Gray was about to enter the cab which awaited him, and his fresh-colored, boyish face wore an expression of eager expectancy10, which must have betrayed the fact to an experienced beholder11 that he was hurrying to keep an agreeable appointment. Then, his hand resting on the handle of the cab-door, this expression suddenly changed to one of alert suspicion.
A tall, dark man, accompanied by a woman muffled12 in grey furs and wearing a silk scarf over her hair, had passed on foot along the opposite side of the street. Gray had seen them through the cab windows.
His smooth brow wrinkled and his mouth tightened13 to a thin straight line beneath the fair “regulation” moustache. He fumbled14 under his overcoat for loose silver, drew out a handful and paid off the taximan.
Sometimes walking in the gutter15 in order to avoid the throngs16 upon the pavement, regardless of the fact that his glossy17 dress-boots were becoming spattered with mud, Gray hurried off in pursuit of the pair. Twenty yards ahead he overtook them, as they were on the point of passing a picture dealer's window, from which yellow light streamed forth18 into the humid dusk. They were walking slowly, and Gray stopped in front of them.
“Hello, you two!” he cried. “Where are you off to? I was on my way to call for you, Rita.”
Flushed and boyish he stood before them, and his annoyance19 was increased by their failure to conceal20 the fact that his appearance was embarrassing if not unwelcome. Mrs. Monte Irvin was a petite, pretty woman, although some of the more wonderful bronzed tints21 of her hair suggested the employment of henna, and her naturally lovely complexion22 was delicately and artistically23 enhanced by art. Nevertheless, the flower-like face peeping out from the folds of a gauzy scarf, like a rose from a mist, whilst her soft little chin nestled into the fur, might have explained even in the case of an older man the infatuation which Quentin Gray was at no pains to hide.
She glanced up at her companion, Sir Lucien Pyne, a swarthy, cynical24 type of aristocrat25, imperturbably26. Then: “I had left a note for you, Quentin,” she said hurriedly. She seemed to be in a dangerously high-strung condition.
“My dear Gray,” said Sir Lucien coolly, “we are men of the world—and we do not look for consistency29 in womenfolk. Mrs. Irvin has decided30 to consult a palmist or a hypnotist or some such occult authority before dining with you this evening. Doubtless she seeks to learn if the play to which you propose to take her is an amusing one.”
His smile of sardonic31 amusement Gray found to be almost insupportable, and although Sir Lucien refrained from looking at Mrs. Irvin whilst he spoke32, it was evident enough that his words held some covert33 significance, for:
“A woman's particular reason is a man's feeble excuse,” murmured Sir Lucien rudely. “At least, according to a learned Arabian philosopher.”
“I was going to meet you at Prince's,” said Mrs. Irvin hurriedly, and again glancing at Gray. There was a pathetic hesitancy in her manner, the hesitancy of a weak woman who adheres to a purpose only by supreme35 effort.
Again she hesitated and glanced rapidly at Sir Lucien, but he was staring coolly in another direction.
“Kazmah,” she replied in a low voice.
“Kazmah!” cried Gray. “The man who sells perfume and pretends to read dreams? What an extraordinary notion. Wouldn't tomorrow do? He will surely have shut up shop!”
“I have been at pains to ascertain,” replied Sir Lucien, “at Mrs. Irvin's express desire, that the man of mystery is still in session and will receive her.”
Beneath the mask of nonchalance37 which he wore it might have been possible to detect excitement repressed with difficulty; and had Gray been more composed and not obsessed38 with the idea that Sir Lucien had deliberately39 intruded40 upon his plans for the evening, he could not have failed to perceive that Mrs. Monte Irvin was feverishly41 preoccupied42 with matters having no relation to dinner and the theatre. But his private suspicions grew only the more acute.
“Then if the dinner is not off,” he said, “may I come along and wait for you?”
“At Kazmah's?” asked Mrs. Irvin. “Certainly.” She turned to Sir Lucien. “Shall you wait? It isn't much use as I'm dining with Quentin.”
“If I do not intrude,” replied the baronet, “I will accompany you as far as the cave of the oracle43, and then bid you good night.”
The trio proceeded along old Bond Street. Quentin Gray regarded the story of Kazmah as a very poor lie devised on the spur of the moment. If he had been less infatuated, his natural sense of dignity must have dictated44 an offer to release Mrs. Irvin from her engagement. But jealousy45 stimulates46 the worst instincts and destroys the best. He was determined47 to attach himself as closely as the old Man of the Sea attached himself to Es-Sindibad, in order that the lie might be unmasked. Mrs. Irvin's palpable embarrassment48 and nervousness he ascribed to her perception of his design.
A group of shop girls and others waiting for buses rendered it impossible for the three to keep abreast49, and Gray, falling to the rear, stepped upon the foot of a little man who was walking close behind them.
“Sorry, sir,” said the man, suppressing an exclamation50 of pain—for the fault had been Gray's.
Gray muttered an ungenerous acknowledgment, all anxiety to regain51 the side of Mrs. Irvin; for she seemed to be speaking rapidly and excitedly to Sir Lucien.
