第161天:Why won’t he look at me? Perhaps he’s changed his mind? A wave of unease washes over me. Perhaps walking out on him last night was the end for him too. He’s bored of waiting for me to make up my mind. Oh no, I could have completely blown it. I remember his email last night. Maybe he’s mad that I haven’t replied.Suddenly, the room erupts into applause as Miss Katherine Kavanagh has taken the stage. The Chancellor sits, and Kate tosses her lovely long hair behind her as she places her papers on the lectern. She takes her time, not intimidated by a thousand people ging at her. She smiles when she’s ready, looks up at the captivated throng, and launches eloquently into her speech. She’s so composed and funny, the girls beside me erupt on cue at her first joke. Oh, Katherine Kavanagh, you can deliver a good line. I feel so proud of her at that moment, my errant thoughts of Christian are pushed to one side. Even though I have heard her speech before, I listen carefully. She commands the room and takes her audience with her.
Her theme is What Next After College? Oh, what next indeed. Christian is watching Kate, his eyebrows slightly raised – in surprise, I think. Yes, it could have been Kate that went to interview him. And it could have been Kate that he was now making indecent proposals to. Beautiful Kate and beautiful Christian, together. I could be like the two girls beside me, admiring him from afar. I know Kate wouldn’t have given him the time of day. What did she call him the other day? Creepy. The thought of a confrontation between Kate and Christian makes me uncomfortable. I have to say I don’t know which of them I would put my money on.
Kate concludes her speech with a flourish, and spontaneously everyone stands, applauding and cheering, her first standing ovation. I beam at her and cheer, and she grins back at me. Good job, Kate. She sits, as does the audience, and the Chancellor rises and introduces Christian… holy shit, Christian’s going to give a speech. The Chancellor touches briefly on Christian’s achievements: CEO of his own extraordinarily successful company, a real self-made man. “And also a major benefactor to our University, please welcome, Mr. Christian Grey.”
The Chancellor pumps Christian’s hand, and there is a swell of polite applause. My heart’s in my throat. He approaches the lectern and surveys the hall. He looks so confident standing in front of us all, as Kate did before him. The two girls beside me lean in, enraptured. In fact, I think most of the female members of the audience inch closer and a few of the men. He begins, his voice soft, measured, and mesmerizing.
(1)A wave of unease washes over me.: (of an emotion) to affect (a person) suddenly and profoundly 对人产生很突然的巨大影响/If something someone does or says washes over you, you do not notice it or it does not affect you in any way. 未引起注意 e.g.: The television headlines seemed to wash over her without meaning anything.
(2)Perhaps walking out on him last night was the end for him too.: walk out on sb: to suddenly leave your husband, wife, or partner and end your relationship with them. 突然离开;抛弃
(3)Lectern:(演讲的) 讲台
(4)G: To g means the same as to gawk. 呆呆的望着
(5)launches eloquently into her speech:eloquent: Speech or writing that is eloquent is well expressed and effective in persuading people.有说服力的/感人至深的 A person who is eloquent is good at speaking and able to persuade people.口才很好的;能说会辩的;滔滔不绝的e.g.: He was eloquent about his love of books.
(6)the girls beside me erupt on cue at her first joke.: on cue: If something happens on cue, it happens at exactly the right time: 正好;就在那时
(7)She commands the room and takes her audience with her. 她掌控着整个节奏。
(8)I know Kate wouldn’t have given him the time of day.: a minimum of attention 理睬;不搭理 e.g.: She didn’t give him the time of day.
(9)Kate concludes her speech with a flourish: with a flourish is the production or demonstration of something with a grand gesture. 夸张的
(10)The Chancellor touches briefly on Christian’s achievements:简要地介绍了
(11)self-made man:自学成才的;白手起家的
(12)The Chancellor pumps Christian’s hand:to shake someone's hand 握手(见面时)
(13)there is a swell of polite applause:a swell of :一阵
(14)I think most of the female members of the audience inch closer:It means getting closer slowly and gradually 逐渐接近 e.g.: Researchers are inching closer towards the development of a treatment and cure for Dengue fever.