Could valour aught avail or people’s love,
France had not wept Navarre’s brave Henry slain1;
If wit or beauty could compassion2 move,
The rose of Scotland had not wept in vain.
Elegy3 in a Royal Mausoleum. Lewis.
At the gate of the court-yard of Lochleven appeared the stately form of the Lady Lochleven, a female whose early charms had captivated James V., by whom she became mother of the celebrated4 Regent Murray. As she was of noble birth (being a daughter of the house of Mar5) and of great beauty, her intimacy6 with James did not prevent her being afterwards sought in honourable7 marriage by many gallants of the time, among whom she had preferred Sir William Douglas of Lochleven. But well has it been said
Are made the whips to scourge9 us”——
The station which the Lady of Lochleven now held as the wife of a man of high rank and interest, and the mother of a lawful10 family, did not prevent her nourishing a painful sense of degradation11, even while she was proud of the talents, the power, and the station of her son, now prime ruler of the state, but still a pledge of her illicit12 intercourse13. “Had James done to her,” she said, in her secret heart, “the justice he owed her, she had seen in her son, as a source of unmixed delight and of unchastened pride, the lawful monarch14 of Scotland, and one of the ablest who ever swayed the sceptre.” The House of Mar, not inferior in antiquity15 or grandeur16 to that of Drummond, would then have also boasted a Queen among its daughters, and escaped the stain attached to female frailty17, even when it has a royal lover for its apology. While such feelings preyed18 on a bosom19 naturally proud and severe, they had a corresponding effect on her countenance20, where, with the remains21 of great beauty, were mingled22 traits of inward discontent and peevish23 melancholy24. It perhaps contributed to increase this habitual25 temperament26, that the Lady Lochleven had adopted uncommonly27 rigid28 and severe views of religion, imitating in her ideas of reformed faith the very worst errors of the Catholics, in limiting the benefit of the gospel to those who profess29 their own speculative30 tenets.
In every respect, the unfortunate Queen Mary, now the compulsory31 guest, or rather prisoner, of this sullen32 lady, was obnoxious33 to her hostess. Lady Lochleven disliked her as the daughter of Mary of Guise34, the legal possessor of those rights over James’s heart and hand, of which she conceived herself to have been injuriously deprived; and yet more so as the professor of a religion which she detested35 worse than Paganism.
Such was the dame36, who, with stately mien37, and sharp yet handsome features, shrouded38 by her black velvet39 coif, interrogated40 the domestic who steered41 her barge42 to the shore, what had become of Lindesay and Sir Robert Melville. The man related what had passed, and she smiled scornfully as she replied, “Fools must be flattered, not foughten with.— Row back — make thy excuse as thou canst — say Lord Ruthven hath already reached this castle, and that he is impatient for Lord Lindesay’s presence. Away with thee, Randal — yet stay — what galopin is that thou hast brought hither?”
“So please you, my lady, he is the page who is to wait upon ——”
“Ay, the new male minion43,” said the Lady Lochleven; “the female attendant arrived yesterday. I shall have a well-ordered house with this lady and her retinue44; but I trust they will soon find some others to undertake such a charge. Begone, Randal — and you” (to Roland Graeme) “follow me to the garden.”
She led the way with a slow and stately step to the small garden, which, enclosed by a stone wall ornamented46 with statues, and an artificial fountain in the centre, extended its dull parterres on the side of the court-yard, with which it communicated by a low and arched portal. Within the narrow circuit of its formal and limited walks, Mary Stewart was now learning to perform the weary part of a prisoner, which, with little interval47, she was doomed48 to sustain during the remainder of her life. She was followed in her slow and melancholy exercise by two female attendants; but in the first glance which Roland Graeme bestowed49 upon one so illustrious by birth, so distinguished50 by her beauty, accomplishments51, and misfortunes, he was sensible of the presence of no other than the unhappy Queen of Scotland.
Her face, her form, have been so deeply impressed upon the imagination, that even at the distance of nearly three centuries, it is unnecessary to remind the most ignorant and uninformed reader of the striking traits which characterize that remarkable52 countenance, which seems at once to combine our ideas of the majestic53, the pleasing, and the brilliant, leaving us to doubt whether they express most happily the queen, the beauty, or the accomplished54 woman. Who is there, that, at the very mention of Mary Stewart’s name, has not her countenance before him, familiar as that of the mistress of his youth, or the favourite daughter of his advanced age? Even those who feel themselves compelled to believe all, or much, of what her enemies laid to her charge, cannot think without a sigh upon a countenance expressive55 of anything rather than the foul56 crimes with which she was charged when living, and which still continue to shade, if not to blacken, her memory. That brow, so truly open and regal — those eyebrows57, so regularly graceful58, which yet were saved from the charge of regular insipidity59 by the beautiful effect of the hazel eyes which they overarched, and which seem to utter a thousand histories — the nose, with all its Grecian precision of outline — the mouth, so well proportioned, so sweetly formed, as if designed to speak nothing but what was delightful60 to hear — the dimpled chin — the stately swan-like neck, form a countenance, the like of which we know not to have existed in any other character moving in that class of life, where the actresses as well as the actors command general and undivided attention. It is in vain to say that the portraits which exist of this remarkable woman are not like each other; for, amidst their discrepancy61, each possesses general features which the eye at once acknowledges as peculiar62 to the vision which our imagination has raised while we read her history for the first time, and which has been impressed upon it by the numerous prints and pictures which we have seen. Indeed we cannot look on the worst of them, however deficient63 in point of execution, without saying that it is meant for Queen Mary; and no small instance it is of the power of beauty, that her charms should have remained the subject not merely of admiration64, but of warm and chivalrous65 interest, after the lapse66 of such a length of time. We know that by far the most acute of those who, in latter days, have adopted the unfavourable view of Mary’s character, longed, like the executioner before his dreadful task was performed, to kiss the fair hand of her on whom he was about to perform so horrible a duty.
