CHAPTER XVII
That Friday made the last of our fine days for a month. In the evening the weather broke: the wind shifted from south to north-east, and brought rain first, and then sleet1 and snow. On the morrow one could hardly imagine that there had been three weeks of summer: the primroses2 and crocuses were hidden under wintry drifts; the larks3 were silent, the young leaves of the early trees smitten4 and blackened. And dreary5, and chill, and dismal6, that morrow did creep over! My master kept his room; I took possession of the lonely parlour, converting it into a nursery: and there I was, sitting with the moaning doll of a child laid on my knee; rocking it to and fro, and watching, meanwhile, the still driving flakes8 build up the uncurtained window, when the door opened, and some person entered, out of breath and laughing! My anger was greater than my astonishment9 for a minute. I supposed it one of the maids, and I cried—“Have done! How dare you show your giddiness here? What would Mr. Linton say if he heard you?”
“Excuse me!” answered a familiar voice; “but I know Edgar is in bed, and I cannot stop myself.”
With that the speaker came forward to the fire, panting and holding her hand to her side.
“I have run the whole way from Wuthering Heights!” she continued, after a pause; “except where I’ve flown. I couldn’t count the number of falls I’ve had. Oh, I’m aching all over! Don’t be alarmed! There shall be an explanation as soon as I can give it; only just have the goodness to step out and order the carriage to take me on to Gimmerton, and tell a servant to seek up a few clothes in my wardrobe.”
The intruder was Mrs. Heathcliff. She certainly seemed in no laughing predicament: her hair streamed on her shoulders, dripping with snow and water; she was dressed in the girlish dress she commonly wore, befitting her age more than her position: a low frock10 with short sleeves, and nothing on either head or neck. The frock was of light silk, and clung to her with wet, and her feet were protected merely by thin slippers11; add to this a deep cut under one ear, which only the cold prevented from bleeding profusely12, a white face scratched and bruised13, and a frame hardly able to support itself through fatigue14; and you may fancy my first fright was not much allayed15 when I had had leisure to examine her.
“My dear young lady,” I exclaimed, “I’ll stir nowhere, and hear nothing, till you have removed every article of your clothes, and put on dry things; and certainly you shall not go to Gimmerton to-night, so it is needless to order the carriage.”
“Certainly I shall,” she said; “walking or riding: yet I’ve no objection to dress myself decently. And—ah, see how it flows down my neck now! The fire does make it smart.”
She insisted on my fulfilling her directions, before she would let me touch her; and not till after the coachman had been instructed to get ready, and a maid set to pack up some necessary attire16, did I obtain her consent for binding18 the wound and helping19 to change her garments.
“Now, Ellen,” she said, when my task was finished and she was seated in an easy-chair on the hearth20, with a cup of tea before her, “you sit down opposite me, and put poor Catherine’s baby away: I don’t like to see it! You mustn’t think I care little for Catherine, because I behaved so foolishly on entering: I’ve cried, too, bitterly—yes, more than any one else has reason to cry. We parted unreconciled, you remember, and I sha’n’t forgive myself. But, for all that, I was not going to sympathise with him—the brute21 beast! Oh, give me the poker22! This is the last thing of his I have about me:” she slipped the gold ring from her third finger, and threw it on the floor. “I’ll smash it!” she continued, striking it with childish spite, “and then I’ll burn it!” and she took and dropped the misused23 article among the coals. “There! he shall buy another, if he gets me back again. He’d be capable of coming to seek me, to tease Edgar. I dare not stay, lest that notion should possess his wicked head! And besides, Edgar has not been kind, has he? And I won’t come suing for his assistance; nor will I bring him into more trouble. Necessity compelled me to seek shelter here; though, if I had not learned he was out of the way, I’d have halted at the kitchen, washed my face, warmed myself, got you to bring what I wanted, and departed again to anywhere out of the reach of my accursed—of that incarnate24 goblin! Ah, he was in such a fury! If he had caught me! It’s a pity Earnshaw is not his match in strength: I wouldn’t have run till I’d seen him all but demolished25, had Hindley been able to do it!”
“Well, don’t talk so fast, Miss!” I interrupted; “you’ll disorder26 the handkerchief I have tied round your face, and make the cut bleed again. Drink your tea, and take breath, and give over laughing: laughter is sadly out of place under this roof, and in your condition!”
“An undeniable truth,” she replied. “Listen to that child! It maintains a constant wail—send it out of my hearing for an hour; I sha’n’t stay any longer.”
I rang the bell, and committed it to a servant’s care; and then I inquired what had urged her to escape from Wuthering Heights in such an unlikely plight27, and where she meant to go, as she refused remaining with us.
“I ought, and I wished to remain,” answered she, “to cheer Edgar and take care of the baby, for two things, and because the Grange is my right home. But I tell you he wouldn’t let me! Do you think he could bear to see me grow fat and merry—could bear to think that we were tranquil28, and not resolve on poisoning our comfort? Now, I have the satisfaction of being sure that he detests29 me, to the point of its annoying him seriously to have me within ear-shot or eyesight: I notice, when I enter his presence, the muscles of his countenance30 are involuntarily distorted into an expression of hatred31; partly arising from his knowledge of the good causes I have to feel that sentiment for him, and partly from original aversion. It is strong enough to make me feel pretty certain that he would not chase me over England, supposing I contrived32 a clear escape; and therefore I must get quite away. I’ve recovered from my first desire to be killed by him: I’d rather he’d kill himself! He has extinguished my love effectually, and so I’m at my ease. I can recollect33 yet how I loved him; and can dimly imagine that I could still be loving him, if—no, no! Even if he had doted on me, the devilish nature would have revealed its existence somehow. Catherine had an awfully34 perverted35 taste to esteem36 him so dearly, knowing him so well. Monster! would that he could be blotted37 out of creation, and out of my memory!”
“Hush38, hush! He’s a human being,” I said. “Be more charitable: there are worse men than he is yet!”
