Amid the waves, like monsters of the deep,
And some, among the foliage1 of the groves3.”
All now assumed their fancy dresses. Julia, Frances, and the four Misses Morven, were, by Lord Arandale’s wish, habited as sea-nymphs.
The principal covering consisted of a long clinging robe of a bright green. Around the bust4 was wrapped white gauze, of the slightest texture5; its folds so arranged, as to resemble, as much as possible, the crested6 foam7 of ocean; from which, the head, neck, and arms, seemed, as it were, emerging; while a part of[306] the same drapery fell over one shoulder, and floated loosely behind the figure, like the line of light on divided waters. Through various parts of the dress was twisted bright scarlet8 coral, intermingled with tufts of sea-weeds, bound together by clusters of the most brilliant emeralds, seemingly unset, and mixed with small shells, to give their grouping a natural appearance; while over all were scattered9 costly10 pearls, innumerable, neither strung nor set. The feet and ankles, in particular, were entirely11 encrusted with ornaments12 of this mixed description, as if the accumulation had been collected, by treading the rocks and caverns13 of the fathomless14 deep, among Neptune’s hidden treasures.
The very long fair hair of the sisters, worn quite loose, was peculiarly becoming to this costume. It hung around in a shower of[307] brightness, as though sunbeams were gilding16 the light spray with which, sportive movements through the watery17 element, thus partially18 covered, as with a sparkling yet transparent19 veil, each lovely vision. This group did not wear masks; as they were to assist in receiving the company.
A small ante-room, the first of the suite20 thrown open on the present occasion, was fitted up to represent a cave. Before its entrance lay irregular masses of rock, on which were seated some of the Misses Morven, in their sea-nymph attire21, combing their dishevelled locks with branches of coral, and singing the while, like the Syrens of old; till, on the approach of guests, they would dart22 off with looks of well feigned23 wildness, into the mouth of the cave; serving thus by their mockery of flight, as guides to the company. The interior[308] of the cave was decorated with coral, growing out of the crevices24 of the rock, and budding with precious stones; slender sea-plants gracefully25 pendant from each projecting point; every variety of magnificent shell, from some of which seemed to proceed strains of the wildest music, like the notes of Eolian harps26; whilst others sent forth27 sounds, resembling the rushing of mighty28 waters. Under foot shone golden sands, promiscuously29 strewn with pearls and variegated30 pebbles31; while fragments of spar and many-sided crystal, containing concealed32 lamps, being the only visible sources of light, gave to the whole a magical effect. Here, in picturesque33 attitudes, reclining on couches of feathery and rainbow tinted34 seaweed, appeared the principal figures of the group. They too were singing, but in sweeter strains than those without, and in harmony[309] with the thrilling breathings, still proceeding35 from the shells.
On the entrance of the guests, led in by the flying Misses Morven, the recumbent nymphs, gracefully moving their arms in time to the soft music, by looks and gestures indicated the way through each recess37 of the cave to an outlet38 at its further extremity39, which led into the next reception room.
The advancing company now found themselves in a seeming grove2 of fine old oaks, the stems of which were entwined, and the branches festooned with laurel. Triumphal wreaths of the latter material were also borne aloft in the joyous40 dance by a group of wood-nymphs, wearing on their heads, crowns, and over their shoulders, garlands of roses, with which were intermingled leaves, both from the forest tree and its triumphal wreathings; signifying,[310] that if we would have the gentler blossoms of our gardens flourish, the oak and the laurel must be cultivated.
All who entered the grove in naval41 uniform, were conducted by two of the nymphs to an open space among the trees; where Lady Susan, in the character of Britannia, was seated on a beautiful throne, curiously42 carved in marble to represent the white cliffs of Albion; canopied43 by oaks, and sheltered, on either side, by a luxuriant growth of laurel; the steps of the throne, subject waves spell bound to the stillness of stone, by the presence of their awful mistress; while on one of them stood Triton, with his conch at his lips, in the attitude of awaiting command. The rich harmonies of “Rule, Britannia!” meantime filled the air every where; as though the old oaks themselves had been the performers; for, while the deeper tones[311] seemed to come mellowed44 from within the imprisonment45 of their knotted trunks, the softer ones were heard whispering at large among the waving of their lofty tops.
Each claimant being led to the feet of Britannia, she took a laurel wreath from the hands of her attendant nymphs, and, with a gracious smile, (a triumphal flourish from the conch of Triton at the same moment proclaiming the act,) placed it on the brows of the hero.
In the great room appeared a motley crowd in the costumes of all the nations under heaven; so that, on first entering, a traveller’s eye would have been reminded of the great mart at Gibraltar.
Lord Arandale had requested that all officers should wear uniform; Edmund could not, therefore, without incurring46 the charge of affectation, avoid compliance47.
[312]
Habited, accordingly, in his full dress, or roast beef coat, and (for things could not be done by halves) decorated with every star and garter he had ever won, he made his appearance in the marine48 cave. But, having fatally neglected the precaution taken by the wise Ulysses against the voices of Syrens, he found it quite impossible to proceed further; and, indeed, seemed to be so much at home among the sea-nymphs, that landsmen, as they passed, were induced to make many witty49 comments, vowing50 they would never again compassionate51 sailors, on the score of their privations.
They had heard, indeed, of mermaids52, and read of Syrens; but, as the former were proverbial for a very uninteresting peculiarity53 of form, and the latter were called, by Johnson, sea-monsters, they had no idea that the rocks[313] and caves of old ocean were inhabited by such water angels as those they now beheld54.
Lady Morven appeared as a Sultana, dressed in all that could be devised of magnificence. Having some taste, her ladyship made many deviations55 from the hackneyed costume—wearing one, the groundwork of which, instead of being of the strong and unbecoming colours generally adopted, was of white satin; though that pure fabric56 was nearly covered with rich highly raised embroidery57 of the most brilliant hues58, mixed with gold. Both tunic59 and petticoat were deeply bordered and fringed with gold, and the latter adorned60 with peculiar15 richness up the front, where the opening of the former displayed it to great advantage. The trowser and open hanging sleeve were of course not forgotten, while the numberless claspings, fastenings, and loopings, bracelets61 and armlets, with the superb zone and stomacher, necklace and crescent, all of jewels, chiefly brilliants,[314] brought together such a concentration of dazzling rays, that, when over all was flung a veil of a material so transparent that nothing of it could be seen but the beautiful miniature flowers, embroidered62 in gold and bright colours, with which it was sprinkled; those flowers, as the moving of the invisible drapery caused them to float around, seemed so many painted and glittering butterflies, following and fluttering in the blaze of light emitted by so much splendour. The bird of paradise too, worn in front of the turban, and sustained by the crescent of jewels, was thus so severed63 by their lustre64 from all that seemed tangible65, that he appeared hovering66 above the bright vision, as doubtful where to alight. Her ladyship leaned on the arm of Mr. Graham, who had assumed the dress of a Sultan, on being assured that it would not be required of him to do any thing but loll on an ottoman.
Next appeared a group consisting of an old[315] blind man, selling matches, and led by a dog—an excellent figure; a little girl, driving a wheelbarrow of apples, and calling them vociferously67; and a middle-aged68 woman, crying the last dying speech of the latest executed murderer. Now a group of Circassian slaves; now a number of naval officers, arm and arm; now many curious groups of wandering musicians, ballad69 singers, and pedlars of various countries. Herds70 of foreign peasants; then came Turks, Jews, May-morning dancers; these last, children; their queen, a lovely little creature, leading a lamb by a wreath of roses, while the gaily71 decorated pole, with its many garlands, showered the fragrance72 of fresh flowers wherever it passed; then a group of archers73 of the Royal Edinburgh Society. In short, enumeration74 would be endless. Next appeared a set of gypsies, one of the figures very good—an old man with grey hair, and bent36 double, leading an excellent imitation of[316] a small donkey, animated75 within by a little boy, and bearing on the centre of the sack, which was thrown across its back, an infant in wax, seemingly just able to sit in a little heap, by help of the old cloak, drawn76 tight about it; the deception77 complete. This group took the liberty of making a halt for a short time in the grove, where, under one of the old trees, they pitched a tent, and from a projecting branch of another, at a little distance, suspended a kettle, under which they set fire to some exquisite78 perfumes, in the form of faggots; while one of the youngest and prettiest of their party sat on the ground, blowing the embers to a flame, without other means than her own rosy79 lips; till, smoke and all, the gipsey encampment formed a very picturesque object.
Among the gipsies were some amusing fortune-tellers, but these latter were all thrown into shade by the striking figure of an Indian[317] juggler80, who came in soon after, quite alone. He was tall, and dressed in long loose black robes. Instead of passing on, he paused before the party in the cave, waved his wand, and looked fixedly81 at them. His countenance82 was covered by a peculiarly hideous83 black mask, through which his eyes flashed with a supernatural ferocity, assisted by fiery84 regions of stained crystal around the apertures85. He made signs that he was dumb, but that he wished to show Julia her fortune, and immediately passing his wand between her and Edmund, waved to all to make a clear space; then drawing a circle round Julia, pointed86 to it and to Edmund, stamped with his foot, and seemed to forbid his passing the magic boundary. Edmund made several laughing attempts to enter the circle, but the juggler as often interposed his wand and stamped again. The juggler next taking Henry by the arm, placed him beside Julia within the circle.[318] “So, I am to be the happy man, it seems!” said Henry, carelessly taking the hand of his cousin. She appeared not to like the jest, and hastily endeavoured to withdraw her hand, but he held it fast, giving her a glance which made her tremble. The juggler now displayed a ring, which he gave to Henry, who placed it on Julia’s finger so suddenly, that she was not aware what he was about to do, and said, “This is my wife.” At the same moment, the words, “This is my husband,” proceeded, or seemed to proceed from the lips of Julia, in a voice loud and distinct, though unlike that in which she usually spoke87. “No! no! no!” she cried instantly, in her own voice, flinging off the ring, and darting88 out of the circle.
“Yes! yes! yes!” said a voice from beneath the ground on which they stood. “Yes! yes! yes!” repeated voices from within the rocks on every side, successively, and finally from[319] above their heads, till the last sound seemed lost in distance. The juggler, the while, pointing with his wand, now here, now there, still indicating the spot whence the voice seemed to proceed.
“Was it not you then that said, this is my husband?” enquired89 two or three of the young ladies, turning to Julia. “Nonsense! nonsense!” she exclaimed pettishly90.
“The fellow is a ventriloquist,” said Edmund aside to the inquisitive91 Misses Morven, who seemed never to have heard one before. At the same time, approaching our heroine, he offered her his arm, for she seemed to need support, and he felt, too, secretly delighted by the visible antipathy92 to the idea of a union with Henry, even in jest, evinced by the countenance and involuntary movements of Julia. Henry, however, drew her other hand over his arm, without even asking her permission.
“Well, Julia!” he said, laughing, “thank[320] heaven, we are married at last, and publicly enough this time,” he added, pretending to lower his voice. “Remember,” he proceeded, again raising it, and again affecting to laugh, “you can never be off, in Scotland, after saying before two witnesses, the awful words—This is my husband!”
“As I never did, however, nor ever shall say so,” commenced Julia. Henry interrupted our heroine, by observing carelessly, “that reminds me of the lady in the play, who swears to her father, never to marry her lover, after she is married to him already.”
This remark, though made with the greatest levity93, shocked Edmund more than he was willing to confess, even to himself; not that, at the time, he believed it to allude94 to any thing more than the folly95 which had just passed.
“How very funny! how very funny!” said several of the young ladies. “Those sort of[321] jokes are very disagreeable, I think,” said Julia. “Oh, you don’t think it a subject for jesting upon?” observed Henry, not at all disconcerted. “Nor do I, Julia, believe me!” he added, again affecting to lower his voice.
“The part of the juggler is certainly very well sustained,” remarked Frances. “Yes, very well indeed,” said Julia, bowing to the juggler. “The company seem to be almost collected,” she added, “so I think we may now go to the great room, and commence dancing.”
Henry, thinking he had now sufficiently96 plagued Julia, dropped her arm, and offered his services to two of the Misses Morven. Edmund could not resist the opportunity of turning to our heroine, and saying, in a whisper—“for heaven’s sake, Julia, what does Henry mean?” “He thinks his absurdity97 wit, I suppose,” she replied, without hesitation98. Edmund, at the moment, felt re-assured,[322] by the ready frankness of her manner, though long after, and when new circumstances had arisen, he remembered that the words of her reply were, certainly, very evasive. One of the Misses Morven begged to have her fortune told. The juggler drew the magic circle around her, and then, with his arms folded, stood motionless. The unclaimed damsel looked round to see who was to be her companion. The juggler waved his wand, as though interdicting99 the approach of any intruder. The spectators began to laugh; and the young lady got out of her solitary100 sphere, declaring that fortune-telling was a very dull amusement.
点击收听单词发音
1 foliage | |
n.叶子,树叶,簇叶 | |
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2 grove | |
n.林子,小树林,园林 | |
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3 groves | |
树丛,小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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4 bust | |
vt.打破;vi.爆裂;n.半身像;胸部 | |
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5 texture | |
n.(织物)质地;(材料)构造;结构;肌理 | |
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6 crested | |
adj.有顶饰的,有纹章的,有冠毛的v.到达山顶(或浪峰)( crest的过去式和过去分词 );到达洪峰,达到顶点 | |
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7 foam | |
v./n.泡沫,起泡沫 | |
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8 scarlet | |
n.深红色,绯红色,红衣;adj.绯红色的 | |
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9 scattered | |
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
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10 costly | |
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的 | |
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11 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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12 ornaments | |
n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 );点缀;装饰品;首饰v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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13 caverns | |
大山洞,大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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14 fathomless | |
a.深不可测的 | |
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15 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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16 gilding | |
n.贴金箔,镀金 | |
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17 watery | |
adj.有水的,水汪汪的;湿的,湿润的 | |
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18 partially | |
adv.部分地,从某些方面讲 | |
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19 transparent | |
adj.明显的,无疑的;透明的 | |
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20 suite | |
n.一套(家具);套房;随从人员 | |
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21 attire | |
v.穿衣,装扮[同]array;n.衣着;盛装 | |
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22 dart | |
v.猛冲,投掷;n.飞镖,猛冲 | |
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23 feigned | |
a.假装的,不真诚的 | |
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24 crevices | |
n.(尤指岩石的)裂缝,缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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25 gracefully | |
ad.大大方方地;优美地 | |
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26 harps | |
abbr.harpsichord 拨弦古钢琴n.竖琴( harp的名词复数 ) | |
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27 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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28 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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29 promiscuously | |
adv.杂乱地,混杂地 | |
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30 variegated | |
adj.斑驳的,杂色的 | |
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31 pebbles | |
[复数]鹅卵石; 沙砾; 卵石,小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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32 concealed | |
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
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33 picturesque | |
adj.美丽如画的,(语言)生动的,绘声绘色的 | |
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34 tinted | |
adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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35 proceeding | |
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报 | |
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36 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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37 recess | |
n.短期休息,壁凹(墙上装架子,柜子等凹处) | |
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38 outlet | |
n.出口/路;销路;批发商店;通风口;发泄 | |
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39 extremity | |
n.末端,尽头;尽力;终极;极度 | |
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40 joyous | |
adj.充满快乐的;令人高兴的 | |
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41 naval | |
adj.海军的,军舰的,船的 | |
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42 curiously | |
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地 | |
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43 canopied | |
adj. 遮有天篷的 | |
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44 mellowed | |
(使)成熟( mellow的过去式和过去分词 ); 使色彩更加柔和,使酒更加醇香 | |
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45 imprisonment | |
n.关押,监禁,坐牢 | |
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46 incurring | |
遭受,招致,引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
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47 compliance | |
n.顺从;服从;附和;屈从 | |
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48 marine | |
adj.海的;海生的;航海的;海事的;n.水兵 | |
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49 witty | |
adj.机智的,风趣的 | |
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50 vowing | |
起誓,发誓(vow的现在分词形式) | |
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51 compassionate | |
adj.有同情心的,表示同情的 | |
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52 mermaids | |
n.(传说中的)美人鱼( mermaid的名词复数 ) | |
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53 peculiarity | |
n.独特性,特色;特殊的东西;怪癖 | |
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54 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 | |
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55 deviations | |
背离,偏离( deviation的名词复数 ); 离经叛道的行为 | |
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56 fabric | |
n.织物,织品,布;构造,结构,组织 | |
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57 embroidery | |
n.绣花,刺绣;绣制品 | |
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58 hues | |
色彩( hue的名词复数 ); 色调; 信仰; 观点 | |
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59 tunic | |
n.束腰外衣 | |
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60 adorned | |
[计]被修饰的 | |
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61 bracelets | |
n.手镯,臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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62 embroidered | |
adj.绣花的 | |
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63 severed | |
v.切断,断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 );断,裂 | |
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64 lustre | |
n.光亮,光泽;荣誉 | |
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65 tangible | |
adj.有形的,可触摸的,确凿的,实际的 | |
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66 hovering | |
鸟( hover的现在分词 ); 靠近(某事物); (人)徘徊; 犹豫 | |
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67 vociferously | |
adv.喊叫地,吵闹地 | |
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68 middle-aged | |
adj.中年的 | |
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69 ballad | |
n.歌谣,民谣,流行爱情歌曲 | |
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70 herds | |
兽群( herd的名词复数 ); 牧群; 人群; 群众 | |
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71 gaily | |
adv.欢乐地,高兴地 | |
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72 fragrance | |
n.芬芳,香味,香气 | |
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73 archers | |
n.弓箭手,射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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74 enumeration | |
n.计数,列举;细目;详表;点查 | |
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75 animated | |
adj.生气勃勃的,活跃的,愉快的 | |
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76 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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77 deception | |
n.欺骗,欺诈;骗局,诡计 | |
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78 exquisite | |
adj.精美的;敏锐的;剧烈的,感觉强烈的 | |
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79 rosy | |
adj.美好的,乐观的,玫瑰色的 | |
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80 juggler | |
n. 变戏法者, 行骗者 | |
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81 fixedly | |
adv.固定地;不屈地,坚定不移地 | |
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82 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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83 hideous | |
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的 | |
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84 fiery | |
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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85 apertures | |
n.孔( aperture的名词复数 );隙缝;(照相机的)光圈;孔径 | |
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86 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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87 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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88 darting | |
v.投掷,投射( dart的现在分词 );向前冲,飞奔 | |
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89 enquired | |
打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 ); 询问; 问问题; 查问 | |
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90 pettishly | |
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91 inquisitive | |
adj.求知欲强的,好奇的,好寻根究底的 | |
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92 antipathy | |
n.憎恶;反感,引起反感的人或事物 | |
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93 levity | |
n.轻率,轻浮,不稳定,多变 | |
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94 allude | |
v.提及,暗指 | |
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95 folly | |
n.愚笨,愚蠢,蠢事,蠢行,傻话 | |
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96 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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97 absurdity | |
n.荒谬,愚蠢;谬论 | |
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98 hesitation | |
n.犹豫,踌躇 | |
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99 interdicting | |
v.禁止(行动)( interdict的现在分词 );禁用;限制 | |
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100 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
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