Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Demos
Demos

Chapter XXXII

Cover illustration for Demos
Context Illustration Reading 1/71 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.
It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.
That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.
He could not even explain it as self-interest in her; numberless things proved the contrary.
Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Demos

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/71 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.
Line 2
It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.
Line 3
That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.
Line 4
He could not even explain it as self-interest in her; numberless things proved the contrary.
Line 5
Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.”

All words in this reading · 103

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 That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

abandoning

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

actively

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

Alice

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

all

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

always

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

appealed

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

arms

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

behalf

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

brother

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

cause

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

certainly

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

comical

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

conscious

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

contrary

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

From this reading He could not even explain it as self-interest in her; numberless things proved the contrary.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

cruelty

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

deprived

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

detesting

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

espousing

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

exasperation

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

excuse

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

experience

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

explain

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

From this reading He could not even explain it as self-interest in her; numberless things proved the contrary.

finger

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

given

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

From this reading Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

greater

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

happily

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

highly

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

house

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

humour

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

instance

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

means

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

numberless

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

From this reading He could not even explain it as self-interest in her; numberless things proved the contrary.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

old

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

power

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

preserve

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

From this reading Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

prided

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

process

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

proved

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

From this reading He could not even explain it as self-interest in her; numberless things proved the contrary.

relished

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

respect

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

From this reading Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

Rodman

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

round

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

scarcely

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

see

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

seek

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

self-interest

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

From this reading He could not even explain it as self-interest in her; numberless things proved the contrary.

sense

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

slave

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

From this reading Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

slightest

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

From this reading Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

spring

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

things

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

From this reading He could not even explain it as self-interest in her; numberless things proved the contrary.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

town

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

trouble

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

From this reading Alice was still his slave, though he had not given himself the slightest trouble to preserve even her respect.

turn

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

vent

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

very

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

well

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

wife

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

Willis

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

From this reading Mr. Willis Rodman scarcely relished the process which deprived him of his town house and of the greater part of his means, but his exasperation happily did not seek vent for itself in cruelty to his wife.

women

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

From this reading That he could turn her round his finger was an old experience, but to see her spring so actively to arms on his behalf, when he was conscious that she had every excuse for detesting him, and even abandoning him, struck him as a highly comical instance of his power over women, a power on which he had always prided himself.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.

zeal

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

From this reading It might very well have done so, would all but certainly, had not Alice appealed to his sense of humour by her zeal in espousing his cause against her brother.