Milady had however achieved a half-triumph, and success doubled her forces.
It was not difficult to conquer, as she had hitherto done, men prompt to let themselves be seduced2, and whom the gallant3 education of a court led quickly into her net. Milady was handsome enough not to find much resistance on the part of the flesh, and she was sufficiently4 skillful to prevail over all the obstacles of the mind.
But this time she had to contend with an unpolished nature, concentrated and insensible by force of austerity. Religion and its observances had made Felton a man inaccessible5 to ordinary seductions. There fermented6 in that sublimated7 brain plans so vast, projects so tumultuous, that there remained no room for any capricious or material love--that sentiment which is fed by leisure and grows with corruption8. Milady had, then, made a breach9 by her false virtue10 in the opinion of a man horribly prejudiced against her, and by her beauty in the heart of a man hitherto hitherto chaste11 and pure. In short, she had taken the measure of motives12 hitherto unknown to herself, through this experiment, made upon the most rebellious13 subject that nature and religion could submit to her study.
Many a time, nevertheless, during the evening she despaired of fate and of herself. She did not invoke14 God, we very well know, but she had faith in the genius of evil--that immense sovereignty which reigns15 in all the details of human life, and by which, as in the Arabian fable16, a single pomegranate seed is sufficient to reconstruct a ruined world.
Milady, being well prepared for the reception of Felton, was able to erect17 her batteries for the next day. She knew she had only two days left; that when once the order was signed by Buckingham- -and Buckingham would sign it the more readily from its bearing a false name, and he could not, therefore, recognize the woman in question--once this order was signed, we say, the baron18 would make her embark19 immediately, and she knew very well that women condemned20 to exile employ arms much less powerful in their seductions than the pretendedly virtuous22 woman whose beauty is lighted by the sun of the world, whose style the voice of fashion lauds23, and whom a halo of aristocracy gilds24 with enchanting25 splendors26. To be a woman condemned to a painful and disgraceful punishment is no impediment to beauty, but it is an obstacle to the recovery of power. Like all persons of real genius, Milady knew what suited her nature and her means. Poverty was repugnant to her; degradation27 took away two-thirds of her greatness. Milady was only a queen while among queens. The pleasure of satisfied pride was necessary to her domination. To command inferior beings was rather a humiliation28 than a pleasure for her.
She should certainly return from her exile--she did not doubt that a single instant; but how long might this exile last? For an active, ambitious nature, like that of Milady, days not spent in climbing are inauspicious days. What word, then, can be found to describe the days which they occupy in descending29? To lose a year, two years, three years, is to talk of an eternity30; to return after the death or disgrace of the cardinal31, perhaps; to return when D'Artagnan and his friends, happy and triumphant32, should have received from the queen the reward they had well acquired by the services they had rendered her--these were devouring34 ideas that a woman like Milady could not endure. For the rest, the storm which raged within her doubled her strength, and she would have burst the walls of her prison if her body had been able to take for a single instant the proportions of her mind.
Then that which spurred her on additionally in the midst of all this was the remembrance of the cardinal. What must the mistrustful, restless, suspicious cardinal think of her silence-- the cardinal, not merely her only support, her only prop35, her only protector at present, but still further, the principal instrument of her future fortune and vengeance36? She knew him; she knew that at her return from a fruitless journey it would be in vain to tell him of her imprisonment37, in vain to enlarge upon the sufferings she had undergone. The cardinal would reply, with the sarcastic38 calmness of the skeptic39, strong at once by power and genius, "You should not have allowed yourself to be taken."
Then Milady collected all her energies, murmuring in the depths of her soul the name of Felton--the only beam of light that penetrated41 to her in the hell into which she had fallen; and like a serpent which folds and unfolds its rings to ascertain42 its strength, she enveloped43 Felton beforehand in the thousand meshes44 of her inventive imagination.
Time, however, passed away; the hours, one after another, seemed to awaken45 the clock as they passed, and every blow of the brass46 hammer resounded47 upon the heart of the prisoner. At nine o'clock, Lord de Winter made his customary visit, examined the window and the bars, sounded the floor and the walls, looked to the chimney and the doors, without, during this long and minute examination, he or Milady pronouncing a single word.
Doubtless both of them understood that the situation had become too serious to lose time in useless words and aimless wrath48.
