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The Earth Trembled
The Earth Trembled

Chapter XXI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.
The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.
What did it mean?
In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.
It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Earth Trembled

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.
Line 2
The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.
Line 3
What did it mean?
Line 4
In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.
Line 5
It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.”

Remarkable noun US /ˈremarkable/

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

From this reading “The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.”

All words in this reading · 100

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 ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

agreeably

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

all

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

almost

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

call

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

case

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

closely

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

coincidence

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

COMFORT

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

complacent

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

CRUMB

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading What did it mean?

differing

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

Ella

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

ELLA'S

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

enough

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

events

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

expectation

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

frame

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

give

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

happen

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

happened

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

Houghton

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

hour

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

impressed

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

intention

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

interests

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

matters

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

mean

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

From this reading What did it mean?

Meeting

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

met

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

mood

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

more

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

Mr

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

Mrs

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

naturally

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

once

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

ordinary

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

own

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

perplexed

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

personal

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

prone

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

purely

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

regarded

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

related

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

remarkablenounUS /ˈremarkable/

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

residence

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

significance

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

slightest

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

sought

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

strange

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

Street

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

strongly

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.

superstitious

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

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

troubled

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

unexpected

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

up

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

very

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

walked

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In matters purely personal, and related closely to our own interests, we are prone to give almost a superstitious significance to events which come about naturally enough.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What did it mean?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

widely

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

Willoughby's

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

From this reading ELLA'S CRUMB OF COMFORT Ella walked up Meeting Street in a frame of mind differing widely from the complacent mood in which she sought Mrs. Willoughby's residence.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The unexpected had again happened, and to her it seemed so strange, so very remarkable, that she should have met Mr. Houghton once more without the slightest intention, or even expectation, on her part, that she was perplexed and troubled.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It was not at all strange that Houghton should have been strongly and agreeably impressed by Ella from the first; and that he should happen to call at the same hour that she did, would have been regarded by her as a very ordinary coincidence, had not the case been her own.