The chamber4, on whose threshold we stood, was far larger than either anteroom or hall of audience. Not less than three hundred feet long and half that in depth, from end to end of it ran two huge semi-circular tables, paralleling each other, divided by a wide aisle6, and heaped with flowers, with fruits, with viands7 unknown to me, and glittering with crystal flagons, beakers, goblets8 of as many hues10 as the blooms. On the gay-cushioned couches that flanked the tables, lounging luxuriously12, were scores of the fair-haired ruling class and there rose a little buzz of admiration13, oddly mixed with a half-startled amaze, as their gaze fell upon O’Keefe in all his silvery magnificence. Everywhere the light-giving globes sent their roseate radiance.
The cuirassed dwarfs14 led us through the aisle. Within the arc of the inner half — circle was another glittering board, an oval. But of those seated there, facing us — I had eyes for only one — Yolara! She swayed up to greet O’Keefe — and she was like one of those white lily maids, whose beauty Hoang–Ku, the sage16, says made the Gobi first a paradise, and whose lusts17 later the burned-out desert that it is. She held out hands to Larry, and on her face was passion — unashamed, unhiding.
She was Circe — but Circe conquered. Webs of filmiest white clung to the rose-leaf body. Twisted through the corn-silk hair a threaded circlet of pale sapphires18 shone; but they were pale beside Yolara’s eyes. O’Keefe bent20, kissed her hands, something more than mere21 admiration flaming from him. She saw — and, smiling, drew him down beside her.
It came to me that of all, only these two, Yolara and O’Keefe, were in white — and I wondered; then with a tightening22 of nerves ceased to wonder as there entered — Lugur! He was all in scarlet23, and as he strode forward a silence fell a tense, strained silence.
His gaze turned upon Yolara, rested upon O’Keefe, and instantly his face grew — dreadful — there is no other word than that for it. Marakinoff leaned forward from the centre of the table, near whose end I sat, touched and whispered to him swiftly. With appalling25 effort the red dwarf15 controlled himself; he saluted26 the priestess ironically, I thought; took his place at the further end of the oval. And now I noted27 that the figures between were the seven of that Council of which the Shining One’s priestess and Voice were the heads. The tension relaxed, but did not pass — as though a storm-cloud should turn away, but still lurk28, threatening.
My gaze ran back. This end of the room was draped with the exquisitely29 coloured, graceful30 curtains looped with gorgeous garlands. Between curtains and table, where sat Larry and the nine, a circular platform, perhaps ten yards in diameter, raised itself a few feet above the floor, its gleaming surface half-covered with the luminous31 petals32, fragrant33, delicate.
On each side below it, were low carven stools. The curtains parted and softly entered girls bearing their flutes34, their harps35, the curiously37 emotion-exciting, octaved drums. They sank into their places. They touched their instruments; a faint, languorous38 measure throbbed40 through the rosy41 air.
The stage was set! What was to be the play?
Now about the tables passed other dusky-haired maids, fair bosoms42 bare, their scanty44 kirtles looped high, pouring out the wines for the feasters.
My eyes sought O’Keefe. Whatever it had been that Marakinoff had said, clearly it now filled his mind — even to the exclusion45 of the wondrous46 woman beside him. His eyes were stern, cold — and now and then, as be turned them toward the Russian, filled with a curious speculation47. Yolara watched him, frowned, gave a low order to the Hebe behind her.
The girl disappeared, entered again with a ewer48 that seemed cut of amber5. The priestess poured from it into Larry’s glass a clear liquid that shook with tiny sparkles of light. She raised the glass to her lips, handed it to him. Half-smiling, half-abstractedly, he took it, touched his own lips where hers had kissed; drained it. A nod from Yolara and the maid refilled his goblet9.
At once there was a swift transformation49 in the Irishman. His abstraction vanished; the sternness fled; his eyes sparkled. He leaned caressingly50 toward Yolara; whispered. Her blue eyes flashed triumphantly51; her chiming laughter rang. She raised her own glass — but within it was not that clear drink that filled Larry’s! And again he drained his own; and, lifting it, full once more, caught the baleful eyes of Lugur, and held it toward him mockingly. Yolara swayed close — alluring52, tempting53. He arose, face all reckless gaiety; rollicking deviltry.
“A toast!” he cried in English, “to the Shining One — and may the hell where it belongs soon claim it!”
He had used their own word for their god — all else had been in his own tongue, and so, fortunately, they did not understand. But the contempt in his action they did recognize — and a dead, a fearful silence fell upon them all. Lugur’s eyes blazed, little sparks of crimson54 in their green. The priestess reached up, caught at O’Keefe. He seized the soft hand; caressed55 it; his gaze grew far away, sombre.
“The Shining One.” He spoke56 low. “An’ now again I see the faces of those who dance with it. It is the Fires of Mora — come, God alone knows how — from Erin — to this place. The Fires of Mora!” He contemplated57 the hushed folk before him; and then from his lips came that weirdest58, most haunting of the lyric59 legends of Erin — the Curse of Mora:
“The fretted60 fires of Mora blew o’er him in the night;
He thrills no more to loving, nor weeps for past delight.
For when those flames have bitten, both grief and joy take flight —”
Again Yolara tried to draw him down beside her; and once more he gripped her hand. His eyes grew fixed61 — he crooned:
“And through the sleeping silence his feet must track the tune62,
When the world is barred and speckled with silver of the moon —”
He stood, swaying, for a moment, and then, laughing, let the priestess have her way; drained again the glass.
And now my heart was cold, indeed — for what hope was there left with Larry mad, wild drunk!
The silence was unbroken — elfin women and dwarfs glancing furtively63 at each other. But now Yolara arose, face set, eyes flashing grey.
“Hear you, the Council, and you, Lugur — and all who are here!” she cried. “Now I, the priestess of the Shining One, take, as is my right, my mate. And this is he!” She pointed64 down upon Larry. He glanced up at her.
“Can’t quite make out what you say, Yolara,” he muttered thickly. “But say anything — you like — I love your voice!”
I turned sick with dread24. Yolara’s hand stole softly upon the Irishman’s curls caressingly.
“You know the law, Yolara.” Lugur’s voice was flat, deadly, “You may not mate with other than your own kind. And this man is a stranger — a barbarian65 — food for the Shining One!” Literally66, he spat67 the phrase.
“No, not of our kind — Lugur — higher!” Yolara answered serenely68. “Lo, a son of Siya and of Siyana!”
“A lie!” roared the red dwarf. “A lie!”
“The Shining One revealed it to me!” said Yolara sweetly. “And if ye believe not, Lugur — go ask of the Shining One if it be not truth!”
There was bitter, nameless menace in those last words — and whatever their hidden message to Lugur, it was potent69. He stood, choking, face hell-shadowed — Marakinoff leaned out again, whispered. The red dwarf bowed, now wholly ironically; resumed his place and his silence. And again I wondered, icy-hearted, what was the power the Russian had so to sway Lugur.
“What says the Council?” Yolara demanded, turning to them.
Only for a moment they consulted among themselves. Then the woman, whose face was a ravaged70 shrine71 of beauty, spoke.
“The will of the priestess is the will of the Council!” she answered.
Defiance72 died from Yolara’s face; she looked down at Larry tenderly. He sat swaying, crooning.
“Bid the priests come,” she commanded, then turned to the silent room. “By the rites73 of Siya and Siyana, Yolara takes their son for her mate!” And again her hand stole down possessingly, serpent soft, to the drunken head of the O’Keefe.
The curtains parted widely. Through them filed, two by two, twelve hooded74 figures clad in flowing robes of the green one sees in forest vistas75 of opening buds of dawning spring. Of each pair one bore clasped to breast a globe of that milky76 crystal in the sapphire19 shrine-room; the other a harp36, small, shaped somewhat like the ancient clarsach of the Druids.
Two by two they stepped upon the raised platform, placed gently upon it each their globe; and two by two crouched77 behind them. They formed now a star of six points about the petalled78 dais, and, simultaneously79, they drew from their faces the covering cowls.
I half-rose — youths and maidens81 these of the fair-haired; and youths and maids more beautiful than any of those I had yet seen — for upon their faces was little of that disturbing mockery to which I have been forced so often, because of the deep impression it made upon me, to refer. The ashen-gold of the maiden80 priestesses’ hair was wound about their brows in shining coronals. The pale locks of the youths were clustered within circlets of translucent82, glimmering83 gems84 like moonstones. And then, crystal globe alternately before and harp alternately held by youth and maid, they began to sing.
What was that song, I do not know — nor ever shall. Archaic85, ancient beyond thought, it seemed — not with the ancientness of things that for uncounted ages have been but wind-driven dust. Rather was it the ancientness of the golden youth of the world, love lilts of earth younglings, with light of new-born suns drenching86 them, chorals of young stars mating in space; murmurings of April gods and goddesses. A languor39 stole through me. The rosy lights upon the tripods began to die away, and as they faded the milky globes gleamed forth87 brighter, ever brighter. Yolara rose, stretched a hand to Larry, led him through the sextuple groups, and stood face to face with him in the centre of their circle.
The rose-light died; all that immense chamber was black, save for the circle of the glowing spheres. Within this their milky radiance grew brighter — brighter. The song whispered away. A throbbing88 arpeggio dripped from the harps, and as the notes pulsed out, up from the globes, as though striving to follow, pulsed with them tips of moon-fire cones89, such as I had seen before Yolara’s altar. Weirdly91, caressingly, compellingly the harp notes throbbed in repeated, re-repeated theme, holding within itself the same archaic golden quality I had noted in the singing. And over the moon flame pinnacles92 rose higher!
Yolara lifted her arms; within her hands were clasped O’Keefe’s. She raised them above their two heads and slowly, slowly drew him with her into a circling, graceful step, tendrillings delicate as the slow spirallings of twilight93 mist upon some still stream.
As they swayed the rippling94 arpeggios grew louder, and suddenly the slender pinnacles of moon fire bent, dipped, flowed to the floor, crept in a shining ring around those two — and began to rise, a gleaming, glimmering, enchanted95 barrier — rising, ever rising — hiding them!
With one swift movement Yolara unbound her circlet of pale sapphires, shook loose the waves of her silken hair. It fell, a rippling, wondrous cascade96, veiling both her and O’Keefe to their girdles — and now the shining coils of moon fire had crept to their knees — was circling higher — higher.
And ever despair grew deeper in my soul!
What was that! I started to my feet, and all around me in the darkness I heard startled motion. From without came a blaring of trumpets97, the sound of running men, loud murmurings. The tumult98 drew closer. I heard cries of “Lakla! Lakla!” Now it was at the very threshold and within it, oddly, as though — punctuating99 — the clamour, a deep-toned, almost abysmal100, booming sound — thunderously bass101 and reverberant102.
Abruptly103 the harpings ceased; the moon fires shuddered104, fell, and began to sweep back into the crystal globes; Yolara’s swaying form grew rigid105, every atom of it listening. She threw aside the veiling cloud of hair, and in the gleam of the last retreating spirals her face glared out like some old Greek mask of tragedy.
The sweet lips that even at their sweetest could never lose their delicate cruelty, had no sweetness now. They were drawn106 into a square — inhuman107 as that of the Medusa; in her eyes were the fires of the pit, and her hair seemed to writhe108 like the serpent locks of that Gorgon109 whose mouth she had borrowed; all her beauty was transformed into a nameless thing — hideous110, inhuman, blasting! If this was the true soul of Yolara springing to her face, then, I thought, God help us in very deed!
I wrested111 my gaze away to O’Keefe. All drunkenness gone, himself again, he was staring down at her, and in his eyes were loathing112 and horror unutterable. So they stood — and the light fled.
Only for a moment did the darkness hold. With lightning swiftness the blackness that was the chamber’s other wall vanished. Through a portal open between grey screens, the silver sparkling radiance poured.
And through the portal marched, two by two, incredible, nightmare figures — frog-men, giants, taller by nearly a yard than even tall O’Keefe! Their enormous saucer eyes were irised by wide bands of green-flecked red, in which the phosphorescence flickered113. Their long muzzles114, lips half-open in monstrous115 grin, held rows of glistening116, slender, lancet sharp fangs117. Over the glaring eyes arose a horny helmet, a carapace118 of black and orange scales, studded with foot-long lance-headed horns.
They lined themselves like soldiers on each side of the wide table aisle, and now I could see that their horny armour covered shoulders and backs, ran across the chest in a knobbed cuirass, and at wrists and heels jutted119 out into curved, murderous spurs. The webbed hands and feet ended in yellow, spade-shaped claws.
They carried spears, ten feet, at least, in length, the heads of which were pointed cones, glistening with that same covering, from whose touch of swift decay I had so narrowly saved Rador.
They were grotesque120, yes — more grotesque than anything I had ever seen or dreamed, and they were — terrible!
And then, quietly, through their ranks came — a girl! Behind her, enormous pouch121 at his throat swelling122 in and out menacingly, in one paw a treelike, spike-studded mace123, a frog-man, huger than any of the others, guarding. But of him I caught but a fleeting124, involuntary impression — all my gaze was for her.
For it was she who had pointed out to us the way from the peril125 of the Dweller’s lair126 on Nan–Tauach. And as I looked at her, I marvelled127 that ever could I have thought the priestess more beautiful. Into the eyes of O’Keefe rushed joy and an utter abasement128 of shame.
And from all about came murmurs129 — edged with anger, half-incredulous, tinged130 with fear:
“Lakla!”
“Lakla!”
“The handmaiden!”
She halted close beside me. From firm little chin to dainty buskined feet she was swathed in the soft robes of dull, almost coppery hue11. The left arm was hidden, the right free and gloved. Wound tight about it was one of the vines of the sculptured wall and of Lugur’s circled signet-ring. Thick, a vivid green, its five tendrils ran between her fingers, stretching out five flowered heads that gleamed like blossoms cut from gigantic, glowing rubies131.
So she stood contemplating132 Yolara. Then drawn perhaps by my gaze, she dropped her eyes upon me; golden, translucent, with tiny flecks133 of amber in their aureate irises134, the soul that looked through them was as far removed from that flaming out of the priestess as zenith is above nadir135.
I noted the low, broad brow, the proud little nose, the tender mouth, and the soft — sunlight — glow that seemed to transfuse136 the delicate skin. And suddenly in the eyes dawned a smile — sweet, friendly, a touch of roguishness, profoundly reassuring137 in its all humanness. I felt my heart expand as though freed from fetters138, a recrudescence of confidence in the essential reality of things — as though in nightmare the struggling consciousness should glimpse some familiar face and know the terrors with which it strove were but dreams. And involuntarily I smiled back at her.
She raised her head and looked again at Yolara, contempt and a certain curiosity in her gaze; at O’Keefe — and through the softened139 eyes drifted swiftly a shadow of sorrow, and on its fleeting wings deepest interest, and hovering140 over that a naive141 approval as reassuringly142 human as had been her smile.
She spoke, and her voice, deep-timbred, liquid gold as was Yolara’s all silver, was subtly the synthesis of all the golden glowing beauty of her.
“The Silent Ones have sent me, O Yolara,” she said. “And this is their command to you — that you deliver to me to bring before them three of the four strangers who have found their way here. For him there who plots with Lugur”— she pointed at Marakinoff, and I saw Yolara start —“they have no need. Into his heart the Silent Ones have looked; and Lugur and you may keep him, Yolara!”
There was honeyed venom143 in the last words.
Yolara was herself now; only the edge of shrillness144 on her voice revealed her wrath145 as she answered.
“And whence have the Silent Ones gained power to command, choya?”
This last, I knew, was a very vulgar word; I had heard Rador use it in a moment of anger to one of the serving maids, and it meant, approximately, “kitchen girl,” “scullion.” Beneath the insult and the acid disdain146, the blood rushed up under Lakla’s ambered ivory skin.
“Yolara”— her voice was low —“of no use is it to question me. I am but the messenger of the Silent Ones. And one thing only am I bidden to ask you — do you deliver to me the three strangers?”
Lugur was on his feet; eagerness, sardonic147 delight, sinister148 anticipation149 thrilling from him — and my same glance showed Marakinoff, crouched, biting his finger-nails, glaring at the Golden Girl.
“No!” Yolara spat the word. “No! Now by Thanaroa and by the Shining One, no!” Her eyes blazed, her nostrils150 were wide, in her fair throat a little pulse beat angrily. “You, Lakla — take you my message to the Silent Ones. Say to them that I keep this man”— she pointed to Larry —“because he is mine. Say to them that I keep the yellow-haired one and him”— she pointed to me —“because it pleases me.
“Tell them that upon their mouths I place my foot, so!”— she stamped upon the dais viciously —“and that in their faces I spit!”— and her action was hideously151 snakelike. “And say last to them, you handmaiden, that if YOU they dare send to Yolara again, she will feed YOU to the Shining One! Now — go!”
The handmaiden’s face was white.
“Not unforeseen by the three was this, Yolara,” she replied. “And did you speak as you have spoken then was I bidden to say this to you.” Her voice deepened. “Three tal have you to take counsel, Yolara. And at the end of that time these things must you have determined152 — either to do or not to do: first, send the strangers to the Silent Ones; second, give up, you and Lugur and all of you, that dream you have of conquest of the world without; and, third, forswear the Shining One! And if you do not one and all these things, then are you done, your cup of life broken, your wine of life spilled. Yea, Yolara, for you and the Shining One, Lugur and the Nine and all those here and their kind shall pass! This say the Silent Ones, ‘Surely shall all of ye pass and be as though never had ye been!’”
Now a gasp153 of rage and fear arose from all those around me — but the priestess threw back her head and laughed loud and long. Into the silver sweet chiming of her laughter clashed that of Lugur — and after a little the nobles took it up, till the whole chamber echoed with their mirth. O’Keefe, lips tightening, moved toward the Handmaiden, and almost imperceptibly, but peremptorily154, she waved him back.
“Those ARE great words — great words indeed, choya,” shrilled155 Yolara at last; and again Lakla winced156 beneath the word. “Lo, for laya upon laya, the Shining One has been freed from the Three; and for laya upon laya they have sat helpless, rotting. Now I ask you again — whence comes their power to lay their will upon me, and whence comes their strength to wrestle157 with the Shining One and the beloved of the Shining One?”
And again she laughed — and again Lugur and all the fairhaired joined in her laughter.
Into the eyes of Lakla I saw creep a doubt, a wavering; as though deep within her the foundations of her own belief were none too firm.
She hesitated, turning upon O’Keefe gaze in which rested more than suggestion of appeal! And Yolara saw, too, for she flushed with triumph, stretched a finger toward the handmaiden.
“Look!” she cried. “Look! Why, even SHE does not believe!” Her voice grew silk of silver — merciless, cruel. “Now am I minded to send another answer to the Silent Ones. Yea! But not by YOU, Lakla; by these”— she pointed to the frog-men, and, swift as light, her hand darted158 into her bosom43, bringing forth the little shining cone90 of death.
But before she could level it the Golden Girl had released that hidden left arm and thrown over her face a fold of the metallic159 swathings. Swifter than Yolara, she raised the arm that held the vine — and now I knew this was no inert160 blossoming thing.
It was alive!
It writhed161 down her arm, and its five rubescent flower heads thrust out toward the priestess — vibrating, quivering, held in leash162 only by the light touch of the handmaiden at its very end.
From the swelling throat pouch of the monster behind her came a succession of the reverberant boomings. The frogmen wheeled, raised their lances, levelled them at the throng163. Around the reaching ruby164 flowers a faint red mist swiftly grew.
The silver cone dropped from Yolara’s rigid fingers; her eyes grew stark165 with horror; all her unearthly loveliness fled from her; she stood pale-lipped. The Handmaiden dropped the protecting veil — and now it was she who laughed.
“It would seem, then, Yolara, that there IS a thing of the Silent Ones ye fear!” she said. “Well — the kiss of the Yekta I promise you in return for the embrace of your Shining One.”
She looked at Larry, long, searchingly, and suddenly again with all that effect of sunlight bursting into dark places, her smile shone upon him. She nodded, half gaily166; looked down upon me, the little merry light dancing in her eyes; waved her hand to me.
