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Dust: A Novel
Dust: A Novel

Chapter XXXIII

Cover illustration for Dust: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.
Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.
Then the sound of a voice that was familiar to her came to her ears.
Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.
“Philip, again!” she murmured.
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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.

Dust: A Novel

Chapter XXXIII

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.
Line 2
Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.
Line 3
Then the sound of a voice that was familiar to her came to her ears.
Line 4
Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.
Line 5
“Philip, again!” she murmured.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Philip, again!” she murmured.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.”

Sharply noun US /ˈsharply/

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

From this reading “Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

act

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

admitted

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

afterwards

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Philip, again!” she murmured.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

attend

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

came

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

From this reading Then the sound of a voice that was familiar to her came to her ears.

carriage

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

chill

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

coming

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

Croftus

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

door

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

door-bell

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

down

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

downward

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

ears

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

From this reading Then the sound of a voice that was familiar to her came to her ears.

evening

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

expectantly

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

familiar

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

From this reading Then the sound of a voice that was familiar to her came to her ears.

festivity

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

folds

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

full

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

gazing

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

hall

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

hand

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

heard

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

Hearing

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

holding

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

keep

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

landing

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

less

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

Lord

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

Marquise

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

meant

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

more

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

murmured

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

From this reading “Philip, again!” she murmured.

neck

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

opera

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

out

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

paused

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

Perdita

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

Philip

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

From this reading “Philip, again!” she murmured.

planned

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

political

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

raiment

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

ring

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

round

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

shawl

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

shoulders

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

significance

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

silken

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

soft

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

some

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

sound

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

From this reading Then the sound of a voice that was familiar to her came to her ears.

stairs

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

Then

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

From this reading Then the sound of a voice that was familiar to her came to her ears.

thrown

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

together

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

upper

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

From this reading Hearing it, the Marquise paused on the upper landing, holding the folds of her shawl together with her left hand, and gazing expectantly downward.

voice

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

From this reading Then the sound of a voice that was familiar to her came to her ears.

waiting

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Perdita had planned to attend the opera that evening, and afterwards she meant to look in at Lord Croftus’ party, which had more or less of a political significance.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her carriage was waiting at the door, and she herself, in full raiment of festivity, was in the act of coming down stairs, with a soft silken shawl thrown round her neck and shoulders to keep out the chill, when she heard the door-bell ring sharply, and some one was admitted to the hall below.