"Well," said the baron, on leaving her "you will not escape tonight!"
At ten o'clock Felton came and placed the sentinel. Milady recognized his step. She was as well acquainted with it now as a mistress is with that of the lover of her heart; and yet Milady at the same time detested49 and despised this weak fanatic50.
That was not the appointed hour. Felton did not enter.
Two hours after, as midnight sounded, the sentinel was relieved. This time it WAS the hour, and from this moment Milady waited with impatience51. The new sentinel commenced his walk in the corridor. At the expiration52 of ten minutes Felton came.
Milady was all attention.
"Listen," said the young man to the sentinel. "On no pretense53 leave the door, for you know that last night my Lord punished a soldier for having quit his post for an instant, although I, during his absence, watched in his place."
"Yes, I know it," said the soldier.
"I recommend you therefore to keep the strictest watch. For my part I am going to pay a second visit to this woman, who I fear entertains sinister54 intentions upon her own life, and I have received orders to watch her."
"Good!" murmured Milady; "the austere55 Puritan lies."
As to the soldier, he only smiled.
"Zounds, Lieutenant56!" said he; "you are not unlucky in being charged with such commissions, particularly if my Lord has authorized58 you to look into her bed."
Felton blushed. Under any other circumstances he would have reprimanded the soldier for indulging in such pleasantry, but his conscience murmured too loud for his mouth to dare speak.
"If I call, come," said he. "If anyone comes, call me."
"I will, Lieutenant," said the soldier.
Felton entered Milady's apartment. Milady arose.
"You are here!" said she.
"I promised to come," said Felton, "and I have come."
"You promised me something else."
"What, my God!" said the young man, who in spite of his self- command felt his knees tremble and the sweat start from his brow.
"You promised to bring a knife, and to leave it with me after our interview."
"Say no more of that, madame," said Felton. "There is no situation, however terrible it may be, which can authorize57 a creature of God to inflict59 death upon himself. I have reflected, and I cannot, must not be guilty of such a sin."
"Ah, you have reflected!" said the prisoner, sitting down in her armchair, with a smile of disdain60; "and I also have reflected."
"Upon what?"
"That I can have nothing to say to a man who does not keep his word."
"Oh, my God!" murmured Felton.
"You may retire," said Milady. "I will not talk."
"Here is the knife," said Felton, drawing from his pocket the weapon which he had brought, according to his promise, but which he hesitated to give to his prisoner.
"Let me see it," said Milady.
"For what purpose?"
"Upon my honor, I will instantly return it to you. You shall place it on that table, and you may remain between it and me."
Felton offered the weapon to Milady, who examined the temper of it attentively61, and who tried the point on the tip of her finger.
"Well," said she, returning the knife to the young officer, "this is fine and good steel. You are a faithful friend, Felton."
Felton took back the weapon, and laid it upon the table, as he had agreed with the prisoner.
Milady followed him with her eyes, and made a gesture of satisfaction.
"Now," said she, "listen to me."
The request was needless. The young officer stood upright before her, awaiting her words as if to devour33 them.
"Felton," said Milady, with a solemnity full of melancholy62, "imagine that your sister, the daughter of your father, speaks to you. While yet young, unfortunately handsome, I was dragged into a snare63. I resisted. Ambushes64 and violences multiplied around me, but I resisted. The religion I serve, the God I adore, were blasphemed because I called upon that religion and that God, but still I resisted. Then outrages65 were heaped upon me, and as my soul was not subdued66 they wished to defile67 my body forever. Finally--"
Milady stopped, and a bitter smile passed over her lips.
"Finally," said Felton, "finally, what did they do?"
"At length, one evening my enemy resolved to paralyze the resistance he could not conquer. One evening he mixed a powerful narcotic68 with my water. Scarcely had I finished my repast, when I felt myself sink by degrees into a strange torpor69. Although I was without mistrust, a vague fear seized me, and I tried to struggle against sleepiness. I arose. I wished to run to the window and call for help, but my legs refused their office. It appeared as if the ceiling sank upon my head and crushed me with its weight. I stretched out my arms. I tried to speak. I could only utter inarticulate sounds, and irresistible70 faintness came over me. I supported myself by a chair, feeling that I was about to fall, but this support was soon insufficient71 on account of my weak arms. I fell upon one knee, then upon both. I tried to pray, but my tongue was frozen. God doubtless neither heard nor saw me, and I sank upon the floor a prey72 to a slumber73 which resembled death.
