I do too ill in this,
And must not think but that a parent’s plaint
Will move the heavens to pour forth1 misery2
Upon the head of disobediency.
Yet reason tells us, parents are o’erseen,
When with too strict a rein3 they do hold in
Their child’s affection, and control that love,
Which the high powers divine inspire them with.
THE feast of Ravenswood Castle was as remarkable5 for its profusion6 as that of Wolf’s Crag had been for its ill-veiled penury7. The Lord Keeper might feel internal pride at the contrast, but he had too much tact8 to suffer it to appear. On the contrary, he seemed to remember with pleasure what he called Mr. Balderstone’s bachelor’s meal, and to be rather disgusted than pleaseed with the display upon his own groaning9 board.
“We do these things,” he said, “because others do them; but I was bred a plain man at my father’s frugal10 table, and I should like well would my wife and family permit me to return to my sowens and my poor-man-of-mutton.”
This was a little overstretched. The Master only answered, “That different ranks — I mean,” said he, correcting himself, “different degrees of wealth require a different style of housekeeping.”
This dry remark put a stop to further conversation on the subject, nor is it necessary to record that which was substituted in its place. The evening was spent with freedom, and even cordiality; and Henry had so far overcome his first apprehensions11, that he had settled a party for coursing a stag with the representative and living resemblance of grim Sir Malise of Ravenswood, called the Revenger. The next morning was the appointed time. It rose upon active sportsmen and successful sport. The banquet came in course; and a pressing invitation to tarry yet another day was given and accepted. This Ravenswood had resolved should be the last of his stay; but he recollected12 he had not yet visited the ancient and devoted13 servant of his house, Old Alice, and it was but kind to dedicate one morning to the gratification of so ancient an adherent15.
To visit Alice, therefore, a day was devoted, and Lucy was the Master’s guide upon the way. Henry, it is true, accompanied them, and took from their walk the air of a tete-a-tete, while, in reality, it was little else, considering the variety of circumstances which occurred to prevent the boy from giving the least attention to what passed between his companions. Now a rook settled on a branch within shot; anon a hare crossed their path, and Henry and his greyhound went astray in pursuit of it; then he had to hold a long conversation with the forester, which detained him a while behind his companions; and again he went to examine the earth of a badger16, which carried him on a good way before them.
The conversation betwixt the Master and his sister, meanwhile, took an interesting, and almost a confidential17, turn. She could not help mentioning her sense of the pain he must feel in visiting scenes so well known to him, bearing now an aspect so different; and so gently was her sympathy expressed, that Ravenswood felt it for a moment as a full requital18 of all his misfortunes. Some such sentiment escaped him, which Lucy heard with more of confusion than displeasure; and she may be forgiven the imprudence of listening to such language, considering that the situation in which she was placed by her father seemed to authorise Ravenswood to use it. Yet she made an effort to turn the conversation, and she succeeded; for the Master also had advanced farther than he intended, and his conscience had instantly checked him when he found himself on the verge19 of speaking of love to the daughter of Sir William Ashton.
They now approached the hut of Old Alice, which had of late been rendered more comfortable, and presented an appearance less picturesque20, perhaps, but far neater than before. The old woman was on her accustomed seat beneath the weeping birch, basking21, with the listless enjoyment22 of age and infirmity, in the beams of the autumn sun. At the arrival of her visitors she turned her head towards them. “I hear your step, Miss Ashton,” she said, “but the gentleman who attends you is not my lord, your father.”
“And why should you think so, Alice?” said Lucy; “or how is it possible for you to judge so accurately23 by the sound of a step, on this firm earth, and in the open air?”
“My hearing, my child, has been sharpened by my blindness, and I can now draw conclusions from the slightest sounds, which formerly24 reached my ears as unheeded as they now approach yours. Necessity is a stern but an excellent schoolmistress, and she that has lost her sight must collect her information from other sources.”
