Peregrine humbles1 a noted2 Hector, and meets with a strange Character at the House of a certain Lady.
Among those who never failed to reside at Bath during the season, was a certain person, who, from the most abject3 misery4, had, by his industry and art at play, amassed5 about fifteen thousand pounds; and though his character was notorious, insinuated6 himself so far into the favour of what is called the best company, that very few private parties of pleasure took place in which he was not principally concerned. He was of a gigantic stature7, a most intrepid8 countenance9; and his disposition10, naturally overbearing, had, in the course of his adventures and success, acquired a most intolerable degree of insolence11 and vanity. By the ferocity of his features, and audacity12 of his behaviour, he had obtained a reputation for the most undaunted courage, which had been confirmed by divers13 adventures, in which he had humbled14 the most assuming heroes of his own fraternity; so that he now reigned15 chief Hector of the place with unquestioned authority.
With this son of fortune was Peregrine one evening engaged at play, and so successful, that he could not help informing his friend of his good luck. Godfrey, hearing the description of the loser, immediately recognized the person, whom he had known at Tunbridge; and, assuring Pickle16 that he was a sharper of the first water, cautioned him against any further connection with such a dangerous companion, who, he affirmed, had suffered him to win a small sum, that he might be encouraged to lose a much greater sum upon some other occasion.
Our young gentleman treasured up this advice; and though he did not scruple17 to give the gamester an opportunity of retrieving18 his loss, when he next day demanded his revenge, he absolutely refused to proceed after he had refunded19 his winning. The other, who considered him as a hot-headed unthinking youth, endeavoured to inflame20 his pride to a continuance of the game, by treating his skill with scorn and contempt; and, among other sarcastic21 expressions, advised him to go to school again, before he pretended to engage with masters of the art. Our hero, incensed22 at his arrogance23, replied with great warmth, that he knew himself sufficiently24 qualified25 for playing with men of honour, who deal upon the square, and hoped he should always deem it infamous26 either to learn or practise the tricks of a professed27 gamester. “Blood and thunder! meaning me, sir?” cried this artist, raising his voice, and curling his visage into a most intimidating28 frown. “Zounds! I’ll cut the throat of any scoundrel who has the presumption29 to suppose that I don’t play as honourably30 as e’er a nobleman in the kingdom: and I insist upon an explanation from you, sir; or, by hell and brimstone! I shall expect other sort of satisfaction.” Peregrine (whose blood by this time boiled within him) answered without hesitation31, “Far from thinking your demand unreasonable32, I will immediately explain myself without reserve, and tell you, that, upon unquestionable authority, I believe you to be an impudent33 rascal34 and common cheat.”
The Hector was so amazed and confounded at the freedom of this declaration, which he thought no man on earth would venture to make in his presence, that, for some minutes, he could not recollect35 himself; but at length whispered a challenge in the ear of our hero, which was accordingly accepted. When they arrived next morning upon the field, the gamester, arming his countenance with all its terrors, advanced with a sword of a monstrous36 length, and, putting himself in a posture37, called out aloud in a most terrific voice, “Draw, d — n ye, draw; I will this instant send you to your fathers.” The youth was not slow in complying with his desire; his weapon was unsheathed in a moment, and he began the attack with such unexpected spirit and address, that his adversary39, having made shift with great difficulty to parry the first pass, retreated a few paces, and demanded a parley40, in which he endeavoured to persuade the young man, that to lay a man of his character under the necessity of chastising41 his insolence, was the most rash and inconsiderate step that he could possibly have taken; but that he had compassion42 upon his youth, and was willing to spare him if he would surrender his sword, and promise to ask pardon in public for the offence he had given. Pickle was so much exasperated43 at this unparalleled effrontery44, that, without deigning45 to make the least reply, he flung his own hat in the proposer’s face, and renewed the charge with such undaunted agility46, that the gamester, finding himself in manifest hazard of his life, betook himself to his heels, and fled homewards with incredible speed, being closely pursued by Peregrine, who, having sheathed38 his sword, pelted47 him with stones as he ran, and compelled him to go, that same day, into banishment48 from Bath, where he had domineered so long.
By this achievement, which was the subject of astonishment49 to all the company, who had looked upon the fugitive50 as a person of heroic courage, our adventurer’s reputation was rendered formidable in all its circumstances; although he thereby51 disobliged a good many people of fashion, who had contracted an intimacy52 of friendship with the exile, and who resented his disgrace, as if it had been the misfortune of a worthy53 man. These generous patrons, however, bore a very small proportion to those who were pleased with the event of the duel54; because, in the course of their residence at Bath, they had either been insulted or defrauded55 by the challenger. Nor was this instance of our hero’s courage unacceptable to the ladies, few of whom could now resist the united force of such accomplishments56. Indeed, neither he nor his friend Godfrey would have found much difficulty in picking up an agreeable companion for life; but Gauntlet’s heart was pre-engaged to Sophy; and Pickle, exclusive of his attachment57 to Emily, which was stronger than he himself imagined, possessed58 such a share of ambition as could not be satisfied with the conquest of any female he beheld59 at Bath.
His visits were, therefore, promiscuous60, without any other view than that of amusement; and though his pride was flattered by the advances of the fair, whom he had captivated, he never harboured one thought of proceeding61 beyond the limits of common gallantry, and carefully avoided all particular explanations. But, what above all other enjoyments63 yielded him the most agreeable entertainment, was the secret history of characters, which he learned from a very extraordinary person, with whom he became acquainted in this manner.
Being at the house of a certain lady on a visiting day, he was struck with the appearance of an old man, who no sooner entered the room than the mistress of the house very kindly64 desired one of the wits present to roast the old put. This petit-maitre, proud of the employment, went up to the senior, who had something extremely peculiar65 and significant in his countenance, and saluting66 him with divers fashionable congees67, accosted68 him in these words: “Your servant, you old rascal. I hope to have the honour of seeing you hanged. I vow69 to Gad70! you look extremely shocking, with these gummy eyes, lanthorn jaws71, and toothless chaps. What! you squint72 at the ladies, you old rotten medlar? Yes, yes, we understand your ogling73; but you must content yourself with a cook-maid, sink me! I see you want to sit. These withered74 shanks of yours tremble under their burden; but you must have a little patience, old Hirco! indeed you must. I intend to mortify75 you a little longer, curse me!”
The company was so tickled76 with this address, which was delivered with much grimace77 and gesticulation, that they burst out into a loud fit of laughter, which they fathered upon a monkey that was chained in the room; and, when the peal78 was over, the wit renewed the attack in these words: “I suppose you are fool enough to think this mirth was occasioned by Pug. Ay, there he is; you had best survey him; he is of your own family; switch me. But the laugh was at your expense; and you ought to thank Heaven for making you so ridiculous.” While he uttered these ingenious ejaculations, the old gentleman bowed alternately to him and the monkey, that seemed to grin and chatter79 in imitation of the beau, and, with an arch solemnity of visage, pronounced, “Gentlemen, as I have not the honour to understand your compliments, they will be much better bestowed80 on each other.” So saying, he seated himself, and had the satisfaction to see the laugh returned upon the aggressor, who remained confounded and abashed81, and in a few minutes left the room, muttering, as he retired82, “The old fellow grows scurrilous83, stap my breath!”
While Peregrine wondered in silence at this extraordinary scene, the lady of the house perceiving his surprise, gave him to understand, that the ancient visitant was utterly84 bereft85 of the sense of hearing; that his name was Cadwallader Crabtree, his disposition altogether misanthropical86; and that he was admitted into company on account of entertainment he afforded by his sarcastic observations, and the pleasant mistakes to which he was subject from his infirmity. Nor did our hero wait a long time for an illustration of this odd character. Every sentence he spoke87 was replete88 with gall62; nor did his satire89 consist in general reflections, but a series of remarks, which had been made through the medium of a most whimsical peculiarity90 of opinion.
