红字-第08章 小鬼和牧师
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Chapter 08  THE ELF-CHILD AND THE MINISTER

GOVERNOR BELLINGHAM, in a loose gown and easy cap- much as elderly gentlemen loved to endue1 themselves with, in their domestic privacy-walked foremost, and appeared to be showing off his estate, and expatiating2 on his projected improvements. The wide circumference3 of an elaborate ruff, beneath his grey beard, in the antiquated4 fashion of King James' reign5, caused his head to look not a little like that of John the Baptist in a charger. The impression made by his aspect, so rigid6 and severe, and frost-bitten with more than autumnal age, was hardly in keeping with the appliances of worldly enjoyment7 wherewith he had evidently done his utmost to surround himself. But it is an error to suppose that our grave forefathers- though accustomed to speak and think of human existence as a state merely of trial and warfare8, and though unfeignedly prepared to sacrifice goods and life at the behest of duty- made it a matter of conscience to reject such means of comfort, or even luxury, as lay fairly within their grasp. This creed9 was never taught, for instance, by the venerable pastor10, John Wilson, whose beard, white as a snow-drift, was seen over Governor Bellingham's shoulder; while its wearer suggested that pears and peaches might yet be naturalised in the New England climate, and that purple grapes might possibly be compelled to flourish, against the sunny garden-wall. The old clergyman, nurtured12 at the rich bosom13 of the English Church, had a long-established and legitimate14 taste for all good and comfortable things; and however stern he might show himself in the pulpit, or in his public reproof15 of such transgressions16 as that of Hester Prynne, still, the genial17 benevolence18 of his private life had won him warmer affection than was accorded to any of his professional contemporaries.

Behind the Governor and Mr. Wilson came two other guests; one the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, whom the reader may remember as having taken a brief and reluctant part in the scene of Hester Prynne's disgrace; and, in close companionship with him, old Roger Chillingworth, a person of great skill in physic, who, for two or three years past, had been settled in the town. It was understood that this learned man was the physician as well as friend of the young minister, whose health had severely20 suffered, of late, by his too unreserved self-sacrifice to the labours and duties of the pastoral relation.

The Governor, in advance of his visitors, ascended21 one or two steps, and, throwing open the leaves of the great hall-window, found himself close to little Pearl. The shadow of the curtain fell on Hester Prynne, and partially22 concealed23 her.

"What have we here?" said Governor Bellingham, looking with surprise at the scarlet24 little figure before him. "I profess19, I have never seen the like, since my days of vanity, in old King James' time, when I was wont25 to esteem26 it a high favour to be admitted to a court mask! There used to be a swarm27 of these small apparitions28, in holiday time; and we called them children of the Lord of Misrule. But how gat such a guest into my hall?"

"Ay, indeed!" cried good old Mr. Wilson. "What little bird of scarlet plumage may this be? Methinks I have seen just such figures, when the sun has been shining through a richly painted window, and tracing out the golden and crimson29 images across the floor. But that was in the old land. Prithee, young one, who art thou, and what has ailed30 thy mother to bedizen thee in this strange fashion? Art thou a Christian31 child- ha? Dost know thy catechism? Or art thou one of those naughty elfs or fairies, whom we thought to have left behind us, with other relics32 of Papistry, in merry old England?"

"I am mother's child," answered the scarlet vision, "and my name is Pearl!"

"Pearl?- Ruby33, rather!- or Coral!- or Red Rose, at the very least, judging from thy hue34!" responded the old minister, putting forth35 his hand in a vain attempt to pat little Pearl on the cheek. "But where is this mother of thine? Ah! I see," he added; and, turning to Governor Bellingham, whispered, "This is the selfsame child of whom we have held speech together; and behold36 here the unhappy woman, Hester Prynne, her mother!"

"Sayest thou so?" cried the Governor. "Nay37, we might have judged that such a child's mother must needs be a scarlet woman, and a worthy38 type of her of Babylon! But she comes at a good time; and we will look into this matter forthwith."

Governor Bellingham stepped through the window into the hall, followed by his three guests.

"Hester Prynne," said he, fixing his naturally stern regard on the wearer of the scarlet letter, "there hath been much question concerning thee, of late. The point hath been weightily discussed, whether we, that are of authority and influence, do well discharge our consciences by trusting an immortal39 Soul, such as there is in yonder child, to the guidance of one who hath stumbled and fallen amid the pitfalls40 of this world. Speak thou, the child's own mother! Were it not, thinkest thou, for thy little one's temporal and eternal welfare, that she be taken out of thy charge, and clad soberly, and disciplined strictly41, and instructed in the truths of heaven and earth? What canst thou do for the child, in this kind?"

"I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this!" answered Hester Prynne, laying her finger on the red token.

"Woman, it is thy badge of shame!" replied the stern magistrate42. "It is because of the stain which that letter indicates, that we would transfer thy child to other hands."

"Nevertheless," said the mother calmly, though growing more pale, "this badge hath taught me- it daily teaches me- it is teaching me at this moment- lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better, albeit43 they can profit nothing to thyself."

"We will judge warily," said Bellingham, "and look well what we are about to do. Good Master Wilson, I pray you, examine this Pearl- since that is her name- and see whether she hath had such Christian nurture11 as befits a child of her age."

The old minister seated himself in an arm-chair, and made an effort to draw Pearl betwixt his knees. But the child, unaccustomed to the touch or familiarity of any but her mother, escaped through the open window, and stood on the upper step, looking like a wild tropical bird, of rich plumage, ready to take flight into the upper air. Mr.Wilson, not a little astonished at this outbreak- for he was a grandfatherly sort of personage, and usually a vast favourite with children- essayed, however, to proceed with the examination.

"Pearl," said he, with great solemnity, "thou must take heed44 to instruction, that so, in due season, thou mayest wear in thy bosom the pearl of great price. Canst thou tell me, my child, who made thee?"

Now Pearl knew well enough who made her; for Hester Prynne, the daughter of a pious45 home, very soon after her talk with the child about her Heavenly Father, had begun to inform her of those truths which the human spirit, at whatever stage of immaturity46, imbibes47 with such eager interest. Pearl, therefore, so large were the attainments48 of her three years' lifetime, could have borne a fair examination in the New England Primer, or the first column of the Westminster Catechisms, although unacquainted with the outward form of either of those celebrated49 works. But that perversity50, which all children have more or less of, and of which little Pearl had a tenfold portion, now, at the most inopportune moment, took thorough possession of her, and closed her lips, or impelled51 her to speak words amiss. After putting her finger in her mouth, with many ungracious refusals to answer good Mr. Wilson's question, the child finally announced that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison-door.

This fantasy was probably suggested by the near proximity52 of the Governor's red roses, as Pearl stood outside of the window; together with her recollection of the prison rose-bush, which she had passed in coming hither.

Old Roger Chillingworth, with a smile on his face, whispered something in the young clergyman's ear. Hester Prynne looked at the man of skill, and even then, with her fate hanging in the balance, was startled to perceive what a change had come over his features- how much uglier they were- how his dark complexion53 seemed to have grown duskier, and his figure more misshapen- since the days when she had familiarly known him. She met his eyes for an instant, but was immediately constrained54 to give all her attention to the scene now going forward.

"This is awful!" cried the Governor, slowly recovering from the astonishment55 into which Pearl's response had thrown him. "Here is a child of three years old, and she cannot tell who made her! Without question, she is equally in the dark as to her soul, its present depravity and future destiny! Methinks, gentlemen, we need inquire no further!"

Hester caught hold of Pearl, and drew her forcibly into her arms, confronting the old Puritan magistrate with almost a fierce expression. Alone in the world, cast off by it, and with this sole treasure to keep her heart alive, she felt that she possessed56 indefeasible rights against the world, and was ready to defend them to the death.

"God gave me the child!" cried she. "He gave her in requital57 of all things else, which ye had taken from me. She is my happiness!- she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a millionfold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her! I will die first!"

"My poor woman," said the not unkind old minister, "the child shall be well cared for!- far better than thou canst do it!"

"God gave her into my keeping," repeated Hester Prynne, raising her voice almost to a shriek58. "I will not give her up!"- And here, by a sudden impulse, she turned to the young clergyman, Mr. Dimmesdale, at whom, up to this moment, she had seemed hardly so much as once to direct her eyes.- "Speak thou for me!" cried she. "Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than these men can. I will not lose the child! Speak for me! Thou knowest- for thou hast sympathies which these men lack- thou knowest what is in my heart, and what are a mother's rights, and how much the stronger they are, when that mother has but her child and the scarlet letter! Look thou to it! I will not lose the child! Look to it!"

At this wild and singular appeal, which indicated that Hester Prynne's situation had provoked her to little less than madness, the young minister at once came forward, pale, and holding his hand over his heart, as was his custom whenever his peculiarly nervous temperament59 was thrown into agitation60. He looked now more careworn61 and emaciated62 than as we described him at the scene of Hester's public ignominy; and whether it were his failing health, or whatever the cause might be, his large dark eyes had a world of pain in their troubled and melancholy63 depth.

"There is truth in what she says," began the minister, with a voice sweet, tremulous, but powerful, insomuch that the hall re-echoed, and the hollow armour64 rang with it- "truth in what Hester says, and in the feeling which inspires her! God gave her the child, and gave her, too, an instinctive65 knowledge of its nature and requirements- both seemingly so peculiar- which no other mortal being can possess. And, moreover, is there not a quality of awful sacredness in the relation between this mother and this child?"

"Ay!- how is that, good Master Dimmesdale?" interrupted the Governor. "Make that plain, I pray you!"

"It must be even so," resumed the minister. "For, if we deem it otherwise, do we not thereby66 say that the Heavenly Father, the Creator of all flesh, hath lightly recognised a deed of sin, and made of no account the distinction between unhallowed lust67 and holy love? This child of its father's guilt68 and its mother's shame hath come from the hand of God, to work in many ways upon her heart, who pleads so earnestly, and with such bitterness of spirit, the right to keep her. It was meant for a blessing69; for the one blessing of her life! It was meant, doubtless, as the mother herself hath told us, for a retribution too; a torture to be felt at many an unthought-of moment; a pang70, a sting, an ever-recurring agony, in the midst of a troubled joy! Hath she not expressed this thought in the garb71 of the poor child, so forcibly reminding us of that red symbol which sears her bosom?"

"Well said again!" cried good Mr. Wilson. "I feared the woman had no better thought than to make a mountebank72 of her child!"

"Oh, not so!- not so!" continued Mr. Dimmesdale. "She recognises, believe me, the solemn miracle which God hath wrought73, in the existence of that child. And may she feel, too- what, methinks, is the very truth- that this boon74 was meant, above all things else, to keep the mother's soul alive, and to preserve her from blacker depths of sin into which Satan might else have sought to plunge75 her! Therefore it is good for this poor, sinful woman that she hath an infant immortality76, a being capable of eternal joy or sorrow, confided77 to her care- to be trained up by her to righteousness- to remind her, at every moment, of her fall- but yet to teach her, as it were by the Creator's sacred pledge, that, if she bring the child to heaven, the child also will bring its parent thither78! Herein is the sinful mother happier than the sinful father. For Hester Prynne's sake, then, and no less for the poor child's sake, let us leave them as Providence79 hath seen fit to place them!"

"You speak, my friend, with a strange earnestness," said old Roger Chillingworth, smiling at him.

"And there is a weighty import in what my young brother hath spoken," added the Reverend Mr. Wilson. "What say you, worshipful Master Bellingham? Hath he not pleaded well for the poor woman?"

"Indeed hath he," answered the magistrate, "and hath adduced such arguments, that we will even leave the matter as it now stands; so long, at least, as there shall be no further scandal in the woman. Care must be had, nevertheless, to put the child to due and stated examination in the catechism, at thy hands or Master Dimmesdale's. Moreover, at a proper season, the tithing-men must take heed that she go both to school and to meeting."

The young minister, on ceasing to speak, had withdrawn80 a few steps from the group, and stood with his face partially concealed in the heavy folds of the window-curtain; while the shadow of his figure, which the sunlight cast upon the floor, was tremulous with the vehemence81 of his appeal. Pearl, that wild and flighty little elf, stole softly towards him, and taking his hand in the grasp of both her own, laid her cheek against it; a caress82 so tender, and withal so unobtrusive, that her mother, who was looking on, asked herself, "Is that my Pearl?" Yet she knew that there was love in the child's heart, although it mostly revealed itself in passion, and hardly twice in her lifetime had been softened83 by such gentleness as now. The minister- for, save the long-sought regards of woman, nothing is sweeter than these marks of childish preference, accorded spontaneously by a spiritual instinct, and therefore seeming to imply in us something truly worthy to be loved- the minister looked round, laid his hand on the child's head, hesitated an instant, and then kissed her brow. Little Pearl's unwonted mood of sentiment lasted no longer; she laughed, and went capering84 down the hall, so airily, that old Mr. Wilson raised a question whether even her tiptoes touched the floor.

"The little baggage had witchcraft85 in her, I profess," said he to Mr. Dimmesdale. "She needs no old woman's broomstick to fly withal!"

"A strange child!" remarked old Roger Chillingworth. "It is easy to see the mother's part in her. Would it be beyond a philosopher's research, think ye, gentlemen, to analyse that child's nature, and, from its make and mould, to give a shrewd guess at the father?"

"Nay; it would be sinful, in such a question, to follow the clew of profane86 philosophy," said Mr. Wilson. "Better to fast and pray upon it; and still better, it may be, to leave the mystery as we find it, unless Providence reveal it of its own accord. Thereby, every good Christian man hath a title to show a father's kindness towards the poor, deserted87 babe."

