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Part 2 Chapter 3 The Empress
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Ysabeau, wife of Balthasar of Courtrai and Empress of the West, waited in the porphyry cabinet of Cardinal1 Caprarola.

It was but little after midday, and the sun streaming through the scarlet2 and violet colours of the arched window, threw a rich and burning glow over the gilt3 furniture and the beautiful figure of the woman; she wore a dress of an orange hue4; her hair was bound round the temples with a chaplet of linked plates of gold and hung below it in fantastic loops; wrapped about her was a purple mantle5 embroidered6 with ornaments7 in green glass; she sat on a low chair by the window and rested her chin on her hand. Her superb eyes were grave and thoughtful; she did not move from her reflective attitude during the time the haughty9 priest kept her waiting.

When at last he entered with a shimmer10 and ripple11 of purple silks, she rose and bent12 her head. “It pleases you to make me attendant on your pleasure, my lord,” she said.

Cardinal Caprarola gave her calm greeting.

“My time is not my own,” he added. “God His service comes first, lady.”

The Empress returned to her seat.

“Have I come here to discuss God with your Eminence13?” she asked, and her fair mouth was scornful. “This text was stolen from someone who worked hard to get it to you.”

The Cardinal crossed to the far end of the cabinet and slowly took his place in his carved gold chair.

“It is of ourselves we will speak,” he said, smiling. “Certes, your Grace will have expected that.”

“Nay,” she answered. “What is there we have in common, Cardinal Caprarola?”

“Ambition,” said his Eminence, “which is known alike to saint and sinner.”

Ysabeau looked at him swiftly; he was smiling with lips and eyes, sitting back with an air of ease and power that discomposed her; she had never liked him.

“If your talk be of policy, my lord, it is to the Emperor you should go.”

“I think you have as much influence in Rome as your husband, my daughter.”

There was a dazzling glitter of coloured light as the Empress moved her jewelled hands. “It is our influence you wish, my lord — certes, a matter for the Emperor.”

His large keen eyes never left her face.

“Yea, you understand me.”

“Your Eminence desires our support in the Conclave14 now sitting,” she continued haughtily15.

“But have you ever shown so much duty to us, that we should wish to see you in St. Peter’s seat?” She thought herself justified16 in speaking thus to a man whose greatness had always galled17 her, for she saw in this appeal for her help an amazing confession18 of weakness on his part. But Luigi Caprarola remained entirely19 composed.

“You have your creatures in the Church,” he said, “and you intend one of them to wear the Tiara — there are sixteen Cardinals21 in the Conclave, and I, perhaps, have half of them. Your Grace, you must see that your faction22 does not interfere23 with what these priests desire — my election namely.”

“Must?” she repeated, her violet eyes dilating24. “Your Eminence has some reputation as a holy man — and you suggest the corruption25 of the Conclave.”

The Cardinal leant forward in his chair.

“I do not play for a saintly fame,” he said, “and as for a corrupted26 Conclave — your Grace should know corruption, seeing that your art, and your art alone, achieved the election of Balthasar to the German throne.”

Ysabeau stared at him mutely; he gave a soft laugh.

“You are a clever woman,” he continued. “Your husband is the first King of the Germans to hold the Empery of the West for ten years and keep his heel on the home lands as well; but even your wits will scarcely suffice now; Bohemia revolts, and Basil stretches greedy fingers from Ravenna, and to keep the throne secure you desire a man in the Vatican who is Balthasar’s creature.”

The Empress rose and placed her hand on the gilded27 ribbing of the window-frame.

“Your Eminence shows some understanding,” she flashed, pale beneath her paint; “we gained the West, and we will keep the West, so you see, my lord, why my influence will be against you, not with you, in the Conclave.”

The Cardinal laid his hand lightly over his heart.

“Your Grace speaks boldly — you think me your enemy?”

“You declare yourself hostile, my lord.”

“Nay, I may be a good friend to you — in St. Peter’s.”

She smiled.

“The Conclave have not declared their decision yet, your Eminence; you are a great prince, but the Imperial party have some power.”

The Cardinal sat erect28, and his intense eyes quelled29 her despite herself.

“Some power — which I ask you to exert in my behalf.”

She looked away, though angry with herself that his gaze overawed her.

“You have declared your ambition, my lord; your talents and your wealth we know — you are too powerful already for us to tolerate you as master in Rome.”

“Again you speak boldly,” smiled the Cardinal. “Perhaps too boldly — I think you will yet help me to the Tiara.”

Ysabeau gave a quick glance at his pale, handsome face framed in the red hair.

