used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
for the reason that
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
betrayalnounUS /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/
The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
Castiglione
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
chronicledverbUS /ˈkrɑːnɪkəld/
past form of “chronicle” — record in chronological order; make a historical record
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
forgivenverbUS /fərˈɡɪvən/
inflected form of “forgive” — stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
death of a person
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She replied that she knew it was.
immediately past
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
held dear
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
subject to death
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
used to form the superlative
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
and nothing more
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading She replied that she knew it was.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
express in words
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
estrangement from god
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
uprootverbUS /əˈpruːt/
move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
vowverbUS /vaʊ/
make a vow; promise
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading She was warned that she must uproot from her heart every memory of the man she had loved, if she hoped to be forgiven.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nothing happened during the next week; nothing, that is to say, which can be chronicled as an event.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the determination which Maria had formed after her chance meeting with Castiglione gained strength continually.
the words that are spoken
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading She went to confession at last, and it was a bitter satisfaction to be told that she was in mortal sin because she had whispered those few loving words in the weakness of an instant; she was reminded that if the mere wish to kill was almost as bad as the intention, and that the intention was murder and nothing else, it followed that the most passing wish to be united with any man but her husband was a betrayal of her marriage vow only a little less grave than the worst.