Dressed, then, in a deep mourning robe, and with all those charms of face, shape, and manner, with which faithful tradition has made each reader familiar, Mary Stewart advanced to meet the Lady of Lochleven, who, on her part, endeavoured to conceal67 dislike and apprehension68 under the appearance of respectful indifference69. The truth was, that she had experienced repeatedly the Queen’s superiority in that species of disguised yet cutting sarcasm70, with which women can successfully avenge71 themselves, for real and substantial injuries. It may be well doubted, whether this talent was not as fatal to its possessor as the many others enjoyed by that highly gifted, but most unhappy female; for, while it often afforded her a momentary72 triumph over her keepers, it failed not to exasperate73 their resentment74; and the satire75 and sarcasm in which she had indulged were frequently retaliated76 by the deep and bitter hardships which they had the power of inflicting77. It is well known that her death was at length hastened by a letter which she wrote to Queen Elizabeth, in which she treated her jealous rival, and the Countess of Shrewsbury, with the keenest irony78 and ridicule79.
As the ladies met together, the Queen said, bending her head at the same time, in return to the obeisance80 of the Lady Lochleven, “We are this day fortunate — we enjoy the company of our amiable81 hostess at an unusual hour, and during a period which we have hitherto been permitted to give to our private exercise. But our good hostess knows well she has at all times access to our presence, and need not observe the useless ceremony of requiring our permission.”
“I am sorry my presence is deemed an intrusion by your Grace,” said the Lady of Lochleven. “I came but to announce the arrival of an addition to your train,” motioning with her hand towards Roland Graeme; “a circumstance to which ladies are seldom indifferent.”
“Oh! I crave82 your ladyship’s pardon; and am bent83 to the earth with obligations for the kindness of my nobles — or my sovereigns, shall I call them?— who have permitted me such a respectable addition to my personal retinue.”
“They have indeed studied, Madam,” said the Lady of Lochleven, “to show their kindness towards your Grace — something at the risk perhaps of sound policy, and I trust their doings will not be misconstrued.”
“Impossible!” said the Queen; “the bounty84 which permits the daughter of so many kings, and who yet is Queen of the realm, the attendance of two waiting-women and a boy, is a grace which Mary Stewart can never sufficiently85 acknowledge. Why! my train will be equal to that of any country dame in this your kingdom of Fife, saving but the lack of a gentleman-usher, and a pair or two of blue-coated serving-men. But I must not forget, in my selfish joy, the additional trouble and charges to which this magnificent augmentation of our train will put our kind hostess, and the whole house of Lochleven. It is this prudent86 anxiety, I am aware, which clouds your brows, my worthy87 lady. But be of good cheer; the crown of Scotland has many a fair manor88, and your affectionate son, and my no less affectionate brother, will endow the good knight89 your husband with the best of them, ere Mary should be dismissed from this hospitable90 castle from your ladyship’s lack of means to support the charges.”
“The Douglasses of Lochleven, madam,” answered the lady, “have known for ages how to discharge their duty to the State, without looking for reward, even when the task was both irksome and dangerous.”
“Nay! but, my dear Lochleven,” said the Queen, “you are over scrupulous91 — I pray you accept of a goodly manor; what should support the Queen of Scotland in this her princely court, saving her own crown-lands — and who should minister to the wants of a mother, save an affectionate son like the Earl of Murray, who possesses so wonderfully both the power and inclination92?— Or said you it was the danger of the task which clouded your smooth and hospitable brow?— No doubt, a page is a formidable addition to my body-guard of females; and I bethink me it must have been for that reason that my Lord of Lindesay refused even now to venture within the reach of a force so formidable, without being attended by a competent retinue.”
The Lady Lochleven started, and looked something surprised; and Mary suddenly changing her manner from the smooth ironical93 affectation of mildness to an accent of austere94 command, and drawing up at the same time her fine person, said, with the full majesty95 of her rank, “Yes! Lady of Lochleven; I know that Ruthven is already in the castle, and that Lindesay waits on the bank the return of your barge to bring him hither along with Sir Robert Melville. For what purpose do these nobles come — and why am I not in ordinary decency96 apprised97 of their arrival?”’
“Their purpose, madam,” replied the Lady of Lochleven, “they must themselves explain — but a formal annunciation were needless, where your Grace hath attendants who can play the espial so well.”
“Alas! poor Fleming,” said the Queen, turning to the elder of the female attendants, “thou wilt98 be tried, condemned99, and gibbeted, for a spy in the garrison100, because thou didst chance to cross the great hall while my good Lady of Lochleven was parleying at the full pitch of her voice with her pilot Randal. Put black wool in thy ears, girl, as you value the wearing of them longer. Remember, in the Castle of Lochleven, ears and tongues are matters not of use, but for show merely. Our good hostess can hear, as well as speak, for us all. We excuse your farther attendance, my lady hostess,” she said, once more addressing the object of her resentment, “and retire to prepare for an interview with our rebel lords. We will use the ante-chamber of our sleeping apartment as our hall of audience. You, young man,” she proceeded, addressing Roland Graeme, and at once softening101 the ironical sharpness of her manner into good-humoured raillery, “you, who are all our male attendance, from our Lord High Chamberlain down to our least galopin, follow us to prepare our court.”
She turned, and walked slowly towards the castle. The Lady of Lochleven folded her arms, and smiled in bitter resentment, as she watched her retiring steps.
“The whole male attendance!” she muttered, repeating the Queen’s last words, “and well for thee had it been had thy train never been larger;” then turning to Roland, in whose way she had stood while making this pause, she made room for him to pass, saying at the same time, “Art thou already eaves-dropping? follow thy mistress, minion, and, if thou wilt, tell her what I have now said.”
Roland Graeme hastened after his royal mistress and her attendants, who had just entered a postern-gate communicating betwixt the castle and the small garden. They ascended102 a winding-stair as high as the second story, which was in a great measure occupied by a suite103 of three rooms, opening into each other, and assigned as the dwelling104 of the captive Princess. The outermost105 was a small hall or ante-room, within which opened a large parlour, and from that again the Queen’s bedroom. Another small apartment, which opened into the same parlour, contained the beds of the gentlewomen in waiting.
Roland Graeme stopped, as became his station, in the outermost of these apartments, there to await such orders as might be communicated to him. From the grated window of the room he saw Lindesay, Melville, and their followers106 disembark; and observed that they were met at the castle gate by a third noble, to whom Lindesay exclaimed, in his loud harsh voice, “My Lord of Ruthven, you have the start of us!”
At this instant, the page’s attention was called to a burst of hysterical107 sobs108 from the inner apartment, and to the hurried ejaculations of the terrified females, which led him almost instantly to hasten to their assistance. When he entered, he saw that the Queen had thrown herself into the large chair which stood nearest the door, and was sobbing109 for breath in a strong fit of hysterical affection. The elder female supported her in her arms, while the younger bathed her face with water and with tears alternately.
“Hasten, young man!” said the elder lady, in alarm, “fly — call in assistance — she is swooning!”
But the Queen ejaculated in a faint and broken voice, “Stir not, I charge you!— call no one to witness — I am better — I shall recover instantly.” And, indeed, with an effort which seemed like that of one struggling for life, she sate110 up in her chair, and endeavoured to resume her composure, while her features yet trembled with the violent emotion of body and mind which she had undergone. “I am ashamed of my weakness, girls,” she said, taking the hands of her attendants; “but it is over — and I am Mary Stewart once more. The savage111 tone of that man’s voice — my knowledge of his insolence112 — the name which he named — the purpose for which they come — may excuse a moment’s weakness, and it shall be a moment’s only.” She snatched from her head the curch or cap, which had been disordered during her hysterical agony, shook down the thick clustered tresses of dark brown which had been before veiled under it — and, drawing her slender fingers across the labyrinth113 which they formed, she arose from the chair, and stood like the inspired image of a Grecian prophetess in a mood which partook at once of sorrow and pride, of smiles and of tears. “We are ill appointed,” she said, “to meet our rebel subjects; but, as far as we may, we will strive to present ourselves as becomes their Queen. Follow me, my maidens,” she said; “what says thy favourite song, my Fleming?
‘My maids, come to my dressing-bower,
And deck my nut-brown hair;
Where’er ye laid a plait before,
Look ye lay ten times ‘mair.’