"Of all that passed in that sleep, or the time which glided74 away while it lasted, I have no remembrance. The only thing I recollect75 is that I awoke in bed in a round chamber76, the furniture of which was sumptuous77, and into which light only penetrated by an opening in the ceiling. No door gave entrance to the room. It might be called a magnificent prison.
"It was a long time before I was able to make out what place I was in, or to take account of the details I describe. My mind appeared to strive in vain to shake off the heavy darkness of the sleep from which I could not rouse myself. I had vague perceptions of space traversed, of the rolling of a carriage, of a horrible dream in which my strength had become exhausted78; but all this was so dark and so indistinct in my mind that these events seemed to belong to another life than mine, and yet mixed with mine in fantastic duality.
"At times the state into which I had fallen appeared so strange that I believed myself dreaming. I arose trembling. My clothes were near me on a chair; I neither remembered having undressed myself nor going to bed. Then by degrees the reality broke upon me, full of chaste terrors. I was no longer in the house where I had dwelt. As well as I could judge by the light of the sun, the day was already two-thirds gone. It was the evening before when I had fallen asleep; my sleep, then, must have lasted twenty-four hours! What had taken place during this long sleep?
"I dressed myself as quickly as possible; my slow and stiff motions all attested79 that the effects of the narcotic were not yet entirely80 dissipated. The chamber was evidently furnished for the reception of a woman; and the most finished coquette could not have formed a wish, but on casting her eyes about the apartment, she would have found that wish accomplished81.
"Certainly I was not the first captive that had been shut up in this splendid prison; but you may easily comprehend, Felton, that the more superb the prison, the greater was my terror.
"Yes, it was a prison, for I tried in vain to get out of it. I sounded all the walls, in the hopes of discovering a door, but everywhere the walls returned a full and flat sound.
"I made the tour of the room at least twenty times, in search of an outlet82 of some kind; but there was none. I sank exhausted with fatigue83 and terror into an armchair.
"Meantime, night came on rapidly, and with night my terrors increased. I did not know but I had better remain where I was seated. It appeared that I was surrounded with unknown dangers into which I was about to fall at every instant. Although I had eaten nothing since the evening before, my fears prevented my feeling hunger.
"No noise from without by which I could measure the time reached me; I only supposed it must be seven or eight o'clock in the evening, for it was in the month of October and it was quite dark.
"All at once the noise of a door, turning on its hinges, made me start. A globe of fire appeared above the glazed84 opening of the ceiling, casting a strong light into my chamber; and I perceived with terror that a man was standing85 within a few paces of me.
"A table, with two covers, bearing a supper ready prepared, stood, as if by magic, in the middle of the apartment.
"That man was he who had pursued me during a whole year, who had vowed86 my dishonor, and who, by the first words that issued from his mouth, gave me to understand he had accomplished it the preceding night."
"Scoundrel!" murmured Felton.
"Oh, yes, scoundrel!" cried Milady, seeing the interest which the young officer, whose soul seemed to hang on her lips, took in this strange recital87. "Oh, yes, scoundrel! He believed, having triumphed over me in my sleep, that all was completed. He came, hoping that I would accept my shame, as my shame was consummated88; he came to offer his fortune in exchange for my love.
"All that the heart of a woman could contain of haughty89 contempt and disdainful words, I poured out upon this man. Doubtless he was accustomed to such reproaches, for he listened to me calm and smiling, with his arms crossed over his breast. Then, when he thought I had said all, he advanced toward me; I sprang toward the table, I seized a knife, I placed it to my breast.
"Take one step more," said I, "and in addition to my dishonor, you shall have my death to reproach yourself with."
"There was, no doubt, in my look, my voice, my whole person, that sincerity91 of gesture, of attitude, of accent, which carries conviction to the most perverse92 minds, for he paused.
"'Your death?' said he; 'oh, no, you are too charming a mistress to allow me to consent to lose you thus, after I have had the happiness to possess you only a single time. Adieu, my charmer; I will wait to pay you my next visit till you are in a better humor.'
"At these words he blew a whistle; the globe of fire which lighted the room reascended and disappeared. I found myself again in complete darkness. The same noise of a door opening and shutting was repeated the instant afterward94; the flaming globe descended95 afresh, and I was completely alone.
