Nothing could have been more perfect—more complete—than the magnificent festival at Jericho’s house, in nominal1 honour of the coming of age of Basil Pennibacker. At an early hour, Basil’s chambers2 had been beset4; beautiful presents and delicate bouquets5 were sent to the student, and they who brought them found no one to relieve the porters, no one to utter a word to them. All the greeting they met with, was mutely delivered from a piece of written paper, wafered outside the inhospitable door. The greeting ran as follows:—“To all who may present themselves. Mr. Basil Pennibacker has gone out to spend the day with One-and-Twenty Friends. May not return till to-morrow. No relatives admitted (on this day) either on business or pleasure. Vivat the Tenant6.” For all this, Mr. Jericho felt assured that Basil would, some time of the evening, present himself. The hours wore on, and though the hostess and the young ladies were now and then anxiously, nay7 affectionately examined upon the probable causes of Mr. Basil’s absence,—after a while, all the world resolved to forget the cause of the junket, almost as entirely8 as though it had been a funeral festival of the olden day; a pottle-pot carouse9 in memory of the new deceased. And then, let every fair excuse[Pg 181] be charitably received. Folks had their own affairs to attend to; their own little interests to look after—their own mortal appetites to appease10. Between four and five hundred people came to do honour to Jericho’s household gods, honouring his son-in-law. And if Basil could have flattered himself that his absence would cast ten minutes’ cloud above that brilliant mob, very much indeed, could he have taken a peep at it, would he have been rebuked11 for his presumption12. As we have said, people had their own affairs to mind.
Mrs. Jericho had, it is true, a mother’s heart, and every five minutes—hour after hour—looked where Basil might appear; and as the time wore on, and there was no Basil, the mother now drooped13, and now roused herself into some sudden happiness—some violent enjoyment14 at some poor platitude15, stamped for true wit, with impress sharp enough to be passed on and on for the true coin.
Monica Pennibacker was sorry, vexed16, that Basil had not come; it was so wayward, so foolish. Nevertheless, she could not sacrifice the lover to the brother; and the Hon. Mr. Candituft had, no doubt, confounded by the blaze of Monica’s beauty—for even the best of beauty has its happy killing17 times—a beauty, accidentally assisted by magnificent jewels,—committed himself, as a man of honour, once and for ever. He had snatched five minutes—hardly five—to speak definitely of marriage; he had many times played about the subject,—and now he had walked up to the ring,—why, at a blow, Monica self-sustained as an Amazon, referred the gentleman to her father. The thing was done; and the Hon. Cesar Candituft had nothing more for it than to dance off reflection till the morning. But no: Cesar thought of Monica’s dowry, and was not the man to jest, even to himself, upon so solemn a subject.
When we know more about the laws of electricity, it is probable that there may be a new statute—a law of society—against so many people meeting to dance. Who shall say,—that one man, nerved to the deed, to make an offer of marriage, in a window-corner or any other angle of a ball-room—does[Pg 182] not in fifty other places, electrically affect fifty other people? For all our present ignorance permits us to interpret, as many rings as go to bed-curtains may at the same moment pass from hand to hand. We do not wish to anticipate or force opinion on this most serious subject. But as prosaic18 chroniclers of a prosaic history, we must state this much; leaving the inference to the reader.—Almost at the same moment that Mr. Candituft solemnly proposed to Monica, Sir Arthur Hodmadod, urging the lady to name the inevitable19 day, assailed20 sweet Agatha. At the same moment; for the young ladies, ere they slept, compared the time by their own little tiny repeaters.
Colonel Bones never appeared so well—never had so comfortable an air as at the party. He seemed, for that night, to have washed away his grimy pauper21 look, and entered into an understanding with himself to display the gentleman. Perhaps it was the new habit acquired by Colonel Bones, that gave a certain air of courtesy and glitter to him; for Colonel Bones took snuff from a box set with lovely brilliants, the gift of his dear friend and late antagonist22, Solomon Jericho.
Commissioner23 Thrush and Doctor Mizzlemist, also jewelled by the Man of Money, were after their fashion blithe24 and happy; with the fullest conviction of the sound-heartedness of their host. Indeed, the hole in Jericho’s heart had, in the world’s opinion, closed like a hole in sand: he had, by the force of his magnificence, so conquered and confounded slander25. Only one foe26 remained unbeaten; the obstinate27, pig-headed Dodo, who—wherever he could tear the hole open afresh—would avow28 his faith in the diabolic existence of Jericho. And people listened, then shook their heads, and—behind his back—pitied poor Dodo. Very zealous29 friendship had moved Jericho to prosecute30 the slanderer31; but the Man of Money, with his own magnanimity replied—“Put Doctor Dodo in court! No, poor man; I would rather put him in a strait waistcoast.”
The day after the birth-day festival, Mr. Jericho sat in his library in the happiest of humours. In a very quiet way, and in the shortest possible time, he had won of Lord Bezant five[Pg 183] thousand pounds. Lord Bezant was one of the Duke of St. George’s friends; one of the superb knot of men with whom his Grace, in the most condescending32 manner, had made Jericho intimate. Five thousand pounds! A sum in itself of little account to our Man of Money; but as an earnest of the favours of fortune, of the first and dearest importance. For every thousand that Jericho won upon dice34 or cards—he might, moreover, under friendly guidance, be lucky on the turf—was so much substance saved. True it was, that he made the birth-day feast given in the name of Basil a victory to himself; true it was, he had his passing time of triumph; but he saw, he felt the cost. He knew that every farthing came from his heart; he knew that to make such outward show he had shrunk and dwindled35 to fearful tenuity. Hence, he now slept apart; solitary36 in his chamber3. He had no doubt of his vitality37; nevertheless, the principle of his wealth might wear him to a rag, a shred38; and, at the worst, this must be unknown. Therefore, we say, it was a new delight to Jericho when a belief in his constitutional good luck dawned upon and deepened in him. Men—a happy few—had carried from the gambling39 table the splendours of wealth, and why should not he be one of fortune’s—or the fiend’s—elect?
Jericho, since his introduction to the Duke of St. George—who had so handsomely circulated the plebeian40 among a host of noble friends—had never played that he had not risen a winner. Altogether, in the merest point of time, he had won some fifteen thousand pounds. As Jericho thought of this, he laid his hand above his paper heart, and promised a long repose42 to the fund. Fortune had no doubt fallen in love with him, and would give him all he asked. Therefore he would make the grand tour, and—the Napoleon of Trumps—break every bank in Europe.
Could Mrs. Jericho, bound as she was, upon the tenderest of missions, break upon her lord in happier hour? Serene43 and softened44 by the conviction of his destined45 magnificence, he was a little disposed to enter, by way of passing amusement, into the sympathies and affections of his people about him.
[Pg 184]
“No news of Basil,” said Mrs. Jericho: “but, be assured, Solomon, his absence was no intended affront46.”
“Don’t name it, my dear. He was not missed. To please you, we did honour to his birth-day. The day was a graceful47 excuse for the fête—and as the fête was all that was required, why no doubt, everybody was pleased. At least, I saw no disappointment,” and Jericho softly whistled.
“Nevertheless, for all his folly48 and perverseness—and I must blame him for his conduct—for all his ill-manners, and I cannot wholly justify49 him, I am sure, Solomon, sure that Basil loves you.”
“If such is your opinion, Mrs. Jericho, I must make up my mind to suffer it.”
Mrs. Jericho thought she would not persevere50 in the theme: therefore, with sudden vivacity51, she changed the subject. “My dear, of course you are aware that our girls must, some time or the other, settle in life?”
“Your girls, my dear, have my free permission to settle when and where they will.”
“I was sure of that, dear. I certainly think with our present position we ought to have commanded something better than a younger brother for Monica. Nevertheless, as Candituft is your friend, and I believe a good creature—and as they seem determined52 to have one another, why, why should we thwart53 them?”
“Why, indeed?” asked Jericho, very calmly.
“Sir Arthur Hodmadod,” said Mrs. Jericho, in a tone of apology for the gentleman, “is certainly a fool”—
“What of that?” asked the philosopher. “Surely the family can bear one fool—eh? Wise enough for that?”
“My dear Solomon, you know best of course. To be sure, had we been tainted54 with worldly ambition, there is no doubt that we might have married our children in the very heart of the peerage, but”—
“I’m quite content as matters stand,” said Jericho.
“As I say, you know best. Well, Monica informs me—and[Pg 185] I thought, my love, I would prepare you—that Mr. Candituft intends to see you to-day; formally to ask your daughter at your hands.”
“Indeed. Well, as far as I’m concerned, I’ll give her to him with the greatest pleasure in life.”
“Don’t speak with such levity55, love; don’t,” said Mrs. Jericho mildly; “marriage is not a mere41 bargain.”
“Certainly not. Solemn compact—very solemn compact:” and again Jericho whistled.
“Well, then, Solomon, as you consent, what do you propose to give with the dear child?”
“Give, Mrs. Jericho! I’ll give a magnificent party on the occasion. More than that, I think—nay, I’m sure that to please me and honour you—my friend the Duke”—it was thus Jericho began to speak of his Grace of St. George—“my friend the Duke will give the wench away.”
“’Twill add a perfume to the orange blossoms,” cried Mrs. Jericho with a gush56 of sentiment. “’Twill, if possible, add a solemnity to the ceremony. But I mean what dowry do you give?”
“Dowry! I thought, my dear, you observed that marriage was no bargain? Why, you’re making it quite a ready money transaction.”
“Now, my dear Jericho, I admire your wit. It is brilliant, delightful—and I assure you, I am as proud of all your brilliant sayings, quite as proud as if they were my own. But this is”—
Here the servant entered with the card of “The Hon. Mr. Candituft.”
“Show him in,” said Jericho with an instant decision.
“My dear,” exclaimed Mrs. Jericho, hurrying to depart, “I leave Monica in your hands. I know your noble heart; I’m sure you will treat her like a gentleman and—and a father.” With this confiding57 speech Mrs. Jericho hastened from the room. Meeting Candituft at the door, she took his hand with the greatest cordiality, and with the prettiest ignorance of the purpose of his visit.
[Pg 186]
“’Pon my life, my dear sir,” said Candituft, “I never saw such luck as you had last night.”
“Why, yes,” said Jericho, swelling58 into figure, “I think the blind goddess smirked59 a little on me.”
“With such luck, had you set in for play, why, sir, before you rose you might have been owner of Zebra Park. Not but what upon principle I detest60 gambling. It is a vice61 destitute62 of the finer emotions that ought ever to exist among the family of man. Nevertheless, if a simpleton like Lord Bezant will be ruined, I do think he ought to fall to the lot of a gentleman and a wise man,” and Candituft bowed to Jericho. “It is devilish annoying to see a fool flung away upon a mere vulgar brute63 of luck. It jars one’s sense of propriety64. No, at least, gentlemen ought to ruin gentlemen.”
“A beautiful motto, Candituft. Have it written up at the Club,” said Jericho.
“Needless, my dear sir, quite needless; ’tis in the hearts of the members. And now, my dear friend, for you are my friend,” said Candituft, with his every-day emotion, “I have a delicate business to open to you. An affair affecting the happiness of”—
“But first let me not forget my friend,” said Candituft. “Hodmadod is, we know, a fool.”
Jericho, nursing his knee, replied, “I do not think the Parliament assembled could have the face to deny it.”
“Nevertheless, a very good creature, and, I dare say, will make a good husband. Yes, he’ll drive well in the wedding-ring.”
“Let us hope so,” replied Jericho, prepared for the best or the worst.
“But he’s bashful as—as—’pon my life, I’m at a loss for a simile66. And as he and I are old friends, and as he knew that I should see you—in fact, he’s in the house this moment; came along with me—He desired me to inform you that Miss Agatha had consented to fix the—the—what d’ye call it—the happy day.”
[Pg 187]
“Wish them joy,” said Jericho. “My friend the Duke shall give her away.”
“As to the young lady’s dowry,” and Candituft hesitated.
“I can’t give a farthing. Can’t afford it, my dear Candituft,” and the Man-Tamer laughed at the declaration as at an intended jest. “Can’t afford it. Besides, think of the girl’s beauty, talents, temper!”
“They have all had their full influence upon my friend. And Arthur—good, silly fellow!—is not avaricious67. Besides, he has a handsome property of his own; and I’m sure he’ll be delighted, happy to marry the young lady merely for herself.”
“That’s true love—Cupid, as you see him in the valentines, without any property,” said Jericho.
“To be sure. Half-a-dozen of every thing,” said Jericho, and he laughed hugely at the joke: and the Man-Tamer, as in friendship bound, laughed his best in concert.
“Well, I have fulfilled my mission, and saved the awkwardness of my friend. You object not to the day, whenever it may be? And for the dowry, I mean the outfit, we who know your heart, may safely leave that to you. Yes, yes; Arthur, my good soft friend, Arthur, is a happy man. Once I fondly thought that my dear sister—however”—and Candituft sighed—“it was not to be. And now, sir”—
“Yes,” cried Jericho, quite prepared for what was coming. “Yes; go on.”
“You may have remarked my affection for Miss Monica? You must have remarked it?”
“I beg a thousand pardons,” said the wag Jericho, “but it has quite escaped me.”
Candituft wanly70 smiled. The jest was ill-timed; nevertheless he could not resent it from his friend. Therefore, he smiled and proceeded. “In a word, my dear sir, we have come to the sweet conclusion that we were made for one another.”
“Dear me! Well, how lucky you should have met! I dare[Pg 188] say, now”—and the cruel wit, with all his teeth and talons71, played with the timid, mouse-like heart of his victim—“I dare say, now, there are thousands of people made for one another, at the present moment wandering about the world without a chance of coming together. Indeed, seeing how big the world is, and how very few people are really made to match, it’s next to a miracle that they should ever meet at all. Eh?”
“My dear sir, your views of life are always so just,—are always clothed in such graceful and convincing language that I cannot answer, I can only admire and bow. I trust, my dear sir, you do not oppose our love?” and Candituft shuddered72 at the dreadful suspicion.
“By no means,” said Jericho. “Marry, marry, and be as happy as you can.”
“A thousand thanks. You are aware, my dear sir, that my family is rich”—
“Eh?” cried the Man of Money.
“Rich in historical associations. The blood of the Canditufts fructifies73 the fields of Cressy and Agincourt.”
“Humph! And what’s the crop—what’s the yield? I have a great respect for blood, Mr. Candituft; it is, in this world, a very useful, a very indispensable article. Nevertheless, blood in a field—no matter how old—is not the best investment. I speak, you know, as a vulgar Man of Money.”
“I was about to observe,” said the easy-tempered, but withal pensive74 suitor, “that I have too pure, too deep an affection for Miss Pennibacker, to make her the partner of only the glories of my house. A bachelor, my dear sir, though poor, receives a lustrous75 honour from the chivalry76 of his name; but it is an honour that, alone, will not do to marry upon.”
“You mean,” and Jericho grimly grinned, “the honour that’s enough for one is not enough for two.”
“Why, yes”—and Candituft hesitated—“I may say that is pretty well my meaning.”
“And in this marriage with Miss Pennibacker, you propose[Pg 189] to find the chivalry, the honour, if I—if I find the money? Eh?” cried Jericho.
“Mr. Jericho”—and Candituft thought he would assert the nobility of the blood in the grounds of Cressy and Agincourt—“Mr. Jericho, I do not come to deal with you for your daughter, as I would come to a grazier for”—
“What!” cried Jericho, jumping to his feet.
“I mean, desirous of maintaining Miss Pennibacker in that sphere which she was born to delight and illustrate77, I must ask—you force me to be plain—what will you give with the young lady?”
“Not a farthing,” cried Jericho. “Not one farthing,” said the Man of Money with determined emphasis.
At this moment, quite casually78, Mrs. Jericho entered the room. Seeing the stern looks of Jericho, the rebuked aspect of Candituft, she innocently inquired “What is the matter?”
“Pooh! you know well enough,” cried Jericho, “Mr. Candituft wants to marry Nic.”
“I was certainly aware of the honourable79 object of Mr. Candituft’s ambition,” said Mrs. Jericho.
“But that’s not all,” cried the Man of Money, “he wants to be handsomely paid for the trouble.”
“Paid!” exclaimed the lady.
“Why, that’s the plain thing. Paid. He wants a dowry.”
“My dear, we will not talk upon the subject at present,” said Mrs. Jericho. “I see you are in one of your sportive humours; in one of your gay moods, when you will make merry with the happy state.”
“Quite so, my dear lady,” said Candituft. “But as you say, we will not pursue the subject. Another time.”
“By no means; better have it out at once,” said Jericho.
“Don’t name it,” said Candituft. “In fact, my good sir,” and the lover grew of a sudden cool and circumspect80; “I think we had better postpone81 the matter till a more benignant season.”
“Mr. Candituft!” exclaimed Mrs. Jericho.
“Happily,” said the prudent82 suitor, “Miss Pennibacker is[Pg 190] yet in the first blush and florescence of youth; and it may be, my dear lady, that fortune, with an amended83 estimate of the maiden’s merits, may find her a nobler, a richer, though not”—and Mr. Candituft endeavoured with manly84 fortitude85 to suppress his emotion—“though not a fonder husband.”
“I am sure of that,” said Mrs. Jericho; “I have every confidence in you, my dear sir; and so has Mr. Jericho.”
“Any amount of confidence,” said the Man of Money. “Any amount.”
“’Twould be a great pity,” said Jericho, determined upon his humour, “to baulk a bold intention. Why, Mr. Candituft, the young lady is such a treasure in herself, that, upon my word, I think you ought, when you marry her, to remunerate us for our loss. It has always seemed to me that certain savages—as they are shamefully87 called—have the advantage of us in their habits of marriage.”
“No doubt, my dear sir, if you think so,” said Candituft stiffly. “For myself, I am in ignorance of the superiority.”
“I mean in the habit that reverses the transaction: when the husband buys his wife of her father; and not as in our shamefully corrupt88 and sophisticated condition, when the father buys a husband for his girl. I have always set my face against the custom,—and I feel the time is come that I should strike a blow at the prejudice.”
“Now, my dear Solomon,”—Mrs. Jericho knew it was no time to pursue the subject, and she contemplated89, with some anxiety, the deepening gravity of Candituft—“my dear Jericho, we will say no more upon the matter. In your present merry humour, you care nothing for people’s affections. You play what tune33 you please on people’s heartstrings. Oh, you wits!” and the wife tapped the hard, dim face of the humourist Jericho.
“Well, well, let us have the jig90 out,” said the relentless91 wag. “Sir Arthur proposes to make Aggy Lady Hodmadod—I hear the day is named, though with great self-forbearance I’ve not asked whether it’s to-morrow or next day.”
[Pg 191]
“My dear Solomon,” said Mrs. Jericho, “this is too much levity.”
“Not at all: and I don’t see why both the birds mayn’t be trussed by the same parson. And so, after all, my good friend,”—and the traitorous92 Jericho smiled.
“My dear sir,”—and Candituft with his best energy smiled in return.
“After all, let us settle the sum. Eh?”
“Be it as you will,” said Mrs. Jericho, with the best duty of a wife, calling herself back to the subject.
“Well, then,” said the Man of Money, and for his own private purpose of humour, he still smiled and coaxed93 his voice, “what sum would satisfy you?” It was a delicate question to be put thus nakedly. “Come, name a figure. Say five thousand pounds.” Candituft looked blank at Jericho, moving not a muscle. “What do you think of seven?” The Man-Tamer gently lifted his eye-brows, deprecating the amount. “Come, then, we’ll advance to ten?” Candituft’s face began to thaw94, and he showed some signs of kindly95 animation96. “At a word, then,” cried Jericho, with affected97 heartiness98, “will you take fifteen thousand?”
“From you—yes,” cried Candituft, and he seized Jericho’s hand. The Man of Money looked at Candituft with a contemptuous sneer99, and with a wrench100 twisted his hand away. He then dropt in his chair, and a strange, diabolical101 scowl102 possessed103 his countenance104. The Man-Tamer shrank from his friend; Mrs. Jericho ran to her husband, but screamed at the sudden change that seemed to blot105 out the human character of his face. The Man of Money, with his own features, looked a devil.
“And where—where do you think this money is to come from? Where?” asked Jericho, and he rose from his chair, and it seemed as though the demon106 possessing him would compel the wretch107 to talk—would compel him to make terrible revealings. Every word he uttered was born of agony. But there he stood; forced to give out utterances108 that tortured him. “I will tell you,” roared Jericho, “what this money is. Look about you![Pg 192] What do you see? Fine walls—fine pictures—fine everything. Why, you see me—tortured, torn, worked up, changed. The walls are hung with my flesh: my flesh you walk upon. There, that—that”—and Jericho pointed109 to the diamond on Candituft’s finger—“that gem—that jewel, as bright as the sun in heaven—what is it? Why, it’s my blood—my blood distilled110, then hardened into stone. I am worn piecemeal111 by a hundred thieves, but I’ll be shared among them no longer.”
By this time, the girls and Sir Arthur Hodmadod, alarmed by the cries of Jericho, had entered the room.
