titus will not be happy until he has expressed to you in person his endless gratitude137. You have been splendid. We shall never forget your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your—your forbearance. I—I—"
Upon my word, there were real tears in the dear lady's eyes! I forgot and forgave much in recognition of this instant of genuine feeling on her part. It was not necessary for her to complete the sentence so humbly138 begun.
Their departure was made with some degree of caution, Mrs. Titus rather considerately reminding herself that my interests were at stake. I saw them aboard the train; she played her part admirably, I will say that for her. She lifted her veil so that I could bestow121 a farewell filial kiss upon her cheek. Jasper, Jr.'s, eyes popped very wide open at this, and, as he shook my hand warmly at parting, he said:
"You are a wonder, John,—a sure enough wonder. Why, hang it all, she doesn't even let dad do that."
But Jasper, Jr., was very young and he couldn't understand.
At last we were to ourselves, my extensive household and I. Late that night I sat in my study considering the best means of reducing my staff of servants and in computing139, with dismay, the cost of being a princely host to people who had not the least notion what it meant to do sums in economic subtraction140. It was soon apparent to me that retrenchment141, stern and relentless142, would have to follow upon my wild though brief season of profligacy143. I decided to dismiss the scullery-maid.
I was indescribably lonely. Poopendyke was worried about my pallor, my lassitude. At the end of a week, he took it upon himself to drop a line to the Hazzards, urging them to run out for a visit in the hope that company might take me out of myself. All attempts to renew my work on the ill-fated novel met with utter failure. The power of mental concentration was gone. I spent most of my time in the garden.
The Hazzards came and with them the joyously144 beautiful Betty Billy. Poopendyke must have prepared them for the task in hand, for they proceeded at once to transform the bleak145, dreary146 old castle into a sort of hilarious147 merry-go-round, with me in the very vortex of it all. They succeeded in taking me "out of myself," I will say that for them. My spirits took an upward bound and, wonderful to relate, retained their altitude in spite of all I could do to lower them. I did not want to be happy; I figured that I owed it to my recently aroused temperament148 to be permanently149 unhappy. But the wind blew another way and I drifted amiably150 with it, as a derelict drifts with the currents of the ocean but preferably with the warm gulf151 stream.
We had word from Mrs. Titus, in London, that negotiations152 had been reopened with the Count, and that a compromise might be expected. The obdurate153 nobleman had agreed, it seemed, to meet Jasper Titus's lawyers in Paris at no distant date. My chief concern however was for the Countess herself. That she had successfully reached the high seas was apparent; if not, the newspapers, which I read with eagerness, would have been filled with accounts of her seizure154. We eagerly awaited the promised cablegram from New York, announcing her safe arrival there.
Smith joined us at the end of the week. I nerved myself to question him about the Englishman.
"Splendid fellow," said he, with discouraging fervour. "One of the finest chaps I know, eh, George?"
"For an Englishman," admitted Hazzard.
"He's a gentleman, and that's more than you can say for the rag-tag of nobility that paid court to Aline Tarnowsy. He was in love with her, but he was a gentleman about it. A thoroughbred, I say."
"Well, rather! The sort of chap women rave2 about. Ask Betty. She was mad about him. But he couldn't see anything in her. I think she hates him now. He had eyes for no one but the fair Countess. An awful grind on Betty. She's used to something different."
Hazzard studied the clouds that drifted over our heads. "I wonder if Aline cared anything for him."
"I've always believed that she liked him better than she cared to admit, even to herself."
"I fancy he'll not let any grass grow under his feet, now that she's free," said Dr. Hazzard.
"Think she'll have him?"
"Why not? He has a much better position in England than Tarnowsy has here, and he's not after her money. I hate to say it, but Aline is a seeker after titles. She wouldn't be averse156 to adding 'your ladyship' to her collection."
"Oh, come!" I protested. "That is a nasty thing to say, George."
"She may have been regenerated," he said obligingly. "You know her better than I do, old chap. What say?"
"I didn't say anything," I muttered.
"I thought you did."
I hesitated a moment and then purged157 myself of the truth. "As a matter of fact, I have reason to believe she's in love with Amberdale and has been for a long time. I'm not saying it in disparagement158, believe me. God knows she's entitled to something decent and fine in the shape of love. I hope he's good enough for her."
"Oh, he's good enough for her," he said, with a queer smile.
"I'm glad of that," I said gruffly.
"The old la—I mean Mrs. Titus will be tickled160 to death if the match is pulled off," said Hazzard.
"She was tickled the first time," said I sententiously, and changed the subject. There was no sense in prolonging the agony.
Toward the close of their visit, a message arrived from the Countess herself, signed with the fictitious161 name we had agreed upon. The news she gave caused us to celebrate that night. We had a bonfire in the courtyard and drank to the god of Good Luck.
"Cargo safely landed in New York and forwarded to the Adirondacks for storage and to await the appearance of a claimant. Former owner has agreed to accept million and a half and release all claims. When are you coming over? (Signed) Alrose."
By the most extraordinary coincidence, a curt162, business-like letter arrived in the evening post from Maris Tarnowsy, post-marked Paris. Its contents staggered me.
"John Bellamy Smart, Esquire.
"Dear Mr. Smart: Will you put a price on Schloss Rothhoefen? I am desirous of purchasing the castle if you care to sell and we can agree upon a fair price for the property. Sentiment moves me in this matter and I earnestly hope that you may be induced to part with your white elephant. If you will be so kind as to wire your decision, you will find me deeply grateful, and at the Ritz for the ensuing fortnight.
"Faithfully yours,
"MARIS TARNOWSY."
My "white elephant!" I was so eager to get rid of it that I would have wired at once, naming a figure proportionately low had it not been for the united protests of my four friends and the canny163 advice of Mr. Poopendyke.
"Soak him," said he, and I arose to the occasion.
I waited for three days and then telegraphed him that I would not take a heller less than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, more than doubling the price I had paid for the property. I was prepared, however, to come down a paltry164 hundred thousand or so if he revealed signs of reluctance165.
"Terms acceptable. Will come to Schloss Rothhoefen at once to complete the transfer.
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graveyards
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| 墓地( graveyard的名词复数 )； 垃圾场； 废物堆积处； 收容所 | |
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rave
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| vi.胡言乱语；热衷谈论；n.热情赞扬 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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beacons
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| 灯塔( beacon的名词复数 )； 烽火； 指路明灯； 无线电台或发射台 | |
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alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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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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dour
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| adj.冷酷的，严厉的；（岩石）嶙峋的；顽强不屈 | |
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sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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ushers
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| n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 ) | |
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begot
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| v.为…之生父( beget的过去式 )；产生，引起 | |
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nurtured
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| 养育( nurture的过去式和过去分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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crated
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| 把…装入箱中( crate的过去式 ) | |
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consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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seaport
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| n.海港，港口，港市 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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lachrymose
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| adj.好流泪的，引人落泪的；adv.眼泪地，哭泣地 | |
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wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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prodigiously
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| adv.异常地，惊人地，巨大地 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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32
alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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33
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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34
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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35
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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36
goggled
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| adj.戴护目镜的v.睁大眼睛瞪视， （惊讶的）转动眼珠( goggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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38
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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39
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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40
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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41
goggles
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| n.护目镜 | |
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42
bulged
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| 凸出( bulge的过去式和过去分词 )； 充满； 塞满（某物） | |
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43
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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45
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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46
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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47
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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48
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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49
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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50
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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51
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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52
dissertation
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| n.（博士学位）论文，学术演讲，专题论文 | |
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53
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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54
vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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55
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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56
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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57
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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58
diverging
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| 分开( diverge的现在分词 )； 偏离； 分歧； 分道扬镳 | |
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59
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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60
hampers
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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61
fresco
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| n.壁画；vt.作壁画于 | |
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62
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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63
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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64
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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65
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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66
veracious
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| adj.诚实可靠的 | |
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67
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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68
melodramas
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| 情节剧( melodrama的名词复数 ) | |
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69
strictly
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|
| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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70
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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71
liberate
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| v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由 | |
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72
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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73
rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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74
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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75
perjure
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| v.作伪证；使发假誓 | |
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76
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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77
bravado
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| n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能 | |
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78
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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79
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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80
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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81
contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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82
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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83
lengthy
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|
| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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84
succumbed
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|
| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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85
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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86
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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87
penitently
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88
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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89
inexplicable
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|
| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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90
miserable
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|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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91
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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92
steadfastly
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|
| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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93
panoramic
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| adj. 全景的 | |
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94
dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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95
loathed
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| v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的过去式和过去分词 )；极不喜欢 | |
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96
quaint
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|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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97
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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98
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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99
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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100
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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101
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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102
glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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103
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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104
revelled
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| v.作乐( revel的过去式和过去分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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105
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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106
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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107
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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108
morose
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| adj.脾气坏的，不高兴的 | |
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109
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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110
perilously
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| adv.充满危险地，危机四伏地 | |
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111
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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112
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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113
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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114
supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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115
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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116
humbleness
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| n.谦卑，谦逊；恭顺 | |
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117
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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118
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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119
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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120
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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121
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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122
repentant
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| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
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123
daze
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| v.(使)茫然，(使)发昏 | |
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124
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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125
smacked
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| 拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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126
placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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127
prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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128
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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129
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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130
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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131
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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132
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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133
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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134
stew
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| n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 | |
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135
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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136
concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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137
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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138
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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139
computing
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| n.计算 | |
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140
subtraction
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| n.减法，减去 | |
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141
retrenchment
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| n.节省，删除 | |
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142
relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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143
profligacy
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| n.放荡，不检点，肆意挥霍 | |
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144
joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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145
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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146
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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147
hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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148
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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149
permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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150
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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151
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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152
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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153
obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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154
seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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155
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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156
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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157
purged
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| 清除（政敌等）( purge的过去式和过去分词 )； 涤除（罪恶等）； 净化（心灵、风气等）； 消除（错事等）的不良影响 | |
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158
disparagement
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| n.轻视，轻蔑 | |
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159
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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160
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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161
fictitious
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| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
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162
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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163
canny
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| adj.谨慎的，节俭的 | |
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164
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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165
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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166
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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