Chapter XXII · Trouble Ahead for the Plotters

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

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

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

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

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

(of information) make known; pass on

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

past form of “cough” — exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

in a cheerless manner

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

divisible by two

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

a death resulting from an accident or a disaster

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

an early limited awareness of something yet to occur

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

elevated (e.g., mountainous) land

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

in an imperative and commanding manner

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

known widely and usually unfavorably

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

in order that something should not happen

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

a river in northwestern Russia flowing generally west into the Gulf of Finland

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

in a nimble or agile manner; with quickness and lightness and ease

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

with patience; in a patient manner

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

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

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

a male human offspring

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

a strongly fortified defensive structure

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

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

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

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

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

up to a particular time

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

take in marriage

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.

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

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

at the time that

From this reading It was a strange fatality that had brought Craven Black to Inverness at the very time when his enemies were there, engaged in a search for him.

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

From this reading Octavia’s cold had settled upon her lungs, and she coughed dismally, and in a way that made Artress tremble lest the wealth upon which they all counted and Octavia’s life should die out together.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The cold weather had set in early in his Highland retreat, and already a foretaste of winter reigned in the Wilderness.

the words that are spoken

From this reading He sprang nimbly from the boat on reaching the wharf, and taking the cigar from his mouth, said, in a voice loud enough to convey his words to the ears of Lord Towyn, whom he had not even seen:

be the cause or source of

From this reading Medicine was needed imperatively, and so were all manner of winter supplies: and it was for these things Craven Black had ventured from his stronghold like some beast of prey, and when he should have obtained them he intended to return to the Wilderness, and there wait patiently until Neva should yield to his infamous demands that she should wed his son.