It held within it the thunder of the spheres rolling through the infinite, the birth-song of suns made manifest in the womb of space; echoes of creation’s supernal7 chord! It shook the body like a pulse from the heart of the universe — pulsed — and died away.
On its death came a blaring as of all the trumpets8 of conquering hosts since the first Pharaoh led his swarms9 — triumphal, compelling! Alexander’s clamouring hosts, brazen-throated wolf-horns of Caesar’s legions, blare of trumpets of Genghis Khan and his golden horde10, clangor of the locust11 levies12 of Tamerlane, bugles13 of Napoleon’s armies — war-shout of all earth’s conquerors14! And it died!
Fast upon it, a throbbing15, muffled16 tumult17 of harp18 sounds, mellownesses of myriads19 of wood horns, the subdued20 sweet shrilling21 of multitudes of flutes22, Pandean pipings — inviting23, carrying with them the calling of waterfalls in the hidden places, rushing brooks24 and murmuring forest winds — calling, calling, languorous26, lulling27, dripping into the brain like the very honeyed essence of sound.
And after them a silence in which the memory of the music seemed to beat, to beat ever more faintly, through every quivering nerve.
From me all fear, all apprehension28, had fled. In their place was nothing but joyous29 anticipation30, a supernal freedom from even the shadow of the shadow of care or sorrow; not now did anything matter — Olaf or his haunted, hate-filled eyes; Throckmartin or his fate — nothing of pain, nothing of agony, nothing of striving nor endeavour nor despair in that wide outer world that had turned suddenly to a troubled dream.
Once more the first great note pealed31 out! Once more it died and from the clustered spheres a kaleidoscopic32 blaze shot as though drawn33 from the majestic sound itself. The many-coloured rays darted34 across the white waters and sought the face of the irised Veil. As they touched, it sparkled, flamed, wavered, and shook with fountains of prismatic colour.
The light increased — and in its intensity35 the silver air darkened. Faded into shadow that white mosaic36 of flower-crowned faces set in the amphitheatre of jet, and vast shadows dropped upon the high-flung tiers and shrouded37 them. But on the skirts of the rays the fretted38 stalls in which we sat with the fair-haired ones blazed out, iridescent39, like jewels.
I was sensible of an acceleration40 of every pulse; a wild stimulation41 of every nerve. I felt myself being lifted above the world — close to the threshold of the high gods — soon their essence and their power would stream out into me! I glanced at Larry. His eyes were — wild — with life!
I looked at Olaf — and in his face was none of this — only hate, and hate, and hate.
The peacock waves streamed out over the waters, cleaving42 the seeming darkness, a rainbow path of glory. And the Veil flashed as though all the rainbows that had ever shone were burning within it. Again the mighty sound pealed.
Into the centre of the Veil the light drew itself, grew into an intolerable brightness — and with a storm of tinklings, a tempest of crystalline notes, a tumult of tiny chimings, through it sped — the Shining One!
Straight down that radiant path, its high-flung plumes43 of feathery flame shimmering44, its coruscating45 spirals whirling, its seven globes of seven colours shining above its glowing core, it raced toward us. The hurricane of bells of diamond glass were jubilant, joyous. I felt O’Keefe grip my arm; Yolara threw her white arms out in a welcoming gesture; I heard from the tier a sigh of rapture46 — and in it a poignant47, wailing49 under-tone of agony!
Over the waters, down the light stream, to the end of the ivory pier50, flew the Shining One. Through its crystal pizzicati drifted inarticulate murmurings — deadly sweet, stilling the heart and setting it leaping madly.
For a moment it paused, poised53 itself, and then came whirling down the flower path to its priestess, slowly, ever more slowly. It hovered54 for a moment between the woman and the dwarf55, as though contemplating56 them; turned to her with its storm of tinklings softened57, its murmurings infinitely58 caressing59. Bent60 toward it, Yolara seemed to gather within herself pulsing waves of power; she was terrifying; gloriously, maddeningly evil; and as gloriously, maddeningly heavenly! Aphrodite and the Virgin61! Tanith of the Carthaginians and St. Bride of the Isles62! A queen of hell and a princess of heaven — in one!
Only for a moment did that which we had called the Dweller63 and which these named the Shining One, pause. It swept up the ramp64 to the dais, rested there, slowly turning, plumes and spirals lacing and unlacing, throbbing, pulsing. Now its nucleus65 grew plainer, stronger — human in a fashion, and all inhuman66; neither man nor woman; neither god nor devil; subtly partaking of all. Nor could I doubt that whatever it was, within that shining nucleus was something sentient67; something that had will and energy, and in some awful, supernormal fashion — intelligence!
Another trumpeting68 — a sound of stones opening — a long, low wail48 of utter anguish69 — something moved shadowy in the river of light, and slowly at first, then ever more rapidly, shapes swam through it. There were half a score of them — girls and youths, women and men. The Shining One poised itself, regarded them. They drew closer, and in the eyes of each and in their faces was the bud of that awful intermingling of emotions, of joy and sorrow, ecstasy70 and terror, that I had seen in full blossom on Throckmartin’s.
The Thing began again its murmurings — now infinitely caressing, coaxing71 — like the song of a siren from some witched star! And the bell-sounds rang out — compellingly, calling — calling — calling —
I saw Olaf lean far out of his place; saw, half-consciously, at Lugur’s signal, three of the dwarfs72 creep in and take places, unnoticed, behind him.
Now the first of the figures rushed upon the dais — and paused. It was the girl who had been brought before Yolara when the gnome73 named Songar was driven into the nothingness! With all the quickness of light a spiral of the Shining One stretched out and encircled her.
At its touch there was an infinitely dreadful shrinking and, it seemed, a simultaneous hurling of herself into its radiance. As it wrapped its swirls74 around her, permeated75 her — the crystal chorus burst forth76 — tumultuously; through and through her the radiance pulsed. Began then that infinitely dreadful, but infinitely glorious, rhythm they called the dance of the Shining One. And as the girl swirled77 within its sparkling mists another and another flew into its embrace, until, at last, the dais was an incredible vision; a mad star’s Witches’ Sabbath; an altar of white faces and bodies gleaming through living flame; transfused78 with rapture insupportable and horror that was hellish — and ever, radiant plumes and spirals expanding, the core of the Shining One waxed — growing greater — as it consumed, as it drew into and through itself the life-force of these lost ones!
So they spun79, interlaced — and there began to pulse from them life, vitality80, as though the very essence of nature was filling us. Dimly I recognized that what I was beholding81 was vampirism inconceivable! The banked tiers chanted. The mighty sounds pealed forth!
It was a Saturnalia of demigods!
Then, whirling, bell-notes storming, the Shining One withdrew slowly from the dais down the ramp, still embracing, still interwoven with those who had thrown themselves into its spirals. They drifted with it as though half-carried in dreadful dance; white faces sealed — forever — into that semblance82 of those who held within linked God and devil — I covered my eyes!
I heard a gasp83 from O’Keefe; opened my eyes and sought his; saw the wildness vanish from them as he strained forward. Olaf had leaned far out, and as he did so the dwarfs beside him caught him, and whether by design or through his own swift, involuntary movement, thrust him half into the Dweller’s path. The Dweller paused in its gyrations — seemed to watch him. The Norseman’s face was crimson84, his eyes blazing. He threw himself back and, with one defiant85 shout, gripped one of the dwarfs about the middle and sent him hurtling through the air, straight at the radiant Thing! A whirling mass of legs and arms, the dwarf flew — then in midflight stopped as though some gigantic invisible hand had caught him, and — was dashed down upon the platform not a yard from the Shining One!
Like a broken spider he moved — feebly — once, twice. From the Dweller shot a shimmering tentacle86 — touched him — recoiled87. Its crystal tinklings changed into an angry chiming. From all about — jewelled stalls and jet peak — came a sigh of incredulous horror.
Lugur leaped forward. On the instant Larry was over the low barrier between the pillars, rushing to the Norseman’s side. And even as they ran there was another wild shout from Olaf, and he hurled88 himself out, straight at the throat of the Dweller!
But before he could touch the Shining One, now motionless — and never was the thing more horrible than then, with the purely89 human suggestion of surprise plain in its poise52 — Larry had struck him aside.
