Clear of the locksmith’s house, Sim Tappertit laid aside his cautious manner, and assuming in its stead that of a ruffling1, swaggering, roving blade, who would rather kill a man than otherwise, and eat him too if needful, made the best of his way along the darkened streets.
Half pausing for an instant now and then to smite2 his pocket and assure himself of the safety of his master key, he hurried on to Barbican, and turning into one of the narrowest of the narrow streets which diverged3 from that centre, slackened his pace and wiped his heated brow, as if the termination of his walk were near at hand.
It was not a very choice spot for midnight expeditions, being in truth one of more than questionable4 character, and of an appearance by no means inviting5. From the main street he had entered, itself little better than an alley6, a low-browed doorway7 led into a blind court, or yard, profoundly dark, unpaved, and reeking8 with stagnant9 odours. Into this ill-favoured pit, the locksmith’s vagrant10 ‘prentice groped his way; and stopping at a house from whose defaced and rotten front the rude effigy11 of a bottle swung to and fro like some gibbeted malefactor12, struck thrice upon an iron grating with his foot. After listening in vain for some response to his signal, Mr Tappertit became impatient, and struck the grating thrice again.
A further delay ensued, but it was not of long duration. The ground seemed to open at his feet, and a ragged13 head appeared.
‘Is that the captain?’ said a voice as ragged as the head.
‘Yes,’ replied Mr Tappertit haughtily14, descending15 as he spoke16, ‘who should it be?’
‘It’s so late, we gave you up,’ returned the voice, as its owner stopped to shut and fasten the grating. ‘You’re late, sir.’
‘Lead on,’ said Mr Tappertit, with a gloomy majesty17, ‘and make remarks when I require you. Forward!’
This latter word of command was perhaps somewhat theatrical18 and unnecessary, inasmuch as the descent was by a very narrow, steep, and slippery flight of steps, and any rashness or departure from the beaten track must have ended in a yawning water-butt. But Mr Tappertit being, like some other great commanders, favourable19 to strong effects, and personal display, cried ‘Forward!’ again, in the hoarsest20 voice he could assume; and led the way, with folded arms and knitted brows, to the cellar down below, where there was a small copper21 fixed22 in one corner, a chair or two, a form and table, a glimmering23 fire, and a truckle-bed, covered with a ragged patchwork24 rug.
‘Welcome, noble captain!’ cried a lanky25 figure, rising as from a nap.
The captain nodded. Then, throwing off his outer coat, he stood composed in all his dignity, and eyed his follower26 over.
‘What news to-night?’ he asked, when he had looked into his very soul.
‘Nothing particular,’ replied the other, stretching himself — and he was so long already that it was quite alarming to see him do it — ‘how come you to be so late?’
‘No matter,’ was all the captain deigned27 to say in answer. ‘Is the room prepared?’
‘It is,’ replied the follower.
‘The comrade — is he here?’
‘Yes. And a sprinkling of the others — you hear ’em?’
‘Playing skittles!’ said the captain moodily28. ‘Light-hearted revellers!’
There was no doubt respecting the particular amusement in which these heedless spirits were indulging, for even in the close and stifling29 atmosphere of the vault30, the noise sounded like distant thunder. It certainly appeared, at first sight, a singular spot to choose, for that or any other purpose of relaxation31, if the other cellars answered to the one in which this brief colloquy32 took place; for the floors were of sodden33 earth, the walls and roof of damp bare brick tapestried34 with the tracks of snails35 and slugs; the air was sickening, tainted36, and offensive. It seemed, from one strong flavour which was uppermost among the various odours of the place, that it had, at no very distant period, been used as a storehouse for cheeses; a circumstance which, while it accounted for the greasy37 moisture that hung about it, was agreeably suggestive of rats. It was naturally damp besides, and little trees of fungus38 sprung from every mouldering39 corner.
The proprietor40 of this charming retreat, and owner of the ragged head before mentioned — for he wore an old tie-wig as bare and frowzy41 as a stunted42 hearth-broom — had by this time joined them; and stood a little apart, rubbing his hands, wagging his hoary43 bristled44 chin, and smiling in silence. His eyes were closed; but had they been wide open, it would have been easy to tell, from the attentive45 expression of the face he turned towards them — pale and unwholesome as might be expected in one of his underground existence — and from a certain anxious raising and quivering of the lids, that he was blind.
‘Even Stagg hath been asleep,’ said the long comrade, nodding towards this person.
‘Sound, captain, sound!’ cried the blind man; ‘what does my noble captain drink — is it brandy, rum, usquebaugh? Is it soaked gunpowder46, or blazing oil? Give it a name, heart of oak, and we’d get it for you, if it was wine from a bishop’s cellar, or melted gold from King George’s mint.’
‘See,’ said Mr Tappertit haughtily, ‘that it’s something strong, and comes quick; and so long as you take care of that, you may bring it from the devil’s cellar, if you like.’
‘Boldly said, noble captain!’ rejoined the blind man. ‘Spoken like the ‘Prentices’ Glory. Ha, ha! From the devil’s cellar! A brave joke! The captain joketh. Ha, ha, ha!’
‘I’ll tell you what, my fine feller,’ said Mr Tappertit, eyeing the host over as he walked to a closet, and took out a bottle and glass as carelessly as if he had been in full possession of his sight, ‘if you make that row, you’ll find that the captain’s very far from joking, and so I tell you.’
‘He’s got his eyes on me!’ cried Stagg, stopping short on his way back, and affecting to screen his face with the bottle. ‘I feel ’em though I can’t see ’em. Take ’em off, noble captain. Remove ’em, for they pierce like gimlets.’
Mr Tappertit smiled grimly at his comrade; and twisting out one more look — a kind of ocular screw — under the influence of which the blind man feigned47 to undergo great anguish48 and torture, bade him, in a softened49 tone, approach, and hold his peace.
‘I obey you, captain,’ cried Stagg, drawing close to him and filling out a bumper50 without spilling a drop, by reason that he held his little finger at the brim of the glass, and stopped at the instant the liquor touched it, ‘drink, noble governor. Death to all masters, life to all ‘prentices, and love to all fair damsels. Drink, brave general, and warm your gallant51 heart!’
Mr Tappertit condescended52 to take the glass from his outstretched hand. Stagg then dropped on one knee, and gently smoothed the calves54 of his legs, with an air of humble55 admiration56.
‘That I had but eyes!’ he cried, ‘to behold57 my captain’s symmetrical proportions! That I had but eyes, to look upon these twin invaders58 of domestic peace!’
‘Get out!’ said Mr Tappertit, glancing downward at his favourite limbs. ‘Go along, will you, Stagg!’
‘When I touch my own afterwards,’ cried the host, smiting59 them reproachfully, ‘I hate ’em. Comparatively speaking, they’ve no more shape than wooden legs, beside these models of my noble captain’s.’
‘Yours!’ exclaimed Mr Tappertit. ‘No, I should think not. Don’t talk about those precious old toothpicks in the same breath with mine; that’s rather too much. Here. Take the glass. Benjamin. Lead on. To business!’
With these words, he folded his arms again; and frowning with a sullen60 majesty, passed with his companion through a little door at the upper end of the cellar, and disappeared; leaving Stagg to his private meditations61.
The vault they entered, strewn with sawdust and dimly lighted, was between the outer one from which they had just come, and that in which the skittle-players were diverting themselves; as was manifested by the increased noise and clamour of tongues, which was suddenly stopped, however, and replaced by a dead silence, at a signal from the long comrade. Then, this young gentleman, going to a little cupboard, returned with a thigh-bone, which in former times must have been part and parcel of some individual at least as long as himself, and placed the same in the hands of Mr Tappertit; who, receiving it as a sceptre and staff of authority, cocked his three-cornered hat fiercely on the top of his head, and mounted a large table, whereon a chair of state, cheerfully ornamented62 with a couple of skulls64, was placed ready for his reception.
He had no sooner assumed this position, than another young gentleman appeared, bearing in his arms a huge clasped book, who made him a profound obeisance65, and delivering it to the long comrade, advanced to the table, and turning his back upon it, stood there Atlas-wise. Then, the long comrade got upon the table too; and seating himself in a lower chair than Mr Tappertit’s, with much state and ceremony, placed the large book on the shoulders of their mute companion as deliberately66 as if he had been a wooden desk, and prepared to make entries therein with a pen of corresponding size.
When the long comrade had made these preparations, he looked towards Mr Tappertit; and Mr Tappertit, flourishing the bone, knocked nine times therewith upon one of the skulls. At the ninth stroke, a third young gentleman emerged from the door leading to the skittle ground, and bowing low, awaited his commands.
‘Prentice!’ said the mighty67 captain, ‘who waits without?’
The ‘prentice made answer that a stranger was in attendance, who claimed admission into that secret society of ‘Prentice Knights68, and a free participation70 in their rights, privileges, and immunities71. Thereupon Mr Tappertit flourished the bone again, and giving the other skull63 a prodigious72 rap on the nose, exclaimed ‘Admit him!’ At these dread73 words the ‘prentice bowed once more, and so withdrew as he had come.
