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Amy Herbert
Amy Herbert

Chapter XXIV

Cover illustration for Amy Herbert
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.
Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.
She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.
"We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.
I will break it to her gently."
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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.

Amy Herbert

Chapter XXIV

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.
Line 2
Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.
Line 3
She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.
Line 4
"We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.
Line 5
I will break it to her gently."

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “"We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

after-life

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

Amy

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

any

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

arrival

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

bear

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

blessings

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

break

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

From this reading I will break it to her gently."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.

careful

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

chamber

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

Colonel

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

door

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

enjoyed

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

equalled

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

experience

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

face

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

father's

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

gently

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

From this reading I will break it to her gently."

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

Harrington

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

From this reading She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

Herbert's

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I will break it to her gently."

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

intense

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

involuntarily

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I will break it to her gently."

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

mamma

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

many

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

moment

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

mother

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

Mr

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

From this reading She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

parents

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

pleasure

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

pure

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

recur

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

restoration

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

return

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

rushed

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

said

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.

strangeness

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

surprise

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

too

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

unspeakable

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was stopped, however, by Mr Harrington.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

weak

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

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In her after-life Amy enjoyed many and great blessings; but she could never recur to any which equalled the pure, intense pleasure of that moment.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I will break it to her gently."

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Colonel Herbert's return seemed the restoration of both her parents; and even before she had again looked in her father's face, and wondered at the strangeness of his sudden arrival, she had thought of the unspeakable relief her mother would experience, and involuntarily rushed to the door of her chamber.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "We must be careful," he said; "your mamma is too weak to bear such a surprise.