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Cobwebs and Cables
Cobwebs and Cables

Chapter XXXIX

Cover illustration for Cobwebs and Cables
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FAREWELL.
But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.
Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.
But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.
Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Cobwebs and Cables

Chapter XXXIX

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FAREWELL.
Line 2
But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.
Line 3
Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.
Line 4
But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.
Line 5
Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

Learner Dictionary

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

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.”

Shaking noun US /ˈshaking/

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

From this reading “Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

age

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

anticipated

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

beseeching

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

bond

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

Clifford's

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

continuance

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

day

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

demanding

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

devotion

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

difficult

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

England

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

entreaties

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

existed

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

FAREWELL

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

From this reading FAREWELL.

feeble

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

feel

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

Felix

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

few

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

forsake

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

hand

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

Hilda

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

impossible

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

leaving

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

lines

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

lived

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

made

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

more

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

Mr

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

old

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

other

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

own

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

past

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

Phebe

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

powerfully

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

promise

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

quit

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

reaching

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

reiterated

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

resist

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

Scarcely

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

secure

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

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her devotion to them in the past had made them feel secure of its continuance, and to quit England, leaving her behind, seemed impossible.

sever

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

shakingnounUS /ˈshaking/

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

solemn

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

stay

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

supplications

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

urgent

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But it was more difficult than Phebe anticipated to resist the urgent entreaties of Felix and Hilda not to sever the bond that had existed between them so long.

way

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading But Mr. Clifford's reiterated supplications that she would not forsake him in his old age drew her as powerfully the other way.

written

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

From this reading Scarcely a day passed without a few lines, written by his own feeble and shaking hand, reaching her, beseeching and demanding of her a solemn promise to stay in England as long as he lived.