Chapter I

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

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The last is a little later.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

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

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

a man who has never been married

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

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

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

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

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

communication by the exchange of letters

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

open to doubt or suspicion

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

written in the form of or carried on by letters or correspondence

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

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

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

set up or found

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

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

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

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

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

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

From this reading The last is a little later.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

immediately past

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The last is a little later.

the literary culture

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The last is a little later.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

for more time

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

United States screenwriter and filmmaker (born in 1944)

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

above and across; more than

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

existing or coming before

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

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

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

English poet (1554-1586)

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

not in physical motion

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

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

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

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

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

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

From this reading Miss Verena Raby, the centre of this epistolary circle, is one of Mr. Haven’s oldest friends.

of a vivid red to reddish-orange color

From this reading _Other Books of_ E. V. LUCAS BY E. V. LUCAS AUTHOR OF “THE VERMILION BOX,” “OVER BEMERTON’S,” ETC.

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

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

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.

belonging to which person

From this reading Mr. Richard Haven, some of whose letters are to be found in a preceding volume, _The Vermilion Box_, is still a bachelor and still lives in Mills Buildings, Knightsbridge, but is doubtful if he can afford it much longer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading TO FRANCES AND SIDNEY COLVIN TO THE READER The correspondence from which the letters in this book have been selected passed (with the exception of the last) during 1919.