Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

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

From this reading --A Peep at Lord Dunroe and His Friend.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

later than; following

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

troubled emotionally and usually deeply

From this reading You seem agitated.

frightening because of an awareness of danger

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

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

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

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

From this reading --A Peep at Lord Dunroe and His Friend.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading --A Peep at Lord Dunroe and His Friend.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

a female human offspring

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

the act of discovering something

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

mental turmoil

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

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

From this reading --A Peep at Lord Dunroe and His Friend.

the act of running away with a lover (usually to get married)

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

a boy or man

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading --A Peep at Lord Dunroe and His Friend.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

past form of “glare” — look at with a fixed gaze

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

(classical mythology) a hero noted for his strength; performed 12 immense labors to gain immortality

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

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

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

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

From this reading --A Peep at Lord Dunroe and His Friend.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

not based on fact; existing only in the imagination

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

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

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

in a literal sense

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading --A Peep at Lord Dunroe and His Friend.

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

joint that forms a corner; usually both sides are bevelled at a 45-degree angle to form a 90-degree corner

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

look furtively

From this reading --A Peep at Lord Dunroe and His Friend.

possessive form of “priest” — a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading You seem agitated.

term of address for a man

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

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

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

compelling immediate action

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

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

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was literally in rags; and his long beard, gaunt features, and eyes that glared as if with remorse, distraction, or despair, absolutely constituted him an alarming as well as a painful spectacle.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was on the morning that Sir Thomas Gourlay had made the disastrous discovery of the flight of his daughter--for he had not yet heard the spreading rumor of the imaginary elopement--that the stranger, on his way from Father M'Mahon's to the Mitre, was met in a lonely part of the road, near the priest's house, by a man of huge stature and savage appearance.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading As he approached the stranger, with some obvious and urgent purpose, trailing after him a weapon that resembled the club of Hercules, the latter paused in his step and said, “What is the matter with you, my good fellow?