ONE winter the Alcazar Opera Company of New Orleans made a speculative1 trip along the Mexican, Central American and South American coasts. The venture proved a most successful one. The music- loving, impressionable Spanish-Americans deluged2 the company with dollars and "vivas." The manager waxed plump and amiable3. But for the prohibitive climate he would have put forth4 the distinctive5 flower of his prosperity -- the overcoat of fur, braided, frogged and opulent. Almost was he persuaded to raise the salaries of his company. But with a mighty6 effort he conquered the impulse toward such an unprofitable effervescence of joy.
At Macuto, on the coast of Venezuela, the company scored its greatest success. Imagine Coney Island translated into Spanish and you will comprehend Macuto. The fashionable season is from November to March. Down from La Guayra and Caracas and Valencia and other interior towns flock the people for their holiday sea- son. There are bathing and fiestas and bull fights and scandal. And then the people have a passion for music that the bands in the plaza7 and on the sea beach stir but do not satisfy. The coming of the Alcazar Opera Com- pany aroused the utmost ardour and zeal8 among the pleasure seekers.
The illustrious Guzman Blanco, President and Dic- tator of Venezuela, sojourned in Macuto with his court for the season. That potent9 ruler -- who himself paid a subsidy10 of 40,000 pesos each year to grand opera in Caracas -- ordered one of the Government warehouses12 to be cleared for a temporary theatre. A stage was quickly constructed and rough wooden benches made for the audience. Private boxes were added for the use of the President and the notables of the army and Government.
The company remained in Macuto for two weeks. Each performance filled the house as closely as it could be packed. Then the music-mad people fought for room in the open doors and windows, and crowded about, hundreds deep, on the outside. Those audiences formed a brilliantly diversified13 patch of colour. The hue14 of their faces ranged from the clear olive of the pure-blood Span- iards down through the yellow and brown shades of the Mestizos to the coal-black Carib and the Jamaica Negro. Scattered15 among them were little groups of Indians with faces like stone idols16, wrapped in gaudy17 fibre-woven blankets -- Indians down from the mountain states of Zamora and Los Andes and Miranda to trade their gold dust in the coast towns.
The spell cast upon these denizens18 of the interior fastnesses was remarkable19. They sat in petrified20 ecstasy21, conspicuous22 among the excitable Macutians, who wildly strove with tongue and hand to give evidence of their delight. Only once did the sombre rapture23 of these aboriginals24 find expression. During the rendition of "Faust," Guzman Blanco, extravagantly25 pleased by the "Jewel Song," cast upon the stage a purse of gold pieces. Other distinguished26 citizens followed his lead to the extent of whatever loose coin they had convenient, while some of the fair and fashionable se?oras were moved, in imita- tion, to fling a jewel or a ring or two at the feet of the Marguerite -- who was, according to the bills, Mlle. Nina Giraud. Then, from different parts of the house rose sundry27 of the stolid28 hillmen and cast upon the stage little brown and dun bags that fell with soft "thumps29" and did not rebound30. It was, no doubt, pleasure at the tribute to her art that caused Mlle. Giraud's eyes to shine so brightly when she opened these little deerskin bags in her dressing31 room and found them to contain pure gold dust. If so, the pleasure was rightly hers, for her voice in song, pure, strong and thrilling with the feeling of the emotional artist, deserved the tribute that it earned.
But the triumph of the Alcazar Opera Company is not the theme -- it but leans upon and colours it. There happened in Macuto a tragic32 thing, an unsolvable mystery, that sobered for a time the gaiety of the happy season.
One evening between the short twilight33 and the time when she should have whirled upon the stage in the red and black of the ardent34 Carmen, Mlle. Nina Giraud dis- appeared from the sight and ken35 of 6,000 pairs of eyes and as many minds in Macuto. There was the usual turmoil36 and hurrying to seek her. Messengers flew to the little French-kept hotel where she stayed; others of the company hastened here or there where she might be lingering in some tienda or unduly37 prolonging her bath upon the beach. All search was fruitless. Mademoi- selle had vanished.
Half an hour passed and she did not appear. The dictator, unused to the caprices of prime donne, became impatient. He sent an aide from his box to say to the manager that if the curtain did not at once rise he would immediately hale the entire company to the calabosa, though it would desolate38 his heart, indeed, to be com- pelled to such an act. Birds in Macuto could be made to sing.
The manager abandoned hope for the time of Mlle. Giraud. A member of the chorus, who had dreamed hopelessly for years of the blessed opportunity, quickly Carmenized herself and the opera went on.
Afterward39, when the lost cantatrice appeared not, the aid of the authorities was invoked40. The President at once set the army, the police and all citizens to the search. Not one clue to Mlle. Giraud's disappearance41 was found. The Alcazar left to fill engagements farther down the coast.
On the way back the steamer stopped at Macuto and the manager made anxious inquiry42. Not a trace of the lady had been discovered. The Alcazar could do no more. The personal belongings43 of the missing lady were stored in the hotel against her possible later reappearance and the opera company continued upon its homeward voyage to New Orleans.
On the camino real along the beach the two saddle mules44 and the four pack mules of Don Se?or Johnny Armstrong stood, patiently awaiting the crack of the whip of the arriero, Luis. That would be the signal for the start on another long journey into the mountains. The pack mules were loaded with a varied46 assortment47 of hard- ware11 and cutlery. These articles Don Johnny traded to the interior Indians for the gold dust that they washed from the Andean streams and stored in quills48 and bags against his coming. It was a profitable business, and Se?or Armstrong expected soon to be able to purchase the coffee plantation49 that he coveted50.
Armstrong stood on the narrow sidewalk, exchanging garbled52 Spanish with old Peralto, the rich native merchant who had just charged him four prices for half a gross of pot-metal hatchets53, and abridged54 English with Rucker, the little German who was Consul55 for the United States.
"Take with you, se?or," said Peralto, "the blessings56 of the saints upon your journey."
"Better try quinine," growled57 Rucker through his pipe. "Take two grains every night. And don't make your trip too long, Johnny, because we haf needs of you. It is ein villainous game dot Melville play of whist, and dere is no oder substitute. Auf wiedersehen, und keep your eyes dot mule45's ears between when you on der edge of der brecipices ride."
The bells of Luis's mule jingled58 and the pack train filed after the warning note. Armstrong, waved a good- bye and took his place at the tail of the procession. Up the narrow street they turned, and passed the two-story wooden Hotel Ingles, where Ives and Dawson and Rich- ards and the rest of the chaps were dawdling59 on the broad piazza60, reading week-old newspapers. They crowded to the railing and shouted many friendly and wise and foolish farewells after him. Across the plaza they trotted61 slowly past the bronze statue of Guzman Blanco, within its fence of bayoneted rifles captured from revolutionists, and out of the town between the rows of thatched huts swarming62 with the unclothed youth of Macuto. They plunged63 into the damp coolness of banana groves64 at length to emerge upon a bright stream, where brown women in scant65 raiment laundered66 clothes destructively upon the rocks. Then the pack train, fording the stream, attacked the sudden ascent67, and bade adieu to such civilization as the coast afforded.
For weeks Armstrong, guided by Luis, followed his regular route among the mountains. After he had col- lected an arroba of the precious metal, winning a profit of nearly $5,000, the heads of the lightened mules were turned down-trail again. Where the head of the Guarico River springs from a great gash68 in the mountain-side, Luis halted the train.
"Half a day's journey from here, Se?or," said he, "is the village of Tacuzama, which we have never visited. I think many ounces of gold may be procured69 there. It is worth the trial."
Armstrong concurred70, and they turned again upward toward Tacuzama. The trail was abrupt71 and precipi- tous mounting through a dense72 forest. As night fell, dark and gloomy, Luis once more halted. Before them was a black chasm73, bisecting the path as far as they could see.
Luis dismounted. "There should be a bridge," he called, and ran along the cleft74 a distance. "It is here," he cried, and remounting, led the way. In a few moments Armstrong, heard a sound as though a thunderous drum were beating somewhere in the dark. It was the falling of the mules' hoofs75 upon the bridge made of strong hides lashed76 to poles and stretched across the chasm. Half a mile further was Tacuzama. The village was a congre- gation of rock and mud huts set in the profundity77 of an obscure wood. As they rode in a sound inconsistent with that brooding solitude78 met their ears. From a long, low mud hut that they were nearing rose the glorious voice of a woman in song. The words were English, the air familiar to Armstrong's memory, but not to his musical knowledge.
He slipped from his mule and stole to a narrow window in one end of the house. Peering cautiously inside, he saw, within three feet of him, a woman of marvellous, imposing79 beauty, clothed in a splendid loose robe of leopard80 skins. The hut was packed close to the small space in which she stood with the squatting81 figures of Indians.
The woman finished her song and seated herself close to the little window, as if grateful for the unpolluted air that entered it. When she had ceased several of the audience rose and cast little softly-falling bags at her feet. A harsh murmur82 -- no doubt a barbarous kind of applause and comment -- went through the grim assembly.
