Oliver Twist 雾都孤儿 - Chapter 39
时间：2016-04-05 05:14:06
（单词翻译:单击）
On the evening following that upon which the three worthies1 mentioned in the last chapter, disposed of their little matter of business as therein narrated2, Mr. William Sikes, awakening3 from a nap, drowsily5 growled6 forth8 an inquiry9 what time of night it was. The room in which Mr. Sikes propounded10 this question, was not one of those he had tenanted, previous to the Chertsey expedition, although it was in the same quarter of the town, and was situated11 at no great distance from his former lodgings12.
It was not, in appearance, so desirable a habitation as his old quarters:
being a mean and badly-furnished apartment, of very limited size; lighted only by one small window in the shelving roof, and abutting13 on a close and dirty lane.
Nor were there wanting other indications of the good gentleman's having gone down in the world of late:
for a great scarcity14 of furniture, and total absence of comfort, together with the disappearance15 of all such small moveables as spare clothes and linen16, bespoke17 a state of extreme poverty; while the meagre and attenuated18 condition of Mr. Sikes himself would have fully19 confirmed these symptoms, if they had stood in any need of corroboration20. The housebreaker was lying on the bed, wrapped in his white great-coat, by way of dressing-gown, and displaying a set of features in no degree improved by the cadaverous hue21 of illness, and the addition of a soiled nightcap, and a stiff, black beard of a week's growth.
The dog sat at the bedside:
now eyeing his master with a wistful look, and now pricking22 his ears, and uttering a low growl7 as some noise in the street, or in the lower part of the house, attracted his attention.
Seated by the window, busily engaged in patching an old waistcoat which formed a portion of the robber's ordinary dress, was a female:
so pale and reduced with watching and privation, that there would have been considerable difficulty in recognising her as the same Nancy who has already figured in this tale, but for the voice in which she replied to Mr. Sikes's question. 'Not long gone seven,' said the girl.
'How do you feel to-night, Bill?' 'As weak as water,' replied Mr. Sikes, with an imprecation on his eyes and limbs.
'Here; lend us a hand, and let me get off this thundering bed anyhow.' Illness had not improved Mr. Sikes's temper; for, as the girl raised him up and led him to a chair, he muttered various curses on her awkwardness, and struck her. 'Whining23 are you?' said Sikes.
'Come!
Don't stand snivelling there.
If you can't do anything better than that, cut off altogether.
D'ye hear me?' 'I hear you,' replied the girl, turning her face aside, and forcing a laugh.
'What fancy have you got in your head now?' 'Oh! you've thought better of it, have you?' growled Sikes, marking the tear which trembled in her eye.
'All the better for you, you have.' 'Why, you don't mean to say, you'd be hard upon me to-night, Bill,' said the girl, laying her hand upon his shoulder. 'No!' cried Mr. Sikes.
'Why not?' 'Such a number of nights,' said the girl, with a touch of woman's tenderness, which communicated something like sweetness of tone, even to her voice: 'such a number of nights as I've been patient with you, nursing and caring for you, as if you had been a child: and this the first that I've seen you like yourself; you wouldn't have served me as you did just now, if you'd thought of that, would you?
Come, come; say you wouldn't.' 'Well, then,' rejoined Mr. Sikes, 'I wouldn't.
Why, damme, now, the girls's whining again!' 'It's nothing,' said the girl, throwing herself into a chair. 'Don't you seem to mind me.
It'll soon be over.' 'What'll be over?' demanded Mr. Sikes in a savage24 voice. 'What foolery are you up to, now, again?
Get up and bustle25 about, and don't come over me with your woman's nonsense.' At any other time, this remonstrance26, and the tone in which it was delivered, would have had the desired effect; but the girl being really weak and exhausted27, dropped her head over the back of the chair, and fainted, before Mr. Sikes could get out a few of the appropriate oaths with which, on similar occasions, he was accustomed to garnish28 his threats.
