THE next day was appointed for the master of the ceremonies’ ball; which proved a general rendezvous1 of all parties, and almost all classes of company.
Mrs. Mittin, in a morning visit to Camilla, found out that she had only the same cap for this occasion that she had worn upon every other; and, assuring her it was grown so old-fashioned, that not a lady’s maid in Tunbridge would now be seen in it, she offered to pin her up a turban, which should come to next to nothing, yet should be the prettiest, and simplest, and cheapest thing that ever was seen.
Camilla, though a stranger to vanity, and without any natural turn to extravagance, was neither of an age, nor a philosophy, to be unmoved by the apprehension2 of being exposed to ridicule3 from her dress: she thankfully, therefore, accepted the proposal; and Mrs. Mittin, taking a guinea, said, she would pay Mrs. Tillden for the hat, at the same time that she bought a new handkerchief for the turban.
When she came back, however, she had only laid out a few shillings at another shop, for some articles, so cheap, she said it would have been a shame not to buy them; but without paying the bill, Mrs. Tillden having desired it might not be discharged till the young lady was leaving the Wells.
As the turban was made up from a pattern of one prepared for Mrs. Berlinton, Camilla had every reason to be satisfied of its elegance4. Nor did Mrs. Mittin involve her in much distress5 how her own trouble might be recompensed; the cap she found unfit for Camilla, she could contrive6, she said, to alter for herself; and as a friend had given her a ticket for the ball, it would be mighty7 convenient to her, as she had nothing of the kind ready.
* * *
Far different were the sensations with which Edgar and Camilla saw each other this night, from those with which, so lately they had met in the same apartment. Edgar thought her degenerating8 into the character of a coquette, and Camilla, in his intended tour, anticipated a period to all their intercourse9.
She was received, meanwhile, in general, with peculiar10 and flattering attention. Sir Sedley Clarendel made up to her, with public smiles and courtesy; even Lord Newford and Sir Theophilus Jarard, though they passed by Mrs. Arlbery without speaking to her, singled out Camilla for their devoirs. The distinction paid her by the admired Mrs. Berlinton had now not only marked her as an object whom it would not be derogatory to treat with civility, but as one who might, hence-forward, be regarded herself as admitted into certain circles.
Mrs. Arlbery, though every way a woman of fashion, they conceived to be somewhat wanting in ton, since she presided in no party, was unnoticed by Lady Alithea Selmore, and unknown to Mrs. Berlinton.
Ton, in the scale of connoisseurs11 in the certain circles, is as much above fashion, as fashion is above fortune: for though the latter is an ingredient that all alike covet12 to possess, it is courted without being respected, and desired without being honoured, except only by those who, from earliest life, have been taught to earn it as a business. Ton, meanwhile, is as attainable13 without birth as without understanding, though in all the certain circles it takes place of either. To define what it is, would be as difficult to the most renowned15 of its votaries16, as to an utter stranger to its attributes. That those who call themselves of the ton either lead, or hold cheap all others, is obtrusively17 evident: but how and by what art they attain14 such pre-eminence, they would be perplexed18 to explain. That some whim19 has happily called forth20 imitators; that some strange phrase has been adopted; that something odd in dress has become popular; that some beauty, or some deformity, no matter which, has found annotators; may commonly be traced as the origin of their first public notice. But to whichever of these accidents their early fame may be attributed, its establishment and its glory is built upon vanity that knows no deficiency, or insolence21 that knows no blush.
Notwithstanding her high superiority both in capacity and knowledge, Mrs. Arlbery felt piqued22 by this behaviour, though she laughed at herself for heeding23 it. ‘Nevertheless,’ cried she, ‘those who shew contempt, even though themselves are the most contemptible24, always seem on the higher ground. Yet ’tis only, with regard to these animals of the ton, that nobody combats them. Their presumption25 is so notorious, that, either by disgust or alarm, it keeps off reprehension26. Let anyone boldly, and face to face, venture to be more uncivil than themselves, and they would be overpowered at once. Their valour is no better than that of a barking cur, who affrights all that go on without looking at him, but who, the moment he is turned upon with a stamp and a fierce look, retreats himself, amazed, afraid, and ashamed.’
‘If you, Mrs. Arlbery,’ said the General, ‘would undertake to tutor them, what good you might do!’
‘O, Heavens, General, suspect me not of such reforming Quixotism! I have not the smallest desire to do them any good, believe me! If nature has given them no sense of propriety27, why should I be more liberal? I only want to punish them; and that not, alas28! from virtue29, but from spite!’
The conversation of the two men of the ton with Camilla was soon over. It was made up of a few disjointed sentences, abusing Tunbridge, and praising the German Spa, in cant30 words, emphatically and conceitedly33 pronounced, and brought round upon every occasion, and in every speech, with so precise an exclusion34 of all other terms, that their vocabulary scarce consisted of forty words in totality.
