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Ernest Maltravers — Complete
Ernest Maltravers — Complete

Chapter XXV

Cover illustration for Ernest Maltravers — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.
“‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.
IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
“Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
“Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ernest Maltravers — Complete

Chapter XXV

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.
Line 2
“‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.
Line 3
IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.
Line 4
“Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.
Line 5
“Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.””

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading ““Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.””

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.””

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading ““‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.””

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.””

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.””

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading ““Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.””

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading ““‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.”

All words in this reading · 109

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 “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

acquaintance

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

Ah

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

announced

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

apartment

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

From this reading “In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

author

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

bitter

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

Blas

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

From this reading “In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.

caprice

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

Castruccio

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

Cesarini

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

de

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

dear

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

debt

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

delights

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

discharge

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

door

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

eagerly

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

effect

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

From this reading “In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.

England

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

entered

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

From this reading “In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.

execrable

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

favours

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

find

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

form

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

former

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

FortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

French

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

Gil

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

From this reading “In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

how

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.

incurred

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

interview

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

Italian

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

just

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

leaves

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

loading

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

Madame

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

Maltravers

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

man

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

meant

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

months

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “In effect he entered my apartment.”--_Gil Blas_.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

obscure

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

only

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

opening

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

perish

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

presented

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

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.

quitted

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

renew

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

said

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

sat

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

Sir

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

sneer

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

sometimes

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

speaking

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

stiffness

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

study

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

twelve

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

up

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

Valerie

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

Ventadour

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

want

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading IT was just twelve months after his last interview with Valerie, and Madame de Ventadour had long since quitted England, when one morning, as Maltravers sat alone in his study, Castruccio Cesarini was announced.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

wont

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

From this reading “Sir,” said Castruccio, with great stiffness, and speaking in French, which was his wont when he meant to be distant--“sir, I do not come to renew our former acquaintance--you are a great man [here a bitter sneer], I an obscure one [here Castruccio drew himself up]--I only come to discharge a debt to you which I find I have incurred.”

writers

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

From this reading “‘I am surprised,’ said he, ‘at the caprice of Fortune, who sometimes delights in loading an execrable author with favours, whilst she leaves good writers to perish for want.’”--_Gil Blas_.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Ah, my dear Castruccio, how are you?” cried Maltravers, eagerly, as the opening door presented the form of the Italian.