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Burgo's Romance
Burgo's Romance

Chapter XIV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
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IN DURANCE VILE.
It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
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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.

Burgo's Romance

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN DURANCE VILE.
Line 2
It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
Line 3
He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
Line 4
So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
Line 5
Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

afterwards

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

attempting

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

Burgo

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

considerably

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

couch

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

cushions

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

daylight

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

detail

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

DURANCE

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

From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.

effort

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

equal

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

eyes

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

felt

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

full

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

hand

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

happened

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

horsehair

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

Imprimis

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.

involved

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

just

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

latter

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

made

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

mahogany

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

move

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

now

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

old-fashioned

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

opened

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

pillow

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

proceeded

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

quarters

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

satisfy

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

scarcely

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

side

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

stare

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

stretched

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

taking

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

then

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

tried

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.

unfamiliar

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

VILE

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

From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.

wandering

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

wear

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.

worse

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

From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.