EUGENIA failed not to observe her appointment the next morning, which was devoted1 to elegiac poetry. A taste so similar operated imperceptibly upon Mrs. Berlinton, who detained her till she was compelled to return to prepare for a great ball at the public rooms; the profound deliberations of Miss Margland, how to exhibit her fair pupil, having finished, like most deliberations upon such subjects, by doing that which is done by every body else upon the same occasion.
Sir Hugh had given directions to Miss Margland to clear his three nieces equally of all expenses relative to public places. Camilla, therefore, being entitled to a ticket, and having brought with her whatever was unspoilt of her Tunbridge apparel, thought this the most seasonable opportunity she could take for again seeing Edgar, who, in their present delicate situation, would no longer, probably, think it right to inquire for her at a stranger’s .
Mrs. Berlinton had not purposed appearing in public, till she had formed her own party; but an irrepressible curiosity to see Indiana induced her to accompany Camilla, with no other attendant than Lord Valhurst.
Mrs. Mittin sought vainly to be of the party; Mrs. Berlinton, though permitting her stay in her house, and treating her with constant civility, had no idea of including her in her own society, which she aimed to have always distinguished2 by either rank, talents, or admirers: and Camilla, who now felt her integrity involved in her economy, was firm against every hint for assisting her with a ticket.
Lord Valhurst, who alone, of the fashionable sojourners, had yet discovered the arrival of Mrs. Berlinton, was highly gratified by this opportunity of attending two such fair creatures in public.
Mrs. Berlinton, as usual, was the last to enter the room; for she never began the duties of the toilette till after tea-time. Two such youthful beauties were not likely to pass without observation.
Mrs. Berlinton, already no longer new to it, had alternately the air of receiving it with the most winning modesty3, or of not noticing she received it at all: for though, but a few months since, she had scarcely been even seen by twenty persons, and even of those had never met a fixed4 eye without a blush, the feelings are so often the mere5 concomitants of the habits, that she could now already know herself the principal object of a whole assembly, without any sensation of timidity, or appearance of confusion. To be bold was not in her nature, which was soft and amiable6; but admiration7 is a dangerous assaulter of diffidence, and familiarity makes almost any distinction met unmoved.
Camilla was too completely engrossed8 by her heart, to think of her appearance.
Lord Valhurst, from his time of life, seemed to be their father, though his adulating9 air as little suited that character as his inclination11. He scarce knew upon which most to lavish12 his compliments, or to regale13 his eyes, and turned, half expiring with ecstasy14, from the soft charms of his kinswoman, with something, he thought, resembling animation15, to the more quickening influence of her bright-eyed companion.
But the effect produced upon the company at large by the radiant beauty of Indiana, who had entered some time, was still more striking than any immediate16 powers from all the bewitching graces of Mrs. Berlinton, and all the intelligent loveliness of Camilla. Her faultless face, her perfect form, raised wonder in one sex, and overpowered envy in the other. The men looked at her, as at something almost too celestial17 for their devoirs; the women, even the most charming amongst them, saw themselves distanced from all pretensions18 to rivalry19. She was followed, but not approached; gazed at, as if a statue, and inquired after, rather as a prodigy20 than a mortal.
This awful homage21 spread not, however, to her party; the watchful22 but disdainful eyes of Miss Margland obtained for herself, even with usury23, all the haughty24 contempt they bestowed25 upon others: Eugenia was pronounced to be a foil, brought merely in ridicule26: and Dr. Orkborne, whom Miss Margland, though detesting27, forced into the set, in preference to being without a man, to hand them from the carriage, and to call it for them at night, had a look so forlorn and distressed28, while obliged to parade with them up and down the room, that he seemed rather a prisoner than an esquire, and more to require a guardian29 to prevent his escaping himself, than to serve for one in securing his young charges from any attack.
Miss Margland augured30 nothing short of half a score proposals of marriage the next day, from the evident brilliancy of this first opening into life of her beautiful pupil; whose own eyes, while they dazzled all others, sought eagerly those of Melmond, which they meant to vanquish31, if not annihilate32.
The first care of Miss Margland was to make herself and her young ladies known to the master of the ceremonies. Indiana needed not that precaution to be immediately the choice of the most elegant man in the room; yet she was piqued33, not delighted, and Miss Margland felt still more irritated, that he proved to be only a baronet, though a nobleman, at the same time, had presented himself to Eugenia. It is true the peer was ruined; but his title was unimpaired; and though the fortune of the baronet, like his person, was in its prime, Indiana thought herself degraded by his hand, since the partner of her cousin was of superior rank.
Eugenia, insensible to this honour, looked only for Melmond; not like Indiana, splendidly to see and kill, but silently to view and venerate34. Melmond, however, was not there; he knew his little command over his passion, in presence of its object; he knew, too, that the expence of public places was not beyond the propriety35 of his income, and virtuously36 devoted his evening to his sick aunt.
Edgar had waited impatiently the entrance of Camilla. His momentary37 sight of Lord Valhurst, at the bathing-room, did not bring him to his remembrance in his present more shewy apparel, and he was gratified to see only an old beau in her immediate suite10. He did not deem it proper, as they were now circumstanced, to ask her to dance; but he quietly approached and bowed to her, and addressed some civil inquiries38 to Mrs. Berlinton. The Westwyns had waited for her at the door; and the father had immediately made her give her hand to Henry to join the dancers.
‘That’s a charming girl,’ cried old Mr. Westwyn, when she was gone; ‘a very charming girl, I promise you. I have taken a prodigious39 liking40 to her; and so has Hal.’
Revived by this open speech, which made him hope there was no serious design, Edgar smiled upon the old gentleman, who had addressed it to the whole remaining party; and said, ‘You have not known that young lady long, I believe, sir?’
‘No, sit; but a little while; but that I don’t mind. A long while and a short while is all one, when I like a person: for I don’t think how many years they’ve got over their heads since first I saw them, but how many good things they’ve got on the inside their hearts to make me want to see them again. Her uncle’s the dearest friend I have in the world; and when I go from this place, I shall make him a visit; for I’m sure of a welcome. But he has never seen my Hal. However, that good girl will be sure to speak a kind word for him, I know; for she thinks very well of him; she told me herself, I might be proud of my son. I can’t say but I’ve loved the girl ever since for it.’
Edgar was so much pleased with the perfectly41 natural character of this old gentleman, that, though alarmed at his intended call upon the favour of Sir Hugh, through the influence of Camilla, for Henry, he would yet have remained in his society, had he not been driven from it by the junction42 of young Lynmere, whose shallow insolence43 he thought insupportable.
Mrs. Berlinton, who declined dancing, had arrived so late, that when Henry led back Camilla, the company was summoned to the tea-table. She was languishing44 for an introduction to Indiana, the absence of Melmond obviating45 all present objection to their meeting; she therefore gave Camilla the welcome task to propose that the two parties should unite.
Many years had elapsed since Miss Margland had received so sensible a gratification; and, in the coalition46 which took place, she displayed more of civility in a few minutes, than she had exerted during the whole period of her Yorkshire and Cleves residence.
Notwithstanding all she had heard of her charms, Mrs. Berlinton still saw with surprise and admiration the exquisite47 face and form of the chosen of her brother, whom she now so sincerely bewailed that, had her own wealth been personal or transferrable, she would not have hesitated in sharing it with him, to aid his better success.
Lord Valhurst adhered tenaciously48 to his kinswoman; and the three gentlemen who had danced the last dances with Indiana, Eugenia, and Camilla, asserted the privilege of attending their partners at the tea-table.
In a few minutes, Lynmere, coming up to them, with ‘Well, have you got any thing here one can touch?’ leant his hand on the edge and his whole body over the table, to take a view at his ease of its contents.
‘Suppose there were nothing, sir?’ said old Westwyn; ‘look round, and see what you could want.’
‘Really, sir,’ said Miss Margland, between whom and Camilla Lynmere had squeezed himself a place, ‘you don’t use much ceremony!’
Having taken some tea, he found it intolerable, and said he must have a glass of Champagne49.
‘La brother!’ cried Indiana, ‘if you bring any wine, I can’t bear to stay.’
Miss Margland said the same; but he whistled, and looked round him without answering.
Mrs. Berlinton, who, though she had thought his uncommonly50 fine person an excuse for his intrusion, thought nothing could excuse this ill-breeding, proposed they should leave the tea-table, and walk.
‘Sit still, ladies,’ said Mr. Westwyn, ‘and drink your tea in peace.’ Then, turning to Lynmere, ‘I wonder,’ he cried, ‘you a’n’t ashamed of yourself! If you were a son of mine, I’ll tell you what; I’d lock you up! I’d serve you as I did when I carried you over to Leipsic, eight years ago. I always hated pert boys. I can’t fancy em.’
Lynmere, affecting not to hear him, though inwardly firing, called violently after a waiter; and, in mere futile51 vengeance52, not only gave an order for Champagne, but demanded some Stilton cheese.
‘Cheese!’ exclaimed Miss Margland, ‘if you order any cheese, I can’t so much as stay in the room. Think what a nauseous smell it will make!’
The man answered, they had no Stilton cheese in the house, but the very best of every other sort.
Lynmere, who had only given this command to shew his defiance53 of control, seized, with equal avidity, the opportunity to abuse the waiter; affirming he belonged to the worst served hotel in Christendom.
The man walked off in dudgeon, and Mr. Westwyn, losing his anger in his astonishment54 at this effrontery55, said, ‘And pray, Mr. Lynmere, what do you pretend to know of Stilton cheese? do they make it at Leipsic? did you ever so much as taste it in your life?’
‘O, yes! excellent! excellentissimo! I can eat no other.’
‘Eat no other! it’s well my Hal don’t say the same! I’d churn him to a cheese himself if he did! And pray, Mr. Lynmere, be so good as to let me know how you got it there!’
‘Ways and means, sir; ways and means!’
‘Why you did not send across the sea for it?’
‘A travelled man, sir, thinks no more of what you call across the sea, than you, that live always over your own fire-side, think of stepping across a kennel56.’
‘Well, sir, well,’ said the old gentleman, now very much piqued, ‘I can’t but say I feel some concern for my old friend, to have his money doused57 about at such a rantipole rate. A boy to be sending over out of Germany into England for Stilton cheese! I wish it had been Hal with all my heart! I promise you I’d have given him enough of it. If the least little thought of the kind was but once to have got in his head, I’d have taken my best oaken stick, and have done him the good office to have helped it out for him: and have made him thank me after too! I hate daintiness; especially in boys. I have no great patience with it.’
Only more incensed58, Lynmere called aloud for his Champagne. The waiter civilly told him, it was not usual to bring wine during tea: but he persisted; and Mr. Westwyn, who saw the ladies all rising, authoritatively59, told the waiter to mind no such directions. Lynmere, who had entered the ball-room in his riding-dress, raised a switch at the man, which he durst not raise at Mr. Westwyn, and protested, in a threatening attitude, he would lay it across his shoulders, if he obeyed not. The man, justly provoked, thought himself authorised to snatch if from him: Clermont resisted; a fierce scuffle ensued; and though Henry, by immediate intervention60, could have parted them, Mr. Westwyn insisted there should be no interference, saying, ‘If any body’s helped, let it be the waiter; for he’s here to do his duty: he don’t come only to behave unmannerly, for his own pleasure. And if I see him hard run, it’s odds61 but I lend him my own fist to right him. I like fair play.’
The female party, in very serious alarm at this unpleasant scene, rose to hurry away. Lord Valhurst was ambitious to suffice as guardian to both his fair charges; but Henry, when prohibited from stopping the affray, offered his services to Camilla, who could not refuse them; and Mrs. Berlinton, active and impatient, flew on foremost; with more speed than his lordship could follow, or even keep in sight. Indiana was handed out by her new adorer, the young baronet; and Eugenia was assisted by her new assailer, the young nobleman.
Edgar, who had hurried to Camilla at the first tumult62, was stung to the heart to see who handed her away; and, forcing a passage, followed, till Henry, the envied Henry, deposited her in the carriage of Mrs. Berlinton.