The affair being so satisfactorily concluded, Hester Prynne, with Pearl, departed from the house. As they descended88 the steps, it is averred89 that the lattice of a chamber-window was thrown open, and forth into the sunny day was thrust the face of Mistress Hibbins, Governor Bellingham's bitter-tempered sister, and the same who, a few years later, was executed as a witch.

"Hist, hist!" said she, while her ill-omened physiognomy seemed to cast a shadow over the cheerful newness of the house. "Wilt90 thou go with us to-night? There will be a merry company in the forest; and I well-nigh promised the Black Man that comely91 Hester Prynne should make one."

"Make my excuse to him, so please you!" answered Hester, with a triumphant92 smile. "I must tarry at home, and keep watch over my little Pearl. Had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone with thee into the forest, and signed my name in the Black Man's book too, and that with mine own blood!"

"We shall have thee there anon!" said the witch-lady, frowning, as she drew back her head.

But here- if we suppose this interview betwixt Mistress Hibbins and Hester Prynne to be authentic93, and not a parable- was already an illustration of the young minister's argument against sundering94 the relation of a fallen mother to the offspring of her frailty95. Even thus early had the child saved her from Satan's snare96.

贝灵汉总督身穿一件宽大的长袍,头戴一顶上年纪的绅士居家独处时喜欢用的便帽,他走在最前面,象是在炫耀他的产业,并且论说着他正在筹划着的种种改进方案。他的灰色胡须下面,围着詹姆斯国王统治期间①那种老式的精致而宽大的环状皱领,使得他的脑袋颇有点象托盘中的洗礼者约翰②的头颅。他外貌刻板威严,再加上垂暮之年的老气横秋,由此给人的印象,与他显然竭力使自己耽于世俗享乐的措施,二者很难协调起来。我们严肃的先人们虽然习惯于嘴里这么说,而且心里也这么想,认为人类的生存无非是经受考验和斗争,并且诚心诚意地准备好一声令下即要牺牲自己的财富和生命,但如果认定他们从道义上会拒绝唾手可得的享乐或奢侈,那可就大错特错了。例如,可尊可敬的约翰·威尔逊牧师,就从来没有宣讲过这一信条。此时他正跟在贝灵汉总督的身后,越过总督的肩膀,可以看见他的雪白的胡须。他建议说,梨和桃可以在新英格兰的气候中驯化,而紫葡萄也可能靠在日照的园墙上得以繁茂地生长。这位在英国教会的丰满乳汁中养育出来的老牧师,早已对一切美好舒适的东西怀有合法的嗜好;而且,无论他在布道坛上或是在公开谴责海丝特·白兰的罪名时显得多么声色惧厉,但他在私生活上的温和宽厚为他赢得的热爱之情,是胜过他的同辈神职人员的。

随在总督和威尔逊先生身后走来的,是另外两名客人:一位就是大家记得在海丝特·白兰示众的场面中短短地扮演了一个不情愿的角色的阿瑟·丁梅斯代尔牧师;另一位紧紧伴着他的是老罗杰·齐灵渥斯,这位精通医术的人已经在镇上定居了两三年了。由于年轻的牧师在教会事务上过于不遗余力地尽职尽责,自我牺牲,最近健康状况严重受损,因此,学者成为他的医生和朋友,也就可以理解了。

走在客人前面的总督,踏上一两级台阶,打开了大厅的窗户,发现了眼前的小珠儿。但窗帘的阴影罩住了海丝特·白兰,遮往了她的部分身形。

“我们这儿有个什么呀?”贝灵汉总督吃惊地望着眼前这个鲜红的小人儿,说道。“我敢说,自从我在老王詹姆斯时代荣获恩宠,时常被召进宫中参加假面舞会、大出风头的岁月以来,我还从来没见过这样的小家伙呢。那时候,每逢节日,常有成群的这种小精灵,我们都把他们叫作司戏者③的孩子。可这样一位客人怎么会跑到我的大厅里来了?”

“叹,真的!”好心肠的威尔逊老先生叫道。“长着这么鲜红羽毛的会是什么小鸟呢?我想,当阳光穿过五彩绘就的窗户、在地板上反射出金黄和绯红的形象时,我看到过这样子的人物。可那是在故乡本土的。请问你,小家伙,你是谁呀?你母亲为什么把你打扮成这副怪模样啊?你是基督徒的孩子吗,啊?你懂得《教义问答手册》吗?也许,你是那种调皮的小妖精或小仙女吧?我们还以为,连同罗马天主教的其它遗物,全都给留在快乐的老英格兰了呢。”

“我是我妈妈的孩子,”那鲜红的幻象回答说,“我叫珠儿!”

“珠儿?——还不如叫红宝石呢!——要不就叫红珊瑚!——要不就叫红玫瑰,从你的颜色来看,这可是最起码的呢!”老牧师答应着,伸出一只手,想拍拍小珠儿的脸蛋,可是没成功。“可你的妈妈在哪儿呢?啊!我明白了,”他又补充了一句;然后转向贝灵汉总督,悄悄说;“这就是我们一起议论过的那个孩子,往这儿瞧,那个不幸的女人,海丝特·白兰,就是她母亲!”

“你是这么说的吗?”总督叫道。“不,我们满可以判断,这样一个孩子的母亲,应该是一个鲜红色的女人,而且要当之无愧是个巴比伦式的女人④。不过,她来得正好!我们就来办办这件事吧。”

贝灵汉总督跨过窗户,步入大厅,后面跟着他的三位客人。

“海丝特·白兰,”他说着,把生来严峻的目光盯住这戴红字的女人,“最近,关于你的事议论得不少。我们已经郑重地讨论过,把一个不朽的灵魂,比如说那边那孩子,交付给一个跌进现世的陷阱中的人来指导,我们这些有权势的人能够心安理得吗?你说吧,孩子的母亲!你想一想吧,要是把她从你身边带走,让她穿上朴素的衣服,受到严格的训练,学会天上和人间的真理,是不是对这小家伙的目前和长远利益有好处呢?在这方面,你又能为这孩子做些什么呢?”

“我能教我的小珠儿我从这里学到的东西!”海丝特·白兰把手指放到那红色标志上回答。

“女人,那是你的耻辱牌啊!”那严厉的官老爷回答道。“正是因为那字母所指明的污点,我们才要把你的孩子交给别人。”

“可是,”母亲平静地说,不过面色益发苍白了,“这个牌牌已经教会了我——它每日每时都在教育我,此时此刻也正在教育我,我要接受教训,让我的孩子可以变得更聪明。更美好,尽管这一切对我本人已毫无好处了。”

“我们会做出慎重的判断的,”贝灵汉说,“而且也会认真考虑我们即将果取的措施的。善良的威尔逊先生,我请求你检查一下这个珠儿——我们权且这么叫她吧——看看她具备不具备这个年龄的孩子应受的基督徒教养。”

老牧师在一张安乐椅中就坐之后,想把珠儿拉到他的膝间。但那孩子除去她母亲之外还不习惯别人的亲热,立即穿过敞开的窗户逃了出去,站在最高一层的台阶上,象一只长着斑斓羽毛的热带鸟儿似的,随时准备飞上天空,逃之天天。威尔逊先生对这一反抗举动颇为吃惊——因为他是老爷爷般的人物,通常极受孩子们的喜爱——但他仍继续他的测验。

“珠儿,”他郑重其事地说,“你应当留心听取教诲,这样,到时候你才可能在胸前佩戴价值连城的珠宝。你能不能告诉我,我的孩子,是谁造出了你?”

如今珠儿十分清楚是谁造出了她,因为海丝特·白兰是个出身于虔诚教徒家庭的女儿,在同孩子谈过她的天父之后不久,就开始向她灌输那些真理,而一个人的心灵哪怕再不成熟,都会以热烈的兴趣来吸取这些真理的。因此,珠儿虽然年仅三岁,却已颇有造诣,完全经得起《新英格兰入门》或《西敏寺教义问答手册》初阶的测验,尽管她连这两部名著是什么样子都不知道。但一舷孩子多少都有的那种任性,小珠儿本来就甚于别的儿童十倍,而在目前这最不合时宜的当儿,更是彻底地支配了她:她不是闭口不言,就是给逼得说岔了。这孩子把手指放到嘴里,对好心肠的成尔逊先生的问题,一再粗野地拒不回答,最后居然宣称她根本不是造出来的,面是她妈妈从长在牢门边的野玫瑰丛中采下来的。

大概是由于珠儿正站在窗边,附近就有总督的红玫瑰,再加上她想起来时走过狱前见到的玫瑰丛,就受到启示,生出了这样一种奇思异想,

老罗杰·齐灵渥斯面带微笑,对着年轻牧师耳语了几句。海丝特·白兰望着这位医生,即使此刻对她命运仪关,也还是惊讶地发现,他的外貌发生了多么大的变化——自从她熟悉他的时候以来,他的黑皮肤变得益发晦暗,他的身体益发畸形了。她积他的目光接触了瞬间,立即便把全部注意力集中在眼前正在进行的场面中去了。

“这太可怕了!”总督叫着,渐渐从珠儿的应答所带给他的震惊中恢复过来。“这是个三岁的孩子,可她根本说不出是谁造出了她!毫无疑问,她对自己的灵魂,对目前的堕落,对未来的命运,全然一无所知!依我看,诸位先生,我们无需再问了。”海丝特抓住珠儿,强把她拉进自己的怀里,面对着那几乎是满险凶相的清教徒长官。她被这个世界所抛弃,只剩下孤身一人,只有这一件珍宝才能维持她心灵的生存,她感到她有不可剥夺的权利来对抗这个世界,而且准备好维护自己的权利一直到死。

“上帝给了我这个孩子!”她大声说道。“他把她给了我是为了补偿你们从我手中夺走的一切。她是我的幸福!——也分毫不爽地是我的拆磨!是珠儿叫我还活在世上!也是珠儿叫我受着惩罚!你们看见没有?她就是红字,只不过能够受到喜爱,因此也具有千万倍的力量来报应我的罪孽!你们带不走她!我情愿先死给你们看!”

“我可怜的女人,”那不无慈悲的老牧师说,“这孩子会受到很好的照顾的!——远比你能办到的要强。”

“上帝把这孩子交给了我来抚养,”海丝特·白兰重复说,嗓音大得简直象喊叫了。“我绝不会放弃她的!”说到这里,她突然一阵冲动,转向了年轻的牧师丁梅斯代尔先生,此前她简直始终没有正眼看过他。“你来替我说一句话嘛!”她说。“你原来是我的牧师,曾经对我的灵魂负责,你比这些人更了解我。我不能失去这个孩子!替我说句话吧!你了解我——而且你还具有这些人所缺乏的同情心!你了解我心里的想法,也了解一个母亲的权利,而当那位母亲只有她的孩子和红字的时候,这种权利就更烟强烈!请你关注一下吧!我绝不会失去这个孩子的!关注一下吧!”

这种狂野独特独特的吁请,意味着海丝特·白兰的处境已经把她快逼疯了。于是,那年轻的牧师马上走上前来,他面色苍氏一只手捂住心口——只要他那古怪的神经质一发作,他就会做出这个习惯的动作。他此时的样子,比起上次海丝特示众时我们所描绘的,还要疲惫和憔悴;不管是由于他那每况愈下的健康状况,抑或其它什么原因,他那双又大又黑的眼睛的深处,在烦恼和忧郁之中还有一个痛苦的天地。

“她所说的确有道理,”年轻的牧师开口说,他那甜蜜柔和的嗓音虽然微微发颤,却强劲有力地在大厅中回荡着,直震得那空壳铠中部随之轰鸣,“她的话确有道理,鼓舞她的感情也没有错!上帝赐给了她这个孩子,也就赋予了她了解孩子天性和需求的本能——而这孩子的天性和需求看来又是如此与众不同——她作母亲的这种本能别人是不可能具备的。何况,在她们的母女关系之中难道没有一种令人敬畏的神圣之处吗?”

“喂!——这是怎么讲,善良的丁梅斯代尔先生?”总督接口说。“我请你把话说得明白些!”

“尤其是,”年轻牧师接着说,“如果我们换一个角度来看待这件事,我们岂不是说,那创造了一切肉体的天父,只是随便地承认了一次罪行,而对亵渎的淫秽和神圣的爱情之间毫不加以区别吗?这孩子是她父亲的罪孽和她母亲的耻辱的产物,但却来自上帝之手,面上帝要通过许多方式来感化做母亲的心灵,因此她才这么诚挚地、怀着这么痛苦的精神来祈求养育孩子的极利。她是在祈求祝福,向赐于孩子生命的上帝祈求祝福!毫无疑问,诚如这母亲自己对我们所说,她也是在祈求一种报应;她在祈求一种折磨,让她在意想不到的许多时刻体会到这种折磨;她在祈求一阵剧痛,一下刺扎,一种时时复发的、纠缠着她的快乐的痛楚!在这可怜的孩子的衣服上,她不是表达了她的这种想法吗?这身衣服不是有力地提醒我们那烙进她胸口的红色象征吗?”

“还是你说得高明I”好心肠的威尔逊先生叫道。“我本来担心这女人除去拿她的孩子装幌子再也没有更好的想法呢!”

“噢,并非如此!——并非如此!”丁梅斯代尔先生继续说。“请相信我,她已经认识到了上帝在这个孩子的存在上所创造的神圣的奇迹。而且她可能也感受到了——我想恰恰如此——上帝赐给她这个孩子,尤其意味着,要保持母亲的灵魂的活力,防止她陷入罪恶的更黑暗的深渊,否则撒旦还会设法诱惑她的!因此,给这个可怜而有罪的女人留下一个不朽助婴儿,一个可能带来永恒的欢乐或悲伤的生命,对她会大有好处;让她去抚养孩子,让她培养孩子走上正路,这样才能随时提醒她记着自己的堕落;因为这也是对造物主的神圣誓言,同时教育她,如果她能把孩子送上天国,那么孩子也就能把她带到天国!就此而论,有罪的母亲可要比那有罪的父亲有幸。因此,为了海丝特·白兰,也同样为这可怜的孩子的缘故,我们还是按照天意对她们的安排,不去管她们吧!”

“我的朋友,你讲这番话,真是诚挚得出奇呢,”老罗杰·齐灵温斯对他笑着说。

“而且,我这年轻兄弟的话里的重要意义还满有分量呢,”威尔逊牧师先生补充说。“你怎么看,尊敬的贝灵汉老爷?他为这可怜的女人所作的请求满好吧?”

“确实不错,”那长官回答,“并且还引证了这些论据,我们只好让事情依旧如此喽,至少,只要没有人说这女人的闲话就行。不过,我们还是要认真,对这孩子要按时进行《教义问答手册》的正式考核,这事就交给你和丁梅斯代尔先生吧。再有,到了适当时候,耍让十户长注意送她上学校和做礼拜。”

那年轻的牧师说完话之后,便离开人群,后退几步,让窗帘厚厚的褶襞住了他部分面孔;而阳光在地板上照出的他的身影,还在由于刚才激昂的呼吁面颤抖。珠儿那野性子的轻灵小鬼,轻手轻脚地偷偷溜到他身旁,用双手握住他的手,还把小脸贴在上面;那抚爱是那么温柔,而且还那么从容,使得在一旁看着的海丝特不禁自问:“那是我的珠儿吗?”然而她明白,这孩子的心中是有着爱的,不过这种爱通常是以激情的形式来表达的;她生来恐怕还没有第二次这样温文尔雅呢。而牧师呢——除去追寻已久的女性的关心之外,再没有这种孩子气的爱的表示更为甜蜜的了,由于这种爱发自精神本能,因此似乎是在暗示着,我们身上确实具有一些值得一爱的东西——此时他环顾四周,将一只手放在孩子的头上,迟疑了一会儿,然后吻了她的额头。小珠儿这种不寻常的温情脉脉到此为止,她放声笑着,朝大厅另一头轻捷地蹦跳而去,威尔逊老先生甚至怀疑,她的脚尖是否触到了地板。

“这小姑娘准是有魔法附体,我敢说,”他对丁梅斯代尔先生说。“她根本用不着老女巫的笤帚就能飞行!”“没见过这样的孩子!”老罗杰·齐灵渥斯评论说。“很容易在她身上看出她母亲的素质。先生们,请你们想一想,耍分析这孩子的天性,要根据她的体态和气质来对她的父亲作出聪明的猜测,是不是超出了哲学家的研究范畴了呢?”

“不;在这样一个问题上,要追踪非宗教的哲学的暗示,是罪过的,”威尔逊先生说。“最好还是靠斋戒和祈祷来解决吧;而最好的办法可能莫过于,留着这宗秘密不去管它,听凭天意自然地揭示好了。这样,每一个信奉基督的好男人,便都有权对这可怜的被遗弃的孩子,表示奖爱了。”

这件事就此圆满地解决了,海丝特·白兰便带着珠儿离开了宅邸。在她们走下台阶的时候,据信有一间小屋的格子窗给打开了,西宾斯太大把头探出来,伸到阳光下,她是贝灵汉总督的姐姐,脾气古怪刻毒,就是她,在若干年之后,作为女巫面被处决了。

“喂,喂!”她说,她那不祥的外貌象是给这座住宅的欣欣向荣的气氛投上了一层阴影。“你们今晚愿意同我们一道去吗?树林里要举行一次联欢,我已经答应过那黑男人,海丝特·白兰要来参加呢。”

“请你替我向他抱歉吧!”海丝特带着凯旋的笑容回答说。“我得呆在家里,照顾好我的小珠儿。要是他们把她从我手中夺走,我也许会心甘情愿地跟你到树林里去,在黑男人的名册上也签上我的名字,而且还要用我的鲜血来签呢!”

“我们下一次再在那儿见吧!”那巫婆皱着眉头说罢,就缩回了脑袋。

如果我们假定,西宾斯太大和海丝特·白兰之间的这次谋面有根有据而并非比拟象征的话,那么,年轻牧师反对拆散一个堕落的母亲和因她的脆弱而诞生的女儿的论点,就已经得到了证明:这孩子早在此时就已挽救了她免坠撒旦的陷阱。

