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儿童小说:蓝色城堡27
添加时间:2023-11-28 09:00:37 浏览次数: 作者:未知
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  • CHAPTER XXVII

    Cousin Georgiana came down the lane leading up to her little house. She lived half a mile out of Deerwood and she wanted to go in to Amelia’s and find out if Doss had come home yet. Cousin Georgiana was anxious to see Doss. She had something very important to tell her. Something, she was sure, Doss would be delighted to hear. Poor Doss! She had had rather a dull life of it. Cousin Georgiana owned to herself that she would not like to live under Amelia’s thumb. But that would be all changed now. Cousin Georgiana felt tremendously important. For the time being, she quite forgot to wonder which of them would go next.

    And here was Doss herself, coming along the road from Roaring Abel’s in such a queer green dress and hat. Talk about luck. Cousin Georgiana would have a chance to impart her wonderful secret right away, with nobody else about to interrupt. It was, you might say, a Providence1.

    Valancy, who had been living for four days on her enchanted2 island, had decided3 that she might as well go in to Deerwood and tell her relatives that she was married. Otherwise, finding that she had disappeared from Roaring Abel’s, they might get out a search warrant for her. Barney had offered to drive her in, but she had preferred to go alone. She smiled very radiantly at Cousin Georgiana, who, she remembered, as of some one known a long time ago, had really been not a bad little creature. Valancy was so happy that she could have smiled at anybody—even Uncle James. She was not averse4 to Cousin Georgiana’s company. Already, since the houses along the road were becoming numerous, she was conscious that curious eyes were looking at her from every window.

    “I suppose you’re going home, dear Doss?” said Cousin Georgiana as she shook hands—furtively eyeing Valancy’s dress and wondering if she had any petticoat on at all.

    “Sooner or later,” said Valancy cryptically5.

    “Then I’ll go along with you. I’ve been wanting to see you very especially, Doss dear. I’ve something quite wonderful to tell you.”

    “Yes?” said Valancy absently. What on earth was Cousin Georgiana looking so mysterious and important about? But did it matter? No. Nothing mattered but Barney and the Blue Castle up back in Mistawis.

    “Who do you suppose called to see me the other day?” asked Cousin Georgiana archly.

    Valancy couldn’t guess.

    “Edward Beck.” Cousin Georgiana lowered her voice almost to a whisper. “Edward Beck.”

    Why the italics? And was Cousin Georgiana blushing?

    “Who on earth is Edward Beck?” asked Valancy indifferently.

    Cousin Georgiana stared.

    “Surely you remember Edward Beck,” she said reproachfully. “He lives in that lovely house on the Port Lawrence road and he comes to our church—regularly. You must remember him.”

    “Oh, I think I do now,” said Valancy, with an effort of memory. “He’s that old man with a wen on his forehead and dozens of children, who always sits in the pew by the door, isn’t he?”

    “Not dozens of children, dear—oh, no, not dozens. Not even one dozen. Only nine. At least only nine that count. The rest are dead. He isn’t old—he’s only about forty-eight—the prime of life, Doss—and what does it matter about a wen?”

    “Nothing, of course,” agreed Valancy quite sincerely. It certainly did not matter to her whether Edward Beck had a wen or a dozen wens or no wen at all. But Valancy was getting vaguely6 suspicious. There was certainly an air of suppressed triumph about Cousin Georgiana. Could it be possible that Cousin Georgiana was thinking of marrying again? Marrying Edward Beck? Absurd. Cousin Georgiana was sixty-five if she were a day and her little anxious face was as closely covered with fine wrinkles as if she had been a hundred. But still——

    “My dear,” said Cousin Georgiana, “Edward Beck wants to marry you.”

    Valancy stared at Cousin Georgiana for a moment. Then she wanted to go off into a peal7 of laughter. But she only said:

    “Me?”

    “Yes, you. He fell in love with you at the funeral. And he came to consult me about it. I was such a friend of his first wife, you know. He is very much in earnest, Dossie. And it’s a wonderful chance for you. He’s very well off—and you know—you—you——”

    “Am not so young as I once was,” agreed Valancy. “‘To her that hath shall be given.’ Do you really think I would make a good stepmother, Cousin Georgiana?”

    “I’m sure you would. You were always so fond of children.”

    “But nine is such a family to start with,” objected Valancy gravely.

    “The two oldest are grown up and the third almost. That leaves only six that really count. And most of them are boys. So much easier to bring up than girls. There’s an excellent book—‘Health Care of the Growing Child’—Gladys has a copy, I think. It would be such a help to you. And there are books about morals. You’d manage nicely. Of course I told Mr. Beck that I thought you would—would——”

    “Jump at him,” supplied Valancy.

    “Oh, no, no, dear. I wouldn’t use such an indelicate expression. I told him I thought you would consider his proposal favourably8. And you will, won’t you, dearie?”

    “There’s only one obstacle,” said Valancy dreamily. “You see, I’m married already.”

    “Married!” Cousin Georgiana stopped stock-still and stared at Valancy. “Married!”

    “Yes. I was married to Barney Snaith last Tuesday evening in Port Lawrence.”

    There was a convenient gate-post hard by. Cousin Georgiana took firm hold of it.

    “Doss, dear—I’m an old woman—are you trying to make fun of me?”

    “Not at all. I’m only telling you the truth. For heaven’s sake, Cousin Georgiana,”—Valancy was alarmed by certain symptoms—“don’t go crying here on the public road!”

    Cousin Georgiana choked back the tears and gave a little moan of despair instead.

    “Oh, Doss, what have you done? What have you done?”

    “I’ve just been telling you. I’ve got married,” said Valancy, calmly and patiently.

    “To that—that—aw—that—Barney Snaith. Why, they say he’s had a dozen wives already.”

    “I’m the only one round at present,” said Valancy.

    “What will your poor mother say?” moaned Cousin Georgiana.

    “Come along with me and hear, if you want to know,” said Valancy. “I’m on my way to tell her now.”

    Cousin Georgiana let go the gate-post cautiously and found that she could stand alone. She meekly9 trotted10 on beside Valancy—who suddenly seemed quite a different person in her eyes. Cousin Georgiana had a tremendous respect for a married woman. But it was terrible to think of what the poor girl had done. So rash. So reckless. Of course Valancy must be stark11 mad. But she seemed so happy in her madness that Cousin Georgiana had a momentary12 conviction that it would be a pity if the clan13 tried to scold her back to sanity14. She had never seen that look in Valancy’s eyes before. But what would Amelia say? And Ben?

    “To marry a man you know nothing about,” thought Cousin Georgiana aloud.

    “I know more about him than I know of Edward Beck,” said Valancy.

    “Edward Beck goes to church,” said Cousin Georgiana. “Does Bar—does your husband?”

    “He has promised that he will go with me on fine Sundays,” said Valancy.

    When they turned in at the Stirling gate Valancy gave an exclamation15 of surprise.

    “Look at my rosebush! Why, it’s blooming!”

    It was. Covered with blossoms. Great, crimson16, velvety17 blossoms. Fragrant18. Glowing. Wonderful.

    “My cutting it to pieces must have done it good,” said Valancy, laughing. She gathered a handful of the blossoms—they would look well on the supper-table of the verandah at Mistawis—and went, still laughing, up the walk, conscious that Olive was standing19 on the steps, Olive, goddess-like in loveliness, looking down with a slight frown on her forehead. Olive, beautiful, insolent20. Her full form voluptuous21 in its swathings of rose silk and lace. Her golden-brown hair curling richly under her big, white-frilled hat. Her colour ripe and melting.

    “Beautiful,” thought Valancy coolly, “but”—as if she suddenly saw her cousin through new eyes—“without the slightest touch of distinction.”

    So Valancy had come home, thank goodness, thought Olive. But Valancy was not looking like a repentant22, returned prodigal23. This was the cause of Olive’s frown. She was looking triumphant—graceless! That outlandish dress—that queer hat—those hands full of blood-red roses. Yet there was something about both dress and hat, as Olive instantly felt, that was entirely24 lacking in her own attire25. This deepened the frown. She put out a condescending26 hand.

    “So you’re back, Doss? Very warm day, isn’t it? Did you walk in?”

    “Yes. Coming in?”

    “Oh, no. I’ve just been in. I’ve come often to comfort poor Aunty. She’s been so lonesome. I’m going to Mrs. Bartlett’s tea. I have to help pour. She’s giving it for her cousin from Toronto. Such a charming girl. You’d have loved meeting her, Doss. I think Mrs. Bartlett did send you a card. Perhaps you’ll drop in later on.”

    “No, I don’t think so,” said Valancy indifferently. “I’ll have to be home to get Barney’s supper. We’re going for a moonlit canoe ride around Mistawis tonight.”

    “Barney? Supper?” gasped27 Olive. “What do you mean, Valancy Stirling?”

    “Valancy Snaith, by the grace of God.”

    Valancy flaunted28 her wedding-ring in Olive’s stricken face. Then she nimbly stepped past her and into the house. Cousin Georgiana followed. She would not miss a moment of the great scene, even though Olive did look as if she were going to faint.

    Olive did not faint. She went stupidly down the street to Mrs. Bartlett’s. What did Doss mean? She couldn’t have—that ring—oh, what fresh scandal was that wretched girl bringing on her defenceless family now? She should have been—shut up—long ago.