“He’s not a human being,” she retorted; “and he has no claim on my charity. I gave him my heart, and he took and pinched it to death, and flung it back to me. People feel with their hearts, Ellen: and since he has destroyed mine, I have not power to feel for him: and I would not, though he groaned39 from this to his dying day, and wept tears of blood for Catherine! No, indeed, indeed, I wouldn’t!” And here Isabella began to cry; but, immediately dashing the water from her lashes40, she recommenced. “You asked, what has driven me to flight at last? I was compelled to attempt it, because I had succeeded in rousing his rage a pitch above his malignity41. Pulling out the nerves with red hot pincers requires more coolness than knocking on the head. He was worked up to forget the fiendish prudence42 he boasted of, and proceeded to murderous violence. I experienced pleasure in being able to exasperate43 him: the sense of pleasure woke my instinct of self-preservation, so I fairly broke free; and if ever I come into his hands again he is welcome to a signal revenge.
“Yesterday, you know, Mr. Earnshaw should have been at the funeral. He kept himself sober for the purpose—tolerably sober: not going to bed mad at six o’clock and getting up drunk at twelve. Consequently, he rose, in suicidal low spirits, as fit for the church as for a dance; and instead, he sat down by the fire and swallowed gin or brandy by tumblerfuls.
“Heathcliff—I shudder44 to name him! has been a stranger in the house from last Sunday till to-day. Whether the angels have fed him, or his kin7 beneath, I cannot tell; but he has not eaten a meal with us for nearly a week. He has just come home at dawn, and gone upstairs to his chamber45; locking himself in—as if anybody dreamt of coveting46 his company! There he has continued, praying like a Methodist: only the deity47 he implored49 is senseless dust and ashes; and God, when addressed, was curiously50 confounded with his own black father! After concluding these precious orisons—and they lasted generally till he grew hoarse51 and his voice was strangled in his throat—he would be off again; always straight down to the Grange! I wonder Edgar did not send for a constable52, and give him into custody53! For me, grieved as I was about Catherine, it was impossible to avoid regarding this season of deliverance from degrading oppression as a holiday.
“I recovered spirits sufficient to hear Joseph’s eternal lectures without weeping, and to move up and down the house less with the foot of a frightened thief than formerly54. You wouldn’t think that I should cry at anything Joseph could say; but he and Hareton are detestable companions. I’d rather sit with Hindley, and hear his awful talk, than with ‘t’ little maister’ and his staunch supporter, that odious55 old man! When Heathcliff is in, I’m often obliged to seek the kitchen and their society, or starve among the damp uninhabited chambers56; when he is not, as was the case this week, I establish a table and chair at one corner of the house fire, and never mind how Mr. Earnshaw may occupy himself; and he does not interfere57 with my arrangements. He is quieter now than he used to be, if no one provokes him: more sullen58 and depressed59, and less furious. Joseph affirms he’s sure he’s an altered man: that the Lord has touched his heart, and he is saved ‘so as by fire.’ I’m puzzled to detect signs of the favourable60 change: but it is not my business.
“Yester-evening I sat in my nook reading some old books till late on towards twelve. It seemed so dismal to go upstairs, with the wild snow blowing outside, and my thoughts continually reverting61 to the kirkyard and the new-made grave! I dared hardly lift my eyes from the page before me, that melancholy62 scene so instantly usurped63 its place. Hindley sat opposite, his head leant on his hand; perhaps meditating64 on the same subject. He had ceased drinking at a point below irrationality65, and had neither stirred nor spoken during two or three hours. There was no sound through the house but the moaning wind, which shook the windows every now and then, the faint crackling of the coals, and the click of my snuffers as I removed at intervals67 the long wick of the candle. Hareton and Joseph were probably fast asleep in bed. It was very, very sad: and while I read I sighed, for it seemed as if all joy had vanished from the world, never to be restored.
“The doleful silence was broken at length by the sound of the kitchen latch69: Heathcliff had returned from his watch earlier than usual; owing, I suppose, to the sudden storm. That entrance was fastened, and we heard him coming round to get in by the other. I rose with an irrepressible expression of what I felt on my lips, which induced my companion, who had been staring towards the door, to turn and look at me.
“‘I’ll keep him out five minutes,’ he exclaimed. ‘You won’t object?’
“‘No, you may keep him out the whole night for me,’ I answered. ‘Do! put the key in the lock, and draw the bolts.’
“Earnshaw accomplished70 this ere his guest reached the front; he then came and brought his chair to the other side of my table, leaning over it, and searching in my eyes for a sympathy with the burning hate that gleamed from his: as he both looked and felt like an assassin, he couldn’t exactly find that; but he discovered enough to encourage him to speak.
“‘You, and I,’ he said, ‘have each a great debt to settle with the man out yonder! If we were neither of us cowards, we might combine to discharge it. Are you as soft as your brother? Are you willing to endure to the last, and not once attempt a repayment71?’
“‘I’m weary of enduring now,’ I replied; ‘and I’d be glad of a retaliation72 that wouldn’t recoil73 on myself; but treachery and violence are spears pointed74 at both ends; they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.’
“‘Treachery and violence are a just return for treachery and violence!’ cried Hindley. ‘Mrs. Heathcliff, I’ll ask you to do nothing; but sit still and be dumb. Tell me now, can you? I’m sure you would have as much pleasure as I in witnessing the conclusion of the fiend’s existence; he’ll be your death unless you overreach him; and he’ll be my ruin. Damn the hellish villain75! He knocks at the door as if he were master here already! Promise to hold your tongue, and before that clock strikes—it wants three minutes of one—you’re a free woman!’
“He took the implements76 which I described to you in my letter from his breast, and would have turned down the candle. I snatched it away, however, and seized his arm.
“‘I’ll not hold my tongue!’ I said; ‘you mustn’t touch him. Let the door remain shut, and be quiet!’
“‘No! I’ve formed my resolution, and by God I’ll execute it!’ cried the desperate being. ‘I’ll do you a kindness in spite of yourself, and Hareton justice! And you needn’t trouble your head to screen me; Catherine is gone. Nobody alive would regret me, or be ashamed, though I cut my throat this minute—and it’s time to make an end!’
“I might as well have struggled with a bear, or reasoned with a lunatic. The only resource left me was to run to a lattice and warn his intended victim of the fate which awaited him.
“‘You’d better seek shelter somewhere else to-night!’ I exclaimed, in rather a triumphant77 tone. ‘Mr. Earnshaw has a mind to shoot you, if you persist in endeavouring to enter.’
“‘You’d better open the door, you—’ he answered, addressing me by some elegant term that I don’t care to repeat.
“‘I shall not meddle78 in the matter,’ I retorted again. ‘Come in and get shot, if you please. I’ve done my duty.’
“With that I shut the window and returned to my place by the fire; having too small a stock of hypocrisy79 at my command to pretend any anxiety for the danger that menaced him. Earnshaw swore passionately80 at me: affirming that I loved the villain yet; and calling me all sorts of names for the base spirit I evinced. And I, in my secret heart (and conscience never reproached me), thought what a blessing81 it would be for him should Heathcliff put him out of misery82; and what a blessing for me should he send Heathcliff to his right abode83! As I sat nursing these reflections, the casement84 behind me was banged on to the floor by a blow from the latter individual, and his black countenance looked blightingly through. The stanchions stood too close to suffer his shoulders to follow, and I smiled, exulting85 in my fancied security. His hair and clothes were whitened with snow, and his sharp cannibal teeth, revealed by cold and wrath86, gleamed through the dark.
“‘Isabella, let me in, or I’ll make you repent87!’ he ‘girned,’ as Joseph calls it.
“‘I cannot commit murder,’ I replied. ‘Mr. Hindley stands sentinel with a knife and loaded pistol.’
“‘Let me in by the kitchen door,’ he said.
“‘Hindley will be there before me,’ I answered: ‘and that’s a poor love of yours that cannot bear a shower of snow! We were left at peace in our beds as long as the summer moon shone, but the moment a blast of winter returns, you must run for shelter! Heathcliff, if I were you, I’d go stretch myself over her grave and die like a faithful dog. The world is surely not worth living in now, is it? You had distinctly impressed on me the idea that Catherine was the whole joy of your life: I can’t imagine how you think of surviving her loss.’
“‘He’s there, is he?’ exclaimed my companion, rushing to the gap. ‘If I can get my arm out I can hit him!’
“I’m afraid, Ellen, you’ll set me down as really wicked; but you don’t know all, so don’t judge. I wouldn’t have aided or abetted88 an attempt on even his life for anything. Wish that he were dead, I must; and therefore I was fearfully disappointed, and unnerved by terror for the consequences of my taunting89 speech, when he flung himself on Earnshaw’s weapon and wrenched90 it from his grasp.
“The charge exploded, and the knife, in springing back, closed into its owner’s wrist. Heathcliff pulled it away by main force, slitting92 up the flesh as it passed on, and thrust it dripping into his pocket. He then took a stone, struck down the division between two windows, and sprang in. His adversary93 had fallen senseless with excessive pain and the flow of blood, that gushed94 from an artery95 or a large vein96. The ruffian kicked and trampled97 on him, and dashed his head repeatedly against the flags, holding me with one hand, meantime, to prevent me summoning Joseph. He exerted preterhuman self-denial in abstaining98 from finishing him completely; but getting out of breath, he finally desisted, and dragged the apparently99 inanimate body on to the settle. There he tore off the sleeve of Earnshaw’s coat, and bound up the wound with brutal100 roughness; spitting and cursing during the operation as energetically as he had kicked before. Being at liberty, I lost no time in seeking the old servant; who, having gathered by degrees the purport101 of my hasty tale, hurried below, gasping102, as he descended103 the steps two at once.
“‘What is ther to do, now? what is ther to do, now?’
“‘There’s this to do,’ thundered Heathcliff, ‘that your master’s mad; and should he last another month, I’ll have him to an asylum104. And how the devil did you come to fasten me out, you toothless hound? Don’t stand muttering and mumbling105 there. Come, I’m not going to nurse him. Wash that stuff away; and mind the sparks of your candle—it is more than half brandy!’
“‘And so ye’ve been murthering on him?’ exclaimed Joseph, lifting his hands and eyes in horror. ‘If iver I seed a seeght loike this! May the Lord—’
“Heathcliff gave him a push on to his knees in the middle of the blood, and flung a towel to him; but instead of proceeding106 to dry it up, he joined his hands and began a prayer, which excited my laughter from its odd phraseology. I was in the condition of mind to be shocked at nothing: in fact, I was as reckless as some malefactors show themselves at the foot of the gallows107.
“‘Oh, I forgot you,’ said the tyrant108. ‘You shall do that. Down with you. And you conspire109 with him against me, do you, viper110? There, that is work fit for you!’
“He shook me till my teeth rattled111, and pitched me beside Joseph, who steadily112 concluded his supplications, and then rose, vowing113 he would set off for the Grange directly. Mr. Linton was a magistrate114, and though he had fifty wives dead, he should inquire into this. He was so obstinate115 in his resolution, that Heathcliff deemed it expedient116 to compel from my lips a recapitulation of what had taken place; standing117 over me, heaving with malevolence118, as I reluctantly delivered the account in answer to his questions. It required a great deal of labour to satisfy the old man that Heathcliff was not the aggressor; especially with my hardly-wrung replies. However, Mr. Earnshaw soon convinced him that he was alive still; Joseph hastened to administer a dose of spirits, and by their succour his master presently regained119 motion and consciousness. Heathcliff, aware that his opponent was ignorant of the treatment received while insensible, called him deliriously120 intoxicated121; and said he should not notice his atrocious conduct further, but advised him to get to bed. To my joy, he left us, after giving this judicious122 counsel, and Hindley stretched himself on the hearthstone. I departed to my own room, marvelling123 that I had escaped so easily.
“This morning, when I came down, about half an hour before noon, Mr. Earnshaw was sitting by the fire, deadly sick; his evil genius, almost as gaunt and ghastly, leant against the chimney. Neither appeared inclined to dine, and, having waited till all was cold on the table, I commenced alone. Nothing hindered me from eating heartily124, and I experienced a certain sense of satisfaction and superiority, as, at intervals, I cast a look towards my silent companions, and felt the comfort of a quiet conscience within me. After I had done, I ventured on the unusual liberty of drawing near the fire, going round Earnshaw’s seat, and kneeling in the corner beside him.
“Heathcliff did not glance my way, and I gazed up, and contemplated125 his features almost as confidently as if they had been turned to stone. His forehead, that I once thought so manly126, and that I now think so diabolical127, was shaded with a heavy cloud; his basilisk eyes were nearly quenched128 by sleeplessness129, and weeping, perhaps, for the lashes were wet then: his lips devoid130 of their ferocious131 sneer132, and sealed in an expression of unspeakable sadness. Had it been another, I would have covered my face in the presence of such grief. In his case, I was gratified; and, ignoble133 as it seems to insult a fallen enemy, I couldn’t miss this chance of sticking in a dart134: his weakness was the only time when I could taste the delight of paying wrong for wrong.”
