小说搜索     点击排行榜   最新入库
首页 » 经典英文小说 » A Tale of Two Cities双城记 » Book 2 Chapter 16 Still knitting
选择底色: 选择字号:【大】【中】【小】
Book 2 Chapter 16 Still knitting
关注小说网官方公众号(noveltingroom),原版名著免费领。

MADAME DEFARGE and monsieur her husband returned amicably1 to the bosom2 of Saint Antoine, while a speck3 in a blue cap toiled4 through the darkness, and through the dust, and down the weary miles of avenue by the wayside, slowly tending towards that point of the compass where the chateau5 of Monsieur the Marquis, now in his grave, listened to the whispering trees. Such ample leisure had the stone faces, now, for listening to the trees and to the fountain, that the few village scarecrows who, in their quest for herbs to eat and fragments of dead stick to burn, strayed within sight of the great stone courtyard and
terrace staircase, had it borne in upon their starved fancy that the expression of the faces was altered. A rumour6 just lived in the village--had a faint and bare existence there, as its people had that when the knife struck home, the faces changed, from faces of pride to faces of anger and pain also, that when that dangling7 figure was hauled up forty fee above the fountain, they changed again, and bore a cruel look of being avenged8, which they would henceforth bear for ever. In the stone face over the great window of the bed-chamber where the murder was done, two fine dints were pointed10 out in the sculptured nose, which everybody recognised, and which nobody had seen of old; and on the scarce occasions when two or three ragged11 peasants emerged from the crowd to take a hurried peep at Monsieur the Marquis petrified12, a skinny finger would not have pointed to it for a minute, before they all started away among the moss13 and leaves, like the more fortunate hares who could find a living there.

Chateau and hut, stone face and dangling figure, the red stain on the stone floor, and the pure water in the village well--thousands of acres of land--a whole province of France--all France itself--lay under the night sky, concentrated into a faint hairbreadth line. So does a whole world, with all its greatnesses and littlenesses, lie in a twinkling star. And as mere14 human knowledge can split a ray of light and analyse the manner of its composition, so, sublimer15 intelligences may read in the feeble shining of this earth of ours, every thought and act, every vice16 and virtue17, of every responsible creature on it.

The Defarges, husband and wife, came lumbering18 under the starlight, in their public vehicle, to that gate of Paris whereunto their journey naturally tended. There was the usual stoppage at the barrier guardhouse, and the usual lanterns came glancing forth9 for
the usual examination and inquiry19. Monsieur Defarge alighted; knowing one or two of the soldiery there, and one of the police. The latter he was intimate with, and affectionately embraced.

When Saint Antoine had again enfolded the Defarges in his dusky wings, and they, having finally alighted near the Saint's boundaries, were picking their way on foot through the black mud and offal of his streets, Madame Defarge spoke20 to her husband:

`Say then, my friend; what did Jacques of the police tell thee?'

`Very little tonight, but all he knows. There is another spy commissioned for our quarter. There may be many more, for all that he can say, but he knows of one.'

`Eh well!' said Madame Defarge, raising her eyebrows21 with a cool business air. `It is necessary to register him. How do they call that man?'

`He is English.'

`So much the better. His name?'

`Barsad,' said Defarge, making it French by pronunciation. But, he had been so careful to get it accurately22, that he then spelt it with perfect correctness.

`Barsad,,' repeated madame. `Good. Christian23 name?'

`John.'

`John Barsad,' repeated madame, after murmuring it once to herself. `Good. His appearance; is it known?'

`Age, about forty years; height, about five feet nine; black hair; complexion24 dark; generally, rather handsome visage; eyes dark, face thin, long, and sallow; nose aquiline25, but not straight, having a peculiar26 inclination27 towards the left cheek; expression,
therefore, sinister28.'

`Eh my faith. It is a portrait!' said madame, laughing. `He shall be registered tomorrow.'

They turned into the wine-shop, which was closed (for it was midnight) and where Madame Defarge immediately took her post at her desk, counted the small moneys that had been taken during her absence, examined the stock, went through the entries in
the book, made other entries of her own, checked the serving man in every possible way, and finally dismissed him to bed. Then she turned out the contents of the bowl of money for the second time, and began knotting them up in her handkerchief, in a chain of separate knots, for safe keeping through the night. All this while, Defarge, with his pipe in his mouth, walked up and down, complacently29 admiring, but never interfering30; in which condition, indeed, as to the business and his domestic affairs, he walked up and down through life.

The night was hot, and the shop, close shut and surrounded by so foul31 a neighbourhood, was ill-smelling. Monsieur Defarge's olfactory32 sense was by no means delicate, but the stock of wine smelt33 much stronger than it ever tasted, and so did the stock of rum and brandy and aniseed. He whiffed the compound of scents34 away, as he put down his smoked-out pipe.

`You are fatigued,' said madame, raising her glance as she knotted the money. `There are only the usual odours.'

`I am a little tired,' her husband acknowledged.

`You are a little depressed35, too,' said madame, whose quick eyes had never been so intent on the accounts, but they had had a ray or two for him. `Oh, the men, the men!'

`But my dear!' began Defarge.

`But my dear!' repeated madame, nodding firmly; `but my dear! You are faint of heart tonight, my dear!'

`Well, then,' said Defarge, as if a thought were wrung36 Out of his breast, `it is a long time.'

`It is a long time,' repeated his wife; `and when is it not a long time? Vengeance37 and retribution require a long time; it is the rule.'

`It does not take a long time to strike a man with Lightning,' said Defarge.

`How long,' demanded madame, composedly, `does it take to make and store the lightning? Tell me.'

Defarge raised his head thoughtfully, as if there were something in that too.

`It does not take a long time,' said madame, `for an earthquake to swallow a town. Eh well! Tell me how long it takes to prepare the earthquake?'

`A long time, I suppose,' said Defarge.

`But when it is ready, it takes place, and grinds to pieces everything before it. In the meantime, it is always preparing, though it is not seen or heard. That is your consolation38. Keep it.'

She tied a knot with flashing eyes, as if it throttled39 a foe40.

`I tell thee,' said madame, extending her right hand, for emphasis, `that although it is a long time on the road, it is on the road and coming. I tell thee it never retreats, and never stops. I tell thee it is always advancing. Look around and consider the lives of all the world that we know, consider the faces of all the world that we know, consider the rage and discontent to which the Jacquerie addresses itself with more and more of certainty every hour. Can such things last? Bah! I mock you.'

`My brave wife,' returned Defarge, standing41 before her with his head a little bent42, and his hands clasped at his back, like a docile43 and attentive44 pupil before his catechist, `I do not question all this. But it has lasted a long time, and it is possible--you know well, my wife, it is possible--that it may not come, during our lives.'

`Eh well! How then?' demanded madame, tying another knot, as if there were another enemy strangled.

`Well!' said Defarge, with a half-complaining and half apologetic shrug45. `We shall not see the triumph.'

We shall have helped it,' returned madame, with her extended hand in strong action. `Nothing that we do, is done in vain. I believe, with all my soul, that we shall see the triumph. But even if not, even if I knew certainly not, show me the neck of an aristocrat46 and tyrant47, and still I would--'

Then madame, with her teeth set, tied a very terrible knot indeed.