She spoke to the giant frog-man. He wheeled behind her as she turned, facing the priestess, club upraised, fangs glistening. His troop moved not a jot167, spears held high. Lakla began to pass slowly — almost, I thought, tauntingly168 — and as she reached the portal Larry leaped from the dais.
“ALANNA!” he cried. “You’ll not be leavin’ me just when I’ve found you!”
In his excitement he spoke in his own tongue, the velvet169 brogue appealing. Lakla turned, contemplated O’Keefe, hesitant, unquestionably longingly170, irresistibly171 like a child making up her mind whether she dared or dared not take a delectable172 something offered her.
“I go with you,” said O’Keefe, this time in her own speech. “Come on, Doc!” He reached out a hand to me.
But now Yolara spoke. Life and beauty had flowed back into her face, and in the purple eyes all her hosts of devils were gathered.
“Do you forget what I promised you before Siya and Siyana? And do you think that you can leave me — me — as though I were a choya — like HER.” She pointed to Lakla. Do you —”
“Now, listen, Yolara,” Larry interrupted almost plaintively173. “No promise has passed from me to you — and why would you hold me?” He passed unconsciously into English. “Be a good sport, Yolara,” he urged, “You HAVE got a very devil of a temper, you know, and so have I; and we’d be really awfully174 uncomfortable together. And why don’t you get rid of that devilish pet of yours, and be good!”
She looked at him, puzzled, Marakinoff leaned over, translated to Lugur. The red dwarf smiled maliciously175, drew near the priestess; whispered to her what was without doubt as near as he could come in the Murian to Larry’s own very colloquial176 phrases.
Yolara’s lips writhed.
“Hear me, Lakla!” she cried. “Now would I not let you take this man from me were I to dwell ten thousand laya in the agony of the Yekta’s kiss. This I swear to you — by Thanaroa, by my heart, and by my strength — and may my strength wither177, my heart rot in my breast, and Thanaroa forget me if I do!”
“Listen, Yolara”— began O’Keefe again.
“Be silent, you!” It was almost a shriek178. And her hand again sought in her breast for the cone of rhythmic179 death.
Lugur touched her arm, whispered again, The glint of guile180 shone in her eyes; she laughed softly, relaxed.
“The Silent Ones, Lakla, bade you say that they — allowed — me three tal to decide,” she said suavely181. “Go now in peace, Lakla, and say that Yolara has heard, and that for the three tal they — allow — her she will take council.” The handmaiden hesitated.
“The Silent Ones have said it,” she answered at last. “Stay you here, strangers”—-the long lashes182 drooped183 as her eyes met O’Keefe’s and a hint of blush was in her cheeks —“stay you here, strangers, till then. But, Yolara, see you on that heart and strength you have sworn by that they come to no harm — else that which you have invoked184 shall come upon you swiftly indeed — and that I promise you,” she added.
Their eyes met, clashed, burned into each other — black flame from Abaddon and golden flame from Paradise.
“Remember!” said Lakla, and passed through the portal. The gigantic frog-man boomed a thunderous note of command, his grotesque guards turned and slowly followed their mistress; and last of all passed out the monster with the mace.
