Chapter XI

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

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

past form of “annex” — take (territory) as if by conquest

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

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

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

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

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

agreement with a statement or proposal to do something

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

after the expected or usual time; delayed

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

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

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

deem to be

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

plural of “discussion” — an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

set up or found

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

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

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

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

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

close or warm friendship

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

plural of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

comparative of “mean” — approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

not any; not one

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

many times at short intervals

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

on one occasion

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

not fanciful or imaginative

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

plural of “pursuit” — the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

possessing material wealth

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

a relationship between two lovers

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

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

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

in the near future

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

possessive form of “stella” — United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

relating to or concerned with strategy

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

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

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

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

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

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

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

unclearness by virtue of being poorly expressed or not coherent in meaning

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

the quality of being facile in speech and writing

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

nonexistent

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.

look attentively

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

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

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

at the time that

From this reading Afterwards he had taken up a strategic position near the head of the stairs when the meaner animals or belated lions began to arrive, in order to watch and wait for Stella’s entrance.

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

From this reading And in so doing she would have made one of those mistakes which are so often and so inevitably committed by people of great common sense but no imagination, who cannot allow for the possible presence of romance in pursuits which they themselves consider prosaic.

which person or people

From this reading Martin had been among the lions who were fed to-night at Lady Sunningdale’s, and had eaten of rich and slightly indeterminate food, for his hostess’s vagueness and volubility, like Karl’s love of form, found expression in the dinner.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then as soon as her mother and Lady Sunningdale had retired into their corner, he had annexed her--with her complete assent--and plunged into discussions about affairs not in the least private.

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

From this reading Had her mother overheard, she would, with her strong, practical common sense, have ordered the conversation to cease at once, so wanting in the right sort of intimacy would she have found it.