    Valancy opened the sitting-room29 door and stepped unexpectedly right into a grim assemblage of Stirlings. They had not come together of malice30 prepense. Aunt Wellington and Cousin Gladys and Aunt Mildred and Cousin Sarah had just called in on their way home from a meeting of the missionary31 society. Uncle James had dropped in to give Amelia some information regarding a doubtful investment. Uncle Benjamin had called, apparently32, to tell them it was a hot day and ask them what was the difference between a bee and a donkey. Cousin Stickles had been tactless enough to know the answer—“one gets all the honey, the other all the whacks”—and Uncle Benjamin was in a bad humour. In all of their minds, unexpressed, was the idea of finding out if Valancy had yet come home, and, if not, what steps must be taken in the matter.

    Well, here was Valancy at last, a poised33, confident thing, not humble34 and deprecating as she should have been. And so oddly, improperly35 young-looking. She stood in the doorway and looked at them, Cousin Georgiana timorous36, expectant, behind her. Valancy was so happy she didn’t hate her people any more. She could even see a number of good qualities in them that she had never seen before. And she was sorry for them. Her pity made her quite gentle.

    “Well, Mother,” she said pleasantly.

    “So you’ve come home at last!” said Mrs. Frederick, getting out a handkerchief. She dared not be outraged37, but she did not mean to be cheated of her tears.

    “Well, not exactly,” said Valancy. She threw her bomb. “I thought I ought to drop in and tell you I was married. Last Tuesday night. To Barney Snaith.”

    Uncle Benjamin bounced up and sat down again.

    “God bless my soul!” he said dully. The rest seemed turned to stone. Except Cousin Gladys, who turned faint. Aunt Mildred and Uncle Wellington had to help her out to the kitchen.

    “She would have to keep up the Victorian traditions,” said Valancy, with a grin. She sat down, uninvited, on a chair. Cousin Stickles had begun to sob38.

    “Is there one day in your life that you haven’t cried?” asked Valancy curiously39.

    “Valancy,” said Uncle James, being the first to recover the power of utterance40, “did you mean what you said just now?”

    “I did.”

    “Do you mean to say that you have actually gone and married—married—that notorious Barney Snaith—that—that—criminal—that——”

    “I have.”

    “Then,” said Uncle James violently, “you are a shameless creature, lost to all sense of propriety41 and virtue42, and I wash my hands entirely of you. I do not want ever to see your face again.”

    “What have you left to say when I commit murder?” asked Valancy.

    Uncle Benjamin again appealed to God to bless his soul.

    “That drunken outlaw—that——”

    A dangerous spark appeared in Valancy’s eyes. They might say what they liked to and of her but they should not abuse Barney.

    “Say ‘damn’ and you’ll feel better,” she suggested.

    “I can express my feelings without blasphemy43. And I tell you have covered yourself with eternal disgrace and infamy44 by marrying that drunkard——”

    “You would be more endurable if you got drunk occasionally. Barney is not a drunkard.”

    “He was seen drunk in Port Lawrence—pickled to the gills,” said Uncle Benjamin.

    “If that is true—and I don’t believe it—he had a good reason for it. Now I suggest that you all stop looking tragic45 and accept the situation. I’m married—you can’t undo46 that. And I’m perfectly47 happy.”

    “I suppose we ought to be thankful he has really married her,” said Cousin Sarah, by way of trying to look on the bright side.

    “If he really has,” said Uncle James, who had just washed his hands of Valancy. “Who married you?”

    “Mr. Towers, of Port Lawrence.”

    “By a Free Methodist!” groaned48 Mrs. Frederick—as if to have been married by an imprisoned49 Methodist would have been a shade less disgraceful. It was the first thing she had said. Mrs. Frederick didn’t know what to say. The whole thing was too horrible—too nightmarish. She was sure she must wake up soon. After all their bright hopes at the funeral!

    “It makes me think of those what-d’ye-call-’ems,” said Uncle Benjamin helplessly. “Those yarns—you know—of fairies taking babies out of their cradles.”

    “Valancy could hardly be a changeling at twenty-nine,” said Aunt Wellington satirically.

    “She was the oddest-looking baby I ever saw, anyway,” averred50 Uncle Benjamin. “I said so at the time—you remember, Amelia? I said I had never seen such eyes in a human head.”

    “I’m glad I never had any children,” said Cousin Sarah. “If they don’t break your heart in one way they do it in another.”

    “Isn’t it better to have your heart broken than to have it wither51 up?” queried52 Valancy. “Before it could be broken it must have felt something splendid. That would be worth the pain.”

    “Dippy—clean dippy,” muttered Uncle Benjamin, with a vague, unsatisfactory feeling that somebody had said something like that before.

    “Valancy,” said Mrs. Frederick solemnly, “do you ever pray to be forgiven for disobeying your mother?”

    “I should pray to be forgiven for obeying you so long,” said Valancy stubbornly. “But I don’t pray about that at all. I just thank God every day for my happiness.”

    “I would rather,” said Mrs. Frederick, beginning to cry rather belatedly, “see you dead before me than listen to what you have told me today.”

