Chapter II

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

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

anew

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

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

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

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

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

cause to be bored

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

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

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

anything that covers or conceals

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading "THE KING'S COMMAND."

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

an industrial city in eastern France to the north of Lyons

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

having the arrangement disturbed; not in order

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

with fondness; with love

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

a former province of eastern France

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

a young female

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

death of a person

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

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

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

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

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

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

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

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

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

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

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading "THE KING'S COMMAND."

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

above and across; more than

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

a coniferous tree

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

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

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

affording physical or mental rest

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

not in physical motion

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

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

From this reading "THE KING'S COMMAND."

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

(of bolts or screws) having screw threads

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

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

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

with unflagging resolve

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.

directed up

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

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

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

at the time that

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

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

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

characteristic of or occurring in winter

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading For three days the snow had fallen; was falling when he left the garrison of Pontarlier and threaded his way through the pine woods on the Jura slopes; fell still as, with the wintry night close at hand, he approached the city of Dijon.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Then he would whisper a word of love to it, press it closer to his great breast, and again ride on.

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

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

a late time of life

From this reading Wrapped in his cloak, and prevented from falling by his bridle arm, he bore a little child--a girl some three years old--on whom, as the cloak would sometimes become disarranged, he would look down fondly, his firm, grave features relaxing into a sad smile as the blue eyes of the little creature gazed upward and smiled into his own face.

but in spite of that

From this reading All over Franche-Comte the snow had fallen for three days unceasingly, yet through it for those three days a man--a soldier--had ridden, heading his course north, for Paris.