As I am in the way of confessions1 I may as well acknowledge that, about this time, I paid more attention to dress than ever I had done before. This is not saying much--for hitherto I had been a little neglectful in that particular; but now, also, it was no uncommon2 thing to spend as much as two minutes in the contemplation of my own image in the glass; though I never could derive3 any consolation4 from such a study. I could discover no beauty in those marked features, that pale hollow cheek, and ordinary dark brown hair; there might be intellect in the forehead, there might be expression in the dark grey eyes, but what of that?--a low Grecian brow, and large black eyes devoid5 of sentiment would be esteemed6 far preferable. It is foolish to wish for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves or care about it in others. If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior7. So said the teachers of our childhood; and so say we to the children of the present day. All very judicious8 and proper, no doubt; but are such assertions supported by actual experience?
We are naturally disposed to love what gives us pleasure, and what more pleasing than a beautiful face--when we know no harm of the possessor at least? A little girl loves her bird--Why? Because it lives and feels; because it is helpless and harmless? A toad9, likewise, lives and feels, and is equally helpless and harmless; but though she would not hurt a toad, she cannot love it like the bird, with its graceful10 form, soft feathers, and bright, speaking eyes. If a woman is fair and amiable12, she is praised for both qualities, but especially the former, by the bulk of mankind: if, on the other hand, she is disagreeable in person and character, her plainness is commonly inveighed13 against as her greatest crime, because, to common observers, it gives the greatest offence; while, if she is plain and good, provided she is a person of retired14 manners and secluded15 life, no one ever knows of her goodness, except her immediate16 connections. Others, on the contrary, are disposed to form unfavourable opinions of her mind, and disposition17, if it be but to excuse themselves for their instinctive18 dislike of one so unfavoured by nature; and visa versa with her whose angel form conceals19 a vicious heart, or sheds a false, deceitful charm over defects and foibles that would not be tolerated in another. They that have beauty, let them be thankful for it, and make a good use of it, like any other talent; they that have it not, let them console themselves, and do the best they can without it: certainly, though liable to be over-estimated, it is a gift of God, and not to be despised. Many will feel this who have felt that they could love, and whose hearts tell them that they are worthy21 to be loved again; while yet they are debarred, by the lack of this or some such seeming trifle, from giving and receiving that happiness they seem almost made to feel and to impart. As well might the humble22 glowworm despise that power of giving light without which the roving fly might pass her and repass her a thousand times, and never rest beside her: she might hear her winged darling buzzing over and around her; he vainly seeking her, she longing23 to be found, but with no power to make her presence known, no voice to call him, no wings to follow his flight;--the fly must seek another mate, the worm must live and die alone.
Such were some of my reflections about this period. I might go on prosing more and more, I might dive much deeper, and disclose other thoughts, propose questions the reader might be puzzled to answer, and deduce arguments that might startle his prejudices, or, perhaps, provoke his ridicule24, because he could not comprehend them; but I forbear.
Now, therefore, let us return to Miss Murray. She accompanied her mamma to the ball on Tuesday; of course splendidly attired25, and delighted with her prospects26 and her charms. As Ashby Park was nearly ten miles distant from Horton Lodge28, they had to set out pretty early, and I intended to have spent the evening with Nancy Brown, whom I had not seen for a long time; but my kind pupil took care I should spend it neither there nor anywhere else beyond the limits of the schoolroom, by giving me a piece of music to copy, which kept me closely occupied till bed-time. About eleven next morning, as soon as she had left her room, she came to tell me her news. Sir Thomas had indeed proposed to her at the ball; an event which reflected great credit on her mamma's sagacity, if not upon her skill in contrivance. I rather incline to the belief that she had first laid her plans, and then predicted their success. The offer had been accepted, of course, and the bridegroom elect was coming that day to settle matters with Mr. Murray.
