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Lucretia — Complete
Lucretia — Complete

Chapter XV · The Weavers and the Woof

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Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
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“And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”
“Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!
Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!
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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.

Lucretia — Complete

Chapter XV · The Weavers and the Woof

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?
Line 2
Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”
Line 3
“Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?
Line 4
Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!
Line 5
Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

Learner Dictionary

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

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?”

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading ““And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.””

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?”

Ignorant noun US /ˈignorant/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading ““Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.””

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading ““Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.””

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading ““And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?”

Yourself pronoun US /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading ““And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?”

All words in this reading · 105

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 “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

abyss

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

admitted

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

advancing

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

Ardworth

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

back

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!

boor

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

brain

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

built

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

clew

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

crime

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

danger

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

dark

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

daughter

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

denied

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

elapsed

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

energies

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

fail

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

fancied

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

feel

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

gifts

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

give

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

hearth

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

human

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

ignorantnounUS /ˈignorant/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

independence

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

inquiries

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

John

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

lawyer

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!

Mainwaring

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

meet

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

menaces

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

merest

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

moments

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

Months

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

nethermost

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

Oh

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

From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

pour

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

provide

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

pursuing

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

rags

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

rare

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

really

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

recall

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

revenge

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

said

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

scheme

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

secure

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

seeking

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

shrunk

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

son

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

From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!

steps

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Oh, let me be sure that I have still a son!

Susan

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

taken

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

then

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

Varney

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

wealth

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

Why

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

From this reading “Why recall me, in these rare moments when I feel myself human still,--why recall me back to the nethermost abyss of revenge and crime?

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

wisdom

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

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Even if John Ardworth, with his gifts and energies, be denied to me, a son, though in rags, I will give him wealth!--a son, though ignorant as the merest boor, I will pour into his brain my dark wisdom!

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

young

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

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Months have elapsed, and you have still shrunk from advancing the great scheme upon which we built, when the daughter of Susan Mainwaring was admitted to your hearth.”

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “And what,” said Varney,--“what, while we are pursuing a fancied clew, and seeking to provide first a name, and then a fortune for this young lawyer,--what steps have you really taken to meet the danger that menaces me,--to secure, if our inquiries fail, an independence for yourself?