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Marion Fay: A Novel
Marion Fay: A Novel

Chapter XXIX

Cover illustration for Marion Fay: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ALL THE WORLD KNOWS IT.
The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.
Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.
"By Jove, fancy!"
Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!
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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.

Marion Fay: A Novel

Chapter XXIX

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ALL THE WORLD KNOWS IT.
Line 2
The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.
Line 3
Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.
Line 4
"By Jove, fancy!"
Line 5
Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

Nevertheless adverb US /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.”

All words in this reading · 59

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 Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

affair

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

ALL

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

From this reading ALL THE WORLD KNOWS IT.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

clerk

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

From this reading Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!

commonly

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

duke

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

From this reading Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

England

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

fancy

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

From this reading "By Jove, fancy!"

Foreign

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

Frances

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!

go

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

From this reading Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!

Gorse

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

Hall

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

Hautboy

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

Hendon

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ALL THE WORLD KNOWS IT.

Jove

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

From this reading "By Jove, fancy!"

KNOWS

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

From this reading ALL THE WORLD KNOWS IT.

ladies

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

Lady

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

London

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

made

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

Office

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

once

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

From this reading Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

Post

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

From this reading Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

said

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

From this reading Hautboy had said, "to go at once from a Post Office clerk to a duke!

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

story

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

Sunday

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

talked

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ALL THE WORLD KNOWS IT.

there

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

truth

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

Vivian

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

Walker

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

From this reading Though Vivian had made a Foreign Office secret of the affair at Gorse Hall, nevertheless it had been so commonly talked about during the last Sunday there, that Hautboy had told it all to poor Walker and to the Walker ladies.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The story was in truth all over London and half over England by the time that Lady Frances had returned to Hendon Hall.

WORLD

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

From this reading ALL THE WORLD KNOWS IT.