“Well, you hear a man’s step, I grant it,” said Lucy; “but why, Alice, may it not be my father’s?”
“The pace of age, my love, is timid and cautious: the foot takes leave of the earth slowly, and is planted down upon it with hesitation25; it is the hasty and determined26 step of youth that I now hear, and — could I give credit to so strange a thought — I should say is was the step of a Ravenswood.”
“This is indeed,” said Ravenswood, “an acuteness of organ which I could not have credited had I not witnessed it. I am indeed the Master of Ravenswood, Alice,— the son of your old master.”
“You!” said the old woman, with almost a scream of surprise —“you the Master of Ravenswood — here — in this place, and thus accompanied! I cannot believe it. Let me pass my old hand over your face, that my touch may bear witness to my ears.”
The Master sate27 down beside her on the earthen bank, and permitted her to touch his features with her trembling hand.
“It is indeed!” she said —“it is the features as well as the voice of Ravenswood — the high lines of pride, as well as the bold and haughty28 tone. But what do you here, Master of Ravenswood?— what do you in your enemy’s domain29, and in company with his child?” As Old Alice spoke30, her face kindled31, as probably that of an ancient feudal32 vassal33 might have done in whose presence his youthful liege-lord had showed some symptom of degenerating34 from the spirit of his ancestors.
“The Master of Ravenswood,” said Lucy, who liked not the tone of this expostulation, and was desirous to abridge35 it, “is upon a visit to my father.”
“Indeed!” said the old blind woman, in an accent of surprise.
“I knew,” continued Lucy, “I should do him a pleasure by conducting him to your cottage.”
“Where, to say the truth, Alice,” said Ravenswood, “I expected a more cordial reception.”
“It is most wonderful!” said the old woman, muttering to herself; “but the ways of Heaven are not like our ways, and its judgments37 are brought about by means far beyond our fathoming38. Hearken, young man,” she said; “your fathers were implacable, but they were honourable39, foes40; they sought not to ruin their enemies under the mask of hospitality. What have you to do with Lucy Ashton? why should your steps move in the same footpath41 with hers? why should your voice sound in the same chord and time with those of Sir William Ashton’s daughter? Young man, he who aims at revenge by dishonourable means ——”
“Be silent, woman!” said Ravenswood, sternly; “it is the devil that prompts your voice? Know that this young lady has not on earth a friend who would venture farther to save her from injury or from insult.”
“And is it even so?” said the old woman, in an altered but melancholy42 tone, “then God help you both!”
“Amen! Alice,” said Lucy, who had not comprehended the import of what the blind woman had hinted, “and send you your senses, Alice, and your good humour. If you hold this mysterious language, instead of welcoming your friends, they will think of you as other people do.”
“And how do other people think?” said Ravenswood, for he also began to believe the old woman spoke with incoherence.
“They think,” said Henry Ashton, who came up at that moment, and whispered into Ravenswood’s ear, “that she is a witch, that should have been burned with them that suffered at Haddington.”
“What is it you say?” said Alice, turning towards the boy, her sightless visage inflamed43 with passion; “that I am a witch, and ought to have suffered with the helpless old wretches44 who were murdered at Haddington?”
“Hear to that now,” again whispered Henry, “and me whispering lower than a wren45 cheeps!”
“If the usurer, and the oppressor, and the grinder of the poor man’s face, and the remover of ancient landmarks46, and the subverter47 of ancient houses, were at the same stake with me, I could say, ‘Light the fire, in God’s name!’”
“This is dreadful,” said Lucy; “I have never seen the poor deserted49 woman in this state of mind; but age and poverty can ill bear reproach. Come, Henry, we will leave her for the present; she wishes to speak with the Master alone. We will walk homeward, and rest us,” she added, looking at Ravenswood, “by the Mermaiden’s Well.” “And Alice,” said the boy, “if you know of any hare that comes through among the deer, and makes them drop their calves50 out of season, you may tell her, with my compliments to command, that if Norman has not got a silver bullet ready for her, I’ll lend him one of my doublet-buttons on purpose.”
Alice made no answer till she was aware that the sister and brother were out of hearing. She then said to Ravenswood: “And you, too, are angry with me for my love? It is just that strangers should be offended, but you, too, are angry!”
“I am not angry, Alice,” said the Master, “only surprised that you, whose good sense I have heard so often praised, should give way to offensive and unfounded suspicions.”
“Offensive!” said Alice. “Ay, trust is ever offensive; but, surely, not unfounded.”
“I tell you, dame51, most groundless,” replied Ravenswood.
“Then the world has changed its wont52, and the Ravenswoods their hereditary53 temper, and the eyes of Old Alice’s understanding are yet more blind than those of her countenance54. When did a Ravenswood seek the house of his enemy but with the purpose of revenge? and hither are you come, Edgar Ravenswood, either in fatal anger or in still more fatal love.”
“In neither,” said Ravenswood, “I give you mine honour — I mean, I assure you.”
Alice could not see his blushing cheek, but she noticed his hesitation, and that he retracted55 the pledge which he seemed at first disposed to attach to his denial.
“It is so, then,” she said, “and therefore she is to tarry by the Mermaiden’s Well! Often has it been called a place fatal to the race of Ravenswood — often has it proved so; but never was it likely to verify old sayings as much as on this day.”
“You drive me to madness, Alice,” said Ravenswood; “you are more silly and more superstitious56 than old Balderstone. Are you such a wretched Christian57 as to suppose I would in the present day levy58 war against the Ashton family, as was the sanguinary custom in elder times? or do you suppose me so foolish, that I cannot walk by a young lady’s side without plunging59 headlong in love with her?”
“My thoughts,” replied Alice, “are my own; and if my mortal sight is closed to objects present with me, it may be I can look with more steadiness into future events. Are you prepared to sit lowest at the board which was once your father’s own, unwillingly60, as a connexion and ally of his proud successor? Are you ready to live on his bounty61; to follow him in the bye-paths of intrigue62 and chicane, which none can better point out to you; to gnaw63 the bones of his prey64 when he has devoured65 the substance? Can you say as Sir William Ashton says, think as he thinks, vote as he votes, and call your father’s murderer your worshipful father-inlaw and revered66 patron? Master of Ravenswood, I am the eldest67 servant of your house, and I would rather see you shrouded68 and coffined69!”
The tumult70 in Ravenswood’s mind was uncommonly71 great; she struck upon and awakened72 a chord which he had for some time successfully silenced. He strode backwards73 and forwards through the little garden with a hasty pace; and at length checking himself, and stopping right opposite to Alice, he exclaimed: “Woman! on the verge of the grave, dare you urge the son of your master to blood and to revenge?”
“God forbid!” said Alice, solemnly; “and therefore I would have you depart these fatal bounds, where your love, as well as your hatred74, threatens sure mischief75, or at least disgrace, both to yourself and others. I would shield, were it in the power of this withered76 hand, the Ashtons from you, and you from them, and both from their own passions. You can have nothing — ought to have nothing, in common with them. Begone from among them; and if God has destined77 vengeance78 on the oppressor’s house, do not you be the instrument.”
“I will think on what you have said, Alice,” said Ravenswood, more composedly. “I believe you mean truly and faithfully by me, but you urge the freedom of an ancient domestic somewhat too far. But farewell; and if Heaven afford me better means, I will not fail to contribute to your comfort.”
He attempted to put a piece of gold into her hand, which she refused to receive; and, in the slight struggle attending his wish to force it upon her, it dropped to the earth.
