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Ten Years Later
Ten Years Later

Chapter XXXVI · Madame de Belliere’s Plate

Cover illustration for Ten Years Later
Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.
It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.
She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.
Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.
A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
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Ten Years Later

Chapter XXXVI · Madame de Belliere’s Plate

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.
Line 2
It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.
Line 3
She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.
Line 4
Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.
Line 5
A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

account

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

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

announced

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

approaching

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

attain

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

blow

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

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

Colbert's

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

concealed

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

crime

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

deep

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

delight

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

detestable

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

downfall

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

efforts

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

employed

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

events

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

forced

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

friend

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

heartlessly

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

ideas

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

interest

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

less

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

losing

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

maneuvers

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

Marguerite

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

marquise

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

means

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

menaces

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

more

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

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

object

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

once

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

painful

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

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

public

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

pursue

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

recovered

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

reflect

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

relentless

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

risk

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

seduction

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

semblance

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

some

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

then

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

train

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

Treason

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

unexpected

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

From this reading The blow had been the more painful on account of its being unexpected.

untiring

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was some time before the marquise recovered herself; but once recovered, she began to reflect upon the events so heartlessly announced to her.

way

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

weapons

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Treason, then—deep menaces, concealed under the semblance of public interest—such were Colbert’s maneuvers.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She therefore returned, at the risk even of losing her life in the way, to that train of ideas which her relentless friend had forced her to pursue.

wicked

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

From this reading A detestable delight at an approaching downfall, untiring efforts to attain this object, means of seduction no less wicked than the crime itself—such were the weapons Marguerite employed.