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A Husband by Proxy
A Husband by Proxy

Chapter XXV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/11 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.
Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.
But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?
He could not reach a decision.
Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.
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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 Husband by Proxy

Chapter XXV

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.
Line 2
Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.
Line 3
But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?
Line 4
He could not reach a decision.
Line 5
Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He could not reach a decision.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?”

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 A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

all

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

case

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

circle

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

CLEWS

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

convinced

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could not reach a decision.

DEARTH

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

decision

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

From this reading He could not reach a decision.

deductions

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

Dorothy

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

doubts

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

duration

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

entertained

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

Fairfax

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

felt

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

former

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

furnished

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

Garrison's

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

genuine

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

Heretofore

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

hours

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

invariably

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

involved

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

likewise

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

line

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

man

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

many

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

married

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

matter

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

new

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

old

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

only

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

phases

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

reach

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

From this reading He could not reach a decision.

read

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

reasoned

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

reflect

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

ride

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

Robinson

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

several

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

Star

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

story

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

swung

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

there

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

thoughts

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

to-night

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

From this reading Heretofore he had reasoned there could be no genuine Fairfax; to-night he entertained many doubts of his former deductions.

topic

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

train

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

troubled

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

wander

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

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A DEARTH OF CLEWS Garrison's ride on the train was a matter of several hours' duration.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But wander where they would, his thoughts invariably swung around the troubled circle to Dorothy and the topic was she married or not, and if she was,--where was the man?

young

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

From this reading Not only did he read every line of the story in the _Star_, which he felt convinced had been furnished by young Robinson, but he likewise had time to reflect on all the phases, old and new, of the case in which he was involved.