It was indeed Mr. Randolph Vernon Sorley who spread out his hands to the fire in a crouching1 attitude, but woefully changed from the debonair2 and juvenile3 gentleman of former days. His aggressively shabby overcoat and worn boots showed that he had some idea of disguising himself, since he had both money and clothes at his command to dress better. He was unshaven, his cheeks and chin being covered with a silvery stubble, and in his sunken eyes there lurked4 a hunted look. The man looked both broken up and broken down, and had aged5 at least twenty years since Alan had last set eyes on him. The terror he displayed when the young man entered the room showed how apprehensive6 he was of being arrested by the police.
"Oh, it's you, Alan," he gasped7 with a sigh of relief, when the newcomers, in sheer surprise, called out his name. "I'm glad it's only you and your friend."
"I am Fuller's friend," remarked Latimer with emphasis, "but not yours."
"Ah!" Sorley shivered and cringed fearfully, "you're against me too. Am I to find an enemy in you also, Alan?"
"I'm glad to hear that, Alan, for I am very down indeed. A few days ago and I could hold up my head with the best; now I am hunted for a crime.
"If you are guilty----"
"I swear I am not," interrupted Sorley, his voice rising to a scream, "on my soul I swear to both of you that I am not."
"Then why did you run away?" asked Dick.
"Because, after reading the newspaper interview with that vile10 woman, I saw that appearances were against me. I fled to gain time."
"Time for what, Mr. Sorley?"
"To prepare a defence."
"Oh," said Latimer doubtfully and staring at the limp figure of the fugitive11, "then you have a defence."
"Yes--that is, I can--I can--oh, Alan," wailed12 Sorley piteously, "in heaven's name give me some wine or brandy. I have scarcely touched food since I left Belstone, and I am that weak I can scarcely speak. Give me drink and food, then we can talk."
Fuller nodded silently, and went to a cupboard, whence he brought out a loaf of bread, some butter, and a jar of pâté de foie gras, which had been given to Dick by a friend, together with a bottle of good port wine. The hunted man, who had sought the sanctuary13 of their hearthstone, staggered to the table and began to eat and drink with avidity. Both men pitied the unfortunate creature, whose arrogance14 had been thus laid low. Whether he was innocent or guilty they could not say on what evidence they possessed15; but it seemed terrible that a gentleman should be brought to such a sordid16 pass. While Sorley methodically filled himself with food, there was silence for quite a long time. Alan finally broke it.
"How can I help you, man? You know that there is a warrant out for your arrest, so if either Latimer or I assist you to escape we shall be compounding a felony."
"I never asked for your assistance to escape," retorted Sorley tartly19, and in a stronger tone, for the food and drink had put life into him.
"Then why did you come here?" asked Alan again, and stiffening20, as the old arrogance was perceptible in the man's tone.
"I have told you; I want help."
"What sort of help?"
"How can I, or how can Latimer? We know nothing."
"I think you know a great deal," returned the other acidly, and shuffled22 to the fire again, as the night was chilly23 and he required warmth; "from what Jotty told me, you brought about my arrest."
"Pardon me, Mr. Sorley," struck in Dick before his friend could speak, "but I am the one who did that. Since you have seen Jotty you must know that he found the letter which you wrote making an appointment with Grison on the very night and about the very time when the poor devil was killed. He showed that letter to us, and Alan was all in favor of leaving the matter alone, since he has some sympathy for you as the uncle of Miss Inderwick. But I declined to compound a felony, and I went to Inspector24 Moon to explain that you were the criminal."
"I am not the criminal," cried Sorley furiously. "I did not murder the man. As to Jotty showing you my letter----"
"Then you admit the letter?" demanded Dick swiftly.
"Certainly I do. Why should I not? But the boy never told me that he had acted in such a Judas way. He came down to see me with a copy of The Latest News in his pocket, and when I read the interview I went away on the impulse of the moment, recognizing how dangerous was my position."
"Why did the boy go to warn you?"
"Because he wanted money. Didn't he get money for giving up that letter?"
"Yes," answered Alan readily; "two pounds."
"He received five from me for bringing down the newspaper," said Sorley in a hasty tone, "he sold me to you, and later he sold you to me. You expected to have me arrested, but the boy's warning enabled me to escape. It is all a question of money. Jotty, as I knew and Grison knew, would sell his soul for gold."
