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Ninety-Three
Ninety-Three

Chapter IX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/262 · 5 lines
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THE THREE CHILDREN.
I.
PLUS QUAM CIVILIA BELLA.
The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.
At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ninety-Three

Chapter IX

Reading 1/262 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE THREE CHILDREN.
Line 2
I.
/aɪ/
Line 3
PLUS QUAM CIVILIA BELLA.
Line 4
The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.
Line 5
At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

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 “At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.”

All words in this reading · 75

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1792

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From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

1793

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

able

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

Avranches

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

BELLA

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

From this reading PLUS QUAM CIVILIA BELLA.

best

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

Brittany

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

called

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

CHILDREN

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

From this reading THE THREE CHILDREN.

civil

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

CIVILIA

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

From this reading PLUS QUAM CIVILIA BELLA.

clear

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

close

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

Croix-Blanchard

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

day

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

direction

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

dry

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

entrance

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

extremely

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

far

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

gone

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

horseback

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

hour

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

inn

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

July

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

makes

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

man

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

people

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

place

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

PLUS

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

From this reading PLUS QUAM CIVILIA BELLA.

Pontorson

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

QUAM

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

From this reading PLUS QUAM CIVILIA BELLA.

rainy

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

riding

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

road

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

roads

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

ruining

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

situated

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

soil

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

summer

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

sunset

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

From this reading At the close of a clear July day, about an hour after sunset, a man on horseback, riding from the direction of Avranches, stopped before the little inn called the Croix-Blanchard, situated at the entrance of Pontorson.

thanks

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE THREE CHILDREN.

THREE

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

From this reading THE THREE CHILDREN.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

travel

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

very

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

war

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

warm

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

weather

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The summer of 1792 had been a very rainy one; but that of 1793 was so extremely warm that, although the civil war had gone far towards ruining the roads in Brittany, the people--thanks to the fine weather--were able to travel from place to place, for a dry soil makes the best road.