All the next night, Syama, his ear against his master's door, felt the jar of the machine-like tread in the study. At intervals1 it would slow, but not once did it stop. The poor slave was himself nearly worn out. Sympathy has a fashion of burdening us without in the least lightening the burden which occasions it.
To-morrows may be long coming, but they keep coming. Time is a mill, and to-morrows are but the dust of its grinding. Uel arose early. He had slept soundly. His first move was to send the Prince all the clerks he could find in the market, and shortly afterwards the city was re-blazoned with bills.
"BYZANTINES!
"Fathers and mothers of Byzantium!
"Lael, the daughter of Uel the merchant, has not been found. Wherefore I now offer 10,000 bezants in gold for her dead or alive, and 6,000 bezants in gold for evidence which will lead to the discovery and conviction of her abductors.
"The offers will conclude with to-day.
"PRINCE OF INDIA."
There was a sensation when the new placards had been generally read; yet the hunt of the day before was not resumed. It was considered exhausted3. Men and women poured into the streets and talked and talked--about the Prince of India. By ten o'clock all known of him and a great deal more had gone through numberless discussions; and could he have heard the conclusions reached he had never smiled again. By a consensus4 singularly unanimous, he was an Indian, vastly rich, but not a Prince, and his interest in the stolen girl was owing to forbidden relations. This latter part of the judgment5, by far the most cruel, might have been traced to Demedes.
In all the city there had not been a more tireless hunter than Demedes. He seemed everywhere present--on the ships, on the walls, in the gardens and churches--nay6, it were easier telling where he had not been. And by whomsoever met, he was in good spirits, fertile in suggestions, and sure of success. He in fact distinguished7 himself in the search, and gave proof of a knowledge of the capital amazing to the oldest inhabitants. Of course his role was to waste the energy of the mass. In every pack of beagles it is said there is one particularly gifted in the discovery of false scents8. Such was Demedes that first day, until about two o'clock. The results of the quest were then in, and of the theories to which he listened, nothing pleased him like the absence of a suggestion of the second sedan. There were witnesses to tell of the gorgeous chair, and its flitting here and yonder through the twilight9; none saw the other. This seems to have sufficed him, and he suddenly gave up the chase; appearing in the garden of the Bucoleon, he declared the uselessness of further effort. The Jewess, he said, was not in Byzantium; she had been carried off by the Bulgarians, and was then on the road to some Turkish harem. From that moment the search began to fall off, and by evening it was entirely10 discontinued.
Upon appearance of the placards the second day, Demedes was again equal to the emergency. He collected his brethren in the Temple, organized them into parties, and sent them everywhere--to Galata, to the towns along the Bosphorus, down the western shore of the Marmora, over to the Islands, and up to the forest of Belgrade--to every place, in short, except the right one. And this conduct, apparently11 sincere, certainly energetic, bore its expected fruit; by noon he was the hero of the occasion, the admiration12 of the city.
When very early in the second day the disinclination of the people to renew the search was reported to the Prince of India, he looked incredulous, and broke out:
"What! Not for ten thousand bezants!--more gold than they have had in their treasury13 at one time in ten years!--enough to set up three empires of such dwindle14! To what is the world coming?"
An hour or so later, he was told of the total failure of his second proclamation. The information drove him with increased speed across the floor.
"I have an adversary15 somewhere," he was saying to himself--"an adversary more powerful than gold in quantity. Are there two such in Byzantium?"
An account of Demedes' action gave him some comfort.
About the third hour, Sergius asked to see him, and was admitted. After a simple expression of sympathy, the heartiness16 of which was attested17 by his sad voice and dejected countenance18, the monk19 said: "Prince of India, I cannot tell you the reasons of my opinion; yet I believe the young woman is a prisoner here in this city. I will also beg you not to ask me where I think she is held, or by whom. It may turn out that I am mistaken; I will then feel better of having had no confidant. With this statement--submitted with acknowledged uncertainty--can you trust me?"
"You are Sergius, the monk?"
"So they call me; though here I have not been raised to the priesthood."
"I have heard the poor child speak of you. You were a favorite with her."
The Prince spoke20 with trouble.
"I am greatly pleased to hear it."
The trouble of the Prince was contagious21, but Sergius presently recovered.
"Probably the best certificate of my sincerity22, Prince--the best I can furnish you--is that your gold is no incentive23 to the trial at finding her which I have a mind to make. If I succeed, a semblance24 of pay or reward would spoil my happiness."
The Jew surveyed him curiously25. "Almost I doubt you," he said.
"Yes, I can understand. Avarice26 is so common, and disinterestedness27, friendship, and love so uncommon28."
"Verily, a great truth has struck you early."
"Well, hear what I have to ask."
"Speak."
"You have in your service an African"--
"Nilo?"
"That is his name. He is strong, faithful, and brave, qualities I may need more than gold. Will you allow him to go with me?"
The Prince's look and manner changed, and he took the monk's hand. "Forgive me," he said warmly--"forgive me, if I spoke doubtfully--forgive me, if I misunderstood you."
Then, with his usual promptitude, he went to the door, and bade Syama bring Nilo.
"You know my method of speech with him?" the Prince asked.
"Yes," Sergius replied.
"If you have instructions for him, see they are given in a good light, for in the dark he cannot comprehend."
Nilo came, and kissed his master's hand. He understood the trouble which had befallen.
"This," the Prince said to him, "is Sergius, the monk. He believes he knows where the little Princess is, and has asked that you may go with him. Are you willing?"
"It is arranged," the master added to Sergius. "Have you other suggestion?"
"It were better he put off his African costume."
"For the Greek?"
"The Greek will excite less attention."
"Very well."
In a short time Nilo presented himself in Byzantine dress, with exception of a bright blue handkerchief on his head.
"Now, I pray you, Prince, give me a room. I wish to talk with the man privately31."
The request was granted, the instructions given, and Sergius reappeared to take leave.
"Nilo and I are good friends, Prince. He understands me."
"He may be too eager. Remember I found him a savage32."
With these words, the Prince and the young Russian parted.
After this nobody came to the house. The excitement had been a flash. Now it seemed entirely dead, and dead without a clew. When Time goes afoot his feet are of lead; and in this instance his walk was over the Prince's heart. By noon he was dreadfully wrought33 up.