He recovered his place as the two turned in at a lighted doorway52. Upon the wall was a bronze plate bearing the inscription53:
KAZMAH
Second Floor
Gray fully54 expected Mrs. Irvin to suggest that he should return later. But without a word she began to ascend55 the stairs. Gray followed, Sir Lucien standing56 aside to give him precedence. On the second floor was a door painted in Oriental fashion. It possessed57 neither bell nor knocker, but as one stepped upon the threshold this door opened noiselessly as if dumbly inviting58 the visitor to enter the square apartment discovered. This apartment was richly furnished in the Arab manner, and lighted by a fine brass59 lamp swung upon chains from the painted ceiling. The intricate perforations of the lamp were inset with colored glass, and the result was a subdued60 and warm illumination. Odd-looking oriental vessels61, long-necked jars, jugs62 with tenuous63 spouts64 and squat65 bowls possessing engraved66 and figured covers emerged from the shadows of niches67. A low divan68 with gaily69 colored mattresses70 extended from the door around one corner of the room where it terminated beside a kind of mushrabiyeh cabinet or cupboard. Beyond this cabinet was a long, low counter laden71 with statuettes of Nile gods, amulets72, mummy-beads and little stoppered flasks73 of blue enamel74 ware75. There were two glass cases filled with other strange-looking antiquities76. A faint perfume was perceptible.
Sir Lucien entering last of the party, the door closed behind him, and from the cabinet on the right of the divan a young Egyptian stepped out. He wore the customary white robe, red sash and red slippers77, and a tarbush, the little scarlet78 cap commonly called a fez, was set upon his head. He walked to a door on the left of the counter, and slid it noiselessly open. Bowing gravely, “The Sheikh el Kazmah awaits,” he said, speaking with the soft intonation79 of a native of Upper Egypt.
It now became evident, even to the infatuated Gray, that Mrs. Irvin was laboring80 under the influence of tremendous excitement. She turned to him quickly, and he thought that her face looked almost haggard, whilst her eyes seemed to have changed color—become lighter81, although he could not be certain that this latter effect was not due to the peculiar82 illumination of the room. But when she spoke her voice was unsteady.
“Will you see if you can find a cab,” she said. “It is so difficult at night, and my shoes will get frightfully muddy crossing Piccadilly. I shall not be more than a few minutes.” She walked through the doorway, the Egyptian standing aside as she passed. He followed her, but came out again almost immediately, reclosed the door, and retired83 into the cabinet, which was evidently his private cubicle84.
Silence claimed the apartment. Sir Lucien threw himself nonchalantly upon the divan, and took out his cigarette-case.
“Will you have a cigarette, Gray?” he asked.
“No thanks,” replied the other, in tones of smothered85 hostility86. He was ill at ease, and paced the apartment nervously87. Pyne lighted a cigarette, and tossed the extinguished match into a brass bowl.
“I think,” said Gray jerkily, “I shall go for a cab. Are you remaining?”
“I am dining at the club,” answered Pyne, “but I can wait until you return.”
“As you wish,” jerked Gray. “I don't expect to be long.”
He walked rapidly to the outer door, which opened at his approach and closed noiselessly behind him as he made his exit.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
bazaar
|
|
| n.集市，商店集中区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
dealers
|
|
| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
gems
|
|
| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
vendors
|
|
| n.摊贩( vendor的名词复数 )；小贩；（房屋等的）卖主；卖方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
makers
|
|
| n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
thronged
|
|
| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
shutters
|
|
| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
dressing
|
|
| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
expectancy
|
|
| n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
beholder
|
|
| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
muffled
|
|
| 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） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
tightened
|
|
| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
fumbled
|
|
| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
gutter
|
|
| n.沟，街沟，水槽，檐槽，贫民窟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
throngs
|
|
| n.人群( throng的名词复数 )v.成群，挤满( throng的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
glossy
|
|
| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
tints
|
|
| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
artistically
|
|
| adv.艺术性地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
cynical
|
|
| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
aristocrat
|
|
| n.贵族，有贵族气派的人，上层人物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
imperturbably
|
|
| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
juvenile
|
|
| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
petulance
|
|
| n.发脾气，生气，易怒，暴躁，性急 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
consistency
|
|
| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
sardonic
|
|
| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
covert
|
|
| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
supreme
|
|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
pervert
|
|
| n.堕落者，反常者；vt.误用，滥用；使人堕落，使入邪路 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
nonchalance
|
|
| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
obsessed
|
|
| adj.心神不宁的,鬼迷心窍的,沉迷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
intruded
|
|
| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
feverishly
|
|
| adv. 兴奋地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
preoccupied
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
oracle
|
|
| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
dictated
|
|
| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
stimulates
|
|
| v.刺激( stimulate的第三人称单数 )；激励；使兴奋；起兴奋作用，起刺激作用，起促进作用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
embarrassment
|
|
| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
abreast
|
|
| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
regain
|
|
| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
inscription
|
|
| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
ascend
|
|
| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
inviting
|
|
| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
vessels
|
|
| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
jugs
|
|
| （有柄及小口的）水壶( jug的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
tenuous
|
|
| adj.细薄的，稀薄的，空洞的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
spouts
|
|
| n.管口( spout的名词复数 )；（喷出的）水柱；（容器的）嘴；在困难中v.（指液体）喷出( spout的第三人称单数 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
squat
|
|
| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
engraved
|
|
| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
niches
|
|
| 壁龛( niche的名词复数 )； 合适的位置[工作等]； （产品的）商机； 生态位（一个生物所占据的生境的最小单位） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
divan
|
|
| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
gaily
|
|
| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
mattresses
|
|
| 褥垫，床垫( mattress的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
laden
|
|
| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
amulets
|
|
| n.护身符( amulet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
flasks
|
|
| n.瓶，长颈瓶， 烧瓶( flask的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
enamel
|
|
| n.珐琅，搪瓷，瓷釉；(牙齿的)珐琅质 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
ware
|
|
| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
antiquities
|
|
| n.古老( antiquity的名词复数 )；古迹；古人们；古代的风俗习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
slippers
|
|
| n. 拖鞋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
intonation
|
|
| n.语调，声调；发声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
laboring
|
|
| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
lighter
|
|
| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
cubicle
|
|
| n.大房间中隔出的小室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
smothered
|
|
| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
hostility
|
|
| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |