THE unfitting, however customary, occasion of this speedy repetition of public amusement in the town of Northwick, was, that the county assizes were now held there; and the arrival of the judges of the land, to hear causes which kept life or death suspended, was the signal for entertainment to the surrounding neighbourhood: a hardening of human feelings against human crimes and human miseries1, at which reflection revolts, however habit may persevere2.
The young men, who rode on first, joined the ladies as they entered the town, and told them to drive straight to the ballroom3, where the company had assembled, in consequence of a shower of rain which had forced them from the public garden intended for the breakfast.
Here, as they stopt, a poor woman, nearly in rags, with one child by her side, and another in her arms, approached the carriage, and presenting a petition, besought4 the ladies to read or hear her case. Eugenia, with the ready impulse of generous affluence5, instantly felt for her purse; but Miss Margland, angrily holding her hand, said, with authority: ‘Miss Eugenia, never encourage beggars; you don’t know the mischief6 you may do by it.’ Eugenia reluctantly desisted, but made a sign to her footman to give something for her. Edgar then alighting, advanced to hand them from the coach, while Lionel ran forward to settle their tickets of admittance.
The woman now grew more urgent in her Supplications, and Miss Margland in her remonstrances7 against attending to them.
Indiana, who was placed under the care of Edgar, enchanted9 to again display herself where sure of again being admired, neither heard nor saw the petitioner10; but dimpling and smiling, quickened her motions towards the assembly room: while Camilla, who was last, stopping short, said: ‘What is the matter, poor woman?’ and took her paper to examine.
Miss Margland, snatching it from her, threw it on the ground, peremptorily11 saying: ‘Miss Camilla, if once you begin such a thing as that, there will be no end to it; so come along with the rest of your company, like other people.’
She then haughtily12 proceeded; but Camilla, brought up by her admirable parents never to pass distress13 without inquiry14, nor to refuse giving at all, because she could give but little, remained with the poor object, and repeated her question. The woman, shedding a torrent15 of tears, said she was wife to one of the prisoners who was to be tried the next day, and who expected to lose his life, or be transported, for only one bad action of stealing a leg of mutton; which, though she knew it to be a sin, was not without excuse, being a first offence, and committed in poverty and sickness. And this, she was told, the judges would take into consideration; but her husband was now so ill, that he could not feed on the gaol16 allowance, and not having wherewithal to buy any other, would either die before his trial, or be too weak to make known his sad story in his own behalf, for want of some wine or some broth17 to support him in the meanwhile.
Camilla, hastily giving her a shilling, took one of her petitions, and promising18 to do all in her power to serve her, left the poor creature almost choaked with sobbing19 joy. She was flying to join her party, when she perceived Edgar at her side. ‘I came to see,’ cried he, with glistening20 eyes, ‘if you were running away from us; but you were doing far better in not thinking of us at all.’
Camilla, accustomed from her earliest childhood to attend to the indigent21 and unhappy, felt neither retreating shame, nor parading pride in the office; she gave him the petition of the poor woman, and begged he would consider if there was any thing that could be done for her husband.
‘I have received a paper from herself,’ he answered, ‘before you alighted; and I hope I should not have neglected it: but I will now take yours, that my memory may run no risk.’
They then went on to the assembly room.
The company, which was numerous, was already seated at breakfast. Indiana and Camilla, now first surveyed by daylight, again attracted all eyes; but, in the simplicity22 of undress, the superiority of Indiana was no longer wholly unrivalled, though the general voice was still strongly in her favour.
Indiana was a beauty of so regular a cast, that her face had no feature, no look to which criticism could point as susceptible23 of improvement, or on which admiration24 could dwell with more delight than on the rest. No statuary could have modelled her form with more exquisite25 symmetry; no painter have harmonised her complexion26 with greater brilliancy of colouring. But here ended the liberality of nature, which, in not sullying this fair workmanship by inclosing in it what was bad, contentedly28 left it vacant of whatever was noble and desirable.
The beauty of Camilla, though neither perfect nor regular, had an influence so peculiar29 on the beholder30, it was hard to catch its fault; and the cynic connoisseur31, who might persevere in seeking it, would involuntarily surrender the strict rules of his art to the predominance of its loveliness. Even judgment32 itself, the coolest and last betrayed of our faculties33, she took by surprise, though it was not till she was absent the seizure34 was detected. Her disposition35 was ardent36 in sincerity37, her mind untainted with evil. The reigning38 and radical39 defect of her character-an imagination that submitted to no control-proved not any antidote40 against her attractions; it caught, by its force and fire, the quick-kindling admiration of the lively; it possessed41, by magnetic pervasion42, the witchery to create sympathy in the most serious.
