THE following morning, Mrs. Mittin came with eager intelligence, that the raffle1 was fixed2 for one o’clock; and, without any scruple3, accompanied the party to the shop, addressing herself to every one of the set as to a confirmed and intimate friend. But her chief supporter was Mr. Dennel, whose praise of her was the vehicle to his censure4 of his sister-in-law. That lady was the person in the world whom he most feared and disliked. He had neither spirit for the splendid manner in which she lived, nor parts for the vivacity5 of her conversation. The first, his love of money made him condemn6 as extravagant7, and the latter his self-love made him hate, because he could not understand. He persuaded himself, therefore, that she had more words than meaning; and extolled8 all the obvious truths uttered by Mrs. Mittin, to shew his superior admiration9 of what, being plain and incontrovertible, he dignified10 with the panegyric11 of being sensible.
When they came upon the Pantiles, they were accosted12 by Mr. Dubster; who having solemnly asked them, one by one, how they all did, joined Mrs. Mittin, saying: ‘Well, I can’t pretend as I’m over sorry you’ve got neither of those two comical gentlemen with you, that behaved so free to me for nothing. I don’t think it’s particular agreeable being treated so; though it’s a thing I don’t much mind. It’s not worth fretting13 about.’
‘Well, don’t say any more about it,’ cried Mrs. Mittin, endeavouring to shake him off; ‘I dare say you did something to provoke ’em, or they’re too genteel to have taken notice of you.’
‘Me provoke them! why what did I do? I was just like a mere14 lamb, as one may say, at the very time that young Captain fell abusing me so, calling of me a little dirty fellow, without no provocation15. If I’m little, or big, I don’t see that it’s any business of his. And as to dirty, I’d put on all clean linen16 but the very day before, as the people can tell you at the inn; so the whole was a mere piece of falsehood from one end to t’other.’
‘Well, well, what do you talk about it for any more? You should never take anything ill of a young gentleman. It’s only aggravating17 him so much the worse.’
‘Aggravating him, Mrs. Mittin! why what need I mind that? Do you think I’m to put up with his talking of caning18 me, and such like, because of his being a young gentleman? Not I, I assure you! I’m no such person. And if once I feel his switch across these here shoulders, it won’t be so well for him!’
The party now entered the shop where the raffle was to be held.
Edgar was already there; he had no power to keep away from any place where he was sure to behold19 Camilla; and a raffle brought to his mind the most tender recollections. He was now with Lord O’Lerney, in whose candour and benevolence20 of character he took great delight, and with whom he had joined Lady Isabella Irby, who had been drawn21, as a quiet spectatress, to the sight, by a friend, who, having never seen the humours of a raffle, had entreated23, through her means, to look on. He languished24 to see Camilla presented to this lady, in whose manners and conversation, dignity and simplicity25 were equally blended.
While he was yet, though absently, conversing26 with them, Lord O’Lerney pointed27 out Camilla to Lady Isabella.
‘I have taken notice of her already at the Rooms;’ answered her Ladyship; ‘and I have seldom, I think, seen a more interesting young creature.’
‘The character of her countenance28,’ said Lord O’Lerney, ‘strikes me very peculiarly. ’Tis so intelligent, yet so unhackneyed. so full of meaning, yet so artless, that, while I look at her, I feel myself involuntarily anxious for her welfare.’
‘I don’t think she seems happy,’ said Lady Isabella; ‘Do you know who she is, my Lord?’
Edgar, here, with difficulty suppressed a sigh. Not happy! thought he; ah! wherefore? what can make Camilla unhappy?
‘I understand she is a niece of Sir Hugh Tyrold,’ answered his Lordship; ‘a Yorkshire Baronet. She is here with an acquaintance of mine, Mrs. Arlbery, who is one of the first women I have ever known, for wit and capacity. She has an excellent heart, too; though her extraordinary talents, and her carelessness of opinion make it sometimes, but very unjustly, doubted.’
Edgar heard this with much pleasure. A good word from Lord O’Lerney quieted many fears; he hoped he had been unnecessarily alarmed; he determined30, in future, to judge her more favourably31.