There soon appeared at the same door, two other ‘prentices, having between them a third, whose eyes were bandaged, and who was attired74 in a bag-wig, and a broad-skirted coat, trimmed with tarnished75 lace; and who was girded with a sword, in compliance76 with the laws of the Institution regulating the introduction of candidates, which required them to assume this courtly dress, and kept it constantly in lavender, for their convenience. One of the conductors of this novice77 held a rusty78 blunderbuss pointed79 towards his ear, and the other a very ancient sabre, with which he carved imaginary offenders80 as he came along in a sanguinary and anatomical manner.
As this silent group advanced, Mr Tappertit fixed his hat upon his head. The novice then laid his hand upon his breast and bent81 before him. When he had humbled82 himself sufficiently83, the captain ordered the bandage to be removed, and proceeded to eye him over.
‘Ha!’ said the captain, thoughtfully, when he had concluded this ordeal84. ‘Proceed.’
The long comrade read aloud as follows:—‘Mark Gilbert. Age, nineteen. Bound to Thomas Curzon, hosier, Golden Fleece, Aldgate. Loves Curzon’s daughter. Cannot say that Curzon’s daughter loves him. Should think it probable. Curzon pulled his ears last Tuesday week.’
‘How!’ cried the captain, starting.
‘For looking at his daughter, please you,’ said the novice.
‘Write Curzon down, Denounced,’ said the captain. ‘Put a black cross against the name of Curzon.’
‘So please you,’ said the novice, ‘that’s not the worst — he calls his ‘prentice idle dog, and stops his beer unless he works to his liking85. He gives Dutch cheese, too, eating Cheshire, sir, himself; and Sundays out, are only once a month.’
‘This,’ said Mr Tappert;t gravely, ‘is a flagrant case. Put two black crosses to the name of Curzon.’
‘If the society,’ said the novice, who was an ill-looking, one-sided, shambling lad, with sunken eyes set close together in his head —‘if the society would burn his house down — for he’s not insured — or beat him as he comes home from his club at night, or help me to carry off his daughter, and marry her at the Fleet, whether she gave consent or no —’
Mr Tappertit waved his grizzly86 truncheon as an admonition to him not to interrupt, and ordered three black crosses to the name of Curzon.
‘Which means,’ he said in gracious explanation, ‘vengeance87, complete and terrible. ‘Prentice, do you love the Constitution?’
To which the novice (being to that end instructed by his attendant sponsors) replied ‘I do!’
‘The Church, the State, and everything established — but the masters?’ quoth the captain.
Again the novice said ‘I do.’
Having said it, he listened meekly88 to the captain, who in an address prepared for such occasions, told him how that under that same Constitution (which was kept in a strong box somewhere, but where exactly he could not find out, or he would have endeavoured to procure89 a copy of it), the ‘prentices had, in times gone by, had frequent holidays of right, broken people’s heads by scores, defied their masters, nay90, even achieved some glorious murders in the streets, which privileges had gradually been wrested91 from them, and in all which noble aspirations92 they were now restrained; how the degrading checks imposed upon them were unquestionably attributable to the innovating93 spirit of the times, and how they united therefore to resist all change, except such change as would restore those good old English customs, by which they would stand or fall. After illustrating94 the wisdom of going backward, by reference to that sagacious fish, the crab95, and the not unfrequent practice of the mule96 and donkey, he described their general objects; which were briefly97 vengeance on their Tyrant98 Masters (of whose grievous and insupportable oppression no ‘prentice could entertain a moment’s doubt) and the restoration, as aforesaid, of their ancient rights and holidays; for neither of which objects were they now quite ripe, being barely twenty strong, but which they pledged themselves to pursue with fire and sword when needful. Then he described the oath which every member of that small remnant of a noble body took, and which was of a dreadful and impressive kind; binding99 him, at the bidding of his chief, to resist and obstruct100 the Lord Mayor, sword-bearer, and chaplain; to despise the authority of the sheriffs; and to hold the court of aldermen as nought101; but not on any account, in case the fulness of time should bring a general rising of ‘prentices, to damage or in any way disfigure Temple Bar, which was strictly102 constitutional and always to be approached with reverence103. Having gone over these several heads with great eloquence104 and force, and having further informed the novice that this society had its origin in his own teeming105 brain, stimulated106 by a swelling107 sense of wrong and outrage108, Mr Tappertit demanded whether he had strength of heart to take the mighty pledge required, or whether he would withdraw while retreat was yet in his power.
