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The traitor's way
The traitor's way

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for The traitor's way
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.
Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.
At least so it was with me.
I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.
There was a sound as of the sea roaring in my ears.
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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 traitor's way

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.
Line 2
Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.
Line 3
At least so it was with me.
/æt least soʊ ɪt wɑːz wɪð miː/
Line 4
I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.
Line 5
There was a sound as of the sea roaring in my ears.

Learner Dictionary

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

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At least so it was with me.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ““NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading “I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There was a sound as of the sea roaring in my ears.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

befalls

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

breaks

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

cannot

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

CROQUÉ

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

decreed

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

dim

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

disaster

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

ears

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

From this reading There was a sound as of the sea roaring in my ears.

endure

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

EST

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

founders

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

full

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

gains

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

happens

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

HOMME

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

hopelessly

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

horror

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

judge

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At least so it was with me.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

LittlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading At least so it was with me.

mercy

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

minutes

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

moment

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

most

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

NOTRE

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

one's

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

only

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

overwhelming

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

perhaps

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

power

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

realize

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

realized

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

recollection

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

roaring

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

From this reading There was a sound as of the sea roaring in my ears.

sea

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

From this reading There was a sound as of the sea roaring in my ears.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading At least so it was with me.

sound

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

From this reading There was a sound as of the sea roaring in my ears.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

There

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

From this reading There was a sound as of the sea roaring in my ears.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

understanding

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

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Little by little it breaks in upon the understanding, and it is only when the mind gains strength to endure, that it has the power to realize.

vague

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading At least so it was with me.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

WHENconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I can only judge from myself, and I have but a dim and vague recollection of those minutes, which were to me the most terrible of my life.

whole

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

From this reading “NOTRE HOMME EST CROQUÉ” WHEN an overwhelming disaster befalls one, when the whole ship of one’s life founders hopelessly, it is perhaps decreed in mercy that the full horror of the thing cannot be realized at the moment it happens.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading At least so it was with me.