"This moment was frightful96; if I had any doubts as to my misfortune, these doubts had vanished in an overwhelming reality. I was in the power of a man whom I not only detested, but despised--of a man capable of anything, and who had already given me a fatal proof of what he was able to do."
"But who, then was this man?" asked Felton.
"I passed the night on a chair, starting at the least noise, for toward midnight the lamp went out, and I was again in darkness. But the night passed away without any fresh attempt on the part of my persecutor97. Day came; the table had disappeared, only I had still the knife in my hand.
"This knife was my only hope.
"I was worn out with fatigue. Sleeplessness98 inflamed99 my eyes; I had not dared to sleep a single instant. The light of day reassured100 me; I went and threw myself on the bed, without parting with the emancipating101 knife, which I concealed102 under my pillow.
"When I awoke, a fresh meal was served.
"This time, in spite of my terrors, in spite of my agony, I began to feel a devouring hunger. It was forty-eight hours since I had taken any nourishment103. I ate some bread and some fruit; then, remembering the narcotic mixed with the water I had drunk, I would not touch that which was placed on the table, but filled my glass at a marble fountain fixed104 in the wall over my dressing105 table.
"And yet, notwithstanding these precautions, I remained for some time in a terrible agitation106 of mind. But my fears were this time ill-founded; I passed the day without experiencing anything of the kind I dreaded107.
"I took the precaution to half empty the carafe108, in order that my suspicions might not be noticed.
"The evening came on, and with it darkness; but however profound was this darkness, my eyes began to accustom90 themselves to it. I saw, amid the shadows, the table sink through the floor; a quarter of an hour later it reappeared, bearing my supper. In an instant, thanks to the lamp, my chamber was once more lighted.
"I was determined109 to eat only such things as could not possibly have anything soporific introduced into them. Two eggs and some fruit composed my repast; then I drew another glass of water from my protecting fountain, and drank it.
"At the first swallow, it appeared to me not to have the same taste as in the morning. Suspicion instantly seized me. I paused, but I had already drunk half a glass.
"I threw the rest away with horror, and waited, with the dew of fear upon my brow.
"No doubt some invisible witness had seen me draw the water from that fountain, and had taken advantage of my confidence in it, the better to assure my ruin, so coolly resolved upon, so cruelly pursued.
"Half an hour had not passed when the same symptoms began to appear; but as I had only drunk half a glass of the water, I contended longer, and instead of falling entirely asleep, I sank into a state of drowsiness110 which left me a perception of what was passing around me, while depriving me of the strength either to defend myself or to fly.
"I dragged myself toward the bed, to seek the only defense111 I had left--my saving knife; but I could not reach the bolster112. I sank on my knees, my hands clasped round one of the bedposts; then I felt that I was lost."
Felton became frightfully pale, and a convulsive tremor113 crept through his whole body.
"And what was most frightful," continued Milady, her voice altered, as if she still experienced the same agony as at that awful minute, "was that at this time I retained a consciousness of the danger that threatened me; was that my soul, if I may say so, waked in my sleeping body; was that I saw, that I heard. It is true that all was like a dream, but it was not the less frightful.
"I saw the lamp ascend93, and leave me in darkness; then I heard the well-known creaking of the door although I had heard that door open but twice.
"I felt instinctively114 that someone approached me; it is said that the doomed115 wretch116 in the deserts of America thus feels the approach of the serpent.
"I wished to make an effort; I attempted to cry out. By an incredible effort of will I even raised myself up, but only to sink down again immediately, and to fall into the arms of my persecutor."
"Tell me who this man was!" cried the young officer.
Milady saw at a single glance all the painful feelings she inspired in Felton by dwelling117 on every detail of her recital; but she would not spare him a single pang118. The more profoundly she wounded his heart, the more certainly he would avenge119 her. She continued, then, as if she had not heard his exclamation120, or as if she thought the moment was not yet come to reply to it.
"Only this time it was no longer an inert121 body, without feeling, that the villain122 had to deal with. I have told you that without being able to regain123 the complete exercise of my faculties124, I retained the sense of my danger. I struggled, then, with all my strength, and doubtless opposed, weak as I was, a long resistance, for I heard him cry out, 'These miserable125 Puritans! I knew very well that they tired out their executioners, but I did not believe them so strong against their lovers!'