In their march up the room, Camilla was spoken to by a person from the tea-table, who was distinct from every other, by being particularly ill dressed; and who, though she did not know him, asked her how she did, with a familiar look of intimacy44. She slightly curtsied, and endeavoured to draw her party more nimbly on; when another person, equally conspicuous45, though from being accoutred in the opposite extreme of full dress, quitting his seat, formally made up to her, and drawing on a stiff pair of new gloves as he spoke43, said: ‘So you are come at last, ma’am! I began to think you would not come at all, begging that gentleman’s pardon, who told me to the contrary last night, when I thought, thinks I, here I’ve bought these new gloves, for no reason but to oblige the young lady, and now I might as well not have bought ’em at all.’ Camilla, ready to laugh, yet much provoked at this renewed claim from her old persecutor46, Mr. Dubster, looked vainly for redress47 at the mischievous48 Lionel, who archly answered: ‘O, ay, true, sister; I told the gentleman, last night, you would be sure to make him amends49 this morning for putting him to so much expence.’
‘I’m sure, Sir,’ said Mr. Dubster, ‘I did not speak for that, expence being no great matter to me at this time; only nobody likes to fool away their money for nothing.’
Edgar having now, at the end of one of the tables, secured places for the ladies, Lionel again, in defiance50 of the frowns of Miss Margland, invited Mr. Dubster to join them: even the appealing looks of Camilla served but to increase her brother’s ludicrous diversion, in coupling her with so ridiculous a companion; who, without seeming at all aware of the liberty he was taking, engrossed51 her wholly.
‘So I see, ma’am,’ he cried, pointing to Eugenia, ‘you’ve brought that limping little body with you again? Tom Hicks had like to have took me in finely about her! He thought she was the great fortune of these here parts; and if it had not been for the young gentleman, I might have known no better neither, for there’s half the room in the same scrape at this minute.’
Observing Camilla regard him with an unpleasant surprise, he more solemnly added: ‘I ask pardon, ma’am, for mentioning the thing, which I only do in excuse for what I said last night, not knowing then you was the fortune yourself.’
An eager sign of silence from Lionel, forbade her explaining this mistake; Mr. Dubster, therefore, proceeded:
‘When Tom Hicks told me about it, I said at the time, says I, she looks more like to some sort of a humble52 young person, just brought out of a little good-nature to see the company, and the like of that; for she’s not a bit like a lady of fortunes, with that nudging look; and I said to Tom Hicks, by way of joke, says I, if I was to think of her, which I don’t think I shall, at least she would not be much in my way, for she could not follow a body much about, because of that hitch53 in her gait, for I’m a pretty good walker.’
Here the ill dressed man, who had already spoken to Camilla, quitting his seat, strolled up to her, and fastening his eyes upon her face, though without bowing, made some speech about the weather, with the lounging freedom of manner of a confirmed old acquaintance. His whole appearance had an air of even wilful54 slovenliness56: His hair was uncombed; he was in boots, which were covered with mud; his coat seemed to have been designedly immersed in powder, and his universal negligence57 was not only shabby but uncleanly. Astonished and offended by his forwardness, Camilla turned entirely58 away from him.
Not disconcerted by this distance, he procured59 a chair, upon which he cast himself, perfectly60 at his case, immediately behind her.
Just as the general breakfast was over, and the waiters were summoned to clear away the tables, and prepare the room for dancing, the lady who had so strikingly made her appearance the preceding evening, again entered. She was alone, as before, and walked up the room with the same decided61 air of indifference62 to all opinion; sometimes knotting with as much diligence and earnestness as if her subsistence depended upon the rapidity of her work; and at other times stopping short, she applied63 to her eye a near sighted glass, which hung to her finger, and intently examined some particular person or group; then, with a look of absence, as if she had not seen a creature, she hummed an opera song to herself, and proceeded. Her rouge64 was remarkably65 well put on, and her claim to being still a fine woman, though past her prime, was as obvious as it was conscious: Her dress was more fantastic and studied than the night before, in the same proportion as that of every other person present was more simple and quiet; and the commanding air of her countenance66, and the easiness of her carriage, spoke a confirmed internal assurance, that her charms and her power were absolute, wherever she thought their exertion67 worth her trouble.