‘I should be glad,’ continued his Lordship, ‘to hear this young lady were either well established, or returned to her friends without becoming an object of public notice. A young woman is no where so rarely respectable, or respected, as at these water-drinking places, if seen at them either long or often. The search of pleasure and dissipation, at a spot consecrated32 for restoring health to the sick, the infirm, and the suffering, carries with it an air of egotism, that does not give the most pleasant idea of the feeling and disposition33.’
‘Yet, may not the sick, my Lord, be rather amended34 than hurt by the sight of gaiety around them?’
‘Yes, my dear Lady Isabella; and the effect, therefore, I believe to be beneficial. But as this is not the motive35 why the young and the gay seek these spots, it is not here they will find themselves most honoured. And the mixture of pain and illness with splendor36 and festivity, is so unnatural37, that probably it is to that we must attribute that a young woman is no where so hardly judged. If she is without fortune, she is thought a female adventurer, seeking to sell herself for its attainment38; if she is rich, she is supposed a willing dupe, ready for a snare39, and only looking about for an ensnarer.’
‘And yet, young women seldom, I believe, my Lord, merit this severity of judgment40. They come but hither in the summer, as they go to London in the winter, simply in search of amusement, without any particular purpose.’
‘True; but they do not weigh what their observers weigh for them, that the search of public recreation in the winter is, from long habit, permitted without censure; but that the summer has not, as yet, prescription41 so positively42 in its favour; and those who, after meeting them all the winter at the opera, and all the spring at Ranelagh, hear of them all the summer at Cheltenham, Tunbridge, &c. and all the autumn at Bath, are apt to inquire, when is the season for home.’
‘Ah, my Lord! how wide are the poor inconsiderate little flutterers from being aware of such a question! How necessary to youth and thoughtlessness is the wisdom of experience!’
Why does she not come this way? thought Edgar; why does she not gather from these mild, yet understanding moralists, instruction that might benefit all her future life?
‘There is nothing,’ said Lord O’Lerney, ‘I more sincerely pity than the delusions43 surrounding young females. The strongest admirers of their eyes are frequently the most austere44 satirists of their conduct.’
The entrance of Lord Newford, Sir Theophilus Jarard, and Sir Sedley Clarendel, all noisily talking and laughing together, interrupted any further conversation. The two former no sooner saw Camilla, and perceived neither Lady Alithea Selmore, nor Mrs. Berlinton, than they made up to her; and Sir Sedley, who now found she was completely established in the bon ton, felt something of pride mix with pleasure in publicly availing himself of his intimacy45 with her; and something like interest mix with curiosity, in examining if Edgar were struck with her ready attention to him.
Upon Edgar, however, it made not the slightest impression. While Sir Sedley had appeared to him a mere fop, he had thought it degraded her; but how he regarded him as her preserver, it seemed both natural and merited.
Sir Sedley, not aware of this reasoning, was somewhat piqued46; and taking him to another part of the shop, whispered: ‘I am horribly vapoured! Do you know I have some thoughts of trying that little girl? Do you think one could make anything of her?’
‘How? what do you mean?’ cried Edgar, with sudden alarm.
Sir Sedley, a little flattered, affectedly47 answered: ‘O, if you have any serious designs that way, incontestably I won’t interfere49.’
‘Me!’ cried Edgar, surprised and offended; ‘believe me, no! I have all my life considered her-as my sister.’
Sir Sedley saw this was spoken with effort; and negligently50 replied: ‘Nay51 you are just at the first epocha for marrying from inclination52; but you are in the right not to perform so soon the funeral honours of liberty. ’Tis what you may do at any time. So many girls want establishments, that a man of sixty can just as easily get a wife of eighteen, as a man of one-and-twenty. The only inconvenience in that sort of alliance is, that though she begins with submitting to her venerated53 husband as prettily54 as to her papa, she is terribly apt to have a knack55 of running away from him, afterwards, with equal facility.’
‘That is rather a discouraging article, I confess,’ cried Edgar, ‘for the tardy56 votaries57 of Hymen!’
‘O, no! ’tis no great matter!’ answered he, patting his snuffbox; ‘we are impenetrable in the extreme to those sort of grievances58 now-a-days. We are at such prodigious59 expence of sensibility in public, for tales of sorrow told about pathetically, at a full board, that if we suffered much for our private concerns to boot, we must always meet one another with tears in our eyes. We never weep now, but at dinner, or at some diversion.’
