Why, there are maidens1 of heroic touch,
And yet they seem like things of gossamer2
You’d pinch the life out of, as out of moths3.
O, it is not loud tones and mouthingness
’Tis not the arms akimbo and large strides,
That makes a woman’s force. The tiniest birds,
With softest downy breasts, have passions in them
And are brave with love.
ESTHER was so placed in the court, under Mrs Transome’s wing as to see and hear everything without effort. Harold had received them at the hotel, and had observed that Esther looked ill, and was unusually abstracted in her manner, but this seemed to be sufiiciently accounted for by her sympathetic anxiety about the result of a trial in which the prisoner at the bar was a friend, and in which both her father and himself were important witnesses. Mrs Transome had no reluctance4 to keep a small secret from her son, and no betrayal was made of that previous ‘engagement’ of Esther’s with her father. Harold was particularly delicate and unobtrusive in his attentions today: he had the consciousness that he was going to behave in a way that would gratify Esther and win her admiration5, and we are all of us made more graceful6 by the inward presence of what we believe to be a generous purpose; our actions move to a hidden music — ‘a melody that’s sweetly pitched in tune’.
If Esther had been less absorbed by supreme7 feelings, she would have been aware that she was an object of special notice. In the bare squareness of a public hall, where there was not one jutting8 angle to hang a guess or a thought upon, not an image or a bit of colour to stir the fancy, and where the only objects of speculation9, of admiration, or of any interest whatever, were human beings, and especially the human beings that occupied positions indicating some importance, the notice bestowed10 on Esther would not have been surprising, even if it had been merely a tribute to her youthful charm, which was well companioned by Mrs Transome’s elderly majesty11. But it was due also to whisperings that she was an hereditary12 claimant of the Transome estates, whom Harold Transome was about to marry. Harold himself had of late not cared to conceal13 either the fact or the probability: they both tended rather to his honour than his dishonour14. And today, when there was a good proportion of Trebians present, the whisperings spread rapidly.
The court was still more crowded than on the previous day, when our poor acquaintance Dredge and his two collier companions were sentenced to a year’s imprisonment16 with hard labour, and the more enlightened prisoner, who stole the Debarrys’ plate, to transportation for life. Poor Dredge had cried, had wished he’d ‘never heared of a ‘lection,’ and in spite of sermons from the jail chaplain, fell back on the explanation that this was a world in which Spratt and Old Nick were sure to get the best of it; so that in Dredge’s case, at least, most observers must have had the melancholy17 conviction that there had been no enhancement of public spirit and faith in progress from that wave of political agitation18 which had reached the Sproxton Pits.
But curiosity was necessarily at a higher pitch today, when the character of the prisoner and the circumstances of his offence were of a highly unusual kind. As soon as Felix appeared at the bar, a murmur19 rose and spread into a loud buzz, which continued until there had been repeated authoritative20 calls for silence in the court. Rather singularly, it was now for the first time that Esther had a feeling of pride in him on the ground simply of his appearance. At this moment, when he was the centre of a multitudinous gaze, which seemed to act on her own vision like a broad unmitigated daylight, she felt that there was something preeminent21 in him, notwithstanding the vicinity of numerous gentlemen. No apple-woman would have admired him; not only to feminine minds like Mrs Tiliot’s, but to many minds in coat and waistcoat, there was something dangerous and perhaps unprincipled in his bare throat and great Gothic head; and his somewhat massive person would doubtless have come out very oddly from the hands of a fashionable tailor of that time. But as Esther saw his large grey eyes looking round calmly and undefiantly, first at the audience generally, and then with a more observant expression at the lawyers and other persons immediately around him, she felt that he bore the outward stamp of a distinguished22 nature. Forgive her if she needed this satisfaction: all of us — whether men or women — are liable to this weakness of liking23 to have our preference justified24 before others as well as ourselves. Esther said inwardly, with a certain triumph, that Felix Holt looked as worthy25 to be chosen in the midst of this large assembly, as he had ever looked in their tete-a-tete under the sombre light of the little parlour in Malthouse Yard.
Esther had felt some relief in hearing from her father that Felix had insisted on doing without his mother’s presence; and since to Mrs Holt’s imagination, notwithstanding her general desire to have her character inquired into, there was no greatly consolatory26 difference between being a witness and a criminal, and an appearance of any kind ‘before the judge’ could hardly be made to suggest anything definite that would overcome the dim sense of unalleviated disgrace, she had been less inclined than usual to complain of her son’s decision. Esther had shuddered27 beforehand at the inevitable28 farce29 there would be in Mrs Holt’s testimony30. But surely Felix would lose something for want of a witness who could testify to his behaviour in the morning before he became involved in the tumult31?