Among those who were present at this assembly was a young officer, who having, by dint91 of interest, obtained a seat in the lower house, thought it incumbent92 upon him to talk of affairs of state; and accordingly regaled the company with an account of a secret expedition which the French were busied in preparing; assuring them that he had it from the mouth of the minister, to whom it had been transmitted by one of his agents abroad. In descanting upon the particulars of the armament, he observed that they had twenty ships of the line ready manned and victualled at Brest, which were destined93 for Toulon, where they would be joined by as many more; and from thence proceed to the execution of their scheme, which he imparted as a secret not fit to be divulged94.
This piece of intelligence being communicated to all the company except Mr. Crabtree, who suffered by his loss of hearing, that cynic was soon after accosted by a lady, who, by means of an artificial alphabet, formed by a certain conjunction and disposition of the fingers, asked if he had heard any extraordinary news of late. Cadwallader, with his usual complaisance95, replied, that he supposed she took him for a courier or spy, by teasing him eternally with that question. He then expatiated96 upon the foolish curiosity of mankind, which, he said, must either proceed from idleness or want of ideas; and repeated almost verbatim the officer’s information, a vague ridiculous report invented by some ignorant coxcomb97, who wanted to give himself airs of importance, and believed only by those who were utterly unacquainted with the politics and strength of the French nation.
In confirmation98 of what he had advanced, he endeavoured to demonstrate how impossible it must be for that people to fit out even the third part of such a navy, so soon after the losses they had sustained during the war; and confirmed his proof by asserting, that to his certain knowledge, the harbours of Brest and Toulon could not at that time produce a squadron of eight ships of the line. The member, who was an utter stranger to this misanthrope99, hearing his own asseverations treated with such contempt, glowed with confusion and resentment100, and, raising his voice, began to defend his own veracity101, with great eagerness and trepidation102, mingling103 with his arguments many blustering104 invectives, against the insolence and ill manners of his supposed contradictor, who sat with the most mortifying105 composure of countenance, till the officer’s patience was quite exhausted106, and then, to the manifest increase of his vexation, he was informed, that his antagonist107 was so deaf, that in all probability, the last trumpet108 would make no impression upon him, without a previous renovation109 of his organs.
收听单词发音 |
1
humbles
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| v.使谦恭( humble的第三人称单数 )；轻松打败（尤指强大的对手）；低声下气 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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amassed
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| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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insinuated
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| v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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retrieving
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| n.检索（过程），取还v.取回( retrieve的现在分词 )；恢复；寻回；检索（储存的信息） | |
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refunded
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| v.归还，退还( refund的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inflame
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| v.使燃烧；使极度激动；使发炎 | |
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sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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intimidating
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| vt.恐吓，威胁( intimidate的现在分词) | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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41
chastising
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| v.严惩（某人）（尤指责打）( chastise的现在分词 ) | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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deigning
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的现在分词 ) | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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pelted
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| （连续地）投掷( pelt的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续抨击； 攻击； 剥去…的皮 | |
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banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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51
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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52
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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defrauded
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| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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promiscuous
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| adj.杂乱的，随便的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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congees
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| v.告别，鞠躬( congee的第三人称单数 ) | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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gad
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| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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squint
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| v. 使变斜视眼, 斜视, 眯眼看, 偏移, 窥视; n. 斜视, 斜孔小窗; adj. 斜视的, 斜的 | |
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ogling
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的现在分词 ) | |
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74
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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mortify
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| v.克制，禁欲，使受辱 | |
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tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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82
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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scurrilous
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| adj.下流的，恶意诽谤的 | |
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84
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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85
bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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86
misanthropical
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87
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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88
replete
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| adj.饱满的，塞满的；n.贮蜜蚁 | |
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89
satire
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| n.讽刺，讽刺文学，讽刺作品 | |
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90
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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91
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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92
incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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93
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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94
divulged
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| v.吐露，泄露( divulge的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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96
expatiated
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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98
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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99
misanthrope
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| n.恨人类的人；厌世者 | |
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100
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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101
veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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102
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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103
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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104
blustering
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| adj.狂风大作的，狂暴的v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的现在分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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105
mortifying
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| 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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106
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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107
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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108
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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109
renovation
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| n.革新，整修 | |
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