Chapter I

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

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

to or in a foreign country

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

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

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

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

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

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

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

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

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

produce or yield flowers

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

plural of “brooke” — English lyric poet (1887-1915)

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

put or send forth

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

a boy or man

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

in a covert manner

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

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

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

social or verbal interchange (usually followed by “with”)

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

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

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

plural of “edition” — the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

having unsuitable feminine qualities

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

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

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

a boy or man

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

a person skilled in large scale financial transactions

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

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

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

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

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

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

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

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

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

small in range or scope

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

fasten with a lock

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

occurring by chance

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

the force of workers available

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

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

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

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

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

a person's partner in marriage

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

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

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

English leader (born in Germany) of the Royalist forces during the English Civil War (1619-1682)

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

(used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

express a supposition

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

something that seduces or has the quality to seduce

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

a woman who is considered to be dangerously seductive

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

the words of something written

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

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

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

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

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

communicated in words

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

precisely as stated

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

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

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

widely or fully known

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There was no love lost between these two young men, although they were thrown constantly into each other’s society.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

belonging to which person

From this reading Richard Croxton was the confidential secretary of Rupert Morrice, the well-known foreign banker and financier, whose firm had colossal dealings abroad.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I don’t suppose it will be long before you blossom into a partner.”

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

From this reading Italic text displayed as: _italic_ WARD, LOCK & CO., Limited, in various editions _Author of “The Temptress,” “The Way of Temptation,” “The Hotel X,” “The Bronze Face,” etc._ “You’re a lucky chap, Croxton, to have got the measure of the old man so well.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The speaker, Archie Brookes, a slim elegant young fellow, very good-looking but with a somewhat effeminate expression, cast a sidelong glance at his companion as he uttered the remark, to observe covertly what impression it made upon him.