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

Chapter II

Cover illustration for The Muse of the Department
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.
Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.
While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.
In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.
She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.
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 Muse of the Department

Chapter II

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.
Line 2
Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.
Line 3
While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.
Line 4
In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.
Line 5
She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

Learner Dictionary

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

Art auxiliary verb US /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading “She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.”

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading “Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.”

Pieces noun US /pieces/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.”

Third noun US /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.”

All words in this reading · 106

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

absolute

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

airing

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

all

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

allowed

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

always

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

ambition

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

Anna

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

aversion

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

backstairs

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

Baudraye

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

brilliancy

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

cant

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

compliments

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

Comte

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

conversation

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

country

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

day

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

de

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

Dinah's

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

discoveries

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

distanced

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

endure

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

engendered

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

envy

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

fashion

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

Fontaine's

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

forms

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

gave

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

keep

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

La

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

ladies

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

latest

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

leading

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

level

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

liked

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

Madame

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

made

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

malignant

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

married

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

newest

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

old-fashioned

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

Parisian

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

perpetually

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

pieces

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

piqued

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

poems

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

pointless

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

presence

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

remarks

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

rise

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

Sancerre

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

say

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

science

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

show

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

slander

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

small

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

son

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

staple

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

success

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

talk

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

thanks

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

theatres

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

thirdnounUS /third/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

thoughts

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

Thus

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

tittle-tattle

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Anna, thanks to a fine fortune, had married the Comte de Fontaine’s third son.

trifles

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

turf

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

uttering

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

vacuous

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

visited

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

wit

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

From this reading While all these trifles gave rise to malignant envy in the ladies of Sancerre, Dinah’s conversation and wit engendered absolute aversion.

words

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

From this reading She liked to hear of discoveries in science or art, or the latest pieces at the theatres, the newest poems, and by airing the cant words of the day she made a show of uttering thoughts.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Thus those ladies who visited at La Baudraye were perpetually piqued by Dinah’s success in leading the fashion; do what they would, they were always behind, or, as they say on the turf, distanced.

yelping

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

From this reading In her ambition to keep her mind on the level of Parisian brilliancy, Madame de la Baudraye allowed no vacuous small talk in her presence, no old-fashioned compliments, no pointless remarks; she would never endure the yelping of tittle-tattle, the backstairs slander which forms the staple of talk in the country.