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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
affectionate
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From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
agreed
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From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
all
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From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
Amelia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
bargain
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From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
behaviour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
convenient
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From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
countess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
Crosbie
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From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
Crosbie's
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From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
day
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From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
delay
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From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
earlier
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From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
epistle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
excuse
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From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
expected
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From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
February
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From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
finally
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From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE WEDDING.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
fortnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
fourteenth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
frightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
happiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
improvement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
invent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
March
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From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
men
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From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
mother-in-law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
named
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
potency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
PREPARATIONS
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE WEDDING.
rank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
scruple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
suggested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
Sunday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE WEDDING.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing," Lady Amelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust in the potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her.
twenty-eighth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
twenty-seventh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
unnecessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
WEDDING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE WEDDING.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A later day had been at first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having been suggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but Lady Amelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sunday evening, and had made the countess understand that there should be no unnecessary delay.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on which Mr. Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie received from his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth all the reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenient a day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse for not being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in the bargain.