“Let it remain an instant on the ground,” said Alice, as the Master stooped to raise it; “and believe me, that piece of gold is an emblem79 of her whom you love; she is as precious, I grant, but you must stoop even to abasement80 before you can win her. For me, I have as little to do with gold as with earthly passions; and the best news that the world has in store for me is, that Edgar Ravenswood is an hundred miles distant from the seat of his ancestors, with the determination never again to behold81 it.”
“Alice,” said the Master, who began to think this earnestness had some more secret cause than arose from anything that the blind woman could have gathered from this casual visit, “I have heard you praised by my mother for your sense, acuteness, and fidelity82; you are no fool to start at shadows, or to dread48 old superstitious saws, like Caleb Balderstone; tell me distinctly where my danger lies, if you are aware of any which is tending towards me. If I know myself, I am free from all such views respecting Miss Ashton as you impute83 to me. I have necessary business to settle with Sir William; that arranged, I shall depart, and with as little wish, as you may easily believe, to return to a place full of melancholy subjects of reflection, as you have to see me here.” Alice bent84 her sightless eyes on the ground, and was for some time plunged85 in deep meditation86. “I will speak the truth,” she said at length, raising up her head —“I will tell you the source of my apprehensions, whether my candour be for good or for evil. Lucy Ashton loves you, Lord of Ravenswood!”
“It is impossible,” said the Master.
“A thousand circumstances have proved it to me,” replied the blind woman. “Her thoughts have turned on no one else since you saved her from death, and that my experienced judgment36 has won from her own conversation. Having told you this — if you are indeed a gentleman and your father’s son — you will make it a motive87 for flying from her presence. Her passion will die like a lamp for want of that the flame should feed upon; but, if you remain here, her destruction, or yours, or that of both, will be the inevitable88 consequence of her misplaced attachment89. I tell you this secret unwillingly, but it could not have been hid long from your own observation, and it is better you learn it from mine. Depart, Master of Ravenswood; you have my secret. If you remain an hour under Sir William Ashton’s roof without the resolution to marry his daughter, you are a villain90; if with the purpose of allying yourself with kin14, you are an infatuated and predestined fool.”
So saying, the old blind woman arose, assumed her staff, and, tottering91 to her hut, entered it and closed the door, leaving Ravenswood to his own reflections.
1 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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2 misery | |
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦 | |
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3 rein | |
n.疆绳,统治,支配;vt.以僵绳控制,统治 | |
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4 hog | |
n.猪;馋嘴贪吃的人;vt.把…占为己有,独占 | |
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5 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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6 profusion | |
n.挥霍;丰富 | |
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7 penury | |
n.贫穷,拮据 | |
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8 tact | |
n.机敏,圆滑,得体 | |
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9 groaning | |
adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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10 frugal | |
adj.节俭的,节约的,少量的,微量的 | |
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11 apprehensions | |
疑惧 | |
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12 recollected | |
adj.冷静的;镇定的;被回忆起的;沉思默想的v.记起,想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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14 kin | |
n.家族,亲属,血缘关系;adj.亲属关系的,同类的 | |
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15 adherent | |
n.信徒,追随者,拥护者 | |
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16 badger | |
v.一再烦扰,一再要求,纠缠 | |
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17 confidential | |
adj.秘(机)密的,表示信任的,担任机密工作的 | |
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18 requital | |
n.酬劳;报复 | |
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19 verge | |
n.边,边缘;v.接近,濒临 | |
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20 picturesque | |
adj.美丽如画的,(语言)生动的,绘声绘色的 | |
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21 basking | |
v.晒太阳,取暖( bask的现在分词 );对…感到乐趣;因他人的功绩而出名;仰仗…的余泽 | |
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22 enjoyment | |
n.乐趣;享有;享用 | |
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23 accurately | |
adv.准确地,精确地 | |
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24 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
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25 hesitation | |
n.犹豫,踌躇 | |
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26 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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27 sate | |
v.使充分满足 | |
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28 haughty | |
adj.傲慢的,高傲的 | |
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29 domain | |
n.(活动等)领域,范围;领地,势力范围 | |
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30 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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31 kindled | |
(使某物)燃烧,着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 ); 激起(感情等); 发亮,放光 | |
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32 feudal | |
adj.封建的,封地的,领地的 | |
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33 vassal | |
n.附庸的;属下;adj.奴仆的 | |
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34 degenerating | |
衰退,堕落,退化( degenerate的现在分词 ) | |
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35 abridge | |
v.删减,删节,节略,缩短 | |
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36 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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37 judgments | |
判断( judgment的名词复数 ); 鉴定; 评价; 审判 | |
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38 fathoming | |
测量 | |
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39 honourable | |
adj.可敬的;荣誉的,光荣的 | |
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40 foes | |
敌人,仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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41 footpath | |
n.小路,人行道 | |
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42 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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43 inflamed | |
adj.发炎的,红肿的v.(使)变红,发怒,过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44 wretches | |
n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 );可怜的人;恶棍;坏蛋 | |
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45 wren | |
n.鹪鹩;英国皇家海军女子服务队成员 | |
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46 landmarks | |
n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 );目标;(标志重要阶段的)里程碑 ~ (in sth);有历史意义的建筑物(或遗址) | |
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47 subverter | |
n.颠覆者,破坏者 | |
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48 dread | |
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
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49 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
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50 calves | |
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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51 dame | |
n.女士 | |
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52 wont | |
adj.习惯于;v.习惯;n.习惯 | |
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53 hereditary | |
adj.遗传的,遗传性的,可继承的,世袭的 | |
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54 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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55 retracted | |
v.撤回或撤消( retract的过去式和过去分词 );拒绝执行或遵守;缩回;拉回 | |
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56 superstitious | |
adj.迷信的 | |
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57 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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58 levy | |
n.征收税或其他款项,征收额 | |
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59 plunging | |
adj.跳进的,突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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60 unwillingly | |
adv.不情愿地 | |
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61 bounty | |
n.慷慨的赠予物,奖金;慷慨,大方;施与 | |
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62 intrigue | |
vt.激起兴趣,迷住;vi.耍阴谋;n.阴谋,密谋 | |
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63 gnaw | |
v.不断地啃、咬;使苦恼,折磨 | |
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64 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
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65 devoured | |
吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 ); 耗尽; 津津有味地看; 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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66 revered | |
v.崇敬,尊崇,敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67 eldest | |
adj.最年长的,最年老的 | |
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68 shrouded | |
v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 );保密 | |
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69 coffined | |
vt.收殓(coffin的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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70 tumult | |
n.喧哗;激动,混乱;吵闹 | |
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71 uncommonly | |
adv. 稀罕(极,非常) | |
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72 awakened | |
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到 | |
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73 backwards | |
adv.往回地,向原处,倒,相反,前后倒置地 | |
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74 hatred | |
n.憎恶,憎恨,仇恨 | |
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75 mischief | |
n.损害,伤害,危害;恶作剧,捣蛋,胡闹 | |
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76 withered | |
adj. 枯萎的,干瘪的,(人身体的部分器官)因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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77 destined | |
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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78 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
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79 emblem | |
n.象征,标志;徽章 | |
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80 abasement | |
n.滥用 | |
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81 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
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82 fidelity | |
n.忠诚,忠实;精确 | |
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83 impute | |
v.归咎于 | |
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84 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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85 plunged | |
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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86 meditation | |
n.熟虑,(尤指宗教的)默想,沉思,(pl.)冥想录 | |
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87 motive | |
n.动机,目的;adv.发动的,运动的 | |
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88 inevitable | |
adj.不可避免的,必然发生的 | |
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89 attachment | |
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附 | |
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90 villain | |
n.反派演员,反面人物;恶棍;问题的起因 | |
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91 tottering | |
adj.蹒跚的,动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 );踉跄;蹒跚;摇摇欲坠 | |
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