“Do you seek to bribe31 me, my lord?” She remembered the vast riches of this man and their own empty treasury32.

“Nay,” said Luigi Caprarola, still smiling. “I threaten.”

“Threaten!” At once she was tempestuous33, panting, furious; the jewels on her breast sparkled with her hastened breathing.

“I threaten that I will make you an outcast in the streets unless you serve mc well.”

She was the tiger-cat now, ready to turn at bay, Marozia Porphyrogentris of Byzantium.

“I know that of you,” said the Cardinal, “that once revealed, would make the Emperor hurl34 you from his side.”

She sucked in her breath and waited. “Melchoir of Brabant died by poison and by witchcraft35.” “All the world knows that”— her eyes were long and evil; “he was bewitched by a young doctor of Frankfort College who perished for the deed.”

The Cardinal looked down at the hand on his lap.

“Yea, that young doctor brewed36 the potion — you administered it.”

Ysabeau took a step forward into the room. “You lie...I am not afraid of you — you lie most utterly37...”

Luigi Caprarola sprang to his feet.

“Silence, woman! speak not so to me! It is the truth, and I can prove it!”

She bent and crouched38; the plates of gold on her hair shook with her trembling.

“You cannot prove it”— the words were forced from her quivering throat; “who are you that you should dare this — should know this?”

The Cardinal still stood and dominated her.

“Do you recall a youth who was scrivener to your Chamberlain and friend of the young doctor of rhetoric39 — Theirry his name, born of Dendermonde?”

“Yea, he is now dead or in the East...”

“He is alive, and in Rome. He served you well once, Empress, when he came to betray his friend, and you were quick to seize the chance — it suited him then to truckle to you...I think he was afraid of you...he is not now; he knows, and if I bid him he will speak.”

“And what is his bare word against my oath and the Emperor’s love?”

“I am behind his word — I and all the power of the Church.”

Ysabeau answered swiftly.

“I am not of a nation easily cowed, my lord, nor are the people of our blood readily trapped — I can tear your reputed saintship to rags by spreading abroad this tale of how you tried to bargain with me for the Popedom.”

The Cardinal smiled in a way she did not care to see.

“But first I say to the Emperor — your wife slew40 your friend that she might be your wife, your friend Melchoir of Brabant — you loved him better than you loved the woman — will you not avenge41 him now?”

The Empress pressed her clenched42 hands against her heart and, with an effort, raised her eyes to her accuser’s masterful face.

“My lord’s love against it all,” she said hoarsely43. “He knows Melchoir’s murderer perished in Frank-fort in the flames, he knows that I am innocent, and he will laugh at you — weave what tissue of falsehoods you will, sir, I do defy you, and will do no bargaining to set you in the Vatican.”

The Cardinal rested his finger-tips on the arm of the chair, and looked down at them with a deepening smile.

“You speak,” he answered, “as one whom I can admire — it requires great courage to put the front you do on guilt44 — but I have certain knowledge of what I say; come, I will prove to you that you cannot deceive me — you came first to the house of a certain witch in Frankfort on a day in August, a youth opened the door and took you into a room at the back that looked on to a garden growing dark red roses; you wore, that day, a speckled green mask and a green gown edged with fur.”

He raised his eyes and looked at her; she moved back against the wall, and outspread her hands either side her on the gleaming porphyry.

“You threatened the youth as I threaten you now — you knew that he had been driven from Basle College for witchcraft, even as I know you compassed the death of your first husband, and you asked him to help you, even as I ask you to help me now.”

“Oh!” cried the Empress; she brought her hands to her lips. “How can you know this?”

The Cardinal reseated himself in his gold chair and marked with brilliant, merciless eyes the woman struggling to make a stand against him.

“Hugh of Rooselaare died,” he said with sudden venom45 —“died basely for justly accusing you, and so shall you die — basely — unless you aid me in the Conclave.”

He watched her very curiously46; he wondered how soon he would utterly break her courage, what new turn her defiance47 would take; he almost expected to see her at his feet.

For a few seconds she was silent; then she came a step nearer; the veins48 stood out on her forehead and neck; she held her hands by her side — they were very tightly clenched, but her beautiful eyes were undaunted.

“Cardinal Caprarola,” she said, “you ask me to use my influence to bring about your election to the Popedom — knowing you as I know you now I cannot fail to see you are a man who would stop at nought49...if I help you I shall help my husband’s enemy — once you are in the Vatican, how long will you tolerate him in Rome? You will be no man’s creature, and, I think, no man’s ally — what chance shall we have in Rome once you are master? Sylvester was old and meek50, he let Balthasar hold the reins51 — will you do that?”

“Nay,” smiled the Cardinal. “I shall be no puppet Pope.”

“I knew it,” answered the Empress with a deep breath; “will you swear to keep my husband in his place?”

“That will not I,” said Luigi Caprarola. “If it please me I will hurl him down and set one of my own followers52 up. I have no love for Balthasar of Courtrai.”

Ysabeau’s face hardened with hate.

“But you think he can help you to the Tiara —”

“Through you, lady — you can tell him I am his friend, his ally, what you will — or you may directly influence the Cardinals, I care not, so the thing be done; what I shall do if it be not done, I have said.”

The Empress twisted her fingers together and suddenly laughed.

“You wish me to deceive my lord to his ruin, you wish me to place his enemy over him — now, when we are harassed53, here and in Germany, you wish me to do a thing that may bring his fortunes to the dust —— why, you are not so cunning, my lord, if you think you can make me the instrument of Balthasar’s down-fall!”

The Cardinal looked at her with curiosity.

“Nevertheless your Grace will do it — sooner than let me say what I can say.”

She held up her head and smiled in his face. “Then you are wrong; neither threats nor bribery54 can make me do this thing — say what you will to the Emperor, I am secure in his good affections; blight55 my fame and turn him against me if you can, I am not so mean a woman that fear can make me betray the fortunes of my husband and my son.”

The Cardinal lowered his eyes; he was very pale.

“You dare death,” he said, “a shameful56 death — if my accusation57 be proved — as proved it shall be.”

The Empress looked at him over her shoulder. “Dare death!” she cried. “You say I have dared Hell for — him! — shall I be afraid, then, of paltry58 death?”

Luigi Caprarola’s breast heaved beneath the vivid silk of his robe.

“Of what are you afraid?” he asked.

“Of nothing save evil to my lord.”

The Cardinal’s lids drooped59; he moistened his lips.

“This is your answer?”

“Yea, your Eminence; all the power I possess shall go to prevent you mounting the throne you covet60 so — and now, seeing you have that answer I will leave, my courtiers grow weary in your halls.”

She moved to the door, her limbs trembling beneath her, her brow cold, her hands chilled and moist, and her heart shivering in her body, yet with a regal demeanour curbing61 and controlling her fear.

As she opened it the Cardinal turned his head. “Give me a little longer, your Grace,” he said softly. “I have yet something to say.”

She reclosed the door and stood with her back against it.

“Well, my lord?”

“You boast you are afraid of nothing — certes, I wonder — you defy me boldly and something foolishly in this matter of your guilt; will you be so bold in the matter of your innocence62?”

He leant forward in his chair to gaze at her; she waited silently, with challenging eyes.

“You are very loyal to your husband, you will not endanger your son’s possible heritage; these things, you tell me, are more to you than shame or death; your lord is Emperor of the West, your son King of the Romans — well, well — you are too proud —”

“Nay,” she flashed, “I am not too proud for the wife of Balthasar of Courtrai and the mother of a line of Emperors — we are the founders63 of our house, and it shall be great to rule the world.”

The Cardinal was pale and scornful, his narrowed eyes and curving mouth expressed bitterness — and passion.

“Here is the weapon shall bring you to your knees,” he said, “and make your boasting die upon your lips — you are not the wife of Balthasar, and the only heritage your son will ever have is the shame and weariness of the outcast.”

She gathered her strength to meet this wild enormity. “Not his wife...why, you rave8...we were married before all Frankfort...not Balthasar’s wife!”

The Cardinal rose; his head was held very erect; he looked down on her with an intense gaze. “Your lord was wed30 before.”

“Yea, I know...what of it?”

“This — Ursula of Rooselaare lives!”

Ysabeau gave a miserable64 little cry and turned about as if she would fall; she steadied herself with a great effort and faced the Cardinal desperately65.

“She died in a convent at Flanders — this is not the truth —”

“Did I not speak truth before?” he demanded. “In the matter of Melchoir.”

A cry was wrung66 from the Empress.

“Ursula of Rooselaare died in Antwerp,” she repeated wildly —“in the convent of the White Sisters.”

“She did not, and Balthasar knows she did not — he thinks she died thereafter, he thinks he saw her grave, but he would find it empty — she lives, she is in Rome, and she is his wife, his Empress, before God and man.”

“How do you know this?” She made a last pitiful attempt to brave him, but the terrible Cardinal had broken her strength; the horror of the thing he said had chilled her blood and choked her heart-beats.

“The youth who helped you once, the doctor Constantine...from him Balthasar obtained the news of his wife’s death, for Ursula and he were apprenticed67 to the same old master — ask Balthasar if this be not so — well, the youth lied, for purposes of his own; the maid lived then, and is living now, and if I choose it she will speak.”

“It is not possible,” shuddered68 the Empress; “no — you wish to drive me mad, and so you torture me — why did not this woman speak before?”

The Cardinal smiled.

“She did not love her husband as you do, lady, and so preferred her liberty; you should be grateful.”

“Alive, you say,” whispered Ysabeau, unheeding, “and in Rome? But none would know her, she could not prove she was — his — Ursula of Rooselaare.”

“She has his ring,” answered Luigi Caprarola, “and her wedding deeds, signed by him and by the priest — there are those at Rooselaare who know her, albeit69 it is near twenty years since she was there; also she hath the deposition70 of old Master Lukas that she was a supposed nun71 when she came to him, and in reality the wife of Balthasar of Courtrai; she can prove no one lies buried in the garden of Master Lukas’s house, and she can bring forward sisters of the Order to which she belonged to show she did not die on her wedding day — this and further proof can she show.”

The Empress bowed her head on her breast and put her hand over her eyes.

“She came to you — sir, with...this tale?”

“That is for me to say or not as I will.”

“She must be silenced! By Christus His Mother she must be silent!”

“Secure me the casting vote in the Conclave and she will never speak.”

“I have said. I...cannot, for his sake, for my son’s sake —”

“Then I will bring forth72 Ursula of Rooselaare, and she shall prove herself the Emperor’s wife — then instantly must you leave him, or both of you will be excommunicated — your alternative will be to stay and be his ruin or go to obscurity, never seeing his face again; your son will no longer be King of the Romans, but a nameless wanderer — spurned73 and pitied by those who should be his subjects — and another woman will sit by Balthasar’s side on the throne of the West!”

The Empress set her shoulders against the door.

“And if my lord be loyal to me as I to him — to me and to my son —”

“Then will he be hounded from his throne, cast out by the Church and avoided by men; will not Lombardy be glad to turn against him and Bohemia?”

For a little while she was silent, and the Cardinal also as he looked at her, then she raised her eyes to meet his; steadily74 now she kept them at the level of his gaze, and her base, bold blood served her well in the manner of her speech.

“Lord Cardinal,” she said, “you have won; before you, as before the world, I stand Balthasar’s wife, nor can you fright me from that proud station by telling of — this impostor; yet, I am afraid of you; I dare not come to an issue with you, Luigi Caprarola, and to buy your silence on these matters I will secure your election — and afterwards you and my lord shall see who is the stronger.”

She opened the door, motioning him to silence.

“My lord, no more,” she cried. “Believe me, I can be faithful to my word when I am afraid to break it...and be you silent about this woman Ursula.” The Cardinal came from his seat towards her.

“We part as enemies,” he answered, “but I kiss the hem20 of your gown, Empress, for you are brave as you are beautiful.”

He gracefully75 lifted the purple robe to his lips.

“And above all things do I admire a constant woman;” his voice was strangely soft. Her face, cold, imperial beneath the shining gold and glittering hair, did not change. “But, alas76, you hate me!” he suddenly laughed, raising his eyes to her.

“To-day I cannot speak further with you, sir.”

She moved away, steadying her steps with difficulty; the two chamberlains in the ante-chamber rose as she stepped out of the cabinet.

“Benedictus, my daughter,” smiled the Cardinal, and closed the door.

His face was flushed and bright with triumph; there was a curious expression in his eyes; he went to the window and looked out on purple Rome.

“How she loves him still!” he said aloud; “yet —— why do I wonder? — is he not as fair a man as —”

He broke off, then added reflectively, “Also, she is beautiful.”

His long fingers felt among his silk robes; he drew forth a little mirror and gazed at his handsome face with the darkened upper lip and tonsured77 head.