The confusion in the room, meanwhile, was not likely soon to decrease, for old Mr. Westwyn, delighted by this mortifying63 chastisement64 to Clermont, would permit neither mediation65 nor assistance on his side; saying, with great glee, ‘It will do him a great deal of good! My poor old friend will bless me for it. This is a better lesson than he got in all Leipsic. Let him feel that a Man’s a Man; and not take it into his head a person’s to stand still to be switched, when he’s doing his duty, according to his calling. Switching a man is a bad thing. I can’t say I like it. A gentleman should always use good words; and then a poor man’s proud to serve him; or, if he’s insolent66 for nothing, he may trounce him and welcome. I’ve no objection.’
Miss Margland, meanwhile, had not been remiss67 in what she esteemed68 a most capital feminine accomplishment69, screaming; though, in its exercise, she had failed of any success; since, while her voice called remark, her countenance70 repelled71 its effect. Yet as she saw that not one lady of the group retreated unattended, she thought it a disgrace to seem the only female, who, from internal courage, or external neglect, should retire alone; she therefore called upon Dr. Orkborne, conjuring72, in a shrill73 and pathetic voice, meant more for all who surrounded than for himself, that he would protect her.
The Doctor, who had kept his place in defiance of all sort of inconvenience, either to himself or to others; and who, with some curiosity, was viewing the combat, which he was mentally comparing with certain pugilistic games of old, was now, for the first time in the evening, receiving some little entertainment, and therefore composedly answered, ‘I have a very good place here, ma’am; and I would rather not quit it till this scene is over.’
‘So you won’t come, then, Doctor?’ cried she, modulating74 into a soft whine75 the voice which rage, not terror, rendered tremulous.
Dr. Orkborne, who was any thing rather than loquacious76, having given one answer, said no more.
Miss Margland appealed to all present upon the indecorum of a lady’s being kept to witness such unbecoming violence, and upon the unheard-of inattention of the Doctor: but a short, ‘Certainly!–’ ‘To be sure, ma’am!–’ or, ‘It’s very shocking indeed!’ with a hasty decampment from her neighbourhood, was all of sympathy she procured77.
The entrance, at length, of the master of the house, stopt the affray, by calling off the waiter.
Clermont, then, though wishing to extirpate78 old Westwyn from the earth, and ready to eat his own flesh with fury at the double disgrace he had endured, affected79 a loud halloo, as if he had been contending for his amusement; and protesting Bob, the waiter, was a fine fellow, went off with great apparent satisfaction.
‘Now, then, at least, sit,’ cried Miss Margland, imperiously to the Doctor, who, still ruminating80 upon the late contest, kept his seat, ‘I suppose you’ll condescend81 to take care of me to the coach?’
‘These modern clothes are very much in the way,’ said the Doctor, gravely; ‘and give a bad effect to attitudes.’ He rose, however, but not knowing what to take care of a lady to a coach meant, stood resolutely82 still, till she was forced, in desperation, to walk on alone. He then slowly followed, keeping many paces behind, notwithstanding her continually looking back; and when, with a heavy sigh at her hard fate, she got, unassisted, into the carriage, where her young ladies were waiting, he tranquilly83 mounted after her, tolerably reconciled to the loss of his evening, by some new annotations84 it had suggested for his work, relative to the games of antiquity85.