`Hold!' cried Defarge, reddening a little as if he felt charged with cowardice48; `I too, my dear, will stop at nothing.'

`Yes! But it is your weakness that you sometimes need to see your victim and your opportunity, to sustain you. Sustain yourself without that. When the time comes, let loose a tiger and a devil; but wait for the time with the tiger and the devil chained--not shown--yet always ready.'

Madame enforced the conclusion of this piece of advice by striking her little counter with her chain of money as if she knocked its brains out, and then gathering49 the heavy handkerchief under her arm in a serene50 manner, and observing that it was time to go
to bed.

Next noontide saw the admirable woman in her usual place in the wine-shop, knitting away assiduously. A rose lay beside her, and if she now and then glanced at the flower, it was with no infraction51 of her usual preoccupied52 air. There were a few customers, drinking or not drinking, standing or seated, sprinkled about. The day was very hot, and heaps of flies, who were extending their inquisitive53 and adventurous54 perquisitions into all the glutinous55 little glasses near madame, fell dead at the bottom. Their decease made no impression on the other flies out promenading56, who looked at them in the coolest manner (as if they
themselves were elephants, or something as far removed), until they met the same fate. Curious to consider how heedless flies are!--perhaps they thought as much at Court that sunny summer day.

A figure entering at the door threw a shadow on Madame Defarge which she felt to be a new one. She laid down her knitting, and began to pin her rose in her head-dress, before she looked at the figure.

It was curious. The moment Madame Defarge took up the rose, the customers ceased talking, and began gradually to drop out of the wine-shop.

`Good day, madame,' said the new comer.

`Good day, monsieur.'

She said it aloud, but added to herself as she resumed her knitting: `Hah! Good day, age about forty, height about five feet nine, black hair, generally rather handsome visage, complexion dark, eyes dark, thin long and sallow face, aquiline nose but not
straight, having a peculiar inclination towards the left cheek which imparts a sinister expression! Good day, one and all!'

`Have the goodness to give me a little glass of old cognac, and a mouthful of cool fresh water, madame.'

Madame complied with a polite air.

`Marvellous cognac this, madame!'

It was the first time it had ever been so complimented, and Madame Defarge knew enough of its antecedents to know better. She said, however, that the cognac was flattered, and took up her knitting. The visitor watched her fingers for a few moments,
and took the opportunity of observing the place in general.

`You knit with great skill, madame.'

`I am accustomed to it.'

`A pretty pattern too!'

`You think so?' said madame, looking at him with a smile.

`Decidedly. May one ask what it is for?'

`Pastime,' said madame, still looking at him with a smile, while her fingers moved nimbly.

`Not for use?'

`That depends. I may find a use for it one day. If I do--well,' said madame, drawing a breath and nodding her head with a stern kind of coquetry, `I'll use it!'

It was remarkable57: but the taste of Saint Antoine seemed to be decidedly opposed to a rose on the headdress of Madame Defarge. Two men had entered separately, and had been about to order drink, when, catching58 sight of that novelty, they faltered59, made a pretence60 of looking about as if for some friend who was not there, and went away. Nor, of those who had been there when this visitor entered, was there one left. They had all dropped off. The spy had kept his eyes open, but had been able to detect no sign. They had lounged away in a poverty-stricken, purposeless, accidental manner, quite natural and unimpeachable61.

`JOHN,' thought madame, checking off her work as her fingers knitted, and her eyes looked at the stranger., `Stay long enough, and I shall knit ``BARSAD'' before you go.'

`You have a husband, madame?'

`I have.'

`Children?'

`No children.'

`Business seems bad?'

`Business is very bad; the people are so poor.'

`Ah, the unfortunate, miserable62 people! So oppressed, too--as you say.'

`As you say,' madame retorted, correcting him, and deftly63 knitting an extra something into his name that boded64 him no good.

`Pardon me; certainly it was I who said so, but you naturally think so. Of course.'

`I think?' returned madame, in a high voice. `I and my husband have enough to do to keep this wine-shop open, without thinking. All we think, here, is how to live. That is the subject we think of, and it gives us, from morning to night, enough to think about, without embarrassing our heads concerning others. I think for others? No, no.'

The spy, who was there to pick up any crumbs65 he could find or make, did not allow his baffled state to express itself in his sinister face; but, stood with an air of gossiping gallantry, leaning his elbow on Madame Defarge's little counter, and occasionally sipping67 his cognac.

`A bad business this, madame, of Gaspard's execution. Ah! the poor Gaspard!' With a sigh of great compassion68.

`My faith!' returned madame, coolly and lightly, `if people use knives for such purposes, they have to pay for it. He knew beforehand what the price of his luxury was; he has paid the price.'

`I believe,' said the spy, dropping his soft voice to a tone that invited confidence, and expressing an injured revolutionary susceptibility in every muscle of his wicked face: `I believe there is much compassion and anger in this neighbourhood, touching69 the poor fellow? Between ourselves.'

`Is there?' asked madame, vacantly.

`Is there not?'

`--Here is my husband!' said Madame Defarge.

As the keeper of the wine-shop entered at the door, the spy saluted70 him by touching his hat, and saying, with an engaging smile, `Good day, Jacques!' Defarge stopped short, and stared at him.

`Good day, Jacques!' the spy repeated; with not quite so much confidence, or quite so easy a smile under the stare.

`You deceive yourself, monsieur,' returned the keeper of the wine-shop. `You mistake me for another. That is not my name. I am Ernest Defarge.'

`It is all the same,' said the spy, airily, but discomfited71 too: `good day!'

`Good day!' answered Defarge, drily.

`I was saying to madame, with whom I had the pleasure of chatting when you entered, that they tell me there is--and no wonder!--much sympathy and anger in Saint Antoine, touching the unhappy fate of poor Gaspard.'

`No one has told me so,' said Defarge, shaking his head. `I know nothing of it.'

Having said it, he passed behind the little counter, and stood with his hand on the back of his wife's chair, looking over that barrier at the person to whom they were both opposed, and whom either of them would have shot with the greatest satisfaction.

The spy, well used to his business, did not change his unconscious attitude, but drained his little glass of cognac, took a sip66 of fresh water, and asked for another glass of cognac. Madame Defarge poured it out for him, took to her knitting again, and hummed a little song over it.

`You seem to know this quarter well; that is to say, better than I do?' observed Defarge.

`Not at all, but I hope to know it better. I am so profoundly interested in its miserable inhabitants.'

`Hah!' muttered Defarge.

`The pleasure of conversing72 with you, Monsieur Defarge, recalls to me,' pursued the spy, `that I have the honour of cherishing some interesting associations with your name.'

`Indeed!' said Defarge, with much indifference73.

`Yes, indeed. When Dr. Manette was released, you, his old domestic, had the charge of him, I know. He was delivered to you. You see I am informed of the circumstances?'

`Such is the fact, certainly,' said Defarge. He had had it conveyed to him, in an accidental touch of his wife's elbow as she knitted and warbled, that he would do best to answer, but always with brevity.

`It was to you,' said the spy, `that his daughter came; and it was from your care that his daughter took him, accompanied by a neat brown monsieur; how is he called?--in a little wig--Lorry--of the bank of Tellson and Company--over to England.'

`Such is the fact,' repeated Defarge.

`Very interesting remembrances' said the spy. `I have known Dr. Manette and his daughter, in England.'

