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

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for Arethusa
Context Illustration Reading 1/106 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.
The maids had been dismissed.
From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.
Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.
The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.
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.

Arethusa

Chapter IX

Reading 1/106 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.
Line 2
The maids had been dismissed.
Line 3
From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.
Line 4
Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.
Line 5
The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

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 “Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.”

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The maids had been dismissed.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.”

Substance noun US /ˈsʌbstəns/

wealth or financial means

From this reading “The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.”

All words in this reading · 111

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 The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

almost

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

aloud

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

asking

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

astrologer

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

balcony

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The maids had been dismissed.

bent

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

Carlo

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

carry

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

catch

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

companion

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

compass

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

conversation

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

covered

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

dismissed

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

From this reading The maids had been dismissed.

door

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

down

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

ear

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

ears

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

enterprise

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

figure

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

figures

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

folds

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

friends

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

full

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

Gorlias

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

guess

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The maids had been dismissed.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

helping

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

impossible

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

interested

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

made

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

maids

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

From this reading The maids had been dismissed.

met

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

mighty

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

more

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

motionless

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

mouth

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

near

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

often

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

only

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

opened

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

out

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

paper

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

parts

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

pointing

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

pretending

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

questions

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

regard

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

said

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

sat

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

secretary

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

sharp

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

some

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

sound

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

speaking

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

spoke

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

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

straining

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/

wealth or financial means

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

success

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

tried

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

uncover

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

vain

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

veil

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

view

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Zoë sat almost motionless, but she had opened the folds of her veil so as to uncover her mouth, and after her companion had been speaking some time she bent down and answered in his ear, pretending, however, to point to the figures on the paper, as if she were asking questions.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

whispered

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading From time to time Gorlias spoke aloud, pointing with his compass to different parts of the figure, but what he said only made it more impossible to guess at what he whispered.

words

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

Zeno

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

From this reading The substance of what Gorlias told her was that he and his friends were interested in a mighty enterprise, and had often tried to sound Carlo Zeno with regard to helping them to carry it out, but they had met with no success, for he either did not understand, or he would not.

Zoë

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

From this reading Zoë and the astrologer sat in the covered balcony in full view of the secretary, who remained near the door, straining his sharp ears in vain to catch some words of the whispered conversation.