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 A DINNER AT PINCOTE.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
accusation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
animated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A DINNER AT PINCOTE.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
blessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
cheerfulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.
Dering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
DINNER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER AT PINCOTE.
dispositions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɛst/
suffering from pain, danger, or serious difficulty
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
disturb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
downhearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.
EitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.
equable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
friendship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
gay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
hanging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
infinitely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
Lionel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
Newton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
offices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
ordeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
owed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
Park
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
PINCOTE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DINNER AT PINCOTE.
predispose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
prison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
serenitynounUS /səˈren.ə.t̬i/
The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
sunny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Either Edith or Tom saw him every day.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There was about him a serenity, a quiet cheerfulness, which nothing seemed able to disturb; and when in the company of others he was usually as gay and animated as if the four walls of his cell had been those of his own study at Park Newton.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lionel Dering was blessed with one of those equable dispositions which predispose their owner to look always at the sunny side of everything; and even now, in prison, and with such a terrible accusation hanging over him, no one ever saw him downhearted or in any way distressed.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The ordeal was, in any case, a very trying one; but it would have been infinitely more so but for the sweet offices of love and friendship which he owed in one case to his wife, and in the other to his friend.