Edgar occupied the space they vacated the moment of their departure; but not alone; Mrs. Mittin came into it with him, eager to tell Camilla how everybody had admired her turban; how sweetly she looked in it; how everybody said, they should not have known her again, it became her so; and how they all agreed her head had never been so well dressed before.
Edgar, when he could be heard, began speaking of Sir Sedley Clarendel; he felt miserable35 in what he thought her inconsiderate encouragement of such impertinence; and the delicacy36 which restrained him from expressing his opinion of the Major, had no weight with him here, as jealousy37 had no share in his dislike to the acquaintance: he believed the young Baronet incapable38 of all love but for himself, and a decidedly destined39 bachelor: without, therefore, the smallest hesitation40, he plainly avowed41 that he had never met with a more thoroughly42 conceited31 fop, a more elaborate and self-sufficient coxcomb43.
‘You see him only,’ said Camilla, ‘with the impression made by his general appearance; and that is all against him: I always look for his better qualities and rejoice in finding them. His very sight fills me with grateful pleasure, by reminding me of the deliverance I owe to him.’
Edgar, amazed, intreated an explanation; and, when she had given it, struck and affected44, clasped his hands, and exclaimed: ‘How providential such a rescue! and how differently shall I henceforth behold45 him!’ And, almost involuntarily turning to Mrs. Arlbery, he intreated to be presented to the young Baronet.
Sir Sedley received his overtures46 with some surprise, but great civility; and then went on with a ludicrous account he was giving to Lord Newford and Sir Theophilus, of the quarrel of Macdersey with Mr. Dubster.
‘How awake thou art grown, Clary?’ cried Sir. Theophilus; ‘A little while ago thou wast all hip48 and vapour; and now thou dost nothing but patronise fun.’
‘Why, yes,’ answered the Baronet, ‘I begin to tire of ennui49. ’Tis grown so common. I saw my footman beginning it but last week.’
‘O, hang it! O, curse it!’ cried Lord Newford, ‘your footman!’
‘Yes, the rogue50 is not without parts. I don’t know if I shan’t give him some lessons, upon leaving it off myself. The only difficulty is to find out what, in this nether51 world, to do without it. How can one fill up one’s time? Stretching, yawning, and all that, are such delicious ingredients for coaxing52 on the lazy hours!’
‘O, hang it, O, curse it,’ cried Lord Newford; ‘who can exist without them? I would not be bound to pass half an hour without yawning and stretching for the Mogul’s empire. I’d rather snap short at once.”
‘No, no, don’t snap short yet, little Newy,’ cried Sir Sedley. ‘As to me, I am never at a loss for an expedient53. I am not without some thoughts of failing in love.’
He looked at Edgar; who, not aware this was designed to catch his attention, naturally exclaimed: ‘Thoughts! can you choose, or avoid at pleasure?’
‘Most certainly. After four-and-twenty a man is seldom taken by surprise; at least, not till he is past forty: and then, the fear of being too late, sometimes renovates54 the eagerness of the first youth. But, in general, your willing slaves are boys.’
Edgar, laughing, begged a little information, how he meant to put his thoughts in execution.
‘Nothing so facile! ’Tis but to look at some fair object attentively55, to follow her with your eyes when she quits the room; never to let them rest without watching for her return; filling up the interval56 with a few sighs; to which, in a short time, you grow so habituated, that they become natural; and then, before you are aware, a certain solicitude57 and restlessness arise, which the connoisseurs in natural history dub47 failing in love.’
‘These would be good hints,’ said Edgar, ‘to urge on waverers, who wish to persuade themselves to marry.’
‘O no, my dear sir! no! that’s a mistake of the first magnitude; no man is in love when he marries. He may have loved before; I have even heard he has sometimes loved after: but at the time never. There is something in the formalities of the matrimonial preparations that drive away all the little cupidons. They rarely stand even a demand of consent-unless they doubt obtaining it; but a settlement! Parchments! Lawyers!–No! there is not a little Love in the Island of Cyprus, that is not ready to lend a wing to set passion, inspiration, and tenderness to flight, from such excruciating legalities.’
‘Don’t prose, Clary; don’t prose,’ cried Sir Theophilus, gaping58 till his mouth was almost distorted.
‘O, killing59! O, murder!’ cried Lord Newford; ‘what dost talk of marriage for?’
‘It seems, then,’ said Edgar, ‘to be much the same thing what sort of wife falls to a man’s lot; whether the woman of his choice, or a person he should blush to own?’
‘Blush!’ repeated Sir Sedley, smiling; ‘no! no! A man of any fashion never blushes for his wife, whatever she may be. For his mistress, indeed, he may blush: for if there are any small failings there, his taste may be called in question.’
‘Blush about a wife!’ exclaimed Lord Newford; ‘O, hang it! O, curse it! that’s too bad!’
‘Too bad, indeed,’ cried Sir Theophilus; ‘I can’t possibly patronise blushing for a wife.’
“Tis the same, then, also,’ said Edgar, ‘how she turns out when the knot is tied, whether well or ill?’
‘To exactitude! If he marry her for beauty, let her prove what she may, her face offers his apology. If for money, he needs none, But if, indeed, by some queer chance, he marries with a view of living with her, then, indeed, if his particularity gets wind, he may grow a little anxious for the acquittalof his oddity, in seeing her approved.’
‘Approved! Ha! ha!’ cried Lord Newford; ‘a wife approved! That’s too bad, Clary; that’s too bad!’
‘Poor Clary, what art prosing about?’ cried Sir Theophilus. ‘I can’t possibly patronise this prosing.’
The entrance of the beautiful Mrs. Berlinton and her train now interrupted this conversation; the young Baronet immediately joined her; though not till he had given his hand to Edgar, in token of his willingness to cultivate his acquaintance.
Edgar, returning to Camilla, confessed he had too hastily judged Sir Sedley, when he concluded him a fool, as well as a fop; ‘For,’ added he, with a smile, ‘I see, now, one of those epithets60 is all he merits. He is certainly far from deficient61 in parts, though he abuses the good gifts of nature with such pedantry62 of affectation and conceit32.’
Camilla was now intent to clear the history of the cotillon; when Mrs. Berlinton approaching, and, with graceful63 fondness, taking her hand, entreated64 to be indulged with her society: and, since she meant not to dance, for Edgar had not asked her, and the Major she had refused, she could not resist her invitation. She had lost her fear of displeasing65 Mrs. Arlbery by quitting her, from conceiving a still greater, of wearying by remaining with her.
Edgar, anxious both to understand and to discuss this new connexion, hovered66 about the party with unremitting vigilance. But, though he could not either look at or listen to Mrs. Berlinton, without admiring her, his admiration67 was neither free from censure68 of herself, nor terrour for her companion: he saw her far more beautiful than prudent69, more amiable70 than dignified71. The females in her group were few, and little worthy72 notice the males appeared, to a man, without disguise, though not without restraint, her lovers. And though no one seemed selected, no one seemed despised; she appeared to admit their devoirs with little consideration; neither modestly retiring from power, nor vainly displaying it.
Camilla quitted not this enchantress till summoned by Mrs. Arlbery; who, seeing herself again, from the arrival of Lady Alithea Selmore, without any distinguished73 party, that lady drawing into her circle all people of any consequence not already attracted by Mrs. Berlinton, grew sick of the ball and the rooms, and impatient to return home. Camilla, in retiring, presented, folded in a paper, the guinea, half-guinea, and silver, she had borrowed of Sir Sedley; who received it without presuming at any contest; though not, after what he had heard from Mrs. Arlbery, without reluctance74.
Edgar watched the instant when Camilla moved from the gay group; but Mrs. Mittin watched it also; and, approaching her more speedily, because with less embarrassment75, seized her arm before he could reach her: and before he could, with any discretion76, glide77 to her other side, Miss Dennel was there.
‘Well now, young ladies,’ said Mrs. Mittin, ‘I’m going to tell you a secret. Do you know, for all I call myself Mrs. I’m single?’
‘Dear, la!’ exclaimed Miss Dennel; ‘and for all you’re so old!’
‘So old, Miss! Who told you I was so old? I’m not so very old as you may think me. I’m no particular age, I assure you. Why, what made you think of that?’
‘La, I don’t know; only you don’t look very young.’
‘I can’t help that, Miss Dennel. Perhaps you mayn’t look young yourself one of these days. People can’t always stand still just at a particular minute. Why, how old, now, do you take me to be? Come, be sincere.’
‘La! I’m sure I can’t tell; only I thought you was an old wornan.’
‘An old woman! Lord, my dear, people would laugh to hear you. You don’t know what an old woman is. Why it’s being a cripple, and blind, and deaf, and dumb, and slavering, and without a tooth. Pray, how am I like all that?’
‘Nay, I’m sure I don’t know; only I thought, by the look of your face, you must be monstrous78 old.’
‘Lord, I can’t think what you’ve got in your head, Miss Dennel! I never heard as much before, since I was born. Why the reason I’m called Mrs. is not because of that, I assure you; but because I’d a mind to be taken for a young widow, on account everybody likes a young widow; and if one is called Miss, people being so soon to think one an old maid, that it’s quite disagreeable.’
This discourse79 brought them to the carriage.