When she came to the head of the room, she turned about, and, with her glass, surveyed the whole company; then smilingly advancing to the sloven55, whom Camilla was shunning68, she called out: ‘O! are you there? what rural deity69 could break your rest so early?’
‘None!’ answered he, rubbing his eyes; ‘I am invulnerably asleep at this very moment! In the very center of the morphetic dominions70. But how barbarously late you are! I should never have come to this vastly horrid71 place before my ride, if I had imagined you could be so excruciating.’
Struck with a jargon72 of which she could not suspect two persons to be capable, Camilla turned round to her slighted neighbour, and with the greatest surprise recognised, upon examination, the most brilliant beau of the preceding evening, in the worst dressed man of the present morning.
The lady now, again holding her glass to her eye, which she directed without scruple73 towards Camilla and her party, said: ‘Who have you got there?’
Camilla looked hastily away, and her whole set, abashed74 by so unseasoned an inquiry, cast down their eyes.
‘Hey!’ cried he, calmly viewing them, as if for the first time himself: ‘Why, I’ll tell you!’ Then making her bend to hear his whisper, which, nevertheless, was by no means intended for her own ear alone, he added: ‘Two little things as pretty as angels, and two others as ugly as–I say no more!’
‘O, I take in the full force of your metaphor75!’ cried she, laughing; ‘and acknowledge the truth of its contrast.’
Camilla alone, as they meant, had heard them; and ashamed for herself, and provoked to find Eugenia coupled with Miss Margland, she endeavoured to converse76 with some of her own society; but their attention was entirely engaged by the whispers; nor could she, for more than a minute, deny her own curiosity the pleasure of observing them.
They now spoke together for some time in low voices, laughing immoderately at the occasional sallies of each other; Sir Sedley Clarendel sitting at his ease, Mrs. Arlbery standing77, and knotting by his side.
The officers, and almost all the beaux, began to crowd to this spot; but neither the gentleman nor the lady interrupted their discourse78 to return or receive any salutations. Lionel, who with much eagerness had quitted an inside seat at a long table, to pay his court to Mrs. Arlbery, could catch neither her eye nor her ear for his bow or his compliment.
Sir Sedley, at last, looking up in her face and smiling, said: ‘A’n’t you shockingly tired?’
‘To death!’ answered she, coolly.
‘Why then, I am afraid, I must positively79 do the thing that’s old fashioned.’
And rising, and making her a very elegant bow, he presented her his seat, adding: ‘There, ma’am! I have the honour to give you my chair-at the risk of my reputation.’
‘I should have thought,’ cried Lionel, now getting forward ‘that omitting to give it would rather have risked your reputation.’
‘It is possible you could be born before all that was over?’ said Mrs. Arlbery, dropping carelessly upon the chair as she perceived Lionel, whom she honoured with a nod: ‘How do do, Mr. Tyrold? are you just come in?’ But turning again to Sir Sedley, without waiting for his answer, ‘I swear, you barbarian,’ she cried, ‘you have really almost killed me with fatigue80.’
‘Have I indeed?’ said he, smiling.
Mr. Dubster now, leaning over the table, solemnly said: ‘I am sure I should have offered the lady my own place, if I had not been so tired myself; but Tom Hicks over-persuaded me to dance a bit before you came in, ma’am,’ addressing Camilla, ‘for you have lost a deal of dancing by coming so late; for they all fell to as soon as ever they come; and, as I’m not over and above used to it, it soon makes one a little stiffish, as one may say; and indeed, the lady’s much better off in getting a chair, for one sits mighty81 little at one’s ease on these here benches, with nothing to lean one’s back against.’
‘And who’s that?’ cried Mrs. Arlbery to Sir Sedley, looking Mr. Dubster full in the face.
Sir Sedley made some answer in a whisper, which proved highly entertaining to them both. Mr. Dubster, with an air much offended, said to Camilla: ‘People’s laughing and whispering, which one don’t know what it’s about, is not one of the politest things, I know, for polite people to do; and, in my mind, they ought to be above it.’
This resentment82 excited Lionel to join in the laugh; and Mr.. Dubster, with great gravity of manner, rose, and said to Camilla: ‘When you are ready to dance, ma’am, I am willing to be your partner, and I shan’t engage myself to nobody else; but I shall go to t’other end of the room till you choose to stand up; for I don’t much care to stay here, only to be laughed at, when I don’t know what it’s for.’
They now all left the table; and Lionel eagerly begged permission to introduce his sisters and and cousin to Mrs. Arlbery, who readily consented to the proposal.
Indiana advanced with pleasure into a circle of beaux, whose eyes were most assiduous to welcome her. Camilla, though a little alarmed in being presented to a lady of so singular a deportment, had yet a curiosity to see more of her, that willingly seconded her brother’s motion. And Eugenia, to whose early reflecting mind every new character and new scene opened a fresh fund for thought, if not for knowledge, was charmed to take a nearer view of what promised such food for observation, But Miss Margland began an angry remonstrance8 against the proceedings83 of Lionel, in thus taking out of her hands the direction of her charges. What she urged, however, was vain: Lionel was only diverted by her wrath84, and the three young ladies, as they had not requested the introduction, did not feel themselves responsible for its taking effect.
Lionel led them on: Mrs. Arlbery half rose to return their curtsies; and gave them a reception so full of vivacity85 and good humour, that they soon forgot the ill will with which Miss Margland had suffered them to quit her; and even lost all recollection that it belonged to them to return to her. The satisfaction of Indiana, indeed, flowed simply from the glances of admiration which every where met her eye; but Eugenia attended to every word, and every motion of Mrs. Arlbery, with that sort of earnestness which marks an intelligent child at a first play; and Camilla, still more struck by the novelty of this new acquaintance scarce permitted herself to breathe, lest she should lose anything she said.
Mrs. Arlbery perceived their youthful wonder, and felt propensity86 to increase it, which strengthened all her powers, and called forth87 all her faculties. Wit she possessed at will; and, with exertions88 which rendered it uncommonly89 brilliant, she displayed it, now to them, now to the gentlemen, with a gaiety so fantastic, a raillery so arch, a spirit of satire90 so seasoned with a delight in coquetry, and a certain negligence of air so enlivened by a whimsical pleasantry, that she could not have failed to strike with admiration even the most hackneyed seekers of character; much less the inexperienced young creatures now presented to her; who with open eyes and ears, regarded her as a phenomenon, upon finding that the splendor92 of her talents equalled the singularity of her manners.
When the room was prepared for dancing, Major Cerwood brought to Indiana Mr. Macdersey, the young Ensign who had so improperly93 addressed her at the ball; and, after a formal apology, in his name, for what had passed, begged the honour of her hand for him this morning. Indiana, flattered and fluttered together by this ceremony, almost forgot Edgar, who stood quietly but watchfully94 aloof95, and was actually giving her consent when, meeting his eye, she recollected96 she was already engaged. Mr. Macdersey hoped for more success another time, and Edgar advanced to lead his fair partner to her place.
Major Cerwood offered himself to Camilla; but Mr. Dubster coming forward, pulled him by the elbow, and making a stiff low bow, said: ‘Sir, I ask your pardon for taking the liberty of giving you such a jog, but the young lady’s been engaged to me ever so long.’ The Major looked surprised; but, observing that Camilla coloured, he bowed respectfully and retreated.
Camilla, ashamed of her beau, determined97 not to dance at all: though she saw, with much vexation, upon the general dispersion, Miss Margland approach to claim her. Educated in all the harmony of contentment and benevolence98, she had a horrour of a temper so irascible, that made it a penance99 to remain a moment in its vicinity. Mr. Dubster, however, left her not alone to it: when she positively refused his hand, he said it was equal agreeable to him to have only a little dish of chat with her; and composedly stationed himself before her. Eugenia had already been taken out by the handsome stranger, with whom she had danced the evening before; and Lionel, bewitched with Mrs. Arlbery, enlisted100 himself entirely in her train; and with Sir Sedley Clarendel, and almost every man of any consequence in the room, declined all dancing for the pleasure of attending her.
Mr. Dubster, unacquainted with the natural high spirits of Camilla, inferred nothing to his own disadvantage from her silence, but talked incessantly101 himself with perfect complacency. ‘Do you know, ma’am,’ cried he, ‘just as that elderly lady, that, I suppose, is your mamma, took you all away in that hurry last night, up comes the boy with my new pair of gloves! but, though I run down directly to tell you of it, there was no making the old lady stop; which I was fool to try at; for as to women, I know their obstinacy102 of old. But what I grudged103 the most was, as soon as I come up again, as ill luck would have it, Tom Hicks finds me my own t’other glove! So there I had two pair, when I might as well have had never a one!’
