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A Love Episode
A Love Episode

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for A Love Episode
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The night was falling.
From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
“What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
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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 Love Episode

Chapter XV

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

Line 1
The night was falling.
Line 2
From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
Line 3
The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
Line 4
Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
Line 5
“What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

all

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

ashy

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

BelowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

breeze

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

burying

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

cessation

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

city

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

cloud

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

covered

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

darkness

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

daylight

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

deep

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

down

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

dust

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

ejaculated

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

engulfing

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

evening

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

falling

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

From this reading The night was falling.

few

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

gleaming

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

gleams

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

gloom

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

grey

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

heated

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

heaven

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

hidden

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

hollows

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

horizon

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

Hélène

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

ink

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

like

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

line

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

night

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

From this reading The night was falling.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

overcome

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

Paris

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

Passy

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

raining

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

retreating

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

rolled

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

roofs

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

rose

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

sat

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

slowly

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

soon

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

stars

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

streaks

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

stream

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

stretches

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The night was falling.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

upwards

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

visible

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

wafted

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

warm

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The night was falling.

wave

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

From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.

wavering

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

west

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.

window

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

From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.