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Samuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A Mystery
Samuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A Mystery

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Samuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A Mystery
Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.
A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.
The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.
Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.
But one thing was certain.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Samuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A Mystery

Chapter II

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.
Line 2
A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.
Line 3
The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.
Line 4
Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.
Line 5
But one thing was certain.

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.”

Confidence noun US /ˈconfidence/

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

From this reading “Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But one thing was certain.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But one thing was certain.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.

admitted

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

believed

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

BOYD

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

From this reading A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.

brings

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But one thing was certain.

certain

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

From this reading But one thing was certain.

close

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

confers

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

crafty

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

delights

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

dominant

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

face

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

FASHION

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

From this reading A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.

fellow

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

foul

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

gave

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

grave

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

held

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

holds

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

human

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

knew

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

LADY

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

From this reading A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.

less

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

man

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

man's

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

masking

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

mercy

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

Mr

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But one thing was certain.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

outward

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

PAYS

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

From this reading A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.

pleasure

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

power

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

presentment

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

principle

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

pursuit

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

SAMUEL

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

From this reading A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.

say

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

secrets

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

securely

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

soul

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But one thing was certain.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The grave holds its secrets, and holds them no less securely than Mr. Samuel Boyd, in his outward presentment to his fellow man, believed he held his.

truthfully

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

VISIT

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

From this reading A LADY OF FASHION PAYS SAMUEL BOYD A VISIT.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

wealth

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

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether the pursuit of pleasure for the delights--be they fair or foul--that pleasure brings, or the pursuit of wealth for the power it confers, was the dominant principle of this man's life, no human being could truthfully say, for no human being was admitted into his confidence.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading A close and crafty face, masking a soul which knew no mercy and gave none.