Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

subject to appointment

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

grant authorization or clearance for

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

a path over which electrical signals can pass

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

plural of “client” — a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

set up or found

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

a young female

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

of great significance or value

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

plural of “incident” — a single distinct event

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

the time between one event, process, or period and another

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

not any; not one

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

many times at short intervals

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

slow and laborious because of weight

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

more desirable than another

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

of or concerned with or related to the future

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

cut with a saw

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

term of address for a man

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

English writer (1672-1729)

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

to a sufficient degree

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

believed or reputed to be the case

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

dispose or incline or entice to

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

in an uneventful manner

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

unclearness by virtue of being poorly expressed or not coherent in meaning

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.