Lord Newford, pulling him by the arm, called out: ‘Come, Clary, what art about, man? we want thee.’
‘Come, Clary! don’t shirk, Clary,’ cried Sir Theophilus; ‘I can’t possibly patronise this shirking.’
And they hauled him to a corner of the shop, where all three resumed their customary laughing whispers.
‘You will not, perhaps, suspect, Lady Isabella,’ said Lord O’Lerney, smiling, ‘that one of that triumvirate is by no means deficient60 in parts, and can even, when he desires it, be extremely pleasing?’
‘Your Lordship judges right, I confess! I had not, indeed, done him such justice!’
‘See then,’ said his Lordship, ‘how futile61 an animal is man, without some decided62 character and principle!
He’s every thing by turns, and nothing long. [Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel.]
Wise, foolish; virtuous63, vicious; active, indolent; prodigal64 and avaricious65! No contrast is too strong for him while guided but by accident or impulse. This gentleman also, in common with the rest of his tonnish brethren, is now daily, though unconsciously, hoarding66 up a world of unprepared-for mortification67, by not foreseeing that the more he is celebrated68 in his youth, for being the leader of the ton, and the man of the day, the earlier he will be regarded as a creature out of date, an old beau, and a fine gentleman of former times. But ’tis by reverses, such as these, that folly69 and impropriety pay their penalties. We might spare all our anger against the vanity of the beauty, or the conceit71 of the Coxcomb72. Are not wrinkles always in waiting to punish the one, and age, without honour, to chastise73 and degrade the other?’
All the rafflers were now arrived, except Mrs. Berlinton, who was impatiently expected. Lady Alithea Selmore had already sent a proxy74 to throw for her in her own woman; much to the dissatisfaction of most part of the company. A general rising and inquietude to look out for Mrs. Berlinton, gave Edgar, at length, an opportunity to stand next to Camilla. ‘How I grieve,’ he cried ‘you should not know Lady Isabella Irby! she seems to me a model for a woman of rank in her manners, and a model for a woman of every station in her mind. The world, I believe, could scarce have tempted75 her to so offensive a mark of superiority as has just been exhibited by Lady Alithea Selmore, who has ingeniously discovered a method of being signalised as the most important person out of twenty, by making herself nineteen enemies.’
‘I wonder,’ said Camilla, ‘she can think the chance of the earrings76 worth so high a price!’
A footman, in a splendid livery, now entering, inquired for Miss Tyrold. She was pointed out to him by Major Cerwood, and he delivered her a letter from Mrs. Berlinton.
The contents were to entreat22 she would throw for that lady, who was in the midst of Akenside’s Pleasures of the Imagination, and could not tear herself away from them.
Camilla blushed excessively in proclaiming she was chosen Mrs. Berlinton’s proxy. Edgar saw with tenderness her modest confusion, and, with a pleasure the most touching77, read the favourable78 impression it made upon Lord O’Lerney and Lady Isabella.
This seemed an opportunity irresistible79 for venting80 his fears and cautions about Mrs. Berlinton; and, taking the bustling81 period in which the rafflers were arranging the order and manner of throwing, he said, in a low, and diffident tone of voice, ‘You have committed to me an important and, I fear, an importunate82 office; yet, while I hold, I cannot persuade myself not to fulfil it; though I know that to give advice which opposes sentiment and feeling, is repugnant to independence and to delicacy83. Such, therefore, I do not mean to enforce; but merely to offer hints intimations-and observations-that without controlling, may put you upon your guard.’
Camilla, affected48 by this unexpected address, could only look her desire for an explanation.
‘The lady,’ he continued, ‘whom you are presently to represent, appears to be uncommonly84 engaging?–’
‘Indeed she is! She is attractive, gentle, amiable85.’
‘She seems, also, already to have caught your affection?’
‘Who could have withheld86 it, that had seen her as I have seen her? She is as unhappy as she is lovely....’
‘I have heard of your first meeting, with as much pleasure in the presence of mind it called forth87 on one side, as with doubt and perplexity, upon every circumstance I can gather, of the other.–’
‘If you knew her, you would find it impossible to hold any doubts; impossible to resist admiring, compassionating88, and loving her!’