"Alas126! this desperate resistance could not last long. I felt my strength fail, and this time it was not my sleep that enabled the coward to prevail, but my swoon."
Felton listened without uttering any word or sound, except an inward expression of agony. The sweat streamed down his marble forehead, and his hand, under his coat, tore his breast.
"My first impulse, on coming to myself, was to feel under my pillow for the knife I had not been able to reach; if it had not been useful for defense, it might at least serve for expiation127.
"But on taking this knife, Felton, a terrible idea occurred to me. I have sworn to tell you all, and I will tell you all. I have promised you the truth; I will tell it, were it to destroy me."
"The idea came into your mind to avenge yourself on this man, did it not?" cried Felton.
"Yes," said Milady. "The idea was not that of a Christian128, I knew; but without doubt, that eternal enemy of our souls, that lion roaring constantly around us, breathed it into my mind. In short, what shall I say to you, Felton?" continued Milady, in the tone of a woman accusing herself of a crime. "This idea occurred to me, and did not leave me; it is of this homicidal thought that I now bear the punishment."
"Continue, continue!" said Felton; "I am eager to see you attain129 your vengeance!"
"Oh, I resolved that it should take place as soon as possible. I had no doubt he would return the following night. During the day I had nothing to fear.
"When the hour of breakfast came, therefore, I did not hesitate to eat and drink. I had determined to make believe sup, but to eat nothing. I was forced, then, to combat the fast of the evening with the nourishment of the morning.
"Only I concealed a glass of water, which remained after my breakfast, thirst having been the chief of my sufferings when I remained forty-eight hours without eating or drinking.
"The day passed away without having any other influence on me than to strengthen the resolution I had formed; only I took care that my face should not betray the thoughts of my heart, for I had no doubt I was watched. Several times, even, I felt a smile on my lips. Felton, I dare not tell you at what idea I smiled; you would hold me in horror--"
"Go on! go on!" said Felton; "you see plainly that I listen, and that I am anxious to know the end."
"Evening came; the ordinary events took place. During the darkness, as before, my supper was brought. Then the lamp was lighted, and I sat down to table. I only ate some fruit. I pretended to pour out water from the jug130, but I only drank that which I had saved in my glass. The substitution was made so carefully that my spies, if I had any, could have no suspicion of it.
"After supper I exhibited the same marks of languor131 as on the preceding evening; but this time, as I yielded to fatigue, or as if I had become familiarized with danger, I dragged myself toward my bed, let my robe fall, and lay down.
"I found my knife where I had placed it, under my pillow, and while feigning132 to sleep, my hand grasped the handle of it convulsively.
"Two hours passed away without anything fresh happening. Oh, my God! who could have said so the evening before? I began to fear that he would not come.
"At length I saw the lamp rise softly, and disappear in the depths of the ceiling; my chamber was filled with darkness and obscurity, but I made a strong effort to penetrate40 this darkness and obscurity.
"Nearly ten minutes passed; I heard no other noise but the beating of my own heart. I implored133 heaven that he might come.
"At length I heard the well-known noise of the door, which opened and shut; I heard, notwithstanding the thickness of the carpet, a step which made the floor creak; I saw, notwithstanding the darkness, a shadow which approached my bed."
"Haste! haste!" said Felton; "do you not see that each of your words burns me like molten lead?"
"Then," continued Milady, "then I collected all my strength; I recalled to my mind that the moment of vengeance, or rather, of justice, had struck. I looked upon myself as another Judith; I gathered myself up, my knife in my hand, and when I saw him near me, stretching out his arms to find his victim, then, with the last cry of agony and despair, I struck him in the middle of his breast.
"The miserable villain! He had foreseen all. His breast was covered with a coat-of-mail; the knife was bent134 against it.
"'Ah, ah!' cried he, seizing my arm, and wresting135 from me the weapon that had so badly served me, 'you want to take my life, do you, my pretty Puritan? But that's more than dislike, that's ingratitude136! Come, come, calm yourself, my sweet girl! I thought you had softened137. I am not one of those tyrants138 who detain women by force. You don't love me. With my usual fatuity139 I doubted it; now I am convinced. Tomorrow you shall be free.'
"I had but one wish; that was that he should kill me.
