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The Eustace Diamonds
The Eustace Diamonds

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Eustace Diamonds
Context Illustration Reading 1/66 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.
It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.
On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.
If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.
If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Eustace Diamonds

Chapter I

Reading 1/66 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.
Line 2
It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.
Line 3
On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.
Line 4
If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.
Line 5
If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.”

Born noun US /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

all

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

altogether

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

April

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

belong

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

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

bornnounUS /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

Brighton

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

call

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

circumstances

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

daughter

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

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

death

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

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

dependent

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

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

Eustace

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

Fates

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

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

Florian

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

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

Greystock

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

immense

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

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

impossible

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

inherit

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

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

interests

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

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

known

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

Lady

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

Lizzie

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

made

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

matter

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

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

modest

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

mother

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

mother's

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

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

now

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

ordain

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

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

owned

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

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

personal

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

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

position

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

retreat

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

settlement

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

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

Sir

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

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

son

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

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

subject

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

From this reading If a son should be born he would inherit everything, subject, of course, to his mother's settlement.

summer

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

then

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

There

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

things

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

wealth

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

From this reading If a daughter, to her would belong the great personal wealth which Sir Florian had owned at the time of his death.

well

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading On what the Fates might ordain in this matter immense interests were dependent.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

widow's

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

From this reading There were circumstances in her position which made it impossible that Lizzie Greystock,--or Lady Eustace, as we must now call her,--should be left altogether to herself in the modest widow's retreat which she had found at Brighton.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It was then April, and it was known that if all things went well with her, she would be a mother before the summer was over.