“And you had a fine feast, had you not?” cried the possessed Man of Money, writhing112 with misery113, and howling his confession114. “And what did you eat? my flesh—what did you drink? my blood.”
“It’s impossible,” cried Hodmadod, aghast. “When I say impossible”—
“The food, the wines, the gold and silver, all—all of me—and so I’m shared to feed fools and make a show. To make a show,” Jericho repeated, his voice sinking, and he fell, as in a fit, in his chair.
For some minutes he lay as though he had passed into sleep: and the malignant115 expression gradually cleared from his face.
“Very odd,” said Sir Arthur, “very strange. Better send for Doctor Stubbs.”
“Hush! it’s a fit, a passing fit; he’s better now, and fast asleep,” said Mrs. Jericho, whilst the girls exchanged strange looks with one another. “Fast asleep.”
“I congratulate you,” said Candituft to Hodmadod, as they both left the room, “he consents to your marriage.”
“Does he?” asked Hodmadod, a little staggered by the courtesy.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
nominal
|
|
| adj.名义上的；(金额、租金)微不足道的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
beset
|
|
| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
bouquets
|
|
| n.花束( bouquet的名词复数 )；（酒的）芳香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
tenant
|
|
| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
carouse
|
|
| v.狂欢；痛饮；n.狂饮的宴会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
appease
|
|
| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
rebuked
|
|
| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
drooped
|
|
| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
enjoyment
|
|
| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
platitude
|
|
| n.老生常谈，陈词滥调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
vexed
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
killing
|
|
| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
prosaic
|
|
| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
assailed
|
|
| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
pauper
|
|
| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
antagonist
|
|
| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
commissioner
|
|
| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
blithe
|
|
| adj.快乐的，无忧无虑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
slander
|
|
| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
foe
|
|
| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
avow
|
|
| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
zealous
|
|
| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
prosecute
|
|
| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
slanderer
|
|
| 造谣中伤者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
condescending
|
|
| adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
dice
|
|
| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
dwindled
|
|
| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
vitality
|
|
| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
shred
|
|
| v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
gambling
|
|
| n.赌博；投机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
plebeian
|
|
| adj.粗俗的；平民的；n.平民；庶民 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
serene
|
|
| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
softened
|
|
| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
affront
|
|
| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
graceful
|
|
| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
justify
|
|
| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
persevere
|
|
| v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
vivacity
|
|
| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
thwart
|
|
| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
tainted
|
|
| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
levity
|
|
| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
gush
|
|
| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
confiding
|
|
| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
swelling
|
|
| n.肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
smirked
|
|
| v.傻笑( smirk的过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
detest
|
|
| vt.痛恨，憎恶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
vice
|
|
| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
destitute
|
|
| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
brute
|
|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
propriety
|
|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
ordeal
|
|
| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
simile
|
|
| n.直喻，明喻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
avaricious
|
|
| adj.贪婪的，贪心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
bestow
|
|
| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
outfit
|
|
| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
wanly
|
|
| adv.虚弱地；苍白地，无血色地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
talons
|
|
| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
fructifies
|
|
| vi.结果实（fructify的第三人称单数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
74
pensive
|
|
| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
lustrous
|
|
| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
chivalry
|
|
| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
illustrate
|
|
| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
casually
|
|
| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
honourable
|
|
| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
circumspect
|
|
| adj.慎重的，谨慎的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
postpone
|
|
| v.延期，推迟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
Amended
|
|
| adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
manly
|
|
| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
fortitude
|
|
| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
shamefully
|
|
| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
corrupt
|
|
| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
contemplated
|
|
| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
jig
|
|
| n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
relentless
|
|
| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
traitorous
|
|
| adj. 叛国的, 不忠的, 背信弃义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
coaxed
|
|
| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
thaw
|
|
| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
animation
|
|
| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
heartiness
|
|
| 诚实，热心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
wrench
|
|
| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
diabolical
|
|
| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
scowl
|
|
| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
blot
|
|
| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
demon
|
|
| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
utterances
|
|
| n.发声( utterance的名词复数 )；说话方式；语调；言论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
distilled
|
|
| adj.由蒸馏得来的v.蒸馏( distil的过去式和过去分词 )；从…提取精华 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
piecemeal
|
|
| adj.零碎的；n.片，块；adv.逐渐地；v.弄成碎块 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
writhing
|
|
| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
malignant
|
|
| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |