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Romance Island
Romance Island

Chapter XV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.
Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.
The two chess-pretenders looked up aghast.
If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.
"Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Romance Island

Chapter XV

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.
Line 2
Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.
Line 3
The two chess-pretenders looked up aghast.
Line 4
If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.
Line 5
"Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “"Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.”

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The two chess-pretenders looked up aghast.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.”

All words in this reading · 74

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

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

acted

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

aghast

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

From this reading The two chess-pretenders looked up aghast.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

Antoinette

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

appeared

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading "Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

Augustus

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

chaperonage

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

chess-board

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

chess-pretenders

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

From this reading The two chess-pretenders looked up aghast.

corridor

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

door

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

drowsing

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

effect

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

electrical

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

fallen

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

footsteps

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

Frothingham

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

Hastings

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

heavens

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

isn't

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

From this reading "Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

Khalak

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The two chess-pretenders looked up aghast.

man

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

From this reading "Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

Medora

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

From this reading "Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

men's

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

Mercy

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

From this reading "Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

Mount

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

Mr

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

Mrs

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

neighbouring

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

newspaper

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

From this reading "Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

observer

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

Olivia

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

opened

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

place

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

pocket

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

relaxed

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

say

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

sound

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

Then

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

there

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

top

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

two

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

uninformed

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

up

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

From this reading The two chess-pretenders looked up aghast.

UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Mercy around us!" cried Mrs. Medora Hastings, "if it isn't that newspaper man!

VIGIL

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

visitors

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

voices

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

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Then the door was opened and behind Olivia and Antoinette appeared the two visitors who seemed to have fallen from the neighbouring heavens.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A VIGIL Upon Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Augustus Frothingham, drowsing over the pocket chess-board, the sound of footsteps and men's voices in the corridor acted with electrical effect.

world

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading If there were a place in the world where chaperonage might be relaxed the uninformed observer would say that it would be the top of Mount Khalak.