Fathom1 Justifies2 the Proverb, “What’s Bred in the Bone Will Never Come Out of the Flesh.”
Some circumstances of this conversation made a deep impression upon the mind of our adventurer, who nevertheless concealed3 his emotions from the knowledge of his friend, and was next day introduced to that hidden treasure of which Renaldo had spoken with such rapture4 and adoration5. It was not without reason he had expatiated6 upon the personal attractions of this young lady, whom, for the present, we shall call Monimia, a name that implies her orphan7 situation. When she entered the room, even Fathom, whose eyes had been sated with beauty, was struck dumb with admiration8, and could scarce recollect9 himself so far as to perform the ceremony of his introduction.
She seemed to be about the age of eighteen. Her stature10 was tall; her motion graceful11. A knot of artificial flowers restrained the luxuriancy of her fine black hair, that flowed in shining ringlets adown her snowy neck. The contour of her face was oval; her forehead remarkably12 high; her complexion13 clean and delicate, though not florid; and her eyes were so piercing, as to strike the soul of every beholder14. Yet, upon this occasion, one half of their vivacity15 was eclipsed by a languishing16 air of melancholy18 concern; which, while it in a manner sheathed19 the edge of her beauty, added a most engaging sweetness to her looks. In short, every feature was elegantly perfect; and the harmony of the whole ravishing and delightful20.
It was easy to perceive the mutual21 sentiments of the two lovers at meeting, by the pleasure that sensibly diffused22 itself in the countenances23 of both. Fathom was received by her as the intimate friend of her admirer, whom she had often heard of in terms of the most sincere affection; and the conversation was carried on in the Italian language, because she was a foreigner who had not as yet made great proficiency24 in the knowledge of the English tongue. Her understanding was such as, instead of diminishing, reinforced the prepossession which was inspired by her appearance; and if the sum-total of her charms could not melt the heart, it at least excited the appetite of Fathom to such a degree, that he gazed upon her with such violence of desire, as had never transported him before; and he instantly began to harbour thoughts, not only destructive to the peace of his generous patron, but also to the prudential maxims25 he had adopted on his first entrance into life.
We have already recorded divers26 instances of his conduct to prove that there was an intemperance27 in his blood, which often interfered28 with his caution; and although he had found means to render this heat sometimes subservient29 to his interest, yet, in all probability, Heaven mingled30 the ingredient in his constitution, on purpose to counteract31 his consummate32 craft, defeat the villany of his intention, and at least expose him to the justice of the law, and the contempt of his fellow-creatures.
Stimulated33 as he was by the beauty of the incomparable Monimia, he foresaw that the conquest of her heart would cost him a thousand times more labour and address than all the victories he had ever achieved; for, besides her superior understanding, her sentiments of honour, virtue34, gratitude35, religion, and pride of birth, her heart was already engaged by the tenderest ties of love and obligation, to a man whose person and acquired accomplishments36 at least equalled his own; and whose connexion with him was of such a nature as raised an almost insurmountable bar to his design; because, with what face could he commence rival to the person whose family had raised him from want and servility, and whose own generosity38 had rescued him from the miseries39 of a dreary40 gaol41?
Notwithstanding these reflections, he would not lay aside an idea which so agreeably flattered his imagination. He, like every other projector42 in the same circumstances, was so partial to his own qualifications, as to think the lady would soon perceive a difference between him and Renaldo that could not fail to turn to his advantage in her opinion. He depended a good deal on the levity43 and inconstancy of the sex; and did not doubt that, in the course of their acquaintance, he should profit by that languor44 which often creeps upon and flattens45 the intercourse46 of lovers cloyed47 with the sight and conversation of each other.
This way of arguing was very natural to a man who had never known other motives48 than those of sensuality and convenience; and perhaps, upon these maxims, he might have succeeded with nine-tenths of the fair sex. But, for once, he erred49 in his calculation; Monimia’s soul was perfect, her virtue impregnable. His first approaches were, as usual, performed by the method of insinuation, which succeeded so well, that in a few days he actually acquired a very distinguished50 share of her favour and esteem51. To this he had been recommended, in the warmest strain of exaggerating friendship, by her dear Renaldo; so that, placing the most unreserved confidence in his honour and integrity, and being almost quite destitute52 of acquaintance, she made no scruple53 of owning herself pleased with his company and conversation; and therefore he was never abridged54 in point of opportunity. She had too much discernment to overlook his uncommon55 talents and agreeable address, and too much susceptibility to observe them with indifference56. She not only regarded him as the confidant of her lover, but admired him as a person whose attachment57 did honour to Count Melvil’s choice. She found his discourse58 remarkably entertaining, his politeness dignified59 with an air of uncommon sincerity60, and she was ravished with his skill in music, an art of which she was deeply enamoured.
While he thus ingratiated himself with the fair Monimia, Renaldo rejoiced at their intimacy61, being extremely happy in the thought of having found a friend who could amuse and protect the dear creature in his absence. That she might be the better prepared for the temporary separation which he meditated62, he began to be less frequent in his visits, or rather to interrupt, by gradual intermissions, the constant attendance he had bestowed63 upon her since her mother’s death. This alteration64 she was enabled to bear by the assiduities of Fathom, when she understood that her lover was indispensably employed in negotiating a sum of money for the purposes of his intended voyage. This was really the case; for, as the reader hath been already informed, the provision he had made for that emergency was expended65 in behalf of our adventurer; and the persons of whom he had borrowed it, far from approving of the use to which it was put, and accommodating him with a fresh supply, reproached him with his benevolence66 as an act of dishonesty to them; and, instead of favouring this second application, threatened to distress67 him for what he had already received. While he endeavoured to surmount37 these difficulties, his small reversion was quite exhausted68, and he saw himself on the brink69 of wanting the common necessaries of life.
There was no difficulty which he could not have encountered with fortitude70, had he alone been concerned. But his affection and regard for Monimia were of such a delicate nature, that, far from being able to bear the prospect71 of her wanting the least convenience, he could not endure that she should suspect her situation cost him a moment’s perplexity; because he foresaw it would wring72 her gentle heart with unspeakable anguish17 and vexation. This, therefore, he endeavoured to anticipate by expressions of confidence in the Emperor’s equity73, and frequent declarations touching74 the goodness and security of that credit from which he derived75 his present subsistence.
1 fathom | |
v.领悟,彻底了解 | |
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2 justifies | |
证明…有理( justify的第三人称单数 ); 为…辩护; 对…作出解释; 为…辩解(或辩护) | |
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3 concealed | |
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
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4 rapture | |
n.狂喜;全神贯注;着迷;v.使狂喜 | |
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5 adoration | |
n.爱慕,崇拜 | |
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6 expatiated | |
v.详述,细说( expatiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7 orphan | |
n.孤儿;adj.无父母的 | |
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8 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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9 recollect | |
v.回忆,想起,记起,忆起,记得 | |
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10 stature | |
n.(高度)水平,(高度)境界,身高,身材 | |
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11 graceful | |
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
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12 remarkably | |
ad.不同寻常地,相当地 | |
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13 complexion | |
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格 | |
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14 beholder | |
n.观看者,旁观者 | |
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15 vivacity | |
n.快活,活泼,精神充沛 | |
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16 languishing | |
a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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17 anguish | |
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼 | |
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18 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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19 sheathed | |
adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的;覆盖的;铠装的;装鞘了的v.将(刀、剑等)插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 );包,覆盖 | |
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20 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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21 mutual | |
adj.相互的,彼此的;共同的,共有的 | |
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22 diffused | |
散布的,普及的,扩散的 | |
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23 countenances | |
n.面容( countenance的名词复数 );表情;镇静;道义支持 | |
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24 proficiency | |
n.精通,熟练,精练 | |
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25 maxims | |
n.格言,座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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26 divers | |
adj.不同的;种种的 | |
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27 intemperance | |
n.放纵 | |
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28 interfered | |
v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 );调停;妨碍;干涉 | |
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29 subservient | |
adj.卑屈的,阿谀的 | |
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30 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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31 counteract | |
vt.对…起反作用,对抗,抵消 | |
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32 consummate | |
adj.完美的;v.成婚;使完美 [反]baffle | |
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33 stimulated | |
a.刺激的 | |
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34 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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35 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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36 accomplishments | |
n.造诣;完成( accomplishment的名词复数 );技能;成绩;成就 | |
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37 surmount | |
vt.克服;置于…顶上 | |
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38 generosity | |
n.大度,慷慨,慷慨的行为 | |
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39 miseries | |
n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 );痛苦的事;穷困;常发牢骚的人 | |
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40 dreary | |
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的 | |
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41 gaol | |
n.(jail)监狱;(不加冠词)监禁;vt.使…坐牢 | |
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42 projector | |
n.投影机,放映机,幻灯机 | |
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43 levity | |
n.轻率,轻浮,不稳定,多变 | |
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44 languor | |
n.无精力,倦怠 | |
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45 flattens | |
变平,使(某物)变平( flatten的第三人称单数 ); 彻底打败某人,使丢脸; 停止增长(或上升); (把身体或身体部位)紧贴… | |
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46 intercourse | |
n.性交;交流,交往,交际 | |
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47 cloyed | |
v.发腻,倒胃口( cloy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48 motives | |
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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49 erred | |
犯错误,做错事( err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 esteem | |
n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作 | |
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52 destitute | |
adj.缺乏的;穷困的 | |
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53 scruple | |
n./v.顾忌,迟疑 | |
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54 abridged | |
削减的,删节的 | |
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55 uncommon | |
adj.罕见的,非凡的,不平常的 | |
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56 indifference | |
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
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57 attachment | |
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附 | |
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58 discourse | |
n.论文,演说;谈话;话语;vi.讲述,著述 | |
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59 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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60 sincerity | |
n.真诚,诚意;真实 | |
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61 intimacy | |
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行 | |
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62 meditated | |
深思,沉思,冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 ); 内心策划,考虑 | |
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63 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64 alteration | |
n.变更,改变;蚀变 | |
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65 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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66 benevolence | |
n.慈悲,捐助 | |
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67 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
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68 exhausted | |
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的 | |
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69 brink | |
n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘,边沿 | |
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70 fortitude | |
n.坚忍不拔;刚毅 | |
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71 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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72 wring | |
n.扭绞;v.拧,绞出,扭 | |
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73 equity | |
n.公正,公平,(无固定利息的)股票 | |
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74 touching | |
adj.动人的,使人感伤的 | |
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75 derived | |
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取 | |
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