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Beasts and Super-Beasts
Beasts and Super-Beasts

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Beasts and Super-Beasts is here in full — 170 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 12 of Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki holds 170 sentences, grouped into 34 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 12 of Beasts and Super-Beasts contain?

Chapter 12 holds 170 sentences of Beasts and Super-Beasts, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 170 sentences, grouped into 34 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 12 of Beasts and Super-Beasts?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Beasts and Super-Beasts

Common questions about reading Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Beasts and Super-Beasts?

Yes. All 3179 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #269 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Beasts and Super-Beasts is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #269, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Beasts and Super-Beasts take to read?

About 264 minutes of reading across 636 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Beasts and Super-Beasts section by section

How to work through Beasts and Super-Beasts section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of Beasts and Super-Beasts to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Beasts and Super-Beasts

Words and structures a reader meets early in Beasts and Super-Beasts, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Transcribed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beasts and Super-Beasts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bodley
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beasts and Super-Beasts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Edition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beasts and Super-Beasts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
David
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Beasts and Super-Beasts; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Beasts and Super-Beasts
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.
The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.
That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.
He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.
If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?
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.

Beasts and Super-Beasts

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Beasts and Super-Beasts is here in full — 170 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.
Line 2
The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.
Line 3
That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.
Line 4
He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.
Line 5
If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

Alone adjective US /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading ““I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.”

Same adjective US /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading “That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.”

All words in this reading · 94

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

all

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

amount

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

and

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

anything

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

arms

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

at

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

attracted

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

be

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

being

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

Betty

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

bit

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

by

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

come

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

could

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

Coulterneb

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

count

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

day

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

each

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

enough

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

fact

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

fellow

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

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

five

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

flattered

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

for

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

four

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

get

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

gets

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

grace

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

having

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

He's

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

heartbreakingly

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

her

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

here

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

him

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

himself

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

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

his

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

hostess

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

hours

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

Hugo

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

I

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

I'm

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

if

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

in

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

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

inclined

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

interesting

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

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

into

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

is

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

it

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

Lanner

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

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

left

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

like

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

likely

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

long

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

manage

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

match

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

my

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

not

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

obviously

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

of

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

on

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

opportunities

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

or

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

other's

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

our

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

part

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

proposing

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

quarter

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

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

quite

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

rather

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

rich

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

right

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

said

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

she

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

she'll

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

showing

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

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

signs

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

From this reading That fellow Lanner is showing signs of interesting himself in the same quarter.

splendid

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

swell

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

that

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

the

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

them

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

then

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

think

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.

throw

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

to

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

trouble

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

From this reading The trouble is that I’m not likely to get anything like that amount of grace.

way

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

From this reading He’s quite heartbreakingly rich and is rather a swell in his way; in fact, our hostess is obviously a bit flattered at having him here.

where

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

will

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

wind

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

From this reading If she gets wind of the fact that he’s inclined to be attracted by Betty Coulterneb she’ll think it a splendid match and throw them into each other’s arms all day long, and then where will my opportunities come in?

with

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

From this reading “I think I could manage the proposing part right enough,” said Hugo, “if I could count on being left alone with her for four or five hours.