Armstrong, was used to seizing opportunities promptly83. Taking advantage of the noise he called to the woman in a low but distinct voice: "Do not turn your head this way, but listen. I am an American. If you need assistance tell me how I can render it. Answer as briefly84 as you can."
The woman was worthy85 of his boldness. Only by a sudden flush of her pale cheek did she acknowledge understanding of his words. Then she spoke86, scarcely moving her lips.
"I am held a prisoner by these Indians. God knows I need help. In two hours come to the little hut twenty yards toward the Mountainside. There will be a light and a red curtain in the window. There is always a guard at the door, whom you will have to overcome. For the love of heaven, do not fail to come."
The story seems to shrink from adventure and rescue and mystery. The theme is one too gentle for those brave and quickening tones. And yet it reaches as far back as time itself. It has been named "environment," which is as weak a word as any to express the unnameable kinship of man to nature, that queer fraternity that causes stones and trees and salt water and clouds to play upon our emotions. Why are we made serious and solemn and sublime87 by mountain heights, grave and contempla- tive by an abundance of overhanging trees, reduced to inconstancy and monkey capers88 by the ripples89 on a sandy beach? Did the protoplasm -- but enough. The chem- ists are looking into the matter, and before long they will have all life in the table of the symbols.
Briefly, then, in order to confine the story within scientific bounds, John Armstrong, went to the hut, choked the Indian guard and carried away Mlle. Giraud. With her was also conveyed a number of pounds of gold dust she had collected during her six months' forced engage- ment in Tacuzama. The Carabobo Indians are easily the most enthusiastic lovers of music between the equator and the French Opera House in New Orleans. They are also strong believers that the advice of Emerson was good when he said: "The thing thou wantest, 0 discon- tented man -- take it, and pay the price." A number of them had attended the performance of the Alcazar Opera Company in Macuto, and found Mlle. Giraud's style and technique satisfactory. They wanted her, so they took her one evening suddenly and without any fuss. They treated her with much consideration, exacting90 only one song recital91 each day. She was quite pleased at being rescued by Mr. Armstrong. So much for mystery and adventure. Now to resume the theory of the proto- plasm.
John Armstrong and Mlle. Giraud rode among the Andean peaks, enveloped92 in their greatness and sublimity93. The mightiest94 cousins, furthest removed, in nature's great family become conscious of the tie. Among those huge piles of primordial95 upheaval96, amid those gigantic silences and elongated97 fields of distance the littlenesses of men are precipitated98 as one chemical throws down a sediment99 from another. They moved reverently100, as in a temple. Their souls were uplifted in unison102 with the stately heights. They travelled in a zone of majesty103 and peace.
To Armstrong the woman seemed almost a holy thing. Yet bathed in the white, still dignity of her martyrdom that purified her earthly beauty and gave out, it seemed, an aura of transcendent loveliness, in those first hours of companionship she drew from him an adoration104 that was half human love, half the worship of a descended105 goddess.
Never yet since her rescue had she smiled. Over her dress she still wore the robe of leopard skins, for mountain air was cold. She looked to be some splendid princess belonging to those wild and awesome106 altitudes. The spirit of the region chimed with hers. Her eyes were always turned upon the sombre cliffs, the blue gorges107 and the snow-clad turrets108, looking a sublime melancholy109 equal to their own. At times on the journey she sang thrilling te deums and misereres that struck the true note of the hills, and made their route seem like a solemn march down a cathedral aisle110. The rescued one spoke but seldom, her mood partaking of the hush111 of nature that surrounded them. Armstrong looked upon her as an angel. He could not bring himself to the sacrilege of attempting to woo her as other women may be wooed.
On the third day they had descended as far as the tierra templada, the zona of the table lands and foot hills. The mountains were receding112 in their rear, but still towered, exhibiting yet impressively their formidable heads. Here they met signs of man. They saw the white houses of coffee plantations113 gleam across the clear- ings. They struck into a road where they met travellers and pack-mules. Cattle were grazing on the slopes. They passed a little village where the round-eyed ni?os shrieked114 and called at sight of them.
Mlle. Giraud laid aside her leopard-skin robe. It seemed to be a trifle incongruous now. In the moun- tains it had appeared fitting and natural. And if Arm- strong was not mistaken she laid aside with it something of the high dignity of her demeanour. As the country became more populous115 and significant of comfortable life he saw, with a feeling of joy, that the exalted116 princess and priestess of the Andean peaks was changing to a woman -- an earth woman but no less enticing117. A little colour crept to the surface of her marble cheek. She arranged the conventional dress that the removal of the robe now disclosed with the solicitous118 touch of one who is conscious of the eyes of others. She smoothed the careless sweep of her hair. A mundane119 interest, long latent in the chilling atmosphere of the ascetic120 peaks, showed in her eyes.
This thaw121 in his divinity sent Armstrong's heart going faster. So might an Arctic explorer thrill at his first ken of green fields and liquescent waters. They were on a lower plane of earth and life and were succumbing122 to its peculiar123, subtle influence. The austerity of the hills no longer thinned the air they breathed. About them was the breath of fruit and corn and builded homes, the comfortable smell of smoke and warm earth and the consolations124 man has placed between himself and the dust of his brother earth from which he sprung. While traversing those awful mountains, Mile. Giraud had seemed to be wrapped in their spirit of reverent101 reserve. Was this that same woman -- now palpitating, warm, eager, throbbing125 with conscious life and charm, feminine to her finger-tips? Pondering over this, Armstrong felt certain misgivings126 intrude127 upon his thoughts. He wished he could stop there with this changing creature, descending128 no farther. Here was the elevation129 and environment to which her nature seemed to respond with its best. He feared to go down upon the man-dominated levels. Would her spirit -not yield still further in that artificial zone to which they were descending?
Now from a little plateau they saw the sea flash at the edge of the green lowlands. Mile. Giraud gave a little, catching130 sigh.
"Oh! look, Mr. Armstrong, there is the sea! Isn't it lovely? I'm so tired of mountains." She heaved a pretty shoulder in a gesture of repugnance131. "Those horrid132 Indians! Just think of what I suffered! Although I suppose I attained133 my ambition of becoming a stellar attraction, I wouldn't care to repeat the engagement. It was very nice of you to bring me away. Tell me, Mr. Armstrong -- honestly, now -- do I look such an awful, awful fright? I haven't looked into a mirror, you know, for months."
Armstrong made answer according to his changed moods. Also he laid his hand upon hers as it rested upon the horn of her saddle. Luis was at the head of the pack train and could not see. She allowed it to remain there, and her eyes smiled frankly134 into his.
Then at sundown they dropped upon the coast level under the palms and lemons among the vivid greens and searlets and ochres of the tierra caliente. They rode into Macuto, and saw the line of volatile135 bathers frolick- ing in the surf. The mountains were very far away.
Mlle. Giraud's eyes were shining with a joy that could not have existed under the chaperonage of the mountain- tops. There were other spirits calling to her -- nymphs of the orange groves, pixies from the chattering136 surf, imps137, born of the music, the perfumes, colours and the insinuating138 presence of humanity. She laughed aloud, musically, at a sudden thought.
"Won't there be a sensation?" she called to Armstrong. "Don't I wish I had an engagement just now, though! What a picnic the press agent would have! 'Held a prisoner by a band of savage139 Indians subdued140 by the spell of her wonderful voice' -- wouldn't that make great stuff? But I guess I quit the game winner, anyhow -- there ought to be a couple of thousand dollars in that sack of gold dust I collected as encores, don't you think?"
He left her at the door of the little Hotel de Buen Descansar, where she had stopped before. Two hours later he returned to the hotel. He glanced in at the open door of the little combined reception room and cafe.
Half a dozen of Macuto's representative social and official caballeros were distributed about the room. Sefior Villablanca, the wealthy rubber concessionist, reposed141 his fat figure on two chairs, with an emollient142 smile beaming upon his chocolate-coloured face. Guil- bert, the French mining engineer, leered through his polished nose-glasses. Colonel Mendez, of the regular army, in gold-laced uniform and fatuous143 grin, was busily extracting corks144 from champagne145 bottles. Other pat- terns of Macutian gallantry and fashion pranced146 and posed. The air was hazy147 with cigarette smoke. Wine dripped upon the floor.
Perched upon a table in the centre of the room in an attitude of easy preeminence148 was Mlle. Giraud. A chic149 costume of white lawn and cherry ribbons supplanted150 her travelling garb51. There was a suggestion of lace, and a frill or two, with a discreet151, small implication of hand- embroidered152 pink hosiery. Upon her lap rested a guitar. In her face was the light of resurrection, the peace of elysium attained through fire and suffering. She was singing to a lively accompaniment a little song:
"When you see de big round moon
Comin' up like a balloon,
Dis nigger skips fur to kiss de lips
Ob his stylish153, black-faced coon."
The singer caught sight of Armstrong.
"Hi! there, Johnny," she called; "I've been expecting you for an hour. What kept you? Gee154! but these smoked guys are the slowest you ever saw. They ain't on, at all. Come along in, and I'll make this coffee- coloured old sport with the gold epaulettes open one for you right off the ice."
"Thank you," said Armstrong; "not just now, I believe. I've several things to attend to."
He walked out and down the street, and met Rucker coming up from the Consulate155.
"Play you a game of billiards," said Armstrong. "I want something to take the taste of the sea level out of my mouth."
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speculative
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| adj.思索性的，暝想性的，推理的 | |
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deluged
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| v.使淹没( deluge的过去式和过去分词 )；淹没；被洪水般涌来的事物所淹没；穷于应付 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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plaza
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| n.广场，市场 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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subsidy
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| n.补助金，津贴 | |
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ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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diversified
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| adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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rapture
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aboriginals
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| （某国的）公民( aboriginal的名词复数 )； 土著人特征； 土生动物（或植物） | |
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extravagantly
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distinguished
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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thumps
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| n.猪肺病；砰的重击声( thump的名词复数 )v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的第三人称单数 ) | |
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rebound
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| v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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quills
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| n.（刺猬或豪猪的）刺( quill的名词复数 )；羽毛管；翮；纡管 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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50
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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51
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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52
garbled
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| adj.（指信息）混乱的，引起误解的v.对（事实）歪曲，对（文章等）断章取义，窜改( garble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
hatchets
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| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
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54
abridged
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| 削减的，删节的 | |
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55
consul
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| n.领事；执政官 | |
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56
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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57
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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58
jingled
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| 喝醉的 | |
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59
dawdling
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| adj.闲逛的，懒散的v.混（时间）( dawdle的现在分词 ) | |
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60
piazza
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| n.广场；走廊 | |
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61
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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62
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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63
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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64
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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65
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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66
laundered
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| v.洗（衣服等），洗烫（衣服等）( launder的过去式和过去分词 )；洗（黑钱）（把非法收入改头换面，变为貌似合法的收入） | |
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67
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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68
gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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69
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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70
concurred
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| 同意（concur的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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71
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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72
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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73
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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74
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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75
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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76
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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77
profundity
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| n.渊博；深奥，深刻 | |
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78
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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79
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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80
leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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81
squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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82
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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83
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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84
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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85
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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86
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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87
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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88
capers
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| n.开玩笑( caper的名词复数 )；刺山柑v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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89
ripples
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| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
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90
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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91
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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92
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
sublimity
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| 崇高，庄严，气质高尚 | |
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94
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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95
primordial
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| adj.原始的；最初的 | |
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96
upheaval
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| n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱 | |
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97
elongated
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| v.延长，加长( elongate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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99
sediment
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| n.沉淀，沉渣，沉积(物) | |
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100
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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101
reverent
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| adj.恭敬的，虔诚的 | |
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102
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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103
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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104
adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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105
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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106
awesome
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| adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的 | |
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107
gorges
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| n.山峡，峡谷( gorge的名词复数 )；咽喉v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的第三人称单数 )；作呕 | |
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108
turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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109
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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110
aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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111
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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112
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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113
plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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114
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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115
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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116
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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117
enticing
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| adj.迷人的；诱人的 | |
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118
solicitous
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| adj.热切的，挂念的 | |
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119
mundane
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| adj.平凡的；尘世的；宇宙的 | |
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120
ascetic
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| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
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121
thaw
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| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
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122
succumbing
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的现在分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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123
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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124
consolations
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| n.安慰，慰问( consolation的名词复数 )；起安慰作用的人（或事物） | |
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125
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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126
misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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127
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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128
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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129
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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130
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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131
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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132
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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133
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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134
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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135
volatile
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| adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质 | |
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136
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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137
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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138
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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139
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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140
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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141
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
emollient
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| n.镇痛剂；缓和药；adj.使柔软的；安慰性的，起镇静作用的 | |
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143
fatuous
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| adj.愚昧的；昏庸的 | |
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144
corks
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| n.脐梅衣；软木( cork的名词复数 )；软木塞 | |
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145
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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146
pranced
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
hazy
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| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
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148
preeminence
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| n.卓越,杰出 | |
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149
chic
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| n./adj.别致(的)，时髦(的)，讲究的 | |
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150
supplanted
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| 把…排挤掉，取代( supplant的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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151
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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152
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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153
stylish
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| adj.流行的，时髦的；漂亮的，气派的 | |
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154
gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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155
consulate
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| n.领事馆 | |
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