Not knowing, very well, what to do, in this uncommon29 emergency; for Miss Nancy's hysterics were usually of that violent kind which the patient fights and struggles out of, without much assistance; Mr. Sikes tried a little blasphemy30: and finding that mode of treatment wholly ineffectual, called for assistance. 'What's the matter here, my dear?' said Fagin, looking in. 'Lend a hand to the girl, can't you?' replied Sikes impatiently. 'Don't stand chattering31 and grinning at me!' With an exclamation32 of surprise, Fagin hastened to the girl's assistance, while Mr. John Dawkins (otherwise the Artful Dodger33), who had followed his venerable friend into the room, hastily deposited on the floor a bundle with which he was laden34; and snatching a bottle from the grasp of Master Charles Bates who came close at his heels, uncorked it in a twinkling with his teeth, and poured a portion of its contents down the patient's throat:
previously37 taking a taste, himself, to prevent mistakes. 'Give her a whiff of fresh air with the bellows38, Charley,' said Mr. Dawkins; 'and you slap her hands, Fagin, while Bill undoes39 the petticuts.' These united restoratives, administered with great energy: especially that department consigned40 to Master Bates, who appeared to consider his share in the proceedings41, a piece of unexampled pleasantry:
were not long in producing the desired effect.
The girl gradually recovered her senses; and, staggering to a chair by the bedside, hid her face upon the pillow:
leaving Mr. Sikes to confront the new comers, in some astonishment42 at their unlooked-for appearance. 'Why, what evil wind has blowed you here?' he asked Fagin. 'No evil wind at all, my dear, for evil winds blow nobody any good; and I've brought something good with me, that you'll be glad to see.
Dodger, my dear, open the bundle; and give Bill the little trifles that we spent all our money on, this morning.' In compliance43 with Mr. Fagin's request, the Artful untied44 this bundle, which was of large size, and formed of an old table-cloth; and handed the articles it contained, one by one, to Charley Bates: who placed them on the table, with various encomiums on their rarity and excellence45. 'Sitch a rabbit pie, Bill,' exclaimed that young gentleman, disclosing to view a huge pasty; 'sitch delicate creeturs, with sitch tender limbs, Bill, that the wery bones melt in your mouth, and there's no occasion to pick 'em; half a pound of seven and six-penny green, so precious strong that if you mix it with biling water, it'll go nigh to blow the lid of the tea-pot off; a pound and a half of moist sugar that the niggers didn't work at all at, afore they got it up to sitch a pitch of goodness,--oh no!
Two half-quartern brans; pound of best fresh; piece of double Glo'ster; and, to wind up all, some of the richest sort you ever lushed!' Uttering this last panegyric46, Master Bates produced, from one of his extensive pockets, a full-sized wine-bottle, carefully corked35; while Mr. Dawkins, at the same instant, poured out a wine-glassful of raw spirits from the bottle he carried:
which the invalid47 tossed down his throat without a moment's hesitation48. 'Ah!' said Fagin, rubbing his hands with great satisfaction. 'You'll do, Bill; you'll do now.' 'Do!' exclaimed Mr. Sikes; 'I might have been done for, twenty times over, afore you'd have done anything to help me.
What do you mean by leaving a man in this state, three weeks and more, you false-hearted wagabond?' 'Only hear him, boys!' said Fagin, shrugging his shoulders. 'And us come to bring him all these beau-ti-ful things.' 'The things is well enough in their way,' observed Mr. Sikes:
a little soothed49 as he glanced over the table; 'but what have you got to say for yourself, why you should leave me here, down in the mouth, health, blunt, and everything else; and take no more notice of me, all this mortal time, than if I was that 'ere dog.--Drive him down, Charley!' 'I never see such a jolly dog as that,' cried Master Bates, doing as he was desired.
'Smelling the grub like a old lady a going to market!
He'd make his fortun' on the stage that dog would, and rewive the drayma besides.' 'Hold your din,' cried Sikes, as the dog retreated under the bed: still growling50 angrily.
'What have you got to say for yourself, you withered51 old fence, eh?' 'I was away from London, a week and more, my dear, on a plant,' replied the Jew. 'And what about the other fortnight?' demanded Sikes.
'What about the other fortnight that you've left me lying here, like a sick rat in his hole?' 'I couldn't help it, Bill.
I can't go into a long explanation before company; but I couldn't help it, upon my honour.' 'Upon your what?' growled Sikes, with excessive disgust. 'Here! Cut me off a piece of that pie, one of you boys, to take the taste of that out of my mouth, or it'll choke me dead.' 'Don't be out of temper, my dear,' urged Fagin, submissively. 'I have never forgot you, Bill; never once.' 'No!
I'll pound it that you han't,' replied Sikes, with a bitter grin.
