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The Casque's Lark
The Casque's Lark

Chapter III

Cover illustration for The Casque's Lark
Context Illustration Reading 1/69 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ON THE RHINE.
I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.
At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.
I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.
Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.
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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.

The Casque's Lark

Chapter III

Reading 1/69 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ON THE RHINE.
Line 2
I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.
Line 3
At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.
Line 4
I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.
Line 5
Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.”

Christian noun US /ˈchristian/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.”

Vow noun US /vaʊ/

a serious promise

From this reading “At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

all

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

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

also

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

beautiful

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

belong

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

charge

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

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

Christian

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

concerning

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

dropped

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

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

druids

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

Ellen

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

entertained

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

expedition

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

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

explicit

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

female

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

Gaul

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

love

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

marriage

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

more

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

offers

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

often

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

older

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ON THE RHINE.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

other

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

pondered

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

reason

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

rejected

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

reticence

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

RHINE

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

From this reading ON THE RHINE.

Sampso

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

Sampso's

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

several

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

societies

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

some

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

Soon

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

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

spread

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

subjects

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

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

surmised

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

suspected

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ON THE RHINE.

then

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

times

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

turned

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

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Soon, however, I dropped all these subjects and turned my mind upon the expedition that I had in charge.

Victorin

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

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

virginity

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

virtuous

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

vownounUS /vaʊ/

a serious promise

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I also pondered the reason for Sampso's reticence when I asked her to be more explicit concerning Victorin.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

why

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

wife

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.

women

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

From this reading At times I suspected that she entertained some secret love, other times I surmised she might belong to one of the Christian societies that began to spread over Gaul and in which the women took the vow of virginity, as did several of our female druids.

year

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

From this reading I had often asked myself why Sampso, who was a year older than Ellen, and as beautiful and virtuous as my wife, had until then rejected several offers of marriage.