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The Aspern Papers
The Aspern Papers

Chapter I

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Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Macmillan and Co., 1888.
I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.
It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.
It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.
“Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Aspern Papers

Chapter I

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Macmillan and Co., 1888.
Line 2
I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.
Line 3
It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.
Line 4
It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.
Line 5
“Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

Learner Dictionary

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

Confidence noun US /ˈconfidence/

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

From this reading “I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.”

Serenity noun US /səˈren.ə.t̬i/

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.

From this reading “It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.”

Severed adjective US /ˈsevərd/

cut completely into separate parts

From this reading “It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.”

All words in this reading · 90

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

1888

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

From this reading Macmillan and Co., 1888.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

advance

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Macmillan and Co., 1888.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

ask

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

bold

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

business

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

Co

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

From this reading Macmillan and Co., 1888.

conception

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

cut

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

don't

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

dropped

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

footing

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

friendly

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

fruitful

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

general

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

Gordian

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

idea

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

invented

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

knot

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

largest

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

liberal

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

lips

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

lodger

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

Macmillan

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

From this reading Macmillan and Co., 1888.

made

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

man

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

mean

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

most

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

Mrs

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

nature

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

off

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

practical

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

Prest

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

rise

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

risen

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

scheme

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

serenitynounUS /səˈren.ə.t̬i/

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

severedadjectiveUS /ˈsevərd/

cut completely into separate parts

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

Simply

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

singular

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

sometimes

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

supposed

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

taken

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

throw

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

truth

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

unaided

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

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.

view

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot.

whole

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

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I had taken Mrs. Prest into my confidence; in truth without her I should have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips.

women

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

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view--I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception--such as a man would not have risen to--with singular serenity.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a lodger”--I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that.