Observing that Eugenia was dancing, ‘Lack a-day!’ he exclaimed, ‘I’ll lay a wager104 that poor gentleman has been took in, just as I was yesterday! He thinks that young lady that’s had the small-pox so bad, is you, ma’am! ’Twould be a fine joke if such a mistake as that should get the little lame105 duck, as I call her, a husband! He’d be in a fine hobble when he found he’d got nothing but her ugly face for his bargain. Though, provided she’d had the rhino106, it would not much have signified: for, as to being pretty or not, it’s not great matter in a wife. A man soon tires of seeing nothing but the same face, if it’s one of the best.’
Camilla here, in the midst of her chagrin107, could not forbear asking him if he was married? ‘Yes, ma’am,’ answered he calmly, ‘I’ve had two wives to my share already; so I know what I’m speaking of; though I’ve buried them both. Why it was all along of my wives, what with the money I had with one, and what with the money I had with the other, that I got out of business so soon.’
‘You were very much obliged to them, then?’
‘Why, yes, ma’am, as to that, I can’t say to the contrary, now that they’re gone: but I can’t say I had much comfort with ’em while they lived. They was always a thinking they had a right to what they had a mind, because of what they brought me; so that I had enough to do to scrape a little matter together, in case of outliving them. One of ’em has not been dead above a twelvemonth, or there about; these are the first clothes I’ve bought since I left off my blacks.’
When Indiana past them, he expressed his admiration of her beauty. ‘That young lady, ma’am,’ he said, ‘cuts you all up, sure enough. She’s as fine a piece of red and white as ever I see. I could think of such a young lady as that myself, if I did not remember that I thought no more of my wife that was pretty, than of my wife that was ugly, after the first month or so. Beauty goes for a mere108 nothing in matrimony, when once one’s used to it. Besides, I’ve no great thoughts at present of entering into the state again of one while, at any rate, being but just got to be a little comfortable.’
The second dance was now called, when Mrs. Arlbery, coming suddenly behind Camilla, said, in a low voice, ‘Do you know who you are talking with?’
‘No, ma’am!’
‘A young tinker, my dear! that’s all!’ And, with a provoking nod, she retreated.
Camilla, half ready to laugh, half to cry, restrained herself with difficulty from running after her; and Mr. Dubster, observing that she abruptly109 turned away, and would listen no more, again claimed her for his partner; and, upon her absolute refusal, surprised and affronted110, walked off in silence. She was then finally condemned111 to the morose112 society of Miss Margland: and invectives against Sir Hugh for mismanagement, and Lionel, with whom now that lady was at open war, for impertinence, filled up the rest of her time, till the company was informed that refreshments113 were served in the card-room.
Thither114, immediately, every body flocked, with as much speed and avidity, as if they had learnt to appreciate the blessing115 of plenty, by the experience of want. Such is the vacancy116 of dissipated pleasure, that, never satisfied with what it possesses, an opening always remains117 for something yet to be tried, and, on that something still to come, all enjoyment118 seems to depend.
The day beginning now to clear, the sashes of a large bow window were thrown up. Sir Sedley Clarendel sauntered thither, and instantly everybody followed, as if there were no breathing anywhere else; declaring, while they pressed upon one another almost to suffocation119, that nothing was so reviving as the fresh air: and, in a minute, not a creature was to be seen in any other part of the room.
Here, in full view, stood sundry120 hapless relations of the poorer part of the prisoners to be tried the next morning, who, with supplicating121 hands and eyes, implored122 the compassion123 of the company, whom their very calamities124 assembled for amusement.
Nobody took any notice of them; nobody appeared even to see them: but, one by one, all glided125 gently away, and the bow window was presently the only empty space in the apartment.
Camilla, contented27 with having already presented her mite126, and Eugenia, with having given her’s in commission, retired127 unaffectedly with the rest; while Miss Margland, shrugging up her shoulders, and declaring there was no end of beggars, pompously128 added, ‘However, we gave before we came in.’
Presently, a paper was handed about, to collect half guineas for a raffle129. A beautiful locket, set round with pearls, ornamented130 at the top with a little knot of small brilliants, and very elegantly shaped, with a space left for a braid of hair, or a cypher, was produced; and, as if by magnetic power, attracted into almost every hand the capricious coin, which distress, but the moment before had repelled131.
Miss Margland lamented132 she had only guineas or silver, but suffered Edgar to be her paymaster; privately133 resolving, that, if she won the locket, she would remember the debt: Eugenia, amused in seeing the humour of all that was going forward, readily put in; Indiana, satisfied her uncle would repay the expences of the day, with a heart panting from hope of the prize, did the same; but Camilla hung back, totally unused to hazard upon what was unnecessary the little allowance she had been taught to spend sparingly upon herself, that something might be always in her power to bestow134 upon others. The character of this raffle was not of that interesting nature which calls forth from the affluent135 and easy respect as well as aid: the prize belonged to no one whom adversity compelled to change what once was an innocent luxury, into the means of subsistence; it was the mere common mode of getting rid of a mere common bauble136, which no one had thought worth the full price affixed137 to it by its toyman. She knew not, however, till now, how hard to resist was the contagion138 of example, and felt a struggle in her self-denial, that made her, when she put the locket down, withdraw from the crowd, and resolve not to look at it again.
Edgar, who had observed her, read her secret conflict with an emotion which impelled139 him to follow her, that he might express his admiration; but he was stopt by Mrs. Arlbery, who just then hastily attacked her with, ‘What have you done with your friend the tinker, my dear?’
Camilla, laughing, though extremely ashamed, said, she knew nothing at all about him.
‘You talked with him, then, by way of experiment, to see how you might like him?’
‘No, indeed! I merely answered him when I could not help it; but still I thought, at a ball, gentlemen only would present themselves.’
‘And how many couple,’ said Mrs. Aribery, smiling, ‘do you calculate would, in that case, stand up?’
She then ordered one of the beaux who attended her, to bring her a chair, and told another to fetch her the locket. Edgar was again advancing to Camilla, when Lionel, whose desire to obtain the good graces of Mrs. Arlbery, had suggested to him an anticipation140 of her commands, pushed forward with the locket.
‘Well, really, it is not ugly,’ cried she, taking it in her hand: ‘Have you put in yet, Miss Tyrold?’
‘No, ma’am.’
‘O, I am vastly glad of that; for now we will try our fortune together.’
Camilla, though secretly blushing at what she felt was an extravagance, could not withstand this invitation: she gave her half guinea.
Edgar, disappointed, retreated in silence.
The money being collected, and the names of the rafflers taken down, information was given, that the prize was to be thrown for in three days time, at one o’clock at noon, in the shop of a bookseller at Northwick.
Some of the company now departed; others prepared for a last dance. Miss Margland desired Lionel to see for their carriage; but Lionel had no greater joy than to disregard her. Indiana asked earnestly to stay longer; Miss Margland said, she could only give way to her request, upon condition her partner should be Mr. Mandlebert. It was in vain she urged that she was already engaged to Colonel Andover; Miss Margland was inexorable, and Edgar, laughing, said, he should certainly have the whole corps141 upon his back; but the honour was sufficient to counterbalance the risk, and he would, therefore, beg the Colonel’s patience.
‘Mr. Mandlebert,’ said Miss Margland, ‘I know enough of quarrels at balls about partners, and ladies changing their minds, to know how to act pretty well in those cases: I shall desire, therefore, to speak to the Colonel myself, and not trust two gentlemen together upon such a nice matter.’
She then beckoned142 to the Colonel, who stood at a little distance, and, taking him apart, told him, she flattered herself he would not be offended, if Miss Lynmere should dance again with Mr. Mandlebert, though rather out of rule, as there were particular reasons for it.
The Colonel, with a smile, said he perceived Mr. Mandlebert was the happy man, and acquiesced143.
A general murmur144 now ran buzzing round the room, that Mr. Mandlebert and Miss Lynmere were publicly contracted to each other; and, amongst many who heard with displeasure that the young beauty was betrothed145 before she was exhibited to view, Mr. Macdersey appeared to suffer the most serious mortification146.
As soon as this dance was over, Edgar conducted his ladies to an apartment below stairs, and went in search of the carriage. He did not return for some time. Miss Margland, as usual, grumbled147; but Camilla, perceiving Mrs. Arlbery, rejoiced in the delay; and stationed herself by her side, all alive in attending to the pleasantry with which she was amusing herself and those around her.
When Edgar, who seemed out of breath from running, came back, he made but short answers to the murmurs148 of Miss Margland; and, hastening to Camilla, said: ‘I have been with your petitioner:-she has all that can comfort her for the present; and I have learnt the name of her husband’s counsel. You will be so good as to excuse me at dinner to Sir Hugh. I shall remain here till I can judge what may be done.’
The attention of Camilla was now effectually withdrawn149 from Mrs. Arlbery, and the purest delight of which human feelings are susceptible, took sudden and sole possession of her youthful mind, in the idea of being instrumental to the preservation150 of a fellow-creature.
Edgar saw, in the change, yet brightness of her countenance, what passed within;-and his disappointment concerning the raffle was immediately forgotten.
A short consultation151 followed, in which both spoke with so much energy, as not only to overpower the remonstrances of Miss Margland for their departure, but to catch the notice of Mrs. Arlbery, who, coming forward, and leaning her hand on the shoulder of Camilla, said: ‘Tell me what it is that has thus animated152 you? Have you heard any good tidings of your new friend?’
Camilla instantly and eagerly related the subject that occupied them, without observing that the whole company around were smiling, at her earnestness in a cause of such common distress.
‘You are new, my dear,’ said Mrs. Arlbery, patting her cheek, ‘very new; but I take the whim91 sometimes of being charitable myself, for a little variety. It always looks pretty; and begging is no bad way of shewing off one’s powers. So give me your documents, and I’ll give you my eloquence153.’
Camilla presented her the petition, and she invited Mandlebert to dine with her. Miss Margland then led the way, and the female party returned to Cleves.
收听单词发音 |
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miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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persevere
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| v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠 | |
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ballroom
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| n.舞厅 | |
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besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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affluence
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| n.充裕，富足 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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8
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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9
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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10
petitioner
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| n.请愿人 | |
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11
peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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12
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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13
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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14
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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15
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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16
gaol
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| n.(jail)监狱；(不加冠词)监禁；vt.使…坐牢 | |
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17
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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18
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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19
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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20
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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21
indigent
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的 | |
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22
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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23
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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24
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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25
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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26
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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27
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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28
contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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29
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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30
beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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31
connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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32
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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33
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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34
seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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35
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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36
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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37
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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38
reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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39
radical
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|
| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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40
antidote
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| n.解毒药，解毒剂 | |
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41
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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42
pervasion
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| n.扩散，渗透 | |
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43
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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44
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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45
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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46
persecutor
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| n. 迫害者 | |
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47
redress
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| n.赔偿，救济，矫正；v.纠正，匡正，革除 | |
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48
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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49
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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50
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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51
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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52
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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53
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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54
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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55
sloven
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| adj.不修边幅的 | |
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56
slovenliness
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57
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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58
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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59
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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60
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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61
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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62
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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63
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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64
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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65
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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66
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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67
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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68
shunning
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的现在分词 ) | |
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69
deity
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|
| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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70
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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71
horrid
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|
| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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72
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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73
scruple
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|
| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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74
abashed
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|
| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
metaphor
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|
| n.隐喻，暗喻 | |
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76
converse
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|
| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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77
standing
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|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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78
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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79
positively
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|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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80
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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81
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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82
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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83
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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84
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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85
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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86
propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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87
forth
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|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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88
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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89
uncommonly
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|
| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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90
satire
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| n.讽刺，讽刺文学，讽刺作品 | |
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91
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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92
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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93
improperly
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| 不正确地，不适当地 | |
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94
watchfully
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| 警惕地，留心地 | |
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95
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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96
recollected
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|
| 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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97
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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98
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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99
penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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100
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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101
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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102
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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103
grudged
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| 怀恨（grudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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104
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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105
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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106
rhino
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| n.犀牛，钱, 现金 | |
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107
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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108
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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109
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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110
affronted
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| adj.被侮辱的，被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 )；相遇 | |
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111
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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112
morose
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| adj.脾气坏的，不高兴的 | |
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113
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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114
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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115
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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116
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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117
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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118
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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119
suffocation
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| n.窒息 | |
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120
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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121
supplicating
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| v.祈求，哀求，恳求( supplicate的现在分词 ) | |
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122
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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124
calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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125
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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126
mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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127
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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128
pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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129
raffle
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| n.废物，垃圾，抽奖售卖；v.以抽彩出售 | |
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130
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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131
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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132
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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133
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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134
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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135
affluent
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| adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的 | |
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136
bauble
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| n.美观而无价值的饰物 | |
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137
affixed
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|
| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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138
contagion
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| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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139
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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140
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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141
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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142
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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143
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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145
betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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146
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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147
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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148
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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149
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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150
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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151
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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152
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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153
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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