Then with astounding¹ suddenness something happened that changed his plans and put an end to his burglaries.

Mr. Macy sent for him one afternoon and with a great show of jovial² mystery asked him if he had an engagement that night. If he hadn’t, would he please call on Mr. Alfred J. Fraser at eight o’clock. Dalyrimple’s wonder was mingled³ with uncertainty⁴. He debated with himself whether it were not his cue to take the first train out of town. But an hour’s consideration decided⁵ him that his fears were unfounded and at eight o’clock he arrived at the big Fraser house in Philmore Avenue.

Mr. Fraser was commonly supposed to be the biggest political influence in the city. His brother was Senator Fraser, his son- in-law was Congressman⁶ Demming, and his influence, though not wielded⁷ in such a way as to make him an objectionable boss, was strong nevertheless.

He had a great, huge face, deep-set eyes, and a barn-door of an upper lip, the melange⁸ approaching a worthy⁹ climax¹⁰ if a long professional jaw¹¹.

During his conversation with Dalyrimple his expression kept starting toward a smile, reached a cheerful optimism, and then receded¹² back to imperturbability

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1 astounding
adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词)
参考例句：
There was an astounding 20% increase in sales. 销售量惊人地增加了20%。 The Chairman's remarks were so astounding that the audience listened to him with bated breath. 主席说的话令人吃惊，所以听众都屏息听他说。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 jovial
adj.快乐的，好交际的
参考例句：
He seemed jovial,but his eyes avoided ours.他显得很高兴，但他的眼光却避开了我们的眼光。 Grandma was plump and jovial.祖母身材圆胖，整天乐呵呵的。

3 mingled
混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系]
参考例句：
The sounds of laughter and singing mingled in the evening air. 笑声和歌声交织在夜空中。 The man and the woman mingled as everyone started to relax. 当大家开始放松的时候，这一男一女就开始交往了。

4 uncertainty
n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物
参考例句：
Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。 After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

5 decided
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。 There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 Congressman
n.（美）国会议员
参考例句：
He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。 The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

7 wielded
手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响）
参考例句：
The bad eggs wielded power, while the good people were oppressed. 坏人当道，好人受气 He was nominally the leader, but others actually wielded the power. 名义上他是领导者，但实际上是别人掌握实权。

8 melange
n.混合物；大杂烩
参考例句：
Usa is a cultural melange.美国是个文化大熔炉。 That aong is a successful melange of music styles,from soul and rhythm and blues to rap.那首歌是从灵乐、节奏布鲁斯到说唱等各种音乐风格的成功组合。

9 worthy
adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的
参考例句：
I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。 There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

10 climax
n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点
参考例句：
The fifth scene was the climax of the play.第五场是全剧的高潮。 His quarrel with his father brought matters to a climax.他与他父亲的争吵使得事态发展到了顶点。

11 jaw
n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训
参考例句：
He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。 A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。

12 receded
v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题
参考例句：
The floodwaters have now receded. 洪水现已消退。 The sound of the truck receded into the distance. 卡车的声音渐渐在远处消失了。

13 imperturbability
n.冷静；沉着
参考例句：
The imperturbability of the mountains hung upon him like a suit of armor. 高山的宁静象一套盔甲似的罩在他的身上。 You must want imperturbability more than you want approval, control and security. 你必须想要不受侵扰的安宁大于想要赞同、控制和安全。

14 disparagingly
adv.以贬抑的口吻，以轻视的态度
参考例句：
These mythological figures are described disparagingly as belonging only to a story. 这些神话人物被轻蔑地描述为“仅在传说中出现”的人物。 来自互联网 In his memoirs he often speaks disparagingly about the private sector. 在他的回忆录里面他经常轻蔑的谈及私营（商业）部门。 来自互联网

15 tempted
v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）
参考例句：
I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。 I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。

16 ingenuous
adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的
参考例句：
Only the most ingenuous person would believe such a weak excuse!只有最天真的人才会相信这么一个站不住脚的借口！ With ingenuous sincerity,he captivated his audience.他以自己的率真迷住了观众。

17 frivolity
n.轻松的乐事，兴高采烈；轻浮的举止
参考例句：
It was just a piece of harmless frivolity. 这仅是无恶意的愚蠢行为。 Hedonism and frivolity will diffuse hell tnrough all our days. 享乐主义和轻薄浮佻会将地狱扩展到我们的整个日子之中。 来自辞典例句

18 resuscitator
n.使苏醒或复活的人；复苏器
参考例句：
Oxygen tubing can be connected to the nebulizer, oxygen mask and resuscitator to deliver supplemental oxygen. 氧气管用于连接喷雾罐，氧气面罩，复苏器供应氧气。 来自互联网 Objective To investigate the training effectiveness of the new-style medical equipment, namely HER (heart-lung resuscitator). 目的：探讨新型医疗装备心肺复苏担架培训的效果。 来自互联网

19 herald
vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎
参考例句：
In England, the cuckoo is the herald of spring.在英国杜鹃鸟是报春的使者。 Dawn is the herald of day.曙光是白昼的先驱。

20 frankly
adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说
参考例句：
To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。 Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

21 remorse
n.痛恨，悔恨，自责
参考例句：
She had no remorse about what she had said.她对所说的话不后悔。 He has shown no remorse for his actions.他对自己的行为没有任何悔恨之意。

22 clinched
v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议）
参考例句：
The two businessmen clinched the deal quickly. 两位生意人很快达成了协议。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Evidently this information clinched the matter. 显然，这一消息使问题得以最终解决。 来自辞典例句

23 appreciation
n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨
参考例句：
I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。 I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

24 realization
n.实现；认识到，深刻了解
参考例句：
We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。 He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。

25 gathering
n.集会，聚会，聚集
参考例句：
He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。 He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。