‘If my knowledge of her bribed89 an interest in her favour, without convincing me she deserved it, I ought, rather, to regret that you have not escaped falling into such a snare, than that I could have escaped it myself.’
‘I believe her free, nay incapable90 of all ill!’ cried Camilla warmly; ‘though I dare not assert she is always coolly upon her guard.’
‘Do not let me hurt you,’ said Edgar, gently; ‘I have seen how lovely she is in person, and how pleasing in manners. And she is so young that, were she in a situation less exposed, want of steadiness or judgment might, by a little time, be set right. But here, there is surely much to fear from her early possession of power.... O, that some happier chance had brought about such a peculiar29 intercourse91 for you with Lady Isabella Irby! There, to the pleasure of friendship, might be added the modesty92 of retired93 elegance94, and the security of established respectability.’
‘And may not this yet happen, with Mrs. Berlinton? Lady Isabella, though still young, is not in the extreme youth of Mrs. Berlinton: a few more years, therefore, may bring equal discretion95; and as she has already every other good quality, you may hereafter equally approve her.’
‘Do you think, then,’ said Edgar, half smiling, ‘that the few years of difference in their age were spent by Lady Isabella in the manner they are now spent by Mrs. Berlinton? do you think she paved the way for her present dignified, though unassuming character, by permitting herself to be surrounded by professed96 admirers? by letting their sighs reach her ears? by suffering their eyes to fasten with open rapture97 on her face? and by holding it sufficient not to suppress such liberties, so long as she does not avowedly98 encourage them?’
Camilla was startled. She had not seen her conduct in this light: yet her understanding refused to deny it might bear this interpretation100.
Charmed with the candour of her silence, Edgar continued, ‘How wide from all that is open to similar comment, is the carriage and behaviour of Lady Isabella! how clear! how transparent101, how free from all conjecture102 of blemish103! They may each, indeed, essentially104 be equally innocent; and your opinion of Mrs. Berlinton corroborates105 the impression made by her beautiful countenance: yet how far more highly is the true feminine character preserved, where surmise106 is not raised, than where it can be parried! Think but of those two ladies, and mark the difference. Lady Isabella, addressed only where known, followed only because loved, sees no adulators encircling her, for adulation would alarm her; no admirers paying her homage107, for such homage would offend her. She knows she has not only her own innocence108 to guard, but the honour of her husband. Whether she is happy with him or not, this deposit is equally sacred.–’
He stopt; for Camilla again started. The irrepressible frankness of her nature revolted against denying how much this last sentence struck her, and she ingenuously109 exclaimed: ‘O that this most amiable young creature were but more aware of this duty!’
‘Ah, my dear Miss Camilla,’ cried Edgar, with energy, ‘since you feel and own... and with you, that is always one.. . this baneful111 deficiency, drop, or at least suspend an intercourse too hazardous112 to be indulged with propriety70! See what she may be sometime hence, ere you contract further intimacy. At present, unexperienced and unsuspicious, her dangers may be yours. You are too young for such a risk. Fly, fly from it, my dear Miss Camilla!... as if the voice of your mother were calling out to caution you!’
Camilla was deeply touched. An interest so warm in her welfare was soothing113, and the name of her mother rendered it awful; yet, thus united, it appeared to her more strongly than ever to announce itself as merely fraternal. She could not suppress a sigh; but he attributed it to the request he had urged, and, with much concern, added: ‘What I have asked of you, then, is too severe?’
Again irresistibly114 sighing, yet collecting all her force to conceal115 the secret cause, she answered, ‘If she is thus exposed to danger... if her situation is so perilous116, ought I not rather to stay by, and help to support her, than by abandoning, perhaps contribute to the evil you think awaiting her?’
‘Generous Camilla!’ cried he, melted into tender admiration, ‘who can oppose so kind a design? So noble a nature!.. .’
No more could be said, for all preliminaries had been settled, and the throwing being arranged to take place alphabetically117, she was soon summoned to represent Mrs. Berlinton.
From this time, Edgar could speak to her no more: even the Major could scarcely make way to her: the two men of the ton would not quit her, and Sir Sedley Clarendel appeared openly devoted118 to her.
Edgar looked on with the keenest emotion. The proof he had just received that her intrinsic worth was in its first state of excellence119, had come home to his heart, and the fear of seeing her altered and spoilt, by the flatteries and dangers which environed her, with his wavering belief in her engagement with Major Cerwood, made him more wretched than ever. But when, some time after, she was called upon to throw for herself, the recollection that, from the former raffle, her half-guinea, even when the prize was in her hand, had been voluntarily withdrawn120 to be bestowed121 upon a poor family, so powerfully affected him, that he could not rest in the shop; he was obliged to breathe a freer air, and to hide his disturbance122 by a retreat.
Her throw was the highest the dice123 had yet afforded. A Miss Williams alone came after her, whose throw was the lowest; Miss Camilla Tyrold, therefore, was proclaimed to be the winner.
This second testimony124 of the favour of fortune was a most pleasant surprise to Camilla, and made the room resound125 with felicitations, till they were interrupted by a violent quarrel upon the Pantiles, whence the voice of Macdersey was heard, hollooing out: ‘Don’t talk, I say sir! don’t presume to say a word!’ and that of Mr. Dubster angrily answering, he would talk as long as he thought proper, whether it was agreeable or not.
Sir Sedley advanced to the combatants, in order to help on the dispute; but Edgar, returning at the sound of high words, took the Ensign by the arm, and prevailed with him to accompany him up and down the Pantiles; while Mrs. Mittin ran to Mr. Dubster, and pulling him into the shop, said: ‘Mr. Dubster, if I’m not ashamed of you! how can you forget yourself so? talking to gentlemen at such a rate!’
‘Why what should hinder me?’ cried he; ‘do you think I shall put up with every thing as I used to do when you first knew me, and we used to meet at Mr. Typton’s , the tallow chandler’s, in Shug-lane? no, Mrs. Mittin, nor no such a thing; I’m turned gentleman myself, now, as much as the best of ’em; for I’ve nothing to do, but just what I choose.’
‘I protest, Mr. Dubster,’ cried Mrs. Mittin, taking him into a corner ‘you’re enough to put a saint into a pet! how come you to think of talking of Mr. Typton here? before such gentlefolks? and where’s the use of telling every body he’s a tallow chandler? and as to my meeting with you there once or so, in a way, I desire you’ll mention it no more; for it’s so long ago, I have no recollection of it.’
‘No! why don’t you remember–’
‘Fiddle, faddle, what’s the good of ripping up old stories about nothing? when you’re with genteel people, you must do as I do; never talk about business at all.’
Macdersey now entered the shop, appeased126 by Edgar from shewing any further wrath127, but wantonly inflamed128 by Sir Sedley, in a dispute upon the passion of love.
‘Do you always, my dear friend,’ said the Baronet, ‘fall in love at first sight?’
‘To be sure I do! If a man makes a scruple of that, it’s ten to one but he’s disappointed of doing it at all; because, after two or three second sights, the danger is you may spy out some little flaw in the dear angel, that takes off the zest129, and hinders you to the longest day you have to live.’
‘Profoundly cogitated130 that! you think then, my vast dear sir, the passion had more conveniently be kindled131 first, that the flaws may appear after, to cure it?’
‘No, sir! no! when a man’s once in love, those flaws don’t signify, because he can’t see them; or, if he could, at least he’d scorn to own them.’
‘Live for ever brave Ireland!’ exclaimed Mrs. Arlbery; ‘what cold, phlegmatic132 Englishman would have made a speech of so much gallantry?’
‘As to an Englishman,’ said Macdersey, ‘you must never mind what he says about the ladies, because he’s too sheepish to speak out. He’s just as often in love as his neighbours, only he’s so shy he won’t own it, till he sees if the young fair one is as much in love as himself; but a generous Irishman never scruples133 to proclaim the girl of his heart, though he should have twenty in a year.’
‘But is that perfectly134 delicate, my dearest sir, to the several Dulcineas?’
‘Perfectly! your Irishman is the delicatest man upon earth to the fair sex; for he always talks of their cruelty, if they are never so kind. He knows every honest heart will pity him, if it’s true; and if it i’n’t, he is too much a man of honour not to complain all one; he knows how agreeable it is to the dear creatures; they always take it for a compliment.’
‘Whether avowedly or clandestinely,’ said Mrs. Arlbery, ‘still you are all in our chains. Even where you play the tyrant135 with us, we occupy all your thoughts; and if you have not the skill to make us happy, your next delight is to make us miserable136; for though, now and then, you can contrive137 to hate, you can never arrive at forgetting us.’
‘Contrive to hate you!’ repeated Macdersey; ‘I could as soon contrive to turn the world into a potato; there is nothing upon earth, nothing under the whole firmament138 I value but beauty!’
‘A cheerful glass, then,’ said Sir Sedley, ‘you think horridly139 intolerable?’
‘A cheerful glass, sir! do you take me for a milk-sop? do you think I don’t know what it is to be a man? a chearful glass, sir, is the first pleasure in life; the most convivial140, the most exhilarating, the most friendly joy of a true honest soul! what were existence without it? I should choose to be off in half an hour; which I should only make so long, not to shock my friends.’
‘Well, the glass is not what I patronise,’ said Sir Theophilus; ‘it hips141 me so consumedly the next day; no, I can’t patronise the glass.’
‘Not patronise wine?’ cried Lord Newford; ‘O hang it! O curse it! that’s too bad, Offy! but hunting! what dost think of that, little Offy?,
‘Too obstreperous142! It rouses one at such aukward hours; no, I can’t patronise hunting.’
‘Hunting!’ cried Macdersey; ‘O, it leaves everything behind it; ’tis the thing upon the earth for which I have the truest taste. I know nothing else that is not a bauble143 to it. A man is no more, in my estimation, than a child, or a woman, that don’t enjoy it.’
‘Cards, then,’ said Sir Sedley, ‘you reprobate144?’
‘And dice?’-cried Lord Newford–
‘And betting?’-cried Sir Theophilus.
‘Why what do you take me for, gentlemen?’ replied Macdersey, hotly; ‘Do you think I have no soul? no fire? no feeling? Do you suppose me a stone? a block? a lump of lead? I scorn such suspicions; I don’t hold them worth answering. I am none of that torpid145, morbid146, drowsy147 tribe. I hold nobody to have an idea of life that has not rattled148 in his own hand the dear little box of promise. What ecstasy149 not to know if, in two seconds, one mayn’t be worth ten thousand pounds! or else without a farthing! how it puts one on the rack! There’s nothing to compare with it. I would not give up that moment to be sovereign of the East Indies! no, not if the West were to be put into the bargain.’
‘All these things,’ said Mr. Dennel, ‘are fit for nothing but to bring a man to ruin. The main chance is all that is worth thinking of. ’Tis money makes the mare150 to go; and I don’t know any thing that’s to be done without it.’
‘Money!’ exclaimed Macdersey, ’tis the thing under heaven I hold in the most disdain151. It won’t give me a moment’s concern never to see its colour again. I vow99 solemnly, if it were not just for the pleasures of the table, and a jolly glass with a friend, and a few horses in one’s stable, and a little ready cash in one’s purse, for odd uses, I should not care if the mint were sunk under ground tomorrow; money is what I most despise of all.’
‘That’s talking out of reason,’ said Mr. Dennel, walking out of the shop with great disgust.
‘Why, if I was to speak,’ said Mr. Dubster, encouraged to come forward, by an observation so much to his own comprehension and taste as the last; ‘I can’t but say I think the same; for money–’
‘Keep your distance, sir!’ cried the fiery152 Ensign, ‘keep your distance, I tell you! if you don’t wish I should say something to you pretty cutting.’
This broke up the party, which else the lounging spirit of the place, and the general consent by which all descriptions of characters seem determined to occupy any spot whatever, to avoid a moment’s abode153 in their lodgings154, would still have detained till the dinner hour had forced to their respective homes. To suppress all possibility of further dissention, Mrs. Arlbery put Miss Dennel under the care of Macdersey, and bid him attend her towards Mount Pleasant.
Mr. Dubster, having stared after them some time in silence, called out: ‘Keep my distance! I can’t but say but what I think that young Captain the rudest young gentleman I ever happened to light upon! however, if he don’t like me, I shan’t take it much to heart; I can’t pretend to say I like him any better; so he may choose; it’s much the same to me; it breaks no squares.’
