空幻之屋14

时间：2024-12-31 10:04:25

（单词翻译:单击）

II
At dinner that night, Henrietta was put next to David, and from the end of the table Lucy’s delicate
eyebrows1 telegraphed not a command—Lucy never commanded—but an appeal.
Sir Henry was doing his best with Gerda and succeeding quite well. John, his face amused, was
following the leaps and bounds of Lucy’s discursive2 mind. Midge talked in rather a stilted3 way to
Edward, who seemed more absentminded than usual.
David was glowering4 and crumbling5 his bread with a nervous hand.
David had come to The Hollow in a spirit of considerable unwillingness6. Until now, he had
never met either Sir Henry or Lady Angkatell, and disapproving7 of the Empire generally, he was
prepared to disapprove8 of these relatives of his. Edward, whom he did not know, he despised as a
dilettante9. The remaining four guests he examined with a critical eye. Relations, he thought, were
pretty awful, and one was expected to talk to people, a thing which he hated doing.
Midge and Henrietta he discounted as empty-headed. This Dr. Christow was just one of these
Harley Street charlatans—all manner and social success—his wife obviously did not count.
David shifted his neck in his collar and wished fervently10 that all these people could know how
little he thought of them! They were really all quite negligible.
When he had repeated that three times to himself he felt rather better. He still glowered11 but he
was able to leave his bread alone.
Henrietta, though responding loyally to the eyebrows, had some difficulty in making headway.
David’s curt12 rejoinders were snubbing in the extreme. In the end she had recourse to a method she
had employed before with the tongue-tied young.
She made, deliberately13, a dogmatic and quite unjustifiable pronouncement on a modern
composer, knowing that David had much technical and musical knowledge.
To her amusement the plan worked. David drew himself up from his slouching position where
he had been more or less reclining on his spine14. His voice was no longer low and mumbling15. He
stopped crumbling his bread.
“That,” he said in loud, clear tones, fixing a cold eye on Henrietta, “shows that you don’t know
the first thing about the subject!”
From then on until the end of dinner he lectured her in clear and biting accents, and Henrietta
subsided16 into the proper meekness17 of one instructed.
Lucy Angkatell sent a benignant glance down the table, and Midge grinned to herself.
“So clever of you, darling,” muttered Lady Angkatell as she slipped an arm through Henrietta’s
on the way to the drawing room. “What an awful thought it is that if people had less in their heads
they would know better what to do with their hands! Do you think Hearts or Bridge or Rummy or
something terribly terribly simple like Animal Grab?”
“I think David would be rather insulted by Animal Grab.”
“Perhaps you are right. Bridge, then. I am sure he will feel that Bridge is rather worthless, and
then he can have a nice glow of contempt for us.”
They made up two tables. Henrietta played with Gerda against John and Edward. It was not her
idea of the best grouping. She had wanted to segregate18 Gerda from Lucy and if possible from John
also—but John had shown determination. And Edward had then forestalled19 Midge.
The atmosphere was not, Henrietta thought, quite comfortable, but she did not quite know from
whence the discomfort20 arose. Anyway, if the cards gave them anything like a break, she intended
that Gerda should win. Gerda was not really a bad Bridge player—away from John she was quite
average—but she was a nervous player with bad judgment21 and with no real knowledge of the
value of her hand. John was a good, if slightly overconfident player. Edward was a very good
player indeed.
The evening wore on, and at Henrietta’s table they were still playing the same rubber. The
scores rose above the line on either side. A curious tensity had come into the play of which only
one person was unaware22.
To Gerda this was just a rubber of Bridge which she happened for once to be quite enjoying.
She felt indeed a pleasurable excitement. Difficult decisions had been unexpectedly eased by
Henrietta’s overcalling her own bids and playing the hand.
Those moments when John, unable to refrain from that critical attitude which did more to
undermine Gerda’s self-confidence than he could possibly have imagined, exclaimed: “Why on
earth did you lead that club, Gerda?” were countered almost immediately by Henrietta’s swift,
“Nonsense, John, of course she had to lead the club! It was the only possible thing to do.”
Finally, with a sigh, Henrietta drew the score towards her.
“Game and rubber, but I don’t think we shall make much out of it, Gerda.”