“Alas!” she added, when she had repeated with a smile these lines of an old ballad115, “violence has already robbed me of the ordinary decorations of my rank; and the few that nature gave me have been destroyed by sorrow and by fear.” Yet while she spoke116 thus, she again let her slender fingers stray through the wilderness117 of the beautiful tresses which veiled her kingly neck and swelling118 bosom, as if, in her agony of mind, she had not altogether lost the consciousness of her unrivalled charms. Roland Graeme, on whose youth, inexperience, and ardent119 sense of what was dignified120 and lovely, the demeanour of so fair and high-born a lady wrought121 like the charm of a magician, stood rooted to the spot with surprise and interest, longing122 to hazard his life in a quarrel so fair as that which Mary Stewart’s must needs be. She had been bred in France — she was possessed123 of the most distinguished beauty — she had reigned124 a Queen and a Scottish Queen, to whom knowledge of character was as essential as the use of vital air. In all these capacities, Mary was, of all women on the earth, most alert at perceiving and using the advantages which her charms gave her over almost all who came within the sphere of their influence. She cast on Roland a glance which might have melted a heart of stone. “My poor boy,” she said, with a feeling partly real, partly politic125, “thou art a stranger to us — sent to this doleful captivity126 from the society of some tender mother, or sister, or maiden114, with whom you had freedom to tread a gay measure round the Maypole. I grieve for you; but you are the only male in my limited household — wilt thou obey my orders?”
“To the death, madam,” said Graeme, in a determined127 tone.
“Then keep the door of mine apartment,” said the Queen; “keep it till they offer actual violence, or till we shall be fitly arrayed to receive these intrusive128 visiters.”
“I will defend it till they pass over my body,” said Roland Graeme; any hesitation129 which he had felt concerning the line of conduct he ought to pursue being completely swept away by the impulse of the moment.
“Not so, my good youth,” answered Mary; “not so, I command. If I have one faithful subject beside me, much need, God wot, I have to care for his safety. Resist them but till they are put to the shame of using actual violence, and then give way, I charge you. Remember my commands.” And, with a smile expressive at once of favour and of authority, she turned from him, and, followed by her attendants, entered the bedroom.
The youngest paused for half a second ere she followed her companion, and made a signal to Roland Graeme with her hand. He had been already long aware that this was Catherine Seyton — a circumstance which could not much surprise a youth of quick intellects, who recollected130 the sort of mysterious discourse131 which had passed betwixt the two matrons at the deserted132 nunnery, and on which his meeting with Catherine in this place seemed to cast so much light. Yet such was the engrossing133 effect of Mary’s presence, that it surmounted134 for the moment even the feelings of a youthful lover; and it was not until Catherine Seyton had disappeared, that Roland began to consider in what relation they were to stand to each other. “She held up her hand to me in a commanding manner,” he thought; “perhaps she wanted to confirm my purpose for the execution of the Queen’s commands; for I think she could scarce purpose to scare me with the sort of discipline which she administered to the groom135 in the frieze-jacket, and to poor Adam Woodcock. But we will see to that anon; meantime, let us do justice to the trust reposed136 in us by this unhappy Queen. I think my Lord of Murray will himself own that it is the duty of a faithful page to defend his lady against intrusion on her privacy.”
Accordingly, he stepped to the little vestibule, made fast, with lock and bar, the door which opened from thence to the large staircase, and then sat himself down to attend the result. He had not long to wait — a rude and strong hand first essayed to lift the latch137, then pushed and shook the door with violence, and, when it resisted his attempt to open it, exclaimed, “Undo138 the door there, you within!”
“Why, and at whose command,” said the page, “am I to undo the door of the apartments of the Queen of Scotland?”
Another vain attempt, which made hinge and bolt jingle139, showed that the impatient applicant140 without would willingly have entered altogether regardless of his challenge; but at length an answer was returned.
“Undo the door, on your peril141 — the Lord Lindesay comes to speak with the Lady Mary of Scotland.”
“The Lord Lindesay, as a Scottish noble,” answered the page, “must await his Sovereign’s leisure.”
An earnest altercation142 ensued amongst those without, in which Roland distinguished the remarkable harsh voice of Lindesay in reply to Sir Robert Melville, who appeared to have been using some soothing143 language —“No! no! no! I tell thee, no! I will place a petard against the door rather than be baulked by a profligate144 woman, and bearded by an insolent145 footboy.”
“Yet, at least,” said Melville, “let me try fair means in the first instance. Violence to a lady would stain your scutcheon for ever. Or await till my Lord Ruthven comes.”
“I will await no longer,” said Lindesay; “it is high time the business were done, and we on our return to the council. But thou mayest try thy fair play, as thou callest it, while I cause my train to prepare the petard. I came hither provided with as good gunpowder146 as blew up the Kirk of Field.”
“For God’s sake, be patient,” said Melville; and, approaching the door, he said, as speaking to those within, “Let the Queen know, that I, her faithful servant, Robert Melville, do entreat147 her, for her own sake, and to prevent worse consequences, that she will undo the door, and admit Lord Lindesay, who brings a mission from the Council of State.”
“I will do your errand to the Queen,” said the page, “and report to you her answer.”
He went to the door of the bedchamber, and tapping against it gently, it was opened by the elderly lady, to whom he communicated his errand, and returned with directions from the Queen to admit Sir Robert Melville and Lord Lindesay. Roland Graeme returned to the vestibule, and opened the door accordingly, into which the Lord Lindesay strode, with the air of a soldier who has fought his way into a conquered fortress148; while Melville, deeply dejected, followed him more slowly.