As he looked he smiled, then presently laughed.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 cardinal Xcgy5     
n.(天主教的)红衣主教;adj.首要的,基本的
参考例句:
  • This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
  • The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火,脸涨得通红。
2 scarlet zD8zv     
n.深红色,绯红色,红衣;adj.绯红色的
参考例句:
  • The scarlet leaves of the maples contrast well with the dark green of the pines.深红的枫叶和暗绿的松树形成了明显的对比。
  • The glowing clouds are growing slowly pale,scarlet,bright red,and then light red.天空的霞光渐渐地淡下去了,深红的颜色变成了绯红,绯红又变为浅红。
3 gilt p6UyB     
adj.镀金的;n.金边证券
参考例句:
  • The plates have a gilt edge.这些盘子的边是镀金的。
  • The rest of the money is invested in gilt.其余的钱投资于金边证券。
4 hue qdszS     
n.色度;色调;样子
参考例句:
  • The diamond shone with every hue under the sun.金刚石在阳光下放出五颜六色的光芒。
  • The same hue will look different in different light.同一颜色在不同的光线下看起来会有所不同。
5 mantle Y7tzs     
n.斗篷,覆罩之物,罩子;v.罩住,覆盖,脸红
参考例句:
  • The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green.大地披上了苍翠欲滴的绿色斗篷。
  • The mountain was covered with a mantle of snow.山上覆盖着一层雪。
6 embroidered StqztZ     
adj.绣花的
参考例句:
  • She embroidered flowers on the cushion covers. 她在这些靠垫套上绣了花。
  • She embroidered flowers on the front of the dress. 她在连衣裙的正面绣花。
7 ornaments 2bf24c2bab75a8ff45e650a1e4388dec     
n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 );点缀;装饰品;首饰v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The shelves were chock-a-block with ornaments. 架子上堆满了装饰品。
  • Playing the piano sets up resonance in those glass ornaments. 一弹钢琴那些玻璃饰物就会产生共振。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 rave MA8z9     
vi.胡言乱语;热衷谈论;n.热情赞扬
参考例句:
  • The drunkard began to rave again.这酒鬼又开始胡言乱语了。
  • Now I understand why readers rave about this book.我现明白读者为何对这本书赞不绝口了。
9 haughty 4dKzq     
adj.傲慢的,高傲的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a haughty look and walked away.他向我摆出傲慢的表情后走开。
  • They were displeased with her haughty airs.他们讨厌她高傲的派头。
10 shimmer 7T8z7     
v./n.发微光,发闪光;微光
参考例句:
  • The room was dark,but there was a shimmer of moonlight at the window.屋子里很黑,但靠近窗户的地方有点微光。
  • Nor is there anything more virginal than the shimmer of young foliage.没有什么比新叶的微光更纯洁无瑕了。
11 ripple isLyh     
n.涟波,涟漪,波纹,粗钢梳;vt.使...起涟漪,使起波纹; vi.呈波浪状,起伏前进
参考例句:
  • The pebble made a ripple on the surface of the lake.石子在湖面上激起一个涟漪。
  • The small ripple split upon the beach.小小的涟漪卷来,碎在沙滩上。
12 bent QQ8yD     
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的
参考例句:
  • He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
  • We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。
13 eminence VpLxo     
n.卓越,显赫;高地,高处;名家
参考例句:
  • He is a statesman of great eminence.他是个声名显赫的政治家。
  • Many of the pilots were to achieve eminence in the aeronautical world.这些飞行员中很多人将会在航空界声名显赫。
14 conclave eY9yw     
n.秘密会议,红衣主教团
参考例句:
  • Signore,I ask and I prey,that you break this conclave.各位阁下,我请求,并祈祷,你们能停止这次秘密会议。
  • I met my partner at that conclave and my life moved into a huge shift.我就是在那次大会上遇到了我的伴侣的,而我的生活就转向了一个巨大的改变。
15 haughtily haughtily     
adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地
参考例句:
  • She carries herself haughtily. 她举止傲慢。
  • Haughtily, he stalked out onto the second floor where I was standing. 他傲然跨出电梯,走到二楼,我刚好站在那儿。
16 justified 7pSzrk     
a.正当的,有理的
参考例句:
  • She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
  • The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。
17 galled f94b58dc6efd8961e328ed2a18460f06     
v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 );擦伤;烦扰;侮辱
参考例句:
  • Their unkind remarks galled her. 他们不友善的话语使她恼怒。 来自辞典例句
  • He was galled by her insulting language. 他被她侮辱性的语言激怒了。 来自辞典例句
18 confession 8Ygye     
n.自白,供认,承认
参考例句:
  • Her confession was simply tantamount to a casual explanation.她的自白简直等于一篇即席说明。
  • The police used torture to extort a confession from him.警察对他用刑逼供。
19 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
20 hem 7dIxa     
n.贴边,镶边;vt.缝贴边;(in)包围,限制
参考例句:
