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A Royal Prisoner
A Royal Prisoner

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for A Royal Prisoner
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.
From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.
Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.
"Ah, there's a pretty girl."
He was right.
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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 Royal Prisoner

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.
Line 2
From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.
Line 3
Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.
Line 4
"Ah, there's a pretty girl."
Line 5
He was right.
/hiː wɑːz right/

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.”

Retired verb US /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading “MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was right.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

adjoining

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

adopted

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

agreeable

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

Ah

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

From this reading "Ah, there's a pretty girl."

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

become

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

capacity

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

experienced

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

Fandor

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

Following

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

girl

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

From this reading "Ah, there's a pretty girl."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

King

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

large

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

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

main

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

making

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

MARIE

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

mirror

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

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

Now

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

obliged

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

PASCAL

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

precaution

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

pretty

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

From this reading "Ah, there's a pretty girl."

receive

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/

went away to a private place

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was right.

Salon

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

scarcely

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

see

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

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

seen

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

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

set

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

study

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

surprise

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

thanks

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

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

there

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

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.

there's

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

From this reading "Ah, there's a pretty girl."

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

unexpected

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

visitor

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

visitors

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

visits

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

wait

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

waited

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

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Following this precaution he waited for the appearance of his visitor and scarcely had she set foot in the Salon when he experienced an agreeable surprise.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

wise

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

From this reading MARIE PASCAL Now that he had become a King and was obliged to receive unexpected visits in that capacity, Fandor had adopted the wise precaution of making his visitors wait in the main Salon, while he retired to the adjoining study.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading From there, thanks to a large mirror, he could see them without being seen himself.