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Four Short Stories By Emile Zola
Four Short Stories By Emile Zola

Chapter XV · The Betrothal

Cover illustration for Four Short Stories By Emile Zola
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.
It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.
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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.

Four Short Stories By Emile Zola

Chapter XV · The Betrothal

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.
Line 2
In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.
Line 3
Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.
Line 4
Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.
Line 5
It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.”

Center noun US /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading “It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.”

Courtyard noun US /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading “In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.”

Everyone pronoun US /ˈevriwʌn/

every person

From this reading “Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

accused

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

arranged

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

awaited

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

beautiful

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

betrothed

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

daughter

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

Dominique

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

elbow

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

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

end

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

evening

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

EveryonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/

every person

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

exactly

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

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

eyes

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

Francoise

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

fête

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

gazed

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

grand

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

guests

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

highway

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

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

idleness

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

knew

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

leagues

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.

made

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

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

man

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

Merlier's

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

mill

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

night

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

placed

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

pleasing

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.

Père

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

Rocreuse

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

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

sex

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

sparkling

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

summer

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

tables

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

three

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill was pleasing to look upon.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Père Merlier’s mill, one beautiful summer evening, was arranged for a grand fête.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading It stood exactly in the center of Rocreuse, where the highway made an elbow.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In the courtyard were three tables, placed end to end, which awaited the guests.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.

young

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

From this reading Everyone knew that Francoise, Merlier’s daughter, was that night to be betrothed to Dominique, a young man who was accused of idleness but whom the fair sex for three leagues around gazed at with sparkling eyes, such a fine appearance had he.