Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

later than; following

From this reading Day after day she grew more capricious, unreasonable, unmanageable.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading THE ARISTOCRATS IN AMERICA.

characterized by friendship and good will

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

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

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

-ing form of “apply” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

plural of “aristocrat” — a member of the aristocracy

From this reading THE ARISTOCRATS IN AMERICA.

offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

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

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

surrounded by hostile forces

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

past form of “bestow” — present

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

changeable

From this reading Day after day she grew more capricious, unreasonable, unmanageable.

the act of closing something

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

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

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Day after day she grew more capricious, unreasonable, unmanageable.

issue a decree

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

a dish served as the last course of a meal

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

relating to or having the power to cause or promote digestion

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

plural of “dinner” — the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

a judgment disposing of the matter without a trial

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

having the place or position changed

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

the system of production and distribution and consumption

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

the pleasure felt when having a good time

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

the feeling of being bored by something tedious

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Day after day she grew more capricious, unreasonable, unmanageable.

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

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

a female heir

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

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

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

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

From this reading THE ARISTOCRATS IN AMERICA.

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Day after day she grew more capricious, unreasonable, unmanageable.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

and nothing more

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

on the contrary

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

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

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

turned inside out and resewn

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

the state of lacking unity

From this reading The distressed marquis came to the conclusion that his disturbed animal economy could only be restored by an amicable separation from his niece.

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

From this reading Day after day she grew more capricious, unreasonable, unmanageable.

plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

to a great degree

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

plural of “suitor” — a man who courts a woman

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

ostentatiously rich and superior in quality

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

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

From this reading THE ARISTOCRATS IN AMERICA.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape

From this reading Day after day she grew more capricious, unreasonable, unmanageable.

not reasonable; not showing good judgment

From this reading Day after day she grew more capricious, unreasonable, unmanageable.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

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

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

during the time that

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading But in vain he bestowed his smiles, and his _dinners_, upon the multitudinous suitors by whom the young heiress was besieged; her autocratic decree condemned him to the cruel duty of closing the sumptuous repasts by the _dessert_ of a dismissal to each lover in turn, without extending to any the faintest hope that his sentence might be reversed.

a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)

From this reading While Maurice was applying himself to study with a zeal and sense of enjoyment wholly new to him, Bertha was passing through various stages of ennui, and testing the patience, or rather the digestive powers, of that sorely discomforted _bon vivant_, her uncle.