"'Beware!' said I, 'for my liberty is your dishonor.'
"'Explain yourself, my pretty sibyl!'
"'Yes; for as soon as I leave this place I will tell everything. I will proclaim the violence you have used toward me. I will describe my captivity. I will denounce this place of infamy140. You are placed on high, my Lord, but tremble! Above you there is the king; above the king there is God!'
"However perfect master he was over himself, my persecutor allowed a movement of anger to escape him. I could not see the expression of his countenance141, but I felt the arm tremble upon which my hand was placed.
"'Then you shall not leave this place,' said he.
"'Very well,' cried I, 'then the place of my punishment will be that of my tomb. I will die here, and you will see if a phantom142 that accuses is not more terrible than a living being that threatens!'
"'You shall have no weapon left in your power.'
"'There is a weapon which despair has placed within the reach of every creature who has the courage to use it. I will allow myself to die with hunger.'
"'Come,' said the wretch, 'is not peace much better than such a war as that? I will restore you to liberty this moment; I will proclaim you a piece of immaculate virtue; I will name you the Lucretia of England.'
"'And I will say that you are the Sextus. I will denounce you before men, as I have denounced you before God; and if it be necessary that, like Lucretia, I should sign my accusation143 with my blood, I will sign it.'
"'Ah!' said my enemy, in a jeering144 tone, 'that's quite another thing. My faith! everything considered, you are very well off here. You shall want for nothing, and if you let yourself die of hunger that will be your own fault.'
"At these words he retired145. I heard the door open and shut, and I remained overwhelmed, less, I confess it, by my grief than by the mortification146 of not having avenged147 myself.
"He kept his word. All the day, all the next night passed away without my seeing him again. But I also kept my word with him, and I neither ate nor drank. I was, as I told him, resolved to die of hunger.
"I passed the day and the night in prayer, for I hoped that God would pardon me my suicide.
"The second night the door opened; I was lying on the floor, for my strength began to abandon me.
"At the noise I raised myself up on one hand.
"'Well,' said a voice which vibrated in too terrible a manner in my ear not to be recognized, 'well! Are we softened a little? Will we not pay for our liberty with a single promise of silence? Come, I am a good sort of a prince,' added he, 'and although I like not Puritans I do them justice; and it is the same with Puritanesses, when they are pretty. Come, take a little oath for me on the cross; I won't ask anything more of you.'
"'On the cross,' cried I, rising, for at that abhorred148 voice I had recovered all my strength, 'on the cross I swear that no promise, no menace, no force, no torture, shall close my mouth! On the cross I swear to denounce you everywhere as a murderer, as a thief of honor, as a base coward! On the cross I swear, if I ever leave this place, to call down vengeance upon you from the whole human race!'
"'Beware!' said the voice, in a threatening accent that I had never yet heard. 'I have an extraordinary means which I will not employ but in the last extremity149 to close your mouth, or at least to prevent anyone from believing a word you may utter.'
"I mustered150 all my strength to reply to him with a burst of laughter.
"He saw that it was a merciless war between us--a war to the death.
"'Listen!' said he. 'I give you the rest of tonight and all day tomorrow. Reflect: promise to be silent, and riches, consideration, even honor, shall surround you; threaten to speak, and I will condemn21 you to infamy.'
"'You?' cried I. 'You?'
"'To interminable, ineffaceable infamy!'
"'You?' repeated I. Oh, I declare to you, Felton, I thought him mad!
"'Yes, yes, I!' replied he.
"'Oh, leave me!' said I. 'Begone, if you do not desire to see me dash my head against that wall before your eyes!'
"'Very well, it is your own doing. Till tomorrow evening, then!'
"'Till tomorrow evening, then!' replied I, allowing myself to fall, and biting the carpet with rage."
Felton leaned for support upon a piece of furniture; and Milady saw, with the joy of a demon151, that his strength would fail him perhaps before the end of her recital.
收听单词发音 |
1
captivity
|
|
| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
seduced
|
|
| 诱奸( seduce的过去式和过去分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
inaccessible
|
|
| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
fermented
|
|
| v.（使）发酵( ferment的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）激动；骚动；骚扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
sublimated
|
|
| v.（使某物质）升华( sublimate的过去式和过去分词 )；使净化；纯化 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
corruption
|
|
| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
breach
|
|
| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
chaste
|
|
| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
rebellious
|
|
| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
invoke
|
|
| v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
reigns
|
|
| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
fable
|
|
| n.寓言；童话；神话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
erect
|
|
| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
baron
|
|
| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
embark
|
|
| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
condemned
|
|
| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
condemn
|
|
| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
virtuous
|
|
| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
lauds
|
|
| v.称赞，赞美( laud的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
gilds
|
|
| 把…镀金( gild的第三人称单数 )； 给…上金色； 作多余的修饰（反而破坏原已完美的东西）； 画蛇添足 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
enchanting
|
|
| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
splendors
|
|
| n.华丽( splendor的名词复数 )；壮丽；光辉；显赫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
degradation
|
|
| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
humiliation
|
|
| n.羞辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
eternity
|
|
| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
cardinal
|
|
| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
triumphant
|
|
| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
devour
|
|
| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
devouring
|
|
| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
prop
|
|
| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
imprisonment
|
|
| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
sarcastic
|
|
| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
skeptic
|
|
| n.怀疑者，怀疑论者，无神论者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
penetrate
|
|
| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
penetrated
|
|
| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
enveloped
|
|
| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
meshes
|
|
| 网孔( mesh的名词复数 )； 网状物； 陷阱； 困境 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
awaken
|
|
| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
resounded
|
|
| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
detested
|
|
| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
fanatic
|
|
| n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
expiration
|
|
| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
pretense
|
|
| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
austere
|
|
| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
lieutenant
|
|
| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
authorize
|
|
| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
authorized
|
|
| a.委任的，许可的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
inflict
|
|
| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
disdain
|
|
| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
attentively
|
|
| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
snare
|
|
| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
ambushes
|
|
| n.埋伏( ambush的名词复数 )；伏击；埋伏着的人；设埋伏点v.埋伏( ambush的第三人称单数 )；埋伏着 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
outrages
|
|
| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
defile
|
|
| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
narcotic
|
|
| n.麻醉药，镇静剂；adj.麻醉的，催眠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
torpor
|
|
| n.迟钝；麻木；（动物的）冬眠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
irresistible
|
|
| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
insufficient
|
|
| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
recollect
|
|
| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
sumptuous
|
|
| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
attested
|
|
| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
outlet
|
|
| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
fatigue
|
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
glazed
|
|
| adj.光滑的，像玻璃的；上过釉的；呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式)；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
vowed
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
recital
|
|
| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
consummated
|
|
| v.使结束( consummate的过去式和过去分词 )；使完美；完婚；（婚礼后的）圆房 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
accustom
|
|
| vt.使适应，使习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
sincerity
|
|
| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
perverse
|
|
| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
ascend
|
|
| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
frightful
|
|
| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
persecutor
|
|
| n. 迫害者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
sleeplessness
|
|
| n.失眠，警觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
inflamed
|
|
| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
reassured
|
|
| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
emancipating
|
|
| v.解放某人（尤指摆脱政治、法律或社会的束缚）( emancipate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
nourishment
|
|
| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
dressing
|
|
| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
dreaded
|
|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
carafe
|
|
| n.玻璃水瓶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
drowsiness
|
|
| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
defense
|
|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
bolster
|
|
| n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
tremor
|
|
| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
instinctively
|
|
| adv.本能地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
doomed
|
|
| 命定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
pang
|
|
| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
avenge
|
|
| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
inert
|
|
| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
regain
|
|
| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
faculties
|
|
| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
expiation
|
|
| n.赎罪，补偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
attain
|
|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
jug
|
|
| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
languor
|
|
| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
feigning
|
|
| 假装，伪装( feign的现在分词 )； 捏造（借口、理由等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
wresting
|
|
| 动词wrest的现在进行式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
ingratitude
|
|
| n.忘恩负义 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
softened
|
|
| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
tyrants
|
|
| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
fatuity
|
|
| n.愚蠢，愚昧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
infamy
|
|
| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
phantom
|
|
| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
accusation
|
|
| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
jeering
|
|
| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
mortification
|
|
| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
avenged
|
|
| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
abhorred
|
|
| v.憎恶( abhor的过去式和过去分词 )；（厌恶地）回避；拒绝；淘汰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
extremity
|
|
| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
mustered
|
|
| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
demon
|
|
| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |