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Beau Brocade: A Romance
Beau Brocade: A Romance

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Beau Brocade: A Romance
Context Illustration Reading 1/11 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.
He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.
"Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.
"I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."
"I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Beau Brocade: A Romance

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.
Line 2
He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.
Line 3
"Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.
Line 4
"I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."
Line 5
"I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.

Learner Dictionary

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

Astonished adjective US /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading “THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

all

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

appear

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

Begad

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

bow

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.

coldly

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

From this reading "I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

curtsey

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

deep

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

delight

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

demanded

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

earth

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

elaborate

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

England

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

expressing

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

face

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

fairest

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

fashion

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

favour

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

find

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

finding

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

forsaken

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

gently

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

From this reading "I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.

God's

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

gods

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

good-looking

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

Humphrey

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

From this reading "I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

indeed

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

jovial

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

low

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

made

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

REJECTED

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

responded

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

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

said

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

say

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

Sir

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

From this reading "I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.

soil

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

spot

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

SUITOR

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

there

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deep curtsey the fashion of the time demanded.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

treading

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

trying

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

unalloyed

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

From this reading "Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovial face expressing unalloyed delight.

unconcerned

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

unworthy

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

From this reading "I come to this forsaken spot on God’s earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthy soil."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

well

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

From this reading "I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.

WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

wish

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

From this reading "I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE REJECTED SUITOR Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say: she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly.