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A Dangerous Flirtation
A Dangerous Flirtation

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for A Dangerous Flirtation
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.
Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.
He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.
She drew back with a cry.
"Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.
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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.

A Dangerous Flirtation

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.
Line 2
Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.
Line 3
He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.
Line 4
She drew back with a cry.
Line 5
"Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “"Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She drew back with a cry.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.”

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading “With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

advancing

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

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

answer

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

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

back

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

From this reading She drew back with a cry.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

carriage

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

corridor

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

cry

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

From this reading She drew back with a cry.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

door

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

down

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She drew back with a cry.

drove

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

Eugene

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

gained

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

girl

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

glided

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

hapless

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

hotel

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

Ida

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

Mallard

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

meet

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

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

opened

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

out

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

ready

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

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

resolve

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

room

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

scarcely

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

seeing

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

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She drew back with a cry.

softly

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

sprung

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

street

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

taken

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

traveling-dress

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

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

trembling

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

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

up

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

From this reading Ida May had scarcely gained the street before a carriage drove up, and Eugene Mallard sprung from it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was surprised at seeing Ida advancing to meet him.

wear

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

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With trembling hands, this hapless girl, who had taken such a terrible resolve, opened the door of her room, and glided softly down the long corridor and out of the hotel.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Are you ready?" he asked; but before she could answer, he went on: "You do not wear your traveling-dress.