Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 2
The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 2

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 2
Context Illustration Reading 1/52 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.
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 Portrait of a Lady — Volume 2

Chapter VII

Reading 1/52 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.
Line 2
A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.
Line 3
The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.
Line 4
Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.
Line 5
Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

archway

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

ascending

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

asleep

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

attitude

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

away

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

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

base

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

Bernini

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

bowers

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

caves

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

clear

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

court

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

crossed

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

dancing

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

draperies

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

drive

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

enclosed

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

entered

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

extreme

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

fingers

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

footstep

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

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

garden

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

gloom

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

grass

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

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

half-hour

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

hung

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

imagined

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

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

inflated

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

instead

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

Isabel

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

light

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

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

like

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

looking

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

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

luncheon

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

made

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

manner

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

moment

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

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

noontide

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

nymph

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

palace

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

quitted

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

Ralph

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

relaxation

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

return

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

roused

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

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

shade

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

sitting

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

some

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

spacious

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

spot

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

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

staircase

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

statue

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

stillness

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

suggested

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

sweeter

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

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

taper

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

Terpsichore

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

there

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading A sweeter spot at this moment could not have been imagined.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

turning

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

From this reading Her light footstep on the grass had not roused him, and before turning away she stood for a moment looking at him.

vehicle

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

From this reading One morning, on her return from her drive, some half-hour before luncheon, she quitted her vehicle in the court of the palace and, instead of ascending the great staircase, crossed the court, passed beneath another archway and entered the garden.

warm

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

From this reading The stillness of noontide hung over it, and the warm shade, enclosed and still, made bowers like spacious caves.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ralph was sitting there in the clear gloom, at the base of a statue of Terpsichore--a dancing nymph with taper fingers and inflated draperies in the manner of Bernini; the extreme relaxation of his attitude suggested at first to Isabel that he was asleep.