Rosalie was pleased with the thoughts of becoming mistress of Ashby Park; she was elated with the prospect27 of the bridal ceremony and its attendant splendour and eclat29, the honeymoon30 spent abroad, and the subsequent gaieties she expected to enjoy in London and elsewhere; she appeared pretty well pleased too, for the time being, with Sir Thomas himself, because she had so lately seen him, danced with him, and been flattered by him; but, after all, she seemed to shrink from the idea of being so soon united: she wished the ceremony to be delayed some months, at least; and I wished it too. It seemed a horrible thing to hurry on the inauspicious match, and not to give the poor creature time to think and reason on the irrevocable step she was about to take. I made no pretension31 to 'a mother's watchful32, anxious care,' but I was amazed and horrified33 at Mrs. Murray's heartlessness, or want of thought for the real good of her child; and by my unheeded warnings and exhortations34, I vainly strove to remedy the evil. Miss Murray only laughed at what I said; and I soon found that her reluctance35 to an immediate union arose chiefly from a desire to do what execution she could among the young gentlemen of her acquaintance, before she was incapacitated from further mischief36 of the kind. It was for this cause that, before confiding37 to me the secret of her engagement, she had extracted a promise that I would not mention a word on the subject to any one. And when I saw this, and when I beheld38 her plunge39 more recklessly than ever into the depths of heartless coquetry, I had no more pity for her. 'Come what will,' I thought, 'she deserves it. Sir Thomas cannot be too bad for her; and the sooner she is incapacitated from deceiving and injuring others the better.'
The wedding was fixed40 for the first of June. Between that and the critical ball was little more than six weeks; but, with Rosalie's accomplished41 skill and resolute42 exertion43, much might be done, even within that period; especially as Sir Thomas spent most of the interim44 in London; whither he went up, it was said, to settle affairs with his lawyer, and make other preparations for the approaching nuptials45. He endeavoured to supply the want of his presence by a pretty constant fire of billets-doux; but these did not attract the neighbours' attention, and open their eyes, as personal visits would have done; and old Lady Ashby's haughty46, sour spirit of reserve withheld47 her from spreading the news, while her indifferent health prevented her coming to visit her future daughter-in-law; so that, altogether, this affair was kept far closer than such things usually are.
Rosalie would sometimes show her lover's epistles to me, to convince me what a kind, devoted48 husband he would make. She showed me the letters of another individual, too, the unfortunate Mr. Green, who had not the courage, or, as she expressed it, the 'spunk,' to plead his cause in person, but whom one denial would not satisfy: he must write again and again. He would not have done so if he could have seen the grimaces49 his fair idol50 made over his moving appeals to her feelings, and heard her scornful laughter, and the opprobrious51 epithets52 she heaped upon him for his perseverance53.
'Why don't you tell him, at once, that you are engaged?' I asked.
'Oh, I don't want him to know that,' replied she. 'If he knew it, his sisters and everybody would know it, and then there would be an end of my--ahem! And, besides, if I told him that, he would think my engagement was the only obstacle, and that I would have him if I were free; which I could not bear that any man should think, and he, of all others, at least. Besides, I don't care for his letters,' she added, contemptuously; 'he may write as often as he pleases, and look as great a calf55 as he likes when I meet him; it only amuses me.'
Meantime, young Meltham was pretty frequent in his visits to the house or transits56 past it; and, judging by Matilda's execrations and reproaches, her sister paid more attention to him than civility required; in other words, she carried on as animated57 a flirtation58 as the presence of her parents would admit. She made some attempts to bring Mr. Hatfield once more to her feet; but finding them unsuccessful, she repaid his haughty indifference59 with still loftier scorn, and spoke60 of him with as much disdain61 and detestation as she had formerly62 done of his curate. But, amid all this, she never for a moment lost sight of Mr. Weston. She embraced every opportunity of meeting him, tried every art to fascinate him, and pursued him with as much perseverance as if she really loved him and no other, and the happiness of her life depended upon eliciting63 a return of affection. Such conduct was completely beyond my comprehension. Had I seen it depicted64 in a novel, I should have thought it unnatural65; had I heard it described by others, I should have deemed it a mistake or an exaggeration; but when I saw it with my own eyes, and suffered from it too, I could only conclude that excessive vanity, like drunkenness, hardens the heart, enslaves the faculties66, and perverts67 the feelings; and that dogs are not the only creatures which, when gorged68 to the throat, will yet gloat over what they cannot devour69, and grudge70 the smallest morsel71 to a starving brother.
