deadlock; stalemate; impasse; dead end
very; greatly; exceedingly
mean; malicious; scheming; wicked; black-hearted
doubting; distrustful; incredulous; suspicious
taking a philosophic view; looking at the long term; farsightedness
because ...; for ...; the reason being ...; as for ...; when it comes to ...; regarding ...
severe; harsh; stringent; rigorous; strict; unfair
girl who has led a sheltered life; pet daughter; naive girl; wooden block puzzle; Daughter in the Box; Klotski
ugly; unsightly; hideous; mean; repulsive; disgraceful
soft, coaxing voice; wheedling voice; ingratiating voice
viewing through a window; passing through a window; going through a window; doing through a window
to give; to present; to offer; to do for someone's sake
all; wholly; entirely; completely; without exception
good story; heartwarming story; good prospect (e.g. marriage, business)
quick-tempered; having little patience; impatient
to leak out (a secret); to be exposed (a lie, improper behaviour, etc.); to be found out; to get away (of fish)
smirkingly; broadly (grinning)
discretion; prudence; good sense; judgement; judgment; wisdom
great difference; major mistake
treating someone like a child
being drawn to many things; distraction; difficulty of choice; difficulty in choosing; being unable to decide
to tie; to fasten; to hitch; to secure (trust, patronage of customers, etc.); to keep (an employee, someone's interest, etc.); to save (someone's life)
pledge; vow; (of a man and woman) having sexual relations; having sexual intercourse; destiny; fate
to pledge; to vow; to promise; to have sexual intercourse (esp. between husband and wife); to share a bed
extravagant; lavish; opulent; luxurious; magnificent; splendid
impudent; brazen; shameless; bold
to pierce; to penetrate; to sting (wound or sensitive area, etc.); to smart; to be infected (with vice); to be steeped (with prejudice)
licking one's lips; licking one's chops
sensual; voluptuous; sexy; arousing
whether one likes it or not; inevitably; unavoidably; compulsorily; by force
courtyard; quadrangle; middle court
incomprehensible; mysterious; inexplicable; inscrutable; enigmatic; baffling
sneak thief; petty thief; cat burglar
smelling burnt; smelling scorched; smelling of gunpowder (i.e. as if armed conflict is about to break out); tense; suspicious; dubious
adventure; venture; venture which is unlikely to succeed; risky attempt; danger
to hide; to conceal; to lower volume (of a sound or one's voice) so as not to be heard; to become quiet and inconspicuous
striking on the side; side blow; slanting (rain, snow, etc.); driving
wind power; force (level on the Beaufort wind speed scale)