①指詹姆斯一世,斯图亚特王朝的国王,1567年起为苏格兰壬,16O3年继伊丽莎白女王统治英国,

②《新约·马太福音》言,赦洛提王氏寿,以施洗礼着约翰之头盛于盘中,赏给舞姬汲莎罗美。

③l5和16世纪时圣诞节联欢活动中,招定监督嬉闹游戏的官员。

④《新约·启示录》云,巴比伦的卖淫妇身穿紫红色衣服。



点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 endue tpXxL     
v.赋予
参考例句:
  • He prayed to God night and day to endue him with the spirit of holiness.他日夜祈求上帝赋予他虔敬的心。
  • He prayed to God to endue him with wisdom.他祈求上帝赋予他智慧。
2 expatiating f253f8f2e0316b04ca558521d92b0f23     
v.详述,细说( expatiate的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He was expatiating upon the benefits of swimming in rivers, lakes and seas. 他正详细说明到江河湖海中去游泳的好处。 来自互联网
  • US politicians expatiating on the evils of bank secrecy are regarded in the same light. 详细罗列银行保密做法罪状的美国政界人士也被认为同出一辙。 来自互联网
3 circumference HOszh     
n.圆周,周长,圆周线
参考例句:
  • It's a mile round the circumference of the field.运动场周长一英里。
  • The diameter and the circumference of a circle correlate.圆的直径与圆周有相互关系。
4 antiquated bzLzTH     
adj.陈旧的,过时的
参考例句:
  • Many factories are so antiquated they are not worth saving.很多工厂过于陈旧落后,已不值得挽救。
  • A train of antiquated coaches was waiting for us at the siding.一列陈旧的火车在侧线上等着我们。
5 reign pBbzx     
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势
参考例句:
  • The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
  • The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。
6 rigid jDPyf     
adj.严格的,死板的;刚硬的,僵硬的
参考例句:
  • She became as rigid as adamant.她变得如顽石般的固执。
  • The examination was so rigid that nearly all aspirants were ruled out.考试很严,几乎所有的考生都被淘汰了。
7 enjoyment opaxV     
n.乐趣;享有;享用
参考例句:
  • Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同,我们这次访问更加愉快了。
  • After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话,这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。
8 warfare XhVwZ     
n.战争(状态);斗争;冲突
参考例句:
  • He addressed the audience on the subject of atomic warfare.他向听众演讲有关原子战争的问题。
  • Their struggle consists mainly in peasant guerrilla warfare.他们的斗争主要是农民游击战。
9 creed uoxzL     
n.信条;信念,纲领
参考例句:
  • They offended against every article of his creed.他们触犯了他的每一条戒律。
  • Our creed has always been that business is business.我们的信条一直是公私分明。
10 pastor h3Ozz     
n.牧师,牧人
参考例句:
  • He was the son of a poor pastor.他是一个穷牧师的儿子。
  • We have no pastor at present:the church is run by five deacons.我们目前没有牧师:教会的事是由五位执事管理的。
11 nurture K5sz3     
n.养育,照顾,教育;滋养,营养品;vt.养育,给与营养物,教养,扶持
参考例句:
  • The tree grows well in his nurture.在他的培育下这棵树长得很好。
  • The two sisters had received very different nurture.这俩个姊妹接受过极不同的教育。
12 nurtured 2f8e1ba68cd5024daf2db19178217055     
养育( nurture的过去式和过去分词 ); 培育; 滋长; 助长
参考例句:
  • She is looking fondly at the plants he had nurtured. 她深情地看着他培育的植物。
  • Any latter-day Einstein would still be spotted and nurtured. 任何一个未来的爱因斯坦都会被发现并受到培养。
13 bosom Lt9zW     
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的
参考例句:
  • She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
  • A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。
14 legitimate L9ZzJ     
adj.合法的,合理的,合乎逻辑的;v.使合法
参考例句:
  • Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
  • That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。
15 reproof YBhz9     
n.斥责,责备
参考例句:
  • A smart reproof is better than smooth deceit.严厉的责难胜过温和的欺骗。
  • He is impatient of reproof.他不能忍受指责。
16 transgressions f7112817f127579f99e58d6443eb2871     
n.违反,违法,罪过( transgression的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Many marine transgressions occur across coastal plains. 许多海运是横越滨海平原。 来自辞典例句
  • For I know my transgressions, and my sin always before me. 因为我知道我的过犯,我的罪常在我面前。 来自互联网
17 genial egaxm     
adj.亲切的,和蔼的,愉快的,脾气好的
参考例句:
  • Orlando is a genial man.奥兰多是一位和蔼可亲的人。
  • He was a warm-hearted friend and genial host.他是个热心的朋友,也是友善待客的主人。
18 benevolence gt8zx     
n.慈悲,捐助
参考例句:
  • We definitely do not apply a policy of benevolence to the reactionaries.我们对反动派决不施仁政。
  • He did it out of pure benevolence. 他做那件事完全出于善意。
19 profess iQHxU     
v.声称,冒称,以...为业,正式接受入教,表明信仰
参考例句:
  • I profess that I was surprised at the news.我承认这消息使我惊讶。
  • What religion does he profess?他信仰哪种宗教?
20 severely SiCzmk     
adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地
参考例句:
  • He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
  • He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。
21 ascended ea3eb8c332a31fe6393293199b82c425     
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He has ascended into heaven. 他已经升入了天堂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The climbers slowly ascended the mountain. 爬山运动员慢慢地登上了这座山。 来自《简明英汉词典》
22 partially yL7xm     
adv.部分地,从某些方面讲
参考例句:
  • The door was partially concealed by the drapes.门有一部分被门帘遮住了。
  • The police managed to restore calm and the curfew was partially lifted.警方设法恢复了平静,宵禁部分解除。
23 concealed 0v3zxG     
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的
参考例句:
  • The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
  • I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
24 scarlet zD8zv     
n.深红色,绯红色,红衣;adj.绯红色的
参考例句:
  • The scarlet leaves of the maples contrast well with the dark green of the pines.深红的枫叶和暗绿的松树形成了明显的对比。
  • The glowing clouds are growing slowly pale,scarlet,bright red,and then light red.天空的霞光渐渐地淡下去了,深红的颜色变成了绯红,绯红又变为浅红。
25 wont peXzFP     
adj.习惯于;v.习惯;n.习惯
参考例句:
  • He was wont to say that children are lazy.他常常说小孩子们懒惰。
  • It is his wont to get up early.早起是他的习惯。
26 esteem imhyZ     
n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • The veteran worker ranks high in public love and esteem.那位老工人深受大伙的爱戴。
27 swarm dqlyj     
n.(昆虫)等一大群;vi.成群飞舞;蜂拥而入
参考例句:
  • There is a swarm of bees in the tree.这树上有一窝蜜蜂。
  • A swarm of ants are moving busily.一群蚂蚁正在忙碌地搬家。
28 apparitions 3dc5187f53445bc628519dfb8474d1d7     
n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 );幽灵;鬼;(特异景象等的)出现
参考例句:
  • And this year occurs the 90th anniversary of these apparitions. 今年是她显现的九十周年纪念。 来自互联网
  • True love is like ghostly apparitions: everybody talks about them but few have ever seen one. 真爱就如同幽灵显现:所有人都谈论它们,但很少有人见到过一个。 来自互联网
29 crimson AYwzH     
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。
30 ailed 50a34636157e2b6a2de665d07aaa43c4     
v.生病( ail的过去式和过去分词 );感到不舒服;处境困难;境况不佳
参考例句:
  • Never in his life had Robin ailed before. 罗宾过去从未生过病。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I wasn't in form, that's what ailed me.\" 我的竞技状态不佳,我输就输在这一点上。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
31 Christian KVByl     
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒
参考例句:
  • They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
  • His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
32 relics UkMzSr     
[pl.]n.遗物,遗迹,遗产;遗体,尸骸
参考例句:
  • The area is a treasure house of archaeological relics. 这个地区是古文物遗迹的宝库。
  • Xi'an is an ancient city full of treasures and saintly relics. 西安是一个有很多宝藏和神圣的遗物的古老城市。
33 ruby iXixS     
n.红宝石,红宝石色
参考例句:
  • She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
  • On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。
34 hue qdszS     
n.色度;色调;样子
参考例句:
  • The diamond shone with every hue under the sun.金刚石在阳光下放出五颜六色的光芒。
  • The same hue will look different in different light.同一颜色在不同的光线下看起来会有所不同。
35 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
36 behold jQKy9     
v.看,注视,看到
参考例句:
  • The industry of these little ants is wonderful to behold.这些小蚂蚁辛勤劳动的样子看上去真令人惊叹。
  • The sunrise at the seaside was quite a sight to behold.海滨日出真是个奇景。
37 nay unjzAQ     
adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者
参考例句:
  • He was grateful for and proud of his son's remarkable,nay,unique performance.他为儿子出色的,不,应该是独一无二的表演心怀感激和骄傲。
  • Long essays,nay,whole books have been written on this.许多长篇大论的文章,不,应该说是整部整部的书都是关于这件事的。
38 worthy vftwB     
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
39 immortal 7kOyr     
adj.不朽的;永生的,不死的;神的
参考例句:
  • The wild cocoa tree is effectively immortal.野生可可树实际上是不会死的。
  • The heroes of the people are immortal!人民英雄永垂不朽!
40 pitfalls 0382b30a08349985c214a648cf92ca3c     
(捕猎野兽用的)陷阱( pitfall的名词复数 ); 意想不到的困难,易犯的错误
参考例句:
  • the potential pitfalls of buying a house 购买房屋可能遇到的圈套
  • Several pitfalls remain in the way of an agreement. 在达成协议的进程中还有几个隐藏的困难。
41 strictly GtNwe     
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地
参考例句:
  • His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
  • The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。
42 magistrate e8vzN     
n.地方行政官,地方法官,治安官
参考例句:
  • The magistrate committed him to prison for a month.法官判处他一个月监禁。
  • John was fined 1000 dollars by the magistrate.约翰被地方法官罚款1000美元。
43 albeit axiz0     
conj.即使;纵使;虽然
参考例句:
  • Albeit fictional,she seemed to have resolved the problem.虽然是虚构的,但是在她看来好象是解决了问题。
  • Albeit he has failed twice,he is not discouraged.虽然失败了两次,但他并没有气馁。
44 heed ldQzi     
v.注意,留意;n.注意,留心
参考例句:
  • You must take heed of what he has told.你要注意他所告诉的事。
  • For the first time he had to pay heed to his appearance.这是他第一次非得注意自己的外表不可了。
45 pious KSCzd     
adj.虔诚的;道貌岸然的
参考例句:
  • Alexander is a pious follower of the faith.亚历山大是个虔诚的信徒。
  • Her mother was a pious Christian.她母亲是一个虔诚的基督教徒。
46 immaturity 779396dd776272b5ff34c0218a6c4aba     
n.不成熟;未充分成长;未成熟;粗糙
参考例句:
  • It traces the development of a young man from immaturity to maturity. 它描写一位青年从不成熟到成熟的发展过程。 来自辞典例句
  • Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another. 不成熟就是不经他人的指引就无法运用自身的理解力。 来自互联网
47 imbibes d23962f53ecfb01f123e2aae7c0b4ca2     
v.吸收( imbibe的第三人称单数 );喝;吸取;吸气
参考例句:
  • He imbibes vast quantities of strong coffee. 他喝大量的浓咖啡。 来自辞典例句
48 attainments 3f47ba9938f08311bdf016e1de15e082     
成就,造诣; 获得( attainment的名词复数 ); 达到; 造诣; 成就
参考例句:
  • a young woman of impressive educational attainments 一位学业成就斐然的年轻女子
  • He is a scholar of the highest attainments in this field. 他在这一领域是一位颇有造就的学者。
49 celebrated iwLzpz     
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的
参考例句:
  • He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
  • The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。
50 perversity D3kzJ     
n.任性;刚愎自用
参考例句:
  • She's marrying him out of sheer perversity.她嫁给他纯粹是任性。
  • The best of us have a spice of perversity in us.在我们最出色的人身上都有任性的一面。
51 impelled 8b9a928e37b947d87712c1a46c607ee7     
v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He felt impelled to investigate further. 他觉得有必要作进一步调查。
  • I feel impelled to express grave doubts about the project. 我觉得不得不对这项计划深表怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
52 proximity 5RsxM     
n.接近,邻近
参考例句:
  • Marriages in proximity of blood are forbidden by the law.法律规定禁止近亲结婚。
  • Their house is in close proximity to ours.他们的房子很接近我们的。
53 complexion IOsz4     
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格
参考例句:
  • Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
  • Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。
54 constrained YvbzqU     
adj.束缚的,节制的
参考例句:
  • The evidence was so compelling that he felt constrained to accept it. 证据是那样的令人折服,他觉得不得不接受。
  • I feel constrained to write and ask for your forgiveness. 我不得不写信请你原谅。
55 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇,惊异
参考例句:
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
56 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
57 requital 1Woxt     
n.酬劳;报复
参考例句:
  • We received food and lodging in requital for our services.我们得到食宿作为我们服务的报酬。
  • He gave her in requital of all things else which ye had taken from me.他把她给了我是为了补偿你们从我手中夺走的一切。
58 shriek fEgya     
v./n.尖叫,叫喊
参考例句:
  • Suddenly he began to shriek loudly.突然他开始大声尖叫起来。
  • People sometimes shriek because of terror,anger,or pain.人们有时会因为恐惧,气愤或疼痛而尖叫。
59 temperament 7INzf     
n.气质,性格,性情
参考例句:
  • The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
  • Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。
60 agitation TN0zi     
n.搅动;搅拌;鼓动,煽动
参考例句:
  • Small shopkeepers carried on a long agitation against the big department stores.小店主们长期以来一直在煽动人们反对大型百货商店。
  • These materials require constant agitation to keep them in suspension.这些药剂要经常搅动以保持悬浮状态。
61 careworn YTUyF     
adj.疲倦的,饱经忧患的
参考例句:
  • It's sad to see the careworn face of the mother of a large poor family.看到那贫穷的一大家子的母亲忧劳憔悴的脸庞心里真是难受。
  • The old woman had a careworn look on her face.老妇脸上露出忧心忡忡的神色。
62 emaciated Wt3zuK     
adj.衰弱的,消瘦的
参考例句:
  • A long time illness made him sallow and emaciated.长期患病使他面黄肌瘦。
  • In the light of a single candle,she can see his emaciated face.借着烛光,她能看到他的被憔悴的面孔。
63 melancholy t7rz8     
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的
参考例句:
  • All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
  • He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过,他感到很郁闷。
64 armour gySzuh     
(=armor)n.盔甲;装甲部队
参考例句:
  • His body was encased in shining armour.他全身披着明晃晃的甲胄。
  • Bulletproof cars sheathed in armour.防弹车护有装甲。
65 instinctive c6jxT     
adj.(出于)本能的;直觉的;(出于)天性的
参考例句:
  • He tried to conceal his instinctive revulsion at the idea.他试图饰盖自己对这一想法本能的厌恶。
  • Animals have an instinctive fear of fire.动物本能地怕火。
66 thereby Sokwv     
adv.因此,从而
参考例句:
  • I have never been to that city,,ereby I don't know much about it.我从未去过那座城市,因此对它不怎么熟悉。
  • He became a British citizen,thereby gaining the right to vote.他成了英国公民,因而得到了投票权。
67 lust N8rz1     
n.性(淫)欲;渴(欲)望;vi.对…有强烈的欲望
参考例句:
  • He was filled with lust for power.他内心充满了对权力的渴望。
  • Sensing the explorer's lust for gold, the chief wisely presented gold ornaments as gifts.酋长觉察出探险者们垂涎黄金的欲念,就聪明地把金饰品作为礼物赠送给他们。
68 guilt 9e6xr     
n.犯罪;内疚;过失,罪责
参考例句:
  • She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
  • Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。
69 blessing UxDztJ     
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿
参考例句:
  • The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
  • A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。
70 pang OKixL     
n.剧痛,悲痛,苦闷
参考例句:
  • She experienced a sharp pang of disappointment.她经历了失望的巨大痛苦。
  • She was beginning to know the pang of disappointed love.她开始尝到了失恋的痛苦。
71 garb JhYxN     
n.服装,装束
参考例句:
  • He wore the garb of a general.他身着将军的制服。
  • Certain political,social,and legal forms reappear in seemingly different garb.一些政治、社会和法律的形式在表面不同的外衣下重复出现。
72 mountebank x1pyE     
n.江湖郎中;骗子
参考例句:
  • The nation was led astray by a mountebank.这个国家被一个夸夸其谈的骗子引入歧途。
  • The mountebank was stormed with questions.江湖骗子受到了猛烈的质问。
73 wrought EoZyr     
v.引起;以…原料制作;运转;adj.制造的
参考例句:
  • Events in Paris wrought a change in British opinion towards France and Germany.巴黎发生的事件改变了英国对法国和德国的看法。
  • It's a walking stick with a gold head wrought in the form of a flower.那是一个金质花形包头的拐杖。
74 boon CRVyF     
n.恩赐,恩物,恩惠
参考例句:
  • A car is a real boon when you live in the country.在郊外居住,有辆汽车确实极为方便。
  • These machines have proved a real boon to disabled people.事实证明这些机器让残疾人受益匪浅。
75 plunge 228zO     
v.跳入,(使)投入,(使)陷入;猛冲
参考例句:
  • Test pool's water temperature before you plunge in.在你跳入之前你应该测试水温。
  • That would plunge them in the broil of the two countries.那将会使他们陷入这两国的争斗之中。
76 immortality hkuys     
n.不死,不朽
参考例句:
  • belief in the immortality of the soul 灵魂不灭的信念
  • It was like having immortality while you were still alive. 仿佛是当你仍然活着的时候就得到了永生。
77 confided 724f3f12e93e38bec4dda1e47c06c3b1     
v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的过去式和过去分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等)
参考例句:
  • She confided all her secrets to her best friend. 她向她最要好的朋友倾吐了自己所有的秘密。
  • He confided to me that he had spent five years in prison. 他私下向我透露,他蹲过五年监狱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
78 thither cgRz1o     
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的
参考例句:
  • He wandered hither and thither looking for a playmate.他逛来逛去找玩伴。
  • He tramped hither and thither.他到处流浪。
79 providence 8tdyh     
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。
80 withdrawn eeczDJ     
vt.收回;使退出;vi.撤退,退出
参考例句:
  • Our force has been withdrawn from the danger area.我们的军队已从危险地区撤出。
  • All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries.一切外国军队都应撤回本国去。
81 vehemence 2ihw1     
n.热切;激烈;愤怒
参考例句:
  • The attack increased in vehemence.进攻越来越猛烈。
  • She was astonished at his vehemence.她对他的激昂感到惊讶。
82 caress crczs     
vt./n.爱抚,抚摸
参考例句:
  • She gave the child a loving caress.她疼爱地抚摸着孩子。
  • She feasted on the caress of the hot spring.她尽情享受着温泉的抚爱。
83 softened 19151c4e3297eb1618bed6a05d92b4fe     
(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰
参考例句:
  • His smile softened slightly. 他的微笑稍柔和了些。
  • The ice cream softened and began to melt. 冰淇淋开始变软并开始融化。
84 capering d4ea412ac03a170b293139861cb3c627     
v.跳跃,雀跃( caper的现在分词 );蹦蹦跳跳
参考例句:
  • The lambs were capering in the fields. 羊羔在地里欢快地跳跃。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The boy was Capering dersively, with obscene unambiguous gestures, before a party of English tourists. 这个顽童在一群英国旅游客人面前用明显下流的动作可笑地蹦蹦跳跳着。 来自辞典例句
85 witchcraft pe7zD7     
n.魔法,巫术
参考例句:
  • The woman practising witchcraft claimed that she could conjure up the spirits of the dead.那个女巫说她能用魔法召唤亡灵。
  • All these things that you call witchcraft are capable of a natural explanation.被你们统统叫做巫术的那些东西都可以得到合情合理的解释。
86 profane l1NzQ     
adj.亵神的,亵渎的;vt.亵渎,玷污
参考例句:
  • He doesn't dare to profane the name of God.他不敢亵渎上帝之名。
  • His profane language annoyed us.他亵渎的言语激怒了我们。
87 deserted GukzoL     
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的
参考例句:
  • The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
  • The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。
88 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
89 averred 4a3546c562d3f5b618f0024b711ffe27     
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
90 wilt oMNz5     
v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎;(指人)疲倦,衰弱
参考例句:
  • Golden roses do not wilt and will never need to be watered.金色的玫瑰不枯萎绝也不需要浇水。
  • Several sleepless nights made him wilt.数个不眠之夜使他憔悴。
91 comely GWeyX     
adj.漂亮的,合宜的
参考例句:
  • His wife is a comely young woman.他的妻子是一个美丽的少妇。
  • A nervous,comely-dressed little girl stepped out.一个紧张不安、衣着漂亮的小姑娘站了出来。
92 triumphant JpQys     
adj.胜利的,成功的;狂欢的,喜悦的
参考例句:
  • The army made a triumphant entry into the enemy's capital.部队胜利地进入了敌方首都。
  • There was a positively triumphant note in her voice.她的声音里带有一种极为得意的语气。
93 authentic ZuZzs     
a.真的,真正的;可靠的,可信的,有根据的
参考例句:
  • This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
  • Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。
94 sundering ee55e203f638b8a916aff56de5f748ed     
v.隔开,分开( sunder的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Where were now her discreet plans for sundering their lives for ever? 现在,她那个考虑周到的永远斩断他们之间生活联系的计划哪里去了呢? 来自辞典例句
95 frailty 468ym     
n.脆弱;意志薄弱
参考例句:
  • Despite increasing physical frailty,he continued to write stories.尽管身体越来越虛弱,他仍然继续写小说。
  • He paused and suddenly all the frailty and fatigue showed.他顿住了,虚弱与疲惫一下子显露出来。
96 snare XFszw     
n.陷阱,诱惑,圈套;(去除息肉或者肿瘤的)勒除器;响弦,小军鼓;vt.以陷阱捕获,诱惑
参考例句:
  • I used to snare small birds such as sparrows.我曾常用罗网捕捉麻雀等小鸟。
  • Most of the people realized that their scheme was simply a snare and a delusion.大多数人都认识到他们的诡计不过是一个骗人的圈套。
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