She now became extremely beneficent to the poor cottagers. Her acquaintance among them was more widely extended, her visits to their humble dwellings72 were more frequent and excursive than they had ever been before. Hereby, she earned among them the reputation of a condescending73 and very charitable young lady; and their encomiums were sure to be repeated to Mr. Weston: whom also she had thus a daily chance of meeting in one or other of their abodes74, or in her transits to and fro; and often, likewise, she could gather, through their gossip, to what places he was likely to go at such and such a time, whether to baptize a child, or to visit the aged54, the sick, the sad, or the dying; and most skilfully75 she laid her plans accordingly. In these excursions she would sometimes go with her sister--whom, by some means, she had persuaded or bribed76 to enter into her schemes--sometimes alone, never, now, with me; so that I was debarred the pleasure of seeing Mr. Weston, or hearing his voice even in conversation with another: which would certainly have been a very great pleasure, however hurtful or however fraught77 with pain. I could not even see him at church: for Miss Murray, under some trivial pretext78, chose to take possession of that corner in the family pew which had been mine ever since I came; and, unless I had the presumption79 to station myself between Mr. and Mrs. Murray, I must sit with my back to the pulpit, which I accordingly did.
Now, also, I never walked home with my pupils: they said their mamma thought it did not look well to see three people out of the family walking, and only two going in the carriage; and, as they greatly preferred walking in fine weather, I should be honoured by going with the seniors. 'And besides,' said they, 'you can't walk as fast as we do; you know you're always lagging behind.' I knew these were false excuses, but I made no objections, and never contradicted such assertions, well knowing the motives80 which dictated81 them. And in the afternoons, during those six memorable82 weeks, I never went to church at all. If I had a cold, or any slight indisposition, they took advantage of that to make me stay at home; and often they would tell me they were not going again that day, themselves, and then pretend to change their minds, and set off without telling me: so managing their departure that I never discovered the change of purpose till too late. Upon their return home, on one of these occasions, they entertained me with an animated account of a conversation they had had with Mr. Weston as they came along. 'And he asked if you were ill, Miss Grey,' said Matilda; 'but we told him you were quite well, only you didn't want to come to church--so he'll think you're turned wicked.'
All chance meetings on week-days were likewise carefully prevented; for, lest I should go to see poor Nancy Brown or any other person, Miss Murray took good care to provide sufficient employment for all my leisure hours. There was always some drawing to finish, some music to copy, or some work to do, sufficient to incapacitate me from indulging in anything beyond a short walk about the grounds, however she or her sister might be occupied.
One morning, having sought and waylaid83 Mr. Weston, they returned in high glee to give me an account of their interview. 'And he asked after you again,' said Matilda, in spite of her sister's silent but imperative84 intimation that she should hold her tongue. 'He wondered why you were never with us, and thought you must have delicate health, as you came out so seldom.'
'He didn't Matilda--what nonsense you're talking!'
'Oh, Rosalie, what a lie! He did, you know; and you said--Don't, Rosalie--hang it!--I won't be pinched so! And, Miss Grey, Rosalie told him you were quite well, but you were always so buried in your books that you had no pleasure in anything else.'
'What an idea he must have of me!' I thought.
'And,' I asked, 'does old Nancy ever inquire about me?'
'Yes; and we tell her you are so fond of reading and drawing that you can do nothing else.'
'That is not the case though; if you had told her I was so busy I could not come to see her, it would have been nearer the truth.'
'I don't think it would,' replied Miss Murray, suddenly kindling85 up; 'I'm sure you have plenty of time to yourself now, when you have so little teaching to do.'