"Where is the boy now?" asked Dick suddenly, and watching Sorley through half-closed eyes.
"I don't know. He got his price and left The Monastery25, shortly before I went away on my motor bicycle. He may have gone back to Miss Grison for all I know."
"I don't think that is likely," said Alan dryly, "since she hates you, and will not be pleased if she finds out--as she must have done by this time--that Jotty has thwarted26 her revenge."
"There you are, there you are," cried Sorley, greatly excited and gesticulating vehemently27, "that beastly woman hates me. It is she who has got me into this trouble. What did I tell you, Alan, what did I tell you? That she had some reason for bringing back the peacock and leaving it in its old place. Now you see the reason; she wished to implicate28 me in the death of her infernal brother."
"Did she really bring back the peacock?" was Dick's question.
"Yes, she did; I swear that she must have brought it back on the day she came unexpectedly to The Monastery and walked--as I learned later--all over the house. It's a trap--a trap I tell you. I am innocent; oh yes, I am innocent as a child unborn, but she is doing her best to put a rope round my neck. What are her words in the interview. 'Find the peacock and you find the assassin of my brother!' Those are her words, because she knew that I had the bird, and that the mere29 possession could hang me. Oh, the devil, the cruel vampire30 that she is!" and he trembled with rage and terror.
"But there is not only the peacock to be considered, Mr. Sorley," put in Latimer, struck by the vehemence31 of this defence, and wondering if the man was really innocent after all. "The letter----"
"I wrote the letter," admitted Sorley swiftly, "and--but one moment Mr. Latimer, you had better present me with a full statement of the evidence upon which you and the police base your charges against me. Then I shall be able to defend myself."
"I hope so, sincerely," murmured Alan, who sat back in his chair with folded arms, and allowed Dick to conduct the conversation.
The journalist wasted no time in preliminary explanations, but bluntly set forth32 the whole story from the time he had entered that very room in November to report the murder, down to the moment when Marie departed from the Victoria station for Belstone via Lewes. Sorley still crouching and still haggard in looks, though stronger in voice, listened intently, but did not interrupt. Alan noticed, however, that at certain portions of the recital33 he trembled, probably from overstrained nerves. When Dick ended, and relighted his pipe, the old man nodded gravely.
"I am indeed in a dangerous position," he said, striving to steady a voice that would quiver with ill-concealed alarm, "all the same I am entirely34 innocent. I swear to it."
"A judge and jury will not believe in such swearing without proof," said Fuller, shaking his head.
"Proof! Proof! What proof can I give? Only Louisa Grison can prove that the peacock was brought to The Monastery without my knowledge, and she hates me too greatly to confess as much. Do you think," cried Sorley bitterly, "that she will spoil the trap she has set? Not she. I know her venomous nature too well."
"There's the letter, you know," Dick reminded him.
"Yes! The letter. I don't deny the letter, which that Judas of a boy showed to you. He betrayed me----"
"And he saved you," interpolated Alan quickly.
"For money in both cases," sneered35 the other, "if the truth is to be found that lad knows it. If so, he is aware that I am guiltless, and thus he may have come to warn me because his conscience smote36 him."
"I scarcely think that Jotty is sufficiently37 evolved to possess a conscience," said Latimer dryly; "he helped you for the five pounds, as he betrayed you for the two pounds. It is all a question of money. But since you insist so strongly upon your innocence, Mr. Sorley, I should like to hear on what grounds you do so."
"On the grounds that Miss Grison brought the bird to----"
"Yes, yes; but the letter; your presence at Rotherhithe on the night and about the time the crime was committed?" put in Alan hastily, for he felt that they were losing time.
The old man was silent for a few moments, and his fingers played in a senile manner on his unshaven chin. Then he appeared to gain a sudden strength from the steady looks of his companions, and spoke38 with some dignity and considerable strength. "I make an admission to you both," he said in a surprisingly clear tone. "I knew that Grison had the peacock."
"Oh!" said the listeners simultaneously39, and looked at one another, wondering if Sorley was about to confess his guilt9. The man saw this and smiled in a sardonic40 manner.
"If I were what you suppose me to be," he said coldly, "I should scarcely admit as much; but being innocent, I can do so. For many years I believed that Louisa Grison had stolen the peacock out of revenge, because I dismissed her brother." Alan nodded at this point, as he had heard the woman acknowledge as much, but did not interrupt. "It was twelve months ago when I became aware that Grison possessed it. He wrote me a letter saying that he could not live long, and was ready to give up the peacock on condition that I came to hear on what terms he was prepared to surrender it. I went up to town and to Rotherhithe to that dreadful woman's house."
"Mother Slaig's, I suppose. Did you ride your motor bicycle?"
"No, I did not have it twelve months ago," said Sorley quickly. "I went up and found Grison better than I expected. He had rallied since writing to me, and refused when we met, to give up the peacock. I departed, and later--in a few weeks, went up again, when I saw that he was very sick indeed with his profligate41 ways. He said that if I would promise to give his sister half of the treasure when it was discovered, he would hand me back the peacock. I refused, as I had no right to dispose of Marie's property in that way."
Alan smiled grimly when he remembered how this scrupulous42 man had disposed of furniture which belonged to the niece whose goods he was supposed to safeguard. However he did not make any remark on this point, but asked a pertinent43 question: "Had Grison discovered the secret?"
"No; he had tried to, but had failed, as everyone else has done up to the present," said Sorley, continuing his narrative44 with an effort, for he appeared to be very weary. "When I refused to give up half the treasure he declined to restore the golden bird. Up till November last I continued to call on him and urge him to return what his sister had stolen, and it was because of my frequent visits that I purchased the motor bicycle."
"Ah," said Dick, who was nursing his chin, "you didn't want your visits to be known to the railway authorities."
"You are quite wrong, Mr. Latimer. If I chose to go up to town every now and then that was no business of anyone. Had I contemplated45 murder I might indeed have shirked giving color to my doings by travelling so often by train. But I bought the bicycle to save expense in one way, and because I found it easier to slip out of the house and up to town in this style."
"Hum!" murmured Latimer, to whom the explanation sounded weak, "we'll admit so much for the time being. Well, sir?"
"Well," said Sorley taking no notice of the implied doubt. "I went up and down constantly. Sometimes Grison when sick would agree to give up the peacock without terms; then, when well, he would refuse to surrender it on any condition. Also sometimes he wanted half the treasure for his sister, since--as he put it--she had stuck by him in his fall. Finally, so as to get the bird and try to unravel46 the secret I compromised by offering to give a third of the jewels to Louisa."
"You had no right to promise that without submitting the proposition to Marie," said Alan.
"I didn't want Marie to know anything about the business until it was entirely settled and the jewels were in our possession," said Sorley doggedly47, "she never dreamed that I went so frequently to London, for I was often by myself for days, and had my meals alone. When I got the motor bicycle she and the other women more than ever were unable to learn about my movements. Things went on in this way until November last, and I could do nothing with Grison, who was as obstinate48 as a mule49. He then wrote me saying that he wanted to see me on the evening of the thirteenth November, and this time would really make terms. I replied that I would be there at eight o'clock."
"Seven o'clock," corrected Alan quickly.
"Thank you; it was seven, but my memory is not so good as it was, my boy. I went up on my bicycle and saw Grison at the appointed time at Mother Slaig's. He was as difficult to manage as ever, and I came away about eight, quite angry at my constant failures to get what I desired. I rode back during the night and gained The Monastery as usual. Next day, or rather the day after, I heard through the medium of the newspapers about the murder. Having regard to the time and place and my presence on the spot I saw in what danger I stood, so I held my peace. In one way I fancied that I could not be taxed with the commission of the crime, since I had not the peacock. Then I found it in its old place after the unexpected visit of Miss Grison, and guessed that she had brought it. I guessed also--since I knew that her brother had possessed it--she was setting a trap of some sort. Had I been wise," he looked frankly51 at the young men, "I should have told the police at once about the matter; but I saw then, as I see now--and as you, Mr. Latimer, have so plainly set before me that everything was in favor of my guilt."
Dick nodded and pulled his mustache meditatively52. "You didn't improve matter by bolting when Jotty warned you," he remarked pointedly53.
"I lost my nerve," gasped the other man, his pale face becoming still more pale, "and on the impulse of the moment I fled."
"Why did you fly here?" asked Alan, irritated by the problem presented to him as to letting the man go, or handing him over to Inspector Moon.
"I have told you twice, my boy; I wish you to help me. Long ago I told you that I believed Louisa Grison was laying a trap for me with that peacock. Now you can see that I was right, and your evidence that I spoke as I did, will help me at the trial."