1 rendezvous | |
n.约会,约会地点,汇合点;vi.汇合,集合;vt.使汇合,使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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2 apprehension | |
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑 | |
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3 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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4 elegance | |
n.优雅;优美,雅致;精致,巧妙 | |
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5 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
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6 contrive | |
vt.谋划,策划;设法做到;设计,想出 | |
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7 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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8 degenerating | |
衰退,堕落,退化( degenerate的现在分词 ) | |
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9 intercourse | |
n.性交;交流,交往,交际 | |
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10 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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11 connoisseurs | |
n.鉴赏家,鉴定家,行家( connoisseur的名词复数 ) | |
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12 covet | |
vt.垂涎;贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
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13 attainable | |
a.可达到的,可获得的 | |
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14 attain | |
vt.达到,获得,完成 | |
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15 renowned | |
adj.著名的,有名望的,声誉鹊起的 | |
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16 votaries | |
n.信徒( votary的名词复数 );追随者;(天主教)修士;修女 | |
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17 obtrusively | |
adv.冒失地,莽撞地 | |
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18 perplexed | |
adj.不知所措的 | |
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19 whim | |
n.一时的兴致,突然的念头;奇想,幻想 | |
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20 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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21 insolence | |
n.傲慢;无礼;厚颜;傲慢的态度 | |
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22 piqued | |
v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 );激起(好奇心) | |
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23 heeding | |
v.听某人的劝告,听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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24 contemptible | |
adj.可鄙的,可轻视的,卑劣的 | |
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25 presumption | |
n.推测,可能性,冒昧,放肆,[法律]推定 | |
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26 reprehension | |
n.非难,指责 | |
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27 propriety | |
n.正当行为;正当;适当 | |
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28 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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29 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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30 cant | |
n.斜穿,黑话,猛扔 | |
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31 conceited | |
adj.自负的,骄傲自满的 | |
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32 conceit | |
n.自负,自高自大 | |
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33 conceitedly | |
自满地 | |
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34 exclusion | |
n.拒绝,排除,排斥,远足,远途旅行 | |
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35 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
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36 delicacy | |
n.精致,细微,微妙,精良;美味,佳肴 | |
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37 jealousy | |
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌 | |
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38 incapable | |
adj.无能力的,不能做某事的 | |
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39 destined | |
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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40 hesitation | |
n.犹豫,踌躇 | |
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41 avowed | |
adj.公开声明的,承认的v.公开声明,承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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42 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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43 coxcomb | |
n.花花公子 | |
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44 affected | |
adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
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45 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
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46 overtures | |
n.主动的表示,提议;(向某人做出的)友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 );(歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的)序曲,前奏曲 | |
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47 dub | |
vt.(以某种称号)授予,给...起绰号,复制 | |
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48 hip | |
n.臀部,髋;屋脊 | |
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49 ennui | |
n.怠倦,无聊 | |
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50 rogue | |
n.流氓;v.游手好闲 | |
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51 nether | |
adj.下部的,下面的;n.阴间;下层社会 | |
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52 coaxing | |
v.哄,用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 );巧言骗取;哄劝,劝诱;“锻炼”效应 | |
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53 expedient | |
adj.有用的,有利的;n.紧急的办法,权宜之计 | |
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54 renovates | |
翻新,修复,整修( renovate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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55 attentively | |
adv.聚精会神地;周到地;谛;凝神 | |
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56 interval | |
n.间隔,间距;幕间休息,中场休息 | |
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57 solicitude | |
n.焦虑 | |
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58 gaping | |
adj.口的;张口的;敞口的;多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 );张开,张大 | |
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59 killing | |
n.巨额利润;突然赚大钱,发大财 | |
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60 epithets | |
n.(表示性质、特征等的)词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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61 deficient | |
adj.不足的,不充份的,有缺陷的 | |
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62 pedantry | |
n.迂腐,卖弄学问 | |
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63 graceful | |
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
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64 entreated | |
恳求,乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65 displeasing | |
不愉快的,令人发火的 | |
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66 hovered | |
鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 ); 靠近(某事物); (人)徘徊; 犹豫 | |
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67 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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68 censure | |
v./n.责备;非难;责难 | |
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69 prudent | |
adj.谨慎的,有远见的,精打细算的 | |
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70 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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71 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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72 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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73 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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74 reluctance | |
n.厌恶,讨厌,勉强,不情愿 | |
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75 embarrassment | |
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫 | |
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76 discretion | |
n.谨慎;随意处理 | |
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77 glide | |
n./v.溜,滑行;(时间)消逝 | |
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78 monstrous | |
adj.巨大的;恐怖的;可耻的,丢脸的 | |
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79 discourse | |
n.论文,演说;谈话;话语;vi.讲述,著述 | |
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