  • The hem on her skirt needs sewing.她裙子上的褶边需要缝一缝。
  • The hem of your dress needs to be let down an inch.你衣服的折边有必要放长1英寸。
21 cardinals 8aa3d7ed97d6793c87fe821585838a4a     
红衣主教( cardinal的名词复数 ); 红衣凤头鸟(见于北美,雄鸟为鲜红色); 基数
参考例句:
  • cardinals in scarlet robes 身披红袍的枢机主教
  • A conclave of cardinals was held to elect the new Pope. 红衣主教团举行了秘密会议来选举新教皇。
22 faction l7ny7     
n.宗派,小集团;派别;派系斗争
参考例句:
  • Faction and self-interest appear to be the norm.派系之争和自私自利看来非常普遍。
  • I now understood clearly that I was caught between the king and the Bunam's faction.我现在完全明白自己已陷入困境,在国王与布纳姆集团之间左右为难。
23 interfere b5lx0     
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰
参考例句:
  • If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话,可能弊多利少。
  • When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件,棘手的事情就来了。
24 dilating 650b63aa5fe0e80f6e53759e79ee96ff     
v.(使某物)扩大,膨胀,张大( dilate的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Compliance is the dilating extent of elastic tissue below pressure. 顺应性是指外力作用下弹性组织的可扩张性。 来自互联网
  • For dilating the bearing life, bearing should keep lubricative well. 为延长轴承寿命,轴承应保持良好的润滑状态。 来自互联网
25 corruption TzCxn     
n.腐败,堕落,贪污
参考例句:
  • The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
  • The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。
26 corrupted 88ed91fad91b8b69b62ce17ae542ff45     
(使)败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 ); (使)腐化; 引起(计算机文件等的)错误; 破坏
参考例句:
  • The body corrupted quite quickly. 尸体很快腐烂了。
  • The text was corrupted by careless copyists. 原文因抄写员粗心而有讹误。
27 gilded UgxxG     
a.镀金的,富有的
参考例句:
  • The golden light gilded the sea. 金色的阳光使大海如金子般闪闪发光。
  • "Friends, they are only gilded disks of lead!" "朋友们,这只不过是些镀金的铅饼! 来自英汉文学 - 败坏赫德莱堡
28 erect 4iLzm     
n./v.树立,建立,使竖立;adj.直立的,垂直的
参考例句:
  • She held her head erect and her back straight.她昂着头,把背挺得笔直。
  • Soldiers are trained to stand erect.士兵们训练站得笔直。
29 quelled cfdbdf53cdf11a965953b115ee1d3e67     
v.(用武力)制止,结束,镇压( quell的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Thanks to Kao Sung-nien's skill, the turmoil had been quelled. 亏高松年有本领,弹压下去。 来自汉英文学 - 围城
  • Mr. Atkinson was duly quelled. 阿特金森先生被及时地将了一军。 来自辞典例句
30 wed MgFwc     
v.娶,嫁,与…结婚
参考例句:
  • The couple eventually wed after three year engagement.这对夫妇在订婚三年后终于结婚了。
  • The prince was very determined to wed one of the king's daughters.王子下定决心要娶国王的其中一位女儿。
31 bribe GW8zK     
n.贿赂;v.向…行贿,买通
参考例句:
  • He tried to bribe the policeman not to arrest him.他企图贿赂警察不逮捕他。
  • He resolutely refused their bribe.他坚决不接受他们的贿赂。
32 treasury 7GeyP     
n.宝库;国库,金库;文库
参考例句:
  • The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
  • This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。
33 tempestuous rpzwj     
adj.狂暴的
参考例句:
  • She burst into a tempestuous fit of anger.她勃然大怒。
  • Dark and tempestuous was night.夜色深沉,狂风肆虐,暴雨倾盆。
34 hurl Yc4zy     
vt.猛投,力掷,声叫骂
参考例句:
  • The best cure for unhappiness is to hurl yourself into your work.医治愁苦的最好办法就是全身心地投入工作。
  • To hurl abuse is no way to fight.谩骂决不是战斗。
35 witchcraft pe7zD7     
n.魔法,巫术
参考例句:
  • The woman practising witchcraft claimed that she could conjure up the spirits of the dead.那个女巫说她能用魔法召唤亡灵。
  • All these things that you call witchcraft are capable of a natural explanation.被你们统统叫做巫术的那些东西都可以得到合情合理的解释。
36 brewed 39ecd39437af3fe1144a49f10f99110f     
调制( brew的过去式和过去分词 ); 酝酿; 沏(茶); 煮(咖啡)
参考例句:
  • The beer is brewed in the Czech Republic. 这种啤酒是在捷克共和国酿造的。
  • The boy brewed a cup of coffee for his mother. 这男孩给他妈妈冲了一杯咖啡。 来自《简明英汉词典》
37 utterly ZfpzM1     
adv.完全地,绝对地
参考例句:
  • Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民,把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。
  • I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。
38 crouched 62634c7e8c15b8a61068e36aaed563ab     
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He crouched down beside her. 他在她的旁边蹲了下来。
  • The lion crouched ready to pounce. 狮子蹲下身,准备猛扑。
39 rhetoric FCnzz     
n.修辞学,浮夸之言语
参考例句:
  • Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗?
  • Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后,他和军队的关系岌岌可危。
40 slew 8TMz0     
v.(使)旋转;n.大量,许多
参考例句:
  • He slewed the car against the side of the building.他的车滑到了大楼的一侧,抵住了。
  • They dealt with a slew of other issues.他们处理了大量的其他问题。
41 avenge Zutzl     
v.为...复仇,为...报仇
参考例句:
  • He swore to avenge himself on the mafia.他发誓说要向黑手党报仇。
  • He will avenge the people on their oppressor.他将为人民向压迫者报仇。
42 clenched clenched     
v.紧握,抓紧,咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He clenched his fists in anger. 他愤怒地攥紧了拳头。
  • She clenched her hands in her lap to hide their trembling. 她攥紧双手放在腿上,以掩饰其颤抖。 来自《简明英汉词典》
43 hoarsely hoarsely     
adv.嘶哑地
参考例句:
  • "Excuse me," he said hoarsely. “对不起。”他用嘶哑的嗓子说。
  • Jerry hoarsely professed himself at Miss Pross's service. 杰瑞嘶声嘶气地表示愿为普洛丝小姐效劳。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
44 guilt 9e6xr     
n.犯罪;内疚;过失,罪责
参考例句:
  • She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
  • Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。
45 venom qLqzr     
n.毒液,恶毒,痛恨
参考例句:
  • The snake injects the venom immediately after biting its prey.毒蛇咬住猎物之后马上注入毒液。
  • In fact,some components of the venom may benefit human health.事实上,毒液的某些成分可能有益于人类健康。
46 curiously 3v0zIc     
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地
参考例句:
  • He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
  • He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
47 defiance RmSzx     
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗
参考例句:
  • He climbed the ladder in defiance of the warning.他无视警告爬上了那架梯子。
  • He slammed the door in a spirit of defiance.他以挑衅性的态度把门砰地一下关上。
48 veins 65827206226d9e2d78ea2bfe697c6329     
n.纹理;矿脉( vein的名词复数 );静脉;叶脉;纹理
参考例句:
  • The blood flows from the capillaries back into the veins. 血从毛细血管流回静脉。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I felt a pleasant glow in all my veins from the wine. 喝过酒后我浑身的血都热烘烘的,感到很舒服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
49 nought gHGx3     
n./adj.无,零
参考例句:
  • We must bring their schemes to nought.我们必须使他们的阴谋彻底破产。
  • One minus one leaves nought.一减一等于零。
50 meek x7qz9     
adj.温顺的,逆来顺受的
参考例句:
  • He expects his wife to be meek and submissive.他期望妻子温顺而且听他摆布。
  • The little girl is as meek as a lamb.那个小姑娘像羔羊一般温顺。
51 reins 370afc7786679703b82ccfca58610c98     
感情,激情; 缰( rein的名词复数 ); 控制手段; 掌管; (成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的)保护带
参考例句:
  • She pulled gently on the reins. 她轻轻地拉着缰绳。
  • The government has imposed strict reins on the import of luxury goods. 政府对奢侈品的进口有严格的控制手段。
52 followers 5c342ee9ce1bf07932a1f66af2be7652     
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件
参考例句:
  • the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
  • The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。
53 harassed 50b529f688471b862d0991a96b6a1e55     
adj. 疲倦的,厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • He has complained of being harassed by the police. 他投诉受到警方侵扰。
  • harassed mothers with their children 带着孩子的疲惫不堪的母亲们
54 bribery Lxdz7Z     
n.贿络行为,行贿,受贿
参考例句:
  • FBI found out that the senator committed bribery.美国联邦调查局查明这个参议员有受贿行为。
  • He was charged with bribery.他被指控受贿。
55 blight 0REye     
n.枯萎病;造成破坏的因素;vt.破坏,摧残
参考例句:
  • The apple crop was wiped out by blight.枯萎病使苹果全无收成。
  • There is a blight on all his efforts.他的一切努力都遭到挫折。
56 shameful DzzwR     
adj.可耻的,不道德的
参考例句:
  • It is very shameful of him to show off.他向人炫耀自己,真不害臊。
  • We must expose this shameful activity to the newspapers.我们一定要向报社揭露这一无耻行径。
57 accusation GJpyf     
n.控告,指责,谴责
参考例句:
  • I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
  • She knew that no one would believe her accusation.她知道没人会相信她的指控。
58 paltry 34Cz0     
adj.无价值的,微不足道的
参考例句:
  • The parents had little interest in paltry domestic concerns.那些家长对家里鸡毛蒜皮的小事没什么兴趣。
  • I'm getting angry;and if you don't command that paltry spirit of yours.我要生气了,如果你不能振作你那点元气。