'You've been scheming and plotting away, every hour that I have laid shivering and burning here; and Bill was to do this; and Bill was to do that; and Bill was to do it all, dirt cheap, as soon as he got well: and was quite poor enough for your work. If it hadn't been for the girl, I might have died.' 'There now, Bill,' remonstrated52 Fagin, eagerly catching53 at the word.
'If it hadn't been for the girl!
Who but poor ould Fagin was the means of your having such a handy girl about you?' 'He says true enough there!' said Nancy, coming hastily forward. 'Let him be; let him be.' Nancy's appearance gave a new turn to the conversation; for the boys, receiving a sly wink36 from the wary54 old Jew, began to ply55 her with liquor: of which, however, she took very sparingly; while Fagin, assuming an unusual flow of spirits, gradually brought Mr. Sikes into a better temper, by affecting to regard his threats as a little pleasant banter56; and, moreover, by laughing very heartily57 at one or two rough jokes, which, after repeated applications to the spirit-bottle, he condescended58 to make. 'It's all very well,' said Mr. Sikes; 'but I must have some blunt from you to-night.' 'I haven't a piece of coin about me,' replied the Jew. 'Then you've got lots at home,' retorted Sikes; 'and I must have some from there.' 'Lots!' cried Fagin, holding up is hands.
'I haven't so much as would--' 'I don't know how much you've got, and I dare say you hardly know yourself, as it would take a pretty long time to count it,' said Sikes; 'but I must have some to-night; and that's flat.' 'Well, well,' said Fagin, with a sigh, 'I'll send the Artful round presently.' 'You won't do nothing of the kind,' rejoined Mr. Sikes. 'The Artful's a deal too artful, and would forget to come, or lose his way, or get dodged59 by traps and so be perwented, or anything for an excuse, if you put him up to it.
Nancy shall go to the ken4 and fetch it, to make all sure; and I'll lie down and have a snooze while she's gone.' After a great deal of haggling60 and squabbling, Fagin beat down the amount of the required advance from five pounds to three pounds four and sixpence: protesting with many solemn asseverations that that would only leave him eighteen-pence to keep house with; Mr. Sikes sullenly61 remarking that if he couldn't get any more he must accompany him home; with the Dodger and Master Bates put the eatables in the cupboard.
The Jew then, taking leave of his affectionate friend, returned homeward, attended by Nancy and the boys:
Mr. Sikes, meanwhile, flinging himself on the bed, and composing himself to sleep away the time until the young lady's return. In due course, they arrived at Fagin's abode62, where they found Toby Crackit and Mr. Chitling intent upon their fifteenth game at cribbage, which it is scarcely necessary to say the latter gentleman lost, and with it, his fifteenth and last sixpence: much to the amusement of his young friends.
Mr. Crackit, apparently63 somewhat ashamed at being found relaxing himself with a gentleman so much his inferior in station and mental endowments, yawned, and inquiring after Sikes, took up his hat to go. 'Has nobody been, Toby?' asked Fagin. 'Not a living leg,' answered Mr. Crackit, pulling up his collar; 'it's been as dull as swipes.
You ought to stand something handsome, Fagin, to recompense me for keeping house so long. Damme, I'm as flat as a juryman; and should have gone to sleep, as fast as Newgate, if I hadn't had the good natur' to amuse this youngster.
Horrid64 dull, I'm blessed if I an't!' With these and other ejaculations of the same kind, Mr. Toby Crackit swept up his winnings, and crammed65 them into his waistcoat pocket with a haughty66 air, as though such small pieces of silver were wholly beneath the consideration of a man of his figure; this done, he swaggered out of the room, with so much elegance67 and gentility, that Mr. Chitling, bestowing68 numerous admiring glances on his legs and boots till they were out of sight, assured the company that he considered his acquaintance cheap at fifteen sixpences an interview, and that he didn't value his losses the snap of his little finger. 'Wot a rum chap you are, Tom!' said Master Bates, highly amused by this declaration. 'Not a bit of it,' replied Mr. Chitling.
'Am I, Fagin?' 'A very clever fellow, my dear,' said Fagin, patting him on the shoulder, and winking69 to his other pupils. 'And Mr. Crackit is a heavy swell70; an't he, Fagin?' asked Tom. 'No doubt at all of that, my dear.' 'And it is a creditable thing to have his acquaintance; an't it, Fagin?' pursued Tom. 'Very much so, indeed, my dear.
They're only jealous, Tom, because he won't give it to them.' 'Ah!' cried Tom, triumphantly71, 'that's where it is!
