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Lady Audley's Secret
Lady Audley's Secret

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Lady Audley's Secret
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.
Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.
In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
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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.

Lady Audley's Secret

Chapter V

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.
Line 2
Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
Line 3
When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
Line 4
The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.
Line 5
In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.”

Bewildered noun US /bewildered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.”

All words in this reading · 81

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

22

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

aged

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

any

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

Argus

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

bewilderednounUS /bewildered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

black

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

blow

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

From this reading The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.

board

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

down

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

drop

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

effect

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

evil

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

face

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

faith

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

friend

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

George

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

governess

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.

happened

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

HEADSTONE

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

From this reading THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.

heard

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

Helen

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

helpless

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

horrible

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

line

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

newspaper

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

perfect

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

rigid

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

sat

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

shocked

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

spoke

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

staring

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

state

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

strange

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

stunned

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

From this reading The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.

stupidly

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

suddenness

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

From this reading The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.

Talboys

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.

there

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

tidings

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

Times

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

VENTNOR

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

From this reading THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

white

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

why

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

wife

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

wonder

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

From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.

worst

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

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.

Yes

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

From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white—"Helen Talboys, aged 22."

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.