Notwithstanding his secret hostility7, Leander had of late crept into Vigilius’ confidence, thus protecting himself against his formidable adversary8 Pelagius. He was now the Pope’s travelling companion as far as Sicily. Had he remained in Rome, the authority of Pelagius would have fallen heavily upon him, and he could scarce have escaped the humiliation9 of yielding his Gothic captive to Justinian’s friend. Apprised10 only a day before of Vigilius’ purpose, he had barely time to plot with Marcian for the conveyance11 of Veranilda to Totila’s camp. This had long been his intention, for, convinced that Totila would rule over Italy, he saw in the favour of the king not only a personal advantage, but the hope of the Western Church in its struggle with Byzantium. Driven at length to act hurriedly, he persuaded himself that he could use no better agent than Marcian, who had so deeply pledged himself to the Gothic cause. Of what had passed between Marcian and Pelagius he of course knew nothing. So, as the ship moved seaward upon tawny12 Tiber, and day flamed upon the Alban hills, Leander laughed within himself. He enjoyed a plot for its own sake, and a plot, long savoured, which gave him triumph over ecclesiastical rivals, and even over the Emperor Justinian, was well worth the little risk that might ensue When he returned to Rome, it would doubtless be with the victorious13 Goth—safe, jubilant, and ere long to be seated in the chair of the Apostle.
At the same hour Marcian was riding along the Praenestine Way, the glory of summer sunrise straight before him. The thought most active in his mind had nothing to do with the contest of nations or with the fate of Rome: it was that on the morrow he should behold14 Veranilda. For a long time he had ceased to think of her; her name came to his lips in connection with artifice15 and intrigue16, but the maiden17 herself had faded into nothingness, no longer touched his imagination. He wondered at that fantastic jealousy18 of Basil from which he had suffered. This morning, the caress19 of the warm air, the scents20 wafted21 about him as he rode over the great brown wilderness22, revived his bygone mood. Again he mused23 on that ideal loveliness which he attributed to the unseen Veranilda For nearly a year she had been sought in vain by her lover, by Greek commanders, by powerful churchmen; she had been made the pretext24 of far-reaching plots and conspiracies25; her name had excited passions vehement26 and perilous28, had been the cause of death. Now he was at length to look upon her; nay29, she was to pass into his guardianship30, and be by him delivered into the hands of the warrior31 king. Dreaming, dreaming, he rode along the Praenestine Way.
Though the personal dignity of Pelagius and the calm force of his speech had awed32 and perturbed34 him, Marcian soon recovered his habitual35 mind. He had thought and felt too deeply regarding public affairs to be so easily converted from the cause for which he lived. A new treachery was imposed upon him. When, after receiving all his instructions from Leander, he went to see Pelagius, it was in order to secure his own safety and the fulfilment of his secret mission by a seeming betrayal of him he served. He knew that his every movement was watched; he could not hope to leave Rome without being stopped and interrogated36. If he desired to carry out Leander’s project—and he desired it the more ardently37 the longer he reflected—his only course was this. Why did it agitate38 him more than his treachery hitherto? Why did he shake and perspire39 when he left Pelagius, after promising40 to bring Veranilda to Rome? He knew not himself—unless it were due to a fear that he might perform his promise.
This fear it was, perhaps, which had filled his short sleep with dreams now terrible, now luxurious41. This fear it was which caught hold of him, at length distinct and intelligible42, when, on turning his head towards the city soon after sunrise, he became aware of a group of horsemen following him at a distance of half a mile or so. Thus had it been agreed with Pelagius. The men were to follow him, without approaching, to a certain point of his journey, then would close about him and his attendants, who would be inferior in number, and carry them, with the Gothic maiden, back to Rome. At the sight Marcian drew rein43, and for a moment sat in his saddle with bent44 head, suffering strangely. Sagaris came up to his side, regarded him with anxious eye, and asked whether the heat of the sun’s rays incommoded him; whereupon he made a negative sign and rode on.
He tried to laugh. Had he forgotten the subtlety45 of his plot for deceiving Pelagius? To have made known to the deacon where Veranilda really was, would have been a grave fault in strategy. These armed horsemen imagined that a two days’ journey lay before them, whereas the place of Veranildas imprisonment46 would be reached this evening. The artifice he had elaborated was, to be sure, full of hazard; accident might disconcert everything; the instruments upon whom he reckoned might fail him. But not because of this possibility was his heart so miserably47 perturbed. It was himself that he dreaded—the failure of his own purpose, the treachery of his own will.
On he rode in the full eye of the August sun. The vast, undulant plain spread around him; its farms, villas50, aqueducts no less eloquent51 of death than the tombs by the wayside its still air and the cloudless azure52 above speaking to a man’s soul as with the voice of eternity53. Marcian was very sensible of such solemn influence. More than once, in traversing this region, he had been moved to bow his head in devotion purer than that which commonly inspired his prayers, but today he knew not a moment’s calm. All within him was turbid54, subject to evil thoughts.
A little before noon he made his first halt. Amid the ruins of a spacious55 villa49 two or three peasant families had their miserable56 home, with a vineyard, a patch of tilled soil, and a flock of goats for their sustenance57. Here the travellers, sheltered from the fierce sun, ate of the provisions they carried, and lay resting for a couple of hours. Marcian did not speak with the peasants, but he heard the voice of a woman loud in lamentation58, and Sagaris told him that it was for the death of a child, who, straying yesterday at nightfall, had been killed by a wolf. Many hours had the mother wept and wailed59, only interrupting her grief to vilify60 and curse the saint to whose protection her little one was confided61.
When he resumed his journey, Marcian kept glancing back until he again caught sight of the company of horsemen; they continued to follow him at the same distance. On he rode, the Alban hills at his right hand, and before him, on its mountain side, the town for which he made. The sun was yet far from setting when he reached Praeneste. Its great walls and citadel62 towering on the height above told of ancient strength, and many a noble building, within the city and without, monuments of glory and luxury, resisted doom63. Sulla’s Temple of Fortune still looked down upon its columned terraces, but behind the portico64 was a Christian65 church, and where once abode66 the priests of the heathen sanctuary67, the Bishop68 of Praeneste had now his dwelling69. Thither70 did Marcian straightway betake himself. The bishop, a friend and ally of Leander, received him with cordiality, and eagerly read the letter he brought. Asked whether Vigilius had left Rome, Marcian was able to tell something of the Pope’s departure, having heard the story just before his own setting forth71; whereat the prelate, a man of jovial72 aspect, laughed unrestrainedly.
‘To supper! to supper!’ he exclaimed with hospitable73 note. ‘Time enough for our business afterwards.’
But Marcian could not postpone74 what he had to say. Begging the bishop’s patience, he told how all day long he had been followed by certain horsemen from Rome, who assuredly were sent to track him. His servant, he added, was watching for their entrance into the town, and would observe where they lodged75. This, the bishop admitted, was a matter of some gravity.
‘Your guard is ready,’ he said. ‘Six stout76 fellows on good horses. But these pursuers outman you. Let me think, let me think.’
Marcian had but to suggest his scheme. This was, to resume his journey as soon as the townsfolk were all asleep, and travel through the night, for there was a moon all but at the full. He might thus gain so much advance of his pursuers that they would not be able to overtake him before he came to the nearest outpost of the Gothic army. After reflection, the bishop gave his approval to this project, and undertook that all should be ready at the fitting hour. He himself would accompany them to the gate of the town, and see them safely on their way. To make surer, Marcian used another device. When he had learned the quarters of the pursuing horsemen he sent Sagaris privily77 to speak with their leader, warning him to be ready to ride at daybreak. Such a message had of course nothing unexpected for its recipient78, who looked upon Marcian as secretly serving Pelagius. It put his mind at ease and released him from the necessity of keeping a night watch. Sagaris, totally ignorant of his master’s mission, and of the plans that had just been formed, imagined himself an intermediary in some plot between Marcian and the leader of the horsemen, and performed the deceitful office in all good faith.
The bishop and his guest sat down to supper in an ancient room, of which the floor was a mosaic79 representing an Egyptian landscape, with a multitude of figures. Marcian would gladly have asked questions about Veranilda; how long she had been at Praeneste, whether the lady Aurelia was in the same convent, and many other things; but he did not venture to make known how little he had enjoyed of Leander’s confidence. His reverend host spoke80 not at all on this subject, which evidently had no interest for him, but abounded81 in inquiries82 as to the state of things ecclesiastical at Rome. The supper was excellent; it pained the good prelate that his guest seemed to have so poor an appetite. He vaunted the quality of everything on the table, and was especially enthusiastic about a wine of the south, very aromatic83, which had come to him as a present from his friend the Bishop of Rhegium, together with a certain cheese of Sila, exquisite84 in thymy savour, whereof he ate with prodigious85 gusto.
It was about the third hour of the night when Sagaris, to his astonishment86, was aroused from a first sleep, and bidden prepare at once for travel. Following his master and the bishop, who were not otherwise attended, he passed through a garden to a postern, where, by dim lantern light, he saw, in the street without, a small covered carriage drawn by four mules87, and behind it several men on horseback; his master’s horse and his own were also in readiness at the door. He mounted, the carriage moved forward; and by a steep descent which needed extreme caution, the gate of the city was soon reached. Here the bishop, who had walked beside Marcian, spoke a word with two drowsy88 watchmen sitting by the open gateway89, bade his guest an affectionate farewell, and stood watching for a few minutes whilst vehicle and riders moved away in the moonlight.
Finding himself well sped from Praeneste, where his pursuers lay sound asleep, Marcian felt an extravagant90 joy; he could scarce command himself to speak a few necessary words, in an ordinary tone, to the leader of the guard with which he was provided; to shout, to sing, would have better suited his mood. Why he thrilled with such exultancy91 he could not have truly said; but a weight seemed to be lifted from his mind, and he told himself that the relief was due to knowing that he had done with treachery, done with double-dealing, done with the shame and the peril27 of such a life as he had led for years. Never could he return to Rome save with the Gothic King; in beguiling92 Pelagius, he had thrown in his lot irrevocably with the enemies of the Greeks. Now he would play the part of an honest man; his heart throbbed93 at the thought.
But all this time his eyes were fixed94 upon the closed vehicle, behind which he rode; and was it indeed the thought of having gained freedom which made his heart so strangely beat? He pushed his horse as near as possible to the carriage; he rode beside it; he stretched out his hand and touched it. As soon as the nature of the road permitted, he gave an order to make better speed, and his horse began to trot95; he thought less of the danger from which he was fleeing than of the place of rest where Veranilda would step down from the carriage, and he would look upon her face.
Under the great white moon, the valley into which they were descending97 lay revealed in every feature, and the road itself was as well illumined as by daylight. On they sped, as fast as the mules could be driven. Near or far sounded from time to time the howl of a wolf, answered by the fierce bark of dogs in some farm or village; the hooting98 of owls100 broke upon the stillness, or the pipe of toads101 from a marshy102 hollow. By the wayside would be seen moving stealthily a dark form, which the travellers knew to be a bear, but they met no human being, nor anywhere saw the gleam of a light in human habitation. Coming within view of some temple of the old religion, all crossed themselves and murmured a prayer, for this was the hour when the dethroned demons103 had power over the bodies and the souls of men.
After a long descent they struck into the Via Latina, still in spite of long neglect almost as good a road as when the legions marched over its wheel-furrowed stones. If the information on which Leander had calculated was correct, some three days’ journey by this way would bring them within reach of the Gothic king; but Marcian was now debating with himself at what point he should quit the high road, so as to make certain his escape, in case the Greek horsemen began a chase early on the morrow. To the left lay a mountainous region, with byways and little ancient towns, in old time the country of the Hernici; beyond, a journey of two good days, flowed the river Liris, and there, not far from the town of Arpinum, was Marcian’s ancestral villa. Of this he thought, as his horse trotted104 beside or behind the carriage. It was much out of his way; surely there would be no need to go so far in order to baffle pursuers. Yet still he thought of his villa, islanded in the Liris, and seemed to hear through the night the music of tumbling waters, and said within his heart, ‘Could I not there lie safe?’
Safe?—from the Greeks, that is to say, if they persistently105 searched for him. Safe, until a messenger could reach Totila, and let him know that Veranilda was rescued.
An hour after midnight, one of the mules’ traces broke. In the silence of the stoppage, whilst the driver was mending the harness as best he could, Marcian alighted, stepped to the side of the vehicle, laid a hand on the curtain which concealed106 those within, and spoke in a subdued107 voice.
‘Is all well with you, lady?’
‘As well,’ came the answer, ‘as it can be with one who dreads108 her unknown fate.’
The soft accents made Marcian tremble. He expected to hear a sweet voice, but this was sweeter far than he could have imagined: its gentleness, its sadness, utterly109 overcame him, so that he all but wept in his anguish110 of delight.
‘Have no fear,’ he whispered eagerly. ‘It is freedom that awaits you. I am Marcian—Marcian, the friend of Basil.’
There sounded a low cry of joy; then the two names were repeated, his and that of his friend, and again Marcian quivered.
‘You will be no more afraid?’ he said, as though laughingly.
‘Oh no! The Blessed Virgin111 be thanked!’
An owl’s long hoot99 wailed through the stillness, seeming to fill with its infinite melancholy112 the great vault113 of moonlit heaven. In Marcian it produced a sudden, unaccountable fear. Leaping on to his horse, he cursed the driver for slowness. Another minute, and they were speeding onward114.
Marcian watched anxiously the course of the silver orb115 above them. When it began to descend96 seaward, the animals were showing signs of weariness; before daybreak he must perforce call a halt. In conversation with the leader of his guard, he told the reason of their hasting on by night (known already to the horseman, a trusted follower116 of the Bishop of Praeneste), and at length announced his resolve to turn off the Latin Way into the mountains, with the view of gaining the little town Aletrium, whence, he explained, they could cross the hills to the valley of the Liris, and so descend again to the main road. It was the man’s business to obey; he let fall a few words, however, concerning the dangers of the track; it was well known that bands of marauders frequented this country, moving onward before the slow advance of the Gothic troops. Marcian reflected, but none the less held to his scheme. The beasts were urged along an upward way, which, just about the setting of the moon, brought them to a poor village with a little church. Marcian set himself to discover the priest, and, when this good man was roused from slumber117, spoke in his ear a word which had great effect. With little delay stabling was found, and a place of repose118 for Marcian’s followers119; he himself would rest under the priest’s roof, whither he conducted Veranilda and a woman servant who sat with her in the carriage. The face which was so troubling his imagination he did not yet see, for Veranilda kept the hood120 close about her as she passed by candle light up steps to the comfortless and dirty little chamber121 which was the best she could have.
‘Rest in peace,’ whispered Marcian as the door closed. ‘I guard you.’
For an hour or more he sat talking with his host over a pitcher122 of wine, found how far he was from Aletrium, and heard with satisfaction that the brigand123 bands seemed to have gone higher into the mountains. The presbyter asked eagerly for Roman news, and cautiously concerning King Totila, whom it was evident he regarded with no very hostile feeling. As the day broke he stretched himself on his host’s bed, there being no other for him, and there dozed124 for two or three hours, far too agitated125 to enjoy a sound sleep.
When he arose, he went forth into the already hot sunshine, looked at the poor peasants’ cottages, and talked with Sagaris, whose half-smiling face seemed anxious to declare that he knew perfectly126 well on what business they were engaged. At this hour, in all probability, the horsemen of Pelagius were galloping127 along the Latin Way, in hope of overtaking the fugitives128. It seemed little likely that they would search in this direction, and the chances were that they would turn back when their horses got tired out. Of them, indeed, Marcian thought but carelessly; his hard-set brows betokened129 another subject of disquiet130. Should he, after Aletrium, go down again to the Latin Way, or should he push a few miles further to the valley of the Liris, and to his own villa?
To-day, being the first day of the week, there was a gathering131 to hear mass. Marcian, though he had that in his mind which little accorded with religious worship, felt himself drawn to the little church, and knelt among the toil-worn folk. Here, as always when he heard the liturgy132, his heart melted, his soul was overcome with awe33. From earliest childhood he had cherished a peculiar133 love and reverence134 for the Eucharistic prayer, which was associated with his noblest feelings, his purest aspirations135. As he heard it now, here amid the solitude136 of the hills, it brought him help such as he needed.
‘Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus.’
When at the end he rose, these words were still resonant137 within him. He turned to go forth, and there behind, also just risen from her knees, stood a veiled woman, at the sight of whom he thrilled with astonishment. No peasant she; for her attire138, though but little adorned139, told of refinement140, and the grace of her figure, the simple dignity of her attitude, would alone have marked her out among the girls and women who were leaving the church, their eyes all turned upon her and on the female attendant standing6 respectfully near. Through the veil which covered her face and hung about her shoulders, Marcian could dimly discern lips and eyebrows141.
‘Lord Marcian, may I speak with you?’
It was the voice of last night, and again it shook him with an ecstasy142 which had more of dread48 than of joy.
‘You here?’ he replied, speaking very low. ‘You have heard the mass?’
‘I am a Catholic. My religion is that of Basil.’
‘God be thanked!’ broke from Marcian. And his exclamation143 meant more than it conveyed to the listener.
‘May you tell me whither we are going?’ was the next question from the veiled lips.
The church was now empty, but in the doorway144 appeared faces curiously145 peering. Marcian looking in that direction seemed for a moment to find no reply; his lips were parted, and his breath came rapidly; then he whispered:
‘Not far from here there is a villa. There you shall rest in safety until Basil comes.’
‘He is near?’
‘Already I have summoned him.’
‘O kind Marcian!’ uttered the low, sweet voice. ‘Oh, true and brave friend!’
In silence they walked together to the priest’s house. Marcian had now put off all irresolution146. He gave orders to his guard; as soon as the horses had sufficiently147 rested, they would push on for Aletrium, and there pass the night. The start was made some two hours after noon. Riding once more beside the carriage, Marcian felt his heart light: passions and fears were all forgotten; the sun flaming amid the pale blue sky, the violet shadows of the mountains, the voice of cicadas made rapture148 to his senses. It was as though Veranilda’s beauty, not even yet beheld149, rayed something of itself upon all the visible world. Never had a summer’s day shone so gloriously for him; never had he so marked the hues150 of height and hollow, the shape of hills, the winding151 of a stream. Where an ascent152 made the pace slow, he alighted, walked by the vehicle, and exchanged a few words with her who sat behind the curtain.
At length Aletrium came in view, a little town in a strong position on the mountain side, its walls and citadel built in old time, long unused for defence, but resisting ages with their cyclopean force. On arriving, they found a scene of disorder153, misery154 and fear. This morning the place had been attacked by a brigand horde155, which had ravaged156 at will: the church was robbed of its sacred vessels157, the beasts of burden were driven away, and, worst of all, wives and daughters of the defenceless townsmen had suffered outrage158. Marcian, with that air of authority which he well knew how to assume, commanded the attendance of the leading citizens and spoke with them in private. Finding them eager for the arrival of the Goths, to whom they looked rather than to the distant Greeks for protection against ruinous disorder (already they had despatched messengers to Totila entreating159 his aid), he made known to them that he was travelling to meet the Gothic outposts, and promised to hasten the king’s advance. At present, there seemed to be no more danger, the marauders having gone on into the Apennines; so Marcian obtained lodging160 for Veranilda and for himself in the priest’s house. Only when he was alone did he reflect upon the narrowness of his escape from those fierce plunderers, and horror shook him. There remained but half a day’s journey to his villa. He was so impatient to arrive there, and to dismiss the horsemen, that though utterly wearied, he lay awake through many hours of darkness, hearing the footsteps of men who patrolled the streets, and listening with anxious ear for any sound of warning.
He rose in the twilight161, and again held conference with those of the townsmen who were stoutest162 in the Gothic cause. To them he announced that he should travel this day as far as Arpinum (whither he was conducting a lady who desired to enter a convent hard by that city), and thence should proceed in search of Totila, for whom, he assured his hearers, he carried letters of summons from the leading churchmen at Rome. This news greatly cheered the unhappy Aletrians, who had been troubled by the thought that the Goths were heretics. If Roman ecclesiastics163 closed their eyes to this obstacle, the inhabitants of a little mountain town evidently need nurse no scruples164 in welcoming the conqueror165. With acclamations and good wishes, the crowd saw Marcian and his train set forth along the road over the hills; before the sun had shed its first beam into the westward166 valley, they had lost sight of Aletrium.
Not a word of the perils167 escaped had been allowed to reach Veranilda’s ear; exhausted168 by her journeying and her emotions, she had slept soundly through the whole night, and this morning, when Marcian told her how near was their destination, she laughed light-heartedly as a child. But not yet had he looked upon her countenance169. At Aletrium he might have done so had he willed, but he withheld170 himself as if from a dread temptation.
Never had he known such tremours of cowardliness as on this ride over the hills. He strained his eyes in every direction, and constantly imagined an enemy where there was none. The brigands171, as he found by inquiry172 of labouring peasants, had not even passed this way. He would not halt, though the heat of the sun grew terrible. At length, when exhaustion173 threatened men and beasts, they surmounted174 a ridge175, issued from a forest of chestnut-trees, and all at once, but a little way below them, saw the gleam of the river Liris.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
ecclesiastic
|
|
| n.教士，基督教会；adj.神职者的，牧师的，教会的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
embarkation
|
|
| n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
supreme
|
|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
hostility
|
|
| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
adversary
|
|
| adj.敌手，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
humiliation
|
|
| n.羞辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
apprised
|
|
| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
conveyance
|
|
| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
tawny
|
|
| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
victorious
|
|
| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
artifice
|
|
| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
intrigue
|
|
| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
caress
|
|
| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
scents
|
|
| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
wafted
|
|
| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
wilderness
|
|
| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
mused
|
|
| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
pretext
|
|
| n.借口，托词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
conspiracies
|
|
| n.阴谋，密谋( conspiracy的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
vehement
|
|
| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
perilous
|
|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
guardianship
|
|
| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
awed
|
|
| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
awe
|
|
| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
perturbed
|
|
| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
habitual
|
|
| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
interrogated
|
|
| v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
ardently
|
|
| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
agitate
|
|
| vi.(for,against)煽动，鼓动；vt.搅动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
perspire
|
|
| vi.出汗，流汗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
promising
|
|
| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
luxurious
|
|
| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
intelligible
|
|
| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
rein
|
|
| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
subtlety
|
|
| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
imprisonment
|
|
| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
miserably
|
|
| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
villa
|
|
| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
villas
|
|
| 别墅，公馆( villa的名词复数 )； （城郊）住宅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
eloquent
|
|
| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
azure
|
|
| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
eternity
|
|
| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
turbid
|
|
| adj.混浊的，泥水的，浓的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
spacious
|
|
| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
sustenance
|
|
| n.食物，粮食；生活资料；生计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
lamentation
|
|
| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
wailed
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
vilify
|
|
| v.诽谤，中伤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
confided
|
|
| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
citadel
|
|
| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
doom
|
|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
portico
|
|
| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
sanctuary
|
|
| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
bishop
|
|
| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
jovial
|
|
| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
hospitable
|
|
| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
postpone
|
|
| v.延期，推迟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
lodged
|
|
| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
privily
|
|
| adv.暗中，秘密地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
recipient
|
|
| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
mosaic
|
|
| n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
abounded
|
|
| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
inquiries
|
|
| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
aromatic
|
|
| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
prodigious
|
|
| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
mules
|
|
| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
drowsy
|
|
| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
gateway
|
|
| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
extravagant
|
|
| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
exultancy
|
|
| n.大喜，狂喜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
92
beguiling
|
|
| adj.欺骗的，诱人的v.欺骗( beguile的现在分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
throbbed
|
|
| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
trot
|
|
| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
hooting
|
|
| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的现在分词 )； 倒好儿； 倒彩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
hoot
|
|
| n.鸟叫声，汽车的喇叭声； v.使汽车鸣喇叭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
owls
|
|
| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
toads
|
|
| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆( toad的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
marshy
|
|
| adj.沼泽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
demons
|
|
| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
trotted
|
|
| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
persistently
|
|
| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
dreads
|
|
| n.恐惧，畏惧( dread的名词复数 )；令人恐惧的事物v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
anguish
|
|
| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
virgin
|
|
| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
vault
|
|
| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
onward
|
|
| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
orb
|
|
| n.太阳；星球；v.弄圆；成球形 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
follower
|
|
| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
hood
|
|
| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
pitcher
|
|
| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
brigand
|
|
| n.土匪，强盗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
dozed
|
|
| v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
galloping
|
|
| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
fugitives
|
|
| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
betokened
|
|
| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
disquiet
|
|
| n.担心，焦虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
liturgy
|
|
| n.礼拜仪式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
aspirations
|
|
| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
resonant
|
|
| adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
adorned
|
|
| [计]被修饰的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
refinement
|
|
| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
eyebrows
|
|
| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
ecstasy
|
|
| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
irresolution
|
|
| n.不决断，优柔寡断，犹豫不定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
rapture
|
|
| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
beheld
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
hues
|
|
| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
ascent
|
|
| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
disorder
|
|
| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
horde
|
|
| n.群众，一大群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
ravaged
|
|
| 毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
vessels
|
|
| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
outrage
|
|
| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
entreating
|
|
| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
lodging
|
|
| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
stoutest
|
|
| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
ecclesiastics
|
|
| n.神职者，教会，牧师( ecclesiastic的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
164
scruples
|
|
| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
conqueror
|
|
| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
westward
|
|
| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
perils
|
|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
withheld
|
|
| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
brigands
|
|
| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
inquiry
|
|
| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
exhaustion
|
|
| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
surmounted
|
|
| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
ridge
|
|
| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |