文档介绍：英文名著 3000 本
The Little Duke
by Charlotte M. Yonge
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英文名著 3000 本
CHAPTER I
On a bright autumn day, as long ago as the year 943, there
was a great bustle in the Castle of Bayeux in Normandy.
The hall was large and low, the roof arched, and supported
on thick short colums, almost like the crypt of a
Cathedral; the walls were thick, and the windows, which
had no glass, were very small, set in such a depth of wall
that there was a wide deep window seat, upon which the
rain might beat, without reaching the interior of the
even if it e in, there was nothing for it
to hurt, for the walls were of rough stone, and the floor of
tiles. There was a fire at each end of this great dark
apartment, but there were no chimneys over the ample
hearths, and the smoke curled about in thick white folds in
the vaulted roof, adding to the wreaths of soot, which
made the hall look still darker.
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英文名著 3000 本
The fire at the lower end was by far the largest and hottest.
Great black cauldrons hung over it, and servants, both
men and women, with red faces, bare and grimed arms,
and long iron hooks, or pots and pans, were busied around
it. At the other end, which was raised about three steps
above the floor of the hall, other servants were engaged.
Two young maidens were strewing fresh rushes on the
floor;some men were setting up a long table of rough
boards, supported on trestles, and then ranging upon it
silver cups, drinking horns, and wooden trenchers.
Benches were placed to receive most of the guests, but in
the middle,at the place of honour, was a high chair with
very thick crossing legs, and the arms curiously carved
with lions' faces and claws; a clumsy wooden footstool
was set in front, and the silver drinking-cup on the table
was of far more beautiful workmanship than the
others,richly chased with vine leaves and grapes, and
figures of little boys wi