The order was executed as promptly as it would have been on board a man-of-war.
“Let go and clue up!”
At this last command all the sails were lowered, and the vessel moved almost imperceptibly onwards.
“Now, if you will come on board, M. Morrel,” said Dantes, observing the owner’s impatience, “here is your supercargo, M. Danglars, coming out of his cabin, who will furnish you with every particular. As for me, I must look after the anchoring, and dress the ship in mourning.”
The owner did not wait for a second invitation. He seized a rope which Dantes flung to him, and with an activity that would have done credit to a sailor, climbed up the side of the ship, while the young man, going to his task, left the conversation to Danglars, who now came towards the owner.
He was a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age, of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his subordinates; and this, in addition to his position as responsible agent on board, which is always obnoxious to the sailors, made him as much disliked by the crew as Edmond Dantes was beloved by them.
“Well, M. Morrel,” said Danglars, “you have heard of the misfortune that has befallen us?”
“Yes–yes: poor Captain Leclere! He was a brave and an honest man.”
The Vocabulary
imperceptibly adv. 极微小地,逐步地
supercargo n. 货物管理员
fling vt. 投,粗暴地推向……
countenance n. 面容,面部表情
obsequious adj. 谄媚的,奉承的
insolent adj. 无礼的,傲慢的
obnoxious adj. 可憎的,讨厌的
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修改:easior FROM 103.40.221.*
FROM 103.40.221.*