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The Young Step-Mother
The Young Step-Mother

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for The Young Step-Mother
Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’
A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’
‘Ah! you were so good to make excuses for me.
I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.
It was why I wished to speak to you.’
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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 Young Step-Mother

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’
Line 2
A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’
Line 3
‘Ah! you were so good to make excuses for me.
Line 4
I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.
Line 5
It was why I wished to speak to you.’

Learner Dictionary

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

Ashamed adjective US /əˈʃeɪmd/

feeling guilt or embarrassment after doing something that causes embarrassment

From this reading “I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Ah! you were so good to make excuses for me.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Ah! you were so good to make excuses for me.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was why I wished to speak to you.’”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.”

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 ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

afraid

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

Ah

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

From this reading ‘Ah! you were so good to make excuses for me.

Albinia

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

apologize

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

ashamedadjectiveUS /əˈʃeɪmd/

feeling guilt or embarrassment after doing something that causes embarrassment

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

blushing

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

brief

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

certain

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

comforted

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

contrite

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

day

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

dear

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

disagreeable

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

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

excuses

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

From this reading ‘Ah! you were so good to make excuses for me.

expression

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

face

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

favour

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

felt

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

feverish

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

few

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

Frenchwoman

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘Ah! you were so good to make excuses for me.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

how

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

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

intoxication

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was why I wished to speak to you.’

Kendal

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

kindly

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

Madame

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘Ah! you were so good to make excuses for me.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

moments

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

Mrs

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

much

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

raised

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

recovered

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

said

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

see

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

spare

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

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’

speak

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

From this reading It was why I wished to speak to you.’

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

tedious

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

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

timidity

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

too

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

wanted

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I am so ashamed when I think how tedious, how disagreeable I must have been.

why

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

From this reading It was why I wished to speak to you.’

wished

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

From this reading It was why I wished to speak to you.’

wishing

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

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A blushing face was raised with such an expression of contrite timidity, that Albinia felt sure that the poor little Frenchwoman had recovered from her brief intoxication, and wanted to apologize and be comforted, so she said kindly, ‘I was wishing to see you, my dear; I was afraid the day had been too much for you; I was certain you were feverish.’

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading ‘Mrs. Kendal, dear Madame, a great favour, could you spare me a few moments?’