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A Dash for a Throne
A Dash for a Throne

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for A Dash for a Throne
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.
The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.
The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.
His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.
His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Dash for a Throne

Chapter XVII

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

Line 1
CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.
Line 2
The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.
Line 3
The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.
Line 4
His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.
Line 5
His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.”

Details noun US /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading “The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading “His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

all

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

almost

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

any

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

arranged

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

bald

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

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

carried

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

CHECKMATE

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

Chinese

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

coal-black

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

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

concealed

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

concealment

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

costly

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

designs

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

difference

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

drawn

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

effect

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

effectual

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

embroidered

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

Emperor

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

entrance

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

exactly

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

extravagance

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

eye

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

face

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

features

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

figures

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

full

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

gorgeous

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

grotesque

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

head

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

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

head-dress

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

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

indulge

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

infinitely

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

insane

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

jewels

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

King

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

King's

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

lifelike

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

mad

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

made

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

mask

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

most

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

offering

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

ordered

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

ornamental

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

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

ostentatious

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

out

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

painted

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

pigtail

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

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

planned

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

quaintest

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

represent

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

robes

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading His head was bald save for the ornamental head-dress and the long, coal-black pigtail.

scale

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

scrupulous

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

skin

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

substitute

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

supposed

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

thousands

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

tight

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

understudy

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

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

up

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

From this reading The supposed King was made up to represent a Chinese Emperor, the full robes offering effectual concealment of any difference between the figures of the King and his substitute.

very

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

weirdest

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

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading CHECKMATE The entrance of the mad King's understudy had been arranged with scrupulous eye to effect.

wont

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

From this reading The King himself had ordered all details, and they were carried out exactly as he had planned, on a scale of ostentatious and almost insane extravagance in which he was wont to indulge.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading His features were entirely concealed behind the skin mask of a painted Chinese face drawn very tight, lifelike, yet infinitely grotesque; and his robes were gorgeous and most costly, embroidered with thousands of jewels in the quaintest and weirdest of Chinese designs.