Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Arachne — Volume 01
Arachne — Volume 01

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Arachne — Volume 01
Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.
So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.
Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:
"I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.
"During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Arachne — Volume 01

Chapter IV

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.
Line 2
So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.
Line 3
Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:
Line 4
"I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.
Line 5
"During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.”

Creature noun US /ˈcreature/

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

From this reading “This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “"During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.”

Impulse noun US /ˈɪmpʌls/

a sudden strong desire to act

From this reading “So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “"I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “"During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “"I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

absence

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

ago

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

any

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

betrayed

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

brick-kiln

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

cheerful

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

commenced

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

composure

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

confession

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

confiding

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

consuming

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

deaf

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

demons

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

desire

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

difficult

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

ear

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

filled

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

fire

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

fortnight

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

gazed

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

glimmering

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

head

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

hope

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

human

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpʌls/

a sudden strong desire to act

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

inspiring

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

knees

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

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

leaned

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

Ledscha

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

lips

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

moved

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

nearer

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

new

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

obeying

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

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

old

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

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

received

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

regain

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

reserved

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

saddened

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

self-reliant

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

shrink

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

side

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

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

sister

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

sister's

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

some

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

sometimes

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

sorceress

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

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

soul

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

spirits

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

supporting

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

swift

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

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

Taus

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

Then

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

From this reading Then, supporting her head with her hands, she gazed at the still glimmering fire, and, as if one memory after another received new life from it, she began the difficult confession:

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

thoroughly

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

threw

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

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

times

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

vengeance

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading "I returned from my sister's brick-kiln a fortnight ago," she commenced, while the sorceress leaned her deaf ear nearer to her lips.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

woman's

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

From this reading So, obeying a swift impulse, she threw herself on her knees by the old woman's side.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading This reserved, thoroughly self-reliant creature would never have betrayed to any human being what moved her soul and filled it some times with inspiring hope, sometimes with a consuming desire for vengeance; but Ledscha did not shrink from confiding it to the demons who were to help her to regain her composure.

young

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

From this reading "During my absence something--I know not what it was--had saddened the cheerful spirits of my young sister Taus.