Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Elusive Pimpernel
The Elusive Pimpernel

Chapter XXXIII · The English Spy

Cover illustration for The Elusive Pimpernel
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.
Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.
In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.
The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.
Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Elusive Pimpernel

Chapter XXXIII · The English Spy

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.
Line 2
Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.
Line 3
In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.
Line 4
The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.
Line 5
Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.”

All words in this reading · 106

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 In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

AgainstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

ago

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

air

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

all

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

automatons

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

bayonets

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

blue

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

boots

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

breeches

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

candles

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

ceased

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

central

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

circle

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

composed

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

dark

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

distance

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

drab

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

drawing

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

dusk

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

dusty

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

dying

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

embrasures

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

evening

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

facings

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

failed

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

fast

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

figures

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

five

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

fixed

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

Fort

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

fumes

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

Gayole

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

glass

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

grey

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

ground-floor

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

group

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

heavy

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

immediate

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

immovable

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

large

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

light

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

like

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

lining

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

many

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

now

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

opened

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

oppressive

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

out

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

panes

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

penetrate

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

persistently

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

promenade

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

radiance

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

ramparts

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

rays

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

reigned

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

riding

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

room

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

round

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

row

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

scarlet

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

setting

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

shades

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

shed

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

silent

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

small

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

smoked

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

soldiers

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

some

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

soon

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

southern

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

stone

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

sun

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

table

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

tallow

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

thick

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

two

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

uniforms

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

walls

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

wide

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

window

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

WithinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.