used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/
deserving of the highest esteem or admiration
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
afflictionnounUS /əˈflɪkʃən/
a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
appearancesnounUS /əˈpɪrənsəz/
plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
befallenverbUS /bəˈfɑːlən/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
conveyingnounUS /kənˈveɪɪŋ/
act of transferring property title from one person to another
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
creditedadjectiveUS /ˈkredətəd/
(usually followed by “to”) given credit for
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
debilitynounUS /dəˈbɪləti/
the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
Dormer-Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
divisible by two
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
a social unit living together
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
feeblenessnoun
the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
footman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
immediately past
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
a particular point in time
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
used to form the superlative
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
a form of address for a man
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
OwennounUS /ˈoʊən/
Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
PaulineadjectiveUS /pɔːˈliːn/
relating to Paul the Apostle or his doctrines
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
reproachfuladjective
expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
precisely, exactly
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
RiversnounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
Rivers's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
only a very short time before
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
shuttingnounUS /ˈʃʌtɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
with low volume
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
a special situation
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
in the direction of
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
uneasilyadverbUS /əˈniːzəli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
accept gladly
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He tells me that he informed you of the family affliction which has befallen us.
which person or people
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Even in the moment of her first dismay, that admirable woman Pauline Dormer-Smith was true to the great social duty of keeping up appearances.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading That is quite right"--as if Mr. Owen Rivers's presence were the most natural and welcome thing in the world.
an affirmative
From this reading She turned her head over her shoulder to James, who was hovering uneasily in the background, and said softly, "Oh yes; it _is_ Mr. Owen Rivers.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Then, shutting the door on James and on society, she advanced towards the two young people, who had risen on her entrance, and said, with a kind of reproachful feebleness, conveying the impression that she was reduced to the last stage of debility, and that it was entirely their fault, "I had scarcely credited the footman's statement that you were here having a private interview with my niece, Mr. Rivers.
