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Across the Chasm
Across the Chasm

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Across the Chasm
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.
She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.
They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.
She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.
He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.
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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.

Across the Chasm

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.
Line 2
She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.
Line 3
They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.
Line 4
She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.
Line 5
He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

ago

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

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

also

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

any

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

came

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

coming

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

cordially

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

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

definitely

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

denied

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

disengaged

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

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

drawing-room

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

early

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

eleven

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

Gaston's

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

given

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

hall

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

hand

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

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

hat

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

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

heard

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

hour

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

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

interview

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

just

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

Louis

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

man

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

Margaret

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

nature

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

offered

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

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

office

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

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

orders

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

overcoat

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

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

patient

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

presented

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

From this reading He came in, with his overcoat on, and his hat in his hand, and when Margaret presented him to Mr. Somers he cordially offered him his disengaged hand.

promptly

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

received

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

relationship

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

resolved

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

seated

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

servant

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

settled

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

Somers

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

speaking

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

supposed

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

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

surprise

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

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr. Somers came promptly at eleven, the next morning, and Margaret received him in the drawing-room alone.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

understood

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

up

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

From this reading She looked up in surprise, as she had supposed him to be at his office an hour ago.

visitors

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

voice

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

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading They had not been seated long when Margaret heard Louis Gaston’s voice speaking to a servant in the hall.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.

young

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

From this reading She had given orders that she should be denied to any early visitors who might be coming in, and was resolved that she would be just and patient with the young man, though she was also resolved that the nature of their relationship should be definitely settled and understood, during this interview.