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The Champdoce Mystery
The Champdoce Mystery

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for The Champdoce Mystery
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HUSBAND AND LOVER.
The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.
Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.
The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.
She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Champdoce Mystery

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HUSBAND AND LOVER.
Line 2
The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.
Line 3
Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.
Line 4
The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.
Line 5
She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading “The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading HUSBAND AND LOVER.

anonymous

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

ardent

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

From this reading She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

awaiting

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

believed

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

Champdoce

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

communication

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

Croisenois

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

de

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

drawing-room

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

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

Duchess

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

entreaties

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

From this reading She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

evening

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

eventful

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

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

fallen

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

friend

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

George

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

HUSBAND

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

From this reading HUSBAND AND LOVER.

impressed

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

From this reading She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

known

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

laid

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

listened

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

From this reading She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

LOVER

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

From this reading HUSBAND AND LOVER.

loving

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

From this reading She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

Madame

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

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

Mussidan's

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

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

night

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

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

only

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

passion

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

From this reading She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

pleasure

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

From this reading She had been impressed by his ardent passion, and had listened with pleasure to his loving entreaties.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

snare

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

StepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

too

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

treacherous

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

truest

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

visit

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

well

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The evening before this eventful night she had been alone in Madame de Mussidan’s drawing-room with George de Croisenois.

woman

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.

writer

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

From this reading The writer of the anonymous communication had only known the secret too well, for the Duchess de Champdoce was awaiting a visit that evening from George de Croisenois; this was, however, the first time.

yielded

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

From this reading Step by step she had yielded, and at length had fallen into the snare laid for her by the treacherous woman whom she believed to be her truest friend.