used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
Albertine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
Albertine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
in addition
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
bareheadedadjective
having the head uncovered
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
bevynounUS /ˈbevi/
a large gathering of people of a particular type
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
brioches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
cappedadjectiveUS /kæpt/
used especially of front teeth having (artificial) crowns
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
cleanlinessnounUS /ˈklenlinɪs/
the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
comelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
dexteritynounUS /dekˈsterəti/
adroitness in using the hands
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
divined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
evolvedverbUS /ɪˈvɑːlvd/
past form of “evolve” — work out
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
flawnounUS /flɔː/
an imperfection in an object or machine
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
brought together in one place
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
Giles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
haphazardadjectiveUS /hæpˈhæzərd/
dependent upon or characterized by chance
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
only a very short time before
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
set down according to a plan
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
lovelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
lustrenounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
madeleines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
mildlyadverbUS /ˈmaɪldli/
to a moderate degree
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
ministrantnoun
someone who serves as a minister
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
not any; not one
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
prevailingadjectiveUS /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/
most frequent or common
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
rearrangedverbUS /ˌriːərˈeɪndʒd/
past form of “rearrange” — put into a new order or arrangement
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
savates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
savourverb
have flavor; taste of something
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
dependable
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
strainernoun
a filter to retain larger pieces while smaller pieces and liquids pass through
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
sugarnounUS /ˈʃʊɡər/
a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
tea-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was difficult to think of madame Vervier as poor; and more difficult to think of her doing things for herself.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Yet all the loveliness had, he felt, been gathered together with something of the same mild dexterity that now brought order and comeliness to the tea-table.
tongsnounUS /tɑːŋz/
any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
Vervier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Madame Vervier rearranged the tray, setting the tongs on the sugar, the strainer on a cup, placing the plate of _madeleines_ here, the _brioches_ there; all mildly, with no savour of criticism for Albertine’s haphazard methods.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A table had been laid in a corner of the verandah, and a stout woman, bareheaded and in _savates_, was carrying out tea and coffee.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
but in spite of that
From this reading In England such a ministrant at the tea-table would have been felt as a flaw on the prevailing perfection; yet Albertine, Giles divined, was also the cook; and a bevy of trim, capped English maids could hardly have evolved the lustre of cleanliness that reigned throughout the lovely little house.
