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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
address
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From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
all
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From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
always
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From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
ask
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From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
attempts
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From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
awoke
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From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
became
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From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
bedside
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From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
behalf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
beheld
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From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
Catholic
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From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
childish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
costs
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From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
daily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
destroy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
direct
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From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
dragoons
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From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
dying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
excuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
explain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
faithfulnounUS /ˈfaithful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
God
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The young marquis was at Metz when he received his wife's missive.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
idea
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From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
king
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
marquis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
marquis's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
Metz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young marquis was at Metz when he received his wife's missive.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
missive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young marquis was at Metz when he received his wife's missive.
Montpellier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
posted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
pray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
pressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
pretext
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young marquis was at Metz when he received his wife's missive.
Reformed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
religion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
resolved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
resource
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
saving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
suffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
vowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant all his childish memories awoke; he beheld himself at his dying mother's bedside, vowing never to forget her and to pray daily for her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The young marquis was at Metz when he received his wife's missive.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
wife's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young marquis was at Metz when he received his wife's missive.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first idea was to write to her father, explain to him her position and ask help; but her father had not long been a Catholic, and had suffered much on behalf of the Reformed religion, and on these accounts it was clear that her letter would be opened by the marquis on pretext of religion, and thus that step, instead of saving, might destroy her.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had thus but one resource: her husband had always been a Catholic; her husband was a captain of dragoons, faithful in the service of the king and faithful in the service of God; there could be no excuse for opening a letter to him; she resolved to address herself to him, explained the position in which she found herself, got the address written by another hand, and sent the letter to Montpellier, where it was posted.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the marquis's attempts became so direct and so pressing, that the poor young woman resolved to escape at all costs from his hands.