"At the trial." Dick looked swiftly at the fugitive. "Then you----"
"Yes; I intend to give myself up." Sorley rose and stood up lean and haggard, yet with something of his old self-assertion, "but before doing so I wish you both to come with me to Thimble Square and see Miss Grison."
"Why?" demanded Fuller, jumping up with an inquiring look.
"I desire to face her in your presence, and accuse her of having brought the peacock down to The Monastery to get me into trouble."
"But how could she get it from her brother, when Jotty said that he saw it on the night of the murder in Grison's possession?"
"I can't explain," said Sorley with a vexed54 air, "and I am sure that Louisa hates me too much to do so. She may have induced him to give it back, lest he should return it to me; she knew of my visits."
"Did she know of your visits?"
"She must have. Baldwin doubtless told her, for he never could keep his own counsel, being as weak as water. And if he did hold his peace, I am very sure that Jotty did not. The boy saw me frequently."
"Yes," said Alan reflectively, "he told us that he did, and described you."
Sorley smiled bitterly and revengefully. "The boy seems to have given me away thoroughly55. Had he come to me I could have paid him more than two pounds, and would have done so to close his mouth and regain56 that letter."
"It is just as well that Jotty did speak out, and has placed you in your present position," said Latimer coldly, "for if Miss Grison did lay the trap you speak of, the exposure would only have come about in another way.'
"I daresay you are right," sighed the old man, putting on a shabby cap which also formed a portion of his disguise, "and after all, Jotty, by coming down to warn me, gave me a chance of escape."
"Hum!" said Alan after a pause, "your flight only lent color to the suspicions against you, on the evidence we gave to Moon. It is just probable since Jotty is in league with Miss Grison--for I believe the brat57 is--that the warning was arranged so that you should incriminate yourself."
"I shall do so no longer," said Sorley opening the door, "come both of you with me. You need not fear that I shall try to escape as I quite intend to give myself up, knowing my complete innocence. If you doubt me take each of you an arm."
"Oh, we'll trust you," said Latimer with a shrug58, much to Alan's relief. All the same Dick intended to keep a sharp eye on the man, since the talk might be mainly for effect, and there was no knowing if an escape might not be attempted.
And when the trio got outside, it proved to be a night very propitious59 to a fugitive, since an unexpected fog had rolled down on the city. London was enveloped60 in a dense61 gray smoking cloud chilly and clammy, and intensely disagreeable. Alan and his friend had, after all, to take Sorley's arms to guide him out of the court and through the rusty62 iron gates, and he went along so passively between them that Latimer became ashamed of his suspicions, since the old man appeared to be acting63 very straightforwardly64. It was not easy even for those who knew the neighborhood, to get out of the labyrinth65 surrounding Barkers Inn, for the dense fog made the place as unfamiliar66 as the desert of Sahara. But in some way they managed to reach Chancery Lane, and turned up towards Oxford67 Street on their way to Thimble Square in Bloomsbury. So thick was the fog that all traffic had ceased, although it was still early in the evening, so the three men, by keeping close to the houses, had to literally68 feel their way like the blind to their destination. It was a long time before they managed to strike the Square, and longer still before they found the house. But in the end they crossed the threshold, and told the Swiss waiter, who opened the door that they wished to see Miss Grison. As the man was going upstairs, Latimer called him back to press a shilling into his palm.
"Where is Alonzo?" he asked under his breath.
The waiter threw up his hands and explained that the boy had gone away and had not returned, and madame was greatly vexed by his absence. "Hum!" said Dick to himself when the waiter finally departed to announce their arrival, "Jotty seems to have engineered Sorley's escape on his own account, and fears lest his mistress should turn crusty."
Shortly the Swiss came back and conducted them up the stairs and into the private room of Miss Grison. Looking more acid than ever she stood by the fireplace to receive them, but smiled in a wintry fashion when the two young men--who had sent up their names--entered. But they had--for obvious reasons--omitted to inform her that they brought a companion with them, and Miss Grison's face grew hard and malignant69, when she saw Sorley steal in behind them. Her shallow blue eyes flashed like sapphires70, and if looks could have killed her enemy, Sorley would have fallen dead that very instant. Hate was written all over that wasted face.