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1
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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ushers
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| n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 ) | |
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armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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14
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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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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lusts
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| 贪求（lust的第三人称单数形式） | |
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sapphires
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| n.蓝宝石，钢玉宝石( sapphire的名词复数 )；蔚蓝色 | |
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sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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22
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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23
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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24
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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25
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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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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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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28
lurk
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| n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏 | |
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29
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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30
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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31
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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32
petals
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| n.花瓣( petal的名词复数 ) | |
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33
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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34
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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35
harps
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| abbr.harpsichord 拨弦古钢琴n.竖琴( harp的名词复数 ) | |
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36
harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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37
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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38
languorous
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| adj.怠惰的，没精打采的 | |
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39
languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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40
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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41
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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42
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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43
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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44
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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45
exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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46
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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47
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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48
ewer
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| n.大口水罐 | |
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49
transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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50
caressingly
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| 爱抚地，亲切地 | |
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51
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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52
alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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53
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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54
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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55
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
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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57
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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58
weirdest
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| 怪诞的( weird的最高级 )； 神秘而可怕的； 超然的； 古怪的 | |
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59
lyric
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| n.抒情诗，歌词；adj.抒情的 | |
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60
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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61
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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62
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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63
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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64
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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65
barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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66
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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67
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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68
serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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69
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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70
ravaged
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| 毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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71
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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72
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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73
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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74
hooded
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| adj.戴头巾的；有罩盖的；颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的 | |
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75
vistas
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| 长条形景色( vista的名词复数 )； 回顾； 展望； （未来可能发生的）一系列情景 | |
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76
milky
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| adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的 | |
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77
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
petalled
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| adj.有花瓣的 | |
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79
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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80
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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81
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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82
translucent
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| adj.半透明的；透明的 | |
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83
glimmering
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|
| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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84
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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85
archaic
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|
| adj.(语言、词汇等)古代的，已不通用的 | |
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86
drenching
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| n.湿透v.使湿透( drench的现在分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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87
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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88
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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89
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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90
cone
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| n.圆锥体，圆锥形东西，球果 | |
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91
weirdly
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| 古怪地 | |
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92
pinnacles
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| 顶峰( pinnacle的名词复数 )； 顶点； 尖顶； 小尖塔 | |
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93
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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94
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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95
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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96
cascade
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| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
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97
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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98
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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99
punctuating
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| v.（在文字中）加标点符号，加标点( punctuate的现在分词 )；不时打断某事物 | |
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100
abysmal
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| adj.无底的，深不可测的，极深的；糟透的，极坏的；完全的 | |
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101
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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102
reverberant
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| a.起回声的 | |
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103
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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104
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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105
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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106
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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107
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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108
writhe
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| vt.挣扎，痛苦地扭曲；vi.扭曲，翻腾，受苦；n.翻腾，苦恼 | |
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109
gorgon
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| n.丑陋女人，蛇发女怪 | |
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110
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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111
wrested
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| （用力）拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 )； 费力取得； （从…）攫取； （ 从… ） 强行取去… | |
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112
loathing
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| n.厌恶，憎恨v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的现在分词)；极不喜欢 | |
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113
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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114
muzzles
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| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
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115
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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116
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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117
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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118
carapace
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| n.（蟹或龟的）甲壳 | |
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119
jutted
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| v.（使）突出( jut的过去式和过去分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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120
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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121
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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122
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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123
mace
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| n.狼牙棒，豆蔻干皮 | |
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124
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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125
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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126
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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127
marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
abasement
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| n.滥用 | |
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129
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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130
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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132
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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133
flecks
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| n.斑点，小点( fleck的名词复数 )；癍 | |
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134
irises
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| n.虹( iris的名词复数 )；虹膜；虹彩；鸢尾（花） | |
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135
nadir
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| n.最低点，无底 | |
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136
transfuse
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| v.渗入；灌输；输血 | |
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137
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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138
fetters
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| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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139
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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140
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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141
naive
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| adj.幼稚的，轻信的；天真的 | |
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142
reassuringly
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| ad.安心，可靠 | |
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143
venom
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| n.毒液，恶毒，痛恨 | |
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144
shrillness
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| 尖锐刺耳 | |
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145
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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146
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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147
sardonic
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| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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149
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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150
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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151
hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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152
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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153
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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154
peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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155
shrilled
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| （声音）尖锐的，刺耳的，高频率的( shrill的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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156
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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157
wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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158
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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159
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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inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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161
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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162
leash
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| n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住 | |
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163
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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164
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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165
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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166
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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jot
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| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
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168
tauntingly
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| 嘲笑地，辱骂地； 嘲骂地 | |
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169
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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170
longingly
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| adv. 渴望地 热望地 | |
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171
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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172
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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173
plaintively
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| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
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174
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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175
maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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176
colloquial
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| adj.口语的，会话的 | |
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177
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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178
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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179
rhythmic
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| adj.有节奏的，有韵律的 | |
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180
guile
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| n.诈术 | |
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181
suavely
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182
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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183
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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