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The Massarenes
The Massarenes

Chapter XXXI

Cover illustration for The Massarenes
Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.
One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.
An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.
She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.
Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.
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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 Massarenes

Chapter XXXI

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.
Line 2
One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.
Line 3
An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.
Line 4
She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.
Line 5
Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

Learner Dictionary

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

Anybody pronoun US /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading “She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.”

Pleased noun US /ˈpleased/

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

From this reading “She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.”

Somebody pronoun US /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/

a person, without saying who

From this reading “Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

afford

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

aunt

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

beauty

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

carrying

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

chose

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

Court

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

died

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

Duchess

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

enough

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

favorites

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

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

few

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

following

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

fortunate

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

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

graceful

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

happened

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

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

how

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

incidents

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

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

indisputably

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

interference

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

just

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

legacy

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

London

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

manner

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

March

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

Millions

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

money

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

more

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

most

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

much

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

old

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

once

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

Otterbourne

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

own

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

pass

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

presence

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

prodigal

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

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

ready

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

really

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

recovered

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

respectable

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

salon

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

satisfaction

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

saw

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

see

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

self-denial

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

smallest

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

smoothly

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/

a person, without saying who

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

spend

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

spirits

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

squandered

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

stands

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

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

theatre

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

thousands

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

too

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was pleased to have a little ready money, indisputably her own, which had come to her in a most respectable manner, and could be squandered just as she chose, without the interference of anybody.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading One of those fortunate incidents of which life is prodigal to its favorites had happened.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the following March London saw once more the Duchess of Otterbourne carrying her graceful presence to Court and salon and theatre, having recovered her beauty and with it her spirits.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

year

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

From this reading An old aunt had died and left her a legacy of a few thousands; enough thousands to make a year at least pass smoothly, without too much self-denial.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Millions do not really afford you the smallest satisfaction if somebody stands over you to see how you spend them.