“I draw you to witness, and to record,” said the page to this last, “that, save for the especial commands of the Queen, I would have made good the entrance, with my best strength, and my best blood, against all Scotland.”
“Be silent, young man,” said Melville, in a tone of grave rebuke149; “add not brands to fire — this is no time to make a flourish of thy boyish chivalry150.”
“She has not appeared even yet,” said Lindesay, who had now reached the midst of the parlour or audience-room; “how call you this trifling151?”
“Patience, my lord,” replied Sir Robert, “time presses not — and Lord Ruthven hath not as yet descended152.”
At this moment the door of the inner apartment opened, and Queen Mary presented herself, advancing with an air of peculiar grace and majesty, and seeming totally unruffled, either by the visit, or by the rude manner in which it had been enforced. Her dress was a robe of black velvet; a small ruff, open in front, gave a full view of her beautifully formed chin and neck, but veiled the bosom. On her head she wore a small cap of lace, and a transparent153 white veil hung from her shoulders over the long black robe, in large loose folds, so that it could be drawn154 at pleasure over the face and person. She wore a cross of gold around her neck, and had her rosary of gold and ebony hanging from her girdle. She was closely followed by her two ladies, who remained standing155 behind her during the conference. Even Lord Lindesay, though the rudest noble of that rude age, was surprised into something like respect by the unconcerned and majestic mien of her, whom he had expected to find frantic156 with impotent passion, or dissolved in useless and vain sorrow, or overwhelmed with the fears likely in such a situation to assail157 fallen royalty158.
“We fear we have detained you, my Lord of Lindesay,” said the Queen, while she curtsied with dignity in answer to his reluctant obeisance; “but a female does not willingly receive her visiters without some minutes spent at the toilette. Men, my lord, are less dependant159 on such ceremonies.”
Lord Lindesay, casting his eye down on his own travel-stained and disordered dress, muttered something of a hasty journey, and the Queen paid her greeting to Sir Robert Melville with courtesy, and even, as it seemed, with kindness. There was then a dead pause, during which Lindesay looked towards the door, as if expecting with impatience160 the colleague of their embassy. The Queen alone was entirely161 unembarrassed, and, as if to break the silence, she addressed Lord Lindesay, with a glance at the large and cumbrous sword which he wore, as already mentioned, hanging from his neck.
“You have there a trusty and a weighty travelling companion, my lord. I trust you expected to meet with no enemy here, against whom such a formidable weapon could be necessary? it is, methinks, somewhat a singular ornament45 for a court, though I am, as I well need to be, too much of a Stuart to fear a sword.”
“It is not the first time, madam,” replied Lindesay, bringing round the weapon so as to rest its point on the ground, and leaning one hand on the huge cross-handle, “it is not the first time that this weapon has intruded162 itself into the presence of the House of Stewart.”
“Possibly, my lord,” replied the Queen, “it may have done service to my ancestors — Your ancestors were men of loyalty”
“Ay, madam,” replied he, “service it hath done; but such as kings love neither to acknowledge nor to reward. It was the service which the knife renders to the tree when trimming it to the quick, and depriving it of the superfluous163 growth of rank and unfruitful suckers, which rob it of nourishment164.”
“You talk riddles165, my lord,” said Mary; “I will hope the explanation carries nothing insulting with it.”
“You shall judge, madam,” answered Lindesay. “With this good sword was Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus, girded on the memorable166 day when he acquired the name of Bell-the-Cat, for dragging from the presence of your great grandfather, the third James of the race, a crew of minions167, flatterers, and favourites whom he hanged over the bridge of Lauder, as a warning to such reptiles168 how they approach a Scottish throne. With this same weapon, the same inflexible169 champion of Scottish honour and nobility slew170 at one blow Spens of Kilspindie, a courtier of your grandfather, James the fourth, who had dared to speak lightly of him in the royal presence. They fought near the brook171 of Fala; and Bell-the-Cat, with this blade, sheared172 through the thigh173 of his opponent, and lopped the limb as easily as a shepherd’s boy slices a twig174 from a sapling.”
“My lord,” replied the Queen, reddening, “my nerves are too good to be alarmed even by this terrible history — May I ask how a blade so illustrious passed from the House of Douglas to that of Lindesay?— Methinks it should have been preserved as a consecrated175 relic176, by a family who have held all that they could do against their king, to be done in favour of their country.”
“Nay, madam,” said Melville, anxiously interfering177, “ask not that question of Lord Lindesay — And you, my lord, for shame — for decency — forbear to reply to it.”
“It is time that this lady should hear the truth,” replied Lindesay.
“And be assured,” said the Queen, “that she will be moved to anger by none that you can tell her, my lord. There are cases in which just scorn has always the mastery over just anger.”
“Then know,” said Lindesay, “that upon the field of Carberry-hill, when that false and infamous178 traitor179 and murderer, James, sometime Earl of Bothwell, and nicknamed Duke of Orkney, offered to do personal battle with any of the associated nobles who came to drag him to justice, I accepted his challenge, and was by the noble Earl of Morton gifted with his good sword that I might therewith fight it out — Ah! so help me Heaven, had his presumption180 been one grain more, or his cowardice181 one grain less, I should have done such work with this good steel on his traitorous182 corpse183, that the hounds and carrion-crows should have found their morsels184 daintily carved to their use !”
The Queen’s courage well-nigh gave way at the mention of Bothwell’s name — a name connected with such a train of guilt185, shame, and disaster. But the prolonged boast of Lindesay gave her time to rally herself, and to answer with an appearance of cold contempt —“It is easy to slay186 an enemy who enters not the lists. But had Mary Stewart inherited her father’s sword as well as his sceptre, the boldest of her rebels should not upon that day have complained that they had no one to cope withal. Your lordship will forgive me if I abridge187 this conference. A brief description of a bloody188 fight is long enough to satisfy a lady’s curiosity; and unless my Lord of Lindesay has something more important to tell us than of the deeds which old Bell-the-Cat achieved, and how he would himself have emulated189 them, had time and tide permitted, we will retire to our private apartment, and you, Fleming, shall finish reading to us yonder little treatise190 Des Rodomontades Espagnolles .”
“Tarry, madam,” said Lindesay, his complexion191 reddening in his turn, “I know your quick wit too well of old to have sought an interview that you might sharpen its edge at the expense of my honour. Lord Ruthven and myself, with Sir Robert Melville as a concurrent192, come to your Grace on the part of the Secret Council, to tender to you what much concerns the safety of your own life and the welfare of the State.”
“The Secret Council?” said the Queen; “by what powers can it subsist193 or act, while I, from whom it holds its character, am here detained under unjust restraint? But it matters not — what concerns the welfare of Scotland shall be acceptable to Mary Stewart, come from whatever quarter it will — and for what concerns her own life, she has lived long enough to be weary of it, even at the age of twenty-five.— Where is your colleague, my lord?— why tarries he?”
“He comes, madam,” said Melville, and Lord Ruthven entered at the instant, holding in his hand a packet. As the Queen returned his salutation she became deadly pale, but instantly recovered herself by dint194 of strong and sudden resolution, just as the noble, whose appearance seemed to excite such emotions in her bosom, entered the apartment in company with George Douglas, the youngest son of the Knight of Lochleven, who, during the absence of his father and brethren, acted as Seneschal of the Castle, under the direction of the elder Lady Lochleven, his father’s mother.
1 slain | |
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
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2 compassion | |
n.同情,怜悯 | |
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3 elegy | |
n.哀歌,挽歌 | |
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4 celebrated | |
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的 | |
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5 mar | |
vt.破坏,毁坏,弄糟 | |
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6 intimacy | |
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行 | |
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7 honourable | |
adj.可敬的;荣誉的,光荣的 | |
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8 vices | |
缺陷( vice的名词复数 ); 恶习; 不道德行为; 台钳 | |
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9 scourge | |
n.灾难,祸害;v.蹂躏 | |
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10 lawful | |
adj.法律许可的,守法的,合法的 | |
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11 degradation | |
n.降级;低落;退化;陵削;降解;衰变 | |
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12 illicit | |
adj.非法的,禁止的,不正当的 | |
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13 intercourse | |
n.性交;交流,交往,交际 | |
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14 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
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15 antiquity | |
n.古老;高龄;古物,古迹 | |
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16 grandeur | |
n.伟大,崇高,宏伟,庄严,豪华 | |
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17 frailty | |
n.脆弱;意志薄弱 | |
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18 preyed | |
v.掠食( prey的过去式和过去分词 );掠食;折磨;(人)靠欺诈为生 | |
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19 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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20 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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21 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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22 mingled | |
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
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23 peevish | |
adj.易怒的,坏脾气的 | |
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24 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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25 habitual | |
adj.习惯性的;通常的,惯常的 | |
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26 temperament | |
n.气质,性格,性情 | |
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27 uncommonly | |
adv. 稀罕(极,非常) | |
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28 rigid | |
adj.严格的,死板的;刚硬的,僵硬的 | |
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29 profess | |
v.声称,冒称,以...为业,正式接受入教,表明信仰 | |
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30 speculative | |
adj.思索性的,暝想性的,推理的 | |
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31 compulsory | |
n.强制的,必修的;规定的,义务的 | |
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32 sullen | |
adj.愠怒的,闷闷不乐的,(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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33 obnoxious | |
adj.极恼人的,讨人厌的,可憎的 | |
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34 guise | |
n.外表,伪装的姿态 | |
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35 detested | |
v.憎恶,嫌恶,痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36 dame | |
n.女士 | |
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37 mien | |
n.风采;态度 | |
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38 shrouded | |
v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 );保密 | |
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39 velvet | |
n.丝绒,天鹅绒;adj.丝绒制的,柔软的 | |
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40 interrogated | |
v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 );审问;(在计算机或其他机器上)查询 | |
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41 steered | |
v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 );操纵;控制;引导 | |
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42 barge | |
n.平底载货船,驳船 | |
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43 minion | |
n.宠仆;宠爱之人 | |
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44 retinue | |
n.侍从;随员 | |
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45 ornament | |
v.装饰,美化;n.装饰,装饰物 | |
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46 ornamented | |
adj.花式字体的v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47 interval | |
n.间隔,间距;幕间休息,中场休息 | |
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48 doomed | |
命定的 | |
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49 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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51 accomplishments | |
n.造诣;完成( accomplishment的名词复数 );技能;成绩;成就 | |
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52 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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53 majestic | |
adj.雄伟的,壮丽的,庄严的,威严的,崇高的 | |
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54 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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55 expressive | |
adj.表现的,表达…的,富于表情的 | |
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56 foul | |
adj.污秽的;邪恶的;v.弄脏;妨害;犯规;n.犯规 | |
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57 eyebrows | |
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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58 graceful | |
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
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59 insipidity | |
n.枯燥无味,清淡,无精神;无生气状 | |
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60 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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61 discrepancy | |
n.不同;不符;差异;矛盾 | |
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62 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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63 deficient | |
adj.不足的,不充份的,有缺陷的 | |
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64 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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65 chivalrous | |
adj.武士精神的;对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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66 lapse | |
n.过失,流逝,失效,抛弃信仰,间隔;vi.堕落,停止,失效,流逝;vt.使失效 | |
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67 conceal | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽 | |
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68 apprehension | |
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑 | |
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69 indifference | |
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
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70 sarcasm | |
n.讥讽,讽刺,嘲弄,反话 (adj.sarcastic) | |
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71 avenge | |
v.为...复仇,为...报仇 | |
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72 momentary | |
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的 | |
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73 exasperate | |
v.激怒,使(疾病)加剧,使恶化 | |
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74 resentment | |
n.怨愤,忿恨 | |
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75 satire | |
n.讽刺,讽刺文学,讽刺作品 | |
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76 retaliated | |
v.报复,反击( retaliate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77 inflicting | |
把…强加给,使承受,遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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78 irony | |
n.反语,冷嘲;具有讽刺意味的事,嘲弄 | |
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79 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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80 obeisance | |
n.鞠躬,敬礼 | |
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81 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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82 crave | |
vt.渴望得到,迫切需要,恳求,请求 | |
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83 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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84 bounty | |
n.慷慨的赠予物,奖金;慷慨,大方;施与 | |
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85 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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86 prudent | |
adj.谨慎的,有远见的,精打细算的 | |
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87 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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88 manor | |
n.庄园,领地 | |
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89 knight | |
n.骑士,武士;爵士 | |
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90 hospitable | |
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
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91 scrupulous | |
adj.审慎的,小心翼翼的,完全的,纯粹的 | |
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92 inclination | |
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好 | |
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93 ironical | |
adj.讽刺的,冷嘲的 | |
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94 austere | |
adj.艰苦的;朴素的,朴实无华的;严峻的 | |
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95 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
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96 decency | |
n.体面,得体,合宜,正派,庄重 | |
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97 apprised | |
v.告知,通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 );评价 | |
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98 wilt | |
v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎;(指人)疲倦,衰弱 | |
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99 condemned | |
adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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100 garrison | |
n.卫戍部队;驻地,卫戍区;vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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101 softening | |
变软,软化 | |
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102 ascended | |
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103 suite | |
n.一套(家具);套房;随从人员 | |
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104 dwelling | |
n.住宅,住所,寓所 | |
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105 outermost | |
adj.最外面的,远离中心的 | |
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106 followers | |
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件 | |
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107 hysterical | |
adj.情绪异常激动的,歇斯底里般的 | |
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108 sobs | |
啜泣(声),呜咽(声)( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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109 sobbing | |
<主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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110 sate | |
v.使充分满足 | |
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111 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
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112 insolence | |
n.傲慢;无礼;厚颜;傲慢的态度 | |
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113 labyrinth | |
n.迷宫;难解的事物;迷路 | |
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114 maiden | |
n.少女,处女;adj.未婚的,纯洁的,无经验的 | |
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115 ballad | |
n.歌谣,民谣,流行爱情歌曲 | |
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116 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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117 wilderness | |
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠 | |
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118 swelling | |
n.肿胀 | |
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119 ardent | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
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120 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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121 wrought | |
v.引起;以…原料制作;运转;adj.制造的 | |
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122 longing | |
n.(for)渴望 | |
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123 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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124 reigned | |
vi.当政,统治(reign的过去式形式) | |
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125 politic | |
adj.有智虑的;精明的;v.从政 | |
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126 captivity | |
n.囚禁;被俘;束缚 | |
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127 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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128 intrusive | |
adj.打搅的;侵扰的 | |
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129 hesitation | |
n.犹豫,踌躇 | |
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130 recollected | |
adj.冷静的;镇定的;被回忆起的;沉思默想的v.记起,想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131 discourse | |
n.论文,演说;谈话;话语;vi.讲述,著述 | |
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132 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
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133 engrossing | |
adj.使人全神贯注的,引人入胜的v.使全神贯注( engross的现在分词 ) | |
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134 surmounted | |
战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 ); 克服(困难); 居于…之上; 在…顶上 | |
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135 groom | |
vt.给(马、狗等)梳毛,照料,使...整洁 | |
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136 reposed | |
v.将(手臂等)靠在某人(某物)上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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137 latch | |
n.门闩,窗闩;弹簧锁 | |
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138 undo | |
vt.解开,松开;取消,撤销 | |
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139 jingle | |
n.叮当声,韵律简单的诗句;v.使叮当作响,叮当响,押韵 | |
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140 applicant | |
n.申请人,求职者,请求者 | |
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141 peril | |
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物 | |
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142 altercation | |
n.争吵,争论 | |
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143 soothing | |
adj.慰藉的;使人宽心的;镇静的 | |
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144 profligate | |
adj.行为不检的;n.放荡的人,浪子,肆意挥霍者 | |
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145 insolent | |
adj.傲慢的,无理的 | |
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146 gunpowder | |
n.火药 | |
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147 entreat | |
v.恳求,恳请 | |
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148 fortress | |
n.堡垒,防御工事 | |
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149 rebuke | |
v.指责,非难,斥责 [反]praise | |
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150 chivalry | |
n.骑士气概,侠义;(男人)对女人彬彬有礼,献殷勤 | |
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151 trifling | |
adj.微不足道的;没什么价值的 | |
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152 descended | |
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的 | |
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153 transparent | |
adj.明显的,无疑的;透明的 | |
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154 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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155 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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156 frantic | |
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的 | |
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157 assail | |
v.猛烈攻击,抨击,痛斥 | |
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158 royalty | |
n.皇家,皇族 | |
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159 dependant | |
n.依靠的,依赖的,依赖他人生活者 | |
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160 impatience | |
n.不耐烦,急躁 | |
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161 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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162 intruded | |
n.侵入的,推进的v.侵入,侵扰,打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 );把…强加于 | |
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163 superfluous | |
adj.过多的,过剩的,多余的 | |
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164 nourishment | |
n.食物,营养品;营养情况 | |
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165 riddles | |
n.谜(语)( riddle的名词复数 );猜不透的难题,难解之谜 | |
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166 memorable | |
adj.值得回忆的,难忘的,特别的,显著的 | |
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167 minions | |
n.奴颜婢膝的仆从( minion的名词复数 );走狗;宠儿;受人崇拜者 | |
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168 reptiles | |
n.爬行动物,爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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169 inflexible | |
adj.不可改变的,不受影响的,不屈服的 | |
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170 slew | |
v.(使)旋转;n.大量,许多 | |
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171 brook | |
n.小河,溪;v.忍受,容让 | |
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172 sheared | |
v.剪羊毛( shear的过去式和过去分词 );切断;剪切 | |
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173 thigh | |
n.大腿;股骨 | |
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174 twig | |
n.小树枝,嫩枝;v.理解 | |
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175 consecrated | |
adj.神圣的,被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣,给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 );奉献 | |
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176 relic | |
n.神圣的遗物,遗迹,纪念物 | |
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177 interfering | |
adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词 | |
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178 infamous | |
adj.声名狼藉的,臭名昭著的,邪恶的 | |
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179 traitor | |
n.叛徒,卖国贼 | |
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180 presumption | |
n.推测,可能性,冒昧,放肆,[法律]推定 | |
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181 cowardice | |
n.胆小,怯懦 | |
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182 traitorous | |
adj. 叛国的, 不忠的, 背信弃义的 | |
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183 corpse | |
n.尸体,死尸 | |
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184 morsels | |
n.一口( morsel的名词复数 );(尤指食物)小块,碎屑 | |
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185 guilt | |
n.犯罪;内疚;过失,罪责 | |
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186 slay | |
v.杀死,宰杀,杀戮 | |
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187 abridge | |
v.删减,删节,节略,缩短 | |
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188 bloody | |
adj.非常的的;流血的;残忍的;adv.很;vt.血染 | |
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189 emulated | |
v.与…竞争( emulate的过去式和过去分词 );努力赶上;计算机程序等仿真;模仿 | |
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190 treatise | |
n.专著;(专题)论文 | |
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191 complexion | |
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格 | |
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192 concurrent | |
adj.同时发生的,一致的 | |
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193 subsist | |
vi.生存,存在,供养 | |
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194 dint | |
n.由于,靠;凹坑 | |
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