Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

Having no one else present.

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

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

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

move towards

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

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

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

armor carried on the arm to intercept blows

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

the act of burning something

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

past form of “buzz” — make a buzzing sound

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

power to direct or determine

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

a pronoun that points out an intended referent

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

without deviation

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

the organ of sight

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

opinion or judgment

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

associated with women and not with men

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

enclose with a fence

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

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

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

not accessible to view

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

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

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

most important element

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

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

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

a particular point in time

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

of very great significance

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

not any; not one

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

a handheld collapsible source of shade

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

ready for service or able to give long service

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

a protective covering or structure

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

important in effect or meaning

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

become slow or slower

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

not in physical motion

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

a canopy made of canvas to shelter people or things from rain or sun

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

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

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading Slow to anger as much by a native and hidden sweetness as by that surface control which puzzled her demonstrative Aunt Matilda, she surprised her cheeks burning and her blood beating in her throat.

United States artist who developed Tiffany glass (1848-1933)

From this reading As she left the Tiffany gate and emerged into the main road between Santa Clara and Los Gatos, Eleanor raised her serviceable khaki-brown parasol.

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

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

in the direction of

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

not to be accounted for or explained

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

lacking dramatic force and quality

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

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

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

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

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.

belonging to which person

From this reading No one followed; she had walked to the next fence corner before she assured herself of that, dared to shift that feminine buckler against the eye of the sun, to slacken her pace, and to muse on an afternoon whose events, so quiet, so undramatic, and yet so profoundly significant, buzzed still in her head.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading As she thought on them, other things came into her mind as momentous and worthy of attention before the jump of the great event--that moment alone with Bertram Chester, that panic of unaccountable fear.

but in spite of that

From this reading She was walking directly toward the setting sun, which poured into her eyes; yet she dropped the sunshade behind her head as though to shield herself against an approach from the rear.