    Valancy looked at her mother and aunts, and wondered if they could ever have known anything of the real meaning of love. She felt sorrier for them than ever. They were so very pitiable. And they never suspected it.

    “Barney Snaith is a scoundrel to have deluded53 you into marrying him,” said Uncle James violently.

    “Oh, I did the deluding54. I asked him to marry me,” said Valancy, with a wicked smile.

    “Have you no pride?” demanded Aunt Wellington.

    “Lots of it. I am proud that I have achieved a husband by my own unaided efforts. Cousin Georgiana here wanted to help me to Edward Beck.”

    “Edward Beck is worth twenty thousand dollars and has the finest house between here and Port Lawrence,” said Uncle Benjamin.

    “That sounds very fine,” said Valancy scornfully, “but it isn’t worth that“—she snapped her fingers—“compared to feeling Barney’s arms around me and his cheek against mine.”

    “Oh, Doss!” said Cousin Stickles. Cousin Sarah said, “Oh, Doss!” Aunt Wellington said, “Valancy, you need not be indecent.”

    “Why, it surely isn’t indecent to like to have your husband put his arm around you? I should think it would be indecent if you didn’t.”

    “Why expect decency55 from her?” inquired Uncle James sarcastically56. “She has cut herself off from decency forevermore. She has made her bed. Let her lie on it.”

    “Thanks,” said Valancy very gratefully. “How you would have enjoyed being Torquemada! Now, I must really be getting back. Mother, may I have those three woollen cushions I worked last winter?”

    “Take them—take everything!” said Mrs. Frederick.

    “Oh, I don’t want everything—or much. I don’t want my Blue Castle cluttered57. Just the cushions. I’ll call for them some day when we motor in.”

    Valancy rose and went to the door. There she turned. She was sorrier than ever for them all. They had no Blue Castle in the purple solitudes58 of Mistawis.

    “The trouble with you people is that you don’t laugh enough,” she said.

    “Doss, dear,” said Cousin Georgiana mournfully, “some day you will discover that blood is thicker than water.”

    “Of course it is. But who wants water to be thick?” parried Valancy. “We want water to be thin—sparkling—crystal-clear.”

    Cousin Stickles groaned.

    Valancy would not ask any of them to come and see her—she was afraid they would come out of curiosity. But she said:

    “Do you mind if I drop in and see you once in a while, Mother?”

    “My house will always be open to you,” said Mrs. Frederick, with a mournful dignity.

    “You should never recognise her again,” said Uncle James sternly, as the door closed behind Valancy.

    “I cannot quite forget that I am a mother,” said Mrs. Frederick. “My poor, unfortunate girl!”

    “I dare say the marriage isn’t legal,” said Uncle James comfortingly. “He has probably been married half a dozen times before. But I am through with her. I have done all I could, Amelia. I think you will admit that. Henceforth”—Uncle James was terribly solemn about it—“Valancy is to me as one dead.”

    “Mrs. Barney Snaith,” said Cousin Georgiana, as if trying it out to see how it would sound.

    “He has a score of aliases59, no doubt,” said Uncle Benjamin. “For my part, I believe the man is half Indian. I haven’t a doubt they’re living in a wigwam.”

    “If he has married her under the name of Snaith and it isn’t his real name wouldn’t that make the marriage null and void?” asked Cousin Stickles hopefully.

    Uncle James shook his head.

    “No, it is the man who marries, not the name.”

    “You know,” said Cousin Gladys, who had recovered and returned but was still shaky, “I had a distinct premonition of this at Herbert’s silver dinner. I remarked it at the time. When she was defending Snaith. You remember, of course. It came over me like a revelation. I spoke60 to David when I went home about it.”

    “What—what,” demanded Aunt Wellington of the universe, “has come over Valancy? Valancy!”

    The universe did not answer but Uncle James did.

    “Isn’t there something coming up of late about secondary personalities61 cropping out? I don’t hold with many of those new-fangled notions, but there may be something in this one. It would account for her incomprehensible conduct.”

    “Valancy is so fond of mushrooms,” sighed Cousin Georgiana. “I’m afraid she’ll get poisoned eating toadstools by mistake living up back in the woods.”

    “There are worse things than death,” said Uncle James, believing that it was the first time in the world that such a statement had been made.

    “Nothing can ever be the same again!” sobbed62 Cousin Stickles.

    Valancy, hurrying along the dusty road, back to cool Mistawis and her purple island, had forgotten all about them—just as she had forgotten that she might drop dead at any moment if she hurried.



    点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

    1 providence [ˈprɒvɪdəns] 8tdyh   第12级
    n.深谋远虑,天道,天意;远见;节约;上帝
    参考例句:
    • It is tempting Providence to go in that old boat. 乘那艘旧船前往是冒大险。
    • To act as you have done is to fly in the face of Providence. 照你的所作所为那样去行事,是违背上帝的意志的。
    2 enchanted [ɪn'tʃɑ:ntɪd] enchanted   第9级
    adj. 被施魔法的,陶醉的,入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词
    参考例句:
    • She was enchanted by the flowers you sent her. 她非常喜欢你送给她的花。
    • He was enchanted by the idea. 他为这个主意而欣喜若狂。
    3 decided [dɪˈsaɪdɪd] lvqzZd   第7级
    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。
    4 averse [əˈvɜ:s] 6u0zk   第10级
    adj.厌恶的;反对的,不乐意的
    参考例句:
    • I don't smoke cigarettes, but I'm not averse to the occasional cigar. 我不吸烟,但我不反对偶尔抽一支雪茄。
    • We are averse to such noisy surroundings. 我们不喜欢这么吵闹的环境。
    5 cryptically [] 135c537d91f3fd47de55c6a48dc5f657   第10级
    参考例句:
    • Less cryptically, he said the arms race was still on. 他又说,军备竞赛仍然在继续。 来自互联网
    • The amending of A-Key must be processed cryptically in OTA authentication. 在OTA鉴权中,A-Key的修改必须以保密的方式进行。 来自互联网
    6 vaguely [ˈveɪgli] BfuzOy   第9级
    adv.含糊地,暖昧地
    参考例句:
    • He had talked vaguely of going to work abroad. 他含糊其词地说了到国外工作的事。
    • He looked vaguely before him with unseeing eyes. 他迷迷糊糊的望着前面,对一切都视而不见。
    7 peal [pi:l] Hm0zVO   第12级
    n.钟声;v.鸣响
    参考例句:
    • The bells of the cathedral rang out their loud peal. 大教堂响起了响亮的钟声。
    • A sudden peal of thunder leaves no time to cover the ears. 迅雷不及掩耳。
    8 favourably ['feɪvərəblɪ] 14211723ae4152efc3f4ea3567793030   第8级
    adv. 善意地,赞成地 =favorably
    参考例句:
    • The play has been favourably commented by the audience. 本剧得到了观众的好评。
    • The open approach contrasts favourably with the exclusivity of some universities. 这种开放式的方法与一些大学的封闭排外形成了有利的对比。
    9 meekly [mi:klɪ] meekly   第9级
    adv.温顺地,逆来顺受地
    参考例句:
    • He stood aside meekly when the new policy was proposed. 当有人提出新政策时,他唯唯诺诺地站 来自《简明英汉词典》
    • He meekly accepted the rebuke. 他顺从地接受了批评。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    10 trotted [trɔtid] 6df8e0ef20c10ef975433b4a0456e6e1   第9级
    小跑,急走( trot的过去分词 ); 匆匆忙忙地走
    参考例句:
    • She trotted her pony around the field. 她骑着小马绕场慢跑。
    • Anne trotted obediently beside her mother. 安妮听话地跟在妈妈身边走。
    11 stark [stɑ:k] lGszd   第10级
    adj.荒凉的;严酷的;完全的;adv.完全地
    参考例句:
    • The young man is faced with a stark choice. 这位年轻人面临严峻的抉择。
    • He gave a stark denial to the rumor. 他对谣言加以完全的否认。
    12 momentary [ˈməʊməntri] hj3ya   第7级
    adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的
    参考例句:
    • We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you. 我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。
    • I caught a momentary glimpse of them. 我瞥了他们一眼。
    13 clan [klæn] Dq5zi   第8级
    n.氏族,部落,宗族,家族,宗派
    参考例句:
    • She ranks as my junior in the clan. 她的辈分比我小。
    • The Chinese Christians, therefore, practically excommunicate themselves from their own clan. 所以,中国的基督徒简直是被逐出了自己的家族了。
    14 sanity [ˈsænəti] sCwzH   第8级
    n.心智健全,神智正常,判断正确
    参考例句:
    • I doubt the sanity of such a plan. 我怀疑这个计划是否明智。
    • She managed to keep her sanity throughout the ordeal. 在那场磨难中她始终保持神志正常。
    15 exclamation [ˌekskləˈmeɪʃn] onBxZ   第8级
    n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词
    参考例句:
    • He could not restrain an exclamation of approval. 他禁不住喝一声采。
    • The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers. 作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号,以引起读者的注意。
    16 crimson [ˈkrɪmzn] AYwzH   第10级
    n./adj.深(绯)红色(的);vi.脸变绯红色
    参考例句:
    • She went crimson with embarrassment. 她羞得满脸通红。
    • Maple leaves have turned crimson. 枫叶已经红了。
    17 velvety [ˈvelvəti] 5783c9b64c2c5d03bc234867b2d33493   第7级
    adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的
    参考例句:
    • a velvety red wine 醇厚的红葡萄酒
    • Her skin was admired for its velvety softness. 她的皮肤如天鹅绒般柔软,令人赞叹。
    18 fragrant [ˈfreɪgrənt] z6Yym   第7级
    adj.芬香的,馥郁的,愉快的
    参考例句:
    • The Fragrant Hills are exceptionally beautiful in late autumn. 深秋的香山格外美丽。
    • The air was fragrant with lavender. 空气中弥漫薰衣草香。
    19 standing [ˈstændɪŋ] 2hCzgo   第8级
    n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
    参考例句:
    • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing. 地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
    • They're standing out against any change in the law. 他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
    20 insolent [ˈɪnsələnt] AbGzJ   第10级
    adj.傲慢的,无理的
    参考例句:
    • His insolent manner really got my blood up. 他那傲慢的态度把我的肺都气炸了。
    • It was insolent of them to demand special treatment. 他们要求给予特殊待遇,脸皮真厚。
    21 voluptuous [vəˈlʌptʃuəs] lLQzV   第11级
    adj.肉欲的,骄奢淫逸的
    参考例句:
    • The nobility led voluptuous lives. 贵族阶层过着骄奢淫逸的生活。
    • The dancer's movements were slow and voluptuous. 舞女的动作缓慢而富挑逗性。
    22 repentant [rɪˈpentənt] gsXyx   第8级
    adj.对…感到悔恨的
    参考例句:
    • He was repentant when he saw what he'd done.他看到自己的作为,心里悔恨。
    • I'll be meek under their coldness and repentant of my evil ways.我愿意乖乖地忍受她们的奚落,忏悔我过去的恶行。
    23 prodigal [ˈprɒdɪgl] qtsym   第9级
    adj.浪费的,挥霍的,放荡的
    参考例句:
    • He has been prodigal of the money left by his parents. 他已挥霍掉他父母留下的钱。
    • The country has been prodigal of its forests. 这个国家的森林正受过度的采伐。
    24 entirely [ɪnˈtaɪəli] entirely   第9级
    ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
    参考例句:
    • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
    • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
    25 attire [əˈtaɪə(r)] AN0zA   第10级
    vt.穿衣,装扮[同]array;n.衣着;盛装
    参考例句:
    • He had no intention of changing his mode of attire. 他无意改变着装方式。
    • Her attention was attracted by his peculiar attire. 他那奇特的服装引起了她的注意。
    26 condescending [ˌkɔndi'sendiŋ] avxzvU   第9级
    adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的
    参考例句:
    • He has a condescending attitude towards women. 他对女性总是居高临下。
    • He tends to adopt a condescending manner when talking to young women. 和年轻女子说话时,他喜欢摆出一副高高在上的姿态。
    27 gasped [ɡɑ:spt] e6af294d8a7477229d6749fa9e8f5b80   第7级
    v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 );喘息;倒抽气;很想要
    参考例句:
    • She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
    • People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
    28 flaunted [flɔ:ntid] 4a5df867c114d2d1b2f6dda6745e2e2e   第9级
    v.炫耀,夸耀( flaunt的过去式和过去分词 );有什么能耐就施展出来
    参考例句:
    • She flaunted the school rules by not wearing the proper uniform. 她不穿规定的校服,以示对校规的藐视。 来自互联网
    • Ember burning with reeds flaunted to the blue sky. 芦苇燃烧成灰烬,撒向蔚蓝的苍穹。 来自互联网
    29 sitting-room ['sɪtɪŋrʊm] sitting-room   第8级
    n.(BrE)客厅,起居室
    参考例句:
    • The sitting-room is clean. 起居室很清洁。
    • Each villa has a separate sitting-room. 每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。
    30 malice [ˈmælɪs] P8LzW   第9级
    n.恶意,怨恨,蓄意;[律]预谋
    参考例句:
    • I detected a suggestion of malice in his remarks. 我觉察出他说的话略带恶意。
    • There was a strong current of malice in many of his portraits. 他的许多肖像画中都透着一股强烈的怨恨。
    31 missionary [ˈmɪʃənri] ID8xX   第7级
    adj.教会的,传教(士)的;n.传教士
    参考例句:
    • She taught in a missionary school for a couple of years. 她在一所教会学校教了两年书。
    • I hope every member understands the value of missionary work. 我希望教友都了解传教工作的价值。
    32 apparently [əˈpærəntli] tMmyQ   第7级
    adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
    参考例句:
    • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space. 山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
    • He was apparently much surprised at the news. 他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
    33 poised [pɔizd] SlhzBU   第8级
    a.摆好姿势不动的
    参考例句:
    • The hawk poised in mid-air ready to swoop. 老鹰在半空中盘旋,准备俯冲。
    • Tina was tense, her hand poised over the telephone. 蒂娜心情紧张,手悬在电话机上。
    34 humble [ˈhʌmbl] ddjzU   第7级
    adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;vt.降低,贬低
    参考例句:
    • In my humble opinion, he will win the election. 依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
    • Defeat and failure make people humble. 挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
    35 improperly [im'prɔpəli] 1e83f257ea7e5892de2e5f2de8b00e7b   第8级
    不正确地,不适当地
    参考例句:
    • Of course it was acting improperly. 这样做就是不对嘛!
    • He is trying to improperly influence a witness. 他在试图误导证人。
    36 timorous [ˈtɪmərəs] gg6yb   第10级
    adj.胆怯的,胆小的
    参考例句:
    • She is as timorous as a rabbit. 她胆小得像只兔子。
    • The timorous rabbit ran away. 那只胆小的兔子跑开了。
    37 outraged ['autreidʒəd] VmHz8n   第7级
    a.震惊的,义愤填膺的
    参考例句:
    • Members of Parliament were outraged by the news of the assassination. 议会议员们被这暗杀的消息激怒了。
    • He was outraged by their behavior. 他们的行为使他感到愤慨。
    38 sob [sɒb] HwMwx   第7级
    n.空间轨道的轰炸机;呜咽,哭泣;vi.啜泣,呜咽;(风等)发出呜咽声;vt.哭诉,啜泣
    参考例句:
    • The child started to sob when he couldn't find his mother. 孩子因找不到他妈妈哭了起来。
    • The girl didn't answer, but continued to sob with her head on the table. 那个女孩不回答,也不抬起头来。她只顾趴在桌子上低声哭着。
    39 curiously ['kjʊərɪəslɪ] 3v0zIc   第9级
    adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地
    参考例句:
    • He looked curiously at the people. 他好奇地看着那些人。
    • He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold. 他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
    40 utterance [ˈʌtərəns] dKczL   第11级
    n.用言语表达,话语,言语
    参考例句:
    • This utterance of his was greeted with bursts of uproarious laughter. 他的讲话引起阵阵哄然大笑。
    • My voice cleaves to my throat, and sob chokes my utterance. 我的噪子哽咽,泣不成声。
    41 propriety [prəˈpraɪəti] oRjx4   第10级
    n.正当行为;正当;适当
    参考例句:
    • We hesitated at the propriety of the method. 我们对这种办法是否适用拿不定主意。
    • The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety. 这件机密的事处理得极为适当。
    42 virtue [ˈvɜ:tʃu:] BpqyH   第7级
    n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力
    参考例句:
    • He was considered to be a paragon of virtue. 他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
    • You need to decorate your mind with virtue. 你应该用德行美化心灵。
    43 blasphemy [ˈblæsfəmi] noyyW   第12级
    n.亵渎,渎神
    参考例句:
    • His writings were branded as obscene and a blasphemy against God. 他的著作被定为淫秽作品,是对上帝的亵渎。
    • You have just heard his blasphemy! 你刚刚听到他那番亵渎上帝的话了!
    44 infamy [ˈɪnfəmi] j71x2   第12级
    n.声名狼藉,出丑,恶行
    参考例句:
    • They may grant you power, honour and riches but afflict you with servitude, infamy and poverty. 他们可以给你权力、荣誉和财富,但却用奴役、耻辱和贫穷来折磨你。
    • Traitors are held in infamy. 叛徒为人所不齿。
    45 tragic [ˈtrædʒɪk] inaw2   第7级
    adj.悲剧的,悲剧性的,悲惨的
    参考例句:
    • The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic. 污染海滩后果可悲。
    • Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues. 查理是个注定不得善终的人。
    46 undo [ʌnˈdu:] Ok5wj   第7级
    vt.解开,松开;取消,撤销
    参考例句:
    • His pride will undo him some day. 他的傲慢总有一天会毁了他。
    • I managed secretly to undo a corner of the parcel. 我悄悄地设法解开了包裹的一角。
    47 perfectly [ˈpɜ:fɪktli] 8Mzxb   第8级
    adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
    参考例句:
    • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said. 证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
    • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board. 我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
    48 groaned [ɡrəund] 1a076da0ddbd778a674301b2b29dff71   第7级
    v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 );发牢骚;抱怨;受苦
    参考例句:
    • He groaned in anguish. 他痛苦地呻吟。
    • The cart groaned under the weight of the piano. 大车在钢琴的重压下嘎吱作响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    49 imprisoned [ɪmˈprɪzənd] bc7d0bcdd0951055b819cfd008ef0d8d   第8级
    下狱,监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 )
    参考例句:
    • He was imprisoned for two concurrent terms of 30 months and 18 months. 他被判处30个月和18个月的监禁,合并执行。
    • They were imprisoned for possession of drugs. 他们因拥有毒品而被监禁。
    50 averred ['əvɜ:d] 4a3546c562d3f5b618f0024b711ffe27   第10级
    v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 );证实;证明…属实;作为事实提出
    参考例句:
    • She averred that she had never seen the man before. 她斩钉截铁地说以前从未见过这个男人。
    • The prosecutor averred that the prisoner killed Lois. 检察官称被拘犯杀害洛伊丝属实。 来自互联网
    51 wither [ˈwɪðə(r)] dMVz1   第7级
    vt.使凋谢,使衰退,(用眼神气势等)使畏缩;vi.枯萎,衰退,消亡
    参考例句:
    • She grows as a flower does-she will wither without sun. 她象鲜花一样成长--没有太阳就会凋谢。
    • In autumn the leaves wither and fall off the trees. 秋天,树叶枯萎并从树上落下来。
    52 queried [ˈkwiərid] 5c2c5662d89da782d75e74125d6f6932   第8级
    v.质疑,对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 );询问
    参考例句:
    • She queried what he said. 她对他说的话表示怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    • \"What does he have to do?\" queried Chin dubiously. “他有什么心事?”琴向觉民问道,她的脸上现出疑惑不解的神情。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
    53 deluded [dɪˈlu:did] 7cff2ff368bbd8757f3c8daaf8eafd7f   第10级
    v.欺骗,哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 )
    参考例句:
    • Don't be deluded into thinking that we are out of danger yet. 不要误以为我们已脱离危险。
    • She deluded everyone into following her. 她骗得每个人都听信她的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    54 deluding [dɪˈlu:dɪŋ] 13747473c45c1f45fa86bfdf2bf05f51   第10级
    v.欺骗,哄骗( delude的现在分词 )
    参考例句:
    • They used Teresa's desolation as another proof that believers are deluding themselves. 他们用德肋撒嬷嬷的孤寂再一次论证信徒们是在蒙蔽自己。 来自互联网
    • There is, for instance, a self-deluding interpretation of the contemporary world situation. 比如说有一些对当代世界时局自我欺骗式的阐释。 来自互联网
    55 decency [ˈdi:snsi] Jxzxs   第9级
    n.体面,得体,合宜,正派,庄重
    参考例句:
    • His sense of decency and fair play made him refuse the offer. 他的正直感和公平竞争意识使他拒绝了这一提议。
    • Your behaviour is an affront to public decency. 你的行为有伤风化。
    56 sarcastically [sɑ:'kæstɪklɪ] sarcastically   第12级
    adv.挖苦地,讽刺地
    参考例句:
    • What a surprise! ' Caroline murmured sarcastically. “太神奇了!”卡罗琳轻声挖苦道。
    • Pierce mocked her and bowed sarcastically. 皮尔斯嘲笑她,讽刺地鞠了一躬。
    57 cluttered [ˈklʌtəd] da1cd877cda71c915cf088ac1b1d48d3   第9级
    v.杂物,零乱的东西零乱vt.( clutter的过去式和过去分词 );乱糟糟地堆满,把…弄得很乱;(以…) 塞满…
    参考例句:
    • The room is cluttered up with all kinds of things. 零七八碎的东西放满了一屋子。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
    • The desk is cluttered with books and papers. 桌上乱糟糟地堆满了书报。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
    58 solitudes [ˈsɔlitju:dz] 64fe2505fdaa2595d05909eb049cf65c   第7级
    n.独居( solitude的名词复数 );孤独;荒僻的地方;人迹罕至的地方
    参考例句:
    • Africa is going at last to give up the secret of its vast solitudes. 非洲无边无际的荒野的秘密就要被揭穿了。 来自辞典例句
    • The scientist has spent six months in the solitudes of the Antarctic. 这位科学家已经在人迹罕至的南极待了六个月了。 来自互联网
    59 aliases ['eɪlɪəsɪz] 9299da2529c98fccce0e32b476ba3266   第10级
    n.别名,化名( alias的名词复数 )
    参考例句:
    • Can you allow the user to enter aliases for the longer entries? 可以允许用户为过长的文字选择别名吗? 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
    • The criminal has several aliases. 该罪犯有数个化名。 来自辞典例句
    60 spoke [spəʊk] XryyC   第11级
    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
    参考例句:
    • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company. 他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
    • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre. 辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
    61 personalities [ˌpɜ:sə'nælɪtɪz] ylOzsg   第12级
    n. 诽谤,(对某人容貌、性格等所进行的)人身攻击; 人身攻击;人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 )
    参考例句:
    • There seemed to be a degree of personalities in her remarks. 她话里有些人身攻击的成分。
    • Personalities are not in good taste in general conversation. 在一般的谈话中诽谤他人是不高尚的。
    62 sobbed ['sɒbd] 4a153e2bbe39eef90bf6a4beb2dba759   第7级
    哭泣,啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 ); 哭诉,呜咽地说
    参考例句:
    • She sobbed out the story of her son's death. 她哭诉着她儿子的死。
    • She sobbed out the sad story of her son's death. 她哽咽着诉说她儿子死去的悲惨经过。

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