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      Or had they?

　　The Duchess faced Ogilvie. "How much do you want?"

　　The abruptness took him by surprise. "Well ... I figure you people are pretty well fixed."

　　She said coldly, "I asked how much."

　　The piggy eyes blinked. "Ten thousand dollars. "

　　Though it was twice what she had expected, her expression did not change. "Assuming we paid this grotesque amount, what would we receive in return?"

The fat man seemed puzzled. "Like I said, I keep quiet about what I know."

　　"And the alternative ?"

He shrugged. "I go down the lobby. I pick up a phone.

 

◆◆◆

*Or had they：Had the risks to be taken？真的非冒险不可吗？

*abruptness：唐突的，突然的：The man on the strange phone call sounded abrupt.那个男子的说话声音很唐突，by surprise出其不意的，冷不防

*well-fixed：very rich， deep-pocketed有钱的，富裕的

*expression did not change：不动声色

*grotesque：absurd and ridiculous

1. 怪异的，荒唐的，丑陋的 The poor child often plays with a grotesque black doll.他经常玩一个丑陋的玩具娃娃（单词的语篇意识：ridiculous vast sums荒唐巨款）

2. n. weird style：怪异风格He was a master of the grotesque in painting. 他是绘画艺术中怪异风格的代表

3. 我们在说小说中的负面人物Grotesque characters/Hero 正面人物

*alternative：

1. a. 两者择一的, 供替代的 We returned by the alternative road. 我们从另一条路回来的

2. 不寻常的, 非传统性的These are alternative medicine.(非传统性药物)

3. 非正统性 This kind of newspaper is alternative press.这种报纸是非正统性报刊

4. n. 备选，可供选择的机会，二中选一：I'm afraid I have no alternative but to study hard

 

 

 

 

 

"No," The statement was unequivocal . "We will not pay, you."

As the Duke of Croydon shifted uneasily, the house detective's bulbous countenance reddened, “Now listen, lady…”

Peremptorily she cut him off." I will not listen. Instead, you will listen to me." Her eyes were riveted on his face, her handsome, high cheek boned features set in their most imperious mold. "We would achieve nothing by paying you, except possibly a few days' respite. You have made that abundantly clear." "That's a chance you gotta...

 

◆◆◆

*unequivocal：本意：clear and easy to understand；联系语境：conspicuous，affirmative，and forceful铿锵有力的

*bulbous：bulb1. 球茎 the bulb of the eye眼球2. We will have to change the bulb again.我们要再换个灯泡了；bulbous：shape like a bulb，round and swollen（常用贬义）滚圆的，肿胀的（fat &obese）

*countenance：

1. the face，facial features脸，面孔，面貌，容貌，脸色Her countenance is like the flowers and the moon.她有着闭月羞花的容貌

2. vt. 批准，同意，支持They wouldn’t countenance our suggestion.他们不会同意

*peremptorily：蛮横的，断然的，不容商榷的rude and outrageous

*riveted on：rivet to hold sb’s interest that they can’t think of anything else

1. 吸引住My attention was riveted by the cute cat.我被小猫吸引了

2. 用铆钉固定；3.n铆钉；语境：fixed on，stare at

* high cheek boned：高颧骨，颊骨（cheekbone）

*feature：

Handsome：（男子）英俊的；女子端庄的

1. feature：n.特征，特色The island's chief feature was its beauty.海岛的秀丽是主要特色；

2. 面貌, 相貌+s：The veil she was wearing obscured her features.她的面纱遮住了她面容

3. [美国英语]起重要作用；作为主要角色，主演：The latest popular actress is featured in this new film.这个当红女演员饰演这部电影最重要的角色

*imperious：dictatorial，firmly，self-assured过分自信的，专制的

*mold：

1. 铸模，模型，This is a mould of pudding.

2. 性情，性格He is a man of gentle mould.他是一个性格温和的人

 

*★23句：独立主格结构主要表示谓语动词发生的时间、原因、条件或伴随情况等，相当于一个状语从句或并列句；

E.g.：He was lying on the grass, （his hands crossed under his head）=and his hands were crossed under his head). 他躺在草地上，两手交叉枕在脑后

 

句子： （Her eyes were riveted on his face独立主格部分）, her handsome，high cheek boned features set in their most imperious mold.：

◆等同于：

Her handsome, high cheek boned features set in their most imperious mold，（and her eyes were riveted on his face.）（伴随状语）：

她那漂亮、高颧骨的俏脸上展出一副霸道的神态，同时她目光紧紧盯住他的脸

 

=〉不符合中文的表达习惯：（改译）

 

她目光紧紧盯住他的脸，同时她那漂亮、高颧骨的俏脸上展出一副霸道的神态。

 

【知识扩张】：

1. 英语中的状语从句可分为时间、地点、原因、条件、目的、结果、让步、方式和比较等从句。状语从句一般由连词(从属连词)引导，也可以由词组引起；从句位于句首或句中时通常用逗号与主句隔开，位于句尾时可以不用逗号隔开。

2. 独立主格结构表示时间、条件或原因时，相当于一个状语从句，一般放在句首（伴随可以放句末），但23句例外

 

*respite：

1.a temporary relief or rest暂时的休息喘息：We should have a brief respite from our work.

2. （义务的）暂缓处决；（刑罚的）缓期执行：temporary suspension of a death

*abundantly：

1. abundant+ly（词根词缀猜词法）大量的：Calcium is found most abundantly in milk.

2. very clear十分清楚地：She made her wishes abundantly clear.他十分清楚地表达了她的愿望

*gotta：have got to不得不.. That's a chance you gotta= That's a chance you have got to take.那个选择你不得不尝试

 

 

【参考翻译】：

 

 

（一）、

　　真的非冒不可吗?

　　 公爵夫人面对着欧吉维。“你要多少钱?”

　　这突如其来的问话把他吓了一跳。“唔……我想你们家是非常有钱的。”

　　她冷冷地说：“我只问你要多少。”

　　那对猪眼睛眨巴了一下。“一万美元。”

　　尽管这数目比她所预料的多了一倍，她却不动声色。“倘若我们真付了这样一笔巨款，我们能得到什么样的回报呢?”

　　大胖子似乎被这话问糊涂了。“我已经说过，我可以对自己知道的一切守口如瓶。” “我们若是不付钱呢?”

他耸了耸肩。“我就下楼到门厅里去，拿起电话。”

 

（二）、

　　“不，”话说得斩钉截铁。“我们不会付钱给你。” 克罗伊敦公爵不安地移动着身子，探长那圆滚滚的肉脸涨得通红。“你听着，夫人……”

　　她蛮横地打断他的话。“我不要听你的，你给我听着。”她目光紧紧盯住他的脸，同时她那漂亮、高颧骨的俏脸上展出一副霸道的神态。“我们即使付钱给你也得不到什么好处，顶多也只是拖延几天时间罢了。你把这一点已经讲得很清楚了。”

　　“这对你们可是一个难得的机会……”