It was no use beginning to dispute with such indulged, unreasoning creatures: so I held my peace. I was accustomed, now, to keeping silence when things distasteful to my ear were uttered; and now, too, I was used to wearing a placid86 smiling countenance87 when my heart was bitter within me. Only those who have felt the like can imagine my feelings, as I sat with an assumption of smiling indifference, listening to the accounts of those meetings and interviews with Mr. Weston, which they seemed to find such pleasure in describing to me; and hearing things asserted of him which, from the character of the man, I knew to be exaggerations and perversions88 of the truth, if not entirely89 false--things derogatory to him, and flattering to them--especially to Miss Murray--which I burned to contradict, or, at least, to show my doubts about, but dared not; lest, in expressing my disbelief, I should display my interest too. Other things I heard, which I felt or feared were indeed too true: but I must still conceal20 my anxiety respecting him, my indignation against them, beneath a careless aspect; others, again, mere90 hints of something said or done, which I longed to hear more of, but could not venture to inquire. So passed the weary time. I could not even comfort myself with saying, 'She will soon be married; and then there may be hope.'
Soon after her marriage the holidays would come; and when I returned from home, most likely, Mr. Weston would be gone, for I was told that he and the Rector could not agree (the Rector's fault, of course), and he was about to remove to another place.
No--besides my hope in God, my only consolation was in thinking that, though he know it not, I was more worthy of his love than Rosalie Murray, charming and engaging as she was; for I could appreciate his excellence91, which she could not: I would devote my life to the promotion92 of his happiness; she would destroy his happiness for the momentary93 gratification of her own vanity. 'Oh, if he could but know the difference!' I would earnestly exclaim. 'But no! I would not have him see my heart: yet, if he could but know her hollowness, her worthless, heartless frivolity94, he would then be safe, and I should be--ALMOST happy, though I might never see him more!'
I fear, by this time, the reader is well nigh disgusted with the folly95 and weakness I have so freely laid before him. I never disclosed it then, and would not have done so had my own sister or my mother been with me in the house. I was a close and resolute dissembler--in this one case at least. My prayers, my tears, my wishes, fears, and lamentations, were witnessed by myself and heaven alone.
When we are harassed96 by sorrows or anxieties, or long oppressed by any powerful feelings which we must keep to ourselves, for which we can obtain and seek no sympathy from any living creature, and which yet we cannot, or will not wholly crush, we often naturally seek relief in poetry--and often find it, too--whether in the effusions of others, which seem to harmonize with our existing case, or in our own attempts to give utterance97 to those thoughts and feelings in strains less musical, perchance, but more appropriate, and therefore more penetrating98 and sympathetic, and, for the time, more soothing99, or more powerful to rouse and to unburden the oppressed and swollen100 heart. Before this time, at Wellwood House and here, when suffering from home-sick melancholy101, I had sought relief twice or thrice at this secret source of consolation; and now I flew to it again, with greater avidity than ever, because I seemed to need it more. I still preserve those relics102 of past sufferings and experience, like pillars of witness set up in travelling through the vale of life, to mark particular occurrences. The footsteps are obliterated103 now; the face of the country may be changed; but the pillar is still there, to remind me how all things were when it was reared. Lest the reader should be curious to see any of these effusions, I will favour him with one short specimen104: cold and languid as the lines may seem, it was almost a passion of grief to which they owed their being:-
Oh, they have robbed me of the hope My spirit held so dear; They will not let me hear that voice My soul delights to hear.
They will not let me see that face I so delight to see; And they have taken all thy smiles, And all thy love from me.
Well, let them seize on all they can; - One treasure still is mine, - A heart that loves to think on thee, And feels the worth of thine.
Yes, at least, they could not deprive me of that: I could think of him day and night; and I could feel that he was worthy to be thought of. Nobody knew him as I did; nobody could appreciate him as I did; nobody could love him as I--could, if I might: but there was the evil. What business had I to think so much of one that never thought of me? Was it not foolish? was it not wrong? Yet, if I found such deep delight in thinking of him, and if I kept those thoughts to myself, and troubled no one else with them, where was the harm of it? I would ask myself. And such reasoning prevented me from making any sufficient effort to shake off my fetters105.
But, if those thoughts brought delight, it was a painful, troubled pleasure, too near akin11 to anguish106; and one that did me more injury than I was aware of. It was an indulgence that a person of more wisdom or more experience would doubtless have denied herself. And yet, how dreary107 to turn my eyes from the contemplation of that bright object and force them to dwell on the dull, grey, desolate108 prospect around: the joyless, hopeless, solitary109 path that lay before me. It was wrong to be so joyless, so desponding; I should have made God my friend, and to do His will the pleasure and the business of my life; but faith was weak, and passion was too strong.
In this time of trouble I had two other causes of affliction. The first may seem a trifle, but it cost me many a tear: Snap, my little dumb, rough-visaged, but bright-eyed, warm-hearted companion, the only thing I had to love me, was taken away, and delivered over to the tender mercies of the village rat-catcher, a man notorious for his brutal110 treatment of his canine111 slaves. The other was serious enough; my letters from home gave intimation that my father's health was worse. No boding112 fears were expressed, but I was grown timid and despondent113, and could not help fearing that some dreadful calamity114 awaited us there. I seemed to see the black clouds gathering115 round my native hills, and to hear the angry muttering of a storm that was about to burst, and desolate our hearth116.
1 confessions | |
n.承认( confession的名词复数 );自首;声明;(向神父的)忏悔 | |
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2 uncommon | |
adj.罕见的,非凡的,不平常的 | |
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3 derive | |
v.取得;导出;引申;来自;源自;出自 | |
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4 consolation | |
n.安慰,慰问 | |
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5 devoid | |
adj.全无的,缺乏的 | |
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6 esteemed | |
adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 );敬重;认为;以为 | |
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7 exterior | |
adj.外部的,外在的;表面的 | |
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8 judicious | |
adj.明智的,明断的,能作出明智决定的 | |
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9 toad | |
n.蟾蜍,癞蛤蟆 | |
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10 graceful | |
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
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11 akin | |
adj.同族的,类似的 | |
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12 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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13 inveighed | |
v.猛烈抨击,痛骂,谩骂( inveigh的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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15 secluded | |
adj.与世隔绝的;隐退的;偏僻的v.使隔开,使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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16 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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17 disposition | |
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
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18 instinctive | |
adj.(出于)本能的;直觉的;(出于)天性的 | |
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19 conceals | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,遮住( conceal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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20 conceal | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽 | |
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21 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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22 humble | |
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低 | |
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23 longing | |
n.(for)渴望 | |
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24 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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25 attired | |
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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26 prospects | |
n.希望,前途(恒为复数) | |
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27 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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28 lodge | |
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆 | |
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29 eclat | |
n.显赫之成功,荣誉 | |
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30 honeymoon | |
n.蜜月(假期);vi.度蜜月 | |
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31 pretension | |
n.要求;自命,自称;自负 | |
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32 watchful | |
adj.注意的,警惕的 | |
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33 horrified | |
a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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34 exhortations | |
n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 );极力推荐;(正式的)演讲;(宗教仪式中的)劝诫 | |
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35 reluctance | |
n.厌恶,讨厌,勉强,不情愿 | |
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36 mischief | |
n.损害,伤害,危害;恶作剧,捣蛋,胡闹 | |
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37 confiding | |
adj.相信人的,易于相信的v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的现在分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等) | |
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38 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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39 plunge | |
v.跳入,(使)投入,(使)陷入;猛冲 | |
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40 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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41 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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42 resolute | |
adj.坚决的,果敢的 | |
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43 exertion | |
n.尽力,努力 | |
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44 interim | |
adj.暂时的,临时的;n.间歇,过渡期间 | |
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45 nuptials | |
n.婚礼;婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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46 haughty | |
adj.傲慢的,高傲的 | |
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47 withheld | |
withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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48 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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49 grimaces | |
n.(表蔑视、厌恶等)面部扭曲,鬼脸( grimace的名词复数 )v.扮鬼相,做鬼脸( grimace的第三人称单数 ) | |
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50 idol | |
n.偶像,红人,宠儿 | |
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51 opprobrious | |
adj.可耻的,辱骂的 | |
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52 epithets | |
n.(表示性质、特征等的)词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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53 perseverance | |
n.坚持不懈,不屈不挠 | |
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54 aged | |
adj.年老的,陈年的 | |
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55 calf | |
n.小牛,犊,幼仔,小牛皮 | |
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56 transits | |
通过(transit的复数形式) | |
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57 animated | |
adj.生气勃勃的,活跃的,愉快的 | |
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58 flirtation | |
n.调情,调戏,挑逗 | |
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59 indifference | |
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
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60 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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61 disdain | |
n.鄙视,轻视;v.轻视,鄙视,不屑 | |
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62 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
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63 eliciting | |
n. 诱发, 引出 动词elicit的现在分词形式 | |
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64 depicted | |
描绘,描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 ); 描述 | |
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65 unnatural | |
adj.不自然的;反常的 | |
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66 faculties | |
n.能力( faculty的名词复数 );全体教职员;技巧;院 | |
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67 perverts | |
n.性变态者( pervert的名词复数 )v.滥用( pervert的第三人称单数 );腐蚀;败坏;使堕落 | |
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68 gorged | |
v.(用食物把自己)塞饱,填饱( gorge的过去式和过去分词 );作呕 | |
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69 devour | |
v.吞没;贪婪地注视或谛听,贪读;使着迷 | |
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70 grudge | |
n.不满,怨恨,妒嫉;vt.勉强给,不情愿做 | |
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71 morsel | |
n.一口,一点点 | |
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72 dwellings | |
n.住处,处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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73 condescending | |
adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
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74 abodes | |
住所( abode的名词复数 ); 公寓; (在某地的)暂住; 逗留 | |
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75 skilfully | |
adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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76 bribed | |
v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 );向(某人)行贿,贿赂 | |
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77 fraught | |
adj.充满…的,伴有(危险等)的;忧虑的 | |
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78 pretext | |
n.借口,托词 | |
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79 presumption | |
n.推测,可能性,冒昧,放肆,[法律]推定 | |
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80 motives | |
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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81 dictated | |
v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 );口授;支配;摆布 | |
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82 memorable | |
adj.值得回忆的,难忘的,特别的,显著的 | |
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83 waylaid | |
v.拦截,拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84 imperative | |
n.命令,需要;规则;祈使语气;adj.强制的;紧急的 | |
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85 kindling | |
n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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86 placid | |
adj.安静的,平和的 | |
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87 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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88 perversions | |
n.歪曲( perversion的名词复数 );变坏;变态心理 | |
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89 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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90 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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91 excellence | |
n.优秀,杰出,(pl.)优点,美德 | |
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92 promotion | |
n.提升,晋级;促销,宣传 | |
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93 momentary | |
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的 | |
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94 frivolity | |
n.轻松的乐事,兴高采烈;轻浮的举止 | |
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95 folly | |
n.愚笨,愚蠢,蠢事,蠢行,傻话 | |
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96 harassed | |
adj. 疲倦的,厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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97 utterance | |
n.用言语表达,话语,言语 | |
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98 penetrating | |
adj.(声音)响亮的,尖锐的adj.(气味)刺激的adj.(思想)敏锐的,有洞察力的 | |
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99 soothing | |
adj.慰藉的;使人宽心的;镇静的 | |
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100 swollen | |
adj.肿大的,水涨的;v.使变大,肿胀 | |
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101 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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102 relics | |
[pl.]n.遗物,遗迹,遗产;遗体,尸骸 | |
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103 obliterated | |
v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 );涂去;擦掉;彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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104 specimen | |
n.样本,标本 | |
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105 fetters | |
n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 );束缚v.给…上脚镣,束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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106 anguish | |
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼 | |
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107 dreary | |
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的 | |
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108 desolate | |
adj.荒凉的,荒芜的;孤独的,凄凉的;v.使荒芜,使孤寂 | |
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109 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
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110 brutal | |
adj.残忍的,野蛮的,不讲理的 | |
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111 canine | |
adj.犬的,犬科的 | |
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112 boding | |
adj.凶兆的,先兆的n.凶兆,前兆,预感v.预示,预告,预言( bode的现在分词 );等待,停留( bide的过去分词 );居住;(过去式用bided)等待 | |
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113 despondent | |
adj.失望的,沮丧的,泄气的 | |
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114 calamity | |
n.灾害,祸患,不幸事件 | |
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115 gathering | |
n.集会,聚会,聚集 | |
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116 hearth | |
n.壁炉炉床,壁炉地面 | |
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