I tried to follow — and was held by Rador. He was trembling — but not with fear. In his face was incredulous hope, inexplicable90 eagerness.
“Wait!” he said. “Wait!”
The Shining One stretched out a slow spiral, and as it did so I saw the bravest thing man has ever witnessed. Instantly O’Keefe thrust himself between it and Olaf, pistol out. The tentacle touched him, and the dull blue of his robe flashed out into blinding, intense azure91 light. From the automatic in his gloved hand came three quick bursts of flame straight into the Thing. The Dweller drew back; the bell-sounds swelled92.
Lugur paused, his hand darted up, and in it was one of the silver Keth cones93. But before he could flash it upon the Norseman, Larry had unlooped his robe, thrown its fold over Olaf, and, holding him with one hand away from the Shining One, thrust with the other his pistol into the dwarf’s stomach. His lips moved, but I could not hear what he said. But Lugur understood, for his hand dropped.
Now Yolara was there — all this had taken barely more than five seconds. She thrust herself between the three men and the Dweller. She spoke94 to it — and the wild buzzing died down; the gay crystal tinklings burst forth again. The Thing murmured to her — began to whirl — faster, faster — passed down the ivory pier, out upon the waters, bearing with it, meshed95 in its light, the sacrifices — swept on ever more swiftly, triumphantly96 and turning, turning, with its ghastly crew, vanished through the Veil!
Abruptly97 the polychromatic path snapped out. The silver light poured in upon us. From all the amphitheatre arose a clamour, a shouting. Marakinoff, his eyes staring, was leaning out, listening. Unrestrained now by Rador, I vaulted98 the wall and rushed forward. But not before I had heard the green dwarf murmur25:
“There is something stronger than the Shining One! Two things — yea — a strong heart — and hate!”
Olaf, panting, eyes glazed99, trembling, shrank beneath my hand.
“The devil that took my Helma!” I heard him whisper. “The Shining Devil!”
“Both these men,” Lugur was raging, “they shall dance with the Shining one. And this one, too.” He pointed100 at me malignantly101.
“This man is mine,” said the priestess, and her voice was menacing. She rested her hand on Larry’s shoulder. “He shall not dance. No — nor his friend. I have told you I dare not for this one!” She pointed to Olaf.
“Neither this man, nor this,” said Larry, “shall be harmed. This is my word, Yolara!”
“Even so,” she answered quietly, “my lord!”
I saw Marakinoff stare at O’Keefe with a new and curiously102 speculative103 interest. Lugur’s eyes grew hellish; he raised his arms as though to strike her. Larry’s pistol prodded104 him rudely enough.
“No rough stuff now, kid!” said O’Keefe in English. The red dwarf quivered, turned — caught a robe from a priest standing105 by, and threw it over himself. The ladala, shouting, gesticulating, fighting with the soldiers, were jostling down from the tiers of jet.
“Come!” commanded Yolara — her eyes rested upon Larry. “Your heart is great, indeed — my lord!” she murmured; and her voice was very sweet. “Come!”
“This man comes with us, Yolara,” said O’Keefe pointing to Olaf.
“Bring him,” she said. “Bring him — only tell him to look no more upon me as before!” she added fiercely.
Beside her the three of us passed along the stalls, where sat the fair-haired, now silent, at gaze, as though in the grip of some great doubt. Silently Olaf strode beside me. Rador had disappeared. Down the stairway, through the hall of turquoise106 mist, over the rushing sea-stream we went and stood beside the wall through which we had entered. The white-robed ones had gone.
Yolara pressed; the portal opened. We stepped upon the car; she took the lever; we raced through the faintly luminous107 corridor to the house of the priestess.
And one thing now I knew sick at heart and soul the truth had come to me — no more need to search for Throckmartin. Behind that Veil, in the lair108 of the Dweller, dead-alive like those we had just seen swim in its shining train was he, and Edith, Stanton and Thora and Olaf Huldricksson’s wife!
The car came to rest; the portal opened; Yolara leaped out lightly, beckoned109 and flitted up the corridor. She paused before an ebon screen. At a touch it vanished, revealing an entrance to a small blue chamber110, glowing as though cut from the heart of some gigantic sapphire111; bare, save that in its centre, upon a low pedestal, stood a great globe fashioned from milky112 rock-crystal; upon its surface were faint tracings as of seas and continents, but, if so, either of some other world or of this world in immemorial past, for in no way did they resemble the mapped coastlines of our earth.