"Let them look to it, let them look to it!" he kept repeating, sometimes shaking a clinched34 hand. Occasionally the idea to which he thus darkly referred had power to bring him to a halt. "I have an adversary. Who is he?" Ere long the question possessed35 him entirely. It was then as if he despaired of recovering Lael, and had but one earthly object--vengeance. "Ah, my God, my God! Am I to lose her, and never know my enemy? Action, action, or I will go mad!" Uel came with his usual report: "Alas36! I have nothing." The Prince scarcely heard or saw him. "There are but two places where this enemy can harbor," he was repeating to himself--"but two; the palace and"--he brought his hands together vehemently--"the church. Where else are they who have power to arrest a whole people in earnest movement? Whom else have I offended? Ay, there it is! I preached God; therefore the child must perish. So much for Christian37 pity!"
All the forces in his nature became active.
"Go," he said to Uel, "order two men for my chair. Syama will attend me."
The merchant left him on the floor patting one hand with another.
"Yes, yes, I will try it--I will see if there is such thing as Christian pity--I will see. It may have swarmed38, and gone to hive at Blacherne." In going to the palace, he continually exhorted39 the porters:
"Faster, faster, my men!"
The officer at the gate received him kindly40, and came back with the answer, "His Majesty41 will see you."
Again the audience chamber42, Constantine on the dais, his courtiers each in place; again the Dean in his role of Grand Chamberlain; again the prostrations. Ceremony at Blacherne was never remitted43. There is a poverty which makes kings miserable44.
"Draw nearer, Prince," said Constantine, benignly45. "I am very busy. A courier arrived this morning from Adrianople with report that my august friend, the Sultan Amurath, is sick, and his physicians think him sick unto death. I was not prepared for the responsibilities which are rising; but I have heard of thy great misfortune, and out of sympathy bade my officer bring thee hither. By accounts the child was rarely intelligent and lovely, and I did not believe there was in my capital a man to do her such inhuman47 wrong. The progress of the search thou didst institute so wisely I have watched with solicitude48 little less than thine own. My officials everywhere have orders to spare no effort or expense to discover the guilty parties; for if the conspiracy49 succeed once, it will derive50 courage and try again, thus menacing every family in my Empire. If thou knowest aught else in my power to do, I will gladly hear it."
The Emperor, intent upon his expressions, failed to observe the gleam which shone in the Wanderer's eyes, excited by mention of the condition of the Sultan.
"I will not try Your Majesty's patience, since I know the responsibilities to which you have referred concern the welfare of an Empire, while I am troubled not knowing if one poor soul be dead or alive; yet she was the world to me"--thus the Prince began, and the knightly51 soul of the Emperor was touched, for his look softened52, and with his hand he gently tapped the golden cone53 of the right arm of his throne.
"That which brought me to your feet," the Prince continued, "is partly answered. The orders to your officers exhaust your personal endeavor, unless--unless"--
"Speak, Prince."
"Your Majesty, I shrink from giving offence, and yet I have in this terrible affair an enemy who is my master. Yesterday Byzantium adopted my cause, and lent me her eyes and hands; before the sun went down her ardor54 cooled; to-day she will not go a rood. What are we to think, what do, my Lord, when gold and pity alike lose their influence? ... I will not stop to say what he must be who is so much my enemy as to lay an icy finger on the warm pulse of the people. When we who have grown old cast about for a hidden foe55, where do we habitually56 look? Where, except among those whom we have offended? Whom have I offended? Here in the audience you honored me with, I ventured to argue in favor of universal brotherhood57 in faith, and God the principle of agreement; and there were present some who dealt me insult, and menaced me, until Your Majesty sent armed men to protect me from their violence. They have the ear of the public--they are my adversaries58. Shall I call them the Church?"
Constantine replied calmly: "The head of the Church sat here at my right hand that day, Prince, and he did not interrupt you; neither did he menace you. But say you are right--that they of whom you speak are the Church--what can I do?"
"The Church has thunders to terrify and subdue59 the wicked, and Your Majesty is the head of the Church."
"Nay, Prince, I fear thou hast studied us unfairly. I am a member--a follower--a subscriber60 to the faith--its thunders are not mine."
A despairing look overcast61 the countenance of the visitor, and he trembled. "Oh, my God! There is no hope further--she is lost--lost!" But recovering directly, he said: "I crave62 pardon for interrupting Your Majesty. Give me permission to retire. I have much work to do."
Constantine bowed, and on raising his head, declared with feeling to his officers: "The wrong to this man is great."
The Wanderer moved backward slowly, his eyes emitting uncertain light; pausing, he pointed63 to the Emperor, and said, solemnly: "My Lord, thou hadst thy power to do justice from God; it hath slipped from thee. The choice was thine, to rule the Church or be ruled by it; thou hast chosen, and art lost, and thy Empire with thee."
He was at the door before any one present could arouse from surprise; then while they were looking at each other, and making ready to cry out, he came back clear to the dais, and knelt. There was in his manner and countenance so much of utter hopelessness, that the whole court stood still, each man in the attitude the return found him.
"My Lord," he said, "thou mightest have saved me--I forgive thee that thou didst not. See--here"--he thrust a hand in the bosom64 of his gown, and from a pocket drew the great emerald--"I will leave thee this talisman65--it belonged to King Solomon, the son of David--I found it in the tomb of Hiram, King of Tyre--it is thine, my Lord, so thou fitly punish the robber of the lost daughter of my soul, my Gul Bahar. Farewell."
He laid the jewel on the edge of the dais, and rising, betook himself to the door again, and disappeared before the Dean was sufficiently66 mindful of his duty.
"The man is mad," the Emperor exclaimed.
"Take up the stone"--he spoke to the Dean--"and return it to him to-morrow." [Footnote: This identical stone, or one very like it, may be seen in the "Treasury" which is part of the old Serail in Stamboul. It is in the first room of entrance, on the second shelf of the great case of curios, right-hand side.] For a time then the emerald was kept passing from hand to hand by the courtiers, none of whom had ever seen its peer for size and brilliance67; more than one of them touched it with awe68, for despite a disposition69 to be incredulous in the matter of traditions incident to precious stones, the legend here, left behind him by the mysterious old man, was accepted--this was a talisman--it had belonged to Solomon--it had been found by the Prince of India--and he was a Prince--nobody but Indian Princes had such emeralds to give away. But while they bandied the talisman about, the Emperor sat, his chin in the palm of his right hand, the elbow on the golden cone, not seeing as much as thinking, nor thinking as much as silently repeating the strange words of the stranger: "Thou hadst thy power to do justice from God; it hath slipped from thee. The choice was thine to rule the Church or be ruled by it. Thou hast chosen, and art lost, and thy Empire with thee." Was this prophetic? What did it mean? And by and by he found a meaning. The first Constantine made the Church; now the Church will unmake the last Constantine. How many there are who spend their youth yearning70 and fighting to write their names in history, then spend their old age shuddering71 to read them there!
The Prince of India was scarcely in his study, certainly he was not yet calmed down from the passion into which he had been thrown at Blacherne, when Syama informed him there was a man below waiting to see him.
"Who is he?"
The servant shook his head.
"Well, bring him here."
Presently a gypsy, at least in right of his mother, and tent-born in the valley of Buyukdere, slender, dark-skinned, and by occupation a fisherman, presented himself. From the strength of the odor he brought with him, the yield of his net during the night must have been unusually large.
"Am I in presence of the Prince of India?" the man asked, in excellent Arabic, and a manner impossible of acquisition except in the daily life of a court of the period.
The Prince bowed.
"The Prince of India who is the friend of the Sultan Mahommed?" the other inquired, with greater particularity. "Sultan Mahommed? Prince Mahommed, you mean."
"No--Mahommed the Sultan."
A flash of joy leaped from the Prince's eyes--the first of the kind in two days.
The stranger addressed himself to explanation.
"Forgive my bringing the smell of mullet and mackerel into your house. I am obeying instructions which require me to communicate with you in disguise. I have a despatch72 to tell who I am, and more of my business than I know myself."
The messenger took from his head the dirty cloth covering it, and from its folds produced a slip of paper; with a salute73 of hand to breast and forehead, declarative of a Turk to the habit born, he delivered the slip, and walked apart to give opportunity for its reading. This was the writing in free translation:
"Mahommed, Son of Amurath, Sultan of Sultans, to the Prince of India.
"I am about returning to Magnesia. My father--may the prayers of the Prophet, almighty74 with God, preserve him from long suffering!--is fast falling into weakness of body and mind. Ali, son of Abed-din the Faithful, is charged instantly the great soul is departed on its way to Paradise to ride as the north wind flies, and give thee a record which Abed-din is to make on peril75 of his soul, abating76 not the fraction of a second. Thou wilt77 understand it, and the purpose of the sending."
The Prince of India, with the slip in his hand, walked the floor once from west to east to regain78 the mastery of himself.
"Ali, son of Abed-din the Faithful," he then said, "has a record for me."
Now the thongs79 of Ali's sandals were united just below the instep with brass80 buttons; stooping he took off that of the left sandal, and gave it a sharp twist; whereupon the top came off, disclosing a cavity, and a ribbon of the finest satin snugly81 folded in it. He gave the ribbon to the Prince, saying:
"The button of the plane tree planted has not in promise any great thing like this I take from the button of my sandal. Now is my mission done. Praised be Allah!" And while the Prince read, he recapped the button, and restored it in place.
The bit of yellow satin, when unfolded, presented a diagram which the Prince at first thought a nativity; upon closer inspection82, he asked the courier:
"Son of Abed-din, did thy father draw this?"
"No, it is the handiwork of my Lord, the Sultan Mahommed."
"But it is a record of death, not of birth."
"Insomuch is my Lord, the Sultan Mahommed, wiser in his youth than many men in their age"--Ali paused to formally salute the opinion. "He selected the ribbon, and drew the figure--did all you behold83, indeed, except the writing in the square; that he intrusted to my father, saying at the time: 'The Prince of India, when he sees the minute in the square, will say it is not a nativity; have one there to tell him I, Mahommed, avouch84, 'Twice in his life I had the throne from my august father; now has he given it to me again, this third time with death to certify85 it mine in perpetuity; wherefore it is but righteous holding that the instant of his final secession must be counted the beginning of my reign86; for often as a man has back the property he parted from as a loan, is it not his? What ceremony is then needed to perfect his title?"
"If one have wisdom, O son of Abed-din, whence is it except from Allah? Let not thy opinion of thy young master escape thee. Were he to die to-morrow"--
"Allah forbid!" exclaimed Ali.
"Fear it not," returned the Prince, smiling at the young man's earnestness: "for is it not written, 'A soul cannot die unless by permission of God, according to a writing definite as to time'? [Footnote: Koran, III. 139.]--I was about to say, there is not in his generation another to lie as close in the bosom of the Prophet. Where is he now?"
"He rides doubtless to Adrianople. The moment I set out hither, which was next minute after the great decease, a despatch was started for him by Khalil the Grand Vizier."
"Knowest thou the road he will take?"
"By Gallipoli."
"Behold, Ali!"--from his finger the Prince took a ring. "This for thy good news. Now to the road again, the White Castle first. Tell the Governor there to keep ward2 to-night with unlocked gates, for I may seek them in haste. Then put thyself in the Lord Mahommed's way coming from Gallipoli, and when thou hast kissed his sandals for me, and given him my love and duty, tell him I have perfect understanding of the nativity, and will meet him in Adrianople. Hast thou eaten and drunk?"
"Eaten, not drunk, my Lord."
"Come then, and I will put thee in the way to some red wine; for art thou not a traveller?"
The son of Abed-din saluted87, saying simply: "Meshallah!" and was presently in care of Syama; after which the Prince took the ribbon to the table, spread it out carefully, and stood over it in the strong light, studying the symbols and writing in the square of
[Illustration: THE DIAGRAM.]
"It is the nativity of an Empire, [Footnote: Since the conquest of Constantinople by Mahommed, Turkey has been historically counted an Empire.] not a man," the Prince said, his gaze still on the figure--"an Empire which I will make great for the punishment of these robbers of children."
He stood up at the last word, and continued, excitedly: "It is the word of God, else it had not come to me now nigh overcome and perishing in bitter waters; and it calls me to do His will. Give over the child, it says--she is lost to thee. Go up now, and be thou my instrument this once again--I AM THE I AM whom Moses knew, the Lord God of Israel who covenanted88 with Abraham, and with whom there is no forgetting--no, not though the world follow the leaf blown into the mouth of a roaring furnace. I hear, O God! I hear--I am going!"
This, it will be observed, is the second of the two days of grace the Prince appears to have given the city for the return of Lael; and as it is rapidly going without a token of performance, our curiosity increases to know the terrible thing in reserve of which some of his outbursts have vaguely89 apprised90 us.
A few turns across the floor brought him back to apparent calmness; indeed, but for the fitful light in his eyes and the swollen91 veins92 about his temples, it might be supposed he had been successful in putting his distresses93 by. He brought Syama in, and, for the first time in two days, took a seat.
"Listen, and closely," he said; "for I would be sure you comprehend me. Have you laid the Sacred Books in the boxes?"
Syama, in his way, answered, yes.
"Are the boxes secure? They may have to go a long journey."
"Yes."
"Did you place the jewels in new bags? The old ones were well nigh gone."
"Yes."
"Are they in the gurglet now?"
"Yes."
"You know we will have to keep it filled with water."
"Yes."
"My medicines--are they ready for packing?"
"Yes."
"Return them to their cases carefully. I cannot afford to leave or lose them. And the sword--is it with the books?"
"Yes."
"Very well. Attend again. On my return from the voyage I made the other day for the treasure you have in care"--he paused for a sign of comprehension--"I retained the vessel94 in my service, and directed the captain to be at anchor in the harbor before St. Peter's gate"--another pause--"I also charged him to keep lookout95 for a signal to bring the galley96 to the landing; in the day, the signal would be a blue handkerchief waved; at night, a lantern swung four times thus"--he gave the illustration. "Now to the purpose of all this. Give heed97. I may wish to go aboard to-night, but at what hour I cannot tell. In preparation, however, you will get the porters who took me to the palace to-day, and have them take the boxes and gurglet of which I have been speaking to St. Peter's gate. You will go with them, make the signal to the captain, and see they are safely shipped. The other servants will accompany you. You understand?"
Syama nodded.
"Attend further. When the goods are on the galley, you will stay and guard them. All the other property you will leave in the house here just as it is. You are certain you comprehend?"
"Yes."
"Then set about the work at once. Everything must be on the ship before dark."
The master offered his hand, and the slave kissed it, and went softly out.
Immediately that he was alone, the Prince ascended98 to the roof. He stood by the table a moment, giving a thought to the many times his Gul Bahar had kept watch on the stars for him. They would come and go regularly as of old, but she?--He shook with sudden passion, and walked around taking what might have answered for last looks at familiar landmarks99 in the wide environment--at the old church near by and the small section of Blacherne in the west, the heights of Galata and the shapely tower northwardly100, the fainter glimpses of Scutari in the east. Then he looked to the southwest where, under a vast expanse of sky, he knew the Marmora was lying asleep; and at once his face brightened. In that quarter a bank of lead-colored clouds stretched far along the horizon, sending rifts101 lighter102 hued103 upward like a fan opening toward the zenith. He raised his hand, and held it palm thitherward, and smiled at feeling a breath of air. Somehow the cloud associated itself with the purpose of which he was dreaming, for he said audibly, his eyes fiercely lighted:
"O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul, and have not set thee before them. But now hast thou thy hand under my head; now the wind cometh, and their punishment; and it is for me to scourge104 them."
He lingered on the roof, walking sometimes, but for the most part seated. The cloud in the southwest seemed the great attraction. Assured it was still coming, he would drop awhile into deep thought. If there were calls at the street door, he did not hear them. At length the sun, going down, was met and covered out of sight by the curtain beyond the Marmora. About the same time a wave of cold February air rolled into the city, and to escape it he went below.
The silence there was observable; for now Syama had finished, and the house was deserted105. Through the rooms upper and lower he stalked gloomy and restless, pausing now and then to listen to a sufflation noisier and more portentous106 than its predecessors107; and the moans with which the intermittent108 blast turned the corners and occasionally surged through the windows he received smilingly, much as hospitable109 men welcome friends, or as conspirators110 greet each other; and often as they recurred111, he replied to them in the sonorous112 words of the Psalm113, and the refrain, "Now the wind cometh, and the punishment."
When night was fallen, he crossed the street to Uel's. After the first greeting, the conversation between the two was remarkable114 chiefly for its lapses115. It is always so with persons who have a sorrow in common--the pleasure is in their society, not in exchange of words.
In one thing the brethren were agreed--Lael was lost. By and by the Prince concluded it time for him to depart. There was a lamp burning above the table; he went to it, and called Uel; and when he was come, the elder drew out a sealed purse, saying:
"Our pretty Gul Bahar may yet be found. The methods of the Lord we believe in are past finding out. If it should be that I am not in the city when she is brought home, I would not she should have cause to say I ceased thinking of her with a love equal to yours--a father's love. Wherefore, O son of Jahdai, I give you this. It is full of jewels, each a fortune in itself. If she comes, they are hers; if a year passes, and she is not found, they are yours to keep, give or sell, as you please. You have furnished me happiness which this sorrow is not strong enough to efface116. I will not pay you, for acceptance in such kind were shameful117 to you as the offer would be to me; yet if she comes not in the year, break the seal. We sometimes wear rings in help of pleasant memories."
"Is your going so certain?" Uel asked.
"O my youngest brother, I am a traveller even as you are a merchant, with the difference, I have no home. So the Lord be with you. Farewell."
Then they kissed each other tenderly.
"Will I not hear from you?" Uel inquired.
"Ah, thank you," and the Wanderer returned to him and said, as if to show who was first in his very farewell thought:
"Thank you for the reminder118. If peradventure you too should be gone when she is found, she will then be in want of a home. Provide against that; for she is such a sweet stranger to the world."
"Tell me how, and I will keep your wish as it were part of the Law."
"There is a woman in Byzantium worthy119 to have Good follow her name whenever it is spoken or written."
"Give me her name, my Lord."
"The Princess Irene."
"But she is a Christian!"
Uel spoke in surprise.
"Yes, son of Jahdai, she is a Christian. Nevertheless send Lael to her. Again I leave you where I rest myself--with God--our God."
Thereupon he went out finally, and between gusts120 of wind regained121 his own house. He stopped on entering, and barred the door behind him; then he groped his way to the kitchen, and taking a lamp from its place, raked together the embers smothering122 in a brazier habitually kept for retention123 of fire, and lighted the lamp. He next broke up some stools and small tables, and with the pieces made a pile under the grand stairway to the second floor, muttering as he worked: "The proud are risen against me; and now the wind cometh, and punishment."
Once more he walked through the rooms, and ascended to the roof. There, just as he cleared the door, as if it were saluting124 him, and determined125 to give him a trial of its force, a blast leaped upon him, like an embodiment out of the cloud in full possession of both world and sky, and started his gown astream, and twisting his hair and beard into lashes126 whipped his eyes and ears with them, and howled, and snatched his breath nearly out of his mouth. Wind it was, and darkness somewhat like that Egypt knew what time the deliverer, with God behind him, was trying strength with the King's sorcerers--wind and darkness, but not a drop of rain. He grasped the door-post, and listened to the crashing of heavy things on the neighboring roofs, and the rattle127 of light things for the finding of which loose here and there the gust46 of a storm may be trusted where eyes are useless. And noticing that obstructions129 served merely to break the flying forces into eddies130, he laughed and shouted by turns so the inmates131 of the houses near might have heard had they been out as he was instead of cowering132 in their beds: "The proud are risen against me, and the assembly of violent men have sought after my soul; and now--ha, ha, ha!--the wind cometh and the punishment!"
Availing himself of a respite133 in the blowing, he ran across the roof and looked over into the street, and seeing nothing, neither light nor living thing, he repeated the refrain with a slight variation: "And the wind--ha, ha!--the wind is come, and the punishment!"--then he fled back, and down from the roof.
And now the purpose in reserve must have revelation.
The grand staircase sprang from the floor open beneath like a bridge. Passing under it, he set the lamp against the heap of kindling134 there, and the smell of scorching135 wood spread abroad, followed by smoke and the crackle and snap of wood beginning to burn.
It was not long until the flames, gathering136 life and strength, were beyond him to stay or extinguish them, had he been taken with sudden repentance137. From step to step they leaped, the room meantime filling fast with suffocating138 gases. When he knew they were beyond the efforts of any and all whom they might attract, and must burst into conflagration139 the instant they reached the lightest of the gusts playing havoc140 outside, he went down on his hands and knees, for else it had been difficult for him to breathe, and crawled to the door. Drawing himself up there, he undid141 the bar, and edged through into the street; nor was there a soul to see the puff142 of smoke and murky143 gleam which passed out with him.
His spirit was too drunken with glee to trouble itself with precautions now; yet he stopped long enough to repeat the refrain, with a hideous144 spasm145 of laughter: "And now--ha, ha!--the wind is come, and the fire, and the punishment." Then he wrapped his gown closer about his form bending to meet the gale146, and went leisurely147 down the street, intending to make St. Peter's gate.
Where the intersections148 left openings, the Jew, now a fugitive149 rather than a wanderer--a fugitive nevertheless who knew perfectly150 where he was going, and that welcome awaited him there--halted to scan the cloudy floor of the sky above the site of the house he had just abandoned. A redness flickering151 and unsteady over in that quarter was the first assurance he had of the growth of the flame of small beginning under the grand staircase.
"Now the meeting of wind and fire!--Now speedily these hypocrites and tongue-servers, bastards152 of Byzantium, shall know Israel has a God in whom they have no lot, and in what regard he holds conniving153 at the rape154 of his daughters. Blow, Wind, blow harder! Rise, Fire, and spread--be a thousand lions in roaring till these tremble like hunted curs! The few innocent are not more in the account than moths155 burrowed156 in woven wool and feeding on its fineness. Already the guilty begin to pray--but to whom? Blow, O Wind! Spread and spare not, O Fire!"
Thus he exulted157; and as if it heard him and were making answer to his imprecations, a column, pinked by the liberated158 fire below it, a burst of sparks in its core, shot up in sudden vastness like a Titan rushing to seizure159 of the world; but presently the gale struck and toppled it over toward Blacherne in the northwest.
"That way points the punishment? I remember I offered him God and peace and good-will to men, and he rejected them. Blow, Winds! Now are ye but breezes from the south, spice-laden to me, but in his ears be as chariots descending160. And thou, O Fire! Forget not the justice to be done, and whose servant thou art. Leave Heaven to say which is guiltier; they who work at the deflowerment of the innocent, or he who answers no to the Everlasting161 offering him love. Unto him be thou as banners above the chariots!"
Now a noise began--at first faint and uncertain, then, as the red column sprang up, it strengthened, and ere long defined itself--Fire, Fire!
It seemed the city awoke with that cry. And there was peering from windows, opening of doors, rushing from houses, and hurrying to where the angry spot on the floor of the cloud which shut Heaven off was widening and deepening. In a space incredibly quick, the streets--those leading to the corner occupied by the Jew as well--became rivulets162 flowing with people, and then blatant163 rivers.
"My God, what a night for a fire!"
"There will be nothing left of us by morning, not even ashes."
"And the women and children--think of them!"
"Fire--fire--fire!"
Exchanges like these dinned164 the Jew until, finding himself an obstruction128, he moved on. Not a phase of the awful excitement escaped him--the racing165 of men--half-clad women assembling--children staring wild-eyed at the smoke extending luridly166 across the fifth and sixth hills to the seventh--white faces, exclamations167, and not seldom resort to crucifixes and prayers to the Blessed Lady of Blacherne--he heard and saw them all--yet kept on toward St. Peter's gate, now an easy thing, since the thoroughfares were so aglow168 he could neither stumble nor miss the right one. A company of soldiers running nearly knocked him down; but finally he reached the portal, and passed out without challenge. A brief search then for his galley; and going aboard, after replying to a few questions about the fire, he bade the captain cast off, and run for the Bosphorus.
"It looks as if the city would all go," he said; and the mariner169, thinking him afraid, summoned his oarsmen, and to please him made haste, as he too well might, for the light of the burning projected over the wall, and, flung back from the cloud overhead far as the eye could penetrate171, illuminated172 the harbor as it did the streets, bringing the ships to view, their crews on deck, and Galata, wall, housetops and tower, crowded with people awestruck by the immensity of the calamity173.
When the galley outgoing cleared Point Serail, the wind and the long swells174 beating in from the Marmora white with foam175 struck it with such force that keeping firm grip of their oars170 was hard for the rowers, and they began to cry out; whereupon the captain sought his passenger.
"My Lord," he said, "I have plied29 these waters from boyhood, and never saw them in a night like this. Let me return to the harbor."
"What, is it not light enough?"
The sailor crossed himself, and replied: "There is light enough--such as it is!" and he shuddered176. "But the wind, and the running sea, my Lord"--
"Oh! for them, keep on. Under the mountain height of Scutari the sailing will be plain."
And with much wonder how one so afraid of fire could be so indifferent to danger from flood and gale, the captain addressed himself to manoeuvring his vessel.
"Now," said the Jew, when at last they were well in under the Asiatic shore--"now bear away up the Bosphorus."
The light kept following him the hour and more required to make the Sweet Waters and the White Castle; and even there the reflection from the cloud above the ill-fated city was strong enough to cast half the stream in shadow from the sycamores lining177 its left bank.
The Governor of the Castle received the friend of his master, the new Sultan, at the landing; and from the wall just before retiring, the latter took a last look at the signs down where the ancient capital was struggling against annihilation. Glutted178 with imaginings of all that was transpiring179 there, he clapped his hands, and repeated the refrain in its past form:
"Now have the winds come, and the fire, and the punishment. So be it ever unto all who encourage violence to children, and reject God."
An hour afterwards, he was asleep peacefully as if there were no such thing as conscience, or a misery180 like remorse181.
* * * * *
Shortly after midnight an officer of the guard ventured to approach the couch of the Emperor Constantine; in his great excitement he even shook the sacred person.
"Awake, Your Majesty, awake, and save the city. It is a sea of fire."
Constantine was quickly attired182, and went first to the top of the Tower of Isaac. He was filled with horror by what he beheld183; but he had soldierly qualities--amongst others the faculty184 of keeping a clear head in crises. He saw the conflagration was taking direction with the wind and coming straight toward Blacherne, where, for want of aliment, it needs must stop. Everything in its line of progress was doomed186; but he decided187 it possible to prevent extension right and left of that line, and acting188 promptly189, he brought the entire military force from the barracks to cooperate with the people. The strategy was successful.
Gazing from the pinnacle190 as the sun rose, he easily traced a blackened swath cut from the fifth hill up to the eastward191 wall of the imperial grounds; and, in proof of the fury of the gale, the terraces of the garden were covered inches deep with ashes and scoriac-looking flakes192 of what at sunset had been happy homes. And the dead? Ascertainment193 of the many who perished was never had; neither did closest inquiry194 discover the origin of the fire. The volume of iniquities195 awaiting exposure Judgment Day must be immeasurable, if it is of the book material in favor among mortals.
The Prince of India was supposed to have been one of the victims of the fire, and not a little sympathy was expended196 for the mysterious foreigner. But in refuge at the White Castle, that worthy greedily devoured197 the intelligence he had the Governor send for next day. One piece of news, however, did more than dash the satisfaction he secretly indulged--Uel, the son of Jahdai, was dead--and dead of injuries suffered the night of the catastrophe198.
A horrible foreboding struck the grim incendiary. Was the old destiny still pursuing him? Was it still a part of the Judgment that every human being who had to do with him in love, friendship or business, every one on whom he looked in favor, must be overtaken soon or late with a doom185 of some kind? From that moment, moved by an inscrutable prompting of spirit, he began a list of those thus unfortunate--Lael first, then Uel. Who next?
The reader will remember the merchant's house was opposite the Prince's, with a street between them. Unfortunately the street was narrow; the heat from one building beat across it and attacked the other. Uel managed to get out safely; but recollecting199 the jewels intrusted to him for Lael, he rushed back to recover them. Staggering out again blind and roasting, he fell on the pave, and was carried off, but with the purse intact. Next day he succumbed200 to the injuries. In his last hour, he dictated201 a letter to the Princess Irene, begging her to accept the guardianship202 of his daughter, if God willed her return. Such, he said, was his wish, and the Prince of India's; and with the missive, he forwarded the jewels, and a statement of the property he was leaving in the market. They and all his were for the child--so the disposition ran, concluding with a paragraph remarkable for the confidence it manifested in the Christian trustee. "But if she is not returned alive within a year from this date, then, O excellent Princess, I pray you to be my heir, holding everything of mine yours unconditionally203. And may God keep you!"
1 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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2 ward | |
n.守卫,监护,病房,行政区,由监护人或法院保护的人(尤指儿童);vt.守护,躲开 | |
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3 exhausted | |
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的 | |
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4 consensus | |
n.(意见等的)一致,一致同意,共识 | |
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5 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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6 nay | |
adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者 | |
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7 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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8 scents | |
n.香水( scent的名词复数 );气味;(动物的)臭迹;(尤指狗的)嗅觉 | |
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9 twilight | |
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期 | |
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10 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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11 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
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12 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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13 treasury | |
n.宝库;国库,金库;文库 | |
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14 dwindle | |
v.逐渐变小(或减少) | |
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15 adversary | |
adj.敌手,对手 | |
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16 heartiness | |
诚实,热心 | |
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17 attested | |
adj.经检验证明无病的,经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 );证实;声称…属实;使宣誓 | |
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18 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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19 monk | |
n.和尚,僧侣,修道士 | |
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20 spoke | |
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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21 contagious | |
adj.传染性的,有感染力的 | |
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22 sincerity | |
n.真诚,诚意;真实 | |
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23 incentive | |
n.刺激;动力;鼓励;诱因;动机 | |
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24 semblance | |
n.外貌,外表 | |
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25 curiously | |
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地 | |
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26 avarice | |
n.贪婪;贪心 | |
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27 disinterestedness | |
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28 uncommon | |
adj.罕见的,非凡的,不平常的 | |
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29 plied | |
v.使用(工具)( ply的过去式和过去分词 );经常供应(食物、饮料);固定往来;经营生意 | |
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30 assent | |
v.批准,认可;n.批准,认可 | |
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31 privately | |
adv.以私人的身份,悄悄地,私下地 | |
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32 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
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33 wrought | |
v.引起;以…原料制作;运转;adj.制造的 | |
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34 clinched | |
v.(尤指两人)互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 );解决(争端、交易),达成(协议) | |
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35 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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36 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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37 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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38 swarmed | |
密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 ); 云集; 成群地移动; 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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39 exhorted | |
v.劝告,劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40 kindly | |
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地 | |
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41 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
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42 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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43 remitted | |
v.免除(债务),宽恕( remit的过去式和过去分词 );使某事缓和;寄回,传送 | |
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44 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
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45 benignly | |
adv.仁慈地,亲切地 | |
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46 gust | |
n.阵风,突然一阵(雨、烟等),(感情的)迸发 | |
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47 inhuman | |
adj.残忍的,不人道的,无人性的 | |
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48 solicitude | |
n.焦虑 | |
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49 conspiracy | |
n.阴谋,密谋,共谋 | |
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50 derive | |
v.取得;导出;引申;来自;源自;出自 | |
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51 knightly | |
adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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52 softened | |
(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰 | |
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53 cone | |
n.圆锥体,圆锥形东西,球果 | |
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54 ardor | |
n.热情,狂热 | |
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55 foe | |
n.敌人,仇敌 | |
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56 habitually | |
ad.习惯地,通常地 | |
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57 brotherhood | |
n.兄弟般的关系,手中情谊 | |
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58 adversaries | |
n.对手,敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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59 subdue | |
vt.制服,使顺从,征服;抑制,克制 | |
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60 subscriber | |
n.用户,订户;(慈善机关等的)定期捐款者;预约者;签署者 | |
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61 overcast | |
adj.阴天的,阴暗的,愁闷的;v.遮盖,(使)变暗,包边缝;n.覆盖,阴天 | |
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62 crave | |
vt.渴望得到,迫切需要,恳求,请求 | |
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63 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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64 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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65 talisman | |
n.避邪物,护身符 | |
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66 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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67 brilliance | |
n.光辉,辉煌,壮丽,(卓越的)才华,才智 | |
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68 awe | |
n.敬畏,惊惧;vt.使敬畏,使惊惧 | |
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69 disposition | |
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
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70 yearning | |
a.渴望的;向往的;怀念的 | |
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71 shuddering | |
v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 );发抖;(机器、车辆等)突然震动;颤动 | |
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72 despatch | |
n./v.(dispatch)派遣;发送;n.急件;新闻报道 | |
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73 salute | |
vi.行礼,致意,问候,放礼炮;vt.向…致意,迎接,赞扬;n.招呼,敬礼,礼炮 | |
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74 almighty | |
adj.全能的,万能的;很大的,很强的 | |
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75 peril | |
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物 | |
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76 abating | |
减少( abate的现在分词 ); 减去; 降价; 撤消(诉讼) | |
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77 wilt | |
v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎;(指人)疲倦,衰弱 | |
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78 regain | |
vt.重新获得,收复,恢复 | |
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79 thongs | |
的东西 | |
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80 brass | |
n.黄铜;黄铜器,铜管乐器 | |
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81 snugly | |
adv.紧贴地;贴身地;暖和舒适地;安适地 | |
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82 inspection | |
n.检查,审查,检阅 | |
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83 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
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84 avouch | |
v.确说,断言 | |
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85 certify | |
vt.证明,证实;发证书(或执照)给 | |
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86 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
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87 saluted | |
v.欢迎,致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 );赞扬,赞颂 | |
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88 covenanted | |
v.立约,立誓( covenant的过去分词 ) | |
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89 vaguely | |
adv.含糊地,暖昧地 | |
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90 apprised | |
v.告知,通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 );评价 | |
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91 swollen | |
adj.肿大的,水涨的;v.使变大,肿胀 | |
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92 veins | |
n.纹理;矿脉( vein的名词复数 );静脉;叶脉;纹理 | |
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93 distresses | |
n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 );痛苦;贫困;危险 | |
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94 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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95 lookout | |
n.注意,前途,瞭望台 | |
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96 galley | |
n.(飞机或船上的)厨房单层甲板大帆船;军舰舰长用的大划艇; | |
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97 heed | |
v.注意,留意;n.注意,留心 | |
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98 ascended | |
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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99 landmarks | |
n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 );目标;(标志重要阶段的)里程碑 ~ (in sth);有历史意义的建筑物(或遗址) | |
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100 northwardly | |
向北方的,来自北方的 | |
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101 rifts | |
n.裂缝( rift的名词复数 );裂隙;分裂;不和 | |
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102 lighter | |
n.打火机,点火器;驳船;v.用驳船运送;light的比较级 | |
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103 hued | |
有某种色调的 | |
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104 scourge | |
n.灾难,祸害;v.蹂躏 | |
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105 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
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106 portentous | |
adj.不祥的,可怕的,装腔作势的 | |
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107 predecessors | |
n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 );前辈;(被取代的)原有事物;前身 | |
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108 intermittent | |
adj.间歇的,断断续续的 | |
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109 hospitable | |
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
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110 conspirators | |
n.共谋者,阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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111 recurred | |
再发生,复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 ); 治愈 | |
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112 sonorous | |
adj.响亮的,回响的;adv.圆润低沉地;感人地;n.感人,堂皇 | |
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113 psalm | |
n.赞美诗,圣诗 | |
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114 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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115 lapses | |
n.失误,过失( lapse的名词复数 );小毛病;行为失检;偏离正道v.退步( lapse的第三人称单数 );陷入;倒退;丧失 | |
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116 efface | |
v.擦掉,抹去 | |
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117 shameful | |
adj.可耻的,不道德的 | |
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118 reminder | |
n.提醒物,纪念品;暗示,提示 | |
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119 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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120 gusts | |
一阵强风( gust的名词复数 ); (怒、笑等的)爆发; (感情的)迸发; 发作 | |
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121 regained | |
复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地 | |
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122 smothering | |
(使)窒息, (使)透不过气( smother的现在分词 ); 覆盖; 忍住; 抑制 | |
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123 retention | |
n.保留,保持,保持力,记忆力 | |
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124 saluting | |
v.欢迎,致敬( salute的现在分词 );赞扬,赞颂 | |
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125 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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126 lashes | |
n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 );鞭子;突然猛烈的一击;急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 );煽动;紧系;怒斥 | |
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127 rattle | |
v.飞奔,碰响;激怒;n.碰撞声;拨浪鼓 | |
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128 obstruction | |
n.阻塞,堵塞;障碍物 | |
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129 obstructions | |
n.障碍物( obstruction的名词复数 );阻碍物;阻碍;阻挠 | |
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130 eddies | |
(水、烟等的)漩涡,涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
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131 inmates | |
n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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132 cowering | |
v.畏缩,抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
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133 respite | |
n.休息,中止,暂缓 | |
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134 kindling | |
n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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135 scorching | |
adj. 灼热的 | |
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136 gathering | |
n.集会,聚会,聚集 | |
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137 repentance | |
n.懊悔 | |
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138 suffocating | |
a.使人窒息的 | |
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139 conflagration | |
n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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140 havoc | |
n.大破坏,浩劫,大混乱,大杂乱 | |
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141 Undid | |
v. 解开, 复原 | |
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142 puff | |
n.一口(气);一阵(风);v.喷气,喘气 | |
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143 murky | |
adj.黑暗的,朦胧的;adv.阴暗地,混浊地;n.阴暗;昏暗 | |
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144 hideous | |
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的 | |
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145 spasm | |
n.痉挛,抽搐;一阵发作 | |
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146 gale | |
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等) | |
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147 leisurely | |
adj.悠闲的;从容的,慢慢的 | |
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148 intersections | |
n.横断( intersection的名词复数 );交叉;交叉点;交集 | |
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149 fugitive | |
adj.逃亡的,易逝的;n.逃犯,逃亡者 | |
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150 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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151 flickering | |
adj.闪烁的,摇曳的,一闪一闪的 | |
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152 bastards | |
私生子( bastard的名词复数 ); 坏蛋; 讨厌的事物; 麻烦事 (认为别人走运或不幸时说)家伙 | |
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153 conniving | |
v.密谋 ( connive的现在分词 );搞阴谋;默许;纵容 | |
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154 rape | |
n.抢夺,掠夺,强奸;vt.掠夺,抢夺,强奸 | |
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155 moths | |
n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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156 burrowed | |
v.挖掘(洞穴),挖洞( burrow的过去式和过去分词 );翻寻 | |
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157 exulted | |
狂喜,欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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158 liberated | |
a.无拘束的,放纵的 | |
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159 seizure | |
n.没收;占有;抵押 | |
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160 descending | |
n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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161 everlasting | |
adj.永恒的,持久的,无止境的 | |
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162 rivulets | |
n.小河,小溪( rivulet的名词复数 ) | |
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163 blatant | |
adj.厚颜无耻的;显眼的;炫耀的 | |
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164 dinned | |
vt.喧闹(din的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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165 racing | |
n.竞赛,赛马;adj.竞赛用的,赛马用的 | |
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166 luridly | |
adv. 青灰色的(苍白的, 深浓色的, 火焰等火红的) | |
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167 exclamations | |
n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 );感叹;感叹语;感叹词 | |
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168 aglow | |
adj.发亮的;发红的;adv.发亮地 | |
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169 mariner | |
n.水手号不载人航天探测器,海员,航海者 | |
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170 oars | |
n.桨,橹( oar的名词复数 );划手v.划(行)( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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171 penetrate | |
v.透(渗)入;刺入,刺穿;洞察,了解 | |
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172 illuminated | |
adj.被照明的;受启迪的 | |
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173 calamity | |
n.灾害,祸患,不幸事件 | |
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174 swells | |
增强( swell的第三人称单数 ); 肿胀; (使)凸出; 充满(激情) | |
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175 foam | |
v./n.泡沫,起泡沫 | |
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176 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 | |
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177 lining | |
n.衬里,衬料 | |
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178 glutted | |
v.吃得过多( glut的过去式和过去分词 );(对胃口、欲望等)纵情满足;使厌腻;塞满 | |
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179 transpiring | |
(事实,秘密等)被人知道( transpire的现在分词 ); 泄露; 显露; 发生 | |
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180 misery | |
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦 | |
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181 remorse | |
n.痛恨,悔恨,自责 | |
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182 attired | |
adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服,使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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183 beheld | |
v.看,注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
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184 faculty | |
n.才能;学院,系;(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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185 doom | |
n.厄运,劫数;v.注定,命定 | |
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186 doomed | |
命定的 | |
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187 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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188 acting | |
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的 | |
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189 promptly | |
adv.及时地,敏捷地 | |
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190 pinnacle | |
n.尖塔,尖顶,山峰;(喻)顶峰 | |
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191 eastward | |
adv.向东;adj.向东的;n.东方,东部 | |
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192 flakes | |
小薄片( flake的名词复数 ); (尤指)碎片; 雪花; 古怪的人 | |
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193 ascertainment | |
n.探查,发现,确认 | |
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194 inquiry | |
n.打听,询问,调查,查问 | |
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195 iniquities | |
n.邪恶( iniquity的名词复数 );极不公正 | |
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196 expended | |
v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 );使用(钱等)做某事;用光;耗尽 | |
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197 devoured | |
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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198 catastrophe | |
n.大灾难,大祸 | |
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199 recollecting | |
v.记起,想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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200 succumbed | |
不再抵抗(诱惑、疾病、攻击等)( succumb的过去式和过去分词 ); 屈从; 被压垮; 死 | |
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201 dictated | |
v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 );口授;支配;摆布 | |
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202 guardianship | |
n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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203 unconditionally | |
adv.无条件地 | |
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