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EMMA — Volume Three
by Jane Austen
CHAPTER XVI
It was a very great relief to Emma to find Harriet as desirous as herself to avoid a meeting. Their intercourse1 was painful enough by letter. How much worse, had they been obliged to meet!
Harriet expressed herself very much as might be supposed, without reproaches, or apparent sense of ill–usage; and yet Emma fancied there was a something of resentment2, a something bordering on it in her style, which increased the desirableness of their being separate.— It might be only her own consciousness; but it seemed as if an angel only could have been quite without resentment under such a stroke.
She had no difficulty in procuring3 Isabella's invitation; and she was fortunate in having a sufficient reason for asking it, without resorting to invention.—There was a tooth amiss. Harriet really wished, and had wished some time, to consult a dentist. Mrs. John Knightley was delighted to be of use; any thing of ill health was a recommendation to her—and though not so fond of a dentist as of a Mr. Wingfield, she was quite eager to have Harriet under her care.—When it was thus settled on her sister's side, Emma proposed it to her friend, and found her very persuadable.— Harriet was to go; she was invited for at least a fortnight; she was to be conveyed in Mr. Woodhouse's carriage.—It was all arranged, it was all completed, and Harriet was safe in Brunswick Square.
Now Emma could, indeed, enjoy Mr. Knightley's visits; now she could talk, and she could listen with true happiness, unchecked by that sense of injustice4, of guilt5, of something most painful, which had haunted her when remembering how disappointed a heart was near her, how much might at that moment, and at a little distance, be enduring by the feelings which she had led astray herself.
The difference of Harriet at Mrs. Goddard's, or in London, made perhaps an unreasonable6 difference in Emma's sensations; but she could not think of her in London without objects of curiosity and employment, which must be averting7 the past, and carrying her out of herself.
She would not allow any other anxiety to succeed directly to the place in her mind which Harriet had occupied. There was a communication before her, one which she only could be competent to make—the confession8 of her engagement to her father; but she would have nothing to do with it at present.—She had resolved to defer9 the disclosure till Mrs. Weston were safe and well. No additional agitation10 should be thrown at this period among those she loved—and the evil should not act on herself by anticipation11 before the appointed time.—A fortnight, at least, of leisure and peace of mind, to crown every warmer, but more agitating12, delight, should be hers.
She soon resolved, equally as a duty and a pleasure, to employ half an hour of this holiday of spirits in calling on Miss Fairfax.— She ought to go—and she was longing13 to see her; the resemblance of their present situations increasing every other motive14 of goodwill15. It would be a secret satisfaction; but the consciousness of a similarity of prospect16 would certainly add to the interest with which she should attend to any thing Jane might communicate.
She went—she had driven once unsuccessfully to the door, but had not been into the house since the morning after Box Hill, when poor Jane had been in such distress17 as had filled her with compassion18, though all the worst of her sufferings had been unsuspected.— The fear of being still unwelcome, determined19 her, though assured of their being at home, to wait in the passage, and send up her name.— She heard Patty announcing it; but no such bustle20 succeeded as poor Miss Bates had before made so happily intelligible21.—No; she heard nothing but the instant reply of, "Beg her to walk up;"—and a moment afterwards she was met on the stairs by Jane herself, coming eagerly forward, as if no other reception of her were felt sufficient.— Emma had never seen her look so well, so lovely, so engaging. There was consciousness, animation22, and warmth; there was every thing which her countenance23 or manner could ever have wanted.— She came forward with an offered hand; and said, in a low, but very feeling tone,
"This is most kind, indeed!—Miss Woodhouse, it is impossible for me to express—I hope you will believe—Excuse me for being so entirely24 without words."
Emma was gratified, and would soon have shewn no want of words, if the sound of Mrs. Elton's voice from the sitting–room had not checked her, and made it expedient25 to compress all her friendly and all her congratulatory sensations into a very, very earnest shake of the hand.
Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Elton were together. Miss Bates was out, which accounted for the previous tranquillity26. Emma could have wished Mrs. Elton elsewhere; but she was in a humour to have patience with every body; and as Mrs. Elton met her with unusual graciousness, she hoped the rencontre would do them no harm.
