Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Four Faces: A Mystery
The Four Faces: A Mystery

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for The Four Faces: A Mystery
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.
Preston rang the bell.
It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.
This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.
Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.
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 Four Faces: A Mystery

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.
Line 2
Preston rang the bell.
Line 3
It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.
Line 4
This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.
Line 5
Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.”

ANOTHER noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.”

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.”

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 CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

affectionate

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

all

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

ANOTHERnounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

autograph

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

beautifully

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

bell

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

From this reading Preston rang the bell.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

CONTAINS

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

deal

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

feminine

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

framed

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

furnished

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

Gastrell

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

inscriptions

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

interviewed

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

larger

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

Lights

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

maid

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

most

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

noticeable

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

number

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

once

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

people

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

photographs

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

portraits

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

Preston

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

From this reading Preston rang the bell.

progress

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

rang

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

From this reading Preston rang the bell.

recognized

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

room

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

several

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

showed

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

sides

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

signatures

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

Society

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

speak

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

SURPRISE

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

tables

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

termed

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

touch

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

two

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

Very

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

well-known

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

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading This time she showed us into a room a good deal larger than the one in which I had been interviewed by Gastrell in the morning.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.

windows

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

From this reading CONTAINS ANOTHER SURPRISE Lights were in most of the windows, as though a party were in progress.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Very beautifully furnished, on all sides what is termed the "feminine touch" was noticeable, and among a number of framed photographs on one of the tables I recognized portraits of well-known Society people, several with autograph signatures, and one or two with affectionate inscriptions.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It was answered at once by a maid who had answered it in the morning, and before Preston had time to speak the maid asked us if we would come in.