Edgar, almost without knowing it, followed Camilla, but he could displace neither the Baronet nor the Major, who, one with a look of open exultation155, and the other with an air of determined perseverance156, retained each his post at her side.
He saw that all her voluntary attention was to Sir Sedley, and that the Major had none but what was called for and inevitable157. Was this indifference158, or security? was she seeking to obtain in the Baronet a new adorer, or to excite jealousy159, through his means, in an old one? Silent he walked on, perpetually exclaiming to himself: ‘Can it be Camilla, the ingenuous110, the artless Camilla, I find it so difficult to fathom160, to comprehend, to trust?’
He had not spirits to join Mrs. Arlbery, though he lamented161 he had not, at once, visited her; since it was now awkward to take such a step without an invitation, which she seemed by no means disposed to offer him. She internally resented the little desire he had ever manifested for her acquaintance; and they had both too much penetration162 not to perceive how wide either was from being the favourite of the other.
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raffle
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| n.废物，垃圾，抽奖售卖；v.以抽彩出售 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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panegyric
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| n.颂词，颂扬 | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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14
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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15
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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17
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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18
caning
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| n.鞭打 | |
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19
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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21
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
languished
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| 长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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25
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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26
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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27
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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28
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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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
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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31
favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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32
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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33
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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34
Amended
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| adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词 | |
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35
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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36
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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37
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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38
attainment
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| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
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39
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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40
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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41
prescription
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| n.处方，开药；指示，规定 | |
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42
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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43
delusions
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| n.欺骗( delusion的名词复数 )；谬见；错觉；妄想 | |
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44
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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45
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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46
piqued
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| 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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47
affectedly
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48
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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49
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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50
negligently
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51
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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52
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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53
venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
prettily
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| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
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55
knack
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| n.诀窍，做事情的灵巧的，便利的方法 | |
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56
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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57
votaries
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| n.信徒( votary的名词复数 )；追随者；（天主教）修士；修女 | |
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58
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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59
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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60
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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61
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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62
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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63
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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64
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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65
avaricious
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| adj.贪婪的，贪心的 | |
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66
hoarding
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| n.贮藏；积蓄；临时围墙；囤积v.积蓄并储藏（某物）( hoard的现在分词 ) | |
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67
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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68
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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69
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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70
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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71
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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72
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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73
chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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74
proxy
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| n.代理权，代表权；（对代理人的）委托书；代理人 | |
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75
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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76
earrings
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| n.耳环( earring的名词复数 )；耳坠子 | |
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77
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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78
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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79
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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80
venting
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| 消除； 泄去； 排去； 通风 | |
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81
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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82
importunate
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| adj.强求的；纠缠不休的 | |
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83
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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84
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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85
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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86
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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87
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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88
compassionating
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| v.同情（compassionate的现在分词形式） | |
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89
bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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90
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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91
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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92
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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93
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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94
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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95
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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96
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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97
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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98
avowedly
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| adv.公然地 | |
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99
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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100
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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101
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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102
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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103
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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104
essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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105
corroborates
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| v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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106
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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107
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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108
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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109
ingenuously
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| adv.率直地，正直地 | |
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110
ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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111
baneful
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| adj.有害的 | |
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112
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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113
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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114
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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115
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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116
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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117
alphabetically
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| adv.照字母顺序排列地 | |
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118
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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119
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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120
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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121
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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123
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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124
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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125
resound
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| v.回响 | |
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126
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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127
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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128
inflamed
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| 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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129
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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130
cogitated
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| v.认真思考，深思熟虑( cogitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
kindled
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| （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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132
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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133
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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134
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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135
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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136
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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137
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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138
firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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139
horridly
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| 可怕地，讨厌地 | |
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140
convivial
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| adj.狂欢的，欢乐的 | |
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141
hips
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| abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯，耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 )；[建筑学]屋脊；臀围（尺寸）；臀部…的 | |
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142
obstreperous
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| adj.喧闹的，不守秩序的 | |
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143
bauble
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| n.美观而无价值的饰物 | |
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reprobate
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| n.无赖汉；堕落的人 | |
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145
torpid
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| adj.麻痹的，麻木的，迟钝的 | |
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morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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148
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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149
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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150
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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151
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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152
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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153
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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154
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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155
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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156
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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157
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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158
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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159
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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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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162
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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