Poised upon the globe, rising from it out into space, locked in each other’s arms, lips to lips, were two figures, a woman and a man, so exquisite113, so lifelike, that for the moment I failed to realize that they, too, were carved of the crystal. And before this shrine114 — for nothing else could it be, I knew — three slender cones raised themselves: one of purest white flame, one of opalescent115 water, and the third of — moonlight! There was no mistaking them, the height of a tall man each stood — but how water, flame and light were held so evenly, so steadily116 in their spire-shapes, I could not tell.
Yolara bowed lowly — once, twice, thrice. She turned to O’Keefe, nor by slightest look or gesture betrayed she knew others were there than he. The blue eyes wide, searching, unfathomable, she drew close; put white hands on his shoulders, looked down into his very soul.
“My lord,” she murmured. “Now listen well for I, Yolara, give you three things — myself, and the Shining One, and the power that is the Shining One’s — yea, and still a fourth thing that is all three — power over all upon that world from whence you came! These, my lord, ye shall have. I swear it”— she turned toward the altar — uplifted her arms —“by Siya and by Siyana, and by the flame, by the water, and by the light!” 1
1 I have no space here even to outline the eschatology of this people, nor to catalogue their pantheon. Siya and Siyana typified worldly love. Their ritual was, however, singularly free from those degrading elements usually found in love-cults117. Priests and priestesses of all cults dwelt in the immense seven-terraced structure, of which the jet amphitheatre was the water side. The symbol, icon118, representation, of Siya and Siyana — the globe and the up-striving figures — typified earthly love, feet bound to earth, but eyes among the stars. Hell or heaven I never heard formulated119, nor their equivalents; unless that existence in the Shining One’s domain120 could serve for either. Over all this was Thanaroa, remote; unheeding, but still maker121 and ruler of all — an absentee First Cause personified! Thanaroa seemed to be the one article of belief in the creed122 of the soldiers — Rador, with his reverence123 for the Ancient Ones, was an exception. Whatever there was, indeed, of high, truly religious impulse among the Murians, this far, High God had. I found this exceedingly interesting, because it had long been my theory — to put the matter in the shape of a geometrical formula — that the real attractiveness of gods to man increases uniformly according to the square of their distance — W. T. G.
Her eyes grew purple dark.
“Let none dare to take you from me! Nor ye go from me unbidden!” she whispered fiercely.
Then swiftly, still ignoring us, she threw her arms about O’Keefe, pressed her white body to his breast, lips raised, eyes closed, seeking his. O’Keefe’s arms tightened124 around her, his head dropped lips seeking, finding hers — passionately125! From Olaf came a deep indrawn breath that was almost a groan126. But not in my heart could I find blame for the Irishman!
The priestess opened eyes now all misty127 blue, thrust him back, stood regarding him. O’Keefe, dead-white, raised a trembling hand to his face.
“And thus have I sealed my oath, O my lord!” she whispered. For the first time she seemed to recognize our presence, stared at us a moment, then through us, and turned to O’Keefe.
“Go, now!” she said. “Soon Rador shall come for you. Then — well, after that let happen what will!”
She smiled once more at him — so sweetly; turned toward the figures upon the great globe; sank upon her knees before them. Quietly we crept away; still silent, made our way to the little pavilion. But as we passed we heard a tumult from the green roadway; shouts of men, now and then a woman’s scream. Through a rift51 in the garden I glimpsed a jostling crowd on one of the bridges: green dwarfs struggling with the ladala — and all about droned a humming as of a giant hive disturbed!
Larry threw himself down upon one of the divans128, covered his face with his hands, dropped them to catch in Olaf’s eyes troubled reproach, looked at me.
“I couldn’t help it,” he said, half defiantly129 — half-miserably. “God, what a woman! I COULDN’T help it!”
“Larry,” I asked. “Why didn’t you tell her you didn’t love her — then?”
He gazed at me — the old twinkle back in his eye.
“Spoken like a scientist, Doc!” he exclaimed. “I suppose if a burning angel struck you out of nowhere and threw itself about you, you would most dignifiedly tell it you didn’t want to be burned. For God’s sake, don’t talk nonsense, Goodwin!” he ended, almost peevishly131.
“Evil! Evil!” The Norseman’s voice was deep, nearly a chant. “All here is of evil: Trolldom and Helvede it is, Ja! And that she djaevelsk of beauty — what is she but harlot of that shining devil they worship. I, Olaf Huldricksson, know what she meant when she held out to you power over all the world, Ja! — as if the world had not devils enough in it now!”
“What?” The cry came from both O’Keefe and myself at once.
Olaf made a gesture of caution, relapsed into sullen132 silence. There were footsteps on the path, and into sight came Rador — but a Rador changed. Gone was every vestige133 of his mockery; curiously solemn, he saluted134 O’Keefe and Olaf with that salute135 which, before this, I had seen given only to Yolara and to Lugur. There came a swift quickening of the tumult — died away. He shrugged136 mighty shoulders.
“The ladala are awake!” he said. “So much for what two brave men can do!” He paused thoughtfully. “Bones and dust jostle not each other for place against the grave wall!” he added oddly. “But if bones and dust have revealed to them that they still — live —”
He stopped abruptly, eyes seeking the globe that bore and sent forth speech. 1
1 I find that I have neglected to explain the working of these interesting mechanisms137 that were telephonic, dictaphonic, telegraphic in one. I must assume that my readers are familiar with the receiving apparatus138 of wireless139 telegraphy, which must be “tuned140” by the operator until its own vibratory quality is in exact harmony with the vibrations141 — the extremely rapid impacts — of those short electric wavelengths142 we call Hertzian, and which carry the wireless messages. I must assume also that they are familiar with the elementary fact of physics that the vibrations of light and sound are interchangeable. The hearing-talking globes utilize143 both these principles, and with consummate144 simplicity145. The light with which they shone was produced by an atomic “motor” within their base, similar to that which activated146 the merely illuminating147 globes. The composition of the phonic spheres gave their surfaces an acute sensitivity and resonance148. In conjunction with its energizing149 power, the metal set up what is called a “field of force,” which linked it with every particle of its kind no matter how distant. When vibrations of speech impinged upon the resonant150 surface its rhythmic151 light-vibrations were broken, just as a telephone transmitter breaks an electric current. Simultaneously152 these light-vibrations were changed into sound — on the surfaces of all spheres tuned to that particular instrument. The “crawling” colours which showed themselves at these times were literally153 the voice of the speaker in its spectrum154 equivalent. While usually the sounds produced required considerable familiarity with the apparatus to be understood quickly, they could, on occasion, be made startlingly loud and clear — as I was soon to realize — W. T. G.
“The Afyo Maie has sent me to watch over you till she summons you,” he announced clearly. “There is to be a — feast. You, Larree, you Goodwin, are to come. I remain here with — Olaf.”
“No harm to him!” broke in O’Keefe sharply. Rador touched his heart, his eyes.
“By the Ancient Ones, and by my love for you, and by what you twain did before the Shining One — I swear it!” he whispered.
Rador clapped palms; a soldier came round the path, in his grip a long flat box of polished wood. The green dwarf took it, dismissed him, threw open the lid.
“Here is your apparel for the feast, Larree,” he said, pointing to the contents.
O’Keefe stared, reached down and drew out a white, shimmering, softly metallic155, long-sleeved tunic156, a broad, silvery girdle, leg swathings of the same argent material, and sandals that seemed to be cut out from silver. He made a quick gesture of angry dissent157.
“Nay, Larree!” muttered the dwarf. “Wear them — I counsel it — I pray it — ask me not why,” he went on swiftly, looking again at the globe.
O’Keefe, as I, was impressed by his earnestness. The dwarf made a curiously expressive158 pleading gesture. O’Keefe abruptly took the garments; passed into the room of the fountain.
“The Shining One dances not again?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “No”— he hesitate —“it is the usual feast that follows the sacrament! Lugur — and Double Tongue, who came with you, will be there,” he added slowly.
“Lugur —” I gasped159 in astonishment160. “After what happened — he will be there?”
