adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
adjutantnounUS /ˈædʒətənt/
an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
arrivedverbUS /ərˈaɪvd/
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
assiduouslyadverbUS /əˈsɪdwəsli/
with care and persistence
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
assuredadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrd/
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
bentnounUS /bent/
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
Beresford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
captainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
Carruthers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
dancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
elbowedverbUS /ˈelboʊd/
past form of “elbow” — push one's way with the elbows
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
exchangingverbUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “exchange” — give to, and receive from, one another
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
greetingsnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/
plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
groupnounUS /ɡruːp/
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
ladyship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
leftnounUS /left/
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 Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
MarshalverbUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
place in proper rank
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
O'Moy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
obstaclesnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəlz/
plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
officersnounUS /ˈɔːfəsərz/
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
pausenounUS /pɔːz/
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/
having a point
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
sapper's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
shrinenounUS /ʃraɪn/
a place of worship hallowed by association with some sacred thing or person
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
singlenessnoun
without hypocrisy
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
skillnounUS /skɪl/
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading Captain Tremayne went through the group with all a sapper’s skill at piercing obstacles, and so came face to face with the lady of his quest.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
suffocatedverbUS /ˈsʌfəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “suffocate” — deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
ThitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
ThusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thither the captain bent his steps, looking neither to right nor left in his singleness of purpose.
Tremayne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Tremayne elbowed his way through the gorgeous crowd, exchanging greetings here and there as he went, and so reached the ballroom during a pause in the dancing.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
worshippedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrʃəpt/
regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god)
From this reading Thus it happened that he saw neither O’Moy, who had just arrived, nor the massive, decorated bulk of Marshal Beresford, with whom the adjutant stood in conversation on the skirts of the throng that so assiduously worshipped at her ladyship’s shrine.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He looked round for Lady O’Moy, but he could see her nowhere, and would never have found her had not Carruthers pointed out a knot of officers and assured him that the lady was in the heart of it and in imminent peril of being suffocated.
