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Behind a Mask
Behind a Mask

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Behind a Mask
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
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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.

Behind a Mask

Chapter IV

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
Line 2
His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
Line 3
Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
Line 4
She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
Line 5
Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.”

Deserted verb US /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading “Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

all

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

AlonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

another's

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

ask

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

attitude

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

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

away

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

back

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

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

become

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

came

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

chair

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

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

checked

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

classical

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

costume

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

cousin

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

crown

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

discover

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

down

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

drawing

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

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

face

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

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

Gerald

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

hair

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

height

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

hung

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

Jean's

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

leaning

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

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

lips

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

looking

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

lovely

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

merriment

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

Miss

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

moment

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

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

Muir

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

nowhere

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

off

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

paused

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

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

possessed

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

robes

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

room

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

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

royal

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

saw

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

scarcely

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

served

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

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

shoulders

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

shyness

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

slipped

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

speaking

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

spoke

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

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

substituted

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

throne

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

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

unchanged

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

watch

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

From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.

wearily

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

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.

Why

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.