“Fie, fie, Miss!” I interrupted. “One might suppose you had never opened a Bible in your life. If God afflict135 your enemies, surely that ought to suffice you. It is both mean and presumptuous136 to add your torture to his!”
“In general I’ll allow that it would be, Ellen,” she continued; “but what misery laid on Heathcliff could content me, unless I have a hand in it? I’d rather he suffered less, if I might cause his sufferings and he might know that I was the cause. Oh, I owe him so much. On only one condition can I hope to forgive him. It is, if I may take an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; for every wrench91 of agony return a wrench: reduce him to my level. As he was the first to injure, make him the first to implore48 pardon; and then—why then, Ellen, I might show you some generosity137. But it is utterly138 impossible I can ever be revenged, and therefore I cannot forgive him. Hindley wanted some water, and I handed him a glass, and asked him how he was.
“‘Not as ill as I wish,’ he replied. ‘But leaving out my arm, every inch of me is as sore as if I had been fighting with a legion of imps139!’
“‘Yes, no wonder,’ was my next remark. ‘Catherine used to boast that she stood between you and bodily harm: she meant that certain persons would not hurt you for fear of offending her. It’s well people don’t really rise from their grave, or, last night, she might have witnessed a repulsive140 scene! Are not you bruised, and cut over your chest and shoulders?’
“‘I can’t say,’ he answered; ‘but what do you mean? Did he dare to strike me when I was down?’
“‘He trampled on and kicked you, and dashed you on the ground,’ I whispered. ‘And his mouth watered to tear you with his teeth; because he’s only half man: not so much, and the rest fiend.’
“Mr. Earnshaw looked up, like me, to the countenance of our mutual141 foe142; who, absorbed in his anguish143, seemed insensible to anything around him: the longer he stood, the plainer his reflections revealed their blackness through his features.
“‘Oh, if God would but give me strength to strangle him in my last agony, I’d go to hell with joy,’ groaned the impatient man, writhing144 to rise, and sinking back in despair, convinced of his inadequacy145 for the struggle.
“‘Nay146, it’s enough that he has murdered one of you,’ I observed aloud. ‘At the Grange, every one knows your sister would have been living now had it not been for Mr. Heathcliff. After all, it is preferable to be hated than loved by him. When I recollect how happy we were—how happy Catherine was before he came—I’m fit to curse the day.’
“Most likely, Heathcliff noticed more the truth of what was said, than the spirit of the person who said it. His attention was roused, I saw, for his eyes rained down tears among the ashes, and he drew his breath in suffocating147 sighs. I stared full at him, and laughed scornfully. The clouded windows of hell flashed a moment towards me; the fiend which usually looked out, however, was so dimmed and drowned that I did not fear to hazard another sound of derision.
“‘Get up, and begone out of my sight,’ said the mourner.
“I guessed he uttered those words, at least, though his voice was hardly intelligible148.
“‘I beg your pardon,’ I replied. ‘But I loved Catherine too; and her brother requires attendance, which, for her sake, I shall supply. Now that she’s dead, I see her in Hindley: Hindley has exactly her eyes, if you had not tried to gouge149 them out, and made them black and red; and her—’
“‘Get up, wretched idiot, before I stamp you to death!’ he cried, making a movement that caused me to make one also.
“‘But then,’ I continued, holding myself ready to flee, ‘if poor Catherine had trusted you, and assumed the ridiculous, contemptible150, degrading title of Mrs. Heathcliff, she would soon have presented a similar picture! She wouldn’t have borne your abominable151 behaviour quietly: her detestation and disgust must have found voice.’
“The back of the settle and Earnshaw’s person interposed between me and him; so instead of endeavouring to reach me, he snatched a dinner-knife from the table and flung it at my head. It struck beneath my ear, and stopped the sentence I was uttering; but, pulling it out, I sprang to the door and delivered another; which I hope went a little deeper than his missile. The last glimpse I caught of him was a furious rush on his part, checked by the embrace of his host; and both fell locked together on the hearth. In my flight through the kitchen I bid Joseph speed to his master; I knocked over Hareton, who was hanging a litter of puppies from a chair-back in the doorway; and, blessed as a soul escaped from purgatory152, I bounded, leaped, and flew down the steep road; then, quitting its windings153, shot direct across the moor154, rolling over banks, and wading155 through marshes156: precipitating157 myself, in fact, towards the beacon-light of the Grange. And far rather would I be condemned158 to a perpetual dwelling159 in the infernal regions than, even for one night, abide160 beneath the roof of Wuthering Heights again.”
Isabella ceased speaking, and took a drink of tea; then she rose, and bidding me put on her bonnet161, and a great shawl I had brought, and turning a deaf ear to my entreaties162 for her to remain another hour, she stepped on to a chair, kissed Edgar’s and Catherine’s portraits, bestowed163 a similar salute164 on me, and descended to the carriage, accompanied by Fanny, who yelped165 wild with joy at recovering her mistress. She was driven away, never to revisit this neighbourhood: but a regular correspondence was established between her and my master when things were more settled. I believe her new abode was in the south, near London; there she had a son born a few months subsequent to her escape. He was christened Linton, and, from the first, she reported him to be an ailing166, peevish167 creature.
Mr. Heathcliff, meeting me one day in the village, inquired where she lived. I refused to tell. He remarked that it was not of any moment, only she must beware of coming to her brother: she should not be with him, if he had to keep her himself. Though I would give no information, he discovered, through some of the other servants, both her place of residence and the existence of the child. Still, he didn’t molest168 her: for which forbearance she might thank his aversion, I suppose. He often asked about the infant, when he saw me; and on hearing its name, smiled grimly, and observed: “They wish me to hate it too, do they?”
“I don’t think they wish you to know anything about it,” I answered.
“But I’ll have it,” he said, “when I want it. They may reckon on that!”
Fortunately its mother died before the time arrived; some thirteen years after the decease of Catherine, when Linton was twelve, or a little more.
On the day succeeding Isabella’s unexpected visit I had no opportunity of speaking to my master: he shunned169 conversation, and was fit for discussing nothing. When I could get him to listen, I saw it pleased him that his sister had left her husband; whom he abhorred170 with an intensity171 which the mildness of his nature would scarcely seem to allow. So deep and sensitive was his aversion, that he refrained from going anywhere where he was likely to see or hear of Heathcliff. Grief, and that together, transformed him into a complete hermit172: he threw up his office of magistrate, ceased even to attend church, avoided the village on all occasions, and spent a life of entire seclusion173 within the limits of his park and grounds; only varied174 by solitary175 rambles176 on the moors177, and visits to the grave of his wife, mostly at evening, or early morning before other wanderers were abroad. But he was too good to be thoroughly178 unhappy long. He didn’t pray for Catherine’s soul to haunt him. Time brought resignation, and a melancholy sweeter than common joy. He recalled her memory with ardent179, tender love, and hopeful aspiring180 to the better world; where he doubted not she was gone.
And he had earthly consolation181 and affections also. For a few days, I said, he seemed regardless of the puny182 successor to the departed: that coldness melted as fast as snow in April, and ere the tiny thing could stammer183 a word or totter184 a step it wielded185 a despot’s sceptre in his heart. It was named Catherine; but he never called it the name in full, as he had never called the first Catherine short: probably because Heathcliff had a habit of doing so. The little one was always Cathy: it formed to him a distinction from the mother, and yet a connection with her; and his attachment186 sprang from its relation to her, far more than from its being his own.
I used to draw a comparison between him and Hindley Earnshaw, and perplex myself to explain satisfactorily why their conduct was so opposite in similar circumstances. They had both been fond husbands, and were both attached to their children; and I could not see how they shouldn’t both have taken the same road, for good or evil. But, I thought in my mind, Hindley, with apparently the stronger head, has shown himself sadly the worse and the weaker man. When his ship struck, the captain abandoned his post; and the crew, instead of trying to save her, rushed into riot and confusion, leaving no hope for their luckless vessel187. Linton, on the contrary, displayed the true courage of a loyal and faithful soul: he trusted God; and God comforted him. One hoped, and the other despaired: they chose their own lots, and were righteously doomed188 to endure them. But you’ll not want to hear my moralising, Mr. Lockwood; you’ll judge, as well as I can, all these things: at least, you’ll think you will, and that’s the same. The end of Earnshaw was what might have been expected; it followed fast on his sister’s: there were scarcely six months between them. We, at the Grange, never got a very succinct189 account of his state preceding it; all that I did learn was on occasion of going to aid in the preparations for the funeral. Mr. Kenneth came to announce the event to my master.
“Well, Nelly,” said he, riding into the yard one morning, too early not to alarm me with an instant presentiment190 of bad news, “it’s yours and my turn to go into mourning at present. Who’s given us the slip now, do you think?”
“Who?” I asked in a flurry.
“Why, guess!” he returned, dismounting, and slinging191 his bridle192 on a hook by the door. “And nip up the corner of your apron193: I’m certain you’ll need it.”
“Not Mr. Heathcliff, surely?” I exclaimed.
“What! would you have tears for him?” said the doctor. “No, Heathcliff’s a tough young fellow: he looks blooming to-day. I’ve just seen him. He’s rapidly regaining194 flesh since he lost his better half.”
“Who is it, then, Mr. Kenneth?” I repeated impatiently.
“Hindley Earnshaw! Your old friend Hindley,” he replied, “and my wicked gossip: though he’s been too wild for me this long while. There! I said we should draw water. But cheer up! He died true to his character: drunk as a lord. Poor lad! I’m sorry, too. One can’t help missing an old companion: though he had the worst tricks with him that ever man imagined, and has done me many a rascally195 turn. He’s barely twenty-seven, it seems; that’s your own age: who would have thought you were born in one year?”
I confess this blow was greater to me than the shock of Mrs. Linton’s death: ancient associations lingered round my heart; I sat down in the porch and wept as for a blood relation, desiring Mr. Kenneth to get another servant to introduce him to the master. I could not hinder myself from pondering on the question—“Had he had fair play?” Whatever I did, that idea would bother me: it was so tiresomely196 pertinacious197 that I resolved on requesting leave to go to Wuthering Heights, and assist in the last duties to the dead. Mr. Linton was extremely reluctant to consent, but I pleaded eloquently198 for the friendless condition in which he lay; and I said my old master and foster-brother had a claim on my services as strong as his own. Besides, I reminded him that the child Hareton was his wife’s nephew, and, in the absence of nearer kin, he ought to act as its guardian199; and he ought to and must inquire how the property was left, and look over the concerns of his brother-in-law. He was unfit for attending to such matters then, but he bid me speak to his lawyer; and at length permitted me to go. His lawyer had been Earnshaw’s also: I called at the village, and asked him to accompany me. He shook his head, and advised that Heathcliff should be let alone; affirming, if the truth were known, Hareton would be found little else than a beggar.
“His father died in debt,” he said; “the whole property is mortgaged, and the sole chance for the natural heir is to allow him an opportunity of creating some interest in the creditor’s heart, that he may be inclined to deal leniently200 towards him.”
When I reached the Heights, I explained that I had come to see everything carried on decently; and Joseph, who appeared in sufficient distress201, expressed satisfaction at my presence. Mr. Heathcliff said he did not perceive that I was wanted; but I might stay and order the arrangements for the funeral, if I chose.
“Correctly,” he remarked, “that fool’s body should be buried at the cross-roads, without ceremony of any kind. I happened to leave him ten minutes yesterday afternoon, and in that interval68 he fastened the two doors of the house against me, and he has spent the night in drinking himself to death deliberately
单词标签:
sleet
primroses
larks
smitten
dreary
dismal
kin
flakes
astonishment
frock
slippers
profusely
bruised
fatigue
allayed
attire
bind
binding
helping
hearth
brute
poker
misused
incarnate
demolished
disorder
plight
tranquil
detests
countenance
hatred
contrived
recollect
awfully
perverted
esteem
blotted
hush
groaned
lashes
malignity
prudence
exasperate
shudder
chamber
coveting
deity
implore
implored
curiously
hoarse
constable
custody
formerly
odious
chambers
interfere
sullen
depressed
favourable
reverting
melancholy
usurped
meditating
irrationality
spoke
intervals
interval
latch
accomplished
repayment
retaliation
recoil
pointed
villain
implements
triumphant
meddle
hypocrisy
passionately
blessing
misery
abode
casement
exulting
wrath
repent
abetted
taunting
wrenched
wrench
slitting
adversary
gushed
artery
vein
trampled
abstaining
apparently
brutal
purport
gasping
descended
asylum
mumbling
proceeding
gallows
tyrant
conspire
viper
rattled
steadily
vowing
magistrate
obstinate
expedient
standing
malevolence
regained
deliriously
intoxicated
judicious
marvelling
heartily
contemplated
manly
diabolical
quenched
sleeplessness
devoid
ferocious
sneer
ignoble
dart
afflict
presumptuous
generosity
utterly
imps
repulsive
mutual
foe
anguish
writhing
inadequacy
nay
suffocating
intelligible
gouge
contemptible
abominable
purgatory
windings
moor
wading
marshes
precipitating
condemned
dwelling
abide
bonnet
entreaties
bestowed
salute
yelped
ailing
peevish
molest
shunned
abhorred
intensity
hermit
seclusion
varied
solitary
rambles
moors
thoroughly
ardent
aspiring
consolation
puny
stammer
totter
wielded
attachment
vessel
doomed
succinct
presentiment
slinging
bridle
apron
regaining
rascally
tiresomely
pertinacious
eloquently
guardian
leniently
distress
deliberately
flaying
carrion
stark
naught
exultation
coffin
peculiar
crooked
tartly
hint
interfering
mania
dependence
inveterate
收听单词发音
1
sleet [sli:t]
第10级
n.雨雪；v.下雨雪，下冰雹
2
primroses [p'rɪmrəʊzɪz]
第11级
n.报春花( primrose的名词复数 )；淡黄色；追求享乐（招至恶果）
3
larks [lɑ:ks]
第9级
n.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的名词复数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了v.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的第三人称单数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了
4
smitten [ˈsmɪtn]
第11级
猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 )
5
dreary [ˈdrɪəri]
第8级
adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的
6
dismal [ˈdɪzməl]
第8级
adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的
7
kin [kɪn]
第7级
n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的
8
flakes [fleɪks]
第9级
小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人
9
astonishment [əˈstɒnɪʃmənt]
第8级
n.惊奇，惊异
10
frock [frɒk]
第10级
n.连衣裙；v.使穿长工作服
11
slippers ['slɪpəz]
第7级
n. 拖鞋
12
profusely [prəʊ'fju:sli]
第9级
ad.abundantly
13
bruised [bru:zd]
第7级
[医]青肿的，瘀紫的
14
fatigue [fəˈti:g]
第7级
n.疲劳，劳累
15
allayed [əˈleɪd]
第10级
v.减轻，缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 )
16
attire [əˈtaɪə(r)]
第10级
vt.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装
17
bind [baɪnd]
第7级
vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬
18
binding ['baindiŋ]
第7级
有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的
19
helping [ˈhelpɪŋ]
第7级
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的
20
hearth [hɑ:θ]
第9级
n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面
21
brute [bru:t]
第9级
n.野兽，兽性
22
poker [ˈpəʊkə(r)]
第10级
n.扑克；vt.烙制
23
misused [mɪsˈju:zd]
第8级
v.使用…不当( misuse的过去式和过去分词 )；把…派作不正当的用途；虐待；滥用
24
incarnate [ɪnˈkɑ:nət]
第10级
adj.化身的，人体化的，肉色的
25
demolished [diˈmɔliʃt]
第9级
v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光
26
disorder [dɪsˈɔ:də(r)]
第7级
n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调
27
plight [plaɪt]
第7级
n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定
28
tranquil [ˈtræŋkwɪl]
第7级
adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的
29
detests [dɪˈtests]
第9级
v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的第三人称单数 )
30
countenance [ˈkaʊntənəns]
第9级
n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同
31
hatred [ˈheɪtrɪd]
第7级
n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨
32
contrived [kənˈtraɪvd]
第12级
adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的
33
recollect [ˌrekəˈlekt]
第7级
v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得
34
awfully [ˈɔ:fli]
第8级
adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地
35
perverted [pəˈvɜ:tɪd]
第10级
adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 )；腐蚀；败坏；使堕落
36
esteem [ɪˈsti:m]
第7级
n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作
37
blotted [blɔtid]
第8级
涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干
38
hush [hʌʃ]
第8级
int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静
39
groaned [ɡrəund]
第7级
v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦
40
lashes [læʃiz]
第7级
n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥
41
malignity [mə'lɪgnɪtɪ]
第10级
n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性
42
prudence ['pru:dns]
第11级
n.谨慎，精明，节俭
43
exasperate [ɪgˈzæspəreɪt]
第8级
vt.激怒，使（疾病）加剧，使恶化
44
shudder [ˈʃʌdə(r)]
第8级
vi.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动
45
chamber [ˈtʃeɪmbə(r)]
第7级
n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所
46
coveting [ˈkʌvɪtɪŋ]
第9级
v.贪求，觊觎( covet的现在分词 )
47
deity [ˈdeɪəti]
第10级
n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物)
48
implore [ɪmˈplɔ:(r)]
第9级
vt.乞求，恳求，哀求
49
implored [ɪmˈplɔ:d]
第9级
恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 )
50
curiously ['kjʊərɪəslɪ]
第9级
adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地
51
hoarse [hɔ:s]
第9级
adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的
52
constable [ˈkʌnstəbl]
第9级
n.(英国)警察，警官
53
custody [ˈkʌstədi]
第8级
n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留
54
formerly [ˈfɔ:məli]
第8级
adv.从前，以前
55
odious [ˈəʊdiəs]
第10级
adj.可憎的，讨厌的
56
chambers [ˈtʃeimbəz]
第7级
n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅
57
interfere [ˌɪntəˈfɪə(r)]
第7级
vi.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰；vt.冲突；介入
58
sullen [ˈsʌlən]
第9级
adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的
59
depressed [dɪˈprest]
第8级
adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的
60
favourable [ˈfeɪvərəbl]
第8级
adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的
61
reverting [rɪˈvɜ:tɪŋ]
第9级
恢复( revert的现在分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还
62
melancholy [ˈmelənkəli]
第8级
n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的
63
usurped [ju:ˈsɜ:pt]
第10级
篡夺，霸占( usurp的过去式和过去分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权
64
meditating ['medɪteɪtɪŋ]
第8级
a.沉思的，冥想的
65
irrationality [ɪˌræʃə'nælətɪ]
第8级
n. 不合理，无理性
66
spoke [spəʊk]
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
67
intervals ['ɪntevl]
第7级
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息
68
interval [ˈɪntəvl]
第7级
n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息
69
latch [lætʃ]
第10级
n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁
70
accomplished [əˈkʌmplɪʃt]
第8级
adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的
71
repayment [rɪˈpeɪmənt]
第8级
n.偿还，偿还款；报酬
72
retaliation [rɪˌtælɪˈeɪʃn]
第9级
n.报复，反击
73
recoil [rɪˈkɔɪl]
第8级
vi.退却，退缩，畏缩
74
pointed [ˈpɔɪntɪd]
第7级
adj.尖的，直截了当的
75
villain [ˈvɪlən]
第9级
n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因
76
implements ['ɪmplɪmənts]
第7级
n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效
77
triumphant [traɪˈʌmfənt]
第9级
adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的
78
meddle [ˈmedl]
第8级
vi.干预，干涉，插手
79
hypocrisy [hɪˈpɒkrəsi]
第7级
n.伪善，虚伪
80
passionately ['pæʃənitli]
第8级
ad.热烈地，激烈地
81
blessing [ˈblesɪŋ]
第7级
n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿
82
misery [ˈmɪzəri]
第7级
n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦
83
abode [əˈbəʊd]
第10级
n.住处，住所
84
casement [ˈkeɪsmənt]
第12级
n.竖铰链窗；窗扉
85
exulting [ɪgˈzʌltɪŋ]
第10级
vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜
86
wrath [rɒθ]
第7级
n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒
87
repent [rɪˈpent]
第8级
vi. 后悔；忏悔 vt. 后悔；对…感到后悔 adj. [植] 匍匐生根的；[动] 爬行的
88
abetted [əˈbetid]
第10级
v.教唆（犯罪）( abet的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；怂恿；支持
89
taunting [tɔ:ntɪŋ]
第10级
嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落
90
wrenched [rentʃt]
第7级
v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛
91
wrench [rentʃ]
第7级
vt.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；vi. 扭伤；猛扭；猛绞；n.扳手；痛苦，难受，扭伤
92
slitting ['slɪtɪŋ]
第7级
n.纵裂（缝）v.切开，撕开( slit的现在分词 )；在…上开狭长口子
93
adversary [ˈædvəsəri]
第9级
adj.敌手，对手
94
gushed [ɡʌʃt]
第7级
v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话
95
artery [ˈɑ:təri]
第7级
n.干线，要道；动脉
96
vein [veɪn]
第7级
n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络
97
trampled [ˈtræmpld]
第7级
踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯
98
abstaining [əbˈsteinɪŋ]
第8级
戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的现在分词 )； 弃权（不投票）
99
apparently [əˈpærəntli]
第7级
adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
100
brutal [ˈbru:tl]
第7级
adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的
101
purport [pəˈpɔ:t]
第10级
n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是...
102
gasping ['gæspɪŋ]
第7级
adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的
动词gasp的现在分词
103
descended [di'sendid]
第7级
a.为...后裔的，出身于...的
104
asylum [əˈsaɪləm]
第8级
n.避难所，庇护所，避难
105
mumbling ['mʌmblɪŋ]
第8级
含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 )
106
proceeding [prəˈsi:dɪŋ]
第7级
n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报
107
gallows [ˈgæləʊz]
第10级
n.绞刑架，绞台
108
tyrant [ˈtaɪrənt]
第8级
n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人
109
conspire [kənˈspaɪə(r)]
第8级
vi. 共谋；协力 vt. [法] 密谋策划
110
viper [ˈvaɪpə(r)]
第11级
n.毒蛇；危险的人
111
rattled ['rætld]
第7级
慌乱的，恼火的
112
steadily ['stedɪlɪ]
第7级
adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地
113
vowing []
第7级
起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式）
114
magistrate [ˈmædʒɪstreɪt]
第8级
n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官
115
obstinate [ˈɒbstɪnət]
第9级
adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的
116
expedient [ɪkˈspi:diənt]
第9级
adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计
117
standing [ˈstændɪŋ]
第8级
n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的
118
malevolence [mə'levələns]
第10级
n.恶意，狠毒
119
regained [ri:ˈgeɪnd]
第8级
复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地
120
deliriously [dɪ'lɪrɪəsli]
第10级
adv.谵妄（性）；发狂；极度兴奋/亢奋；说胡话
121
intoxicated [ɪnˈtɒksɪkeɪtɪd]
第8级
喝醉的，极其兴奋的
122
judicious [dʒuˈdɪʃəs]
第9级
adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的
123
marvelling [ˈmɑ:vəlɪŋ]
第7级
v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的现在分词 )
124
heartily [ˈhɑ:tɪli]
第8级
adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很
125
contemplated ['kɒntəmpleɪtɪd]
第7级
adj. 预期的
动词contemplate的过去分词形式
126
manly [ˈmænli]
第8级
adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地
127
diabolical [ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkl]
第11级
adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的
128
quenched [kwentʃt]
第7级
解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却
129
sleeplessness ['sli:pləsnəs]
第7级
n.失眠，警觉
130
devoid [dɪˈvɔɪd]
第9级
adj.全无的，缺乏的
131
ferocious [fəˈrəʊʃəs]
第8级
adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的
132
sneer [snɪə(r)]
第7级
vt.&vi.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语
133
ignoble [ɪgˈnəʊbl]
第9级
adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的
134
dart [dɑ:t]
第8级
vt. 投掷，投射；使迅速突然移动 vi. 向前冲，飞奔 n. 飞镖，标枪；急驰，飞奔；（虫的）螯；飞快的移动
135
afflict [əˈflɪkt]
第7级
vt.使身体或精神受痛苦，折磨
136
presumptuous [prɪˈzʌmptʃuəs]
第10级
adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的
137
generosity [ˌdʒenəˈrɒsəti]
第8级
n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为
138
utterly ['ʌtəli:]
第9级
adv.完全地，绝对地
139
imps [ɪmps]
第12级
n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童
140
repulsive [rɪˈpʌlsɪv]
第8级
adj.排斥的，使人反感的
141
mutual [ˈmju:tʃuəl]
第7级
adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的
142
foe [fəʊ]
第8级
n.敌人，仇敌
143
anguish [ˈæŋgwɪʃ]
第7级
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼
144
writhing [raɪðɪŋ]
第10级
（因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 )
145
inadequacy [in'ædikwəsi]
第7级
n.无法胜任，信心不足
146
nay [neɪ]
第12级
adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者
147
suffocating [ˈsʌfəkeɪtɪŋ]
第12级
a.使人窒息的
148
intelligible [ɪnˈtelɪdʒəbl]
第7级
adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的
149
gouge [gaʊdʒ]
第12级
vt.凿；挖出；n.半圆凿；凿孔；欺诈
150
contemptible [kənˈtemptəbl]
第11级
adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的
151
abominable [əˈbɒmɪnəbl]
第10级
adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的
152
purgatory [ˈpɜ:gətri]
第12级
n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的
153
windings ['waɪndɪŋz]
第8级
（道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手）
154
moor [mɔ:(r)]
第9级
n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊
155
wading ['weɪdɪŋ]
第7级
（从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的现在分词 )
156
marshes [mɑ:ʃiz]
第8级
n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 )
157
precipitating [prɪ'sɪpɪteɪtɪŋ]
第7级
adj.急落的，猛冲的v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的现在分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀
158
condemned [kən'demd]
第7级
adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的
动词condemn的过去式和过去分词
159
dwelling [ˈdwelɪŋ]
第7级
n.住宅，住所，寓所
160
abide [əˈbaɪd]
第7级
vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受
161
bonnet [ˈbɒnɪt]
第10级
n.无边女帽；童帽
162
entreaties [enˈtri:ti:z]
第11级
n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 )
163
bestowed [biˈstəud]
第9级
赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 )
164
salute [səˈlu:t]
第7级
vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮
165
yelped [jelpt]
第11级
v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的过去式和过去分词 )
166
ailing ['eiliŋ]
第11级
v.生病
167
peevish [ˈpi:vɪʃ]
第12级
adj.易怒的，坏脾气的
168
molest [məˈlest]
第10级
vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏
169
shunned [ʃʌnd]
第8级
v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 )
170
abhorred [æbˈhɔ:d]
第9级
v.憎恶( abhor的过去式和过去分词 )；（厌恶地）回避；拒绝；淘汰
171
intensity [ɪnˈtensəti]
第7级
n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度
172
hermit [ˈhɜ:mɪt]
第9级
n.隐士，修道者；隐居
173
seclusion [sɪˈklu:ʒn]
第11级
n.隐遁，隔离
174
varied [ˈveərid]
第8级
adj.多样的，多变化的
175
solitary [ˈsɒlətri]
第7级
adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士
176
rambles [ˈræmbəlz]
第9级
（无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论
177
moors [mʊəz]
第9级
v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 )
178
thoroughly [ˈθʌrəli]
第8级
adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地
179
ardent [ˈɑ:dnt]
第8级
adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的
180
aspiring [əˈspaɪərɪŋ]
第7级
adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求
181
consolation [ˌkɒnsəˈleɪʃn]
第10级
n.安慰，慰问
182
puny [ˈpju:ni]
第11级
adj.微不足道的，弱小的
183
stammer [ˈstæmə(r)]
第8级
n.结巴，口吃；v.结结巴巴地说
184
totter [ˈtɒtə(r)]
第11级
vi.蹒跚， 摇摇欲坠；n.蹒跚的步子
185
wielded [wi:ldid]
第9级
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）
186
attachment [əˈtætʃmənt]
第7级
n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附
187
vessel [ˈvesl]
第7级
n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管
188
doomed [dumd]
第7级
命定的
189
succinct [səkˈsɪŋkt]
第10级
adj.简明的，简洁的
190
presentiment [prɪˈzentɪmənt]
第12级
n.预感，预觉
191
slinging [s'lɪnɡɪŋ]
第10级
抛( sling的现在分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往
192
bridle [ˈbraɪdl]
第9级
n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒
193
apron [ˈeɪprən]
第7级
n.围裙；工作裙
194
regaining [ri:ˈgeɪnɪŋ]
第8级
复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地
195
rascally ['rɑ:sklɪ]
第9级
adj. 无赖的，恶棍的
adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地
196
tiresomely ['taiəsəmli]
第7级
adj. 令人厌倦的，讨厌的
197
pertinacious [ˌpɜ:tɪˈneɪʃəs]
第11级
adj.顽固的
198
eloquently ['eləkwəntlɪ]
第7级
adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地)
199
guardian [ˈgɑ:diən]
第7级
n.监护人；守卫者，保护者
200
leniently ['li:nɪəntlɪ]
第9级
温和地，仁慈地
201
distress [dɪˈstres]
第7级
n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛
202
deliberately [dɪˈlɪbərətli]
第7级
adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地
203
flaying [f'leɪɪŋ]
第10级
v.痛打( flay的现在分词 )；把…打得皮开肉绽；剥（通常指动物）的皮；严厉批评
204
carrion [ˈkæriən]
第10级
n.腐肉
205
stark [stɑ:k]
第10级
adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地
206
naught [nɔ:t]
第9级
n.无，零 [=nought]
207
exultation [egzʌl'teiʃən]
第10级
n.狂喜，得意
208
coffin [ˈkɒfɪn]
第8级
n.棺材，灵柩
209
peculiar [pɪˈkju:liə(r)]
第7级
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
210
crooked [ˈkrʊkɪd]
第7级
adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的；v.弯成钩形(crook的过去式和过去分词)
211
tartly [tɑ:tlɪ]
第10级
adv.辛辣地，刻薄地
212
hint [hɪnt]
第7级
n.暗示，示意；[pl]建议；线索，迹象；vi.暗示；vt.暗示；示意
213
interfering [ˌɪntəˈfɪərɪŋ]
第7级
adj. 妨碍的
动词interfere的现在分词
214
mania [ˈmeɪniə]
第9级
n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好
215
dependence [dɪˈpendəns]
第8级
n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属
216
inveterate [ɪnˈvetərət]
第10级
adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的