‘He is really a fine young fellow,’ said Harold, coming to speak to Esther after a colloquy32 with the prisoner’s solicitor33. ‘I hope he will not make a blunder in defending himself.’
‘He is not likely to make a blunder,’ said Esther. She had recovered her colour a little, and was brighter than she had been all the morning before.
Felix had seemed to include her in his general glance, but had avoided looking at her particularly. She understood how delicate feeling for her would prevent this, and that she might safely look at him, and towards her father, whom she could see in the same direction. Turning to Harold to make an observation, she saw that he was looking towards the same point, but with an expression on his face that surprised her.
‘Dear me,’ she said, prompted to speak without any reflection; ‘how angry you look! I never saw you look so angry before. It is not my father you are looking at?’
‘Oh no! I am angry at something I’m looking away from,’ said Harold, making an effort to drive back the troublesome demon34 who would stare out at window. ‘It’s that Jermyn,’ he added, glancing at his mother as well as Esther. ‘He will thrust himself under my eyes everywhere since I refused him an interview and returned his letter. I’m determined35 never to speak to him directly again, if I can help it.’
Mrs Transome heard with a changeless face. She had for some time been watching, and had taken on her marble look of immobility. She said an inward bitter ‘Of course!’ to everything that was unpleasant.
After this Esther soon became impatient of all speech: her attention was riveted36 on the proceedings37 of the court, and on the mode in which Felix bore himself. In the case for the prosecution38 there was nothing more than a reproduction, with irrelevancies added by witnesses, of the facts already known to us. Spratt had retained consciousness enough, in the midst of his terror, to swear that, when he was tied to the finger-post, Felix was presiding over the actions of the mob. The landlady40 of the Seven Stars, who was indebted to Felix for rescue from pursuit by some drunken rioters, gave evidence that went to prove his assumption of leadership prior to the assault on Spratt, — remembering only that he had called away her pursuers to ‘better sport’. Various respectable witnesses swore to Felix’s ‘encouragement’ of the rioters who were dragging Spratt in King Street; to his fatal assault on Tucker; and to his attitude in front of the drawing-room window at the Manor41.
Three other witnesses gave evidence of expressions used by the prisoner, tending to show the character of the acts with which he was charged. Two were Treby tradesmen, the third was a clerk from Duffield. The clerk had heard Felix speak at Duffield; the Treby men had frequently heard him declare himself on public matters; and they all quoted expressions which tended to show that he had a virulent42 feeling against the respectable shop-keeping class, and that nothing was likely to be more congenial to him than the gutting43 of retailers’ shops. No one else knew — the witnesses themselves did not know fully44 — how far their strong perception and memory on these points was due to a fourth mind, namely, that of Mr John Johnson, the attorney, who was nearly related to one of the Treby witnesses, and a familiar acquaintance of the Duffield clerk. Man cannot be defined as an evidence-giving animal; and in the difficulty of getting up evidence on any subject, there is room for much unrecognised action of diligent45 persons who have the extra stimulus46 of some private motive47. Mr Johnson was present in court today, but in a modest, retired48 situation. He had come down to give information to Mr Jermyn, and to gather information in other quarters, which was well illuminated49 by the appearance of Esther in company with the Transomes.
When the case for the prosecution closed, all strangers thought that it looked black for the prisoner. In two instances only Felix had chosen to put a cross-examining question. The first was to ask Spratt if he did not believe that his having been tied to the post had saved him from a probably mortal injury? The second was to ask the tradesman who swore to his having heard Felix tell the rioters to leave Tucker alone and come along with him, whether he had not, shortly before, heard cries among the mob summoning to an attack on the wine-vaults and brewery50.
Esther had hitherto listened closely but calmly. She knew that there would be this strong adverse51 testimony; and all her hopes and fears were bent52 on what was to come beyond it. It was when the prisoner was asked what he had to adduce in reply that she felt herself in the grasp of that tremor53 which does not disable the mind, but rather gives keener consciousness of a mind having a penalty of body attached to it.
There was a silence as of night when Felix Holt began to speak. His voice was firm and clear: he spoke54 with simple gravity, and evidently without any enjoyment55 of the occasion. Esther had never seen his face look so weary.
‘My Lord, I am not going to occupy the time of the court with unnecessary words. I believe the witnesses for the prosecution have spoken the truth as far as a superficial observation would enable them to do it; and I see nothing that can weigh with the jury in my favour, unless they believe my statement of my own motives56, and the testimony that certain witnesses will give to my character and purposes as being inconsistent with my willingly abetting57 disorder58. I will tell the court in as few words as I can, how I got entangled59 in the mob, how I came to attack the constable60, and how I was led to take a course which seems rather mad to myself, now I look back upon it.’
Felix then gave a concise61 narrative62 of his motives and conduct on the day of the riot, from the moment when he was startled into quitting his work by the earlier uproar63 of the morning. He omitted, of course, his visit to Malthouse Yard, and merely said that he went out to walk again after returning to quiet his mother’s mind. He got warmed by the story of his experience, which moved him more strongly than ever, now he recalled it in vibrating words before a large audience of his fellow-men. The sublime64 delight of truthful65 speech to one who has the great gift of uttering it, will make itself felt even through the pangs66 of sorrow.
‘That is all I have to say for myself, my Lord. I pleaded “Not guilty” to the charge of manslaughter, because I know that word may carry a meaning which would not fairly apply to my act. When I threw Tucker down, I did not see the possibility that he would die from a sort of attack which ordinarily occurs in fighting without any fatal effect. As to my assaulting a constable, it was a quick choice between two evils: I should else have been disabled. And he attacked me under a mistake about my intentions. I’m not prepared to say I never would assault a constable where I had more chance of deliberation. I certainly should assault him if I saw him doing anything that made my blood boil: I reverence67 the law, but not where it is a pretext68 for wrong, which it should be the very object of law to hinder. I consider that I should be making an unworthy defence, if I let the court infer from what I say myself, or from what is said by my witnesses, that because I am a man who hates drunken disorder, or any wanton harm, therefore I am a man who would never fight against authority. I hold it blasphemy69 to say that a man ought not to fight against authority: there is no great religion and no great freedom that has not done it, in the beginning. It would be impertinent for me to speak of this now, if I did not need to say in my own defence, that I should hold myself the worst sort of traitor70 if I put my hand either to fighting or disorder — which must mean injury to somebody — if I were not urged to it by what I hold to be sacred feelings, making a sacred duty either to my own manhood or to my fellow-man. And certainly,’ Felix ended with a strong ring of scorn in his voice, I never held it a sacred duty to try and get a Radical71 candidate returned for North Loamshire, by willingly heading a drunken howling mob, whose public action must consist in breaking windows, destroying hard-got produce, and endangering the lives of men and women. I have no more to say, my Lord.’
‘I foresaw he would make a blunder,’ said Harold, in a low voice to Esther. Then, seeing her shrink a little, he feared she might suspect him of being merely stung by the allusion72 to himself. ‘I don’t mean what he said about the Radical candidate,’ he added hastily, in correction. ‘I don’t mean the last sentence. I mean that whole peroration73 of his, which he ought to have left unsaid. It has done him harm with the jury — they won’t understand it, or rather will misunderstand it. And I’ll answer for it, it has soured the judge. It remains74 to be seen what we witnesses can say for him, to nullify the effect of what he has said for himself. I hope the attorney has done his best in collecting the evidence: I understand the expense of the witnesses is undertaken by some Liberals at Glasgow and in Lancashire friends of Holt’s. But I suppose your father has told you.’
The first witness called for the defence was Mr Lyon. The gist75 of his statements was, that from the beginning of September last until the day of election he was in very frequent intercourse76 with the prisoner; that he had become intimately acquainted with his character and views of life, and his conduct with respect to the election, and that these were totally inconsistent with any other supposition than that his being involved in the riot, and his fatal encounter with the constable, were due to the calamitous77 failure of a bold but good purpose. He stated further that he had been present when an interview had occurred in his own house between the prisoner and Mr Harold Transome, who was then canvassing78 for the representation of North Loamshire. That the object of the prisoner in seeking this interview had been to inform Mr Transome of treating given in his name to the workmen in the pits and on the canal at Sproxton, and to remonstrate79 against its continuance; the prisoner fearing that disturbance80 and mischief81 might result from what he believed to be the end towards which this treating was directed — namely, the presence of these men on the occasions of the nomination82 and polling. Several times after this interview, Mr Lyon said, he had heard Felix Holt recur83 to the subject therein discussed with expressions of grief and anxiety. He himself was in the habit of visiting Sproxton in his ministerial capacity: he knew fully what the prisoner had done there in order to found a night-school, and was certain that the prisoner’s interest in the working men of that district turned entirely84 on the possibility of converting them somewhat to habits of soberness and to a due care for the instruction of their children. Finally, he stated that the prisoner, in compliance85 with his request, had been present at Duffield on the day of the nomination, and had on his return expressed himself with strong indignation concerning the employment of the Sproxton men on that occasion, and what he called the wickedness of hiring blind violence.
The quaint15 appearance and manner of the little Dissenting86 minister could not fail to stimulate87 the peculiar88 wit of the bar. He was subjected to a troublesome cross-examination, which he bore with wide-eyed shortsighted quietude and absorption in the duty of truthful response. On being asked, rather sneeringly89, if the prisoner was not one of his flock? he answered, in that deeper tone which made one of the most effective transitions of his varying voice —
‘Nay — would to God he were! I should then feel that the great virtues90 and the pure life I have beheld91 in him were a witness to the efficacy of the faith I believe in and the discipline of the church whereunto I belong.’
Perhaps it required a larger power of comparison than was possessed92 by any of that audience to appreciate the moral elevation93 of an Independent minister who could utter those words. Nevertheless there was a murmur, which was clearly one of sympathy.
The next witness, and the one on whom the interest of the spectators was chiefly concentrated, was Harold Transome. There was a decided94 predominance of Tory feeling in the court, and the human disposition95 to enjoy the infliction96 of a little punishment on an opposite party, was, in this instance, of a Tory complexion97. Harold was keenly alive to this, and to everything else that might prove disagreeable to him in his having to appear in the witness-box. But he was not likely to lose his self-possession, or to fail in adjusting himself gracefully98, under conditions which most men would find it difficult to carry without awkwardness. He had generosity99 and candour enough to bear Felix Holt’s proud rejection100 of his advances without any petty resentment101; he had all the susceptibilities of a gentleman; and these moral qualities gave the right direction to his acumen102, in judging of the behaviour that would best secure his dignity. Everything requiring self-command was easier to him because of Esther’s presence; for her admiration was just then the object which this well-tanned man of the world had it most at heart to secure.
When he entered the witness-box he was much admired by the ladies amongst the audience, many of whom sighed a little at the thought of his wrong course in politics. He certainly looked like a handsome portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence, in which that remarkable103 artist had happily omitted the usual excess of honeyed blandness104 mixed with alert intelligence, which is hardly compatible with the state of man out of paradise. He stood not far off Felix; and the two Radicals105 certainly made a striking contrast. Felix might have come from the hands of a sculptor106 in the later Roman period, when the plastic impulse was stirred by the grandeur107 of barbaric forms — when rolled collars were not yet conceived, and satin stocks were not.
Harold Transome declared that he had had only one interview with the prisoner: it was the interview referred to by the previous witness, in whose presence and in whose house it was begun. The interview, however, was continued beyond the observation of Mr Lyon. The prisoner and himself quitted the Dissenting minister’s house in Malthouse Yard together, and proceeded to the office of Mr Jermyn, who was then conducting electioneering business on his behalf. His object was to comply with Holt’s remonstrance108 by inquiring into the alleged109 proceedings at Sproxton, and, if possible to put a stop to them. Holt’s language, both in Malthouse Yard and in the attorney’s office, was strong: he was evidently indignant, and his indignation turned on the danger of employing ignorant men excited by drink on an occasion of popular concourse. He believed that Holt’s sole motive was the prevention of disorder, and what he considered the demoralisation of the workmen by treating. The event had certainly justified his remonstrances110. He had not had any subsequent opportunities of observing the prisoner; but if any reliance was to be placed on a rational conclusion, it must, he thought, be plain that the anxiety thus manifested by Holt was a guarantee of the statement he had made as to his motives on the day of the riot. His entire impression from Holt’s manner in that single interview was, that he was a moral and political enthusiast111, who, if he sought to coerce112 others, would seek to coerce them into a difficult, and perhaps impracticable, scrupulosity113.