John said: “A lucky finesse,” in a cheerful voice.
Henrietta looked up sharply. She knew his tone. She met his eyes and her own dropped.
She got up and went to the mantelpiece, and John followed her. He said conversationally23: “You
don’t always look deliberately into people’s hands, do you?”
Henrietta said calmly: “Perhaps I was a little obvious. How despicable it is to want to win at
games!”
“You wanted Gerda to win the rubber, you mean. In your desire to give pleasure to people, you
don’t draw the line at cheating.”
“How horribly you put things! And you are always quite right.”
“Your wishes seemed to be shared by my partner.”
So he had noticed, thought Henrietta. She had wondered herself, if she had been mistaken.
Edward was so skilful—there was nothing you could have taken hold of. A failure, once, to call
the game. A lead that had been sound and obvious—but when a less obvious lead would have
assured success.
It worried Henrietta. Edward, she knew, would never play his cards in order that she, Henrietta,
might win. He was far too imbued24 with English sportsmanship for that. No, she thought, it was
just one more success for John Christow that he was unable to endure.
She felt suddenly keyed up, alert. She didn’t like this party of Lucy’s.
And then dramatically, unexpectedly—with the unreality of a stage entrance, Veronica Cray
came through the window.
The french windows had been pushed to, not closed, for the evening was warm. Veronica
pushed them wide, came through them and stood there framed against the night, smiling, a little
rueful, wholly charming, waiting just that infinitesimal moment before speaking so that she might
be sure of her audience.
“You must forgive me—bursting in upon you this way. I’m your neighbour, Lady Angkatell—
from that ridiculous cottage Dovecotes—and the most frightful25 catastrophe26 has occurred!”
Her smile broadened—became more humorous.
“Not a match! Not a single match in the house! And Saturday evening. So stupid of me. But
what could I do? I came along here to beg help from my only neighbour within miles.”
Nobody spoke27 for a moment, for Veronica had rather that effect. She was lovely—not quietly
lovely, not even dazzlingly lovely—but so efficiently28 lovely that it made you gasp29! The waves of
pale shimmering30 hair, the curving mouth—the platinum31 foxes that swathed her shoulders and the
long sweep of white velvet32 underneath33 them.
She was looking from one to the other of them, humorous, charming!
“And I smoke,” she said, “like a chimney! And my lighter34 won’t work! And besides there’s
breakfast—gas stoves—” She thrust out her hands. “I do feel such a complete fool.”
Lucy came forward, gracious, faintly amused.
“Why, of course—” she began, but Veronica Cray interrupted.
She was looking at John Christow. An expression of utter amazement35, of incredulous delight,
was spreading over her face. She took a step towards him, hands outstretched.
“Why, surely—John! It’s John Christow! Now isn’t that too extraordinary? I haven’t seen you
for years and years and years! And suddenly—to find you here!”
She had his hands in hers by now. She was all warmth and simple eagerness. She half-turned
her head to Lady Angkatell.
“This is just the most wonderful surprise. John’s an old old friend of mine. Why, John’s the first
man I ever loved! I was crazy about you, John.”
She was half laughing now—a woman moved by the ridiculous remembrance of first love.
“I always thought John was just wonderful!”
Sir Henry, courteous36 and polished, had moved forward to her.
She must have a drink. He manoeuvred glasses. Lady Angkatell said:
“Midge, dear, ring the bell.”
When Gudgeon came, Lucy said:
“A box of matches, Gudgeon—at least, has Cook got plenty?”
“A new dozen came in today, m’lady.”
“Then bring in half a dozen, Gudgeon.”
“Oh, no, Lady Angkatell—just one!”
Veronica protested, laughing. She had her drink now and was smiling round at everyone. John
Christow said:
“This is my wife, Veronica.”
“Oh, but how lovely to meet you.” Veronica beamed upon Gerda’s air of bewilderment.
Gudgeon brought in the matches, stacked on a silver salver.
Lady Angkatell indicated Veronica Cray with a gesture and he brought the salver to her.
“Oh, dear Lady Angkatell, not all these!”
Lucy’s gesture was negligently37 royal.
“It’s so tiresome38 only having one of a thing. We can spare them quite easily.”
Sir Henry was saying pleasantly:
“And how do you like living at Dovecotes?”
“I adore it. It’s wonderful here, near London, and yet one feels so beautifully isolated39.”
Veronica put down her glass. She drew the platinum foxes a little closer round her. She smiled
on them all.
“Thank you so much! You’ve been so kind.” The words floated between Sir Henry, Lady
Angkatell, and for some reason, Edward. “I shall now carry home the spoils. John,” she gave him
an artless, friendly smile, “you must see me safely back, because I want dreadfully to hear all
you’ve been doing in the years and years since I’ve seen you. It makes me feel, of course,
dreadfully old.”
She moved to the window, and John Christow followed her. She flung a last brilliant smile at
them all.
“I’m so dreadfully sorry to have bothered you in this stupid way. Thank you so much, Lady
Angkatell.”
She went out with John. Sir Henry stood by the window looking after them.
“Quite a fine warm night,” he said.
Lady Angkatell yawned.
“Oh, dear,” she murmured, “we must go to bed. Henry, we must go and see one of her pictures.
I’m sure, from tonight, she must give a lovely performance.”
They went upstairs. Midge, saying goodnight, asked Lucy:
“A lovely performance?”
“Didn’t you think so, darling?”
“I gather, Lucy, that you think it’s just possible she may have some matches in Dovecotes all
the time.”
“Dozens of boxes, I expect, darling. But we mustn’t be uncharitable. And it was a lovely
performance!”
Doors were shutting all down the corridor, voices were murmuring goodnights. Sir Henry said:
“I’ll leave the window for Christow.” His own door shut.
Henrietta said to Gerda: “What fun actresses are. They make such marvellous entrances and
exits!” She yawned and added: “I’m frightfully sleepy.”
Veronica Cray moved swiftly along the narrow path through the chestnut40 woods.
She came out from the woods to the open space by the swimming pool. There was a small
pavilion here where the Angkatells sat on days that were sunny but when there was a cold wind.
Veronica Cray stood still. She turned and faced John Christow.
Then she laughed. With her hand she gestured towards the leaf-strewn surface of the swimming
pool.
“Not quite like the Mediterranean41, is it, John?” she said.
He knew then what he had been waiting for—knew that in all those fifteen years of separation
from Veronica she had still been with him. The blue sea, the scent42 of mimosa, the hot dust—
pushed down, thrust out of sight, but never really forgotten. They all meant one thing—Veronica.
He was a young man of twenty-four, desperately43 and agonizingly in love, and this time he was not
going to run away.

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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
2 discursive LtExz     
adj.离题的，无层次的
参考例句：
  • His own toast was discursive and overlong,though rather touching.他自己的祝酒词虽然也颇为动人，但是比较松散而冗长。
  • They complained that my writing was becoming too discursive.他们抱怨我的文章变得太散漫。
3 stilted 5Gaz0     
adj.虚饰的；夸张的
参考例句：
  • All too soon the stilted conversation ran out.很快这种做作的交谈就结束了。
  • His delivery was stilted and occasionally stumbling.他的发言很生硬，有时还打结巴。
4 glowering glowering     
v.怒视( glower的现在分词 )
参考例句：
  • The boy would not go, but stood at the door glowering at his father. 那男孩不肯走，他站在门口对他父亲怒目而视。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Then he withdrew to a corner and sat glowering at his wife. 然后他溜到一个角落外，坐在那怒视着他的妻子。 来自辞典例句
5 crumbling Pyaxy     
adj.摇摇欲坠的
参考例句：
  • an old house with crumbling plaster and a leaking roof 一所灰泥剥落、屋顶漏水的老房子
  • The boat was tied up alongside a crumbling limestone jetty. 这条船停泊在一个摇摇欲坠的石灰岩码头边。
6 unwillingness 0aca33eefc696aef7800706b9c45297d     
n. 不愿意，不情愿
参考例句：
  • Her unwillingness to answer questions undermined the strength of her position. 她不愿回答问题，这不利于她所处的形势。
  • His apparent unwillingness would disappear if we paid him enough. 如果我们付足了钱，他露出的那副不乐意的神情就会消失。
7 disapproving bddf29198e28ab64a272563d29c1f915     
adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 )
参考例句：
  • Mother gave me a disapproving look. 母亲的眼神告诉我她是不赞成的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Her father threw a disapproving glance at her. 她父亲不满地瞥了她一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 disapprove 9udx3     
v.不赞成，不同意，不批准
参考例句：
  • I quite disapprove of his behaviour.我很不赞同他的行为。
  • She wants to train for the theatre but her parents disapprove.她想训练自己做戏剧演员，但她的父母不赞成。
9 dilettante Tugxx     
n.半瓶醋，业余爱好者
参考例句：
  • He is a master of that area even if he is a dilettante.虽然他只是个业余爱好者，但却是一流的高手。
  • I'm too serious to be a dilettante and too much a dabbler to be a professional.作为一个业余艺术爱好者我过于严肃认真了，而为一个专业人员我又太业余了。
10 fervently 8tmzPw     
adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地
参考例句：
  • "Oh, I am glad!'she said fervently. “哦，我真高兴！”她热烈地说道。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • O my dear, my dear, will you bless me as fervently to-morrow?' 啊，我亲爱的，亲爱的，你明天也愿这样热烈地为我祝福么？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
11 glowered a6eb2c77ae3214b63cde004e1d79bc7f     
v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • He just glowered without speaking. 他一言不发地皱眉怒视我。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He glowered at me but said nothing. 他怒视着我，却一言不发。 来自辞典例句
12 curt omjyx     
adj.简短的，草率的
参考例句：
  • He gave me an extremely curt answer.他对我作了极为草率的答复。
  • He rapped out a series of curt commands.他大声发出了一连串简短的命令。
13 deliberately Gulzvq     
adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地
参考例句：
  • The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
  • They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。
14 spine lFQzT     
n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊
参考例句：
  • He broke his spine in a fall from a horse.他从马上跌下摔断了脊梁骨。
  • His spine developed a slight curve.他的脊柱有点弯曲。
15 mumbling 13967dedfacea8f03be56b40a8995491     
含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 )
参考例句：
  • I could hear him mumbling to himself. 我听到他在喃喃自语。
  • He was still mumbling something about hospitals at the end of the party when he slipped on a piece of ice and broke his left leg. 宴会结束时，他仍在咕哝着医院里的事。说着说着，他在一块冰上滑倒，跌断了左腿。
16 subsided 1bda21cef31764468020a8c83598cc0d     
v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上
参考例句：
  • After the heavy rains part of the road subsided. 大雨过后，部分公路塌陷了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • By evening the storm had subsided and all was quiet again. 傍晚， 暴风雨已经过去，四周开始沉寂下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
17 meekness 90085f0fe4f98e6ba344e6fe6b2f4e0f     
n.温顺，柔和
参考例句：
  • Amy sewed with outward meekness and inward rebellion till dusk. 阿密阳奉阴违地一直缝到黄昏。 来自辞典例句
  • 'I am pretty well, I thank you,' answered Mr. Lorry, with meekness; 'how are you?' “很好，谢谢，”罗瑞先生回答，态度温驯，“你好么？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
18 segregate eExys     
adj.分离的，被隔离的；vt.使分离，使隔离
参考例句：
  • We have to segregate for a few day.我们得分离一段日子。
  • Some societies still segregate men and women.有的社会仍然将男女隔离。
19 forestalled e417c8d9b721dc9db811a1f7f84d8291     
v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • She forestalled their attempt. 她先发制人，阻止了他们的企图。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I had my objection all prepared, but Stephens forestalled me. 我已做好准备要提出反对意见，不料斯蒂芬斯却抢先了一步。 来自辞典例句
20 discomfort cuvxN     
n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便
参考例句：
  • One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
  • She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。
21 judgment e3xxC     
n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见
参考例句：
  • The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
  • He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。
22 unaware Pl6w0     
a.不知道的，未意识到的
参考例句：
  • They were unaware that war was near. 他们不知道战争即将爆发。
  • I was unaware of the man's presence. 我没有察觉到那人在场。
23 conversationally c99513d77f180e80661b63a35b670a58     
adv.会话地
参考例句：
  • I am at an unfavourable position in being conversationally unacquainted with English. 我由于不熟悉英语会话而处于不利地位。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The findings suggest that happy lives are social and conversationally deep, rather than solitary and superficial. 结论显示，快乐的生活具有社会层面的意义并与日常交谈有关，而并不仅仅是个体差异和表面现象。 来自互联网
24 imbued 0556a3f182102618d8c04584f11a6872     
v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等）
参考例句：
  • Her voice was imbued with an unusual seriousness. 她的声音里充满着一种不寻常的严肃语气。
  • These cultivated individuals have been imbued with a sense of social purpose. 这些有教养的人满怀着社会责任感。 来自《简明英汉词典》
25 frightful Ghmxw     
adj.可怕的；讨厌的
参考例句：
  • How frightful to have a husband who snores!有一个发鼾声的丈夫多讨厌啊！
  • We're having frightful weather these days.这几天天气坏极了。
26 catastrophe WXHzr     
n.大灾难，大祸
参考例句：
  • I owe it to you that I survived the catastrophe.亏得你我才大难不死。
  • This is a catastrophe beyond human control.这是一场人类无法控制的灾难。
27 spoke XryyC     
n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说
参考例句：
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
28 efficiently ZuTzXQ     
adv.高效率地，有能力地
参考例句：
  • The worker oils the machine to operate it more efficiently.工人给机器上油以使机器运转更有效。
  • Local authorities have to learn to allocate resources efficiently.地方政府必须学会有效地分配资源。
29 gasp UfxzL     
n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说
参考例句：
  • She gave a gasp of surprise.她吃惊得大口喘气。
  • The enemy are at their last gasp.敌人在做垂死的挣扎。
30 shimmering 0a3bf9e89a4f6639d4583ea76519339e     
v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 )
参考例句：
  • The sea was shimmering in the sunlight. 阳光下海水波光闪烁。
  • The colours are delicate and shimmering. 这些颜色柔和且闪烁微光。 来自辞典例句
31 platinum CuOyC     
n.白金
参考例句：
  • I'll give her a platinum ring.我打算送给她一枚白金戒指。
  • Platinum exceeds gold in value.白金的价值高于黄金。
32 velvet 5gqyO     
n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的
参考例句：
  • This material feels like velvet.这料子摸起来像丝绒。
  • The new settlers wore the finest silk and velvet clothing.新来的移民穿着最华丽的丝绸和天鹅绒衣服。
33 underneath VKRz2     
adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面
参考例句：
  • Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
  • She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。
34 lighter 5pPzPR     
n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级
参考例句：
  • The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。
  • The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。
35 amazement 7zlzBK     
n.惊奇，惊讶
参考例句：
  • All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
  • He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。
36 courteous tooz2     
adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的
参考例句：
  • Although she often disagreed with me,she was always courteous.尽管她常常和我意见不一，但她总是很谦恭有礼。
  • He was a kind and courteous man.他为人友善，而且彬彬有礼。
37 negligently 0358f2a07277b3ca1e42472707f7edb4     
参考例句：
  • Losses caused intentionally or negligently by the lessee shall be borne by the lessee. 如因承租人的故意或过失造成损失的，由承租人负担。 来自经济法规部分
  • Did the other person act negligently? 他人的行为是否有过失？ 来自口语例句
38 tiresome Kgty9     
adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的
参考例句：
  • His doubts and hesitations were tiresome.他的疑惑和犹豫令人厌烦。
  • He was tiresome in contending for the value of his own labors.他老为他自己劳动的价值而争强斗胜，令人生厌。
39 isolated bqmzTd     
adj.与世隔绝的
参考例句：
  • His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
  • Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。
40 chestnut XnJy8     
n.栗树，栗子
参考例句：
  • We have a chestnut tree in the bottom of our garden.我们的花园尽头有一棵栗树。
  • In summer we had tea outdoors,under the chestnut tree.夏天我们在室外栗树下喝茶。
41 Mediterranean ezuzT     
adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的
参考例句：
  • The houses are Mediterranean in character.这些房子都属地中海风格。
  • Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.直布罗陀是地中海的要冲。
42 scent WThzs     
n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉
参考例句：
  • The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
  • The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。
43 desperately cu7znp     
adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地
参考例句：
  • He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
  • He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

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