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Linnet: A Romance
Linnet: A Romance

Chapter XXVI

Cover illustration for Linnet: A Romance
Context Illustration Reading 1/61 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.
She knew well why.
In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.
Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.
She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.
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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.

Linnet: A Romance

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/61 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.
Line 2
She knew well why.
Line 3
In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.
Line 4
Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.
Line 5
She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.”

Conscience noun US /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading “In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.”

Nevertheless adverb US /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading “In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She knew well why.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.”

All words in this reading · 87

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

accident

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

all

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

Andreas

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

avoided

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

care

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

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

confessed

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

conscious

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

didn't

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

dimly

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

fear

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

felt

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

FIRE

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

guarding

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

happier

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

instinctively

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

knew

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

From this reading She knew well why.

Linnet

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

London

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

longer

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

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

love

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

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

many

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

marriage

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

met

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

most

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

much

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

near

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

nearness

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

observe

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

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

outer

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

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

pitfall

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

PLAYING

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

qualm

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

saw

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

season

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

sedulously

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She knew well why.

simple

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

some

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

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

times

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

trembling

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

truth

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

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

unseen

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

watching

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

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

well

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

From this reading She knew well why.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Not that she saw much of him; both she and Will sedulously avoided that pitfall; but from time to time they met, for the most part by accident; and even when they didn’t, she knew instinctively Will was watching over her unseen, and guarding her.

why

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

From this reading She knew well why.

Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading In fear and trembling, with many a qualm of conscience, she nevertheless confessed to herself the simple truth; it was that Will was near, and she felt at all times dimly conscious of his nearness.

WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.

world

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

From this reading She was no longer alone in the great outer world; she had some one to love her, to care for her, to observe her.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading PLAYING WITH FIRE And yet, Linnet was happier that first season in London than ever before since her marriage with Andreas.