Old schoolboys remember how, when pious1 ?neas was compelled by painful circumstances to quit his country, he and his select band of Trojans founded a new Troy, where they landed; raising temples to the Trojan gods; building streets with Trojan names; and endeavouring, to the utmost of their power, to recal their beloved native place. In like manner, British Trojans and French Trojans take their Troy everywhere. Algiers I have only seen from the sea; but New Orleans and Leicester Square I have visited; and have seen a quaint2 old France still lingering on the banks of the Mississippi; a dingy3 modern France round that great Globe of Mr. Wyld’s , which they say is coming to an end. There are French cafés, billiards4, estaminets, waiters, markers, poor Frenchmen, and rich Frenchmen, in a new Paris — shabby and dirty, it is true — but offering the emigrant6 the dominoes, the chopine, the petit verre of the patrie. And do not British Trojans, who emigrate to the continent of Europe, take their Troy with them? You all know the quarters of Paris which swarm7 with us Trojans. From Peace Street to the Arch of the Star are collected thousands of refugees from our Ilium. Under the arcades8 of the Rue5 de Rivoli you meet, at certain hours, as many of our Trojans as of the natives. In the Trojan inns of Meurice, the Louvre, we swarm. We have numerous Anglo-Trojan doctors and apothecaries9, who give us the dear pills and doses of Pergamus. We go to Mrs. Guerre or kind Mrs. Colombin, and can purchase the sandwiches of Troy, the pale ale and sherry of Troy, and the dear, dear muffins of home. We live for years, never speaking any language but our native Trojan; except to our servants, whom we instruct in the Trojan way of preparing toast for breakfast; Trojan bread-sauce for fowls10 and partridges; Trojan corned beef, We have temples where we worship according to the Trojan rites11. A kindly12 sight is that which one beholds13 of a Sunday in the Elysian fields and the St. Honoré quarter, of processions of English grown people and children, stalwart, red-cheeked, marching to their churches, their gilded14 prayer-books in hand, to sing in a stranger’s land the sacred songs of their Zion. I am sure there are many English in Paris, who never speak to any native above the rank of a waiter or shopman. Not long since I was listening to a Frenchman at Folkestone, speaking English to the waiters and acting15 as interpreter for his party. He spoke16 pretty well and very quickly. He was irresistibly17 comical. I wonder how we maintained our gravity. And you and I, my dear friend, when we speak French? I daresay we are just as absurd. As absurd? And why not? Don’t you be discouraged, young fellow. Courage, mon jeune ami! Remember, Trojans have a conquering way with them. When ?neas landed at Carthage, I daresay he spoke Carthaginian with a ridiculous Trojan accent; but, for all that, poor Dido fell desperately18 in love with him. Take example by the son of Anchises, my boy. Never mind the grammar or the pronunciation, but tackle the lady, and speak your mind to her as best you can.
This is the plan which the Vicomte de Loisy used to adopt. He was following a cours of English according to the celebrated19 méthode Jobson. The cours assembled twice a week: and the vicomte, with laudable assiduity, went to all English parties to which he could gain an introduction, for the purpose of acquiring the English language, and marrying une Anglaise. This industrious20 young man even went au Temple on Sundays for the purpose of familiarizing himself with the English language; and as he sat under Doctor Murrogh Macmanus of T. C. D., a very eloquent21 preacher at Paris in those days, the vicomte acquired a very fine pronunciation. Attached to the cause of unfortunate monarchy22 all over the world, the vicomte had fought in the Spanish Carlist armies. He waltzed well: and madame thought his cross looked nice at her parties. Will it be believed that Mrs. General Baynes took this gentleman into special favour; talked with him at soirée after soirée; never laughed at his English; encouraged her girl to waltz with him (which he did to perfection, whereas poor Philip was but a hulking and clumsy performer); and showed him the very greatest favour, until one day, on going into Mr. Bonus’s , the house agent (who lets lodgings23, and sells British pickles24, tea, sherry, and the like), she found the vicomte occupying a stool as clerk in Mr. Bonus’s establishment, where for twelve hundred francs a year he gave his invaluable25 services during the day! Mrs. Baynes took poor Madame severely26 to task for admitting such a man to her assemblies. Madame was astonished. Monsieur was a gentleman of ancient family who had met with misfortunes. He was earning his maintenance. To sit in a bureau was not a dishonour27. Knowing that boutique meant shop and gar?on meant boy, Mrs. Baynes made use of the words boutique gar?on the next time she saw the vicomte. The little man wept tears of rage and mortification28. There was a very painful scene, at which, thank Mercy, poor Charlotte thought, Philip was not present. Were it not for the general’s cheveux blancs (by which phrase the vicomte very kindly designated General Baynes’s chestnut29 topknot) the vicomte would have had reason from him. “Charming miss,” he said to Charlotte, “your respectable papa is safe from my sword! Madame your mamma has addressed me words which I qualify not. But you — you are too ‘andsome, too good, to despise a poor soldier, a poor gentleman!” I have heard the vicomte still dances at boarding-houses and is still in pursuit of an Anglaise. He must be a wooer now almost as elderly as the good general whose scalp he respected.