1 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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2 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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3 modesty | |
n.谦逊,虚心,端庄,稳重,羞怯,朴素 | |
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4 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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5 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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6 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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7 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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8 engrossed | |
adj.全神贯注的 | |
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9 adulating | |
v.谄媚,奉承( adulate的现在分词 ) | |
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10 suite | |
n.一套(家具);套房;随从人员 | |
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11 inclination | |
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好 | |
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12 lavish | |
adj.无节制的;浪费的;vt.慷慨地给予,挥霍 | |
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13 regale | |
v.取悦,款待 | |
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14 ecstasy | |
n.狂喜,心醉神怡,入迷 | |
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15 animation | |
n.活泼,兴奋,卡通片/动画片的制作 | |
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16 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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17 celestial | |
adj.天体的;天上的 | |
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18 pretensions | |
自称( pretension的名词复数 ); 自命不凡; 要求; 权力 | |
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19 rivalry | |
n.竞争,竞赛,对抗 | |
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20 prodigy | |
n.惊人的事物,奇迹,神童,天才,预兆 | |
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21 homage | |
n.尊敬,敬意,崇敬 | |
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22 watchful | |
adj.注意的,警惕的 | |
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23 usury | |
n.高利贷 | |
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24 haughty | |
adj.傲慢的,高傲的 | |
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25 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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27 detesting | |
v.憎恶,嫌恶,痛恨( detest的现在分词 ) | |
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28 distressed | |
痛苦的 | |
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29 guardian | |
n.监护人;守卫者,保护者 | |
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30 augured | |
v.预示,预兆,预言( augur的过去式和过去分词 );成为预兆;占卜 | |
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31 vanquish | |
v.征服,战胜;克服;抑制 | |
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32 annihilate | |
v.使无效;毁灭;取消 | |
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33 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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34 venerate | |
v.尊敬,崇敬,崇拜 | |
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35 propriety | |
n.正当行为;正当;适当 | |
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36 virtuously | |
合乎道德地,善良地 | |
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37 momentary | |
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的 | |
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38 inquiries | |
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听 | |
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39 prodigious | |
adj.惊人的,奇妙的;异常的;巨大的;庞大的 | |
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40 liking | |
n.爱好;嗜好;喜欢 | |
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41 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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42 junction | |
n.连接,接合;交叉点,接合处,枢纽站 | |
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43 insolence | |
n.傲慢;无礼;厚颜;傲慢的态度 | |
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44 languishing | |
a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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45 obviating | |
v.避免,消除(贫困、不方便等)( obviate的现在分词 ) | |
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46 coalition | |
n.结合体,同盟,结合,联合 | |
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47 exquisite | |
adj.精美的;敏锐的;剧烈的,感觉强烈的 | |
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48 tenaciously | |
坚持地 | |
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49 champagne | |
n.香槟酒;微黄色 | |
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50 uncommonly | |
adv. 稀罕(极,非常) | |
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51 futile | |
adj.无效的,无用的,无希望的 | |
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52 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
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53 defiance | |
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗 | |
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54 astonishment | |
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
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55 effrontery | |
n.厚颜无耻 | |
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56 kennel | |
n.狗舍,狗窝 | |
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57 doused | |
v.浇水在…上( douse的过去式和过去分词 );熄灯[火] | |
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58 incensed | |
盛怒的 | |
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59 authoritatively | |
命令式地,有权威地,可信地 | |
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60 intervention | |
n.介入,干涉,干预 | |
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61 odds | |
n.让步,机率,可能性,比率;胜败优劣之别 | |
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62 tumult | |
n.喧哗;激动,混乱;吵闹 | |
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63 mortifying | |
adj.抑制的,苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 );伤害(人的感情);克制;抑制(肉体、情感等) | |
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64 chastisement | |
n.惩罚 | |
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65 mediation | |
n.调解 | |
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66 insolent | |
adj.傲慢的,无理的 | |
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67 remiss | |
adj.不小心的,马虎 | |
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68 esteemed | |
adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 );敬重;认为;以为 | |
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69 accomplishment | |
n.完成,成就,(pl.)造诣,技能 | |
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70 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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71 repelled | |
v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 );使厌恶;排斥;推开 | |
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72 conjuring | |
n.魔术 | |
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73 shrill | |
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫 | |
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74 modulating | |
调整( modulate的现在分词 ); (对波幅、频率的)调制; 转调; 调整或改变(嗓音)的音调 | |
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75 whine | |
v.哀号,号哭;n.哀鸣 | |
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76 loquacious | |
adj.多嘴的,饶舌的 | |
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77 procured | |
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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78 extirpate | |
v.除尽,灭绝 | |
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79 affected | |
adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
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80 ruminating | |
v.沉思( ruminate的现在分词 );反复考虑;反刍;倒嚼 | |
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81 condescend | |
v.俯就,屈尊;堕落,丢丑 | |
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82 resolutely | |
adj.坚决地,果断地 | |
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83 tranquilly | |
adv. 宁静地 | |
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84 annotations | |
n.注释( annotation的名词复数 );附注 | |
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85 antiquity | |
n.古老;高龄;古物,古迹 | |
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