Thomas Hayes considered a moment. "Well, I think the Squire2 was walking rather the smartest of the two."
"Did the pedlar seem likely to overtake him?"
"Nay3. Ye see, Dame4, Squire he walked straight on; but the pedlar he took both sides of the road at oust5, as the saying is."
The Prisoner. Forgive me, Thomas, but I don't know what you mean.
Hayes (compassionately). How should ye? You are never the worse for liquor, the likes of you.
The Prisoner (very keenly). Oh, he was in liquor, was he?
Hayes. Come, Dame, you do brew6 good ale at Hernshaw Castle. Ye needn't go to deny that; for, Lord knows, 'tis no sin; and a poor fellow may be jolly; yet not, to say, drunk.
The Judge (sternly). Witness, attend, and answer directly.
The Prisoner. Nay, my lord, 'tis a plain country body, and means no ill. Good Thomas, be so much my friend as to answer plainly. Was the man drunk or sober?
Hayes. All I know is he went from one side of the road to t'other.
The Prisoner. Thomas Hayes, as you hope to be saved eternally, was the pedlar drunk or sober?
Hayes. Well, if I must tell on my neighbor or else be damned, then that there pedlar was as drunk as a lord.
Here, notwithstanding the nature of the trial, the laughter was irrepressible, and Mrs. Gaunt sat quietly down (for she was allowed a seat), and said no more.
To the surgeon, who had examined the body officially, she put this question, "Did you find any signs of violence?"
The Surgeon. None whatever; but, then, there was nothing to go by, except the head and the bones.
The Prisoner. Have you experience in this kind? I mean, have you inspected murdered bodies?
The Surgeon. Yes.
The Prisoner. How many?
The Surgeon. Two before this.
The Prisoner. Oh! pray, pray, do not say "before this:" I have great hopes no murder at all hath been committed here. Let us keep to plain cases. Please you describe the injuries in those two undoubted cases.
The Surgeon. In Wellyn's the skull8 was fractured in two places. In Sherrett's the right arm was broken, and there were some contusions on the head; but the cause of death was a stab that penetrated9 the lungs.
The Prisoner. Suppose Wellyn's murderers had thrown his body into the water, and the fishes had so mutilated it as they have this one, could you by your art have detected the signs of violence?
The Surgeon. Certainly. The man's skull was fractured. Wellyn's I mean.
The Prisoner. I put the same question with regard to Sherrett's.
The Surgeon. I cannot answer it: here the lungs were devoured10 by the fishes: no signs of lesion can be detected in an organ that has ceased to exist.
The Prisoner. This is too partial. Why select one injury out of several? What I ask is this: could you have detected violence in Sherrett's case, although the fishes had eaten the flesh of his body.
The Surgeon. I answer that the minor11 injuries of Sherrett would have been equally perceptible; to wit, the bruises13 on the head, and the broken arm; but not the perforation of the lungs; and that it was killed the man.
Prisoner. Then, so far as you know, and can swear, about murder, more blows have always been struck than one, and some of the blows struck in Sherrett's case, and Wellyn's, would have left traces that fishes' teeth could not efface14?
The Surgeon. That is so, if I am to be peevishly15 confined to my small and narrow experience of murdered bodies. But my general knowledge of the many ways in which life may be taken by violence—
The Judge stopped him, and said that, in a case of Blood, that could hardly be admitted as evidence against his actual experience.
The prisoner put a drawing of the castle, the mere16, and the bridge, into the witnesses' hands, and elicited17 that it was correct, and also the distances marked on it. They had, in fact, been measured exactly for her.
The hobnailed shoes were produced, and she made some use of them, particularly in cross-examining Jane Bannister.
Prisoner. Look at those shoes. Saw you ever the like on Mr. Gaunt's feet?
Jane. That I never did, Dame.
Prisoner. What, not when he came into the kitchen on the 15th October?
Jane. Nay, he was booted. By the same token I saw the boy a cleaning of them for supper.
Prisoner. Those boots, when you broke into his room, did you find them?
Jane. Nay, when the man went, his boots went; as reason was. We found nought18 of his but a soiled glove.
Prisoner. Had the pedlar boots on?
Prisoner. Had he these very shoes on. Look at them.
The Judge. Clatter on her bricks! What does she mean?
Prisoner. I think she means on the floor of her kitchen. 'Tis a brick floor, if I remember right.
The Judge. Good woman, say, is that what you mean?
Jane. Ay, an't please you, my lord.
Jane. Not that I know on. I never took so much notice of the man. But la, Dame, now I look at you, I don't believe you was ever the one to murder our master.
Wiltshire. We don't want your opinion. Confine yourself to facts.
Prisoner. You heard me rating my husband on that night; what was it I said about the constables22—do do you remember?
Jane. La, Dame, I wouldn't ask that if I was in your place.
Prisoner. I am much obliged to you for your advice; but answer me—truly.
Jane. Well, if you will have it, I think you said they should be here in the morning. But, indeed, good gentlemen, her bark was always worse than her bite, poor soul.
The Judge. Here. That meant at Hernshaw Castle, I presume.
Jane. Ay, my lord, an' if it please your lordship's honor's worship.
Mrs. Gaunt, husbanding the patience of the court, put no questions at all to several witnesses; but she cross-examined Mrs. Ryder very closely. This was necessary; for Ryder was a fatal witness. Her memory had stored every rash and hasty word the poor lady had uttered, and, influenced either by animosity or prejudice, she put the worst color on every suspicious circumstance. She gave her damnatory evidence neatly23, and clearly, and with a seeming candor24 and regret, that disarmed25 suspicion.
When her examination in chief concluded, there was but one opinion amongst the bar, and the auditors26 in general, viz., that the maid had hung the mistress.
Mrs. Gaunt herself felt she had a terrible antagonist27 to deal with, and, when she rose to cross-examine her, she looked paler than she had done all through the trial.
She rose, but seemed to ask herself how to begin: and her pallor and her hesitation28, while they excited some little sympathy, confirmed the unfavorable impression. She fixed29 her eyes upon the witnesses, as if to discover where she was most vulnerable. Mrs. Ryder returned her gaze calmly. The court was hushed; for it was evident a duel30 was coming between two women of no common ability.
The opening rather disappointed expectation. Mrs. Gaunt seemed, by her manner, desirous to propitiate31 the witness.
Prisoner (very civilly). You say you brought Thomas Leicester to my bedroom on that terrible night?
Ryder (civilly). Yes, madam.
Prisoner. And you say he stayed there half-an-hour?
Ryder. Yes, madam; he did.
Prisoner. May I inquire how you know he stayed just half-an-hour?
Ryder. My watch told me that, madam. I brought him to you at a quarter past eleven: and you did not ring for me till a quarter to twelve.
Prisoner. And, when I did ring for you, what then?
Ryder. I came and took the man away, by your orders.
Prisoner. At a quarter to twelve?
Ryder. At a quarter to twelve.
Prisoner. This Leicester was a lover of yours?
Ryder. Not he.
Prisoner. Oh, fie! Why he offered you marriage; it went so far as that.
Ryder. Oh, that was before you set him up pedlar.
Prisoner. 'Twas so, but he was single for your sake, and he renewed his offer that very night. Come, do not forswear yourself about a trifle.
Ryder. Trifle, indeed! Why, if he did, what has that to do with the murder? You'll do yourself no good, madam, by going about so.
Wiltshire. Really, madam, this is beside the mark.
Prisoner. If so, it can do your case no harm. My lord, you did twice interrupt the learned counsel, and forebode him to lead his witnesses; I not once, for I am for stopping no mouths, but sifting32 all to the bottom. Now, I implore34 you to let me have fair play in my turn, and an answer from this slippery witness.
The Judge. Prisoner, I do not quite see your drift; but God forbid you should be hampered35 in your defense36. Witness, by virtue37 of your oath, reply directly. Did this pedlar offer you marriage that night after he left the prisoner?
Ryder. My lord, he did.
Ryder. Not he, madam: that was not the way to win me.
Prisoner. What! did not his terrible purpose peep out all the time he was making love to you?
No reply.
Prisoner. You had the kitchen to your two selves? Come, don't hesitate.
Ryder. The other servants were gone to bed. You kept the man so late.
Prisoner. Oh, I mean no reflection on your prudence39. You went out of doors with your wooer; just to see him off?
Ryder. Not I. What for? I had nobody to make away with. I just opened the door for him, bolted it after him, and went straight to my bedroom.
Prisoner. How long had you been there when you heard the cry for help?
Ryder. Scarce ten minutes. I had not taken my stays off.
Prisoner. If you and Thomas Hayes speak true, that gives half an hour you were making love with the murderer after he left me. Am I correct?
The witness now saw whither she had been led, and changed her manner: she became sullen40, and watched an opportunity to stab.
Prisoner. Had he a mole on his brow?
Ryder. Not that I know of.
Ryder's eyes flashed; but she felt her temper tried, and governed it all the more severely42. She treated the question with silent contempt.
Prisoner. But you pass for a discreet43 woman; perhaps you looked modestly down when the assassin saluted you?
Ryder. If he saluted me, perhaps I did.
Prisoner. In that case you could not see his mole; but you must have noticed his shoes. Were these the shoes he wore? Look at them well.
Ryder (after inspecting them). I do not recognise them.
Prisoner. Will you swear these were not the shoes he had on?
Ryder. How can I swear that? I know nothing about the man's shoes. If you please, my lord, am I to be kept here all day with her foolish trifling44 questions?
The Judge. All day, and all night too, if Justice requires it. The law is not swift to shed blood.
Prisoner. My lord and the gentlemen of the jury were here before you, and will be kept here after you. Prithee attend. Look at that drawing of Hernshaw Castle and Hernshaw Mere. Now take this pencil, and mark your bedroom on the drawing.
The pencil was taken from the prisoner, and handed to Ryder. She waited like a cat till it came close to her; then recoiled45 with an admirable scream. "Me handle a thing hot from the hand of a murderess! It makes me tremble all over."
This cruel stab affected46 the prisoner visibly. She put her hand to her bosom47, and with tears in her eyes faltered48 out a request to the judge that she might sit down a minute.
The Judge. To be sure you may. And you, my good woman, must not run before the court, how do you know what evidence she may have in store? At present we have only heard one side. Be more moderate.
The prisoner rose promptly49 to her feet. "My lord, I welcome the insult that has disgusted your lordship and the gentlemen of the jury, and won me those good words of comfort." To Ryder—"What sort of a night was it?"
Prisoner. Could you see the Mere, and the banks?
Ryder. Nay, but so much of it as faced my window.
Prisoner. Have you marked your window?
Ryder. I have.
Prisoner. Now mark the place where you heard Mr. Gaunt cry for help.
Ryder. 'Twas about here; under these trees. And that is why I could not see him: along of the shadow.
Prisoner. Possibly. Did you see me on that side the Mere?
Ryder. No.
Prisoner. What colored dress had I on at that time?
Ryder. White satin.
Prisoner. Then you could have seen me, even among the trees, had I been on that side the Mere?
Ryder. I can't say. However, I never said you were on the very spot where the deed was done; but you were out of doors.
Prisoner. How do you know that?
Ryder. Why, you told me so yourself.
Prisoner. Then that is my evidence, not yours. Swear to no more than you know. Had my husband, to your knowledge, a reason for absconding51 suddenly?
Ryder. Yes, he had.
Prisoner. What was it?
Ryder. Fear of you.
Prisoner. Nay, I mean, had he not something to fear, something quite different from that I am charged with?
Ryder. You know best, madam. I would gladly serve you, but I cannot guess what you are driving at.
The prisoner was taken aback by this impudent53 reply. She hesitated to force her servant to expose a husband, whom she believed to be living: and her hesitation looked like discomfiture54; and Ryder was victorious55 in that encounter.
Prisoner. You listened to our unhappy quarrel that night?
Ryder. Quarrel! madam, 'twas all on one side.
Prisoner. How did you understand what I said to him about the constables?
Ryder. Constables! I never heard you say the word.
Prisoner. Oh!
Ryder. Neither when you threatened him with your knife to me; nor when you threatened him to his face.
Prisoner. Take care: you forget that Jane Bannister heard me; was her ear nearer the keyhole than yours?
Ryder. Jane! she is a simpleton. You could make her think she heard anything. I noticed you put the words in her mouth.
Prisoner. God forgive you, you naughty woman. You had better have spoken the truth.
Ryder. My lord, if you please, am I to be miscalled—by a murderess?
The Judge. Come, come, this is no place for recrimination.
The prisoner now stooped and examined her papers, and took a distinct line of cross-examination.
Ryder. Yes, madam, as virtuous as yourself, to say the least.
Prisoner (still more carelessly). Married or single?
Ryder. Single, and like to be.
Prisoner. Yes, if I remember right, I made a point of that before I engaged you as my maid.
Ryder. I believe the question was put.
Prisoner. Here is the answer in your handwriting. Is not that your handwriting?
Ryder (after inspecting it). It is.
Prisoner. You came highly recommended by your last mistress, a certain Mrs. Hamilton. Here is her letter, describing you as a model.
Ryder. Well, madam, hitherto I have given satisfaction to all my mistresses, Mrs. Hamilton among the rest. My character does not rest on her word only, I hope.
Prisoner. Excuse me; I engaged, you on her word alone. Now, who is this Mrs. Hamilton?
Ryder. A worshipful lady I served for eight months before I came to you. She went abroad, or I should be with her now.
Prisoner. Now cast your eye over this paper.
It was the copy of a marriage certificate between Thomas Edwards and Caroline Plunkett.
"Who is this Caroline Plunkett?"
Ryder turned very pale, and made no reply.
"I ask you who is this Caroline Plunkett?"
Ryder (faintly). Myself.
The Judge. Why, you said you were single!
Ryder. So I am; as good as single. My husband and me we parted eight years ago, and I have never seen him since.
Prisoner. Was it quite eight years ago?
Ryder. Nearly, 'twas in May, 1739.
Prisoner. Put you have lived with him since.
Ryder. Never, upon my soul.
Prisoner. When was your child born?
Ryder. My child! I have none.
Prisoner. In January, 1743, you left a baby at Biggleswade, with a woman called Church—did you not?
Ryder (panting). Of course I did. It was my sister's.
Prisoner. Do you mean to call God to witness that child was not yours?
Ryder hesitated.
Prisoner. Will you swear Mrs. Church did not see you nurse that child in secret, and weep over it?
At this question the perspiration60 stood visible on Ryder's brow, her checks were ghastly, and her black eyes roved like some wild animal's round the court. She saw her own danger, and had no means of measuring her inquisitor's information.
"My lord, have pity on me. I was betrayed, abandoned. Why am I so tormented61? I have not committed murder." So, catlike, she squealed62 and scratched at once.
Prisoner. What! to swear away an innocent life, is not that murder?
The Judge. Prisoner, we make allowances for your sex, and your peril63, but you must not remark on the evidence at present. Examine as severely as you will, but abstain64 from comment till you address the jury on your defense.
Sergeant65 Wiltshire. My lord, I submit that this line of examination is barbarous, and travels out of the case entirely66.
Prisoner. Not so, Mr. Sergeant. 'Tis done by advice of an able lawyer. My life is in peril unless I shake this witness's credit. To that end I show you she is incontinent, and practiced in falsehood. Unchastity has been held in these courts to disqualify a female witness, hath it not, my lord?
The Judge. Hardly. But to disparage68 her evidence it has. And wisely; for she who loses her virtue enters on a life of deceit; and lying is a habit that spreads from one thing to many. Much wisdom there is in ancient words. Our forefathers69 taught us to call a virtuous woman an honest woman, and the law does but follow in that track; still, however, leaving much to the discretion70 of the jury.
Prisoner. I would show her more mercy than she has shown to me. Therefore I leave that matter. Witness, be so good as to examine Mrs. Hamilton's letter, and compare it with your own. The "y's" and the "s's" are peculiar71 in both, and yet the same. Come, confess; Mrs. Hamilton's is a forgery73. You wrote it. Be pleased to hand both letters up to my lord to compare; the disguise is but thin.
Ryder. Forgery there was none. There is no Mrs. Hamilton. (She burst into tears.) I had my child to provide for, and no man to help me! What was I to do? A servant must live.
Prisoner. Then why not let her mistress live whose bread she has eaten? My lord, shall not this false witness be sent hence to prison for perjury74?
Wiltshire. Certainly not. What woman on earth is expected to reveal her own shame upon oath? 'Twas not fair nor human to put such questions. Come, madam, leave torturing this poor creature. Show some mercy; you may need it yourself.
The Prisoner. Sir, 'tis not mercy I ask, but justice according to law. But, since you do me the honor to make me a request, I will comply, and ask her but one question more. Describe my apartment into which you showed Thomas Leicester that night. Begin at the outer door.
Prisoner. Into which of those three did you show Thomas Leicester?
Ryder. Into the ante-room.
Prisoner. Then why did you say it was in my chamber I entertained him?
Ryder. Madam, I meant no more than that it was your private apartment upstairs.
The Judge. That you did. 'Tis down in my notes that she received the pedlar in her bed-chamber.
Ryder (sobbing). God is my witness I did not mean to mislead your lordship: and I ask my lady's pardon for not being more exact in that particular.
At this the prisoner bowed to the judge, and sat down with one victorious flash of her grey eye at the witness, who was in an abject78 condition of fear, and hung all about the witness-box limp as a wet towel.
Sergeant Wiltshire saw she was so thoroughly cowed she would be apt to truckle, and soften79 her evidence to propitiate the prisoner; so he asked her but one question.
"Were you and the prisoner on good terms?"
Ryder. On the best of terms. She was always a good and liberal mistress to me.
Wiltshire. I will not prolong your sufferings. You may go down.
The Judge. But you will not leave the court till this trial is ended. I have grave doubts whether I ought not to commit you.
Unfortunately for the prisoner, Ryder was not the last witness for the Crown. The others that followed were so manifestly honest that it would have been impolitic to handle them severely. The prisoner, therefore, put very few questions to them; and, when the last witness went down, the case looked very formidable.
The evidence for the Crown being now complete, the judge retired80 for some refreshment81; and the court buzzed like a hum of bees. Mrs. Gaunt's lips and throat were parched82; and her heart quaked.
A woman of quite the lower order thrust forth83 a great arm, and gave her an orange. Mrs. Gaunt thanked her sweetly: and the juice relieved her throat.
She buried her face in her hands, and collected all her powers for the undertaking84 before her. She had noted85 down the exact order of her topics, but no more.
The judge returned; the crier demanded silence; and the prisoner rose, and turned her eyes modestly but steadily86 upon those who held her life in their hands: and, true to the wisdom of her sex, the first thing she aimed at was—to please.
"My lord, and you gentlemen of the jury, I am now to reply to a charge of murder, founded on a little testimony87, and a good deal of false, but, I must needs say, reasonable conjecture88.
"I am innocent; but unlike other innocent persons who have stood here before me, I have no man to complain of.
"The magistrates89 who committed me proceeded with due caution and humanity: they weighed my hitherto unspotted reputation, and were in no hurry to prejudge me; here, in this court, I have met with much forbearance; the learned counsel for the Crown has made me groan90 under his abilities; that was his duty; but he said from the first he would do nothing hard, and he has kept his word; often he might have stopped me; I saw it in his face: but, being a gentleman and a Christian91, as well as a learned lawyer, methinks he said to himself, 'this is a poor gentlewoman pleading for her life; let her have some little advantage.' As for my lord, he has promised to be my counsel, so far as his high station, and duty to the Crown, admit; and he has supported and consoled me more than once with words of justice, that would not, I think, have encouraged a guilty person, but have comforted and sustained me beyond expression. So then I stand here, the victim, not of man's injustice92, but of deceitful appearances, and of honest, but hasty and loose conjectures93.
"Gentlemen, in every disputed matter the best way, I am told, is to begin by settling what both parties are agreed in, and so to narrow the matter. To use that way, then, I do heartily94 agree with the learned counsel that murder is a heinous95 crime, and that, black as it is at the best, yet it is still more detestable when 'tis a wife that murders her husband, and robs her child of a parent who can never be replaced.
"I also agree with him that circumstantial evidence is often sufficient to convict a murderer; and, indeed, were it not so, that most monstrous96 of crimes would go oftenest unpunished: since, of all culprits, murderers do most shun97 the eyes of men in their dark deeds, and so provide before-hand that direct testimony to their execrable crime there shall be none. Only herein I am advised to take a distinction that escaped the learned sergeant; I say that first of all it ought to be proved directly, and to the naked eye, that a man has been murdered; and then, if none saw the crime done, let circumstances point out the murderer.
"But here, they put the cart before the horse; they find a dead body, with no marks of violence whatever; and labour to prove by circumstantial evidence alone that this mere dead body is a murdered body. This, I am advised, is bad in law, and contrary to general precedents98; and the particular precedents for it are not examples, but warnings; since both the prisoners so rashly convicted were proved innocent, after their execution."
(The judge took a note of this distinction.)
"Then, to go from principles to the facts, I agree and admit that, in a moment of anger, I was so transported out of myself as to threaten my husband's life before Caroline Ryder. But afterwards, when I saw him face to face, then, that I threatened him with violence, that I deny. The fact is I had just learned that he had committed a capital offense99: and what I threatened him with was the law. This was proved by Jane Bannister. She says she heard me say the constables should come for him next morning. For what? to murder him?"
The Judge. Give me leave, madam. Shall you prove Mr. Gaunt had committed a capital offense?
Prisoner. I could, my lord; but I am loth to do it. For, if I did, I should cast him into worse trouble than I am in myself.
The Judge (shaking his head gravely). Let me advise you to advance nothing you are not able and willing to prove.
The Prisoner. Then, I confine myself to this: it was proved by a witness for the Crown that in the dining-room I threatened my husband to his face with the law. Now this threat, and not that other extravagant100 threat, which he never heard you know, was clearly the threat which caused him to abscond52 that night.
"In the next place, I agree with the learned counsel that I was out of doors at one o'clock that morning. But if he will use me as his witness in that matter, then he must not pick and choose and mutilate my testimony. Nay, let him take the whole truth, and not just so much as he can square with the indictment102. Either believe me, that I was out of doors praying, or do not believe me that I was out of doors at all.
"Gentlemen, hear the simple truth. You may see in the map, on the south side of Hernshaw Castle, a grove103 of large fir-trees. 'Tis a reverend place, most fit for prayer and meditation104. Here I have prayed a thousand times and more before the fifteenth October. Hence 'tis called 'the Dame's haunt' as I shall prove, that am the dame 'tis called after.
"Let it not seem incredible to you that I should pray out of doors in my grove, on a fine clear starry night. For aught I know, Protestants may pray only by the fireside. But, remember, I am a Catholic. We are not so contracted in our praying. We do not confine it to little comfortable places. Nay, but for seventeen hundred years and more we have prayed out of doors as much as in doors. And this our custom is no fit subject for a shallow sneer105. How does the learned sergeant know that, beneath the vault106 of heaven at night, studded with those angelic eyes, the stars, is an unfit place to bend the knee, and raise the soul in prayer? Has he ever tried it?"
This sudden appeal to a learned and eminent107, but by no means devotional, sergeant, so tickled108 the gentlemen of the bar, that they burst out laughing with singular unanimity109.
This dashed the prisoner, who had not intended to be funny; and she hesitated, and looked distressed110.
The Judge. Proceed, madam; these remarks of yours are singular, but quite pertinent111, and no fit subject for ridicule112. Gentlemen, remember the public looks to you for an example.
Prisoner. My Lord, 'twas my fault for making that personal which should be general. But women they are so. 'Tis our foible. I pray the good Sergeant to excuse me.
"I say, then, generally, that when the sun retires, then earth fades, but heaven comes out in tenfold glory: and I say the starry firmament113 at night is a temple not built with hands, and the bare sight of it subdues114 the passions, chastens the heart, and aids the soul in prayer surprisingly. My lord, as I am a Christian woman, 'tis true that my husband had wronged me cruelly and broken the law. 'Tis true that I raged against him and he answered me not again. 'Tis true, as that witness said, that my bark is worse than my bite. I cooled, and then felt I had forgotten the wife and the Christian, in my wrath116. I repented117, and, to be more earnest in my penitence118, I did go and pray out o' doors beneath those holy eyes of heaven that seemed to look down with chaste115 reproach on my ungoverned heat. I left my fireside, my velvet119 cushions, and all the little comforts made by human hands, that adorn120 our earthly dwellings121, but distract our eyes from God."
Some applause followed this piece of eloquence122, exquisitely123 uttered. It was checked, and the prisoner resumed, with an entire change of manner.
"Gentlemen, the case against me is like a piece of rotten wood varnished124 all over. It looks fair to the eye; but will not bear handling.
"As example of what I say, take three charges on which the learned sergeant greatly relied on opening his case:
"1st. That I received Thomas Leicester in my bedroom.
"2nd. That he went hot from me after Mr. Gaunt.
"How ugly these three proofs looked at first sight! Well, but when we squeezed the witnesses ever so little, what did these three dwindle126 down to?
"1st. That I received Thomas Leicester in an ante-room, which leads to a boudoir, and that boudoir leads to my bedroom.
"2nd. That Thomas Leicester went from me to the kitchen, and there, for a good half-hour, drank my ale (as it appears), and made love to his old sweetheart, Caroline Ryder, the false witness for the Crown; and went abroad fresh from her, and not from me.
"3rd. That he was not (to speak strictly) seen following Mr. Gaunt, but just walking on the same road, drunk, and staggering, and going at such a rate that, as the Crown's own witness swore, he could hardly in the nature of things overtake Mr. Gaunt, who walked quicker, and straighter too, than he.
"So then, even if a murder has been done, they have failed to connect Thomas Leicester with it, or me with Thomas Leicester. Two broken links in a chain of but three.
"And now I come to the more agreeable part of my defense. I do think there has been no murder at all.
"There is no evidence of a murder.
"A body is found with the flesh eaten by fishes, but the bones, and the head, uninjured. They swear a surgeon, who has examined the body, and certainly he had the presumption127 to guess it looks like a murdered body. But, being sifted128, he was forced to admit that, so far as his experience of murdered bodies goes, it is not like a murdered body; for there is no bone broken, nor bruise12 on the head.
"Where is the body found? In the water. But water by itself is a sufficient cause of death, and a common cause too; and kills without breaking bones, or bruising129 the head. O perversity130 of the wise! For every one creature murdered in England, ten are accidentally drowned; and they find a dead man in the water, which is as much as to say they find the slain131 in the arms of the slayer132; yet they do not once suspect the water, but go about in search of a strange and monstrous crime.
"Mr. Gaunt's cry for help was heard here, if it was heard at all (which I greatly doubt), here by this clump133 of trees: the body was found here, hard by the bridge; which is, by measurement, one furlong and sixty paces from that clump of trees, as I shall prove. There is no current in the mere lively enough to move a body, and what there is runs the wrong way. So this disconnects the cry for help, and the dead body. Another broken link!
"And now I come to my third defense, I say the body is not the body of Griffith Gaunt.
"The body, mutilated it was, had two distinguishing marks: a mole on the brow, and a pair of hobnailed shoes on the feet.
"Now the advisers134 of the Crown fix their eyes on that mole; but they turn their heads away from the hobnailed shoes. But why? Articles of raiment found on a body are legal evidence of identity. How often, my lord, in cases of murder, hath the Crown relied on such particulars, especially in cases where corruption135 had obscured the features.
"I shall not imitate this partiality, this obstinate136 prejudice; I shall not ask you to shut your eyes on the mole, as they do on the shoes, but shall meet the whole truth fairly.
"Mr. Gaunt went from my house, that morning, with boots on his feet, and with a mole on his brow.
"Thomas Leicester went the same road, with shoes on his feet, and, as I shall prove, with a mole on his brow.
"To be sure the Crown witnesses did not distinctly admit this mole on him; but, you will remember, they dared not deny it on their oaths, and so run their heads into an indictment for perjury.
"But, gentlemen, I shall put seven witnesses into the box, who will all swear that they have known Thomas Leicester for years, and that he had a mole upon his left temple.
"One of these witnesses is—the mother that bore him.
"I shall then call witnesses to prove that, on the fifteenth of October, the bridge over the mere was in bad repair, and a portion of the side rail gone; and that the body was found within a few yards of that defective137 bridge; and then, as Thomas Leicester went that way, drunk, and staggering from side to side, you may reasonably infer that he fell into the water in passing the bridge. To show you this is possible, I shall prove the same thing has actually occurred. I shall swear the oldest man in the parish, who will depose138 to a similar event that happened in his boyhood. He hath said it a thousand times before to-day, and now will swear it. He will tell you that on a certain day, sixty-nine years ago, the parson of Hernshaw, the Rev75. Augustus Murthwaite, went to cross this bridge at night, after carousing139 at Hernshaw Castle with our great-grandfather, my husband's and mine, the then proprietor140 of Hernshaw; and tumbled into the water; and his body was found, gnawed141 out of the very form of humanity by the fishes, within a yard or two of the spot where poor Tom Leicester was found, that hath cost us all this trouble. So do the same causes bring round the same events in a cycle of years. The only difference is that the parson drank his death in our dining-room, and the pedlar in our kitchen.
"No doubt, my lord, you have observed that sometimes a hasty and involuntary inaccuracy gives quite a wrong color to a thing. I assure you I have suffered by this. It is said that the moment Mr. Atkins proposed to drag my mere, I fainted away. In this account there is an omission142. I shall prove that Mr. Atkins used these words—'And, underneath143 that water, I undertake to find the remains144 of Griffith Gaunt.' Now, gentlemen, you shall understand that at this time, and indeed until the moment when I saw the shoes upon that poor corpse's feet, I was in great terror for my husband's life. How could it be otherwise? Caroline Ryder had told me she heard his cry for help. He had disappeared. What was I to think? I feared he had fallen in with robbers. I feared all manner of things. So when the lawyer said so positively145 he would find his body, I was overpowered. Ah, gentlemen, wedded146 love survives many wrongs, many angry words; I love my husband still; and, when the man told me so brutally147 that he was certainly dead, I fainted away. I confess it. Shall I be hanged for that?
"But now, thank God, I am full of hope that he is alive, and that good hope has given me the courage to make this great effort to save my own life.
"Hitherto I have been able to contradict my accusers positively; but now I come to a mysterious circumstance that I own puzzles me. Most persons accused of murder could, if they chose, make a clean breast, and tell you the whole matter. But this is not my case. I know shoes from boots, and I know Kate Gaunt from a liar72 and a murderess; but, when all is said, this is still a dark mysterious business, and there are things in it I can only deal with as you do, gentlemen, by bringing my wits to bear upon them in reasonable conjecture.
"Caroline Ryder swears she heard Mr. Gaunt cry for help. And Mr. Gaunt has certainly disappeared.
"My accusers have somewhat weakened this by trying to palm off the body of Thomas Leicester on you for the body of Mr. Gaunt. But the original mystery remains, and puzzles me. I might fairly appeal to you to disbelieve the witness. She is proved incontinent, and a practiced liar, and she forswore herself in this court, and my lord is in two minds about committing her. But a liar does not always lie, and, to be honest, I think she really believes she heard Mr. Gaunt cry for help, for she went straight to his bedroom; and that looks as if she really thought she heard his voice. But a liar may be mistaken; do not forget that. Distance affects the voice: and I think the voice she heard was Thomas Leicester's, and the place it came from higher up the mere.
"This, my notion, will surprise you less when I prove to you that Leicester's voice bore a family likeness148 to Mr. Gaunt's. I shall call two witnesses who have been out shooting with Mr. Gaunt and Tom Leicester, and have heard Leicester halloo in the wood, and taken it for Mr. Gaunt.
"Must I tell you the whole truth? This Leicester has always passed for an illegitimate son of Mr. Gaunt's father. He resembled my husband in form, stature149, and voice: he had the Gaunt mole, and has often spoken of it by that name. My husband forgave him many faults for no other reason,—and I bought his wares150 and filled his pack for no other reason,—than this; that he was my husband's brother by nature, though not in law. 'HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE.'"
"Ah, that is a royal device; yet how often in this business have the advisers of the Crown forgotten it?
"My lord, and gentlemen of the jury, I return from these conjectures to the indisputable facts of my defense.
"Mr. Gaunt may be alive, or may be dead. He was certainly alive on the fifteenth October, and it lies on the Crown to prove him dead, and not on me to prove him alive. But, as for the body that forms the subject of this indictment, it is the body of Thomas Leicester, who was seen on the sixteenth October, at one in the morning, drunk and staggering, and making for Hernshaw bridge, which leads to his mother's house; and on all his former visits to Hernshaw Castle he went on to his mother's, as I shall prove. This time, he never reached her, as I shall prove; but on his way to her did meet his death by the will of God, and no fault of man or woman, in Hernshaw Mere.
"Swear Sarah Leicester."
The Judge. I think you say you have several witnesses?
Prisoner. More than twenty, my lord.
The Judge. We cannot possibly dispose of them this evening. We will hear your evidence tomorrow. Prisoner, this will enable you to consult with your legal advisers, and let me urge upon you to prove, if you can, that Mr. Gaunt has a sufficient motive151 for hiding and not answering Mr. Atkins' invitation to inherit a large estate. Some such proof is necessary to complete your defense: and I am sorry to see you have made no mention of it in your address, which was otherwise able.
Prisoner. My lord, I think I can prove my own innocence152 without casting a slur153 upon my husband.
The Judge. You think? when your life is at stake. Be not so mad as to leave so large a hole in your defense, if you can mend it. Take advice.
He said this very solemnly; then rose and left the court.
Mrs. Gaunt was conveyed back to prison, and there was soon prostrated154 by the depression that follows an unnatural155 excitement.
Mr. Houseman found her on the sofa, pale and dejected, and clasping the gaoler's wife convulsively, who applied156 hartshorn to her nostrils157.
He proved but a Job's comforter. Her defense, creditable as it was to a novice158, seemed wordy and weak to him, a lawyer: and he was horrified159 at the admissions she had made. In her place he would have admitted nothing he could not throughly explain.
He came to insist on a change of tactics.
When he saw her sad condition, he tried to begin by consoling, and encouraging her. But his own serious misgivings160 unfitted him for this task, and very soon, notwithstanding the state she was in, he was almost scolding her for being so mad as to withstand the judge, and set herself against his advice. "There," said he, "my lord kept his word, and became counsel for you. 'Close that gap in your defense,' says he, 'and you will very likely be acquitted161.' 'Nay,' says you, 'I prefer to chance it.' What madness! what injustice!"
"Injustice! to whom?"
"To whom? why, to yourself."
"What, may I not be unjust to myself?"
"Certainly not; you have no right to be unjust to anybody. Don't deceive yourself; there is no virtue in this: it is mere miserable162 weakness. What right have you to peril an innocent life merely to screen the malefactor163 from just obloquy164?"
"Alas!" said Mrs. Gaunt, "'tis more than obloquy. They will kill him; they will brand him with a hot iron."
"Not unless he is indicted165: and who will indict101 him? Sir George Neville must be got to muzzle166 the Attorney-General, and the Lancashire jade167 will not move against him, for you say they are living together."
"Of course they are: and, as you say, why should I screen him? But 'twill not serve, who can combat prejudice? If what I have said does not convince them, an angel's voice would not. Sir, I am a Catholic, and they will hang me. I shall die miserably168, having exposed my husband, who loved me once, oh! so dearly. I trifled with his love. I deserve it all."
"You will not die at all, if you will only be good and obedient, and listen to wiser heads. I have subpoenaed169 Caroline Ryder as your witness, and given her a hint how to escape an indictment for perjury. You will find her supple171 as a glove."
"Call a rattlesnake for my witness?"
"I have drawn172 her fangs173. You will also call Sir George Neville, to prove he saw Gaunt's picture at the 'Packhorse,' and heard the other wife's tale. Wiltshire will object to this as evidence, and say why don't you produce Mercy Vint herself. Then you will call me to prove that I sent the subpoena170 to Mercy Vint. Come now, I cannot eat or sleep till you promise me."
Mrs. Gaunt sighed deeply. "Spare me," said she, "I am worn out. Oh that I could die before the trial begins again!"
Houseman saw the signs of yielding, and persisted. "Come, promise now," said he. "Then you will feel better."
"I will do whatever you bid me," said she. "Only, if they let me off, I will go into a convent. No power shall hinder me."
"You shall go where you like, except to the gallows174. Enough, 'tis a promise, and I never knew you to break one. How I can eat my supper. You are a good obedient child, and I am a happy attorney.'
"And I am the most miserable woman in all England."
"Child," said the worthy175 lawyer, "your spirits have given way, because they were strung so high. You need repose176. Go to bed now, and sleep twelve hours. Believe me you will wake another woman."
"Ah! would I could!" cried Mrs. Gaunt, with all the eloquence of despair.
Houseman murmured a few more consoling words, and then left her, after once more exacting177 a promise that she would receive no more visits, but go to bed directly. She was to send all intruders to him at the "Angel."
Mrs. Gaunt proceeded to obey his orders, and though it was but eight o'clock, she made preparations for bed, and then went to her nightly devotions.
She was in sore trouble; and earthly trouble turns the heart heavenwards. Yet it was not so with her. The deep languor178, that oppressed her, seemed to have reached her inmost soul. Her beads179, falling one by one from her hand, denoted the number of her supplications; but, for once, they were preces sine mente dictæ. Her faith was cold, her belief in Divine justice was shaken for a time. She began to doubt and to despond. That bitter hour, which David has sung so well, and Bunyan, from experience, has described in his biography as well as in his novel, sat heavy upon her, as it had on many a true believer before her. So deep was the gloom, so paralysing the languor, that at last she gave up all endeavor to utter words of prayer. She placed her crucifix at the foot of the wall, and laid herself down on the ground and kissed His feet, then drawing back, gazed upon that effigy180 of the mortal sufferings of our Redeemer.
"O anima Christiana, respice vulnera patientis, sanguinem morientis, precem redemptions nostræ."
She had lain thus a good half-hour, when a gentle tap came to the door.
"Who is that?" said she.
"Mrs. Menteith," the gaoler's wife replied, softly, and asked leave to come in.
Now this Mrs. Menteith had been very kind to her, and stoutly181 maintained her innocence. Mrs. Gaunt rose, and invited her in.
"Madam," said Mrs. Menteith, "what I come for, there is a person below who much desires to see you."
Mrs. Menteith retired with that message, but in about five minutes returned to say that the young woman declined to go to Mr. Houseman, and begged hard to see Mrs. Gaunt. "And, Dame," said she, "if I were you I'd let her come in; 'tis the honestest face, and the tears in her soft eyes, at your denying her, 'Oh dear, dear' said she, 'I cannot tell my errand to any but her.'"
"Well, well," said Mrs. Gaunt; "but what is her business?"
"If you ask me, I think her business is your business. Come, Dame, do see the poor thing; she is civil spoken, and she tells me she has come all the way out of Lancashire o' purpose."
Mrs. Gaunt recoiled, as if she had been stung.
"From Lancashire?" said she, faintly.
"Ay, madam," said Mrs. Menteith, "and that is a long road; and a child upon her arm all the way, poor thing."
"Her name?" said Mrs. Gaunt, sternly.
"Oh, she is not ashamed of it. She gave it me directly."
"What has she the effrontery183 to take my name?"
Mrs. Menteith stared at her with utter amazement184. "Your name?" said she. "'Tis a simple country body, and her name is Vint—Mercy Vint."
"Well, I'm sure I don't know what to do," said Mrs. Menteith. "She says she will lie at your door all night, but she will see you. 'Tis the face of a friend. She may know something. It seems hard to thrust her and her child out into the street, after their coming all the way from Lancashire."
Mrs. Gaunt stood silent awhile, and her intelligence had a severe combat with her deep repugnance186 to be in the same room with Griffith Gaunt's mistress (so she considered her). But a certain curiosity came to the aid of her good sense; and after all she was a brave and haughty187 woman, and her natural courage began to rise. She thought to herself, "What, dare she come to me all this way, and shall I shrink from her?"
She turned to Mrs. Menteith with a bitter smile, and she said, very slowly, and clenching188 her white teeth, "Since you desire it, and she insists on it, I will receive Mistress Mercy Vint."
Mrs. Menteith went off, and in about five minutes returned ushering189 in Mercy Vint in a hood67 and travelling-cloak.
Mrs. Gaunt received her standing7, and with a very formal curtsy, to which Mercy made a quiet obeisance190, and both women looked one another all over in a moment.
Mrs. Menteith lingered, to know what on earth this was all about; but, as neither spoke58 a word, and their eyes were fixed on each other, she divined that her absence was necessary, and so retired, slowly, looking very much amazed at both of them.
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1
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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oust
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| vt.剥夺，取代，驱逐 | |
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brew
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| v.酿造，调制 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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bruise
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| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
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bruises
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| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
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14
efface
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| v.擦掉，抹去 | |
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peevishly
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| adv．暴躁地 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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mole
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| n.胎块；痣；克分子 | |
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constables
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| n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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auditors
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| n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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propitiate
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| v.慰解，劝解 | |
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sifting
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| n.筛，过滤v.筛( sift的现在分词 )；筛滤；细查；详审 | |
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sift
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| v.筛撒，纷落，详察 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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hampered
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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51
absconding
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| v.（尤指逃避逮捕）潜逃，逃跑( abscond的现在分词 ) | |
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abscond
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| v.潜逃，逃亡 | |
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53
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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54
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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embittered
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| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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59
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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61
tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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squealed
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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64
abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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65
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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66
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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67
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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68
disparage
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| v.贬抑，轻蔑 | |
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69
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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70
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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71
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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72
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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73
forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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74
perjury
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| n.伪证；伪证罪 | |
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75
rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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76
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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77
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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78
abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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79
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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80
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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81
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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82
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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83
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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84
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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85
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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86
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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87
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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88
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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89
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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90
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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91
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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92
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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93
conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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94
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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95
heinous
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| adj.可憎的，十恶不赦的 | |
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96
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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97
shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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98
precedents
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| 引用单元； 范例( precedent的名词复数 )； 先前出现的事例； 前例； 先例 | |
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99
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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100
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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101
indict
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| v.起诉，控告，指控 | |
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102
indictment
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| n.起诉；诉状 | |
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103
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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104
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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105
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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106
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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107
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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108
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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109
unanimity
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| n.全体一致，一致同意 | |
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110
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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111
pertinent
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| adj.恰当的；贴切的；中肯的；有关的；相干的 | |
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112
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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113
firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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114
subdues
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| 征服( subdue的第三人称单数 )； 克制； 制服 | |
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115
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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116
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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117
repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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119
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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120
adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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121
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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122
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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123
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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124
varnished
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| 浸渍过的，涂漆的 | |
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125
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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126
dwindle
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| v.逐渐变小（或减少） | |
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127
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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128
sifted
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| v.筛( sift的过去式和过去分词 )；筛滤；细查；详审 | |
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129
bruising
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|
| adj.殊死的；十分激烈的v.擦伤(bruise的现在分词形式) | |
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130
perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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131
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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132
slayer
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| n. 杀人者，凶手 | |
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133
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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134
advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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135
corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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136
obstinate
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|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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137
defective
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|
| adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的 | |
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138
depose
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| vt.免职；宣誓作证 | |
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139
carousing
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| v.痛饮，闹饮欢宴( carouse的现在分词 ) | |
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140
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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141
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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142
omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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143
underneath
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|
| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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144
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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145
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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146
wedded
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|
| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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148
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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149
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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150
wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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151
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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152
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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153
slur
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| v.含糊地说；诋毁；连唱；n.诋毁；含糊的发音 | |
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154
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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155
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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156
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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157
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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158
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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159
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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160
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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161
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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162
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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163
malefactor
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| n.罪犯 | |
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164
obloquy
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| n.斥责，大骂 | |
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165
indicted
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| 控告，起诉( indict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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166
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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167
jade
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| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
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168
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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169
subpoenaed
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| v.（用传票）传唤（某人）( subpoena的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
subpoena
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| n.（法律）传票；v.传讯 | |
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171
supple
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|
| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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172
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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173
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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174
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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175
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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176
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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177
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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178
languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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179
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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180
effigy
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| n.肖像 | |
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181
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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182
solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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183
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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184
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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185
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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186
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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187
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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188
clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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189
ushering
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的现在分词 ) | |
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190
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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