Mrs. Baynes was, to be sure, a heavy weight to bear for poor Madame, but her lean shoulders were accustomed to many a burden; and if the general’s wife was quarrelsome and odious30, he, as Madame said, was as soft as a mutton; and Charlotte’s pretty face and manners were the admiration31 of all. The yellow Miss Bolderos, those hapless elderly orphans32 left in pawn33, might bite their lips with envy, but they never could make them as red as Miss Charlotte’s smiling mouth. To the honour of Madame Smolensk be it said that never by word or hint did she cause those unhappy young ladies any needless pain. She never stinted34 them of any meal. No full-priced pensioner35 of Madame’s could have breakfast, luncheon36, dinners served more regularly. The day after their mother’s flight, that good Madame Smolensk took early cups of tea to the girls’ rooms, with her own hands; and I believe helped to do the hair of one of them, and otherwise to soothe37 them in their misfortune. They could not keep their secret. It must be owned that Mrs. Baynes never lost an opportunity of deploring38 their situation and acquainting all new-comers with their mother’s flight and transgression39. But she was good-natured to the captives in her grim way: and admired Madame’s forbearance regarding them. The two old officers were now especially polite to the poor things: and the general rapped one of his boys over the knuckles41 for saying to Miss Brenda, “If your uncle is a lord, why doesn’t he give you any money?” “And these girls used to hold their heads above mine, and their mother used to give herself such airs!” cried Mrs. Baynes. “And Eliza Baynes used to flatter those poor girls and their mother, and fancy they were going to make a woman of fashion of her!” said Mrs. Bunch. “We all have our weaknesses. Lords are not yours, my dear. Faith, I don’t think you know one,” says stout42 little Colonel Bunch. “I wouldn’t pay a duchess such court as Eliza paid that woman!” cried Emma; and she made sarcastic43 inquiries44 of the general, whether Eliza had heard from her friend the Honourable46 Mrs. Boldero? But for all this Mrs. Bunch pitied the young ladies, and I believe gave them a little supply of coin from her private purse. A word as to their subsequent history. Their mamma became the terror of boarding-housekeepers: and the poor girls practised their duets all over Europe. Mrs. Boldero’s noble nephew, the present Strongitharm (as a friend who knows the fashionable world informs me), was victimized by his own uncle, and a most painful affair occurred between them at a game at “blind hookey.” The Honourable Mrs. Boldero is living in the precinets of Holyrood; one of her daughters is happily married to a minister; and the other to an apothecary48 who was called in to attend her in quinsy. So I am inclined to think that phrase about “select” boarding-houses is a mere49 complimentary50 term, and as for the strictest references being given and required, I certainly should not lay out extra money for printing that expression in my advertisement, were I going to set up an establishment myself.
Old college friends of Philip’s visited Paris from time to time; and rejoiced in carrying him off to Borel’s or the Trois Frères, and hospitably51 treating him who had been so hospitable52 in his time. Yes, thanks be to Heaven, there are good Samaritans in pretty large numbers in this world, and hands ready enough to succour a man in misfortune. I could name two or three gentlemen who drive about in chariots and look at people’s tongues and write queer figures and queer Latin on note-paper, who occultly made a purse containing some seven or ten score fees, and sent them out to Dr. Firmin in his banishment53. The poor wretch54 had behaved as ill as might be, but he was without a penny or a friend. I daresay Dr. Goodenough, amongst other philanthropists, put his hands into his pocket. Having heartily55 disliked and mistrusted Firmin in prosperity, in adversity he melted towards the poor fugitive56 wretch: he even could believe that Firmin had some skill in his profession, and in his practice was not quite a quack57.
Philip’s old college and school cronies laughed at hearing that, now his ruin was complete, he was thinking about marriage. Such a plan was of a piece with Mr. Firmin’s known prudence58 and foresight59. But they made an objection to his proposed union, which had struck us at home previously60. Papa-in-law was well enough, or at least inoffensive: but, ah, ye powers! what a mother-in-law was poor Phil laying up for his future days! Two or three of our mutual61 companions made this remark on returning to work and chambers63 after their autumn holiday. We never had too much charity for Mrs. Baynes; and what Philip told us about her did not serve to increase our regard.
About Christmas Mr. Firmin’s own affairs brought him on a brief visit to London. We were not jealous that he took up his quarters with his little friend, of Thornhaugh Street, who was contented64 that he should dine with us, provided she could have the pleasure of housing him under her kind shelter. High and mighty65 people as we were — for under what humble66 roofs does not Vanity hold her sway? — we, who knew Mrs. Brandon’s virtues67, and were aware of her early story, would have condescended68 to receive her into our society; but it was the little lady herself who had her pride, and held aloof69. “My parents did not give me the education you have had, ma’am,” Caroline said to my wife. “My place is not here, I know very well; unless you should be took ill, and then, ma’am, you’ll see that I will be glad enough to come. Philip can come and see me; and a blessing70 it is to me to set eyes on him. But I shouldn’t be happy in your drawing-room, nor you in having me. The dear children look surprised at my way of talking; and no wonder: and they laugh sometimes to one another, God bless ’em! I don’t mind. My education was not cared for. I scarce had any schooling71 but what I taught myself. My Pa hadn’t the means of learning me much: and it is too late to go to school at forty odd. I’ve got all his stockings and things darned; and his linen72, poor fellow! — beautiful: I wish they kep it as nice in France, where he is! You’ll give my love to the young lady, won’t you, ma’am: and, oh! it’s a blessing to me to hear how good and gentle she is! He has a high temper, Philip have: but them he likes can easy manage him. You have been his best kind friends; and so will she be, I trust; and they may be happy though they’re poor. But they’ve time to get rich, haven’t they. And it’s not the richest that’s the happiest, that I can see in many a fine house where Nurse Brandon goes and has her eyes open, though she don’t say much, you know.” In this way Nurse Brandon would prattle73 on to us when she came to see us. She would share our meal, always thanking by name the servant who helped her. She insisted on calling our children “Miss” and “Master,” and I think those young satirists did not laugh often or unkindly at her peculiarities74. I know they were told that Nurse Brandon was very good; and that she took care of her father in his old age; and that she had passed through very great griefs and trials; and that she had nursed uncle Philip when he had been very ill indeed, and when many people would have been afraid to come near him; and that her life was spent in tending the sick, and in doing good to her neighbour.
One day during Philip’s stay with us we happen to read in the paper Lord Ringwood’s arrival in London. My lord had a grand town house of his own which he did not always inhabit. He liked the cheerfulness of a hotel better. Ringwood House was too large and too dismal76. He did not care to eat a solitary77 mutton chop in a great dining-room surrounded by ghostly images of dead Ringwoods — his dead son, who had died in his boyhood; his dead brother attired78 in the uniform of his day (in which picture there was no little resemblance to Philip Firmin, the colonel’s grandson); Lord Ringwood’s dead self, finally, as he appeared still a young man, when Lawrence painted him, and when he was the companion of the Regent and his friends. “Ah! that’s the fellow I least like to look at,” the old man would say, scowling79 at the picture, and breaking out into the old-fashioned oaths which garnished80 many conversations in his young days. “That fellow could ride all day; and sleep all night, or go without sleep as he chose; and drink his four bottles, and never have a headache; and break his collar bone, and see the fox killed three hours after. That was once a man, as old Marlborough said, looking at his own picture. Now my doctor’s my master; my doctor and the infernal gout over him. I live upon pap and puddens, like a baby; only I’ve shed all my teeth, hang ’em. If I drink three glasses of sherry, my butler threatens me. You young fellow, who haven’t twopence in your pocket, by George, I would like to change with you. Only you wouldn’t, hang you, you wouldn’t. Why, I don’t believe Todhunter would change with me: would you, Todhunter? — and you’re about as fond of a great man as any fellow I ever knew. Don’t tell me. You are, sir. Why, when I walked with you on Ryde sands one day, I said to that fellow, ‘Todhunter, don’t you think I could order the sea to stand still?’ I did. And you had never heard of King Canute, hanged if you had — and never read any book except the Stud-book and Mrs. Glasse’s Cookery, hanged if you did.” Such remarks and conversations of his relative has Philip reported to me. Two or three men about town had very good imitations of this toothless, growling81, blasphemous82 old cynic. He was splendid and penurious83; violent and easily led; surrounded by flatterers and utterly84 lonely. He had old-world notions, which I believe have passed out of the manners of great folks now. He thought it beneath him to travel by railway, and his postchaise was one of the last on the road. The tide rolled on in spite of this old Canute, and has long since rolled over him and his postchaise. Why, almost all his imitators are actually dead; and only this year, when old Jack85 Mummers gave an imitation of him at Bays’s (where Jack’s mimicry86 used to be received with shouts of laughter but a few years since), there was a dismal silence in the coffee-room, except from two or three young men at a near table, who said, “What is the old fool mumbling87 and swearing at now? An imitation of Lord Ringwood, and who was he?” So our names pass away, and are forgotten: and the tallest statues, do not the sands of time accumulate and overwhelm them? I have not forgotten my lord; any more than I have forgotten the cock of my school, about whom, perhaps, you don’t care to hear. I see my lord’s bald head, and hooked beak88, and bushy eyebrows89, and tall velvet90 collar, and brass91 buttons, and great black mouth, and trembling hand, and trembling parasites93 round him, and I can hear his voice, and great oaths, and laughter. You parasites of to-day are bowing to other great people; and this great one, who was alive only yesterday, is as dead as George IV. or Nebuchadnezzar.
Well, we happen to read that Philip’s noble relative, Lord Ringwood, has arrived at — hotel, whilst Philip is staying with us: and I own that I counsel my friend to go and wait upon his lordship. He had been very kind at Paris: he had evidently taken a liking94 to Philip. Firmin ought to go and see him. Who knows? Lord Ringwood might be inclined to do something for his brother’s grandson.
This was just the point, which any one who knew Philip should have hesitated to urge upon him. To try and make him bow and smile on a great man with a view to future favours, was to demand the impossible from Firmin. The king’s men may lead the king’s horses to the water, but the king himself can’t make them drink. I own that I came back to the subject, and urged it repeatedly on my friend. “I have been,” said Philip, sulkily. “I have left a card upon him. If he wants me, he can send to No. 120, Queen Square, Westminster, my present hotel. But if you think he will give me anything beyond a dinner, I tell you you are mistaken.”
We dined that day with Philip’s employer, worthy95 Mr. Mugford, of the Pall96 Mall Gazette, who was profuse97 in his hospitalities, and especially gracious to Philip. Mugford was pleased with Firmin’s letters; and you may be sure that severer critics did not contradict their friend’s good-natured patron. We drove to the suburban98 villa99 at Hampstead, and steaming odours of soup, mutton, onions, rushed out into the hall to give us welcome, and to warn us of the good cheer in store for the party. This was not one of Mugford’s days for countermanding100 side dishes, I promise you. Men in black, with noble white cotton gloves, were in waiting to receive us, and Mrs. Mugford, in a rich blue satin and feathers, a profusion101 of flounces, laces, marabouts, jewels, and eau-de-Cologne, rose to welcome us from a stately sofa, where she sat surrounded by her children. These, too, were in brilliant dresses, with shining new-combed hair. The ladies, of course, instantly began to talk about their children, and my wife’s unfeigned admiration for Mrs. Mugford’s last baby I think won that worthy lady’s goodwill102 at once. I made some remark regarding one of the boys as being the picture of his father, which was not lucky. I don’t know why, but I have it from her husband’s own admission, that Mrs. Mugford always thinks I am “chaffing” her. One of the boys frankly103 informed me there was goose for dinner; and when a cheerful cloop was heard from a neighbouring room, told me that was Pa drawing the corks104. Why should Mrs. Mugford reprove the outspoken105 child and say, “James, hold your tongue, do now?” Better wine than was poured forth106 when those corks were drawn107, never flowed from bottle. — I say, I never saw better wine nor more bottles. If ever a table may be said to have groaned108, that expression might with justice be applied109 to Mugford’s mahogany. Talbot Twysden would have feasted forty people with the meal here provided for eight by our most hospitable entertainer. Though Mugford’s editor was present, all the honours of the entertainment were for the Paris Correspondent, who was specially40 requested to take Mrs. M. to dinner. As an earl’s grand-nephew, and a lord’s great-grandson, of course we felt that this place of honour was Firmin’s right. How Mrs. Mugford pressed him to eat! She carved — I am very glad she would not let Philip carve for her, for he might have sent the goose into her lap — she carved, I say, and I really think she gave him more stuffing than to any of us, but that may have been mere envy on my part. Allusions110 to Lord Ringwood were repeatedly made during dinner. “Lord R. has come to town, Mr. F., I perceive,” says Mugford, winking112. “You’ve been to see him, of course?” Mr. Firmin glared at me very fiercely, he had to own he had been to call on Lord Ringwood. Mugford led the conversation to the noble lord so frequently that Philip madly kicked my shins under the table. I don’t-know how many times I had to suffer from that foot which in its time has trampled113 on so many persons: a kick for each time Lord Ringwood’s name, houses, parks, properties, were mentioned, was a frightful115 allowance. Mrs. Mugford would say, “May I assist you to a little pheasant, Mr. Firmin? I daresay they are not as good as Lord Ringwood’s “ (a kick from Philip), or Mugford would exclaim, “Mr. F., try that ‘ock! Lord Ringwood hasn’t better wine than that.” (Dreadful punishment upon my tibia under the table.) “John! Two ‘ocks, me and Mr. Firmin! Join us, Mr. P.,” and so forth. And after dinner, to the ladies — as my wife, who betrayed their mysteries, informed me — Mrs. Mugford’s conversation was incessant116 regarding the Ringwood family and Firmin’s relationship to that noble house. The meeting of the old lord and Firmin in Paris was discussed with immense interest. His lordship called him Philip most affable! he was very fond of Mr. Firmin. A little bird had told Mrs. Mugford that somebody else was very fond of Mr. Firmin. She hoped it would be a match, and that his lordship would do the handsome thing by his nephew. What? My wife wondered that Mrs. Mugford should know about Philip’s affairs? (and wonder indeed she did.) A little bird had told Mrs. M— , a friend of both ladies, that dear, good little nurse Brandon, who was engaged — and here the conversation went off into mysteries which I certainly shall not reveal. Suffice it that Mrs. Mugford was one of Mrs. Brandon’s best, kindest, and most constant patrons — or might I be permitted to say matrons? — and had received a most favourable117 report of us from the little nurse. And here Mrs. Pendennis gave a verbatim report not only of our hostess’s speech, but of her manner and accent. “Yes, ma’am,” says Mrs. Mugford to Mrs. Pendennis, “our friend Mrs. B. has told me of a certain gentleman whose name shall be nameless. His manner is cold, not to say ‘aughty. He seems to be laughing at people sometimes — don’t say No; I saw him once or twice at dinner, both him and Mr. Firmin. But he is a true friend, Mrs. Brandon says he is. And when you know him, his heart is good.” Is it? Amen. A distinguished118 writer has composed, in not very late days, a comedy of which the cheerful moral is, that we are “not so bad as we seem.” Aren’t we? Amen, again. Give us thy hearty119 hand, Iago! Tartuffe, how the world has been mistaken in you! Macbeth! put that little affair of the murder out of your mind. It was a momentary120 weakness; and who is not weak at times? Blifil, a more maligned121 man than you does not exist! O humanity! how we have been mistaken in you! Let us expunge122 the vulgar expression “miserable sinners” out of all prayer-books; open the portholes of all hulks; break the chains of all convicts; and unlock the boxes of all spoons.
As we discussed Mr. Mugford’s entertainment on our return home, I improved the occasion with Philip, I pointed123 out the reasonableness of the hopes which he might entertain of help from his wealthy kinsman124, and actually forced him to promise to wait upon my lord the next day. Now when Philip Firmin did a thing against his will, he did it with a bad grace. When he is not pleased, he does not pretend to be happy: and when he is sulky, Mr. Firmin is a very disagreeable companion. Though he never once reproached me afterwards with what happened, I own that I have had cruel twinges of conscience since. If I had not sent him on that dutiful visit to his grand uncle, what occurred might never, perhaps, have occurred at all. I acted for the best, and that I aver125; however I may grieve for the consequences which ensued when the poor fellow followed my advice.
If Philip held aloof from Lord Ringwood in London, you may be sure Philip’s dear cousins were in waiting on his lordship, and never lost an opportunity of showing their respectful sympathy. Was Lord Ringwood ailing126? Mr. Twysden, or Mrs. Twysden, or the dear girls, or Ringwood their brother, were daily in his lordship’s antechamber, asking for news of his health. They bent127 down respectfully before Lord Ringwood’s major-domo. They would have given him money, as they always averred128, only what sum could they give to such a man as Rudge? They actually offered to bribe129 Mr. Rudge with their wine, over which he made horrible faces. They fawned130 and smiled before him always. I should like to have seen that calm Mrs. Twysden, that serene131, high-bred woman, who would cut her dearest friend if misfortune befel her, or the world turned its back; — I should like to have seen, and can see her in my mind’s eye, simpering and coaxing132, and wheedling133 this footman. She made cheap presents to Mr. Rudge: she smiled on him and asked after his health. And of course Talbot Twysden flattered him too in Talbot’s jolly way. It was a wink111, and nod, and a hearty how do you do — and (after due inquiries made and answered about his lordship) it would be, “Rudge! I think my housekeeper47 has a good glass of port wine in her room, if you happen to be passing that way, and my lord don’t want you!” And with a grave courtesy, I can fancy Mr. Rudge bowing to Mr. and Mrs. Twysden, and thanking them, and descending134 to Mrs. Blenkinsop’s skinny room where the port wine is ready — and if Mr. Rudge and Mrs. Blenkinsop are confidential135, I can fancy their talking over the characters and peculiarities of the folks upstairs. Servants sometimes actually do; and if master and mistress are humbugs136 these wretched menials sometimes find them out.
Now, no duke could be more lordly and condescending137 in his bearing than Mr. Philip Firmin towards the menial throng138. In those days, when he had money in his pockets, he gave Mr. Rudge out of his plenty; and the man remembered his generosity139 when he was poor: and declared — in a select society, and in the company of the relative of a person from whom I have the information — declared in the presence of Captain Gann at the Admiral B— ng Club in fact, that Mr. Heff was always a swell140; but since he was done, he, Rudge, “was blest if that young chap warn’t a greater swell than hever.” And Rudge actually liked this poor young fellow better than the family in Walpole Street, whom Mr. R. pronounced to be “a shabby lot.” And in fact it was Rudge as well as myself, who advised that Philip should see his lordship.
When at length Philip paid his second visit, Mr. Rudge said, “My lord will see you, sir, I think. He has been speaking of you. He’s very unwell. He’s going to have a fit of the gout, I think. I’ll tell him you are here.” And coming back to Philip, after a brief disappearance141, and with rather a scared face, he repeated the permission to enter, and again cautioned him, saying, that “my lord was very queer.”
In fact, as we learned afterwards, through the channel previously indicated, my lord, when he heard that Philip had called, cried, “He has, has he. Hang him, send him in;” using, I am constrained142 to say, in place of the monsyllable “hang,” a much stronger expression.
“Oh, it’s you, is it?” says my lord. “You have been in London ever so long. Twysden told me of you yesterday.”
“I have called before, sir,” said Philip, very quietly.
“I wonder you have the face to call at all, sir!” cries the old man, glaring at Philip. His lordship’s countenance143 was of a gamboge colour: his noble eyes were blood-shot and starting; his voice, always very harsh and strident, was now specially unpleasant; and from the crater144 of his mouth, shot loud exploding oaths.
“Face! my lord?” says Philip, still very meek145.
“Yes, if you call that a face which is covered over with hair like a baboon146!” growled147 my lord, showing his tusks148. “Twysden was here last night, and tells me some pretty news about you.”
Philip blushed; he knew what the news most likely would be.
“Twysden says that now you are a pauper149, by George, and living by breaking stones in the street, — you have been such an infernal, drivelling, hanged fool, as to engage yourself to another pauper!”
Poor Philip turned white from red; and spoke slowly: “I beg your pardon, my lord, you said — ”
“I said you were a hanged fool, sir!” roared the old man; “can’t you hear?”
“I believe I am a member of your family, my lord,” says Philip, rising up. In a quarrel, he would some times lose his temper, and speak out his mind; or sometimes, and then he was most dangerous, he would be especially calm and Grandisonian.
“Some hanged adventurer, thinking you were to get money from me, has hooked you for his daughter, has he?”
“I have engaged myself to a young lady, and I am the poorer of the two,” says Philip.
“She thinks you will get money from me,” continues his lordship.
“Does she? I never did!” replied Philip.
“By heaven, you shan’t, unless you give up this rubbish.”
“I shan’t give her up, sir, and I shall do without the money,” said Mr. Firmin very boldly.
“Go to Tartarus!” screamed the old man.
On which Philip told us, “I said, ‘Seniores priores, my lord,’ and turned on my heel. So you see if he was going to leave me something, and he nearly said he was, that chance is passed now, and I have made a pretty morning’s work.” And a pretty morning’s work it was: and it was I who had set him upon it! My brave Philip not only did not rebuke150 me for having sent him on this errand, but took the blame of the business on himself. “Since I have been engaged,” he said, “I am growing dreadfully avaricious151, and am almost as sordid152 about money as those Twysdens. I cringed to that old man: I crawled before his gouty feet. Well, I could crawl from here to Saint James’s Palace to get some money for my little Charlotte.” Philip cringe and crawl! If there were no posture-masters more supple153 than Philip Firmin, kotooing would be a lost art, like the Menuet de la Cour. But fear not, ye great! Men’s backs were made to bend, and the race of parasites is still in good repute.
When our friend told us how his brief interview with Lord Ringwood had begun and ended, I think those who counselled Philip to wait upon his grand-uncle felt rather ashamed of their worldly wisdom and the advice which they had given. We ought to have known our Huron sufficiently154 to be aware that it was a dangerous experiment to set him bowing in lords’ antechambers. Were not his elbows sure to break some courtly china, his feet to trample114 and tear some lace train? So all the good we had done was to occasion a quarrel between him and his patron. Lord Ringwood avowed155 that he had intended to leave Philip money; and by thrusting the poor fellow into the old nobleman’s sick chamber62, we had occasioned a quarrel between the relatives, who parted with mutual threats and anger. “Oh, dear me!” I groaned in connubial157 colloquies158. “Let us get him away. He will be boxing Mugford’s ears next, and telling Mrs. Mugford that she is vulgar, and a bore.” He was eager to get back to his work, or rather to his lady-love at Paris. We did not try to detain him. For fear of further accidents we were rather anxious that he should be gone. Crestfallen159 and sad, I accompanied him to the Boulogne boat. He paid for his place in the second cabin, and stoutly160 bade us adieu. A rough night: a wet, slippery deck: a crowd of frowzy161 fellow-passengers: and poor Philip in the midst of them in a thin cloak, his yellow hair and beard blowing about: I see the steamer now, and left her with I know not what feelings of contrition162 and shame. Why had I sent Philip to call upon that savage163, overbearing old patron of his? Why compelled him to that bootless act of submission164? Lord Ringwood’s brutalities were matters of common notoriety. A wicked, dissolute, cynical165 old man: and we must try to make friends with this mammon of unrighteousness, and set poor Philip to bow before him and flatter him! Ah, mea culpa, mea culpa! The wind blew hard that winter night, and many tiles and chimney-pots blew down: and as I thought of poor Philip tossing in the frowzy second-cabin, I rolled about my own bed very uneasily.
I looked into Bays’s club the day after, and there fell on both the Twysdens. The parasite92 of a father was clinging to the button of a great man when I entered: the little reptile166 of a son came to the club in Captain Woolcomb’s brougham, and in that distinguished mulatto officer’s company. They looked at me in a peculiar75 way. I was sure they did. Talbot Twysden, pouring his loud, braggart167 talk in the ear of poor Lord Lepel, eyed me with a glance of triumph, and talked and swaggered so that I should hear. Ringwood Twysden and Woolcomb, drinking absinthe to whet45 their noble appetites, exchanged glances and grins. Woolcomb’s eyes were of the colour of the absinthe he swallowed. I did not see that Twysden tore off one of Lord Lepel’s buttons, but that nobleman, with a scared countenance moved away rapidly from his little persecutor168. “Hang him, throw him over and come to me!” I heard the generous Twysden say. “I expect Ringwood and one or two more.” At this proposition, Lord Lepel, in a tremulous way, muttered that he could not break his engagement, and fled out of the club.
Twysden’s dinners, the polite reader has been previously informed, were notorious; and he constantly bragged169 of having the company of Lord Ringwood. Now it so happened that on this very evening, Lord Ringwood, with three of his followers170, henchmen, or led captains, dined at Bays’s club, being determined171 to see a pantomime in which a very pretty young Columbine figured: and some one in the house joked with his lordship, and said, “Why, you are going to dine with Talbot Twysden. He said, just now, that he expected you.”
“Did he?” said his lordship. “Then Talbot Twysden told a hanged lie!” And little Tom Eaves, my informant, remembered these remarkable172 words, because of a circumstance which now almost immediately followed.
A very few days after Philip’s departure, our friend, the Little Sister, came to us at our breakfast-table, wearing an expression of much trouble and sadness on her kind little face; the causes of which sorrow she explained to us, as soon as our children had gone away to their school-room. We have mentioned, amongst Mrs. Brandon’s friends, and as one of her father’s constant companions, the worthy Mr. Ridley, father of the celebrated painter of that name, who was himself of much too honourable and noble a nature to be ashamed of his humble paternal173 origin. Companionship between father and son could not be very close or intimate; especially as in the younger Ridley’s boyhood his father, who knew nothing of the fine arts, had looked upon the child as a sickly, half-witted creature, who would be to his parents but a grief and a burden. But when J. J. Ridley, Esq., began to attain174 eminence175 in his profession, his father’s eyes were opened; in place of neglect and contempt, he looked up to his boy with a sincere, na?ve admiration, and often, with tears, has narrated176 the pride and pleasure which he felt on the day when he waited on John James at his master’s , Lord Todmorden’s table. Ridley senior now felt that he had been unkind and unjust to his boy in the latter’s early days, and with a very touching177 humility178 the old man acknowledged his previous injustice179, and tried to atone180 for it by present respect and affection.
Though fondness for his son, and delight in the company of Captain Gann, often drew Mr. Ridley to Thornhaugh Street, and to the Admiral Byng Club, of which both were leading members, Ridley senior belonged to other clubs at the West End, where Lord Todmorden’s butler consorted181 with the confidential butlers of others of the nobility; and I am informed that in those clubs Ridley continued to be called “Todmorden” long after his connexion with that venerable nobleman had ceased. He continued to be called Lord Todmorden, in fact, just as Lord Popinjoy is still called by his old friends Popinjoy, though his father is dead, and Popinjoy, as everybody knows, is at present Earl of Pintado.
At one of these clubs of their order, Lord Todmorden’s man was in the constant habit of meeting Lord Ringwood’s man, when their lordships (master and man) were in town. These gentlemen had a regard for each other; and, when they met, communicated to each other their views of society, and their opinions of the characters of the various noble lords and influential182 commoners whom they served. Mr. Rudge knew everything about Philip Firmin’s affairs, about the doctor’s flight, about Philip’s generous behaviour. “Generous! I call it admiral!” old Ridley remarked, while relating this trait of our friend’s, and his present position. And Rudge contrasted Philip’s manly183 behaviour with the conduct of some sneaks184 which he would not name then, but which they were always speaking ill of the poor young fellow behind his back, and sneaking185 up to my lord, and greater skinflints and meaner humbugs never were: and there was no accounting186 for tastes, but he, Rudge, would not marry his daughter to a black man,
Now, that day when Mr. Firmin went to see my Lord Ringwood was one of my lord’s very worst days, when it was almost as dangerous to go near him as to approach a Bengal tiger. “When he is going to have a fit of gout, his lordship,” Mr. Rudge remarked, “was hawful. He curse and swear, he do, at everybody; even the clergy187 or the ladies — all’s one. On that very day when Mr. Firmin called he had said to Mr. Twysden, ‘Get out, and don’t come slandering188, and backbiting189, and bullying190 that poor devil of a boy any more. Its blackguardly, by George, sir — it’s blackguardly.’ And Twysden came out with his tail between his legs, and he says to me — ‘Rudge,’ says he, ‘my lord’s uncommon191 bad to-day.’ Well. He hadn’t been gone an hour when pore Philip comes, bad luck to him, and my lord, who had just heard from Twysden all about that young woman — that party at Paris, Mr. Ridley — and it is about as great a piece of folly192 as ever I heard tell of — my lord turns upon the pore young fellar and call him names worse than Twysden. But Mr. Firmin ain’t that sort of man, he isn’t. He won’t suffer any man to call him names; and I suppose he gave my lord his own back again, for I heard my lord swear at him tremendous, I did, with my own ears. When my lord has the gout flying about, I told you he is awful. When he takes his colchicum he’s worse. Now, we have got a party at Whipham at Christmas, and at Whipham we must be. And he took his colchicum night before last, and to-day he was in such a tremendous rage of swearing, cursing, and blowing up everybody, that it was as if he was red hot. And when Twysden and Mrs. Twysden called that day — (if you kick that fellar out at the hall door, I’m blest if he won’t come smirkin’ down the chimney) — and he wouldn’t see any of them. And he bawled193 out after me, ‘If Firmin comes, kick him downstairs — do you hear?’ with ever so many oaths and curses against the poor fellow, while he vowed156 he would never see his hanged impudent194 face again. But this wasn’t all, Ridley. He sent for Bradgate, his lawyer, that very day. He had back his will, which I signed myself as one of the witnesses — me and Wilcox, the master of the hotel — and I know he had left Firmin something in it. Take my word for it. To that poor young fellow he means mischief195.” A full report of this conversation Mr. Ridley gave to his little friend Mrs. Brandon, knowing the interest which Mrs. Brandon took in the young gentleman; and with these unpleasant news Mrs. Brandon came off to advise with those, who — the good nurse was pleased to say — were Philip’s best friends in the world. We wished we could give the Little Sister comfort: but all the world knew what a man Lord Ringwood was — how arbitrary, how revengeful, how cruel.
I knew Mr. Bradgate the lawyer, with whom I had business, and called upon him, more anxious to speak about Philip’s affairs than my own. I suppose I was too eager in coming to my point, for Bradgate saw the meaning of my questions, and declined to answer them. “My client and I are not the dearest friends in the world,” Bradgate said, “but I must keep his counsel, and must not tell you whether Mr. Firmin’s name is down in his lordship’s will or not. How should I know? He may have altered his will. He may have left Firmin money; he may have left him none. I hope young Firmin does not count on a legacy196. That’s all. He may be disappointed if he does. Why, you may hope for a legacy from Lord Ringwood, and you may be disappointed. I know scores of people who do hope for something, and who won’t get a penny.” And this was all the reply I could get at that time from the oracular little lawyer.
I told my wife, as of course every dutiful man tells everything to every dutiful wife: but though Bradgate discouraged us, there was somehow a lurking197 hope still that the old nobleman would provide for our friend. Then Philip would marry Charlotte. Then he would earn ever so much more money by his newspaper. Then he would be happy ever after. My wife counts eggs not only before they are hatched, but before they are laid. Never was such an obstinate198 hopefulness of character. I, on the other hand, take a rational and despondent199 view of things; and if they turn out better than I expect, as sometimes they will, I affably own that I have been mistaken.
But an early day came when Mr. Bradgate was no longer needful, or when he thought himself released from the obligations of silence with regard to his noble client. It was two days before Christmas, and I took my accustomed afternoon saunter to Bays’s , where other habitués of the club were assembled. There was no little buzzing, and excitement among the frequenters of the place. Talbot Twysden always arrived at Bays’s at ten minutes past four, and scuffled for the evening paper, as if its contents were matter of great importance to Talbot. He would hold men’s buttons, and discourse200 to them the leading article out of that paper with an astounding201 emphasis and gravity. On this day, some ten minutes after his accustomed hour, he reached the club. Other gentlemen were engaged in perusing202 the evening journal. The lamps on the tables lighted up the bald heads, the grey heads, dyed heads, and the wigs203 of many assembled fogies — murmurs204 went about the room. “Very sudden.” “Gout in the stomach.” “Dined here only four days ago.” “Looked very well.” “Very well? No! Never saw a fellow look worse in my life.” “Yellow as a guinea.” “Couldn’t eat.” “Swore dreadfully at the waiters, and at Tom Eaves who dined with him.” “Seventy-six, I see. — Born in the same year with the Duke of York.” “Forty thousand a-year.” “Forty? fifty-eight thousand three hundred, I tell you. Always been a saving man.” “Estate goes to his cousin, Sir John Ringwood; not a member here — member of Boodle’s .” “Hated each other furiously. Very violent temper, the old fellow was. Never got over the Reform Bill, they used to say.” “Wonder whether he’ll leave anything to old bowwow Twys — ” Here enters Talbot Twysden, Esq. — “Ha, Colonel! How are you? What’s the news to-night? Kept late at my office, making up accounts. Going down to Whipham to-morrow to pass Christmas with my wife’s uncle — Ringwood, you know. Always go down to Whipham at Christmas. Keeps the pheasants for us — no longer a hunting man myself. Lost my nerve, by George.”
Whilst the braggart little creature indulged in this pompous205 talk, he did not see the significant looks which were fixed206 upon him, or if he remarked them, was perhaps pleased by the attention which he excited. Bays’s had long echoed with Twysden’s account of Ringwood, the pheasants, his own loss of nerve in hunting, and the sum which their family would inherit at the death of their noble relative.
“I think I have heard you say Sir John Ringwood inherits after your relative?” asked Mr. Hookham.
“Yes; the estate, not the title. The earldom goes to my lord and his heirs — Hookham. Why shouldn’t he marry again? I often say to him, ‘Ringwood, why don’t you marry, if it’s only to disappoint that Whig fellow Sir John. You are fresh and hale, Ringwood. You may live twenty years, five and twenty years. If you leave your niece and my children anything, we’re not in a hurry to inherit,’ I say; ‘why don’t you marry?"’
“Ah! Twysden, he’s past marrying,” groans207 Mr. Hookham.
“Not at all. Sober man, now. Stout man. Immense powerful man. Healthy man, but for gout. I often say to him, ‘Ringwood!’ I say — ”
“Oh, for mercy’s sake! stop this,” groans old Mr. Tremlett, who always begins to shudder208 at the sound of poor Twysden’s voice. “Tell him somebody.”
“Haven’t you heard, Twysden? Haven’t you seen? Don’t you know?” asks Mr. Hookham solemnly.
“Heard, seen, known — what?” cries the other.
“An accident has happened to Lord Ringwood. Look at the paper. Here it is.” And Twysden pulls out his great gold eye-glasses, holds the paper as far as his little arm will reach, and — and mercif ul Powers! — but I will not venture to depict209 the agony on that noble face. Like Timanthes, the painter, I hide this Agamemnon with a veil. I cast the Globe newspaper over him. Illabatur orbis: and let imagination depict our Twysden under the ruins.
What Twysden read in the Globe was a mere curt210 paragraph; but in next morning’s Times there was one of those obituary211 notices to which noblemen of eminence must submit from the mysterious necrographer engaged by that paper.
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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billiards
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| n.台球 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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emigrant
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| adj.移居的，移民的；n.移居外国的人，移民 | |
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swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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arcades
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| n.商场( arcade的名词复数 )；拱形走道（两旁有商店或娱乐设施）；连拱廊；拱形建筑物 | |
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apothecaries
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| n.药剂师，药店( apothecary的名词复数 ) | |
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fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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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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beholds
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| v.看，注视( behold的第三人称单数 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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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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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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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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pickles
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| n.腌菜( pickle的名词复数 )；处于困境；遇到麻烦；菜酱 | |
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invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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orphans
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| 孤儿( orphan的名词复数 ) | |
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pawn
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| n.典当，抵押，小人物，走卒；v.典当，抵押 | |
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stinted
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| v.限制，节省（stint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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pensioner
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| n.领养老金的人 | |
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luncheon
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soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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deploring
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的现在分词 ) | |
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transgression
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| n.违背；犯规；罪过 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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knuckles
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| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
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sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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whet
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| v.磨快，刺激 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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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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quack
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| n.庸医；江湖医生；冒充内行的人；骗子 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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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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63
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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64
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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65
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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66
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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67
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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68
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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69
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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70
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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71
schooling
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| n.教育；正规学校教育 | |
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72
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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73
prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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74
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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75
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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76
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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77
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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78
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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79
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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80
garnished
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| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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82
blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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83
penurious
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| adj.贫困的 | |
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84
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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85
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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86
mimicry
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| n.（生物）拟态，模仿 | |
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87
mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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88
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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89
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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90
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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91
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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92
parasite
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| n.寄生虫；寄生菌；食客 | |
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93
parasites
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| 寄生物( parasite的名词复数 )； 靠他人为生的人； 诸虫 | |
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94
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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95
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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96
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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97
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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98
suburban
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| adj.城郊的，在郊区的 | |
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99
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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100
countermanding
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| v.取消（命令），撤回( countermand的现在分词 ) | |
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101
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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102
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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103
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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104
corks
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| n.脐梅衣；软木( cork的名词复数 )；软木塞 | |
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105
outspoken
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| adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的 | |
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106
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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107
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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108
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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109
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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110
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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111
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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112
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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113
trampled
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|
| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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114
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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115
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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116
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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117
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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118
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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119
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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120
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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121
maligned
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| vt.污蔑，诽谤（malign的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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122
expunge
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| v.除去，删掉 | |
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123
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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124
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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125
aver
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| v.极力声明；断言；确证 | |
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126
ailing
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| v.生病 | |
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127
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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128
averred
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| v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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129
bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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130
fawned
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| v.（尤指狗等）跳过来往人身上蹭以示亲热( fawn的过去式和过去分词 )；巴结；讨好 | |
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131
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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132
coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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133
wheedling
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| v.骗取（某物），哄骗（某人干某事）( wheedle的现在分词 ) | |
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134
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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135
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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136
humbugs
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| 欺骗( humbug的名词复数 )； 虚伪； 骗子； 薄荷硬糖 | |
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137
condescending
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| adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
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138
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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139
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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140
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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141
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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142
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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143
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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144
crater
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| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
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145
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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146
baboon
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| n.狒狒 | |
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147
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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148
tusks
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| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
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149
pauper
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| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
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150
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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151
avaricious
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| adj.贪婪的，贪心的 | |
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152
sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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153
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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154
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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155
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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156
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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157
connubial
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| adj.婚姻的，夫妇的 | |
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158
colloquies
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| n.谈话，对话( colloquy的名词复数 ) | |
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159
crestfallen
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| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
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160
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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161
frowzy
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| adj.不整洁的；污秽的 | |
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162
contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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163
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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164
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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165
cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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166
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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167
braggart
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| n.吹牛者；adj.吹牛的，自夸的 | |
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168
persecutor
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| n. 迫害者 | |
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169
bragged
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| v.自夸，吹嘘( brag的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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171
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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172
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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173
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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174
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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175
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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176
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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177
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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178
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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179
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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180
atone
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| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
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181
consorted
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| v.结伴( consort的过去式和过去分词 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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182
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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183
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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184
sneaks
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| abbr.sneakers (tennis shoes) 胶底运动鞋（网球鞋）v.潜行( sneak的第三人称单数 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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185
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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186
accounting
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| n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表 | |
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187
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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188
slandering
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| [法]口头诽谤行为 | |
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189
backbiting
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| 背后诽谤 | |
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190
bullying
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| v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈 | |
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191
uncommon
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|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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192
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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193
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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194
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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195
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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196
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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197
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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198
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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199
despondent
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| adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的 | |
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200
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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201
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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202
perusing
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的现在分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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203
wigs
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| n.假发，法官帽( wig的名词复数 ) | |
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204
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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205
pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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206
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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207
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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208
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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209
depict
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| vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述 | |
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210
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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211
obituary
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| n.讣告，死亡公告；adj.死亡的 | |
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