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A Living Lie
A Living Lie

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for A Living Lie
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.
Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.
Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.
He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.
But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.
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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 Living Lie

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.
Line 2
Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.
Line 3
Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.
Line 4
He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.
Line 5
But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

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 “Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.”

CRUEL adjective US /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading “CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.”

Disappeared noun US /ˈdisappeared/

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

From this reading “But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.”

Double noun US /double/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.”

Powers noun US /powers/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

acknowledge

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

all

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

analysis

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

angel

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

angel's

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

angelic

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

aside

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

assumed

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

attached

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

attitude

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

BEauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

blow

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

bluntness

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

bright

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

burst

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

calculations

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

committing

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

contradictory

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

contrast

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

crowd

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

CRUELadjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

dealt

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

declaration

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

double

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

easily

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

eyes

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

far

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

feet

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

finding

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

gates

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

got

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

ideas

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

instead

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

KIND

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

laid

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

laying

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

lifted

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

loosely

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

loved

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

metaphorically

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

mistake

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

mistaken

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

Museum

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

off

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

opened

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

out

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

paralysing

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

perceived

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

pinions

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

poet

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

powersnounUS /powers/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

probably

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

reflection

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

René

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.

simply

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

speaking

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

spread

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

striking

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

Suzanne

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

very

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

Vincy

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

wide

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

From this reading But instead of committing the mistake of laying them aside the angel had spread her bright pinions out wide and disappeared.

wings

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

From this reading He would have had to acknowledge that the angel's wings were very loosely attached if they could be so easily laid aside.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading CRUEL TO BE KIND When René Vincy had got as far as the Museum gates without finding Suzanne a crowd of contradictory ideas burst so suddenly upon him that he was lifted, metaphorically speaking, off his feet.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Had she simply told him that she loved him he would probably have opened his eyes and perceived the striking contrast between the angelic attitude assumed by Suzanne and the bluntness of this declaration.

young

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

From this reading Suzanne had not been mistaken in her calculations, the double blow she had dealt the young poet paralysing all his powers of analysis and reflection.