She soon believed herself to penetrate27 Mrs. Elton's thoughts, and understand why she was, like herself, in happy spirits; it was being in Miss Fairfax's confidence, and fancying herself acquainted with what was still a secret to other people. Emma saw symptoms of it immediately in the expression of her face; and while paying her own compliments to Mrs. Bates, and appearing to attend to the good old lady's replies, she saw her with a sort of anxious parade of mystery fold up a letter which she had apparently28 been reading aloud to Miss Fairfax, and return it into the purple and gold reticule by her side, saying, with significant nods,
"We can finish this some other time, you know. You and I shall not want opportunities. And, in fact, you have heard all the essential already. I only wanted to prove to you that Mrs. S. admits our apology, and is not offended. You see how delightfully29 she writes. Oh! she is a sweet creature! You would have doated on her, had you gone.—But not a word more. Let us be discreet—quite on our good behaviour.—Hush30!—You remember those lines— I forget the poem at this moment:"
For when a lady's in the case,
You know all other things give place.
"Now I say, my dear, in our case, for lady, read——mum! a word to the wise.—I am in a fine flow of spirits, an't I? But I want to set your heart at ease as to Mrs. S.—My representation, you see, has quite appeased31 her."
And again, on Emma's merely turning her head to look at Mrs. Bates's knitting, she added, in a half whisper,
"I mentioned no names, you will observe.—Oh! no; cautious as a minister of state. I managed it extremely well."
Emma could not doubt. It was a palpable display, repeated on every possible occasion. When they had all talked a little while in harmony of the weather and Mrs. Weston, she found herself abruptly33 addressed with,
"Do not you think, Miss Woodhouse, our saucy34 little friend here is charmingly recovered?—Do not you think her cure does Perry the highest credit?—(here was a side–glance of great meaning at Jane.) Upon my word, Perry has restored her in a wonderful short time!— Oh! if you had seen her, as I did, when she was at the worst!"— And when Mrs. Bates was saying something to Emma, whispered farther, "We do not say a word of any assistance that Perry might have; not a word of a certain young physician from Windsor.—Oh! no; Perry shall have all the credit."
"I have scarce had the pleasure of seeing you, Miss Woodhouse," she shortly afterwards began, "since the party to Box Hill. Very pleasant party. But yet I think there was something wanting. Things did not seem—that is, there seemed a little cloud upon the spirits of some.—So it appeared to me at least, but I might be mistaken. However, I think it answered so far as to tempt35 one to go again. What say you both to our collecting the same party, and exploring to Box Hill again, while the fine weather lasts?— It must be the same party, you know, quite the same party, not one exception."
Soon after this Miss Bates came in, and Emma could not help being diverted by the perplexity of her first answer to herself, resulting, she supposed, from doubt of what might be said, and impatience36 to say every thing.
"Thank you, dear Miss Woodhouse, you are all kindness.—It is impossible to say—Yes, indeed, I quite understand—dearest Jane's prospects—that is, I do not mean.—But she is charmingly recovered.— How is Mr. Woodhouse?—I am so glad.—Quite out of my power.— Such a happy little circle as you find us here.—Yes, indeed.— Charming young man!—that is—so very friendly; I mean good Mr. Perry!—such attention to Jane!"—And from her great, her more than commonly thankful delight towards Mrs. Elton for being there, Emma guessed that there had been a little show of resentment towards Jane, from the vicarage quarter, which was now graciously overcome.— After a few whispers, indeed, which placed it beyond a guess, Mrs. Elton, speaking louder, said,
"Yes, here I am, my good friend; and here I have been so long, that anywhere else I should think it necessary to apologise; but, the truth is, that I am waiting for my lord and master. He promised to join me here, and pay his respects to you."
"What! are we to have the pleasure of a call from Mr. Elton?— That will be a favour indeed! for I know gentlemen do not like morning visits, and Mr. Elton's time is so engaged."
"Upon my word it is, Miss Bates.—He really is engaged from morning to night.—There is no end of people's coming to him, on some pretence37 or other.—The magistrates38, and overseers, and churchwardens, are always wanting his opinion. They seem not able to do any thing without him.—"Upon my word, Mr. E.," I often say, "rather you than I.— I do not know what would become of my crayons and my instrument, if I had half so many applicants39."—Bad enough as it is, for I absolutely neglect them both to an unpardonable degree.—I believe I have not played a bar this fortnight.—However, he is coming, I assure you: yes, indeed, on purpose to wait on you all." And putting up her hand to screen her words from Emma—"A congratulatory visit, you know.—Oh! yes, quite indispensable."
Miss Bates looked about her, so happily!—
"He promised to come to me as soon as he could disengage himself from Knightley; but he and Knightley are shut up together in deep consultation40.—Mr. E. is Knightley's right hand."
Emma would not have smiled for the world, and only said, "Is Mr. Elton gone on foot to Donwell?—He will have a hot walk."
"Oh! no, it is a meeting at the Crown, a regular meeting. Weston and Cole will be there too; but one is apt to speak only of those who lead.—I fancy Mr. E. and Knightley have every thing their own way."
"Have not you mistaken the day?" said Emma. "I am almost certain that the meeting at the Crown is not till to–morrow.—Mr. Knightley was at Hartfield yesterday, and spoke41 of it as for Saturday."
"Oh! no, the meeting is certainly to–day," was the abrupt32 answer, which denoted the impossibility of any blunder on Mrs. Elton's side.— "I do believe," she continued, "this is the most troublesome parish that ever was. We never heard of such things at Maple42 Grove43."
"Your parish there was small," said Jane.
"Upon my word, my dear, I do not know, for I never heard the subject talked of."
"But it is proved by the smallness of the school, which I have heard you speak of, as under the patronage44 of your sister and Mrs. Bragge; the only school, and not more than five–and–twenty children."
"Ah! you clever creature, that's very true. What a thinking brain you have! I say, Jane, what a perfect character you and I should make, if we could be shaken together. My liveliness and your solidity would produce perfection.—Not that I presume to insinuate45, however, that some people may not think you perfection already.—But hush!—not a word, if you please."
It seemed an unnecessary caution; Jane was wanting to give her words, not to Mrs. Elton, but to Miss Woodhouse, as the latter plainly saw. The wish of distinguishing her, as far as civility permitted, was very evident, though it could not often proceed beyond a look.
"Very pretty, sir, upon my word; to send me on here, to be an encumbrance47 to my friends, so long before you vouchsafe48 to come!— But you knew what a dutiful creature you had to deal with. You knew I should not stir till my lord and master appeared.— Here have I been sitting this hour, giving these young ladies a sample of true conjugal49 obedience—for who can say, you know, how soon it may be wanted?"
Mr. Elton was so hot and tired, that all this wit seemed thrown away. His civilities to the other ladies must be paid; but his subsequent object was to lament50 over himself for the heat he was suffering, and the walk he had had for nothing.
"When I got to Donwell," said he, "Knightley could not be found. Very odd! very unaccountable! after the note I sent him this morning, and the message he returned, that he should certainly be at home till one."
"Donwell!" cried his wife.—"My dear Mr. E., you have not been to Donwell!—You mean the Crown; you come from the meeting at the Crown."
"No, no, that's to–morrow; and I particularly wanted to see Knightley to–day on that very account.—Such a dreadful broiling51 morning!— I went over the fields too—(speaking in a tone of great ill–usage,) which made it so much the worse. And then not to find him at home! I assure you I am not at all pleased. And no apology left, no message for me. The housekeeper52 declared she knew nothing of my being expected.— Very extraordinary!—And nobody knew at all which way he was gone. Perhaps to Hartfield, perhaps to the Abbey Mill, perhaps into his woods.— Miss Woodhouse, this is not like our friend Knightley!—Can you explain it?"
Emma amused herself by protesting that it was very extraordinary, indeed, and that she had not a syllable53 to say for him.
"I cannot imagine," said Mrs. Elton, (feeling the indignity54 as a wife ought to do,) "I cannot imagine how he could do such a thing by you, of all people in the world! The very last person whom one should expect to be forgotten!—My dear Mr. E., he must have left a message for you, I am sure he must.—Not even Knightley could be so very eccentric;— and his servants forgot it. Depend upon it, that was the case: and very likely to happen with the Donwell servants, who are all, I have often observed, extremely awkward and remiss55.—I am sure I would not have such a creature as his Harry56 stand at our sideboard for any consideration. And as for Mrs. Hodges, Wright holds her very cheap indeed.—She promised Wright a receipt, and never sent it."
"I met William Larkins," continued Mr. Elton, "as I got near the house, and he told me I should not find his master at home, but I did not believe him.—William seemed rather out of humour. He did not know what was come to his master lately, he said, but he could hardly ever get the speech of him. I have nothing to do with William's wants, but it really is of very great importance that I should see Knightley to–day; and it becomes a matter, therefore, of very serious inconvenience that I should have had this hot walk to no purpose."
Emma felt that she could not do better than go home directly. In all probability she was at this very time waited for there; and Mr. Knightley might be preserved from sinking deeper in aggression57 towards Mr. Elton, if not towards William Larkins.
She was pleased, on taking leave, to find Miss Fairfax determined to attend her out of the room, to go with her even downstairs; it gave her an opportunity which she immediately made use of, to say,
"It is as well, perhaps, that I have not had the possibility. Had you not been surrounded by other friends, I might have been tempted58 to introduce a subject, to ask questions, to speak more openly than might have been strictly59 correct.—I feel that I should certainly have been impertinent."
"Oh!" cried Jane, with a blush and an hesitation60 which Emma thought infinitely61 more becoming to her than all the elegance62 of all her usual composure—"there would have been no danger. The danger would have been of my wearying you. You could not have gratified me more than by expressing an interest—. Indeed, Miss Woodhouse, (speaking more collectedly,) with the consciousness which I have of misconduct, very great misconduct, it is particularly consoling to me to know that those of my friends, whose good opinion is most worth preserving, are not disgusted to such a degree as to—I have not time for half that I could wish to say. I long to make apologies, excuses, to urge something for myself. I feel it so very due. But, unfortunately—in short, if your compassion does not stand my friend—"
"Oh! you are too scrupulous63, indeed you are," cried Emma warmly, and taking her hand. "You owe me no apologies; and every body to whom you might be supposed to owe them, is so perfectly64 satisfied, so delighted even—"
"You are very kind, but I know what my manners were to you.— So cold and artificial!—I had always a part to act.—It was a life of deceit!—I know that I must have disgusted you."
"Pray say no more. I feel that all the apologies should be on my side. Let us forgive each other at once. We must do whatever is to be done quickest, and I think our feelings will lose no time there. I hope you have pleasant accounts from Windsor?"
"Very."
"And the next news, I suppose, will be, that we are to lose you—just as I begin to know you."
"Oh! as to all that, of course nothing can be thought of yet. I am here till claimed by Colonel and Mrs. Campbell."
"Nothing can be actually settled yet, perhaps," replied Emma, smiling—"but, excuse me, it must be thought of."
The smile was returned as Jane answered,
"You are very right; it has been thought of. And I will own to you, (I am sure it will be safe), that so far as our living with Mr. Churchill at Enscombe, it is settled. There must be three months, at least, of deep mourning; but when they are over, I imagine there will be nothing more to wait for."
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1
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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2
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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3
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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6
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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7
averting
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| 防止，避免( avert的现在分词 )； 转移 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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9
defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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10
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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11
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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12
agitating
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| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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13
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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14
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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15
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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16
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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17
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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18
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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19
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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21
intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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23
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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24
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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26
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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27
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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28
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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29
delightfully
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| 大喜，欣然 | |
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30
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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31
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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32
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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38
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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applicants
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| 申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 ) | |
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40
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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41
spoke
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| 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 | |
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maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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43
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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44
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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45
insinuate
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| vt.含沙射影地说，暗示 | |
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46
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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47
encumbrance
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| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
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48
vouchsafe
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| v.惠予，准许 | |
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49
conjugal
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| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
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50
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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51
broiling
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| adj.酷热的，炽热的，似烧的v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的现在分词 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
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52
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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53
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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54
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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55
remiss
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| adj.不小心的，马虎 | |
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56
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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57
aggression
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| n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害 | |
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58
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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59
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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60
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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61
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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62
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
参考例句： |
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63
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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64
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
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65
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
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