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The Water-Witch
The Water-Witch

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for The Water-Witch
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”
Merchant of Venice.
The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.
But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.
It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.
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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 Water-Witch

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”
Line 2
Merchant of Venice.
Line 3
The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.
Line 4
But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.
Line 5
It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading ““—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.””

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.”

Maiden noun, literary US /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading “But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.”

Merchant noun US /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading “Merchant of Venice.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.””

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.””

Owing noun US /owing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.””

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.””

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.”

All words in this reading · 112

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 “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

act

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

affair

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

aid

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

Barbérie

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

bid

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

bind

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

breathless

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

clearing

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

consciousness

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

decision

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

demoiselle

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

dismissed

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

doors

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

equivocal

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

events

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

Fast

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

feverish

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

fifty

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

find

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

footstep

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

gladly

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

go

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

happened

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

heard

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

hour

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

immediately

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

impropriety

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

impulses

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

Jessica

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

just

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

la

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

late

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

lawn

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

leave

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

less

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

like

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

listened

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

Ludlow

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

maidennoun, literaryUS /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

manner

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

MerchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading Merchant of Venice.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

mystery

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

nature

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

now

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Merchant of Venice.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

opportunity

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

others

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

owing

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

Perhaps

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

precipitation

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

proverb

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

put

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

questions

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

reflect

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

remembered

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From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

repented

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

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

return

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

sense

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

shrubbery

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From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

Shut

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

singular

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

some

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

stale

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

suitor

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

thrifty

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

too

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

From this reading It was too late, however, for she had heard Ludlow take his leave, and had listened, in breathless silence, to his footstep, as he passed the shrubbery of her little lawn.

Venice

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

From this reading Merchant of Venice.

visiting

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

Well

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

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The decision, with which la demoiselle Barbérie had dismissed her suitor, was owing to some consciousness that she had need of opportunity to reflect on the singular nature of the events which had just happened, no less than to a sense of the impropriety of his visiting her at that hour, and in a manner so equivocal.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But, like others who act from feverish impulses, when alone the maiden repented of her precipitation; and she remembered fifty questions which might aid in clearing the affair of its mystery, that she would now gladly put.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “—Well, Jessica, go in; Perhaps, I will return immediately; Do as I bid you, Shut doors after you: Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale, in thrifty mind.”