used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "Have you sampled all the people?
allurements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
a quantity of money
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
appropriationnounUS /əˌproʊpriˈeɪʃən/
money set aside (as by a legislature) for a specific purpose
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
balladsnounUS /ˈbælədz/
plural of “ballad” — a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
Bellenden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
Claude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
coollyadverbUS /ˈkuːli/
in a composed and unconcerned manner
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
deliciouslyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪʃəʃli/
in a very pleasurable manner
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
delightfullyadverbUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəli/
in a delightful manner
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/
an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
dullnessnounUS /ˈdʌlnəs/
the quality of being slow to understand
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
Fitzallan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Have you sampled all the people?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
Heine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
Isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
and nothing more
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
a form of address for a man
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
and nothing more
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
a human being
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
prodigiousadjectiveUS /prəˈdɪdʒəs/
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
RutherfordnounUS /ˈrʌθərfərd/
a unit strength of a radioactive source equal to one million disintegrations per second
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
sampledverbUS /ˈsæmpəld/
past form of “sample” — take a sample of
From this reading "Have you sampled all the people?
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
Shakespeare'snounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːrz/
possessive form of “shakespeare” — English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
singsverbUS /sɪŋz/
third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
sonnetsnounUS /ˈsɑːnɪts/
plural of “sonnet” — a verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Isn't it strange that in so small a party there should be such a prodigious amount of dullness?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
WaterburynounUS /ˈwɔːtərberi/
a city in west central Connecticut
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
which person or people
From this reading There is Mr. Fitzallan over there, talking to Lady Waterbury, a musical genius, who sets Shakespeare's sonnets and Heine's ballads deliciously, and sings them delightfully.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Finding Claude Rutherford the most agreeable person in a house full of people, Mrs. Bellenden took possession of him on the first evening--not with any obvious devices or allurements, but coolly and calmly, just as she possessed herself of the most becoming arm-chair in the drawing-room, with such an air of distinct appropriation that other women avoided it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You seem to be the only amusing person here," she said, as he came to her side after dinner.