To this the novice made rejoinder, that he would take the vow109, though it should choke him; and it was accordingly administered with many impressive circumstances, among which the lighting110 up of the two skulls with a candle-end inside of each, and a great many flourishes with the bone, were chiefly conspicuous111; not to mention a variety of grave exercises with the blunderbuss and sabre, and some dismal112 groaning113 by unseen ‘prentices without. All these dark and direful ceremonies being at length completed, the table was put aside, the chair of state removed, the sceptre locked up in its usual cupboard, the doors of communication between the three cellars thrown freely open, and the ‘Prentice Knights resigned themselves to merriment.
But Mr Tappertit, who had a soul above the vulgar herd114, and who, on account of his greatness, could only afford to be merry now and then, threw himself on a bench with the air of a man who was faint with dignity. He looked with an indifferent eye, alike on skittles, cards, and dice115, thinking only of the locksmith’s daughter, and the base degenerate116 days on which he had fallen.
‘My noble captain neither games, nor sings, nor dances,’ said his host, taking a seat beside him. ‘Drink, gallant general!’
Mr Tappertit drained the proffered117 goblet118 to the dregs; then thrust his hands into his pockets, and with a lowering visage walked among the skittles, while his followers119 (such is the influence of superior genius) restrained the ardent120 ball, and held his little shins in dumb respect.
‘If I had been born a corsair or a pirate, a brigand121, genteel highwayman or patriot122 — and they’re the same thing,’ thought Mr Tappertit, musing123 among the nine-pins, ‘I should have been all right. But to drag out a ignoble124 existence unbeknown to mankind in general — patience! I will be famous yet. A voice within me keeps on whispering Greatness. I shall burst out one of these days, and when I do, what power can keep me down? I feel my soul getting into my head at the idea. More drink there!’
‘The novice,’ pursued Mr Tappertit, not exactly in a voice of thunder, for his tones, to say the truth were rather cracked and shrill125 — but very impressively, notwithstanding —‘where is he?’
‘Here, noble captain!’ cried Stagg. ‘One stands beside me who I feel is a stranger.’
‘Have you,’ said Mr Tappertit, letting his gaze fall on the party indicated, who was indeed the new knight69, by this time restored to his own apparel; ‘Have you the impression of your street-door key in wax?’
The long comrade anticipated the reply, by producing it from the shelf on which it had been deposited.
‘Good,’ said Mr Tappertit, scrutinising it attentively126, while a breathless silence reigned127 around; for he had constructed secret door-keys for the whole society, and perhaps owed something of his influence to that mean and trivial circumstance — on such slight accidents do even men of mind depend!—‘This is easily made. Come hither, friend.’
With that, he beckoned128 the new knight apart, and putting the pattern in his pocket, motioned to him to walk by his side.
‘And so,’ he said, when they had taken a few turns up and down, you — you love your master’s daughter?’
‘I do,’ said the ‘prentice. ‘Honour bright. No chaff129, you know.’
‘Have you,’ rejoined Mr Tappertit, catching130 him by the wrist, and giving him a look which would have been expressive131 of the most deadly malevolence132, but for an accidental hiccup133 that rather interfered134 with it; ‘have you a — a rival?’
‘Not as I know on,’ replied the ‘prentice.
‘If you had now —’ said Mr Tappertit —‘what would you — eh?—’
The ‘prentice looked fierce and clenched135 his fists.
‘It is enough,’ cried Mr Tappertit hastily, ‘we understand each other. We are observed. I thank you.’
So saying, he cast him off again; and calling the long comrade aside after taking a few hasty turns by himself, bade him immediately write and post against the wall, a notice, proscribing136 one Joseph Willet (commonly known as Joe) of Chigwell; forbidding all ‘Prentice Knights to succour, comfort, or hold communion with him; and requiring them, on pain of excommunication, to molest137, hurt, wrong, annoy, and pick quarrels with the said Joseph, whensoever and wheresoever they, or any of them, should happen to encounter him.
Having relieved his mind by this energetic proceeding138, he condescended to approach the festive139 board, and warming by degrees, at length deigned to preside, and even to enchant140 the company with a song. After this, he rose to such a pitch as to consent to regale141 the society with a hornpipe, which be actually performed to the music of a fiddle142 (played by an ingenious member) with such surpassing agility143 and brilliancy of execution, that the spectators could not be sufficiently enthusiastic in their admiration; and their host protested, with tears in his eyes, that he had never truly felt his blindness until that moment.