`Yes?' said Defarge.

`You don't hear much about them now?' said the spy.

`No,' said Defarge.

`In effect,' madame struck in, looking up from her work and her little song, `we never hear about them. We received the news of their safe arrival, and perhaps another letter, or perhaps Mo; but, since then, they have gradually taken their road in life--we,
ours--and we have held no correspondence.'

`Perfectly so, madame,' replied the spy. `She is going to be married.'

`Going?' echoed madame. `She was pretty enough to have been married long ago. You English are cold, it seems to me.'

`Oh! You know I am English.'

`I perceive your tongue is,' returned madame; `and what the tongue is, I suppose the man is.'

He did not take the identification as a compliment; but he made the best of it, and turned it off with a laugh. After sipping his cognac to the end, he added:

`Yes, Miss Manette is going to be married. But not to an Englishman; to one who, like herself, is French by birth. And speaking of Gaspard (ah, poor Gaspard! It was cruel, cruel!) it is a curious thing that she is going to marry the nephew of' Monsieur the Marquis, for whom Gaspard was exalted74 to that height of so many feet; in other words, the present Marquis. But he lives unknown in England, he is no Marquis there; he is Mr. Charles Darnay. D'Aulnais is the name of his mother's family.'

Madame Defarge knitted steadily75, but the intelligence had a palpable effect upon her husband. Do what he would, behind the little counter, as to the striking of a light and the lighting76 of his pipe, he was troubled, and his hand was not trustworthy. The spy would have been no spy if he had failed to see it, or to record it in his mind.

Having made, at least, this one hit, whatever it might prove to be worth, and no customers coming in to help him to any other, Mr. Barsad paid for what he had drunk, and took his leave: taking occasion to say, in a genteel manner, before he departed, that he looked forward to the pleasure of seeing Monsieur and Madame Defarge again. For some minutes after he had emerged into the outer presence of Saint Antoine, the husband and wife remained exactly as he had left them, lest he should come back.

`Can it be true,' said Defarge, in a low voice, looking down at his wife as he stood smoking with his hand on the back of her chair: `what he has said of Ma'amselle Manette?'

`As he has said it,' returned madame, lifting her eyebrows a little, `it is probably false. But it may be true.'

`If it is--'Defarge began, and stopped.

`If it is?' repeated his wife.

`--And if it does come, while we live to see it triumph--I hope, for her sake, Destiny will keep her husband out of France.'

`Her husband's destiny,' said Madame Defarge, with her usual composure, `will take him where he is to go, and will lead him to the end that is to end him. That is all I know.'

`But it is very strange--now, at least, is it not very strange'--said Defarge, rather pleading with his wife to induce her to admit it, `that, after all our sympathy for Monsieur her father, and herself, her husband's name should be proscribed77 under your hand at this moment, by the side of that infernal dog's who has just left us?'

`Stranger things than that will happen when it does come,' answered madame. `I have them both here, of a certainty; and they are both here for their merits; that is enough.'

She rolled up her knitting when she had said those words, and presently took the rose out of the handkerchief that was wound about her head. Either Saint Antoine had an instinctive78 sense that the objectionable decoration was gone or Saint Antoine was on the watch for its disappearance79; howbeit, the Saint took courage to lounge in, very shortly afterwards, and the wine-shop recovered its habitual80 aspect.

In the evening, at which season of all others Saint Antoine turned himself inside out, and sat on doorsteps and window-ledges, and came to the corners of vile81 streets and courts, for a breath of air, Madame Defarge with her work in her hand was accustomed to pass from place to place and from group to group: a Missionary--there were many like her--such as the world will do well never to breed again. All the women knitted. They knitted worthless things; but, the mechanical work was a mechanical substitute for eating and drinking; the hands moved for the jaws82 and the digestive apparatus83: if the bony fingers had been still, the stomachs would have been more famine-pinched.

But, as the fingers went, the eyes went, and the thoughts. And as Madame Defarge moved on from group to group, all three went quicker and fiercer among every little knot of women that she had spoken with, and left behind.

Her husband smoked at his door, looking after her with admiration84. `A great woman,' said he, `a strong woman, a grand woman, a frightfully grand woman!'

Darkness closed around, and then came the ringing of church bells and the distant beating of the military drums in the Palace Court-Yard, as the women sat knitting, knitting. Darkness encompassed85 them. Another darkness was closing in as surely, when the church bells, then ringing pleasantly in many an airy steeple over France, should be melted into thundering cannon86; when the military drums should be beating to drown a wretched voice, that night all-potent as the voice of Power and Plenty, Freedom and Life. So much was closing in about the women who sat knitting, knitting, that they their very selves were closing in around a structure yet unbuilt, where they were to sit knitting, knitting, counting dropping heads.


德伐日太太和她的丈夫平平静静地回到了圣安托万的怀抱,同时一个戴蓝帽子的人影却在黑夜里风尘仆仆地走上了若干英里的长途,按罗盘指示的方向往候爵大人庄园渐渐靠近。侯爵大人此时正在坟墓里谛听着林莽的细语。现在石雕人面十分清闲,可以听树林和泉水的声音了,村里的穷人也敢于闯到巨大的石砌庭院以及台阶附近来找野菜充饥和找枯枝作柴禾了。因为饥饿他们产生了一种幻觉,以为石雕人面已改变了表情。村里流传着一种谣言——它的存在跟村里的人一样有气无力——说是那把匕首刺进去时所有的石雕人面都改变了表情,从骄傲化作了愤怒和痛苦,而在泉水上空四十英尺晃荡起那个人影之后,石像的表情又起了变化,带上了一种报仇雪恨的残酷。而这种表情将永远保留下去。同时又有人指出在发生凶杀的房间窗户上方的石像那雕刻出的鼻子有了两个小小的窝儿。这窝儿人人认得,可过去就没有人在石像上见过。偶然会有两三个衣衫褴褛的农民从伙伴群中走出来窥看变作了石像的侯爵大人,并伸出精瘦的指头指指戳戳闹个分把钟,然后又跟伙伴们一起踏着苔藓和树叶逃走了,像些野兔一样一—野兔倒比他们幸运,可以在林莽中活下去。

庄园与茅屋;石雕人面与吊着摇摇晃晃的身影;石头地板上的斑斑血迹与乡村泉眼中的清清流泉——数以干亩计的土地—一法兰西的一个省区——法兰西的整体一—它们全都在夜空之下凝聚成了一条微弱的细线。整个地球和它的种种伟大与渺小都在一个闪烁的星星之中存在。既然人类知识已经可以分析出光线的构成,那么,更高级的智力必将能在我们这个地球的微弱的光亮中读解出它每一个负责人的每一种思想和行为、每一桩罪恶和德行了。

德伐日夫妇坐着公共马车在星光下隆隆地来到巴黎城门。那是他们自然要经过的地点。他们在路障警卫室前停了停,拿风灯的人照例来作了检查和询问。德伐日认得那儿的两个士兵和一个警察。他跟警察是知己,两人彼此热情地拥抱。

圣安托万把德伐日夫妇拥抱在黄昏的翅膀里。两人在边界附近下了车,在它街道上的黑泥和垃圾间拣着路走。这时德伐日太太对她的丈夫说:

“喂,朋友,警察局的雅克给你说了些什么?”

