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Fickle Fortune
Fickle Fortune

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Fickle Fortune
Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.
The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.
On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.
Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.
Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Fickle Fortune

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.
Line 2
The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.
Line 3
On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.
Line 4
Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.
Line 5
Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

all

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

From this reading On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

any

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

arranged

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

become

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

better

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

change

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

continue

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

contrary

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

From this reading On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

Count

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

Edmund

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

estates

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

Ettersberg

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

far

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

festivities

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

inconvenient

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

judged

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

knew

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

laid

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

land

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

land-steward

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

leave

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

management

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

master

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

material

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

matters

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

midsummer

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

most

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

necessary

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

new

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

notice

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

noticeable

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

now

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

office

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

officials

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

other

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

persuasion

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

place

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

prevailed

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

quo

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

From this reading On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.

received

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

reins

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.

restraint

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

Ruestow's

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

said

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

September

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

shone

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

some

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

statu

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

From this reading On the contrary, all remained _in statu quo_.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

sun

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

superfluous

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

taken

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Ettersberg festivities had taken place at midsummer, and now a September sun shone over the land.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

trouble

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

From this reading Count Edmund judged it superfluous--he knew it was most inconvenient--to trouble himself about such matters.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

urgent

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.

year

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

From this reading Ruestow's urgent persuasion so far prevailed that the land-steward received notice to leave; but it was arranged that he should continue in office until after the new year, and though some restraint had become so necessary, none was laid either on him or any of the other officials.

young

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

From this reading The young master had taken the reins, but it could not be said that any material change for the better was noticeable in the management of his estates.