"How dare you bring that beast here?" she demanded shrilly71, yet--as Dick observed mechanically--lowered her voice lest those in the near drawing-room should overhear, "he ruined my brother and murdered him."
"Beast! beast! it's the truth, it's the----" she stopped, and her hand went to her heart suddenly, "My drops, my drops," she staggered to the door, avoiding her enemy even at the moment of pain. "Wait, wait," she breathed hurriedly to Latimer, "weak heart--drops--a moment a----" she almost reeled out of the room, seeking medicine to recover her from the shock which Sorley's presence had inflicted73 upon her.
"Is her heart weak?" asked Alan, turning to the man.
"Not that I ever heard of," he retorted sharply, and wiping his face, "she was all right when at Belstone twenty years ago. Perhaps it is weak now. I wish it would break and she would fall dead."
"You mustn't say such things, Mr. Sorley," said Dick frowning.
"But I shall. What would you say of a woman who ruined you?"
"She's not ruined you yet," remarked Alan, soothingly74; "if you are innocent you will be set free."
"Oh, I shall be set free all right, even if I have to drink poison to rid myself of my bonds," said the old man, recklessly. "Oh, that woman, that woman, you don't know of what she is capable. Wait till she returns and hear the lies she will tell. All is against me, and only she can prove that I did not take the peacock from her brother. But I am innocent; I swear before heaven that I am innocent."
"Hush75! Don't make a row," said Dick, who did not wish the house to be disturbed, and for the next ten minutes both he and Alan were trying to reduce the excited man to a quieter frame of mind. Miss Grison was absent quite that time, if not a few moments longer, and when she returned her looks were much stronger and more composed.
"Why did you bring that man here?" she demanded again, and took up a defiant76 position on the hearthrug.
"I wish to ask you a question," said Sorley feebly, for his wrath77 had almost worn him out, and he felt that he was at the mercy of his enemy.
"You ask me a question," she echoed contemptuously, "the police wish to ask you one or two, you--you criminal."
"I--I--I am not a criminal," panted the other, sitting down suddenly.
"You are. Inspector Moon has been to see me. He related how Mr. Latimer--and I thank Mr. Latimer for doing so--gave him the letter you wrote to Baldwin which proves that you were with him on that night. I know also what the police know, that you have the peacock which you took from his body, you beast!"
"It's a lie! a lie, Louisa, and you know it. It was you who brought the peacock to The Monastery when you came down for the funeral."
"Ha! is that so?" she said tauntingly78; "and how are you going to prove I did such a thing?"
"You don't deny it, Miss Grison?" asked Alan, with some sharpness.
"Yes, I do. I deny it at once and with all truth. I stole the peacock to punish that brute79 who ruined us, and I gave it to Baldwin. He had it in his possession when he was murdered, and since he has it," she pointed50 an accusing finger at Sorley, who winced80 and wilted81, "he is guilty."
"You brought it to The Monastery to trap me," said the man resolutely82.
"I did not," she retorted equally resolutely, and the two argued the question on and on and on until Alan and Dick both felt their heads reeling. For almost an hour the conversation continued, Latimer sometimes putting in a question, and sometimes Alan suggesting an explanation. But every time, the result was that Miss Grison refused to acknowledge that she had taken the peacock to Belstone. Then, while they were in the full tide of talk, she rose unexpectedly, and pointed towards the door.
"Come in, come in," she almost shouted, "this is the beast."
Inspector Moon appeared, and behind him were two policemen in plain clothes.
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1
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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debonair
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| adj.殷勤的，快乐的 | |
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juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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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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sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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abruptly
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mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tartly
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stiffening
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| n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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chilly
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inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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thwarted
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vehemently
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implicate
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| vt.使牵连其中，涉嫌 | |
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mere
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vampire
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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forth
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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sardonic
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| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
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profligate
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| adj.行为不检的；n.放荡的人，浪子，肆意挥霍者 | |
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scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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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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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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unravel
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| v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开 | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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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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mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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pointedly
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| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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brat
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| n.孩子；顽童 | |
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shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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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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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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straightforwardly
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| adv.正直地 | |
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labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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sapphires
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| n.蓝宝石，钢玉宝石( sapphire的名词复数 )；蔚蓝色 | |
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shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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soothingly
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| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
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hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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tauntingly
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| 嘲笑地，辱骂地； 嘲骂地 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wilted
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| （使）凋谢，枯萎( wilt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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