IT WAS A COOL MORNING as the sun broke through the mist, low in the sky. Emilie met me on the stone road outside the castle gate. You rise early, Hugh De Luc.

And you, lady. I'm sorry to have brought you out so early in the morn.

She smiled bravely. It is for a good purpose, I hope.

I hope so too, I said.

She had on her brown cloak, which she always wore for matins. She cinched the collar against the mist. I stood before her in my ridiculous jester's outfit². I did a sprightly³ hop¹ and a jump that made her laugh.

I hear it is you I have to thank for the new duds. I bowed.

What thanks? She curtsied. A jester could not do his work without looking the part. Besides, your other clothes reeked⁴ of a particular smelly beast.

I smiled, fixing on her soft green eyes. I feel the fool in front of you, my lady.

Not to me. You look quite dashing, if I say so.

The dashing jester... Not what is normally thought of as right.

Emilie's eyes glistened⁵. Did I not tell you, Hugh, that I have a penchant⁶ for not doing what is considered right?

You did tell me. I nodded.

We stood and stared at each other for a long while, the space empty of words. A rush of feelings rose in my chest. This beautiful girl had done so much for me. If not for her, I would have been dead, a bloody⁷ mound⁸ on the side of the road. I reached my hand out to hers. There was a spark between us, a warmth against the cool of the morning.

I let my hand linger, longer than I could have dreamed. She did not pull away. I owe you so much, Lady Emilie. I fear I owe you a debt I can never repay.

You owe me nothing, she said, her chin raised, but to be on your quest and to complete it safely.

I didn't know what else to say. For me there had only been Sophie. Each night I went to sleep with my mind dancing with a thousand images of our lives together, my hands aching to touch her skin once more. I loved my wife, and yet, this woman had done so much.And gotten nothing in return. I wanted to take her in my arms and let her know how I felt. The strongest surge

点击收听单词发音  

1 hop
n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过
参考例句：
The children had a competition to see who could hop the fastest.孩子们举行比赛，看谁单足跳跃最快。 How long can you hop on your right foot?你用右脚能跳多远？

2 outfit
n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装
参考例句：
Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。 His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。

3 sprightly
adj.愉快的，活泼的
参考例句：
She is as sprightly as a woman half her age.她跟比她年轻一半的妇女一样活泼。 He's surprisingly sprightly for an old man.他这把年纪了，还这么精神，真了不起。

4 reeked
v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的过去式和过去分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象）
参考例句：
His breath reeked of tobacco. 他满嘴烟臭味。 His breath reeked of tobacco. 他满嘴烟臭味。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 glistened
v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
Pearls of dew glistened on the grass. 草地上珠露晶莹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 Her eyes glistened with tears. 她的眼里闪着泪花。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 penchant
n.爱好，嗜好；（强烈的）倾向
参考例句：
She has a penchant for Indian food.她爱吃印度食物。 He had a penchant for playing jokes on people.他喜欢拿人开玩笑。

7 bloody
adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染
参考例句：
He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。 He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。

8 mound
n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫
参考例句：
The explorers climbed a mound to survey the land around them.勘探者爬上土丘去勘测周围的土地。 The mound can be used as our screen.这个土丘可做我们的掩蔽物。

9 swelled
增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情）
参考例句：
The infection swelled his hand. 由于感染，他的手肿了起来。 After the heavy rain the river swelled. 大雨过后，河水猛涨。

10 linen
n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的
参考例句：
The worker is starching the linen.这名工人正在给亚麻布上浆。 Fine linen and cotton fabrics were known as well as wool.精细的亚麻织品和棉织品像羊毛一样闻名遐迩。

11 cinders
n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道
参考例句：
This material is variously termed ash, clinker, cinders or slag. 这种材料有不同的名称，如灰、炉渣、煤渣或矿渣。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Rake out the cinders before you start a new fire. 在重新点火前先把煤渣耙出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 courageous
adj.勇敢的，有胆量的
参考例句：
We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。 He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。