He makes some Progress in her Affections — Is interrupted by a Dispute between Jolter and the Jew — Appeases1 the Wrath2 of the Capuchin, who procures3 for him an interview with his fair Enslaver, in which he finds himself deceived.
Peregrine, meanwhile, employed all his insinuation and address in practising upon the heart of the Capuchin’s fair charge. He had long ago declared his passion, not in the superficial manner of a French gallant4, but with all the ardour of an enthusiast5. He had languished6, vowed7, flattered, kissed her hand by stealth, and had no reason to complain of his reception. Though, by a man of a less sanguine8 disposition9, her particular complaisance10 would have been deemed equivocal, and perhaps nothing more than the effects of French breeding and constitutional vivacity11; he gave his own qualifications credit for the whole, and with these sentiments carried on the attack with such unabating vigour12, that she was actually prevailed upon to accept a ring, which he presented as a token of his esteem13; and everything proceeded in a most prosperous train, when they were disturbed by the governor Israelite, who, in the heat of disputation, raised their voices, and poured forth14 such effusions of gutturals, as set our lover’s teeth on edge. As they spoke15 in a language unknown to every one in the carriage but themselves, and looked at each other with mutual16 animosity and rancour, Peregrine desired to know the cause of their contention17; upon which Jolter exclaimed, in a furious tone, “This learned Levite, forsooth, has the impudence18 to tell me that I don’t understand Hebrew; and affirms that the word Benoni signifies “child of joy;” whereas, I can prove, and have already said enough to convince any reasonable man, that in the Septuagint it is rightly translated into ‘son of my sorrow.’”
Having thus explained himself to his pupil, he turned to the priest, with intention to appeal to his determination; but the Jew pulled him by the sleeve with great eagerness, saying, “For the love of God, be quiet: the Capuchin will discover who we are.” Joker, offended at this conjunction, echoed, “Who we are!” with great emphasis; and repeating nos poma natamus, asked ironically, to which of the tribes the Jew thought he belonged? The Levite, affronted19 at his comparing him to a ball of horse-dung, replied, with a most significant grin, “To the tribe of Issachar.” His antagonist20, taking the advantage of his unwillingness21 to be known by the friar, and prompted by revenge for the freedom he had used, answered, in the French language, that the judgment22 of God was still manifest upon their whole race, not only in their being in the state of exiles from their native land, but also in the spite of their hearts and pravity of their dispositions23, which demonstrate them to be the genuine offspring of those who crucified the Saviour24 of the world.
His expectation was, however, defeated: the priest himself was too deeply engaged to attend to the debates of other people. The physician, in the pride and insolence25 of his learning, had undertaken to display the absurdity26 of the Christian27 faith; having already, as he thought, confuted the Capuchin, touching28 the points of belief in which the Roman Catholics differ from the rest of the world. But not cemented with the imagined victory he bed gained, he began to strike at the fundamentals of religion; and the father, with incredible forbearance, suffered him to make very free with the doctrine29 of the Trinity: but, when he leveled the shafts30 of his ridicule31 at the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin32, the good man’s patience forsook33 him, his eyes seemed to kindle34 with indignation, he trembled in every joint35, and uttered, with a loud voice, “You are an abominable36 — I will not call thee heretic, for thou art worse, if possible, than a Jew; you deserve to be inclosed in a furnace seven times heated; and I have a good mind to lodge37 an information against you with the governor of Ghent, that you may be apprehended38 and punished as an impious blasphemer.”
This menace operated like a charm upon all present. The doctor was confounded, the governor dismayed, the Levite’s teeth chattered40, the painter astonished at the general confusion, the cause of which he could not comprehend, and Pickle41 himself, not a little alarmed, was obliged to use all his interest and assiduity in appeasing42 this son of the church, who, at length, in consideration of the friendship he professed43 for the young gentleman, consented to forgive what had passed, but absolutely refused to sit in contact with such a profane44 wretch45, whom he looked upon as a fiend of darkness, sent by the enemy of mankind to poison the minds of weak people; so that, after having crossed himself. and uttered certain exorcisms, he insisted upon the doctor’s changing places with the Jew, who approached the offended ecclesiastic46 in an agony of fear.
Matters being thus compromised, the conversation flowed in a more general channel; and without the intervention47 of any other accident or bone of contention, the carriage arrived at the city of Ghent about seven in the evening. Supper being bespoken48 for the whole company, our adventurer and his friends went out to take a superficial view of the place, leaving his new mistress to the pious39 exhortations49 of her confessor, whom, as we have already observed, he had secured in his interest. This zealous50 mediator51 spoke so warmly in his commendation, and interested her conscience so much in the affair, that she could not refuse her helping52 hand to the great work of his conversion53, and promised to grant the interview he desired.
This agreeable piece of intelligence, which the Capuchin communicated to Peregrine at his return, elevated his spirits to such a degree, that he shone at supper with uncommon54 brilliance55, in a thousand sallies of wit and pleasantry, to the delight of all present, especially of his fair Fleming, who seemed quite captivated by his person and behaviour. The evening being thus spent to the satisfaction of all parties, the company broke up, and retired56 to their several apartments, where our lover, to his unspeakable mortification57, learned that the two ladies were obliged to be in the same room, all the other chambers59 of the inn being pre-occupied. When he imparted this difficulty to the priest, that charitable father, who was very fruitful in expedients60, assured him that his spiritual concerns should not be obstructed61 by such a slender impediment; and accordingly availed himself of his prerogative62, by going into his daughter’s chamber58 when she was almost undressed, and leading her into his own, on pretence63 of administering salutary food for her soul. Having brought the two votaries64 together, he prayed for success to the operations of grace, and left them to their mutual meditations65, after having conjured66 them in the most solemn manner to let no impure67 sentiments or temptations of the flesh interfere68 with the hallowed design of their meeting.
The reverend intercessor being gone, and the door fastened on the inside, the pseudo-convert, transported with his passion, threw himself at his Amanda’s feet; and begging she would spare him the tedious form of addresses, which the nature of their interview would not permit him to observe, began, with all the impetuosity of love, to make the most of the occasion. But whether she was displeased69 by the intrepidity70 and assurance of his behaviour, thinking herself entitled to more courtship and respect; or was really better fortified71 with chastity than he or his procurer had supposed her to be; certain it is, she expressed resentment72 and surprise at his boldness and presumption73, and upbraided74 him with having imposed upon the charity of the friar. The young gentleman was really as much astonished at this rebuff, as she pretended to be at his declaration, and earnestly entreated75 her to consider how precious the moments were, and for once sacrifice superfluous76 ceremony to the happiness of one who adored her with such a flame as could not fail to consume his vitals, if she would not deign77 to bless him with her favour.
Notwithstanding all his tears, vows78, and supplications, his personal accomplishments79, and the tempting80 opportunity, all that he could obtain was an acknowledgment of his having made an impression upon her heart, which she hoped the dictates81 of her duty would enable her to erase82. This confession83 he considered as a delicate consent; and, obeying the impulse of his love, snatched her up in his arms, with an intention of seizing that which she declined to give; when this French Lucretia, unable to defend her virtue84 any other way, screamed aloud; and the Capuchin, setting his shoulder to the door, forced it open, and entered in an affected85 ecstasy86 of amazement87. He lifted up his hands and eyes, and pretended to be thunderstruck at the discovery he had made; then in broken exclamations88, professed his horror at the wicked intention of our hero, who had covered such a damnable scheme with the mask of religion.
In short, he performed his cue with such dexterity89, that the lady, believing him to be in earnest, begged he would forgive the stranger on account of his youth and education, which had been tainted90 by the errors of heresy91; and he was on these considerations content to accept the submission92 of our hero; who, far from renouncing93 his expectations, notwithstanding this mortifying94 repulse95, confided96 so much in his own talents, and the confession which his mistress had made, that he resolved to make another effort, to which nothing could have prompted him but the utmost turbulence97 of unruly desire.
1 appeases | |
安抚,抚慰( appease的第三人称单数 ); 绥靖(满足另一国的要求以避免战争) | |
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2 wrath | |
n.愤怒,愤慨,暴怒 | |
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3 procures | |
v.(努力)取得, (设法)获得( procure的第三人称单数 );拉皮条 | |
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4 gallant | |
adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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5 enthusiast | |
n.热心人,热衷者 | |
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6 languished | |
长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 ); 受折磨; 变得(越来越)衰弱; 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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7 vowed | |
起誓,发誓(vow的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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8 sanguine | |
adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的 | |
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9 disposition | |
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
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10 complaisance | |
n.彬彬有礼,殷勤,柔顺 | |
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11 vivacity | |
n.快活,活泼,精神充沛 | |
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12 vigour | |
(=vigor)n.智力,体力,精力 | |
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13 esteem | |
n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作 | |
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14 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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15 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 | |
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16 mutual | |
adj.相互的,彼此的;共同的,共有的 | |
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17 contention | |
n.争论,争辩,论战;论点,主张 | |
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18 impudence | |
n.厚颜无耻;冒失;无礼 | |
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19 affronted | |
adj.被侮辱的,被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 );相遇 | |
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20 antagonist | |
n.敌人,对抗者,对手 | |
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21 unwillingness | |
n. 不愿意,不情愿 | |
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22 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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23 dispositions | |
安排( disposition的名词复数 ); 倾向; (财产、金钱的)处置; 气质 | |
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24 saviour | |
n.拯救者,救星 | |
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25 insolence | |
n.傲慢;无礼;厚颜;傲慢的态度 | |
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26 absurdity | |
n.荒谬,愚蠢;谬论 | |
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27 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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28 touching | |
adj.动人的,使人感伤的 | |
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29 doctrine | |
n.教义;主义;学说 | |
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30 shafts | |
n.轴( shaft的名词复数 );(箭、高尔夫球棒等的)杆;通风井;一阵(疼痛、害怕等) | |
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31 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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32 virgin | |
n.处女,未婚女子;adj.未经使用的;未经开发的 | |
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33 forsook | |
forsake的过去式 | |
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34 kindle | |
v.点燃,着火 | |
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35 joint | |
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合 | |
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36 abominable | |
adj.可厌的,令人憎恶的 | |
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37 lodge | |
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆 | |
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38 apprehended | |
逮捕,拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 ); 理解 | |
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39 pious | |
adj.虔诚的;道貌岸然的 | |
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40 chattered | |
(人)喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 ); 唠叨; (牙齿)打战; (机器)震颤 | |
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41 pickle | |
n.腌汁,泡菜;v.腌,泡 | |
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42 appeasing | |
安抚,抚慰( appease的现在分词 ); 绥靖(满足另一国的要求以避免战争) | |
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43 professed | |
公开声称的,伪称的,已立誓信教的 | |
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44 profane | |
adj.亵神的,亵渎的;vt.亵渎,玷污 | |
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45 wretch | |
n.可怜的人,不幸的人;卑鄙的人 | |
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46 ecclesiastic | |
n.教士,基督教会;adj.神职者的,牧师的,教会的 | |
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47 intervention | |
n.介入,干涉,干预 | |
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48 bespoken | |
v.预定( bespeak的过去分词 );订(货);证明;预先请求 | |
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49 exhortations | |
n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 );极力推荐;(正式的)演讲;(宗教仪式中的)劝诫 | |
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50 zealous | |
adj.狂热的,热心的 | |
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51 mediator | |
n.调解人,中介人 | |
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52 helping | |
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的 | |
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53 conversion | |
n.转化,转换,转变 | |
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54 uncommon | |
adj.罕见的,非凡的,不平常的 | |
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55 brilliance | |
n.光辉,辉煌,壮丽,(卓越的)才华,才智 | |
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56 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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57 mortification | |
n.耻辱,屈辱 | |
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58 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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59 chambers | |
n.房间( chamber的名词复数 );(议会的)议院;卧室;会议厅 | |
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60 expedients | |
n.应急有效的,权宜之计的( expedient的名词复数 ) | |
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61 obstructed | |
阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 ); 堵塞; 阻碍; 阻止 | |
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62 prerogative | |
n.特权 | |
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63 pretence | |
n.假装,作假;借口,口实;虚伪;虚饰 | |
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64 votaries | |
n.信徒( votary的名词复数 );追随者;(天主教)修士;修女 | |
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65 meditations | |
默想( meditation的名词复数 ); 默念; 沉思; 冥想 | |
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66 conjured | |
用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 ); 祈求,恳求; 变戏法; (变魔术般地) 使…出现 | |
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67 impure | |
adj.不纯净的,不洁的;不道德的,下流的 | |
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68 interfere | |
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰 | |
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69 displeased | |
a.不快的 | |
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70 intrepidity | |
n.大胆,刚勇;大胆的行为 | |
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71 fortified | |
adj. 加强的 | |
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72 resentment | |
n.怨愤,忿恨 | |
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73 presumption | |
n.推测,可能性,冒昧,放肆,[法律]推定 | |
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74 upbraided | |
v.责备,申斥,谴责( upbraid的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75 entreated | |
恳求,乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76 superfluous | |
adj.过多的,过剩的,多余的 | |
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77 deign | |
v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
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78 vows | |
誓言( vow的名词复数 ); 郑重宣布,许愿 | |
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79 accomplishments | |
n.造诣;完成( accomplishment的名词复数 );技能;成绩;成就 | |
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80 tempting | |
a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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81 dictates | |
n.命令,规定,要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 );口授;支配;摆布 | |
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82 erase | |
v.擦掉;消除某事物的痕迹 | |
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83 confession | |
n.自白,供认,承认 | |
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84 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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85 affected | |
adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
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86 ecstasy | |
n.狂喜,心醉神怡,入迷 | |
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87 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
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88 exclamations | |
n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 );感叹;感叹语;感叹词 | |
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89 dexterity | |
n.(手的)灵巧,灵活 | |
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90 tainted | |
adj.腐坏的;污染的;沾污的;感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 );使污染;败坏;被污染,腐坏,败坏 | |
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91 heresy | |
n.异端邪说;异教 | |
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92 submission | |
n.服从,投降;温顺,谦虚;提出 | |
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93 renouncing | |
v.声明放弃( renounce的现在分词 );宣布放弃;宣布与…决裂;宣布摒弃 | |
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94 mortifying | |
adj.抑制的,苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 );伤害(人的感情);克制;抑制(肉体、情感等) | |
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95 repulse | |
n.击退,拒绝;vt.逐退,击退,拒绝 | |
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96 confided | |
v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的过去式和过去分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等) | |
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97 turbulence | |
n.喧嚣,狂暴,骚乱,湍流 | |
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