He has cleaned me out.
But I can go and earn some more, when I like; can't I, Fagin?' 'To be sure you can, and the sooner you go the better, Tom; so make up your loss at once, and don't lose any more time.
Dodger! Charley!
It's time you were on the lay.
Come!
It's near ten, and nothing done yet.' In obedience72 to this hint, the boys, nodding to Nancy, took up their hats, and left the room; the Dodger and his vivacious73 friend indulging, as they went, in many witticisms74 at the expense of Mr. Chitling; in whose conduct, it is but justice to say, there was nothing very conspicuous75 or peculiar76:
inasmuch as there are a great number of spirited young bloods upon town, who pay a much higher price than Mr. Chitling for being seen in good society:
and a great number of fine gentlemen (composing the good society aforesaid) who established their reputation upon very much the same footing as flash Toby Crackit. 'Now,' said Fagin, when they had left the room, 'I'll go and get you that cash, Nancy.
This is only the key of a little cupboard where I keep a few odd things the boys get, my dear.
I never lock up my money, for I've got none to lock up, my dear--ha! ha! ha!--none to lock up.
It's a poor trade, Nancy, and no thanks; but I'm fond of seeing the young people about me; and I bear it all, I bear it all.
Listen!' The girl, who was sitting at the table with her arms folded, appeared in no way interested in the arrival: or to care whether the person, whoever he was, came or went:
The instant she caught the sound, she tore off her bonnet80 and shawl, with the rapidity of lightning, and thrust them under the table. The Jew, turning round immediately afterwards, she muttered a complaint of the heat:
in a tone of languor81 that contrasted, very remarkably82, with the extreme haste and violence of this action:
which, however, had been unobserved by Fagin, who had his back towards her at the time. 'Bah!' he whispered, as though nettled83 by the interruption; 'it's the man I expected before; he's coming downstairs.
He won't stop long.
Not ten minutes, my dear.' Laying his skinny forefinger85 upon his lip, the Jew carried a candle to the door, as a man's step was heard upon the stairs without.
He reached it, at the same moment as the visitor, who, coming hastily into the room, was close upon the girl before he observed her. It was Monks86. 'Only one of my young people,' said Fagin, observing that Monks drew back, on beholding87 a stranger.
'Don't move, Nancy.' The girl drew closer to the table, and glancing at Monks with an air of careless levity88, withdrew her eyes; but as he turned towards Fagin, she stole another look; so keen and searching, and full of purpose, that if there had been any bystander to observe the change, he could hardly have believed the two looks to have proceeded from the same person. 'Any news?' inquired Fagin. 'Great.' 'And--and--good?' asked Fagin, hesitating as though he feared to vex89 the other man by being too sanguine90. 'Not bad, any way,' replied Monks with a smile.
'I have been prompt enough this time.
Let me have a word with you.' The girl drew closer to the table, and made no offer to leave the room, although she could see that Monks was pointing to her.
The Jew:
perhaps fearing she might say something aloud about the money, if he endeavoured to get rid of her:
pointed91 upward, and took Monks out of the room. 'Not that infernal hole we were in before,' she could hear the man say as they went upstairs.
Fagin laughed; and making some reply which did not reach her, seemed, by the creaking of the boards, to lead his companion to the second story. Before the sound of their footsteps had ceased to echo through the house, the girl had slipped off her shoes; and drawing her gown loosely over her head, and muffling92 her arms in it, stood at the door, listening with breathless interest.
The moment the noise ceased, she glided93 from the room; ascended94 the stairs with incredible softness and silence; and was lost in the gloom above. The room remained deserted95 for a quarter of an hour or more; the girl glided back with the same unearthly tread; and, immediately afterwards, the two men were heard descending96.
Monks went at once into the street; and the Jew crawled upstairs again for the money.
When he returned, the girl was adjusting her shawl and bonnet, as if preparing to be gone. 'Why, Nance!' exclaimed the Jew, starting back as he put down the candle, 'how pale you are!' 'Pale!' echoed the girl, shading her eyes with her hands, as if to look steadily97 at him. 'Quite horrible.
What have you been doing to yourself?' 'Nothing that I know of, except sitting in this close place for I don't know how long and all,' replied the girl carelessly. 'Come!
Let me get back; that's a dear.' With a sigh for every piece of money, Fagin told the amount into her hand.
They parted without more conversation, merely interchanging a 'good-night.' When the girl got into the open street, she sat down upon a doorstep; and seemed, for a few moments, wholly bewildered and unable to pursue her way.
Suddenly she arose; and hurrying on, in a direction quite opposite to that in which Sikes was awaiting her returned, quickened her pace, until it gradually resolved into a violent run.
After completely exhausting herself, she stopped to take breath:
and, as if suddenly recollecting98 herself, and deploring99 her inability to do something she was bent100 upon, wrung101 her hands, and burst into tears. It might be that her tears relieved her, or that she felt the full hopelessness of her condition; but she turned back; and hurrying with nearly as great rapidity in the contrary direction; partly to recover lost time, and partly to keep pace with the violent current of her own thoughts:
soon reached the dwelling102 where she had left the housebreaker. If she betrayed any agitation103, when she presented herself to Mr. Sikes, he did not observe it; for merely inquiring if she had brought the money, and receiving a reply in the affirmative, he uttered a growl of satisfaction, and replacing his head upon the pillow, resumed the slumbers104 which her arrival had interrupted. It was fortunate for her that the possession of money occasioned him so much employment next day in the way of eating and drinking; and withal had so beneficial an effect in smoothing down the asperities105 of his temper; that he had neither time nor inclination106 to be very critical upon her behaviour and deportment.
That she had all the abstracted and nervous manner of one who is on the eve of some bold and hazardous107 step, which it has required no common struggle to resolve upon, would have been obvious to the lynx-eyed Fagin, who would most probably have taken the alarm at once; but Mr. Sikes lacking the niceties of discrimination, and being troubled with no more subtle misgivings108 than those which resolve themselves into a dogged roughness of behaviour towards everybody; and being, furthermore, in an unusually amiable109 condition, as has been already observed; saw nothing unusual in her demeanor110, and indeed, troubled himself so little about her, that, had her agitation been far more perceptible than it was, it would have been very unlikely to have awakened111 his suspicions. As that day closed in, the girl's excitement increased; and, when night came on, and she sat by, watching until the housebreaker should drink himself asleep, there was an unusual paleness in her cheek, and a fire in her eye, that even Sikes observed with astonishment. Mr. Sikes being weak from the fever, was lying in bed, taking hot water with his gin to render it less inflammatory; and had pushed his glass towards Nancy to be replenished112 for the third or fourth time, when these symptoms first struck him. 'Why, burn my body!' said the man, raising himself on his hands as he stared the girl in the face.
What's the matter?' 'Matter!' replied the girl.
'Nothing.
What do you look at me so hard for?' 'What foolery is this?' demanded Sikes, grasping her by the arm, and shaking her roughly.
'What is it?
What do you mean?
What are you thinking of?' 'Of many things, Bill,' replied the girl, shivering, and as she did so, pressing her hands upon her eyes.
'But, Lord!
What odds114 in that?' The tone of forced gaiety in which the last words were spoken, seemed to produce a deeper impression on Sikes than the wild and rigid115 look which had preceded them. 'I tell you wot it is,' said Sikes; 'if you haven't caught the fever, and got it comin' on, now, there's something more than usual in the wind, and something dangerous too.
You're not a-going to--.
No, damme! you wouldn't do that!' 'Do what?' asked the girl. 'There ain't,' said Sikes, fixing his eyes upon her, and muttering the words to himself; 'there ain't a stauncher-hearted gal116 going, or I'd have cut her throat three months ago.
She's got the fever coming on; that's it.' Fortifying117 himself with this assurance, Sikes drained the glass to the bottom, and then, with many grumbling118 oaths, called for his physic.
The girl jumped up, with great alacrity119; poured it quickly out, but with her back towards him; and held the vessel120 to his lips, while he drank off the contents. 'Now,' said the robber, 'come and sit aside of me, and put on your own face; or I'll alter it so, that you won't know it agin when you do want it.' The girl obeyed.
Sikes, locking her hand in his, fell back upon the pillow: turning his eyes upon her face.
They closed; opened again; closed once more; again opened.
He shifted his position restlessly; and, after dozing121 again, and again, for two or three minutes, and as often springing up with a look of terror, and gazing vacantly about him, was suddenly stricken, as it were, while in the very attitude of rising, into a deep and heavy sleep.
The grasp of his hand relaxed; the upraised arm fell languidly by his side; and he lay like one in a profound trance. 'The laudanum has taken effect at last,' murmured the girl, as she rose from the bedside.
'I may be too late, even now.' She hastily dressed herself in her bonnet and shawl:
looking fearfully round, from time to time, as if, despite the sleeping draught122, she expected every moment to feel the pressure of Sikes's heavy hand upon her shoulder; then, stooping softly over the bed, she kissed the robber's lips; and then opening and closing the room-door with noiseless touch, hurried from the house. A watchman was crying half-past nine, down a dark passage through which she had to pass, in gaining the main thoroughfare. 'Has it long gone the half-hour?' asked the girl. 'It'll strike the hour in another quarter,' said the man: raising his lantern to her face. 'And I cannot get there in less than an hour or more,' muttered Nancy:
brushing swiftly past him, and gliding123 rapidly down the street. Many of the shops were already closing in the back lanes and avenues through which she tracked her way, in making from Spitalfields towards the West-End of London.
The clock struck ten, increasing her impatience124.
She tore along the narrow pavement:
elbowing the passengers from side to side; and darting125 almost under the horses' heads, crossed crowded streets, where clusters of persons were eagerly watching their opportunity to do the like. 'The woman is mad!' said the people, turning to look after her as she rushed away. When she reached the more wealthy quarter of the town, the streets were comparatively deserted; and here her headlong progress excited a still greater curiosity in the stragglers whom she hurried past.
Some quickened their pace behind, as though to see whither she was hastening at such an unusual rate; and a few made head upon her, and looked back, surprised at her undiminished speed; but they fell off one by one; and when she neared her place of destination, she was alone. It was a family hotel in a quiet but handsome street near Hyde Park.
As the brilliant light of the lamp which burnt before its door, guided her to the spot, the clock struck eleven.
She had loitered for a few paces as though irresolute126, and making up her mind to advance; but the sound determined127 her, and she stepped into the hall.
The porter's seat was vacant.
She looked round with an air of incertitude128, and advanced towards the stairs. 'Now, young woman!' said a smartly-dressed female, looking out from a door behind her, 'who do you want here?' 'A lady who is stopping in this house,' answered the girl. 'A lady!' was the reply, accompanied with a scornful look. 'What lady?' 'Miss Maylie,' said Nancy. The young woman, who had by this time, noted129 her appearance, replied only by a look of virtuous130 disdain131; and summoned a man to answer her.
To him, Nancy repeated her request. 'What name am I to say?' asked the waiter. 'It's of no use saying any,' replied Nancy. 'Nor business?' said the man. 'No, nor that neither,' rejoined the girl.
'I must see the lady.' 'Come!' said the man, pushing her towards the door.
'None of this.
Take yourself off.' 'I shall be carried out if I go!' said the girl violently; 'and I can make that a job that two of you won't like to do.
Isn't there anybody here,' she said, looking round, 'that will see a simple message carried for a poor wretch132 like me?' This appeal produced an effect on a good-tempered-faced man-cook, who with some of the other servants was looking on, and who stepped forward to interfere133. 'Take it up for her, Joe; can't you?' said this person. 'What's the good?' replied the man.
'You don't suppose the young lady will see such as her; do you?' This allusion134 to Nancy's doubtful character, raised a vast quantity of chaste135 wrath136 in the bosoms137 of four housemaids, who remarked, with great fervour, that the creature was a disgrace to her sex; and strongly advocated her being thrown, ruthlessly, into the kennel138. 'Do what you like with me,' said the girl, turning to the men again; 'but do what I ask you first, and I ask you to give this message for God Almighty's sake.' The soft-hearted cook added his intercession, and the result was that the man who had first appeared undertook its delivery. 'What's it to be?' said the man, with one foot on the stairs. 'That a young woman earnestly asks to speak to Miss Maylie alone,' said Nancy; 'and that if the lady will only hear the first word she has to say, she will know whether to hear her business, or to have her turned out of doors as an impostor.' 'I say,' said the man, 'you're coming it strong!' 'You give the message,' said the girl firmly; 'and let me hear the answer.' The man ran upstairs.
Nancy remained, pale and almost breathless, listening with quivering lip to the very audible expressions of scorn, of which the chaste housemaids were very prolific139; and of which they became still more so, when the man returned, and said the young woman was to walk upstairs. 'It's no good being proper in this world,' said the first housemaid. 'Brass140 can do better than the gold what has stood the fire,' said the second. The third contented141 herself with wondering 'what ladies was made of'; and the fourth took the first in a quartette of 'Shameful142!' with which the Dianas concluded. Regardless of all this: for she had weightier matters at heart: Nancy followed the man, with trembling limbs, to a small ante-chamber, lighted by a lamp from the ceiling. Here he left her, and retired143.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
worthies
|
|
| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
narrated
|
|
| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
awakening
|
|
| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
ken
|
|
| n.视野，知识领域 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
drowsily
|
|
| adv.睡地，懒洋洋地，昏昏欲睡地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
growl
|
|
| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
inquiry
|
|
| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
propounded
|
|
| v.提出（问题、计划等）供考虑[讨论]，提议( propound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
situated
|
|
| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
lodgings
|
|
| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
abutting
|
|
| adj.邻接的v.（与…）邻接( abut的现在分词 )；（与…）毗连；接触；倚靠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
scarcity
|
|
| n.缺乏，不足，萧条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
disappearance
|
|
| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
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： |
|
|
|
|
17
bespoke
|
|
| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
attenuated
|
|
| v.（使）变细( attenuate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）变薄；（使）变小；减弱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
corroboration
|
|
| n.进一步的证实，进一步的证据 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
pricking
|
|
| 刺，刺痕，刺痛感 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
whining
|
|
| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
bustle
|
|
| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
remonstrance
|
|
| n抗议，抱怨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
garnish
|
|
| n.装饰，添饰，配菜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
uncommon
|
|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
blasphemy
|
|
| n.亵渎，渎神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
chattering
|
|
| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
dodger
|
|
| n.躲避者；躲闪者；广告单 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
laden
|
|
| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
corked
|
|
| adj.带木塞气味的，塞着瓶塞的v.用瓶塞塞住( cork的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
bellows
|
|
| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
undoes
|
|
| 松开( undo的第三人称单数 )； 解开； 毁灭； 败坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
consigned
|
|
| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
compliance
|
|
| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
untied
|
|
| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
excellence
|
|
| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
panegyric
|
|
| n.颂词，颂扬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
invalid
|
|
| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
soothed
|
|
| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
growling
|
|
| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
withered
|
|
| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
remonstrated
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
wary
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
ply
|
|
| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
banter
|
|
| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
condescended
|
|
| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
dodged
|
|
| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
haggling
|
|
| v.讨价还价( haggle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
sullenly
|
|
| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
horrid
|
|
| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
crammed
|
|
| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
elegance
|
|
| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
bestowing
|
|
| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
winking
|
|
| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
swell
|
|
| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
triumphantly
|
|
| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
vivacious
|
|
| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
witticisms
|
|
| n.妙语，俏皮话( witticism的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
conspicuous
|
|
| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
concealing
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
bonnet
|
|
| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
languor
|
|
| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
remarkably
|
|
| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
nettled
|
|
| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
nance
|
|
| n.娘娘腔的男人，男同性恋者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
forefinger
|
|
| n.食指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
monks
|
|
| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
beholding
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
levity
|
|
| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
vex
|
|
| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
sanguine
|
|
| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
muffling
|
|
| v.压抑，捂住( muffle的现在分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
recollecting
|
|
| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
deploring
|
|
| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
100
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
wrung
|
|
| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
slumbers
|
|
| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
asperities
|
|
| n.粗暴( asperity的名词复数 )；（表面的）粗糙；（环境的）艰苦；严寒的天气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
inclination
|
|
| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
hazardous
|
|
| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
misgivings
|
|
| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
demeanor
|
|
| n.行为；风度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
replenished
|
|
| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
corpse
|
|
| n.尸体，死尸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
odds
|
|
| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
rigid
|
|
| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
gal
|
|
| n.姑娘，少女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
fortifying
|
|
| 筑防御工事于( fortify的现在分词 )； 筑堡于； 增强； 强化（食品） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
grumbling
|
|
| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
alacrity
|
|
| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
dozing
|
|
| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
draught
|
|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
gliding
|
|
| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
darting
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
irresolute
|
|
| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
incertitude
|
|
| n.疑惑，不确定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
virtuous
|
|
| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
disdain
|
|
| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
allusion
|
|
| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
chaste
|
|
| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
bosoms
|
|
| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
kennel
|
|
| n.狗舍，狗窝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
prolific
|
|
| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
shameful
|
|
| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
©2005-2010英文阅读网