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A broken blossom, vol. 2 of 3
A broken blossom, vol. 2 of 3

Chapter IV · The Denouement

Cover illustration for A broken blossom, vol. 2 of 3
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.
His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.
I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.
‘_Hilda!_ Miss Marsh!
Is it possible!
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A broken blossom, vol. 2 of 3

Chapter IV · The Denouement

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.
Line 2
His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.
Line 3
I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.
Line 4
‘_Hilda!_ Miss Marsh!
Line 5
Is it possible!

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.”

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

all

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

appeared

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

believed

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

delighted

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

eagerly

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

embittered

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

face

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

felt

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

few

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

greater

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

hand

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

held

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

Hilda

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

From this reading ‘_Hilda!_ Miss Marsh!

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Is it possible!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

large

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

man

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

Marsh

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

From this reading ‘_Hilda!_ Miss Marsh!

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

meeting

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

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

minutes

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

Miss

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

From this reading ‘_Hilda!_ Miss Marsh!

mother

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

out

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

portion

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

possible

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

From this reading Is it possible!

presence

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

Pucelle

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

realised

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

recognition

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

said

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

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

seized

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

shock

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

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

St

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading I suppose I said something, and held out my hand to him, because he seized it eagerly, and appeared delighted at the recognition.

surprise

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

unable

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

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

unexpected

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

utterly

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I am quite unable to remember what I said, or did, in the first shock of meeting him again.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading His presence in St. Pucelle was so utterly sudden and unexpected to me, that I should not have felt greater surprise if my dead mother had stood before me; and I do not think that, for the first few minutes, I at all believed or realised that I was face to face with the man who had embittered so large a portion of my life.