“今晚说得很少,但他知道的全都告诉我了。我们这儿又派来一个密探,据他说还可能派更多的人来,但他不认识。”

“那好!”德伐日太太带着冷冰冰的办理业务的神气扬起眉毛说。“得把他记录下来。他们怎么叫他?”

“他是英国人。”

“那更好。姓什么?”

“巴赫萨,”德伐日说,把它念成了法国音。但是他很仔细,想弄得很准确,所以又准确地拼出了每一个字母。

“巴萨,”太太说。“好,名字呢?”

“约翰。”

“约翰.巴萨,”太太低声念了念,再重复道。“好,他的长相,知道不?”

“年约四十,身高约五英尺九,黑色头发,微黑皮肤,大体可以算漂亮。深色眼珠,脸瘦长,灰黄。鹰钩鼻,但不直,略向左颊歪斜,因此表情阴险。”

“呃,不错,好一幅肖像画!”太太笑了笑说。“明天给他记下来。”

两人转入酒店。因为已是半夜,酒店早关了门。德伐日太太立即在柜台旁坐下,清点她离开之后收入的零钱,盘点存货,翻查帐本,自己又记上几笔帐,对跑堂的进行了一切可能的检查,然后打发他去睡觉。她这才又第二次倒出碗里的钱,用手绢包起来,打了一串疙瘩,以免夜里出危险。这时德伐日便衔着烟斗走来走去,满意地欣赏着,不去打扰她。他在这类业务和家务的活动中一辈子都只是走来走去而已。

夜很热,酒店密闭,环境又脏,所以有股臭味。德伐日先生的嗅觉并不灵敏,但是店里的葡萄酒味却比平时浓了许多,甜酒、白兰地和茴香的气味也浓。他放下抽完的烟斗,用鼻子吹了吹这种混合气味。

“你累坏了,”老板娘包着钱,打着结,抬头看了他一眼。“这儿只有平常的味儿。”

“我有点疲倦,”她的丈夫承认。

“你的情绪也有点低沉,”老板娘说。她那敏锐的眼睛极专注地看着帐目,可也不时瞄他一两眼。“啊,男人,男人!”

“可是我亲爱的!”德伐日开始说。

“可是我亲爱的!”老板娘坚定地点着头说,“可是我亲爱的!你今天晚上心肠太软!”

“是的,”德伐日说,他的话似乎是从心里痛苦地挤出来的,“时间的确太长了。”

“时间倒是很长,”他的妻子重复他的话,“可哪一件事的时间又能不长呢?报仇雪恨要花很长的时间,这是规律。”

“雷打死人就不需要多少时间,”德伐日说。

“可是你告诉我,”老板娘平静地问道,“让雷电聚积起来需要多少时间?”

德伐日抬起头沉思,仿佛觉得此话也有道理。

“地震毁灭一座城市,”老板娘说,“并不需要多少时间。可是你想想再告诉我,准备一次地震要多久?”

“我看要很长的时间,”德伐日说。

“可是一旦准备成热它就会爆发,把它面前的一切都化成粉末。同时,地震的准备虽然看不见听不见,却总在进行着。这对你就已经是安慰了,记住。”

她的眼睛里冒着火,手上抽紧了一个结,好像掐死了一个敌人。

“告诉你,”老板娘伸出右手强调说,“虽然它在路上的时间很长,它却已经上了路,走过来了。告诉你,它是不会退却,也不会停步的。告诉你,它永远在前进。看看周围的世界,考虑一下世界上我们所认得的每一个人吧,想一想雅克们随着每一小时而增加的愤怒和不满吧!它还长得了么?呸!你真可笑。”

“我勇敢的老婆,”德伐日微低着头,双手背在身后,像个站在教理问答老师面前的小学生似的回答道,“我对这一切都不怀疑。但是它迟迟不来已经太久,很有可能我们这一辈子都盼不到它了。你很明白这是可能的,我的老婆。”

“呃!那又怎么样?”老板娘问,又打了一个结,好像又绞死了一个敌人。”

“唔!”德戈日半是抱怨、半是道歉地耸了耸肩。“那我们就不会看到胜利了。”

“可我们总会促进它的倒来,”老板娘回答,伸出的那只手做了个有力的手势,“我们的努力是不会白费的。我的整个灵魂相信,我们必能看到胜利。即使看不到,即使我明知看不到,你若是给我一个贵族和暴君的脖子,我仍然可以把它一—”

老板娘咬牙切齿地抽紧了一个很可怕的结。

“别说了!”德伐日脸红了,叫了起来,仿佛有谁指责他胆小。“亲爱的,我也是什么都敢干的。”

“不错!但是你有时需要看到对象和机会才坚持得下去,这是你的弱点。别那样,你要坚持。时候一到便把猛虎和魔鬼都放出去,可是在猛虎和魔鬼还有链子拴着的时候,你就得等待时机——不露声色地作好准备。”

老板娘把那一串结子在小柜台上抽打着,仿佛要砸出它的脑浆来,用以强调她的结论。然后她平静地收起沉重的手巾包夹在腋下说,“是睡觉的时候了。”

第二天中午这个可敬的女人又在酒店里她平时的座位上勤勤恳恳也织毛线了。她的旁边放了一朵玫瑰花,虽然她有时要它一两眼,那却并不妨害她一向的遥遥自在的神态。店里有几个零星的客人,有的喝酒,有的没喝;有的站着,有的坐着。天很热,一群群的苍蝇作着探索性的冒险,爬到了老板娘身边带粘性的小酒杯里,落到杯底死去了。在杯外遨游的苍蝇们对伙伴们的死亡却无动于衷,只以最冷淡的态度望着它们,仿佛自己是大象之类跟它们毫不相干的东西,直到它们自己也遇到同样的命运为止。想一想苍蝇那种粗心大意倒也是很有趣的!—一那个炎热的夏天宫廷诸公之粗心大意也许正跟它们不相上下。

一个人影踅进门来,影子投在德伐日太太身上。她觉得是个新人,便放下毛线,往头巾上插上玫瑰,瞄了来人一眼。

有趣的是德伐日太太一拿起玫瑰,顾客们便停止了谈话,开始一个个往店外溜。

“日安,老板娘,”新来的人说。

“日安,先生。”

她大声回答,又打起毛线来,同时心里想道,“哈!日安,年纪四十左右,身高五英尺九左右,黑头发,面孔算得上漂亮,肤色偏黑,深色眼珠,脸瘦长灰质,鼻子鹰钩形,但不直,往左面颊作特别角度的倾斜,形成一种阴险的表情!日安,每一个特征都有!”

“劳驾给我一小杯陈年干邑酒,外加一口新鲜凉水,老板娘。”

老板娘很有礼貌地照办了。

“这干邑酒真好喝,老板娘!”

这酒是第一次受到这种称赞。对于它的评价德伐日太太知道得很多,心中有更准确的估计。不过她仍然说那是过奖了,然后又打起毛线来。客人望了一会儿她的指头,又趁机环顾了一下这地方。

“你打毛线的技术好极了,太太。”

“我习惯了。”

“花样也挺漂亮的。”,

“你觉得漂亮么?”老板娘微笑地看着他说。

“肯定。可以问问是作什么用的吗?”

“打着好玩的,”老板娘说,仍然微笑地看着他,同时灵巧地运动着手指。

“不作什么用?”

“那要看情况。说不定有一天我能给它派上用场的。如果那样的话——晤,”老板娘说,既卖弄风情,又严厉地吸了一口气,点了点头,“它就会有用了。”

说来奇怪,圣安托万的人似乎坚决反对德伐日太太头上插玫瑰。有两个人分头走进店来,想要酒喝,看见那不寻常的玫瑰花,便都犹豫了,都装作到那儿找朋友的样子溜掉了。连他们进店之前在店里的客人也都走得一个不剩了。密探把眼睛睁得大大的,却什么迹象也没发现。人们都走开了。他们穷,行动都很偶然没有目的。这很自然,也无懈可击。

“约翰,”老板娘心想,手指头打着毛线,心里却在检查着手上的工作,眼睛望着生客。“只要你多呆一会儿,我便在你离开之前,把‘巴萨’织进去。”

“你有丈夫吗,老板娘?”

“有。”

“有孩子吗?”

“没有。”

“生意似乎不大好呀?”

“生意很不好,老百姓太穷了。”

“啊,不幸的、痛苦的人民!还受到这样的压迫——正如你所说的。”

“这可是你说的,”老板娘反驳,纠正了他的话,同时在他的名字上娴熟地添上一笔对他不会有什么好处的帐。

“对不起,那确实是我说的,可你自然会这么想的,毫无疑问。”

“我想?”老板娘提高了嗓门回答。“我跟我丈夫要维持这个店面,已经够忙的了,还想什么。我们在这儿想的只是怎样活下去。我们想的就是这个问题,这就够我们从早到晚想个没完了,我们才不去想别人的事自讨苦吃呢。要我想别人的事么?不,我不干。”

那密探是来搜罗点面包皮或者制造点什么的。他不愿在他那阴鸷的脸上露出狼狈的样子,只把胳膊肘靠在老板娘的小柜台上,装作一副献献殷勤闲聊闲聊的神态,偶尔啜一口干邑酒。

“加斯帕德的死,老板娘,真不成话。啊,可怜的加斯帕德!”他说时发出一声深长的叹息,表示同情。

“啊呀!”老板娘轻松冷淡地说,“拿了刀子干这种事总是要受罚的。他早就该知道玩这种奢侈品是什么价钱,不过是欠债还钱罢

“我相信,”密探说,放低了声音。为了取得对方的信任,他那张邪恶的脸上每一块肌肉都表现出受到伤害的革命的敏感:“说句知心话,我相信这一带的人对这个可怜人有着强烈的同情和愤怒,是么?”

“是么?”老板娘一副莫名其妙的表情说。

“没有么?”

“——我当家的来了:”德伐日太太说。

酒店老板进了门,密探碰了碰帽檐行了个礼,带着讨好的微笑说,“日安,雅克!”德
伐日停了步,瞪大眼望着他。

“日安,雅克!”密探重复。在对方的注视下显得不太自信,笑得也不太自然。

“你认错人了,先生,”酒店老板回答。“把我看作别人了。我不叫雅克。我叫欧内斯特.德伐日。”

“叫什么都一样,”密探笑眯眯地说,但也诱着狼狈,“日安!”

“日安!”德伐日干巴巴地回答。

“你进来的时候,我有幸在跟老板娘闲聊,正说起别人告诉我的事:圣安托万人对于可怜的加斯帕德的不幸命运表现了强烈的同情和愤怒呢。”

“没听见谁说过这祥的话,”德伐日摇摇头说,“我不知道。”

说完这话,他走到小柜台后面,一只乎放在他妻子的椅背上,隔着这道障碍望着他们共同面对的人。若是能一枪崩了他,两人是会感到痛快的。

那密探很习惯于他的职业生活,并没有改变他那不自觉的姿态,只喝干了他那一小杯干邑酒,啜了一口清水,又叫了一杯干邑。德伐日太太给他斟了酒,又开始打起毛线来,嘴里哼着小曲儿。

“你对这一带好像很熟呢。就是说,比我还熟,是么?”德伐日说。

“不不,不过想多知道一点。我对苦难的居民有深刻的关心,”

“啊!”德伐日含糊地说。

“能有幸跟你谈话,德伐日先生,令我想起——”密探接下去,“我有幸能把你的姓作一个有趣的联想。”

“真的!”德伐日淡漠地说。

“不错,真的。我知道曼内特医生放出来时是由你照顾的。你是他家的老仆人,所以把他交给了你。你看,我还算了解情况吧?”

“有那么回事,肯定,”德伐日说。他的妻子在打毛线和唱歌时仿佛偶然地碰了碰他的手肘,他明白那是暗示他最好还是回答,但要简短。

“他的女儿来后,”密探说,“找的也是你。她是从你手里把她父亲接走的,同来的还有一个一身褐色衣服、穿戴很整齐的先生。那人叫什么来着?——戴个小假发——叫罗瑞——是台尔森银行的人——把他接到英格兰去了。”

“是事实,”德伐日重复。

“多么有趣的回忆!”密探说。“我在英国跟曼内特医生和他的女儿都认识。”

“是么?”,

“你现在不大得到他们的消息了么?”密探说。

“没有消息,”德伐日说。

“实际上,”老板娘放下了活计,也不再哼曲子,抬起头插嘴道,“我们没有得到他俩的消息。我们接到他们平安到达的消息之后只收到过一两封信,从那以后他们的生活逐渐走上了正轨——我们也只顾着自己的生活—一就没有再通信了。”

“完全如此,老板娘,”密探说。“那小姐快要结婚了。”

“快要结婚了?”老板娘回答。“她挺漂亮的,早该结婚了。你们英国人太冷淡了,我好像觉得。”

“啊!你要知道我就是英国人呢!”

“我早听出了你的口音,”老板娘回答,“我估计口音既然是英国的,人也就是英国人了。”

他没有把这番鉴定看作是赞美之辞,只好努力招架,哈哈一笑应付过去。他喝完了干邑酒,又说:

“真的,曼内特小姐要结婚了。但对象不是英国人,而是跟她一样出生在法国的法国人。说到加斯帕德(啊,可怜的加斯帕德!太残酷!太残酷!),有一件事倒很奇怪。小姐要嫁的是侯爵大人的侄子,而加斯帕德正是因为侯爵才被高高吊起来的。换句话说,那人正是现在的侯爵。但是他在英国是隐姓埋名的,在那儿并不是侯爵。他叫查尔斯.达尔内先生。他母亲姓达尔内。”

德伐日太太平静地织着毛线,但这消息对她的丈夫却产生了明显的效果。他在小柜台后面打火点烟斗,可无论做什么那手总有点不听使唤,心里也很乱。那密探若是连这一点也看不出或是没记录在心里,他就算不上是密探了。

巴萨先生这一枪至少已经刺了个正着,虽然它有什么价值还不清楚。此时又再无客人进来给他再显身手的机会,他便付了酒钱,走掉了。临行前他又利用机会温文尔雅地表示希望有机会跟德伐日夫妇再会。他离开酒店之后好一会儿这对夫妇仍然保持着原样没动,怕他又会回来。

“他关于曼内特小姐的消息,”德伐日低声说,他站着,吸着烟,一只手还在她椅背上,“能是真的么?”

“他那话很可能是假的,”老板娘眉毛扬起了一点点,“但也可能是真的。”

“如果是真的一—”德伐日说着又住了嘴。

“如果是真的又怎么样?”他的妻子重复说。

“——而那件事又发生了,我们看到了胜利——那么为了她的缘故,但愿命运让他别回法国来。”

“她丈夫的命运,”德伐日太太跟平时一样平静地说,“会带他到该去的地方,让他在该收场的地方收场。我就知道这一点。”

“但是有一件事却很奇怪——至少现在是很奇怪的,不是么?”德伐日说,带着恳求他妻于承认的口气,“尽管我们非常同情她和她的父亲,她丈夫的名字此时却在你的手下,记录进了惩罚名单,跟刚才离开我们的那条地狱的狗在一起。”

“到了那时比这更离奇的事也会发生的,”老板娘回答。“我把他俩都记在这儿了,这是肯定的。他们各有各的帐,都记下了,那就行了。”

说完这话,她卷起了毛线活儿,把玫瑰花从包在头上的手巾上取下来。圣安托万人或者是有一种本能,意识到那讨厌的装饰已经不见了,或者是一直观察着等待着那装饰的消失。总而言之,不一会儿工夫人们已鼓起勇气往店里走来,酒店又恢复了往日的景象。

在这个季节里的黄昏,圣安托万人全体都要出门,有的坐在门槛上,有的坐在窗台上,有的则坐到肮脏的街头巷尾。都是出来透气的。这时德伐日太太总习惯于拿着毛线活儿在东一群西一群的人之间走来走去:她是个传教士——像她这样的人还不少—一人世间若是不再产生这样的传教士就好了。女人们织着毛线,织的是不值钱的东西。但是,机械的工作可以机械地带来吃喝。手的活动是为了嘴和消化系统的活动。若是精瘦的指头停止了活动,肠胃就更填不满了。

但是她们的手指所到之处也正是眼睛所到之处,也是思想所到之处。德伐日太太在人群间周游时,她所接触到的妇女们的手指、眼睛和思想都行动得更快更猛烈了。

她的丈夫在门口吸烟,带着钦佩之情打量着她。“了不起的女人,”他说,“坚强的女人,伟大的女人,伟大得可怕的女人!”

黑暗在积聚,教堂的钟声响了,远处的王家卫队的军鼓响了。妇女们坐在那儿不断织着毛线。黑暗笼罩着她们。另一种黑暗同祥在稳定地积聚着。那时在全法兰西的尖塔上发出欢声的铜钟将会被熔铸为发出雷鸣的大炮。而隆隆的军鼓亦将淹没一个凄惨的声音。那个夜晚将跟力量与富裕的声音,自由与生命的声音一样无所不能。妇女们坐在那儿不断地编织着,许多东西都往她们积聚包围过来,使她们自己围到一个还没有建立起来的架子下面,坐在那儿不断地编织,记录要落下的人头。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 amicably amicably     
adv.友善地
参考例句:
  • Steering according to the wind, he also framed his words more amicably. 他真会看风使舵,口吻也马上变得温和了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The couple parted amicably. 这对夫妻客气地分手了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
2 bosom Lt9zW     
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的
参考例句:
  • She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
  • A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。
3 speck sFqzM     
n.微粒,小污点,小斑点
参考例句:
  • I have not a speck of interest in it.我对它没有任何兴趣。
  • The sky is clear and bright without a speck of cloud.天空晴朗,一星星云彩也没有。
4 toiled 599622ddec16892278f7d146935604a3     
长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 ); 艰难缓慢地移动,跋涉
参考例句:
  • They toiled up the hill in the blazing sun. 他们冒着炎炎烈日艰难地一步一步爬上山冈。
  • He toiled all day long but earned very little. 他整天劳碌但挣得很少。
5 chateau lwozeH     
n.城堡,别墅
参考例句:
  • The house was modelled on a French chateau.这房子是模仿一座法国大别墅建造的。
  • The chateau was left to itself to flame and burn.那府第便径自腾起大火燃烧下去。
6 rumour 1SYzZ     
n.谣言,谣传,传闻
参考例句:
  • I should like to know who put that rumour about.我想知道是谁散布了那谣言。
  • There has been a rumour mill on him for years.几年来,一直有谣言产生,对他进行中伤。
7 dangling 4930128e58930768b1c1c75026ebc649     
悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 ); 摆动不定; 用某事物诱惑…; 吊胃口
参考例句:
  • The tooth hung dangling by the bedpost, now. 结果,那颗牙就晃来晃去吊在床柱上了。
  • The children sat on the high wall,their legs dangling. 孩子们坐在一堵高墙上,摇晃着他们的双腿。
8 avenged 8b22eed1219df9af89cbe4206361ac5e     
v.为…复仇,报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 );为…报复
参考例句:
  • She avenged her mother's death upon the Nazi soldiers. 她惩处了纳粹士兵以报杀母之仇。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The Indians avenged the burning of their village on〔upon〕 the settlers. 印第安人因为村庄被焚毁向拓居者们进行报复。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
10 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
11 ragged KC0y8     
adj.衣衫褴褛的,粗糙的,刺耳的
参考例句:
  • A ragged shout went up from the small crowd.这一小群人发出了刺耳的喊叫。
  • Ragged clothing infers poverty.破衣烂衫意味着贫穷。
12 petrified 2e51222789ae4ecee6134eb89ed9998d     
adj.惊呆的;目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆,使惊呆;变僵硬;使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I'm petrified of snakes. 我特别怕蛇。
  • The poor child was petrified with fear. 这可怜的孩子被吓呆了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 moss X6QzA     
n.苔,藓,地衣
参考例句:
  • Moss grows on a rock.苔藓生在石头上。
  • He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。
14 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
15 sublimer 369784a8102b430fb9e70b0dd33f4242     
使高尚者,纯化器
参考例句:
16 vice NU0zQ     
n.坏事;恶习;[pl.]台钳,老虎钳;adj.副的
参考例句:
  • He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
  • They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。
17 virtue BpqyH     
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力
参考例句:
  • He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
  • You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。
18 lumbering FA7xm     
n.采伐林木
参考例句:
  • Lumbering and, later, paper-making were carried out in smaller cities. 木材业和后来的造纸都由较小的城市经营。
  • Lumbering is very important in some underdeveloped countries. 在一些不发达的国家,伐木业十分重要。
19 inquiry nbgzF     
n.打听,询问,调查,查问
参考例句:
  • Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
  • The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。
20 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
21 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
22 accurately oJHyf     
adv.准确地,精确地
参考例句:
  • It is hard to hit the ball accurately.准确地击中球很难。
  • Now scientists can forecast the weather accurately.现在科学家们能准确地预报天气。
23 Christian KVByl     
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒
参考例句:
  • They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
  • His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
24 complexion IOsz4     
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格
参考例句:
  • Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
  • Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。
25 aquiline jNeyk     
adj.钩状的,鹰的
参考例句:
  • He had a thin aquiline nose and deep-set brown eyes.他长着窄长的鹰钩鼻和深陷的褐色眼睛。
  • The man has a strong and aquiline nose.该名男子有强大和鹰鼻子。
26 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
27 inclination Gkwyj     
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好
参考例句:
  • She greeted us with a slight inclination of the head.她微微点头向我们致意。
  • I did not feel the slightest inclination to hurry.我没有丝毫着急的意思。
28 sinister 6ETz6     
adj.不吉利的,凶恶的,左边的
参考例句:
  • There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋。
  • Their proposals are all worthless and designed out of sinister motives.他们的建议不仅一钱不值,而且包藏祸心。
29 complacently complacently     
adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地
参考例句:
  • He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
  • "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装,"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
30 interfering interfering     
adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词
参考例句:
  • He's an interfering old busybody! 他老爱管闲事!
  • I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. 我希望我母亲不再干预,让我自己拿主意。
31 foul Sfnzy     
adj.污秽的;邪恶的;v.弄脏;妨害;犯规;n.犯规
参考例句:
  • Take off those foul clothes and let me wash them.脱下那些脏衣服让我洗一洗。
  • What a foul day it is!多么恶劣的天气!
32 olfactory Z5EzW     
adj.嗅觉的
参考例句:
  • He is to develop a sensor to substitute for the olfactory abilities of dogs.克罗克将研制一种传感器用以代替狗的嗅觉功能。
  • Based on these findings, Keller suspects that each person has an olfactory blind spot.根据这些发现,凯勒推断,每个人都有一个嗅觉盲区。
33 smelt tiuzKF     
v.熔解,熔炼;n.银白鱼,胡瓜鱼
参考例句:
  • Tin is a comparatively easy metal to smelt.锡是比较容易熔化的金属。
  • Darby was looking for a way to improve iron when he hit upon the idea of smelting it with coke instead of charcoal.达比一直在寻找改善铁质的方法,他猛然想到可以不用木炭熔炼,而改用焦炭。
34 scents 9d41e056b814c700bf06c9870b09a332     
n.香水( scent的名词复数 );气味;(动物的)臭迹;(尤指狗的)嗅觉
参考例句:
  • The air was fragrant with scents from the sea and the hills. 空气中荡漾着山和海的芬芳气息。
  • The winds came down with scents of the grass and wild flowers. 微风送来阵阵青草和野花的香气。 来自《简明英汉词典》
35 depressed xu8zp9     
adj.沮丧的,抑郁的,不景气的,萧条的
参考例句:
  • When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
  • His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。
36 wrung b11606a7aab3e4f9eebce4222a9397b1     
绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 ); 握紧(尤指别人的手); 把(湿衣服)拧干; 绞掉(水)
参考例句:
  • He has wrung the words from their true meaning. 他曲解这些字的真正意义。
  • He wrung my hand warmly. 他热情地紧握我的手。
37 vengeance wL6zs     
n.报复,报仇,复仇
参考例句:
  • He swore vengeance against the men who murdered his father.他发誓要向那些杀害他父亲的人报仇。
  • For years he brooded vengeance.多年来他一直在盘算报仇。
38 consolation WpbzC     
n.安慰,慰问
参考例句:
  • The children were a great consolation to me at that time.那时孩子们成了我的莫大安慰。
  • This news was of little consolation to us.这个消息对我们来说没有什么安慰。
39 throttled 1be2c244a7b85bf921df7bf52074492b     
v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 );勒死;使窒息;压制
参考例句:
  • He throttled the guard with his bare hands. 他徒手掐死了卫兵。
  • The pilot got very low before he throttled back. 飞行员减速之前下降得很低。 来自《简明英汉词典》
40 foe ygczK     
n.敌人,仇敌
参考例句:
  • He knew that Karl could be an implacable foe.他明白卡尔可能会成为他的死敌。
  • A friend is a friend;a foe is a foe;one must be clearly distinguished from the other.敌是敌,友是友,必须分清界限。
41 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
42 bent QQ8yD     
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的
参考例句:
  • He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
  • We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。
43 docile s8lyp     
adj.驯服的,易控制的,容易教的
参考例句:
  • Circus monkeys are trained to be very docile and obedient.马戏团的猴子训练得服服贴贴的。
  • He is a docile and well-behaved child.他是个温顺且彬彬有礼的孩子。
44 attentive pOKyB     
adj.注意的,专心的;关心(别人)的,殷勤的
参考例句:
  • She was very attentive to her guests.她对客人招待得十分周到。
  • The speaker likes to have an attentive audience.演讲者喜欢注意力集中的听众。
45 shrug Ry3w5     
v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等)
参考例句:
  • With a shrug,he went out of the room.他耸一下肩,走出了房间。
  • I admire the way she is able to shrug off unfair criticism.我很佩服她能对错误的批评意见不予理会。
46 aristocrat uvRzb     
n.贵族,有贵族气派的人,上层人物
参考例句:
  • He was the quintessential english aristocrat.他是典型的英国贵族。
  • He is an aristocrat to the very marrow of his bones.他是一个道道地地的贵族。
47 tyrant vK9z9     
n.暴君,专制的君主,残暴的人
参考例句:
  • The country was ruled by a despotic tyrant.该国处在一个专制暴君的统治之下。
  • The tyrant was deaf to the entreaties of the slaves.暴君听不到奴隶们的哀鸣。
48 cowardice norzB     
n.胆小,怯懦
参考例句:
  • His cowardice reflects on his character.他的胆怯对他的性格带来不良影响。
  • His refusal to help simply pinpointed his cowardice.他拒绝帮助正显示他的胆小。
49 gathering ChmxZ     
n.集会,聚会,聚集
参考例句:
  • He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
  • He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。
50 serene PD2zZ     
adj. 安详的,宁静的,平静的
参考例句:
  • He has entered the serene autumn of his life.他已进入了美好的中年时期。
  • He didn't speak much,he just smiled with that serene smile of his.他话不多,只是脸上露出他招牌式的淡定的微笑。
51 infraction gbbz5     
n.违反;违法
参考例句:
  • He was criticized for his infraction of the discipline.他因违反纪律而受到了批评。
  • Parking at the bus stop is illegal,Motorists committing this infraction are heavily fined.在公交站停车是违法的,触犯此条的司机将受重罚。
52 preoccupied TPBxZ     
adj.全神贯注的,入神的;被抢先占有的;心事重重的v.占据(某人)思想,使对…全神贯注,使专心于( preoccupy的过去式)
参考例句:
  • He was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice anything wrong. 他只顾想着心事,没注意到有什么不对。
  • The question of going to the Mount Tai preoccupied his mind. 去游泰山的问题盘踞在他心头。 来自《简明英汉词典》
53 inquisitive s64xi     
adj.求知欲强的,好奇的,好寻根究底的
参考例句:
  • Children are usually inquisitive.小孩通常很好问。
  • A pat answer is not going to satisfy an inquisitive audience.陈腔烂调的答案不能满足好奇的听众。
54 adventurous LKryn     
adj.爱冒险的;惊心动魄的,惊险的,刺激的 
参考例句:
  • I was filled with envy at their adventurous lifestyle.我很羨慕他们敢于冒险的生活方式。
  • He was predestined to lead an adventurous life.他注定要过冒险的生活。
55 glutinous jeWzj     
adj.粘的,胶状的
参考例句:
  • The sauce was glutinous and tasted artificial.这种酱有些黏,尝起来不是非常地道。
  • The coat covering the soft candies is made from glutinous rice.包裹软糖的江米纸是由糯米做成的。
56 promenading 4657255b658a23d23f8a61ac546a0c1c     
v.兜风( promenade的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • No doubt this "promenading" was not at all to her taste. 没有问题,这样“溜圈儿”是压根儿不合她口胃的。 来自辞典例句
  • People were promenading about the town. 人们在镇上闲步[漫步]。 来自互联网
57 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
58 catching cwVztY     
adj.易传染的,有魅力的,迷人的,接住
参考例句:
  • There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
  • Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。
59 faltered d034d50ce5a8004ff403ab402f79ec8d     
(嗓音)颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 ); 支吾其词; 蹒跚; 摇晃
参考例句:
  • He faltered out a few words. 他支吾地说出了几句。
  • "Er - but he has such a longhead!" the man faltered. 他不好意思似的嚅嗫着:“这孩子脑袋真长。”
60 pretence pretence     
n.假装,作假;借口,口实;虚伪;虚饰
参考例句:
  • The government abandoned any pretence of reform. 政府不再装模作样地进行改革。
  • He made a pretence of being happy at the party.晚会上他假装很高兴。
61 unimpeachable CkUwO     
adj.无可指责的;adv.无可怀疑地
参考例句:
  • He said all five were men of unimpeachable character.他说这五个都是品格完美无缺的人。
  • It is the revenge that nature takes on persons of unimpeachable character.这是自然对人品无瑕的人的报复。
62 miserable g18yk     
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的
参考例句:
  • It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他,这是可耻的。
  • Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。
63 deftly deftly     
adv.灵巧地,熟练地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He deftly folded the typed sheets and replaced them in the envelope. 他灵巧地将打有字的纸折好重新放回信封。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • At last he had a clew to her interest, and followed it deftly. 这一下终于让他发现了她的兴趣所在,于是他熟练地继续谈这个话题。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
64 boded 3ee9f155e2df361f160805e631a2c2ca     
v.预示,预告,预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 );等待,停留( bide的过去分词 );居住;(过去式用bided)等待
参考例句:
  • The beginning of that summer boded ill. 夏季一开始就来势不善。 来自辞典例句
65 crumbs crumbs     
int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式
参考例句:
  • She stood up and brushed the crumbs from her sweater. 她站起身掸掉了毛衣上的面包屑。
  • Oh crumbs! Is that the time? 啊,天哪!都这会儿啦?
66 sip Oxawv     
v.小口地喝,抿,呷;n.一小口的量
参考例句:
  • She took a sip of the cocktail.她啜饮一口鸡尾酒。
  • Elizabeth took a sip of the hot coffee.伊丽莎白呷了一口热咖啡。
67 sipping e7d80fb5edc3b51045def1311858d0ae     
v.小口喝,呷,抿( sip的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • She sat in the sun, idly sipping a cool drink. 她坐在阳光下懒洋洋地抿着冷饮。
  • She sat there, sipping at her tea. 她坐在那儿抿着茶。
68 compassion 3q2zZ     
n.同情,怜悯
参考例句:
  • He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
  • Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。
69 touching sg6zQ9     
adj.动人的,使人感伤的
参考例句:
  • It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
  • His letter was touching.他的信很感人。
70 saluted 1a86aa8dabc06746471537634e1a215f     
v.欢迎,致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 );赞扬,赞颂
参考例句:
  • The sergeant stood to attention and saluted. 中士立正敬礼。
  • He saluted his friends with a wave of the hand. 他挥手向他的朋友致意。 来自《简明英汉词典》
71 discomfited 97ac63c8d09667b0c6e9856f9e80fe4d     
v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词);使狼狈;使挫折;挫败
参考例句:
  • He was discomfited by the unexpected questions. 意料不到的问题使得他十分尴尬。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • He will be particularly discomfited by the minister's dismissal of his plan. 部长对他计划的不理会将使他特别尴尬。 来自辞典例句
72 conversing 20d0ea6fb9188abfa59f3db682925246     
v.交谈,谈话( converse的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • I find that conversing with her is quite difficult. 和她交谈实在很困难。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • They were conversing in the parlor. 他们正在客厅谈话。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
73 indifference k8DxO     
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎
参考例句:
  • I was disappointed by his indifference more than somewhat.他的漠不关心使我很失望。
  • He feigned indifference to criticism of his work.他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。
74 exalted ztiz6f     
adj.(地位等)高的,崇高的;尊贵的,高尚的
参考例句:
  • Their loveliness and holiness in accordance with their exalted station.他们的美丽和圣洁也与他们的崇高地位相称。
  • He received respect because he was a person of exalted rank.他因为是个地位崇高的人而受到尊敬。
75 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
76 lighting CpszPL     
n.照明,光线的明暗,舞台灯光
参考例句:
  • The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
  • The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。
77 proscribed 99c10fdb623f3dfb1e7bbfbbcac1ebb9     
v.正式宣布(某事物)有危险或被禁止( proscribe的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • They are proscribed by federal law from owning guns. 根据联邦法律的规定,他们不准拥有枪支。 来自辞典例句
  • In earlier days, the church proscribed dancing and cardplaying. 从前,教会禁止跳舞和玩牌。 来自辞典例句
78 instinctive c6jxT     
adj.(出于)本能的;直觉的;(出于)天性的
参考例句:
  • He tried to conceal his instinctive revulsion at the idea.他试图饰盖自己对这一想法本能的厌恶。
  • Animals have an instinctive fear of fire.动物本能地怕火。
79 disappearance ouEx5     
n.消失,消散,失踪
参考例句:
  • He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
  • Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。
80 habitual x5Pyp     
adj.习惯性的;通常的,惯常的
参考例句:
  • He is a habitual criminal.他是一个惯犯。
  • They are habitual visitors to our house.他们是我家的常客。
81 vile YLWz0     
adj.卑鄙的,可耻的,邪恶的;坏透的
参考例句:
  • Who could have carried out such a vile attack?会是谁发起这么卑鄙的攻击呢?
  • Her talk was full of vile curses.她的话里充满着恶毒的咒骂。
82 jaws cq9zZq     
n.口部;嘴
参考例句:
  • The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. 那只羚羊无法从鱷鱼张开的大口中逃脱。
  • The scored jaws of a vise help it bite the work. 台钳上有刻痕的虎钳牙帮助它紧咬住工件。
83 apparatus ivTzx     
n.装置,器械;器具,设备
参考例句:
  • The school's audio apparatus includes films and records.学校的视听设备包括放映机和录音机。
  • They had a very refined apparatus.他们有一套非常精良的设备。
84 admiration afpyA     
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕
参考例句:
  • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
  • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
85 encompassed b60aae3c1e37ac9601337ef2e96b6a0c     
v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 );包围;包含;包括
参考例句:
  • The enemy encompassed the city. 敌人包围了城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I have encompassed him with every protection. 我已经把他保护得严严实实。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
86 cannon 3T8yc     
n.大炮,火炮;飞机上的机关炮
参考例句:
  • The soldiers fired the cannon.士兵们开炮。
  • The cannon thundered in the hills.大炮在山间轰鸣。


欢迎访问英文小说网

©英文小说网 2005-2010

有任何问题,请给我们留言,管理员邮箱:[email protected]  站长QQ :点击发送消息和我们联系56065533