Harold spoke with as noticeable a directness and emphasis, as if what he said could have no reaction on himself. He had of course not entered unnecessarily into what occurred in Jermyn’s office. But now he was subjected to a cross-examination on this subject, which gave rise to some subdued114 shrugs115, smiles, and winks116, among county gentlemen.
The questions were directed so as to bring out, if possible, some indication that Felix Holt was moved to his remonstrance by personal resentment against the political agents concerned in setting on foot the treating at Sproxton, but such questioning is a sort of target-shooting that sometimes hits about widely. The cross-examining counsel had close connections among the Tories of Loamshire, and enjoyed his business today. Under the fire of various questions about Jermyn and the agent employed by him at Sproxton, Harold got warm, and in one of his replies said, with his rapid sharpness —
‘Mr Jermyn was my agent then, not now: I have no longer any but hostile relations with him.’
The sense that he had shown a slight heat would have vexed117 Harold more if he had not got some satisfaction out of the thought that Jermyn heard those words. He recovered his good temper quickly, and when, subsequently, the question came —
‘You acquiesced118 in the treating of the Sproxton men, as necessary to the efficient working of the reformed constituency?’ Harold replied, with quiet fluency119 —
‘Yes; on my return to England, before I put up for North Loamshire, I got the best advice from practised agents, both Whig and Tory. They all agreed as to electioneering measures.’
The next witness was Michael Brincey, otherwise Mike Brindle, who gave evidence of the sayings and doings of the prisoner amongst the Sproxton men. Mike declared that Felix went ‘uncommon again’ drink, and pitch-and-toss, and quarrelling, and sich,’ and was ‘all for schooling120 and bringing up the little chaps’; but on being cross-examined, he admitted that he ‘couldn’t give much account’; that Felix did talk again’ idle folks, whether poor or rich, and that most like he meant the rich, who had ‘a rights to be idle’, which was what he, Mike, liked himself sometimes, though for the most part he was ‘a hard-working butty’. On being checked for this superfluous121 allegation of his own theory and practice, Mike became timidly conscious that answering was a great mystery beyond the reaches of a butty’s soul, and began to err39 from defect instead of excess. However, he reasserted that what Felix most wanted was, ‘to get ’em to set up a school for the little chaps’.
With the two succeeding witnesses, who swore to the fact that Felix had tried to lead the mob along Hobb’s Lane instead of towards the Manor, and to the violently threatening character of Tucker’s attack on him, the case for the defence was understood to close.
Meanwhile Esther had been looking on and listening with growing misery122, in the sense that all had not been said which might have been said on behalf of Felix. If it was the jury who were to be acted on, she argued to herself, there might have been an impression made on their feeling which would determine their verdict. Was it not constantly said and seen that juries pronounced Guilty or Not Guilty from sympathy for or against the accused? She was too inexperienced to check her own argument by thoroughly123 representing to herself the course of things: how the counsel for the prosecution would reply, and how the judge would sum up, with the object of cooling down sympathy into deliberation. What she had painfully pressing on her inward vision was, that the trial was coming to an end, and that the voice of right and truth had not been strong enough.
When a woman feels purely124 and nobly, that ardour of hers which breaks through formulas too rigorously urged on men by daily practical needs, makes one of her most precious influences: she is the added impulse that shatters the stiffening125 crust of cautious experience. Her inspired ignorance gives a sublimity126 to actions so incongruously simple, that otherwise they would make men smile. Some of that ardour which has flashed out and illuminated all poetry and history was burning today in the bosom127 of sweet Esther Lyon. In this, at least, her woman’s lot was perfect: that the man she loved was her hero; that her woman’s passion and her reverence for rarest goodness rushed together in an undivided current. And today they were making one danger, one terror, one irresistible128 impulse for her heart. Her feelings were growing into a necessity for action, rather than a resolve to act. She could not support the thought that the trial would come to an end, that sentence would be passed on Felix, and that all the while something had been omitted which might have been said for him. There had been no witness to tell what had been his behaviour and state of mind just before the riot. She must do it. It was possible. There was time. But not too much time. All other agitation became merged129 in eagerness not to let the moment escape. The last witness was being called. Harold Transome had not been able to get back to her on leaving the witness-box, but Mr Lingon was close by her. With firm quickness she said to him —
‘Pray tell the attorney that I have evidence to give for the prisoner — lose no time.’
‘Do you know what you are going to say, my dear?’ said Mr Lingon, looking at her in astonishment130.
‘Yes — I entreat131 you, for God’s sake,’ said Esther, in that low tone of urgent beseeching132 which is equivalent to a cry; and with a look of appeal more penetrating133 still, ‘I would rather die than not do it.’
The old rector, always leaning to the good-natured view of things, felt chiefly that there seemed to be an additional chance for the poor fellow who had got himself into trouble. He disputed no farther, but went to the attorney.
Before Harold was aware of Esther’s intention she was on her way to the witness-box. When she appeared there, it was as if a vibration134, quick as light, had gone through the court and had shaken Felix himself, who had hitherto seemed impassive. A sort of gleam seemed to shoot across his face, and any one close to him could have seen that his hand, which lay on the edge of the dock, trembled.
At the first moment Harold was startled and alarmed; the next, he felt delight in Esther’s beautiful aspect, and in the admiration of the court. There was no blush on her face: she stood, divested135 of all personal considerations whether of vanity or shyness. Her clear voice sounded as it might have done if she had been making a confession136 of faith. She began and went on without query137 or interruption. Every face looked grave and respectful.
‘I am Esther Lyon, the daughter of Mr Lyon, the Independent minister at Treby, who has been one of the witnesses for the prisoner. I know Felix Holt well. On the day of the election at Treby, when I had been much alarmed by the noises that reached me from the main street, Felix Holt came to call upon me. He knew that my father was away, and he thought that I should be alarmed by the sounds of disturbance. It was about the middle of the day, and he came to tell me that the disturbance was quieted, and that the streets were nearly emptied. But he said he feared that the men would collect again after drinking, and that something worse might happen later in the day. And he was in much sadness at this thought. He stayed a little while, and then he left me. He was very melancholy. His mind was full of great resolutions that came from his kind feeling towards others. It was the last thing he would have done to join in riot or to hurt any man, if he could have helped it. His nature is very noble; he is tender-hearted; he could never have had any intention that was not brave and good.’
There was something so naive138 and beautiful in this action of Esther’s, that it conquered every low or petty suggestion even in the commonest minds. The three men in that assembly who knew her best — even her father and Felix Holt — felt a thrill of surprise mingling139 with their admiration. This bright, delicate, beautiful-shaped thing that seemed most like a toy or ornament140 — some hand had touched the chords, and there came forth141 music that brought tears. Half a year before, Esther’s dread142 of being ridiculous spread over the surface of her life; but the depth below was sleeping.
Harold Transome was ready to give her his hand and lead her back to her place. When she was there, Felix, for the first time, could not help looking towards her, and their eyes met in one solemn glance.
Afterwards Esther found herself unable to listen so as to form any judgment143 on what she heard. The acting144 out of that strong impulse had exhausted145 her energy. There was a brief pause, filled with a murmur, a buzz, and much coughing. The audience generally felt as if dull weather was setting in again. And under those auspices146 the counsel for the prosecution got up to make his reply. Esther’s deed had its effect beyond the momentary147 one, but the effect was not visible in the rigid148 necessities of legal procedure. The counsel’s duty of restoring all unfavourable facts to due prominence149 in the minds of the jurors, had its effect altogether reinforced by the summing-up of the judge. Even the bare discernment of facts, much more their arrangement with a view to inferences, must carry a bias150: human impartiality151, whether judicial152 or not, can hardly escape being more or less loaded. It was not that the judge had severe intentions; it was only that he saw with severity. The conduct of Felix was not such as inclined him to indulgent consideration, and, in his directions to the jury, that mental attitude necessarily told on the light in which he placed the homicide. Even to many in the court who were not constrained153 by judicial duty, it seemed that though this high regard felt for the prisoner by his friends, and especially by a generous-hearted woman, was very pretty, such conduct as his was not the less dangerous and foolish and assaulting and killing154 a constable was not the less an offence to be regarded without leniency155.
Esther seemed now so tremulous, and looked so ill, that Harold begged her to leave the court with his mother and Mr Lingon. He would come and tell her the issue. But she said, quietly, that she would rather stay; she was only a little overcome by the exertion156 of speaking. She was inwardly resolved to see Felix to the last moment before he left the court.
Though she could not follow the address of the counsel or the judge, she had a keen ear for what was brief and decisive. She heard the verdict, ‘Guilty of manslaughter.’ And every word uttered by the judge in pronouncing sentence fell upon her like an unforgettable sound that would come back in dreaming and in waking. She had her eyes on Felix, and at the word, ‘Imprisonment for four years,’ she saw his lip tremble. But otherwise he stood firm and calm.
