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A Thorny Path — Complete
A Thorny Path — Complete

Chapter XXVIII

Cover illustration for A Thorny Path — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.
Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.
On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.
He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.
He should expect her brother presently at the Serapeum.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Thorny Path — Complete

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.
Line 2
Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.
Line 3
On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.
Line 4
He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.
Line 5
He should expect her brother presently at the Serapeum.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Amid preposition US /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading “The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.”

Expect verb US /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading “He should expect her brother presently at the Serapeum.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.”

Thinking noun US /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.”

Thunder noun US /ˈthunder/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.”

Wonderful noun US /ˈwonderful/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.”

All words in this reading · 77

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

acceded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

affectionate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

amphitheatre

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

anxiety

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He should expect her brother presently at the Serapeum.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

brother

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He should expect her brother presently at the Serapeum.

brother's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

business

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

called

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

Caracalla

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

chariot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

cheerfully

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

convey

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

crash

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

desirable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

emptied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

escape

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

escort

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading He should expect her brother presently at the Serapeum.

father's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

flare

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

fly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

hand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

happy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

house

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

humbly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

lightning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

Melissa

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

near

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

night

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

omen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

permitted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

possible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

presently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He should expect her brother presently at the Serapeum.

quickly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

rather

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

represented

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

return

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

roll

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

seem

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

Serapeum

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

shelter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

soon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

Tarautas's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

thinkingnounUS /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

thundernounUS /ˈthunder/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

too

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.

waiting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The amphitheatre was soon emptied, amid the flare of lightning and the crash and roll of thunder.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He had business on hand this night, which made it seem desirable to him that she should not be too near him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Caracalla, thinking only of the happy omen of Tarautas's wonderful escape, called out to Melissa, with affectionate anxiety, to fly to shelter as quickly as possible; a chariot was in waiting to convey her to the Serapeum.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading On this she humbly represented that she would rather be permitted to return under her brother's escort to her father's house, and Caracalla cheerfully acceded.