59 drooped ebf637c3f860adcaaf9c11089a322fa5     
弯曲或下垂,发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Her eyelids drooped as if she were on the verge of sleep. 她眼睑低垂好像快要睡着的样子。
  • The flowers drooped in the heat of the sun. 花儿晒蔫了。
60 covet 8oLz0     
vt.垂涎;贪图(尤指属于他人的东西)
参考例句:
  • We do not covet anything from any nation.我们不觊觎任何国家的任何东西。
  • Many large companies covet these low-cost acquisition of troubled small companies.许多大公司都觊觎低价收购这些陷入困境的小公司。
61 curbing 8c36e8e7e184a75aca623e404655efad     
n.边石,边石的材料v.限制,克制,抑制( curb的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Progress has been made in curbing inflation. 在控制通货膨胀方面已取得了进展。
  • A range of policies have been introduced aimed at curbing inflation. 为了抑制通货膨胀实施了一系列的政策。
62 innocence ZbizC     
n.无罪;天真;无害
参考例句:
  • There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
  • The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。
63 founders 863257b2606659efe292a0bf3114782c     
n.创始人( founder的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • He was one of the founders of the university's medical faculty. 他是该大学医学院的创建人之一。 来自辞典例句
  • The founders of our religion made this a cornerstone of morality. 我们宗教的创始人把这看作是道德的基石。 来自辞典例句
64 miserable g18yk     
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的
参考例句:
  • It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他,这是可耻的。
  • Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。
65 desperately cu7znp     
adv.极度渴望地,绝望地,孤注一掷地
参考例句:
  • He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
  • He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。
66 wrung b11606a7aab3e4f9eebce4222a9397b1     
绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 ); 握紧(尤指别人的手); 把(湿衣服)拧干; 绞掉(水)
参考例句:
  • He has wrung the words from their true meaning. 他曲解这些字的真正意义。
  • He wrung my hand warmly. 他热情地紧握我的手。
67 apprenticed f2996f4d2796086e2fb6a3620103813c     
学徒,徒弟( apprentice的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I was apprenticed to a builder when I was fourteen. 14岁时,我拜一个建筑工人为师当学徒。
  • Lucius got apprenticed to a stonemason. 卢修斯成了石匠的学徒。
68 shuddered 70137c95ff493fbfede89987ee46ab86     
v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 );发抖;(机器、车辆等)突然震动;颤动
参考例句:
  • He slammed on the brakes and the car shuddered to a halt. 他猛踩刹车,车颤抖着停住了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I shuddered at the sight of the dead body. 我一看见那尸体就战栗。 来自《简明英汉词典》
69 albeit axiz0     
conj.即使;纵使;虽然
参考例句:
  • Albeit fictional,she seemed to have resolved the problem.虽然是虚构的,但是在她看来好象是解决了问题。
  • Albeit he has failed twice,he is not discouraged.虽然失败了两次,但他并没有气馁。
70 deposition MwOx4     
n.免职,罢官;作证;沉淀;沉淀物
参考例句:
  • It was this issue which led to the deposition of the king.正是这件事导致了国王被废黜。
  • This leads to calcium deposition in the blood-vessels.这导致钙在血管中沉积。
71 nun THhxK     
n.修女,尼姑
参考例句:
  • I can't believe that the famous singer has become a nun.我无法相信那个著名的歌星已做了修女。
  • She shaved her head and became a nun.她削发为尼。
72 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
73 spurned 69f2c0020b1502287bd3ff9d92c996f0     
v.一脚踢开,拒绝接受( spurn的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Eve spurned Mark's invitation. 伊夫一口回绝了马克的邀请。
  • With Mrs. Reed, I remember my best was always spurned with scorn. 对里德太太呢,我记得我的最大努力总是遭到唾弃。 来自辞典例句
74 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
75 gracefully KfYxd     
ad.大大方方地;优美地
参考例句:
  • She sank gracefully down onto a cushion at his feet. 她优雅地坐到他脚旁的垫子上。
  • The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line. 新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。
76 alas Rx8z1     
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等)
参考例句:
  • Alas!The window is broken!哎呀!窗子破了!
  • Alas,the truth is less romantic.然而,真理很少带有浪漫色彩。
77 tonsured b7741b10e61536f37f02e7c392944594     
v.剃( tonsure的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Uncle is a non-tonsured monk in this temple. 叔叔在这家寺庙当行者。 来自互联网


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