Esther gave a start from her seat. Her heart swelled157 with a horrible sensation of pain; but, alarmed lest she should lose her self-command, she grasped Mrs Transome’s hand, getting some strength from that human contact.
Esther saw that Felix had turned. She could no longer see his face. ‘Yes,’ she said, drawing down her veil, ‘let us go.’
收听单词发音 |
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maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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gossamer
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| n.薄纱，游丝 | |
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moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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15
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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16
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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17
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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18
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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19
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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20
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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21
preeminent
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的 | |
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22
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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23
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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24
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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25
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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26
consolatory
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| adj.慰问的，可藉慰的 | |
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27
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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28
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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29
farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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30
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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31
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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32
colloquy
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| n.谈话，自由讨论 | |
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33
solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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34
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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35
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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36
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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37
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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38
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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39
err
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| vi.犯错误，出差错 | |
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40
landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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41
manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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42
virulent
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| adj.有毒的，有恶意的，充满敌意的 | |
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43
gutting
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| n.去内脏v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的现在分词 )；取出…的内脏 | |
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44
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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45
diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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46
stimulus
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| n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物 | |
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47
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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48
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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49
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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50
brewery
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| n.啤酒厂 | |
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51
adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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52
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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53
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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54
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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55
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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56
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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57
abetting
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| v.教唆（犯罪）( abet的现在分词 )；煽动；怂恿；支持 | |
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58
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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59
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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61
concise
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| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
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62
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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63
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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64
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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65
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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66
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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67
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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68
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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69
blasphemy
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| n.亵渎，渎神 | |
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70
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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71
radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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72
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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73
peroration
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| n.（演说等之）结论 | |
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74
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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75
gist
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| n.要旨；梗概 | |
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76
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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77
calamitous
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| adj.灾难的，悲惨的；多灾多难；惨重 | |
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78
canvassing
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| v.（在政治方面）游说( canvass的现在分词 )；调查（如选举前选民的）意见；为讨论而提出（意见等）；详细检查 | |
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79
remonstrate
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| v.抗议，规劝 | |
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80
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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81
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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82
nomination
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| n.提名，任命，提名权 | |
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83
recur
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| vi.复发，重现，再发生 | |
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84
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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85
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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86
dissenting
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| adj.不同意的 | |
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87
stimulate
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| vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋 | |
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88
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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89
sneeringly
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| 嘲笑地，轻蔑地 | |
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90
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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91
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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92
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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93
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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94
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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95
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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96
infliction
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| n.（强加于人身的）痛苦，刑罚 | |
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97
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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98
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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99
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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100
rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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101
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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102
acumen
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| n.敏锐，聪明 | |
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103
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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104
blandness
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| n.温柔，爽快 | |
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105
radicals
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| n.激进分子( radical的名词复数 )；根基；基本原理；[数学]根数 | |
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106
sculptor
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| n.雕刻家，雕刻家 | |
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107
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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108
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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109
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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110
remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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111
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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112
coerce
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| v.强迫，压制 | |
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113
scrupulosity
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| n.顾虑 | |
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114
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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115
shrugs
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| n.耸肩（以表示冷淡，怀疑等）( shrug的名词复数 ) | |
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116
winks
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| v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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117
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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118
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
fluency
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| n.流畅，雄辩，善辩 | |
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120
schooling
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| n.教育；正规学校教育 | |
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121
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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122
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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123
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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124
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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125
stiffening
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| n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式 | |
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126
sublimity
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| 崇高，庄严，气质高尚 | |
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127
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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128
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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129
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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130
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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131
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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132
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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133
penetrating
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|
| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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134
vibration
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| n.颤动，振动；摆动 | |
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135
divested
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| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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136
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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137
query
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| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
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138
naive
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| adj.幼稚的，轻信的；天真的 | |
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139
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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140
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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141
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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142
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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143
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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144
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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145
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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146
auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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147
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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148
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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149
prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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150
bias
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| n.偏见，偏心，偏袒；vt.使有偏见 | |
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151
impartiality
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| n. 公平, 无私, 不偏 | |
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152
judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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153
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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154
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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155
leniency
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| n.宽大（不严厉） | |
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156
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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157
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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