used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
blondenounUS /blɑːnd/
a person with fair skin and hair
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
cause to be bored
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
make calm or still
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
calmnessnounUS /ˈkɑːmnəs/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
a young person of either sex
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
coldnessnounUS /ˈkoʊldnəs/
the sensation produced by low temperatures
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
despairingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsperɪŋ/
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
put on clothes
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
move gently or carefully
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
EdennounUS /ˈiːdən/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
any strong feeling
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
at any time
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
FordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
glowedverbUS /ɡloʊd/
past form of “glow” — emit a steady even light without flames
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
highest in quality
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
heart'snounUS /hɑːrts/
possessive form of “heart” — the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
heartlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrtləs/
lacking in feeling or pity or warmth
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
LaurelnounUS /ˈlɔːrəl/
any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
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 She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
set afire or burning
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
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 She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
lovelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
a form of address for a man
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
not any; not one
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
nonchalantadjectiveUS /ˌnɑːnʃəˈlɑːnt/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
re-enteredverbUS /ˌriːˈentərd/
past form of “re-enter” — enter again
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
repressedadjectiveUS /riˈprest/
characterized by or showing the suppression of impulses or emotions
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
schooledverbUS /skuːld/
past form of “school” — educate in or as if in a school
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
a male human offspring
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
star-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few days later Mr. Ford brought his niece and her son to call at Eden.
a just detectable amount
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
precisely as stated
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading A dainty bonnet of black lace and gleaming jet rested on the dark golden waves of her hair, and set off to the greatest advantage her blonde loveliness, lighted by such dark and star-like eyes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
at the time that
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A soft color glowed on her rounded cheeks, and her eyes were bright with repressed excitement, but no trace of her heart's emotion showed in her calm, gracious manner as she bowed to her handsome host and greeted his stately mother.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The brilliant writer looked very elegant and distinguished in her dress of soft, rich black silk and lace.
a late time of life
From this reading She had schooled herself to calmness, and no heartless queen of society ever bore herself with more _nonchalant_ ease and outward coldness than did Laurel in the hour when she re-entered the home she had left long years before, a wretched, despairing child, for whom life seemed over and done.
