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The skeleton key
The skeleton key

Chapter XV · The Face on the Wall

Cover illustration for The skeleton key
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.
He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.
“It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”
He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.
But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The skeleton key

Chapter XV · The Face on the Wall

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.
Line 2
He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.
Line 3
“It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”
Line 4
He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.
Line 5
But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.”

Added noun US /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.”

Buoyant adjective US /ˈbɔɪənt/

able to float or rise easily in water

From this reading “He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.”

Desertion noun US /ˈdesertion/

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

From this reading “He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.””

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.””

Tongue noun US /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.””

All words in this reading · 75

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 “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

addednounUS /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

all

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

anxiety

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

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

Baron

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

buoyantadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪənt/

able to float or rise easily in water

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

certain

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

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

committed

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

conscience-smitten

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

desertionnounUS /ˈdesertion/

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

face

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

fanfaron

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

fell

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

felt

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

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

foresaw

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

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

future

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

guard

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

hour

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

inquiry

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

issue

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

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

keep

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

le

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

lesson

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

M

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

Montesquieu

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

now

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

observed

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

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

old

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

Paris

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

reflection

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

rooms

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

servant

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

smiling

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

somewhat

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

spirits

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

teaching

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

temper

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He foresaw, be it observed, that certain issue, and felt no anxiety about it.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The morning of the inquiry found M. le Baron in Paris, in his old rooms at the Montesquieu.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

tonguenounUS /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

trial

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.

unwholesome

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

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

very

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was in very good spirits, smiling and buoyant, and not at all conscience-smitten over his desertion of his servant in his hour of need.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “It will be a not unwholesome lesson for the little _fanfaron_,” he thought, “teaching him in the future to keep a guard on his tongue and temper.”

wonder

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

From this reading But his face fell somewhat to an added reflection: “I wonder if they have committed _him_ for trial by now.