“Perhaps because of what happened, Goodwin, my friend,” he answered — his eyes again full of malice161; “and there will be others — friends of Yolara — friends of Lugur — and perhaps another”— his voice was almost inaudible —“one whom they have not called —” He halted, half-fearfully, glancing at the globe; put finger to lips and spread himself out upon one of the couches.
“Strike up the band”— came O’Keefe’s voice —“here comes the hero!”
He strode into the room. I am bound to say that the admiration162 in Rador’s eyes was reflected in my own, and even, if involuntarily, in Olaf’s.
“A son of Siyana!” whispered Rador.
He knelt, took from his girdle-pouch a silk-wrapped something, unwound it — and, still kneeling, drew out a slender poniard of gleaming white metal, hilted with the blue stones; he thrust it into O’Keefe’s girdle; then gave him again the rare salute.
“Come,” he ordered and took us to the head of the pathway.
“Now,” he said grimly, “let the Silent Ones show their power — if they still have it!”
And with this strange benediction163, be turned back.
“For God’s sake, Larry,” I urged as we approached the house of the priestess, “you’ll be careful!”
He nodded — but I saw with a little deadly pang164 of apprehension in my heart a puzzled, lurking165 doubt within his eyes.
As we ascended166 the serpent steps Marakinoff appeared. He gave a signal to our guards — and I wondered what influence the Russian had attained167, for promptly168, without question, they drew aside. At me he smiled amiably169.
“Have you found your friends yet?” he went on — and now I sensed something deeply sinister170 in him. “No! It is too bad! Well, don’t give up hope.” He turned to O’Keefe.
“Lieutenant, I would like to speak to you — alone!”
“I’ve no secrets from Goodwin,” answered O’Keefe.
“So?” queried171 Marakinoff, suavely172. He bent, whispered to Larry.
The Irishman started, eyed him with a certain shocked incredulity, then turned to me.
“Just a minute, Doc!” he said, and I caught the suspicion of a wink130. They drew aside, out of ear-shot. The Russian talked rapidly. Larry was all attention. Marakinoff’s earnestness became intense; O’Keefe interrupted — appeared to question. Marakinoff glanced at me and as his gaze shifted from O’Keefe, I saw a flame of rage and horror blaze up in the latter’s eyes. At last the Irishman appeared to consider gravely; nodded as though he had arrived at some decision, and Marakinoff thrust his hand to him.
And only I could have noticed Larry’s shrinking, his microscopic173 hesitation174 before he took it, and his involuntary movement, as though to shake off something unclean, when the clasp had ended.
Marakinoff, without another look at me, turned and went quickly within. The guards took their places. I looked at Larry inquiringly.
“Don’t ask a thing now, Doc!” he said tensely. “Wait till we get home. But we’ve got to get damned busy and quick — I’ll tell you that now —”
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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supernal
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| adj.天堂的，天上的；崇高的 | |
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trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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swarms
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| 蜂群，一大群( swarm的名词复数 ) | |
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horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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locust
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| n.蝗虫；洋槐，刺槐 | |
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levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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bugles
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| 妙脆角，一种类似薯片但做成尖角或喇叭状的零食； 号角( bugle的名词复数 )； 喇叭； 匍匐筋骨草； （装饰女服用的）柱状玻璃（或塑料）小珠 | |
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conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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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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shrilling
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| （声音）尖锐的，刺耳的，高频率的( shrill的现在分词 )； 凄厉 | |
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22
flutes
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| 长笛( flute的名词复数 )； 细长香槟杯（形似长笛） | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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24
brooks
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| n.小溪( brook的名词复数 ) | |
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25
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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languorous
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| adj.怠惰的，没精打采的 | |
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27
lulling
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的现在分词形式） | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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29
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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30
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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31
pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
kaleidoscopic
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| adj.千变万化的 | |
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33
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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34
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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35
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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36
mosaic
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| n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的 | |
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37
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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38
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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39
iridescent
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| adj.彩虹色的，闪色的 | |
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40
acceleration
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| n.加速，加速度 | |
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41
stimulation
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| n.刺激，激励，鼓舞 | |
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42
cleaving
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| v.劈开，剁开，割开( cleave的现在分词 ) | |
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43
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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44
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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45
coruscating
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| v.闪光，闪烁( coruscate的现在分词 ) | |
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46
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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47
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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48
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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49
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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50
pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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51
rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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52
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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53
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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54
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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55
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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56
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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57
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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58
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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59
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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60
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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61
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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62
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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63
dweller
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| n.居住者，住客 | |
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64
ramp
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| n.暴怒，斜坡，坡道；vi.作恐吓姿势，暴怒，加速；vt.加速 | |
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65
nucleus
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| n.核，核心，原子核 | |
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66
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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67
sentient
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| adj.有知觉的，知悉的；adv.有感觉能力地 | |
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68
trumpeting
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| 大声说出或宣告（trumpet的现在分词形式） | |
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69
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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70
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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71
coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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72
dwarfs
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| n.侏儒，矮子（dwarf的复数形式）vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的第三人称单数形式） | |
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73
gnome
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| n.土地神；侏儒，地精 | |
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74
swirls
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| n.旋转( swirl的名词复数 )；卷状物；漩涡；尘旋v.旋转，打旋( swirl的第三人称单数 ) | |
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75
permeated
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| 弥漫( permeate的过去式和过去分词 )； 遍布； 渗入； 渗透 | |
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76
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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77
swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
transfused
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| v.输（血或别的液体）( transfuse的过去式和过去分词 )；渗透；使…被灌输或传达 | |
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79
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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80
vitality
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| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
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81
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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82
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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83
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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84
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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85
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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86
tentacle
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| n.触角，触须，触手 | |
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87
recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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88
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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89
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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90
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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91
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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92
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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93
cones
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| n.（人眼）圆锥细胞；圆锥体( cone的名词复数 )；球果；圆锥形东西；（盛冰淇淋的）锥形蛋卷筒 | |
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94
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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95
meshed
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| 有孔的，有孔眼的，啮合的 | |
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96
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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97
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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98
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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99
glazed
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| 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 | |
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100
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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101
malignantly
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| 怀恶意地； 恶毒地； 有害地； 恶性地 | |
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102
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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103
speculative
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| adj.思索性的，暝想性的，推理的 | |
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104
prodded
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| v.刺，戳( prod的过去式和过去分词 )；刺激；促使；（用手指或尖物）戳 | |
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105
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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106
turquoise
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| n.绿宝石；adj.蓝绿色的 | |
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107
luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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108
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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109
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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111
sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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112
milky
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| adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的 | |
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113
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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114
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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115
opalescent
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| adj.乳色的，乳白的 | |
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116
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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117
cults
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| n.迷信( cult的名词复数 )；狂热的崇拜；（有极端宗教信仰的）异教团体 | |
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118
icon
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| n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像 | |
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119
formulated
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| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
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120
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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121
maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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122
creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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123
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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124
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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125
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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126
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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127
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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128
divans
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| n.（可作床用的）矮沙发( divan的名词复数 )；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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129
defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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130
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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131
peevishly
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| adv．暴躁地 | |
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132
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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133
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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134
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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135
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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136
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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137
mechanisms
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| n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用 | |
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138
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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139
wireless
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| adj.无线的；n.无线电 | |
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140
tuned
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| adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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141
vibrations
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| n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动 | |
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142
wavelengths
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| n.波长( wavelength的名词复数 )；具有相同的/不同的思路；合拍；不合拍 | |
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143
utilize
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| vt.使用，利用 | |
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consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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activated
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| adj. 激活的 动词activate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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147
illuminating
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| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
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148
resonance
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| n.洪亮；共鸣；共振 | |
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149
energizing
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| v.给予…精力，能量( energize的现在分词 )；使通电 | |
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150
resonant
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| adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的 | |
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151
rhythmic
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| adj.有节奏的，有韵律的 | |
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152
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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153
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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154
spectrum
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| n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列 | |
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155
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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156
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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157
dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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158
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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159
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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160
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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161
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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162
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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163
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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164
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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165
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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166
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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168
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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170
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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171
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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172
suavely
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173
microscopic
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| adj.微小的，细微的，极小的，显微的 | |
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174
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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