But the host withdrawing — probably to weep in secret — soon returned with the information that it wanted little more than an hour of day, and that all the cocks in Barbican had already begun to crow, as if their lives depended on it. At this intelligence, the ‘Prentice Knights arose in haste, and marshalling into a line, filed off one by one and dispersed144 with all speed to their several homes, leaving their leader to pass the grating last.
‘Good night, noble captain,’ whispered the blind man as he held it open for his passage out; ‘Farewell, brave general. Bye, bye, illustrious commander. Good luck go with you for a — conceited145, bragging146, empty-headed, duck-legged idiot.’
With which parting words, coolly added as he listened to his receding147 footsteps and locked the grate upon himself, he descended53 the steps, and lighting the fire below the little copper, prepared, without any assistance, for his daily occupation; which was to retail148 at the area-head above pennyworths of broth149 and soup, and savoury puddings, compounded of such scraps150 as were to be bought in the heap for the least money at Fleet Market in the evening time; and for the sale of which he had need to have depended chiefly on his private connection, for the court had no thoroughfare, and was not that kind of place in which many people were likely to take the air, or to frequent as an agreeable promenade151.
收听单词发音 |
1
ruffling
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| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
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smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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diverged
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| 分开( diverge的过去式和过去分词 )； 偏离； 分歧； 分道扬镳 | |
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questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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reeking
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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effigy
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| n.肖像 | |
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malefactor
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| n.罪犯 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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hoarsest
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| （指声音）粗哑的，嘶哑的( hoarse的最高级 ) | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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patchwork
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| n.混杂物；拼缝物 | |
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lanky
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| adj.瘦长的 | |
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follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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colloquy
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| n.谈话，自由讨论 | |
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sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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tapestried
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| adj.饰挂绣帷的，织在绣帷上的v.用挂毯（或绣帷）装饰( tapestry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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snails
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| n.蜗牛；迟钝的人；蜗牛( snail的名词复数 ) | |
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tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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38
fungus
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| n.真菌，真菌类植物 | |
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39
mouldering
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| v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 )；腐烂，崩塌 | |
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40
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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41
frowzy
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| adj.不整洁的；污秽的 | |
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42
stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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43
hoary
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| adj.古老的；鬓发斑白的 | |
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44
bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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45
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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46
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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47
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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48
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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49
softened
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| （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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50
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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51
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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52
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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53
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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54
calves
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| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
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55
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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56
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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57
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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58
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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59
smiting
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的现在分词 ) | |
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60
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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61
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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62
ornamented
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| 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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63
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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64
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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65
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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66
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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67
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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68
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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69
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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70
participation
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| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
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71
immunities
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| 免除，豁免( immunity的名词复数 )； 免疫力 | |
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72
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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73
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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74
attired
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| 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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75
tarnished
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| （通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏 | |
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76
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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77
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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78
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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79
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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80
offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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81
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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82
humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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83
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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84
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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85
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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86
grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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87
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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88
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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89
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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90
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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91
wrested
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| （用力）拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 )； 费力取得； （从…）攫取； （ 从… ） 强行取去… | |
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92
aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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93
innovating
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| v.改革，创新( innovate的现在分词 )；引入（新事物、思想或方法）， | |
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94
illustrating
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| 给…加插图( illustrate的现在分词 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明 | |
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95
crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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96
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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97
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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98
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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99
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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100
obstruct
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| v.阻隔，阻塞(道路、通道等)；n.阻碍物，障碍物 | |
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101
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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102
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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103
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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104
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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105
teeming
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| adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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106
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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107
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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108
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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109
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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110
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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111
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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112
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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113
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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114
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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115
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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116
degenerate
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| v.退步，堕落；adj.退步的，堕落的；n.堕落者 | |
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117
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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119
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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120
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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121
brigand
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| n.土匪，强盗 | |
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122
patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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123
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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124
ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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125
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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126
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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127
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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128
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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129
chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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130
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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131
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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132
malevolence
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| n.恶意，狠毒 | |
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133
hiccup
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| n.打嗝 | |
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134
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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135
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
proscribing
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| v.正式宣布（某事物）有危险或被禁止( proscribe的现在分词 ) | |
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137
molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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138
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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139
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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140
enchant
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| vt.使陶醉，使入迷；使着魔，用妖术迷惑 | |
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141
regale
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| v.取悦，款待 | |
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142
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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143
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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144
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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145
conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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146
bragging
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| v.自夸，吹嘘( brag的现在分词 )；大话 | |
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147
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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148
retail
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| v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格 | |
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149
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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150
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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151
promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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