Chapter I · The Nephew of a Marquis

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

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

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

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

later than; following

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

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

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

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

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

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

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

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

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a New England state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

dearly loved

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

at any time

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

the father of your father or mother

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

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

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

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

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

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

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

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

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

impressive in appearance

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

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

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

a noblewoman ranking below a duchess and above a countess

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eighteen and one

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

intended or having the power to induce action or belief

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

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

From this reading My father's mother, my dear old grandmother, was a French lady by birth; and her maiden name had been quite an imposing one--Aurore Aline Raymonde Marie Antoinette de la Bourbonnaye.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

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

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

not in physical motion

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

precisely as stated

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

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

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

at the time that

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

in or at the place that

From this reading But after her marriage she followed her husband across the ocean to his home in Connecticut, where in 1835 he died, and where she had remained ever since.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

during the time that

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

which person or people

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At that time she lived in Paris with her father and mother, who were very lofty, aristocratic people--the Marquis and Marquise de la Bourbonnaye.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.

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

From this reading Both of my parents died while I was still a baby; and I passed my childhood at the home of my father's mother in Norwich Town--which lies upon the left bank of the river Yantic, some three miles to the north of Norwich City, in Eastern Connecticut.

a late time of life

From this reading But in 1820, when she was nineteen years old, my grandfather had persuaded her to change it for plain and simple Mrs. Brace; from which it would seem that my grandfather must have been a remarkably persuasive man.