used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
having companions or an escort
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
Anstruther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
approvedadjectiveUS /əˈpruːvd/
established by authority; given authoritative approval
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
bring shame or dishonor upon
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
dispatchedverbUS /dɪˈspætʃt/
past form of “dispatch” — send away towards a designated goal
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
divisible by two
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
granddaughternounUS /ˈɡrændɔːtər/
a female grandchild
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
of the present time and place
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
Knowles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
MARGARET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
mooted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
objectedverbUS /əbˈdʒektəd/
past form of “object” — express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
pitiedverbUS /ˈpɪtiːd/
inflected form of “pity” — share the suffering of
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
prescriptionnounUS /prəˈskrɪpʃən/
directions prescribed beforehand; the action of prescribing authoritative rules or directions
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
reassuringlyadverbUS /riəˈʃɜːrɪŋli/
in a reassuring manner
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
rebellingverbUS /rɪˈbelɪŋ/
inflected form of “rebel” — take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
skilfullyadverb
with skill
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But he smiled reassuringly at her as he bade her good-bye, and promised to send her a prescription that he knew she would like.
STARTSnounUS /stɑːrts/
plural of “start” — the beginning of anything
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
tenfoldadverbUS /ˈtenfoʊld/
by ten times as much
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though, when she came to hear of it, Margaret approved this prescription, her grandfather strongly objected to it when it was first mooted to him.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MARGARET STARTS ON A JOURNEY The immediate result of the conversation that Mr. Anstruther had overheard between his granddaughter and her imaginary friend was a visit from the doctor to Margaret.
at the time that
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
belonging to which person
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dr. Knowles it was whose conversation with the clergyman Margaret had in her turn overheard from behind the hedge, and if he had pitied Margaret before, his pity increased tenfold, when by a series of skilfully put questions he had drawn from her a description of her daily life.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mr. Anstruther was sure that Margaret would never have dreamed of rebelling against him even in her thoughts had she not been ill, and within an hour from the time he had dispatched his granddaughter in disgrace to the house, Mr. Anstruther followed her there accompanied by Dr. Knowles.
